Times Of Oman - March 16, 2015

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30,000 pupils to get safer school buses Indian School Darsait will start monitored

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His Majesty receives cable of thanks from Emir of Kuwait MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait in reply to His Majesty’s condolences cable on the death of Sheikh Badr Abdullah Al Mohammad Al Salman Al

Sabah. In his cable, Sheikh Sabah expressed his utmost thanks for His Majesty the Sultan’s sincere condolences and sympathy, praying to Allah to rest the deceased’s soul in peace and protect His Majesty against all harms. — ONA

HM receives thanks cable from meet participants >A3

transport system

M U S C AT - B A R K A

from next month,

Batinah Expressway section opens in June

chairman, Board of Directors, Indian schools said

Times News Service RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Commuting to school is set to become safer for 30,000 children of Indian schools in the capital area.

“We are coming up with schoolapproved and monitored transport system starting from the next academic year. The pilot project for this will start from Indian School Darsait next month which will be later implemented in all the schools in the capital area,” Wilson George, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian schools in Sultanate of Oman, said.

Indian schools in the city do not have buses and the parents have to rely on private operators for commuting. Accidents involving school children and growing traffic problem in and around Darsait have prompted the board to focus on safe transportation.

The school approved transportation system will ensure the safe-

SAFETY FIRST: Indian schools in the city do not have buses and the parents have to rely on private

operators for commuting. — Supplied picture

ty of the children with features like in vehicle monitoring system (IVMS), air conditioners, fire extinguishers, emergency exit, first aid kit, warning devices, hand rails, seat belts as per seating capacity, proper interiors, post trip safety alarm, rear view mirrors, suitable flooring, with an assistant or helper in the bus.

“In the next phase, we will be adding CCTV, rear view camera, stops arms and buses will be painted yellow,” said Harish Sidhartha, in charge of the

school transportation system and a school managing committee member of ISD. The department at the Ministry of Education dealing with school buses issued guidelines on March 5 regarding standards that government school buses must meet.

Among them are cameras, sensors, fire extinguishers, seat belt cutters and first aid boxes which must be fitted in all existing government school buses.

Also, they should be painted yellow so that all school buses

M I N I S T RY O F H I G H E R E D UC AT I O N C O M M I TT E E

Students from Oman asked not to pursue studies in Yemen for now Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Omani students will not be sent to study in Yemen for now, the Committee for Evaluation and Equation of Educational Qualifications and Degrees at the Ministry of Higher Education has decided.

The committee said sending students for study will be resumed if stability returns to the country by the beginning of the academic year 2015/2016.

The committee added that it will not recognise qualifications issued by the educational institutions from the Republic of Yemen.

“Students who enrol in the Yemen educational institutions after the issuance of this decision will not be recognised,” the committee added.

The committee also decided not to recognise long distance learning science master degree in manufacturing management issued by the Birla Institute of Technology & Science of India in 2005.

Also, PhD degree in engineering from the National Engineering Institute of Technology, India in 2011 as well as the non-equivalent degree of post graduate diploma in management (executive), issued by the International Management Institute, India in 2013, will also be not recognised.

Medicine degree Furthermore, the committee also decided “not to equate bachelor medicine degree of Kharkive National Medical University in Ukraine in 2014”, because of an earlier decision of the Commit-

tee to suspend study in Central and Eastern Europe countries in 2003.

Lahaye University Bachelor’s degree in business management issued by the Lahaye University in the Netherlands in 2007, will also not be recognised. The committee justified the decision that Lahaye University is not recognised by the Netherlands Organisation for Cooperation in Higher Education.

The committee also approved a decision not to recognise bachelor degree of design graphics and advertising major, issued by the Frederick Institute of Technology, Cyprus in 2004.

The college didn’t obtain approval from competent authorities in Cyprus. >A7 TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

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Kerala NRIs’ deposits increase by 42%

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Deposits by non-resident Indians of Kerala witnessed a growth of around 42 per cent in 2013-14. >A4

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Visa rules regarding domestic servants

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Domestic servants employment conditions are not decided by the Omani Labour Law. >A6

REGION SAI-Times of Oman contest gets underway

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Iraqi forces call for coalition air strikes

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Coalition air strikes are needed to retake Tikrit Iraqi officers said on Sunday. >A8

in the Sultanate have a uniform look. At present, there is no single prescribed colour for government and private school buses to make them distinct from other similar vehicles.

Wilson George said that the project will be implemented with the existing private transport operators of ISD. “All the existing buses will be brought under this system and accepting any new vehicle into the new system will be subject to approval by the governing body,” he said. > A7

MUSCAT: In welcome news for commuters, the 18-km stretch between Muscat and Barka on upcoming Expressway project will be open in June, it was announced on Sunday.

Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, accompanied by Salim bin Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications for Transport, paid a visit to Batinah Expressway on Sunday to check on the progress of the project.

First package During a briefing on the project, it was said that an eight kilometre stretch starting from Barka roundabout towards Nakhal, which is part of the first package of the expressway, was already functional.

“An agreement has been reached with the contractor to open part of

The expressway, which is expected to be complete by 2017, will have:

4

lanes on each side

75

Barka Muscat

interchanges and tunnels

Al Batinah Expressway (MuscatBarka-18 km) next June. This part includes four lanes in each direction and four stack interchanges,” the minister informed.

The Batinah Expressway will be 265 kilometre long. The minister also met with contractors of the three first packages of the project. > A6

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

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HM receives cable of thanks

MUSCAT: The participants at the 1st International Bioethics Conference, organised by the National Bioethics Committee (NBC), in collaboration with the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the Research Council and Unesco last week, have sent a cable of thanks and gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on the occasion of concluding the conference. In their cable, they expressed utmost thanks and gratitude to His Majesty for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended them. They said that the recommendations of the conference represent important additions to bioethics and contribute to establishing an international ethical framework for its multiple and renewable issues. They will also help the National Bioethics Committee to continue the achievements it has made, carry out its own mission and enhance its pioneering role to serve the Omani and international community.–ONA

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

Rain likely in north Oman Times News Service MUSCAT: Isolated rain in the northern parts of the Sultanate has been forecast over the next three days, Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) predicted.

Rain is expected in Musandam governorate and North Batinah and will be accompanied by cloud cover in Al Hajar Mountains, which could lead to scattered rainfall, thunderstorms and hail. PACA also calls upon the public to be cautious and not cross wadis during rain.

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

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Majority of the Kerala migrants in the Middle East are skilled workers. So, their income will be high and eventually the remittances will also be high Tonny George Alexander, Country head, UAE Exchange

M I G R AT I O N S U RV E Y

Remittance by Kerala NRIs spirals by 42 per cent in 2013-14 REJIMON K reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Deposits by non-resident Indians (NRI) in the south Indian state of Kerala witnessed a growth of around 42 per cent in 2013-14, a document issued by the state government reveals.

From Rs661.9 billion (OMR4.7 billion) in 2012-13, the amount has increased to Rs 938.83 billion (OMR5.7 billion) in 2013-14, the document says.

“Flow of deposits from nonresidents (NR) has been significant in 2013-14. This trend of NR deposits increasing their share in the total deposit basket had actually begun in 2011-12. It became more pronounced in 2012-13 and further continued in 2013-14.

Thus, the NR deposits now account for more than a third of the total deposits in Kerala’s commercial banking system,” the government report says.

Around 90 per cent of the state’s

2.3 million diaspora is in the various Middle East countries.

The Kerala Migration Survey 2014 published recently reveals that while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) attracted 37.5 per cent of the Kerala emigrants and retains its top position; Saudi Arabia stands second with 21.8 per cent and Oman stands third with 7.9 per cent of the Kerala emigrants.

This geography accounts for 60 per cent of the state’s remittances and also forms the largest chunk of India’s remittances (37 per cent).

In Oman, there are around 605,000 Indian workers and nearly half of them are from Kerala.

Skilled workers “The reason I find for the increase in the deposits is that nowadays, Keralites have become choosy in selecting a job abroad. Two decades ago, Keralites used to just board flights to the Middle East to do any kind of jobs and earn some petro dollars. But now, the situa-

tion has changed. Majority of the Kerala migrants in the Middle East are skilled workers. So, their income will be high and eventually the remittances will also be high,” Tonny George Alexander, country head of UAE Exchange in Oman, said. “From the low income earner group, the Keralites have moved to middle and upper middle class income earning group,” Tonny added.

In a report issued by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) last year, remittances from the expatriate community in Oman have more than doubled in the five years between 2007 and 2011. “Remittances which were worth $3.6bn in 2007 shot up by nearly 96.6 per cent to $7.2bn in 2011.”

The report attributes this steep rise to the steady growth in the number of migrant workers in the Sultanate.

Recently, the Indian government also revealed that the country has received $34.9 billion in re-

LUXURY BUILDINGS

Saraya Bandar Jissah inks pact with Towell for residential zones Times News Service MUSCAT: Saraya Bandar Jissah, Oman’s latest Integrated Tourism Complex, has announced that they have recently awarded the construction contract for two other residential zones, ‘Nameer’ and ‘Wajd’ to Towell Construction & Co. LLC (TCC).

A part of W. J. Towell & Co. (LLC), TCC is an excellent grade construction company and is experienced in similar construction works across the Sultanate. In 2014, TCC was also awarded the contract for the construction of Zaha – the first residential zone launched by Saraya Bandar Jissah last year. The agreement was signed by CEO of Saraya Bandar Jissah, Sheikh Hamood bin Sultan Al Hosni, and the Chairman and Managing Director of TCC, Hussain Jawad. The appointment of TCC for the construction of ‘Wajd’ and ‘Nameer’ comes after a competitive tender process and subsequent negotiations, marking the next development phase post the awarding of the infrastructure, residential zone Zaha, the two ho-

mittances in the first six months of 2014-15 and is likely to surpass the previous year’s $69.6 billion by the end of the current fiscal. $34.9 billion remitted Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs V K Singh said $34.9 billion was remitted to the country from April to September.

In 2013-14, India had topped the chart of remittance inflows, by receiving a whopping $69.6 billion, followed by China with $60 billion and the Philippines with $25 billion.

The remittances in 2012-13 amounted to $67.6 billion and $66.1 billion in the year 2011-12 .

The remittances to the country through private transfer of funds have been on the rise in the last few years.

In 2010-11, the amount was $55.62 billion, $53.63 billion in 2009-10 while in 2008-09, it was $46.9 billion.

Bank deposits in Kerala Non-resident

In million rupees Total deposits

Domestic

214,310

2001

234,190

448,500

245,340

2002

271,220

516,560 593,990

286,960

2003

307,030

301,000

2004

358,610

659,610

291,210

2005

402,760

693,960

306,710

2006

333,030

2007

298,890

2008

370,190

2009

368,860

2010

376,900 484,540 661,900

776,770

470,060

916,970

583,940

2011 2012 2013

1,054,880

755,990

1,303,500

933,310

1,434,040

1,065,180 1,238,720 1,491,030 1,629,580

1,615,620 1,975,570 2,291,480

938,830

2014

1,857,720

2,796,550

940,970

As of June 2014

1,898,310

2,839,280

Source: State Level Banker’s Committee of Kerala

Graphics

Comic love opera comes to ROHM Don Pasquale’s cast will include 12 local men, six women and a child participating

BUILDING TIES: The agreement was signed by CEO of Saraya

as extras on stage

Bandar Jissah, Sheikh Hamood bin Sultan Al Hosni, and the Chairman and Managing Director of TCC, Hussain Jawad.–Supplied photo

CLASSIC OPERA : The production stars Italian bass Ruggero

Raimondi as Don Pasquale, Italian baritone Massimo Cavalletti as Doctor Malatesta.–Supplied photo

tels and the staff accommodation buildings.

The CEO of Saraya Bandar Jissah, Sheikh Hamood bin Sultan Al Hosni, commented on the appointment, “We are very pleased to award these contracts to TCC for zones Wajd and Nameer, as their projects are a reflection of their attention to detail, professionalism and leading market expertise.

They have been doing a commendable job with Zaha - the first residential zone, and we are confident

that they will continue to do so with the two new zones assigned to them.” The first of the two zones, ‘Nameer’, is set back from the beachfront with close proximity to the two five-star hotels where it benefits from sea views and the surrounding lagoon.

‘Wajd’, on the other hand, is located on the highest developed point with panoramic views, these exclusive villas will become one of the most sought after addresses in the region.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Teatro Comunale di Bologna brings Gaetano Donizetti’s comic opera Don Pasquale, a tale of deception and doubleidentities for the sake of love, to the Royal Opera House Muscat (ROHM) on March 19, 21 and 23.

The music in the three-act Don Pasquale was written by Gaetano Donizetti, with the libretto by Giovanni Ruffini. It premiered in Paris in 1843 as the story of Don Pasquale, an aging bachelor who tries to disinherit his nephew, Ernesto, by getting married through the assistance of his friend, Dr Malatesta.

Little does he know that Malatesta is actually plotting on Ernesto’s behalf, and the woman he thinks he has married, Sofronia, is actually Ernesto’s love inter-

est Norina, who is participating in the plan to teach Don Pasquale a lesson.

Top stars This production, by the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Italy, is conducted by Giuseppe La Malfa.

Stefano Vizioli is the Stage Director. It stars Italian bass Ruggero Raimondi as Don Pasquale, Italian baritone Massimo Cavalletti as Doctor Malatesta, Romanian tenor Bogdan Mihai as Ernesto, Italian soprano Roberta Canzian as Norina and Italian baritone Christian Starinieri is the Notary.

It also features the orchestra and chorus from the Teatro Comunale di Bologna. Don Pasquale’s cast will include some familiar faces, as there are 12 local

men, six women and a child participating as extras on stage.

ROHM’s Artistic Director, Umberto Fanni, commented: “This opera buffo by Gaetano Donizetti sparkles with fun and mischief.

It’s a classic story of love triumphing over spitefulness, which is sure to delight anyone who sees it. The music is lively and sparkling with an underlying emotional quality.”

Teatro Comunale di Bologna dates to 1763, when it held its first public performance of Gluck’s Il Trionfo di Clelia. Over the years, it remained an important feature of Italian opera, known for its high-quality performances and ability to attract opera stars from around the world to sing on its stage.

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

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Hundreds of examples can be shown where the spouses are under different sponsors and they are allowed to bring in housemaids and other domestic servants.

Legal column

LEGAL COLUMN

SEND US YOUR VIEWS AND COMMENTS editor@timesofoman.com webeditor@timesofoman.com

Housemaids do not come under Oman Labour Law; Immigration department decides their visa rules I am an expatriate working as an engineer in Oman.

My wife and daughter also stay with me. However, my daughter is under my sponsor’s visa since my wife works for another sponsor.

As part of my contract I am allowed to hire a housemaid for my family. However, when I tried to apply for one they told me they cannot provide the visa unless my wife is under the same sponsor as mine. Is this the rule of the ROP or Immigration department ? Please clear my doubts or refer me to a particular law that covers these issues.

Rules regarding employment of domestic servants (including housemaids) are issued by the Immigration authorities in close coordination with the concerned embassies of the domestic servants. Domestic servants do not come under the purview of Oman Labour

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

Law and their employment conditions are not decided by the Omani Labour Law. Though it is a general condition that both husband and wife should be present in Oman to appoint a housemaid, we are not sure whether it is mandatory for both husband and wife to be under the same sponsor.

Hundreds of examples can be

shown where the spouses are under different sponsors and they are allowed to bring in housemaids and other domestic servants. If you are able to meet all other conditions like income level etc., we are of the opinion that this issue can be sorted out with the Immigration authorities through the intervention of your employer.

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

S AT H YA S A I E D U C AT I O N

Stage set for SAI-Times essay contest Times News Service MUSCAT: The annual event for school children, under the theme ‘Spreading The Light Through Human Values-2015’ is slated to start on April 11, at the Indian School Al Ghubra.

The SAI and Times of Oman Open Essay Writing and Poster Making Competition on ‘Value themes’ would involve private schools, Omani government schools, international schools and special education schools in Muscat Governorate.

The competition will be held for the international and private schools in the regions of Dakhliyah, Dhofar and Batinah at the Indian schools in Nizwa, Salalah and Sohar, respectively on April 18. For the regions of Sharqiyah and Buraimi/Dhahirah at the Indian schools in Sur and Buraimi, respectively, on April 25.

The event is now in its twelfth year, thanks to the support of the Ministry of Education (MoE).

Invitations and entry forms are being sent through MoE channel to schools.

‘Make the children better chil-

NEW FRONTIERS: The programme, adopted in 165 countries around the world, focuses on character building of children.–File photo

dren and better citizens for tomorrow’ is the primary focus for conducting this event. This competition enables the students to express their thoughts and views through visual art or written essays on selected topics on human values and citizenship education. English is the medium for essay writing.

The topics which are common for both poster making and essay writing are: Group A for students of Grades 1 to 3 - ‘I love my garden’; Group B for Grades 4 to 6 – ‘A good book is the best

friend’; Group C for Grades 7 to 9 - ‘Serve the society with modesty’, and Group D for Grades 9 to 12 – ‘Blessed Oman; Beautiful Oman’.

Participants will be given 90 minutes for essay writing and 120 minutes for poster making.

The approximate word limit is 400 words for the A and B groups and 700 words for the C and D groups.

Each school can send a maximum 40 students, i.e. 20 each for essay writing and poster making at five per group. The schools can register the names of the par-

ticipants by online registration through website www.saivaluesoman.org. Alternatively, entry forms, duly filled up and signed by the principal with school seal can be sent to the organisers via email at saitimesoman9@gmail.com.

Students are advised not to send the entry form directly.

Three prizes will be awarded in each group as well as in every category of schools, in each region.

In addition, consolation prizes will also be given. All participants will receive participation certificates through the schools.

Each entry will be evaluated by three judges, drawn from amongst the professionals and experts in these areas, MOE officials as well as members of the SAI Group. The date of award ceremony will be notified in due course. Winning essays and posters will be exhibited for the benefit of the general public on the award ceremony day.

The Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV) programme, adopted in 165 countries around the world, focuses on character development in children by helping them learn and practise universal human values.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Contractors urged A1 to expedite project < FROM

He urged them to redouble their efforts and expedite the completion of the project. He was also briefed about the challenges facing them.

Al Futaisi informed that almost 60 per cent of the first package has been completed, therefore the contractor is expected to complete the full road by the end of the next year.

“About 15 per cent to 25 per cent progress has been made in case of other packages due to delay in awarding these packages, except in case of second package

RNO RESCUES IRANIAN BOAT

The Royal Navy of Oman’s (RNO) ship ‘Al Rahmani’ rescued an Iranian boat, 60 miles south of Ras Al Hadd, after it broke down due to rough seas. There were 13 persons on board the vessel.—ONA

which was awarded early this year. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2017,” Al Futaisi revealed. He stated that the Barka to Al Abyadh stretch will be opened early next year.

The last part in Shinas may also be opened this year.

Appreciating the efforts, Jasim Al Harthi, a Suwaiq resident, said, “Once completed, this will be a boon for motorists.”

Musanah resident Yaqoob Al Saadi said, “This important project will find a place of pride in Oman’s road network.”

L E G I S L AT I O N

State Council set to discuss consultancies MUSCAT: The State Council in its forthcoming sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, will discuss the draft law on regularising engineering consultancy offices. This draft law was referred by the Council of Ministers includes the report of Majlis Al Shura and the State Council’s Economic Committee’s report on the same draft law.

The State Council will also discuss amending some provisions of the Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, which was referred by the Council of Ministers, the report of the Majlis Al Shura and the report of the State Council’s Legal Committee on the issue.–ONA

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015 For the first time in Oman, a combination of international and regional keynote speakers will share their experiences on successes and failures Said Al Harthy, Executive Director, Tanfidh Management Consultants

Meet to analyse vital strategies The conference will stress on strategy, analysis and execution which transforms failures into successes

Times News Service MUSCAT: A conference focusing on creating and implementing strategies will be held in Oman on March 22 and 23. It will be sponsored by Tanfidh Management Consultants.

The purpose of the conference is to deliver key messages on how best to take a strategy, analyse it and execute the strategies, said Said Al Harthy, Executive Director, Tanfidh Management Consultants.

“For the first time in Oman, a combination of international and regional keynote speakers will

share their experiences on successes and failures in executing strategies,” he said.

The conference is organised under the patronage of guest of honour Talal bin Suleiman Al Rahbi, the Deputy General Secretary of the Supreme Council.

Al Harthy also said that enacting strategies is a popular topic in management today. “A recent global survey revealed that leaders are so concerned about strategy execution that they rated it as both their number one and number two most challenging issues.

It’s estimated that more than 60% of strategies are not successfully implemented,” he noted.

The conference will be led by international keynote speaker Jeroen De Flander, who is one of the world’s most influential strategy execution experts.

Jeroen has helped more than 23,500 managers in 35 countries master necessary strategy implementation skills. During his world tour, he has shared stages with strategy gurus such as Michael Porter, Costa Markides and Roger Martin, three of the world’s top 50 thinkers.

Jeroen had also been on stage with Dr. Robert Kaplan, creator of the world’s proven performance

H I G H E R E D UC AT I O N

A1 Academic < FROM

degrees come under scanner

The committee also decided not to recognise the higher national certificate diploma in quantity surveying and construction economic issued by the British College of Applied Studies in Sri Lanka in 2013. The study was held in one of the hotels in Muscat by lecturers of the same college from the Qatar branch.

“The Supreme Council for Education in Qatar only allows the lecturers to offer programmes and short-term training courses and not academic programmes,” the committee said.

Students have to obtain the general diploma certificate from higher education institutions, otherwise it will not recognise the degree, the committee affirmed.

It has registered some cases of forging in the diploma certificates.

The committee also decided not to recognise master’s degree in civil engineering, issued by Riverwood University, USA in 2014 as it is not recognised by US authorities. It also decided not to recognise master science degree of the Engineering Project Management of Portsmouth University in the United Kingdom in 2014, as the same is not listed among the accredited insti-

tutions of web learning networking system.

The committee decided not to recognise master degree of science in international management, issued by the University of Liverpool in 2014. It also decided not to recognise bachelor science degree in business administration, issued by the Southern Christian University in the United Arab Emirates in 2011.

The committee will not recognise bachelor’s degree in Shariya (Sharia), issued by the Islamic University of Medina in Saudi Arabia in 2014, as the affiliation system was stopped in 2008.

Meanwhile, the committee approved to recognise the master’s degree of science in plant production and protection, issued by Al-Azhar University, Palestine.

It also approved the equation of the master’s degree in respiratory therapy, issued by the College of the North Atlantic in Qatar in 2012. It also approved to recognise the diploma degree in Human Resource Management, issued by University Of Leeds in the United Kingdom in 2011.

The committee also approved the higher studies diploma in distance learning, issued by the University of Liverpool of the United Kingdom in 2014.

SCHOOL TRANSPORT

< FROM

A1

Bus models to be upgraded

There are 22 transporters in ISD of which 17 transporters have agreed to run the project from next month. The ISD has 4,300 students.

The board has already informed the existing transporters, detailing the safety guidelines to be implemented. “We have told them about alterations that need to be made in existing buses and guidelines to be strictly followed in new models.”

Those vehicle owners who comply with the new regulations will be approved by the board.

“We will neither own the bus nor do we have a contract with them.

They just operate with our approval. We will hold discussions with parents and encourage them to make use of the authorised service,” explained Wilson.

He also said that occupancy of the children will be strictly limited, based on the seating capacity and also as per the guidelines of the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

“For this, parents have to pay

around 15 per cent more money than what they currently pay to the private transporters,” he said.

Wilson said that apart from safety, this project will ease congestion at Indian School Darsait area.

“The governing body, which also comprises safety experts, will monitor the transport system on a periodic basis,” he said.

Gradually, the project will be implemented in other Indian Schools in the city. “Members of other Indian schools managements are also part of the governing body so that they can closely monitor the project and implement it in their schools,” said Wilson.

Welcoming the move, a road safety expert said that it will help reduce the number of road accidents involving school buses.

“They should include more safety equipment and must adhere to stricter standards than those followed for any other vehicle on the road,” he said.

management system, “The Balanced Scorecard.” Kaplan is author of two books, The Execution Heroes and The Execution Shortcut, the former being acclaimed as a masterpiece on the practicability of implementing strategies.

At the regional level, keynote speakers will be Rani Salman and Ghada Ibrahim. Both have extensive experience in strategy execution in the Gulf. Rani and Ghada are Strategy Execution and Balanced Scorecard practitioners and educators.

Ranis is a regional keynote speaker and strategy execution guru who has helped organisations in the Gulf better implement their strategies and achieve tangible results. He has successfully created strategy execution projects and training programmes using balanced scorecards in the Gulf, including in Oman.

Ghada is a bilingual keynote speaker and strategy execution guru. She has helped many organizations in the Gulf achieve their vision using proven execution methods, such as the balanced scorecard. In the last few years, she has led a number of strategy execution training and execution projects in the Gulf, including in Oman.

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

REGION

Ge General Qassem Suleimani, commander of the Quds Force, won 37 per cent of the votes cast in the survey to mark the new year, Nowruz ca

Coalition strikes needed to retake Tikrit: Iraqi forces SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

ARTICLE, PHOTOS

Staff Lieutenant

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

General Abdulwahab Al Saadi said he

Since IS militants took the city in June 2014, they have planted bombs underneath every road, according to residents who fled Tikrit. One police officer gave an estimate of 10,000 IEDs (improvised explosive devices) in Tikrit, making any military advance perilous.

had asked the defence ministry to request coalition involvement

TIKRIT (IRAQ): Coalition air strikes are needed to retake Tikrit, where die-hard militants are defending their last redoubt with trenches, sandbags and roadside bombs, Iraqi officers said on Sunday.

Two weeks into Baghdad’s biggest operation yet against the IS militant group, Iraqi forces have a complete stranglehold on the city but are unable to launch a final assault, they said.

Staff Lieutenant General Abdulwahab Al Saadi said he had asked the defence ministry to request coalition involvement but

FIERCE FIGHTING: Fighters from Hashid Shaabi forces launch

a rocket during clashes with IS militants on the front line at the Turkman village of Bashir, south of Kirkuk, on Saturday. – Reuters

“no air support” from foreign allies had yet been provided.

Asked if US-led coalition air strikes were needed, Saadi said: “Of course... the Americans have advanced equipment, they have AWACS (surveillance) aircraft.

“They are able to locate the targets exactly” and carry out accurate strikes, he told AFP in an interview at Tikrit University on the northern edge of the city.

“With the advanced technology

of the aircraft and weapons they have, of course (strikes) by them are necessary,” Saadi said.

Saadi said that support from the Iraqi air force had been “limited” and not always sufficiently accurate.

Fighters from the Imam Ali Brigade, a militia involved in the Tikrit operation, complained to AFP that a Sukhoi jet had even bombed pro-government forces by mistake.

Reinforcement “We are reinforcing our offensive capacities in the areas we have cleared and reinforcing our control on the entrances to the city,” an army major general said on Sunday.

“IS is putting up sandbags and digging trenches,” he said.

Karim Al Nuri, spokesman of the volunteer Popular Mobilisation units, said on Saturday that he expected Tikrit to be liberated within 72 hours. But the Iraqi army was mostly less upbeat, with one senior officer saying he could envision the battle of Tikrit lasting two more weeks.

Saadi said he thought the rea-

son there had been no coalition air strikes on Tikrit was political, not military.

Iran has been Baghdad’s main foreign partner in the operation and Tehran’s top commander in charge of external operations, Qassem Soleimani, has been omnipresent on the front lines.

Officials in Washington have expressed unease at the level of Iranian involvement in Tikrit, a city which was former leader Saddam Hussein’s hometown.

Coalition air strikes have supported several other operations to reclaim militant-held territory in Iraq in recent months, including some in which militias were involved.

Iraqi security forces, backed by volunteers and militias, and in some cases tribesmen opposed to IS, have in recent months been working their way north.

In October, they retook Jurf Al Sakhr, the southernmost area to have been captured by IS, and have since also reclaimed the eastern province of Diyala.

Iranian support was crucial in both those operations. Kurdish peshmerga have also been pushing back militants from northern parts of the country, with US-led coalition support. — AFP

ANNUAL POLL

Suleimani is Iran’s person of the year TEHRAN: An Iranian general who has been a key adviser in Iraq’s fightback against the IS group militants was voted Iran’s person of the year in an annual poll released on Sunday.

General Qassem Suleimani, commander of the Quds Force, the foreign operations arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, won 37 per cent of the votes cast in the survey to mark the new year, Nowruz.

Once rarely seen, Suleimani is now frequently pictured in social media near the front line in Iraq and has been spotted close to this week’s battles in Tikrit. He has become the public, if unofficial, face of Iran’s support for the Iraqi and Syrian governments against IS militants, reportedly landing in Baghdad hours after IS overran Iraq’s second city Mosul last June.

Poll Suleimani beat last year’s winner, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in the poll, which is conducted by KhabarOnline, a news website. Zarif scored 28 per cent this year.

According to KhabarOnline, 463,000 votes were cast between March 7 and March 14, with the results being released one week before Nowruz, which falls on March 21. — AFP

INTERNAL STRIFE

Cluster bombs used in Libyan conflict: Human Rights Watch CAIRO: Evidence collected by Human Rights Watch (HRW) show that widely banned cluster bombs have been used in Libya’s conflict between two rival governments fighting for control of the North African country, the New York-based group said on Sunday.

Cluster bombs explode in the air, scattering dozens of smaller bomblets over an area the size of a sports field. Most nations have

banned their use under a convention that became international law in 2010 but Libya has not signed it.

Reuters journalists were shown what appeared to be cluster bomb remnants by forces loyal to a selfdeclared government controlling Tripoli at two sites in central Libya which had been bombed by war planes belonging to the official government.

Libya is racked by conflict be-

tween rival governments -- the internationally recognised one based in the east and a rival outlet controlling Tripoli -- fighting for territory and oil facilities four years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.

“Phone interviews with witnesses and photographic evidence reviewed by Human Rights Watch indicate that remnants of RBK250 PTAB 2.5M cluster bombs

were found at Bin Jawad in February 2015 and at Sirte in March,” HRW said in a report.

A Reuters photographer took pictures of what looked like cluster bomb remnants in the central city of Sirte while another Reuters reporter saw such bombs in Ben Jawad, where forces loyal to the rival government are based.

“The good condition of the paint on the bomb casings and lack of

extensive weathering indicated that the remnants had not been exposed to the environment for long and were from a recent attack,” HRW said.

It said it was not possible to say who was responsible for the use of cluster bombs but both locations have been repeatedly bombed by planes belonging to the internationally-recognised government.

Its air force commander, Saqer

Al -Joroushi, denied that his side had used such bombs.

“The new evidence of cluster munitions use in Libya is highly disturbing,” said Steve Goose, arms director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munitions Coalition, in the report.

“Libyan authorities should investigate these incidents and make sure its forces don’t use cluster munitions.” — Reuters

EGYPT

Sawiris to diversify Orascom, to invest $500m in Egypt SHARM EL SHEIKH: Top Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris said he was ready to invest $500 million in Egypt and was diversifying his telecoms business into infrastructure, energy and transportation, sectors which need major funds in the country.

Sawiris, a billionaire from a powerful Coptic Christian family, said the investment conference in Sharm El Sheikh had been a success but that the government would need need to make efforts to follow up with investors.

“We all know the minute the decisions go down to our famous and most regarded bureaucrats you see one sign only: stop. They need to have a pusher, and the minister of investment is a pusher,” said Sawiris, 60, chairman and chief executive of Orascom Telecom, Media and Technology.

He said the government should form a committee to firmly thrust the investment agenda forward and help revive Egypt’s economy,

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DIVERSIFYING: Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris. – Reuters

laid low by four years of political turmoil triggered by the 2011 revolt which toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak.

“My advice... is the prime minister should initiate a small office headed by the investment minister with some drivers who continue the dialogue with the investors who committed to the projects in this conference,” said Sawiris.

Egypt clinched investments worth billions of dollars from top global companies such as General Electric, BP and Eni at the conference, which ends on Sunday.

Gulf countries also pledged

$12.5 billion. Sawiris said Orascom Telecom would diversify into new sectors including infrastructure, logistics and energy projects alongside its core business.

“I am going to be extremely aggressive here in my investments.

We have firepower right now of $500 million. Today we signed $100 million out of this 500,” Sawiris told Reuters in an interview at the investment conference. “We are the first and the only Egyptian company till now to sign the solar power energy 50 megawatts today.”

Sawiris said he also saw opportunities in Tunisia. “We are willing to duplicate our investments in Egypt in Tunisia, because it’s stable, because the political hardliners are more wise than ours here,” he said. — Reuters

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

INDIA

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P R O P O S E D L AW

RAIN KILLS 14 IN NORTH INDIA

Land acquisition bill aims to grab farmers’ land: BKU

Commuters walk as rains hit streets of Gurgaon on Sunday. Widespread rains battered large swathes of North India on Sunday bringing mercury down by several notches, even as it claimed 14 lives and damaged crops in several regions. Twelve people were killed in Rajasthan due to rain, lightning and hailstorms, which also destroyed Rabi crops in the state while in Uttarakhand two persons were killed in rock-slide triggered by heavy rain. - PTI

Congress, BJP spar over Rahul ‘snooping’ issue BJP trashed the Congress allegation of snooping on Rahul Gandhi and said that bereft of issues, the party was and raking up non-issues

NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD: Sparring over Delhi Police officials visiting Rahul Gandhi’s residence intensified on Sunday with the Congress accusing the Modi government of “snooping” on opposition leaders while BJP dubbed the charge on Congress vice president as “atrocious”.

“The present government has much to answer when it comes to right of privacy of citizens. They are now trying to do it everywhere what was happening in one state.

Both Modi and Amit Shah are now here.

“It is not confined to one person.

It is much deeper. The practice

that they had adopted in Gujarat, they want to carry it out now every where,” party spokesperson Anand Sharma told reporters at the AICC office in Delhi.

He had also justified his remarks in an interview, claiming that senior opposition leaders’ phones are being “tapped” and surveillance is being carried on them.

Allegations Asked whether he has any proof to back his allegation, Sharma said, “letters are not sent for phone tapping to political leaders, judges and others... It can be proved only if the Prime Minister, Home Minister give letters to Opposition leaders regarding their phone tapping.”

In Hyderabad, BJP trashed the Congress allegation of snooping on Rahul Gandhi, saying the opposition party was bereft of issues and raking up non-issues.

“This is absolutely an atrocious charge by Congress and there is nobody snooping. Congress people don’t know where Rahul is.

“So, how we will snoop. That’s not the issue,” Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters.

He was reacting to a query over the Congress accusing the Narendra Modi government of carrying out “political espionage” and

SILENCE SPEAKS: Rahul Gandhi is on a sabbatical since the start of the Budget session of Parliament on February 23. - PTI file photo

“snooping” following the visit of a Delhi Police team to Gandhi’s residence.

“It’s a routine police procedure to which they (Congress) are overreacting. I think Congress has lost the plot, and they are bereft of any issue. They have no public issue and therefore they are raising such issues which are non-issues,” the senior BJP leader asserted.

The Congress spokesperson said that leaders of Opposition had raised the issue of their phones being tapped in the last session as well and the Home Minister said there is no such thing.

Asserting that India cannot be

allowed to be converted into a police state, Sharma said,” we will raise the issue in Parliament.

While Delhi police had on Saturday itself rejected allegations of snooping, saying it was a routine exercise of being in touch with dignitaries, Congress has accused the Modi government of carrying out “political espionage” on Gandhi and demanded a “comprehensive explanation from no less than the Home Minister and the Prime Minister.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said Delhi police officials, who visited the party vice president’s residence, had made “unwarranted and weird” enquiries about him. Youth Congress workers had protested outside the residence of Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the alleged “political espionage” of Gandhi.

BJP had hit back at Congress saying the opposition party has the habit of seeing conspiracies even in “routine” matters and considered itself above the law.

Rahul is on a sabbatical since the start of the Budget session of Parliament on February 23.

Some police officials went to his residence in Delhi on March 12 and reportedly asked how he looks like and what is the colour of his eyes, etc. - PTI

CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: Opposing the Land acquisition bill brought by the BJP-led central government, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) on Sunday said the only aim of the proposed law was to grab the farmers’ land and help land grabbers.

The issue was raised at a meeting of BKU leaders from Punjab and Haryana held here on Sunday, said BKU leader and former MP Bhupinder Singh Mann.

BKU is an Indian farmers’ representative organisation affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh — of which the Bharatiya Janata Party is deemed as the political wing.

“The meeting discussed about the Land acquisition bill which seeks to destroy the basic character of the Land acquisition act, 2013. On the face of the bill, it is evident that its aim is to grab land from the farmers to help land grabbers,” he said.

It was lamented at the meet that the BJP had failed to implement its promise, made in its election manifesto, for the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission report for farming sector.

“BKU has always been against any move to ruin the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. The (Narendra) Modi government has totally destroyed the basic spirit of the Land acquisition act, which is against the farmers.

Nefarious designs “This bill is aimed to fulfil the nefarious designs of land grabbers,” Mann said, adding that the Modi government was trying to pay back to the corporate who had

funded the BJP during elections last year.

Meanwhile, intensifying the protest against the Centre over the Land acquisition bill, 10 opposition parties including the Congress, SP, TMC and the Left parties would stage a march to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday and submit a memorandum to the President.

Attacking the BJP-led government for making changes in the Land acquisition act, JD(U) leader Shard Yadav in a statement here on Sunday said the Ordinance has diluted the previous Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, which are against the interest of farmers.

The government has brought a bill to replace the ordinance, which is being opposed by almost all opposition parties on the ground it is similar to the one passed by the British regime, Yadav added.

“In view of the above, it has been decided that opposition parties which include Congress, Samajwadi, TMC, CPI, CPI(M), JD(U), RJD and JD(S) will assemble to protest against the above mentioned bill on March 17 at 5pm at Gandhi Statue in the Parliament House Complex, and thereafter will march towards the President House to meet the President,” he said.

These parties would also submit a representation to the President on the issue. The Lok Sabha had passed the controversial bill with a total of nine amendments last week. - Agencies

RAISING THE PITCH: RJD chief Lalu Prasad leading a march to

Raj Bhawan to protest against Centre’s policies on black money, land acquisition bill and inflation, in Patna on Sunday. -PTI

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

INDIA

No one should insult any religious institute like this. I am sure that this government will do its best to catch the culprits K. N. Tripathi, West Bengal Governor

Congress criticises BJP over Kashmir coalition Congress said there was a

These are disturbing trends. Such statements break the morale of our forces. They demoralise our armed forces about which the BJP only makes lip services. Compromise with the nation’s security is not acceptable

limit to ‘political opportunism’ and responsibility in a coalition cannot be attributed to one party only

NEW DELHI: Congress on Sunday slammed BJP over its alliance with PDP and SAD and asked the ruling party to “clear its stand” on Kashmiri separatist Masarat Alam’s controversial remarks and SGPC’s contentious commemoration of death anniversaries of Indira Gandhi’s assassins.

The party said there was a limit to “political opportunism” and responsibility in a coalition cannot be attributed to a single party only.

“Many questions have been raised, which are directly linked to the nation’s integrity and unity.

BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should clear their stand on these issues.

“They cannot say that these are the responsibilities only of their allies PDP and Akali Dal in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab (respectively). The principle is of collective responsibility in a coalition government. Responsibility in coalition cannot be attributed to a single party,” spokesperson Anand Sharma told reporters at AICC briefing here.

Detailing the events, which drew the concern of Congress, Sharma said, first credit was given to Pakistan and separatists for peaceful polls in Jammu and Kashmir.

Anand Sharma

Congress spokesperson

Then separatist Masrat Alam was released. Alam now calls Kashmir a territory occupied by India.

“SGPC’s ‘Nanakshahi’ calendar features anniversaries of assassins of Indira Gandhi and former Army chief Arun Vaidya as historical days. They also plan to celebrate the anniversaries of Indira Gandhi’s assassins Kehar Singh, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh as well as the assassins of General Vaidya.”

Controversial celebrations These days figure in the ‘Nanakshahi’ calendar of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for years. Reports had it that this year these controversial celebrations seem set to be held in Delhi also on the lines of what used to happen in Amritsar earlier.

The party was guarded in its response on the ‘Nanakshahi’ calendar issue and focused its attack

primarily on BJP’s alliance, saying “BJP keeps aside principles to capture power.”

At the same time he said, “We do not want to say anything on Sikh leadership and management of the Gurudwara Committee.”

Holding that BJP is in coalition with Akali Dal both in Punjab and at the Centre and hence it cannot attribute responsibility to just one party. The Congress leader also took strong objection to Masrat Alam’s reported remarks that he had come up with a programme against the “occupation” of India in Kashmir.

Sharma asked,”Whether sedition is permissible and not adequate ground for agencies” to prosecute a person. He referred to earlier remarks of Home Minister that there was no fresh ground to book Alam further and hence he was released.

“There is a limit to political op-

portunism. Compromise with national security is not acceptable for formation of a government. After this comment, the Prime Minister and BJP should clear their stand,” he said.

Sharma said that foreign policy of the nation cannot be decided in common minimum programme of a coalition to form a government in state as “if this was done in one bordering state, tomorrow parties in all bordering states will start laying such conditions to form a government there.”

Linking the controversies to the pride of armed forces, Sharma accused the BJP of “paying only lip services” to them.

“These are disturbing trends.

Such statements break the morale of our forces. They demoralise our armed forces about which the BJP only makes lip services. Compromise with the nation’s security is not acceptable,” he said. -PTI

CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS

Gogoi threatens to ban Swamy’s entry into Assam GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday said the government would consider banning entry of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy into the state after his reported remark that “mosques are mere buildings and can be demolished.”

“His comments are completely insulting for a community. We will take action. If he continues to talk like this, we will ban his entry into Assam,” Gogoi said on the sidelines of a function in Jorhat.

Noting that Swamy has been making controversial comments,Gogoi wondered why the BJP was not taking any action against him.

Meanwhile, the Assam Police has registered an FIR against Swamy at Latasil police station in Guwahati under relevant sections of the IPC on a complaint filed by Chatra Mukti Sangram Samiti, the students wing of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS). KMSS has demanded immediate ban on Swamy’s entry into the state “so that there is no communal tension in Assam.”

Cutting across political lines, various organisations and parties have condemned remarks of the senior BJP leader.

All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), All Assam Minority Students Union (AAMSU), All Bodoland Minority Students’ Union (ABMSU) along with other student bodies strongly condemned the remarks and burnt effigies of Swamy and Assam BJP president Siddhartha Bhattacharya in Guwahati and Kokrajhar.

Damage control In a damage control mode, Bhattacharya said Swamy’s comments are “his personal views and the party does not endorse them”. “We will also inform the central leadership about his comments,” he added.

PROTEST: Members of All Assam Muslim Yuba Parishad (S) during a protest against BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in Dibrugarh on Saturday. - PTI

Swamy, who was on a personal visit to attend an event of a university in the state last week, had reportedly said that mosques and churches are mere “buildings” to offer prayers.

Swamy also said that only temples are the places where God lives in. He stoked another controversy when he said that there was no need to get emotional over giving a portion of land to Bangladesh under the Land Boundary Agreement.

“If the Assamese people are so sentimental about the issue, then they should sit back at their homes and shed tears,” he had reportedly said.

Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma also attacked Swami over his controversial remarks saying people like him make such irresponsible remarks just to remain in media glare.

“I would like to ask whether the BJP endorses his views,” he asked adding that whatever Swami has been saying is part of a chain “orchestrated by the RSS” which is visible from controversial remarks by many leaders of RSS and BJP. - PTI

I N T E R R O G AT I O N O N

Eight persons detained in West Bengal nun rape case

DEMANDING JUSTICE: Students from the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Ranaghat, 70km north of

Kolkata, protesting after a 71-year-old nun was gang-raped there. Prayers were said at churches across India on Sunday for an elderly nun who was gang-raped at a convent in an attack that has intensified anger over violence and fuelled fears among beleaguered Christians. - AFP

KRISHANAGAR/KOLKATA: Eight persons were on Saturday detained in connection with the alleged gangrape of a 71-yearold nun in a convent school in Nadia district.

Nadia Superintendent of Police Arnab Ghosh said the interrogation of the eight persons was on and extensive searches were being conducted across the district.

The Sister Superior of Jesus and Mary’s Convent School, who is admitted to Ranaghat Hospital, is said to be stable now, hospital authorities said.

West Bengal Governor K. N. Tripathi hoped that the culprits would soon be arrested and the public also have a responsibility to help authorities to catch them.

“No one should insult any religious institute like this. I am sure that this government will do its best to catch the culprits”, the Governor told reporters on the sidelines of a programme in Kolkata.

Herod Mullick, state working president of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba, a united state forum of all denominational Christians, said at Gangnapur on Saturday that the motive of the culprits was

not that of robbery alone, it was an attack on the minority community.

Strongly condemning the incident, Mullick said attacks against Christians have been increasing in different parts of the state.

He claimed that the nun had sought police protection after she got life threats.

The SP had said on Saturday that a study of the CCTV footage at the convent in Ranaghat subdivision had shown visuals of four persons who were allegedly involved in the crime.

The SP had also announced a reward of Rs100,000 to any individual providing credible information leading to the arrest of the accused. The nun was allegedly gangraped by dacoits at Gangnapur in the early hours of Saturday after which a CID probe was ordered into the incident.

The gang also decamped with Rs1.2 million.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had on Saturday ordered a CID probe into the incident and promised “swift” and“strongest action” against the culprits.

She had said that religious politics was being practised in the

name of “ghar wapasi” and that religious fanaticism is on the rise.

Meanwhile, Congress leader P C Chacko on Sunday condemned the alleged gangrape of a nun and the ransacking of a convent school in West Bengal and sought “extreme punishment” for the culprits.

“Extreme punishment should be awarded to the culprits. The governments (in the state and at the Centre) are not acting according to the gravity of the situation....

Their lapses are more evident (in this case)...That is the most unfortunate part of it,” he told reporters here.

RSS on Saturday strongly condemned the alleged gangrape of a nun at a convent school in West Bengal and warned that such incidents should not be used to create tension between communities.

“This (rape) is against our tradition. All civilised societies condemn such incidents. But there should not be any attempt to use such incidents to create tensions between communities by giving it a religious colour,” RSS general secretary Suresh Bhaiyyaji Joshi told a press conference here. -PTI

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015 Policemen on duty at both the entrances tried to stop them but the bombers blew themselves up. The mob protesting after the blast beat to death two people whom they suspected of being associates of the attackers Nabila Ghazanfar, Police spokeswoman

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Christians later took guarding the churches were among those killed in the attacks, while two people were beaten to death by protesters who took to the streets after the blasts.

“Policemen on duty at both the entrances tried to stop them but the bombers blew themselves up. The mob protesting after the blast beat to death two people whom they suspected of being associates of the attackers, ,” she said. An eyewitness saw the bodies of the two suspected militants on fire after the beatings.

It was not clear whether they were still alive at the time.

to the streets of the eastern city, many armed with clubs as they smashed vehicles and attacked a city bus station in a rare show of anger

LAHORE: Bombs outside two churches in the Pakistani city of Lahore killed 14 people and wounded nearly 80 during Sunday services, and witnesses said quick action by a security guard prevented many more deaths.

A Pakistani Taliban splinter group claimed responsibility.

Extremist militants in Pakistan have attacked Christians and other religious minorities often over the last decade or more.

Many Christians, who make up less than two per cent of Pakistan’s population of more than 180 million, accuse the government of doing little to protect them, saying politicians are quick to offer condolences after an attack but slow to act to improve security.

Sunday’s blasts occurred minutes apart in a majority Christian suburb of the eastern city. Police said it seemed they targeted two churches, one Catholic and one Protestant, that are very close to each other.

After the explosions, enraged residents protested and lynched two suspects, police said.

“I was sitting at a shop near the church when a blast jolted the

MOURNING: Women mourn the death of their relative who was killed in a suicide attack on a church in Lahore on Sunday. — Reuters

area. I rushed towards the spot and saw the security guard scuffle with a man who was trying to enter the church. After failing, he blew himself up,” said witness Amir Masih.

“I saw his body parts flying through the air.”

The guard died as well, he said. It was not clear if the first blast was also triggered by a suicide bomber, Masih said. Fourteen people were killed and 78 wounded, said Zahid Pervaiz, provincial director of general health.

“The rescue operation is still underway and the death toll may

increase,” rescue services spokesman Sajjad Hussain said.

The Taliban faction Jamaatul Ahrar claimed responsibility.

Great pain Pope Francis told crowds at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican he felt “great pain” over the bomb attacks, departing from scripted remarks in his customary address on Sunday.

“These are Christian churches.

Christians are persecuted, our brothers spill their blood simply because they are Christians,” the pontiff said. Following the blast,

S E V E R E E N E R G Y S H O R TA G E S

Punjab to get three-fourths of Turkmen gas: Government ISLAMABAD: Three-fourths of the gas imported under the multibillion-dollar Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (Tapi) gas pipeline project will be allocated to Punjab in a bid to help it overcome severe energy shortages, the federal government decided on Saturday.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet endorsed the petroleum ministry’s proposal to allocate 994mmcfd or 75 per cent of gas from the Tapi pipeline to the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), which serves Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), an official handout said.

The remaining quarter or 331 mmcfd of Tapi gas will be allocated to the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).

The proposal mainly aims to overcome the shortfall in the country’s northern gas system; the shortage affects only Punjab, where the utility company is forced to carry out a gas rationing plan.

But it would still enable both SNGPL and SSGC to reduce the demand and supply gap on their systems. Currently, the SSGC rations gas for one day only and that too for industrial consumers.

Last month, the Tapi steering committee decided to complete the $10 billion mega project by

Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet endorsed the petroleum ministry’s proposal to allocate 994mmcfd or 75 per cent of gas from the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline to the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, which serves Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

October 2019. It also finalised the requisite framework and timelines of various tasks leading to accomplishment of the pipeline scheme of the region. The project envisages transportation of 30 billion cubic metres of Turkmen gas annually to Pakistan via Afghanistan.

The initial cost estimates of the project were $7.6 billion. After including the cost of developing gas fields in Turkmenistan and other allied expenses, the cost is expected to go up to $10 billion.

The US has long been pushing

Pakistan to give preference to Tapi over the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline amid threats of sanctions if Islamabad goes ahead with the latter project.

Fertiliser plants The ECC on Saturday conditionally allowed four fertiliser manufacturing plants to import re-gasified liquefied natural gas (LNG) to meet their gas input requirements. The fertiliser plants will use the SNGPL network with prior permission from the petroleum ministry. — Express Tribune

S O U T H WA Z I R I S TA N

‘13 bodies found were of detainees’ ISLAMABAD: Shepherds found 13 bullet-riddled bodies in northwestern Pakistan, officials said on Sunday, and two local residents identified them as men detained by the military in January.

Two intelligence officials said the bodies discovered near Mandao village in Shaktoi, South Waziristan, were Taliban fighters. A military spokesman declined to comment. Residents identified the bodies found on Saturday as local villagers and said the in-

cident raises further questions about human rights abuses by Pakistani security forces battling the Taliban insurgents.

Foreign funding The Pakistani military has received billions of dollars in foreign funding. Shaktoi resident Allah Khan told Reuters by telephone that the military arrested 35 people from Mandao in January.

“We contacted army officials here and they said that we will

release them soon, but yesterday we found their dead bodies in the wild mountains of Shaktoi,” he said. “Shepherds saw these bodies lying under trees; we village people get these bodies.

Residents fearful “They had been killed with bullets, and different parts were eaten by wild animals,” he said.

“Now we fear that the rest of the arrested people will be killed in such a way.” — Reuters

enraged residents lynched two men they suspected of involvement, a police official said. Journalist Riaz Ahmed said he had seen the two burnt bodies at an intersection.

Protesters also smashed shops and attacked vehicles. Police and several politicians were chased from the scene, residents said.

Up to 4,000 Christians later took to the streets of the eastern city, many armed with clubs as they smashed vehicles and attacked a city bus station in a rare show of anger by the beleaguered minority.

The bombings occurred during prayers at two churches located around half a kilometre apart in the city’s Youhanabad neighbourhood that is home to more than 100,000 Christians, officials said.

Doctor Mohammad Saeed Sohbin, medical superintendent of the nearby General Hospital, told AFP: “We have received 14 dead bodies and 70 injured,” adding that the figure did not include the suspected militants who were lynched or the bombers.

Police spokeswoman Nabila Ghazanfar said two policemen

Ahrar campaign Jamaatul Ahrar described the blasts as suicide attacks and vowed to continue their campaign, in a statement emailed to the media.

Sunday’s attacks were the worst on the community since a devastating double suicide-bombing in the northwestern city of Peshawar in September 2013 killed 82 people. That came months after more than 3,000 Muslim protesters torched some 100 houses as they rampaged through Joseph Colony, another Christian neighbourhood of Lahore, following blasphemy allegations against a Christian man.

The thousands of Christian protesters who clashed with police on Sunday attacked their cars with stones and sticks, as women wept and beat their heads and chests.

The protesters, some wearing crosses round their necks, later turned on the city’s bus rapid transit system -- a signature project of the ruling PML-N party of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif in a statement condemned the church bombings and “directed provincial governments to ensure the security of (the) public and their properties”. — Agencies

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THE INDEPENDENT

L

ast year, the radio host Diane Rehm watched in agony as her husband, John, starved to death over the course of 10 days. Severely crippled by Parkinson’s disease, his only option for ending the suffering was to stop eating and drinking. Physicians in most states, including Maryland, where he lived, are barred from helping terminally ill patients who want to die in a dignified way. “He was a brilliant man, just brilliant,” Diane said in an interview. “For him to go out that way, not being able to do anything for himself, was an insufferable indignity.”

Currently, only Oregon, Washington, Vermont, New Mexico and Montana in the United States allow health care providers, under strict guidelines, to hasten the death of terminally ill patients who wish to spare themselves and their loved ones from the final, crippling stages of deteriorating health. Lawmakers in 15 other states and the District of Columbia have introduced so-called aid in dying bills in recent months to make such a humane option available to millions of Americans at a time when the nation’s population of older adults is growing.

The impetus for many of the bills was the widely publicised story of Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old woman from California who moved to Oregon, after learning in the spring of 2014 that she had incurable brain cancer, so she could die on her own terms. The non-profit organisation Compassion & Choices, which has worked closely with Maynard’s relatives and with Diane, has played a leading role in getting state lawmakers to introduce bills.

The right-to-die movement has strong opponents, including the Catholic Church, which opposes any form of suicide. Meanwhile, some medical professionals argue that the practice is at odds with their mission as healers and worry that it could be abused. Unfortunately, many Americans associate the issue with Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a notorious advocate of assisted suicide who was convicted in 1999 of murder and who aided dozens of patients, many of whom were not terminally ill, in ending their lives.

As local lawmakers around the country debate the bills, they should consider how successfully and responsibly the law has been carried out in Oregon. The state’s Death With Dignity Act, which went into effect in 1997, gives doctors the right to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to patients who are terminally ill and who have been advised of their alternatives, such as hospice care.

Health care providers in states where assisted suicide is illegal face wrenching choices when dying patients ask them for help. In one case, prosecutors in Pennsylvania perversely charged Barbara Mancini, a nurse, with assisting a suicide for handing a bottle of morphine in February 2013 to her 93-year-old father, who was in hospice care. A judge dismissed the case the following year. - The New York Times News Service

WASHINGTON WATCH

Most myths about America are wrong JAMES J. ZOGBY

At the helm of affiars

W

ith Senator Raza Rabbani’s uncontested election as Senate chairman on March 12, a PPP man takes control of the 104seat Upper House of parliament for the third consecutive term. Senator Rabbani’s election was certain following the formation of a strong opposition alliance to back him, days after the voting for 48 out of 52 vacant Senate seats took place. The four seats from Fata still need to be filled. With the ruling PML-N also opting to support Senator Rabbani, no other nomination papers were filed. While the PML-N may have liked to control both parliamentary chambers, the election of an opposition man can be positive in a democratic system where we need discussion and debate in order to evolve a solid working order and develop the consensus needed for this. While he will face numerous challenges, Senator Rabbani, respected as a constitutional expert and a man who has stayed loyal to the PPP — a party which he joined in 1968 — for over four and a half decades, is a man well-suited to the task. He has tackled issues of federation before, as minister for interprovincial affairs and in playing an important role in drafting the landmark Eighteenth Amendment Bill of 2010.

As he stressed in his brief speech after taking charge as Senate chairman, he will be working for parliamentary sovereignty and strengthening democracy. While Senator Rabbani’s election was unanimous, there was more dissent over the election for the deputy chairman slot. Maulana Ghafoor Haideri of the JUI-F, elected to the post, is seen as a hardline cleric. How things pan out at the Senate is something that will be closely watched over the coming three years.

The fact that most major parties united behind Senator Rabbani is a positive step, and we hope the same spirit of cooperation will be seen over the months ahead. It is what we need in order to strengthen our democratic system and allow all its components to play a part in this.

The Senate is, of course, among the most significant of these components. It is good to see it led by a person of competence backed by all political groups. - The Express Tribune

How a compulsive eater won back his fitness This refers to the news feature, More sports centres needed to beat growing obesity among children (March 15). I turned to food for comfort when I was bullied relentlessly at school. In turn, this made me into an out of shape slob which only added to my mental health issues. Diet and fitness now play a massive part in me winning my battle with depression. I suffered terribly with anxiety and depression since I was 13, I lost my best years. It was only last year I finally got a hold on my issues.

Robert Long Muscat

The need is to limit the intake of carbohydrates This refers to the news feature,

more sports centres needed to beat growing obesity among children (March 15). As a nutritionist, my experience says that to keep over weighing at bay one should limit (but not avoid) the amount of carbohydrate intakes. I agree with the article that exercise is to be encouraged and hopefully parents and caregivers contribute to instilling the need for regular physical activity in the minds of children.

Shabib Al-kalbani Muscat

India’s Daughter certainly deserved to be banned This refers to the Commentary page article, But, why did India ban India’s daughter (March 15).

Though the author has offered his readers an interesting reading I

I do not believe for a minute that anyone in the Bush Administration was clever enough to have thought through and executed such a complex scenario.

And yet, because such fantastic explanations make sense out of chaos, they are believed by some

S

ome of the myths that drive Arab discourse about American behaviour in the Middle East are fascinating for what they say about our relationship with the region. Though often profoundly wrong, they are nevertheless frustratingly persistent. The persistence of these notions springs from feelings of powerlessness coupled with an acceptance of elements of America’s own narrative. After all, it is we who call ourselves the “exceptional” and “indispensable nation”. We proudly note how we emerged victorious from two world wars and outlasted the Soviet Union to become the sole superpower. And we properly boast of landing a man on the moon and of the advances we have made in medicine and technology that have benefited all mankind.

With people in the Arab World accepting our projection of this “larger than life” image, they ask: “if America could do all this why have they allowed the blood-letting in Syria to go on for so long?; why did they make possible the removal of the Libyan dictator and then walk away leaving a civil war?; and why do they continue to allow Israel to not only run roughshod over captive Palestinians but to do the same in Washington?”

I have heard commentaries by some Arabs who have argued that the US war against Iraq, far from a failure, accomplished its strategic objective. According to this view, the war was actually designed to remove Saddam, not to create a progressive democracy but to unleash foreign forces on the region, thereby causing the Arab to seek greater protection and purchase more weapons from the US. Now this may be what, in fact, has happened. But I do not believe for a minute that anyone in the Bush Administration was clever enough to have thought through and executed such a complex scenario.

And yet, because such fantastic explanations make sense out of chaos, they are believed by some.

In response, I try to disabuse my friends of the myths and ask them to recognise the sad truth that my country, as much as I love it, is not always smart or all-powerful. A close examination of the reckless behaviour of the Bush Administration establishes this sad fact. Instead, the exact opposite occurred resulting in incalculable damage not only to Iraq and the region, but to America, as well. The war showed the limits of American power; its total cost will run into the trillions of dollars; it exhausted our military and destroyed the lives of thousands of young American men and women and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis; and instead of ushering

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Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods SOCRATES

in promised democracy, it unleashed a devastating civil war, leaving sectarian Iran the ascendant power in the region, while at the same time spawning the deadly sectarian Isis. In the end, the war left the region in turmoil and America weaker and less respected in the world. This was the world Barack Obama inherited when he became president. He also inherited a Washington that was deeply divided. In his inaugural address and in the speeches he delivered in Europe and the Middle East, Obama promised fundamental change. But the promises he made and the expectations he raised, while wellintended, may have unwittingly fuelled the myths of America’s capacity to “move mountains”.

For example, the President committed that his Administration would close Guantanamo, end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, resolve the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, and engage constructively with the Muslim World. However, he soon confronted the realities of a hyper-partisan and dysfunctional Washington. From the beginning of his term in office, when Congress passed legislation impeding his effort to close Guantanamo, to Congress’ recent shameful, and near treasonous behaviour regarding negotiations with Iran — hyper-partisanship has limited the capacity of the President to act constructively in the Middle East.

Given all this, it may still be fair for Arabs to criticise the President’s judgment or to decry his failure to provide leadership to a Middle East in the throes of traumatic change. All this can be debated or discussed. But what is neither fair nor smart, is to find conspiracies, where there are none, or to stubbornly cling to myths, which only avoid dealing with realities. In this context, it is important that some Arab leaders, allies of the US, are recognising that they must become the agents of change in their own region; that they must take the lead in building a military force to take on Isis; that they must invest in rebuilding the region’s economies; and that they must use their political leverage to resolve conflicts. This movement away from dependency toward self-reliance is significant. As Arab leaders take such initiatives, they have the right to insist that America supports their efforts, as an ally, not as an all-powerful saviour. This development presents us all with the possibility of a new US-Arab relationship based partnership, not on a myth.

The author is the president of Arab American Institute. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman.

don’t agree with him on the point that hypocrisy was the sole reason for banning the documentary.

Personally, I feel that the ban slapped on the film is justified.

The objective of the documentary, India’s Daughter, was essentially to tarnish the image of India.

Usha Devi Rao Suddapalli Ruwi

America’s war against IS is a conflict of civilisations America’s declaration of war against IS marks the beginning of the new conflict, which in its rudiments, is not only to save and protect the minorities, but also civilisational, and aimed at bringing back the conflicts of ideologies and economy. In its importance Washington’s decision to go into war with IS is far more signifi-

cant than the on-going conflict in Ukraine and US-Russian interferences there. I strongly feel that the United States’ war with IS, its drone operations in Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and elsewhere in the lawless Horn of Africa mark the final phase of conflict of our civilisation.

Anu Shaikh Wadi Kabir

Microaggression is rising in Europe and the US In Europe and the United States, microaggression is on a rise. There was a time when slights were either ignored or laughed away or considered just harmless jokes.

But no more are these slights taken as harmless or unintended jives.

Mohammed Shamim 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)

T I M E S OF OM A N

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

A1 3

PERSPEC IVE The world is in need of a strategy for disaster risk C

urrent disaster-risk levels are alarming.

The cost of damage to commercial and residential buildings worldwide is averaging $314 billion each year, with the private sector bearing as much as 85 per cent of that price tag.

At the same time, a new United Nations report shows that annual investments in disaster-risk reduction of $6 billion can result in savings of up to $360 billion.

Hundreds of business executives, aware of the dramatic costs and potential benefits — at stake, are now preparing to attend a UN conference on disaster-risk reduction in Sendai, Japan. A decade ago, when the last such gathering was held, the private sector was scarcely represented. This time, companies and entrepreneurs will be there in full force to explore a range of valuable opportunities. The Tohoku region of Japan, where the meeting will take place, is a vivid reminder of how a disaster’s economic impact reverberates far beyond its epicentre. Devastated four years ago by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, Japan’s automobile production was cut by nearly half. The financial damage did not stop at the country’s borders; as a direct result of the slowdown in Japan, automobile production dropped by some 20 per cent in Thailand, 50 per cent in China, and 70 per cent in India.

The risks inherent in globalised production carry great rewards for those who know how to manage them properly. That is why major businesses such as PricewaterHouseCoopers, Hindustan Construction Corporation, AbzeSolar, Swiss Re, AECOM, AXA Group, IBM, and others — spanning many sectors and encompassing all regions — are engaging with UN experts to improve global strategies for disaster-risk management and reduction. This level of business engagement bodes well for pioneering a new planet-friendly and people-sensitive approach to global prosperity. Indeed, the disaster-risk reduction conference in Sendai is the first in a series of major international gatherings this year.

Beyond Sendai, world leaders will convene in Addis Ababa in July to discuss financing for development, in New York in September to adopt a new development agenda, and in Paris in December to reach a meaningful climate-change agreement. Taken together, these meetings promise to generate transformative action that can set the world on a safer, more prosperous, and more sustainable path.

Over the last 12 months, thousands of lives were saved in India, the Philippines, and else-

BAN KI-MOON

Over the last 12 months, thousands of lives were saved in India, the Philippines, and elsewhere by improved weather forecasting, early-warning systems, and evacuation plans. Advances in risk reduction that safeguard development gains and business investments must match this progress in disaster preparedness

where by improved weather forecasting, earlywarning systems, and evacuation plans. Advances in risk reduction that safeguard development gains and business investments must match this progress in disaster preparedness, and we must make wise choices that create greater opportunities in the future.

For example, experts estimate that 60 per cent of the land that will be urbanized by 2030 has not yet been developed. Enterprises that factor disaster risk into their construction plans will avert the much higher costs of retrofitting later. More broadly, over the next 15 years, the world will make major investments in urban infrastructure, energy, and agriculture. If this spending is directed toward low-carbon goods, technologies, and services, we will be on our way to creating more resilient societies.

More and more industries appreciate this. At the Climate Summit that I convened last September at the UN in New York, financial institutions, commercial and national banks, insurance companies, and pension funds vowed to mobilize more than $200 billion by the end of this year for action to address climate change.

They envisioned a host of new initiatives, including issuing so-called green bonds and shifting assets to clean-energy portfolios. In a particularly important move, the insurance industry, representing $30 trillion in assets and investments, committed to creating a Climate Risk Investment Framework for industry-wide adoption by the end of the year.

It is time to stop addressing development and humanitarian emergencies separately. Disasterrisk reduction lies at the nexus of development assistance, which seeks to advance better living conditions, and humanitarian aid, which begins after a disaster hits. Starting our international calendar with the Sendai meeting on disasterrisk reduction sends a clear signal that the world is ready to integrate its strategies.

I have seen the human toll of disasters — from earthquakes in China and Haiti to floods in Pakistan and Bangladesh to Super storm Sandy, which affected the Caribbean and North America, even inundating the lower floors of the UN facilities in New York. When business, civil society, and government team up to help countries withstand disasters, they save lives, boost stability, and create opportunities that enable markets and people alike to flourish. Sustainable profits. Sustainable livelihoods. Sustainable development. It all starts in Sendai. - Project Syndicate

Inequality is the real killer in Africa

A

few days ago, a British healthcare worker who contracted the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone was flown back to the UK. She is now being treated at the Royal Free Hospital in London where two British nurses, William Pooley and Pauline Cafferkey, were successfully treated in the past. Five other British healthcare workers were flown home last week after suspected contact with the virus.

I hugely admire Western health workers who go to West Africa, and I don’t begrudge them the best possible treatment when they are exposed to the virus. But the striking difference in survival rates between African victims and Western patients who are flown home tells an uncomfortable story. Even the best hospitals in the Western world would struggle to cope with a full-scale Ebola epidemic, rather than the isolated cases we have seen so far. But the countries affected by the current outbreak didn’t have anything like adequate health services to begin with.

JOAN SMITH

That’s one of the reasons I’ve found images of African victims so hard to bear. Images of listless patients, lying on mats in makeshift clinics, play into a false narrative of inevitability; like famine, this is what happens in Africa.

But it isn’t: the chief reason why Africans are more likely than Westerners to die from Ebola is inequality. The contrast with a handful of British patients, who are transported from RAF planes in mobile isolation units, and attended by a phalanx of health professionals, is almost too painful to contemplate.

When the first Ebola patients were diagnosed in Sierra Leone, I thought of the doctors and nurses I met on my first trip there seven years ago and wondered how they could possibly cope.

When a matron showed me around Freetown’s Connaught Hospital, I was shocked by the lack of basic equipment; I was equally shocked by the diseases they were struggling to treat on a daily basis, including malaria, meningitis and tetanus. Else-

where in the country, I met young adults with wasted legs and discovered that they had contracted polio when they were children, at a time when it had all but disappeared in Europe.

In the US, there are fewer than 2.5 doctors for every 100,000 residents; in Sierra Leone, when the Ebola outbreak began, the comparable figure was 0.22. There were around 134 doctors and little more than 1,000 nurses to care for a population of six million, and 11 local doctors died in the first nine months. In all, across the three worst affected countries — Guinea and Liberia as well as Sierra Leone — a total of 339 health workers had died by the end of last year.

Few countries in the world were in a worse position to deal with a deadly virus. Last week, according to the World Health Organisation, the death toll in West Africa passed 10,000. It’s a dreadful milestone, but the reason it’s so high is that Ebola has attacked populations made vulnerable by inequality. - The Independent

Hate takes the bus CHARLES M. BLOW

W

hen a video was posted showing members of the University of Oklahoma’s chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon gleefully engaged in a racist chant on a bus, some people were shocked. Others, like me, were not. This was just video confirmation of a racism that envelops us in the United States like a fog, often just as evanescent and immeasurable.

Some people seemed surprised because these were millennials, and college students to boot. Both because of generational easing and educational enlightenment, weren’t these sorts of things supposed to be vestiges of the past?

After all, as the Pew Research Centre put it last year, “Millennials are the most racially diverse generation in American history,” with “some 43 per cent of millennial adults” being non-white.

A 2010 Pew report found that “almost all millennials accept interracial dating and marriage.” An MTV poll of millennials found that “84 per cent say their family taught them that everyone should be treated the same, no matter what their race,” and that 89 per cent “do believe that everyone should be treated the same no matter their race.”

But these numbers can be deceiving. They don’t herald an age of egalitarianism as we might think.

As New York magazine pointed out in a January article, the problem that obscures some disturbing persistence of racism is that these polls lump all millennials together and don’t separate white millennials from the rest.

The magazine reported the findings of Spencer Piston, an assistant professor of political science at Syracuse University who found that “younger (under-30) whites are just as likely as older ones to view whites as more intelligent and harder-working than AfricanAmericans.”

Furthermore, the magazine printed this exchange: “ ‘White millennials appear to be no less prejudiced than the rest of the white population,’ Piston told Science of Us in an email, ‘at least using this dataset and this measure of prejudice.’ ” In the same vein, as data from the Race Implicit Association Test published in the January/February issue of Mother Jones magazine showed, pro-white biases were also strongest among people 65 years old and older, although people 18 to 24 ranked second among the age groups.

It is in this environment of dualities that today’s young people exist, dealing with the growing pains of increasing diversification grinding against unyielding racial atti-

tudes. And we must acknowledge that the most deleterious effect of racism they face isn’t about hurt feelings or exercises of poor, outdated social graces, but rather about the actual material effects of racism as it suffuses society and becomes embedded in our systems.

Real psychophysical injuries can result from confrontations with overt or even subtle racism. There is a real and worthy conversation taking place in this country now, particularly among young people, around the idea of micro aggressions — slight, often unintended discriminatory comments or behaviours.

The idea of racial battle fatigue — that “chronic exposure to racial discrimination is analogous to the constant pressure soldiers face on the battlefield,” as Psych Central put it — is also gaining currency and exposure.

Indeed, as The Atlantic pointed out in 2013: “A growing literature shows discrimination raises the risk of many emotional and physical problems. Discrimination has been shown to increase the risk of stress, depression, the common cold, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and mortality. Recently, two journals — The American Journal of Public Health and The Du Bois Review dedicated entire issues to the subject. These collections push us to consider how discrimination becomes what the social epidemiologist Nancy Krieger, one of the field’s leaders, terms ‘embodied inequality.’ ” If this trend continues — and there is no indication that it won’t — the boys on that bus and others like them will be tomorrow’s leaders, and the attitudes they carry with them out of school and into the wider world will have a real impact on real people’s lives.

(In full disclosure, I pledged a fraternity in college and wrote about that experience in my memoir, including how the noble missions of national organisations can be utterly overshadowed by the destructive, renegade rituals of local chapters.)

This is why the vileness displayed on that bus matters: It was a reflection of the distance that must still be covered, and the rigidity of racism and the casualness of hate.

It can wear a smile and be set to a tune.

We have to understand what that hate is. Hate is never about the object of the hate but about what is happening in the mind of the hater.

It is in the darkness of that space that fear and ignorance merge and morph.

It comes out in an impulse to mark and name, to deny and diminish, to exclude and threaten, to elevate the self by putting down the other.

What happened on that bus was bigger than just that bus; it was a reflection of where we are. - The New York Times News Service

US says Venezuela is national security threat The US has declared Venezuela a threat to national security and imposed sanctions on seven officials from the oil-rich nation in the worst diplomatic dispute since President Nicolas Maduro took office in 2013 February 2014 Unrest breaks out with nationwide protests calling for freedom of speech, better security and end to goods shortages. Tensions with US flare. Crisis is ongoing Collapsing economy linked to falling price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate oil price benchmark) May 2014 Nov Sep Jul $ 100

TODAY IN HISTORY 37

Jan 2015

Mar

Venezuela Exports 90 80 70

Crude oil

More than 90%

Caracas 60 50 40

Colombia

30

$49.61

Georgetown

Venezuela San Fernando

1527

Emperor Babur defeats the Rajputs at the Battle of Kanvaha, removing the main Hindu rivals in Northern India.

1917

Russian Czar Nicholas II abdicates his throne.

Oil

Sharp drop in oil price leads to severe economic recession, intensifying political instability

Orinoco River

Guyana

Puerto Ayacucho

1935

Adolf Hitler orders a German rearmament and violates the Versailles Treaty.

1968

US troops in Vietnam destroy a village consisting mostly of women and children, the action is remembered as the My-Lai massacre.

Paramaribo

Boa Vista

Suriname

200km

Brazil

Cayenne French Guiana

On a trip to the Italian mainland from his home on Capreae, the emperor Tiberius dies on the Bay of Naples.

HISTORYNET.COM Source: Wire agencies, NASDAQ

Graphic News /

Graphics

OPINION POLL FROM OUR ARCHIVES COMMITTEE ON ILLITERACY ERADICATION HOLDS MEETING

MUSCAT: The third meeting of the National Committee for Illiteracy Eradication was held here yesterday, under the chairmanship of Dr Fawziyah bint Nassir Al Farsy, undersecretary for general education, at the Education Ministry. The meeting was attended by Dr Hashim Abu Zeid Al Safi, expert in illiteracy eradication field, delegate of the Unesco to participate in organising the national campaign to lower illiteracy percentage in the Sultanate.

Will setting up of more sports centres be enough to beat growing obesity among children in Oman?

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US admits talks with Assad needed to end Syria conflict Well, we have to negotiate in the end.

We’ve always been willing to negotiate in the context of the Geneva I process, US Secretary of State John Kerry said

WASHINGTON: As the devastating war in Syria entered its fifth year on Sunday, the US said it would have to negotiate with Syrian President Bashar Al Assad as it aims to “reignite” new peace talks.

More than 215,000 people have been killed and half of the country’s population displaced, prompting human rights groups to accuse the international community of “failing Syria.”

Amid the dragging stalemate on the ground, the country has been carved up between government

WAR ENTERS FIFTH YEAR: Syrian refugee children form the word ‘Syria’ during an event to commemorate four years of the Syrian conflict, at the Mrajeeb Al Fhood refugee camp, east of Zarqa City, in Jordan, on Sunday. — Reuters

forces, extremist groups, Kurdish fighters and the remaining nonextremist rebels.

Diplomacy remains stalled, with two rounds of peace talks achieving no progress and even a proposal for a local ceasefire in the second city Aleppo fizzling out.

After years of insisting Assad’s days were numbered, US Secre-

tary of State John Kerry conceded Washington would have to negotiate with the iron-fisted leader to end the war.

“Well, we have to negotiate in the end. We’ve always been willing to negotiate in the context of the Geneva I process,” Kerry said in an interview with CBS television aired Sunday.

Deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf, however, denied there was any shift in US policy. “@JohnKerry repeated longstanding policy that we need negotiated process w/regime at table - did not say we wld negotiate directly w/Assad,” she said in a message on her Twitter account.

Kerry acknowledged that it would need increased pressure on Assad, “to make it clear to him that there is a determination by everybody to seek that political outcome and change his calculation about negotiating.”

“That’s underway right now.

And I am convinced that, with the efforts of our allies and others, there will be increased pressure on Assad.”

The conflict began as an antigovernment uprising, with protesters taking to the streets on March 15, 2011, inspired by similar revolts in Egypt and Tunisia.

But a fierce government crackdown on the demonstrations prompted a militarisation of the uprising and its descent into today’s brutal multi-front conflict.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 215,518 people had been killed in the past four years, nearly a third of them

civilians and including more than 10,000 children.

The full toll is likely to be even higher, because the fate of tens of thousands of missing people remains unknown.

“Assad didn’t want to negotiate,” Kerry told CBS television, about the last failed rounds of peace talks in Geneva.

“What we’re pushing for is to ge him to come and do that,” he replied when asked if he would negotiate with Assad.

Russian initiative Russia, a key Assad ally, is floating its own dialogue process, and will host talks in Moscow in April, but it remains unclear if the internationally recognized opposition will attend.

Kerry met in early March with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Geneva and discussed whether a new path to peace could be found. “We are working very hard with other interested parties to see if we can reignite a diplomatic outcome,” Kerry told CBS News.

Kerry’s comments were flashed straight away on Syrian state television. But international attention has largely shifted away from the war to fighting the IS group terrorising the population. — AFP

NOT SEEN IN PUBLIC

Silence over Putin’s absence from Moscow MOSCOW: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on a report from the independent news outlet Dozhd on Sunday that said Russian President Vladimir Putin had not been in Moscow for the last several days.

Putin, who has not been seen in public or on live television broadcasts for more than a week, postponed a meeting with Kazakh and Belarussian leaders last week.

Sources told Dozhd that the president was at his residence on Lake Valdai in Novgorod province.

Peskov declined to comment when contacted by Dozhd.

A Kazakh government official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Putin may have cancelled the summit with the Belarussian and Kazakh leaders because of illness. Peskov gave said that the 62-year-old president was in good health.

Putin’s silence in the past week has fuelled feverish speculation on everything from the state of his health to his grip on power and whether he went to Switzerland to watch his girlfriend give birth.

Putin has a scheduled meeting with Kyrgyzstan President Almazbek Atambayev in St Petersburg on March 16, the Kremlin said in a statement on Friday. — Reuters

CONSULAR SERVICES SUSPENDED

US shuts Saudi embassy over security fears RIYADH: The US embassy in Saudi Arabia said it had suspended consular services in the kingdom for two days due to “heightened security concerns”, after warning of threats against Western oil workers.

All services in Riyadh and at the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran have been cancelled for Sunday and Monday, it said in a statement posted on its website Saturday.

The embassy warned US citizens to take extra precautions and keep a low profile if they were out in public.

“All US citizens are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings, and take extra precautions when travelling throughout the country,” it said.

“The Department of State urges US citizens to carefully consider the risks of travelling to Saudi Arabia and limit non-essential travel within the country.”

The embassy on Friday had warned that Western oil workers risked being attacked or kidnapped by “terrorist” groups.

It did not identify the source of the threats and said no details were available on the planned attacks.

Saudi Arabia is taking part in US-led air strikes that began in September against the IS in Syria, raising concerns about possible retaliation.

Westerners in Saudi Arabia have come under attack four times since October.

The latest was last month when US defence contractor Vinnell Arabia said two of its Ameri-

All services in Riyadh and at the consulates in Jeddah and Dhahran have been cancelled for Sunday and Monday, the US embassy said

can employees were shot at in Eastern Province, where most of the kingdom’s oil wealth is concentrated.

Saudi police said that one of them was wounded but results of the investigation that followed have not yet been revealed.

In October, another Vinnell employee was shot dead and another wounded at a petrol station in Riyadh, in what Saudi authorities have said was not a “terrorist-related” incident.

A Dane was wounded in November as he was driving away from his workplace when he was fired upon from another car.

Authorities said the three Saudis arrested on suspicion of involvement in that attack had acted “in support of” the IS group.

A week after the Dane’s shooting, a Canadian was stabbed and wounded while he shopped at a mall on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast. — AFP

SECURITY OFFENCES, FINANCIAL CRIMES

Rafsanjani’s son gets 15 years in jail TEHRAN: The son of Iran’s former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has been sentenced to 15 years in jail after being tried for security offences and financial crimes, state media said Sunday.

Mehdi Hashemi was accused of involvement in massive protests that followed Iran’s disputed presidential election in 2009, and after being threatened with arrest he left for Britain.

The now 45-year-old was arrested after returning to Tehran in September 2012, and although initially bailed three months later he was rearrested and put on trial. His conviction relates to national security matters as well

Mehdi Hashemi was arrested after returning to Tehran in September 2012 as fraud and embezzlement, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejeie was quoted as saying on its official website and in state media.

Hashemi has 20 days to appeal his conviction, the reports said.

The jail term, if confirmed by a secondary court, would be one of the heaviest ever handed down to a family member of such a highranking official. — AFP

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015 Virtually every building that is not concrete has been flattened An official, Australian Red Cross

Aid teams reach cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu island Widespread devastation reported after Cyclone Pam tears through the Pacific island nation

SYDNEY: The first aid teams to reach Vanuatu reported widespread devastation on Sunday as authorities declared a state of emergency after a “monster” cyclone tore through the Pacific island nation.

With winds of more than 300kph (185 mph), Cyclone Pam razed homes, smashed boats and washed away roads and bridges as it struck late on Friday and into Saturday. Aid workers described the situation as catastrophic.

The count of confirmed deaths was at eight with 30 people injured. But those numbers were almost certain to rise as rescuers reached the low-lying archipelago’s outlying islands. Aid workers were particularly worried about the southern island of Tanna. An official with the Australian Red Cross told Reuters an aircraft had managed to land there and aid workers confirmed there was “widespread destruction”.

“Virtually every building that is not concrete has been flattened,” said the official, adding two deaths had been confirmed on the island which has a population of about 29,000 and is about 200km (125 miles) south of the capital, Port Vila. Witnesses in Port Vila described sea surges of up to eight

DEVASTATED: Local residents stand near a bridge damaged by

Cyclone Pam near Port Vila, the capital city of the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Sunday. – Reuters/UNICEF Pacific/Handout via Reuters

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metres (26 feet) and widespread flooding as the category 5 cyclone hit. Residents said the storm sounded like a freight train. Port Vila was strewn with debris and looked as if a bomb had gone off.

President Baldwin Lonsdale, who happened to be at a disaster risk conference in Japan, likened the storm to a monster.

“Most of the houses in Vila ... have been damaged and destroyed. People are finding shelter where they can live for the night,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. He said the impact would be “the very, very, very worst” in isolated outer islands but held out hope the number of casualties would be “minor”.

He said offers of aid had been very generous and said: “We are not begging, but we are asking for assistance.”

Vanuatu’s climate change minister, James Bule, said people were used to storms, though not usually such strong ones, and he also hoped loss of life might be limited. “We have people aware of what to do,” Bule said.

Formerly known as the New Hebrides, Vanuatu is a sprawling cluster of 83 islands and 260,000 people, 2,000km (1,250 miles) northeast of the Australian city of Brisbane.

It is among the world’s poorest countries and highly prone to disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and storms.

Aid officials said the storm was comparable in strength to Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines in 2013 and killed more than 6,000 people, and looked set to be one of the worst natural disasters the Pacific region has experienced.

Kris Paraskevas, a consultant in Port Vila, said: “The villages are no good. Many houses were just poles and tin or thatch. There’s nothing left, people are just sitting in rubble.” — Reuters

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

WORLD

The protest staged by four opposition parties was the largest the island nation had seen since those of 2008-09 at the height of the financial crisis. Iceland’s centre-right government withdrew its EU membership bid on Thursday, saying its interest were better served outside the bloc

CONTROVERSIAL DECISION

7,000 Icelanders protest scrapping of bid to join EU REYKJAVIK: Some 7,000 people demonstrated in Iceland’s capital Reykjavik on Sunday against the government’s decision to drop its bid for membership of the European Union, police said.

The protest staged by four opposition parties was the largest the island nation had seen since those of 2008-09 at the height of the

financial crisis. Iceland’s centreright government withdrew its EU membership bid on Thursday, saying its interest were better served outside the bloc.

It took the decision without consulting parliament, which had voted in favour of the bid in 2009.

“Only the Althingi (parliament) can revoke that decision,” Arni Pall

Arnason, head of the parliamentary group of the largest opposition party, the Social Democrats, said.

“The government does not dare to face either parliament or the public on this issue, but tries to trick the EU into accepting a change of Iceland’s status,” he added.

The opposition sent a letter to

EU leaders on Friday asking that Iceland remain under consideration for accession negotiations, and a spokeswoman for the executive European Commission said the door remained open.

The government was elected on a Eurosceptic platform in 2013 but has since failed to muster a majority of MPs to support a withdrawal

from the accession process, with some deputies calling for a referendum on the issue.

Meanwhile most Icelanders are opposed to EU membership, mainly because of resistance to the bloc’s fishing quotas. Iceland first applied for EU membership under a leftist government in 2009, when the country was badly shaken by

an economic crisis that saw the Icelandic krona lose almost half its value, making eurozone membership an attractive prospect.

But the thorny issue of fishing quotas was seen as a key obstacle to joining the bloc, and had not yet been broached by the time a first round of accession talks concluded in January 2013. — AFP

UK arrests teens after Turkey foils bid to join IS Scotland Yard police headquarters said counter-terror officers were told on Friday that the three 17-year-olds had ‘gone missing and were believed to be travelling to Syria’

LONDON: Three male teenagers were on Sunday being held in custody, British police said, after they were deported from Turkey from where they are believed to have been trying to travel to Syria.

The trio -- two aged 17 and from northwest London, the third aged 19 -- were being held on suspicion of preparing acts of terror, Scotland Yard police headquarters in London said counter-terror officers were told Friday that the 17-year-olds had “gone missing and were believed to be travelling to Syria”.

Able to intercept “Officers alerted the Turkish authorities who were able to intercept all three males, preventing travel to Syria,” a spokesman said. A Turkish official confirmed that the three were detained by security forces in Istanbul on Friday and were deported back to Britain on Saturday.

The 17-year-olds were detained upon information provided by

TERROR RING: A combination of handout CCTV pictures received from the Metropolitan Police Service on February 23, 2015 shows, left to right, British teenagers Kadiza Sultana, Amira Abase and Shamima Begum passing through security barriers at Gatwick Airport, south of London, on February 17, 2015. An agent them cross into Syria to join the IS group was also working as a courier to transfer money to extremists, a Turkish newspaper reported on Sunday. —AFP/HO/METROPOLITAN POLICE

Britain, the official told AFP. Meanwhile the 19-year-old, identified as MAA, was detected

by Turkish airport police who scrutinised the passengers arriving in Istanbul on a flight from Barcelona, the official said.

The official said that according to initial data, the teenagers were headed to Syria -- most probably to join the IS group.

The Scotland Yard spokesman said the three had been returned to Britain and were arrested “on suspicion of the preparation of terrorist acts”, contrary to the Terrorism Act 2006.

“All three have been taken to a central London police station, where they remain in custody.”

The Turkish official praised the cooperation with the British authorities, saying: “This shows we can get results when serious cooperation, including timely intelligence, is in place.”

It comes just weeks after an

international police hunt was launched to find three east London schoolgirls who travelled to Istanbul on their journey to Syria.

However, Shamima Begum, 15, Amira Abase, also 15, and Kadiza Sultana, 16, are now feared to have reached the conflict zone.

Western women An estimated 550 Western women have travelled to join extremists in Iraq and Syria -- while more than 500 people are believed to have left Britain to fight with IS, often travelling via neighbouring Turkey.

Keith Vaz, who chairs parliament’s home affairs scrutiny committee, said Britain needed to prevent people travelling to Syria in the first place.

“We need to be vigilant. Clearly this flight of young people to Turkey in order to go to Syria is on a much larger scale than we envisaged,” he added. — AFP TRAGEDY

54 dead in Brazil as bus crashes into deep ravine RIO DE JANEIRO: The death toll from a tour bus’s horrific plunge into a densely wooded ravine in southern Brazil rose to 54 on Sunday, as President Dilma Rousseff expressed her sadness over the news.

The bus went off a twisting mountain road on Saturday and crashed 400 meters (1,300 feet) to the bottom of the ravine, where it lay a twisted mass of metal.

Firefighters pulled the victims from the wreckage despite the difficult terrain and the bodies were taken to a morgue, officials said.

“It is with sadness that I learned the news of the death of 54 people in a bus accident in the Sierra Dona Francisca,” Rousseff said in a statement.

“In this hour of pain and suffering, I want to extend my condolences to the families and friend who lost their loved ones,” she said.

Among the dead are the driver and eight children, the regional government press office told AFP. A government official in Santa Catarina told AFP Sunday morning that the vehicle was likely carrying 59 people. The bus was supposed to be carrying 50 people, authorities said. — AFP

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

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Al Omaniya offers merger proposal to United Finance The proposal is subject to both parties agreeing to the terms of the arrangement and obtaining necessary approvals

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Al Omaniya Financial Services on Sunday approached the United Finance Company with an acquisition or strategic merger proposal between the two entities, both financial institutions said in separate disclosure statements on the website of Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

“This has been communicated to the board of directors and further disclosure concerning this matter will be made as and when there are developments to report,” stated Mansoor Mubarak Al Amri, chief executive officer of the United Finance Company.

“This proposal is subject to both parties agreeing to the terms of the arrangement and obtaining

necessary approvals from respective shareholders and regulators,” added Aftab Patel, chief executive officer of Al Omaniya Financial Services, in a statement posted on the website of MSM. United Finance recently received a similar merger offer from Bank Nizwa and the former is yet to respond to it.

‘Counter offer’ Market sources said that Al Omaniya’s proposal is a ‘counter offer’ and United Finance would negotiate with both financial institutions separately and will proceed with the company that offers a maximum price.

“Al Omaniya Financial Services is looking at consolidating their leadership position by acquiring this company. This could

be one way to achieve inorganic growth. This year is a challenging one for leasing companies,” said a market source, who did not want to be named.

Asset base Market sources also said that Al Omaniya will be able to substantially increase its asset base and loan book. Al Omaniya’s total assets stand at OMR241.6 million, while its loan book was around OMR228.3 million by end-2014.

United Finance’s total assets and loan book are OMR119.2 million and OMR114.7 million, respectively, by end of 2014.

If everything goes well, the merged entity will achieve a 49 per cent growth in total assets and 50 per cent growth in loan book.

Share prices of both financial institutions did not have any impact on the Muscat Securities Market since the disclosures were made after trading hours.

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D I V I D E N D PAY O U T

Eighty listed firms declare annual dividend for 2014 A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: As many as 80 Omani listed companies have announced dividends for the year ended 2014, according to the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

Sources said that all blue-chip companies have maintained their dividends, with dividend declarations for last year being similar to 2013. As many as 130 companies are listed on the Muscat bourse.

The total estimated dividend payment for 2014 could reach OMR370 million, if interim dividends paid earlier by some bluechip firms are also taken into consideration.

The five major blue chips that paid maximum cash dividends on the local bourse are Oman Telecommunications Company (115 per cent, including 40 per cent interim dividend), Al Maha Petroleum (110 per cent), Oman Refreshment Company (100 per cent),

Shell Oman Marketing Company (92 per cent) and Oman Cables (90 per cent).

Other companies Among other companies, Hotel Management and Salalah Mills will each pay 65 per cent cash dividends, Raysut Cement will pay 75 per cent, Oman Oil Marketing Company will pay 60 per cent and Sweets of Oman will pay 50 per cent dividend.

Traditionally, telecommunication, oil marketing firms and utilities are those companies that pay

maximum dividends in Oman.

Although most annual general meetings are scheduled in March, investors will receive actual payments in the first week of April.

Market experts believe that 25 to 30 per cent of total dividends will come back to the bourse as reinvestments, which will depend on investor sentiments, market outlooks and fundamentals of companies. Also, the investor community will opt for deploying their dividend money in the market, rather than depositing in banks due to low interest rates.

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

MARKET PA R T I I

Four of six GCC states signed Intergovernmental Agreement Model I KHALID YOUSAF*

I

nternal Revenue Service (IRS) website reports that, 47 countries had signed Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) Model I and seven countries had signed IGA Model II as of November 30, 2014. In addition, 51 IGA Model I countries and seven IGA Model II countries have reached agreements in substance. Those statistics show that overall 112 countries have either already signed an IGA or have agreed in principle to sign one.

Closer to home, four of the six GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait & Bahrain) have all signed IGA Model I which has been in effect since May/ June 2014. Qatar has signed IGA Model 1 B (Reciprocal) agreement which has been in-effect since January, 2015. Oman has not signed an IGA. Most Omani institutions have not been well prepared for FATCA and are often unaware of FATCA or still in the process

of determining its application to them. Oman is yet to feel the full impact of the FATCA regime.

Many financial institutions are still determining the impact of FATCA and implementing FATCA processes and procedures. The first reports are not due until June 30, 2015.

IRS website reports that only 11 banks, 13 branches of foreign banks, one insurance company, eight investment and securities firms and only one Nonfinancial Foreign Entity (NFFE) from Oman have registered and obtained their GIIN for FATCA purposes to date.

This indicates that whereas Foreign Bank Branches have diligently registered themselves with IRS for FATCA purposes, Omani entities lag similar attention and action.

The result of not signing an IGA by Oman means that all affected entities in the country will need to deal with IRS individually and directly. The process involves carrying out an impact assessment to determine if the

OMANI FIRMS

Most Omani institutions have not been well prepared for FATCA

entity would be identified either as a Foreign Financial Institution (FFI) or Non-financial Foreign Entity (NFFE). Depending on the criteria laid down under FATCA rules, both categories will also have sub-classifications which put each entity under different monitoring and reporting obligations to IRS. Once the appropriate entity classification has been carried out after proper Impact Assessment, it will need to register itself on IRS website (where necessary) and obtain a Global Intermediary Identification Number (GIIN). This number identifies the entity’s registration with IRS and is quoted on queries received

from third parties to declare their FATCA status.

The entities which fail to be classified, registered and have not obtained their GIIN from IRS, may either be turned down

by FATCA-compliant financial institutions and entities from entering into a transaction or may be reported as Recalcitrant and may become liable to withholding tax of 30 per cent on Untied States-sourced income.

An FFI may be able to modify its status after registration. For example, an FFI that is able to comply with the terms of an FFI agreement registers for Participating FFI status. The FFI may later modify its FATCA classification on the registration website to ‘Registered DeemedCompliant Financial Institution’ if the underlying conditions for its classification have changed.

Insurance firms Currently, most insurance companies are subject to FATCA. The US Treasury has confirmed in preliminary guidance that

non-U.S. insurance companies are FFIs. The U.S. Treasury has also indicated that they only intend to carve out those insurance companies that issue contracts with no cash value such as term life and property and casualty policies.

Annuity payments and proceeds from life insurance contracts received by non-US persons from a policy or contract issued by a US insurer, or its foreign branch, are currently treated as FDAP and considered ‘withhold-able payments’ under FATCA. General insurance and life insurance companies issuing exclusively pure protection insurance (term life, disability, health, or property and casualty) are generally excluded from the definition of a financial institution. An insurance company will be treated as a financial institution if it issues pure protection insurance along with cash value insurance or annuities.

‘Financial Accounts’ include any amount held by an insur-

ance company under an agreement to pay or credit interest thereon; an account for the benefit of another person that holds any financial instrument or contract held for investment; cash value insurance contracts and annuity contracts.

What should Omani entities do to comply with FATCA? There are several tasks that you should consider doing now to prepare your business for FATCA. You should identify who within your organisation is going to take responsibility for the initiative; put together a steering committee that includes all of the impacted businesses and functions and undertake an assessment to help identify the relative impact of the legislation on the organisation and the budget needed to address steps necessary to comply. *Khalid Yousaf is the director of Financial Advisory Services at KPMG Oman. He may be contacted at kyousaf1@kpmg.com (Concluded)

RAK Ceramics profit for 2014 grows by 3.5% Despite losses of Dh56.5 million arising from hyperinflation and currency fluctuations in Sudan and Iran, the company has reported a net profit of Dh281.7 million for 2014

Times News Service MUSCAT: RAK Ceramics, a global hi-tech manufacturer of lifestyle ceramics solutions with a turnover of nearly $1 billion, has reported a net profit of Dh281.7 million for 2014.

RAK Ceramics reported continued momentum in its performance with net profits reaching Dh281.7 million, an increase of 3.5 per cent over 2013, despite booking losses of Dh56.5 million arising from hyperinflation and currency fluctuations in Sudan and Iran.

However, adjusted net profit (excluding impact of hyperinflation) increased by 14.1 per cent to Dh338.3 million in 2014. Ebitda (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortiation) recorded an increase of 2.9 per

cent to Dh584.4 million as a result of the company’s strategic alignment plans in 2014.

The board of directors has adopted a new dividend policy. It is committed to returning capital to shareholders via a sustainable dividend policy, aiming at a payout ratio of at least 60 per cent of consolidated net income subject to consideration of the business outlook, capital requirements for growth opportunities, expansion plans, optimal leverage levels and healthy cash reserve in addition to regulatory approvals.

Stabilising year For 2014, the board approved a total cash dividend distribution of 35 fils per share. The high pay-out was determined after considering an 25 fils per share ordinary payout and an additional extraordi-

35fils

Is the total cash dividend the board approved. Apart of 25 fils per share, an additional extraordinary 10 fils is due to company’s divestment of its non-core business operations nary 10 fils per shares as a result of the company’s divestment of its non-core business operations during 2014.

The year 2014 represented a stabilising year for RAK Ceramics in line with its growth plans and continued focus on growing ‘core-businesses’, identified as tiles, bathware, tableware and taps and faucets, in focus markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council, India and Bangladesh, which underpinned 2014 financial performance and was the dominant theme of the year.

Revenue from ‘core-businesses’ reached Dh2.8 billion in 2014, decreasing by 1.9 per cent compared to 2013. Bathware revenues were up by 9.3 per cent to Dh448.5 million. A major component of the re-focused strategy in 2014 was on scaling down ‘non-core busi-

nesses’ and divesting ‘non-strategic assets’. Initial agreements were signed to exit RAK Sudan and RAK Laticrete while the exit of RAK Pharmaceuticals in Bangladesh was concluded in 2014.

Iran and China In addition, activities in Iran and China were reduced. Non-core revenues reached Dh482.5 million, with a decrease of 26.3 per cent, in line with strategy to continue scaling down the UAE contracting businesses.

On the strategic front, June 2014 marked a transformational point for RAK Ceramics, when Samena Capital acquired 30.6 per cent of the business and implemented a ‘Value Creation Plan’ aimed at unlocking value for shareholders.

RAK Ceramics has continued investing in its management and strengthening its corporate governance structure in line with its growth strategy. The company made several senior appointments to its management team.

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BRIEFS

Gulf International Chemicals sells portion of shares MUSCAT: Gulf International Chemicals has sold a portion of shares held for the purpose of investing surplus cash and the realised profits of OMR160,000. The realised profits will reflect in the first quarter of 2015 financial statements. It should be noted that the realised profits from this sale equals 7.62 per cent of the company’s capital.

Moreover, the sale of shares has resulted in excess cash which will be employed to invest on Muscat Securities Market.

The company is working to increase production capacity. - Times News Service

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

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MARKET D E L E G AT I O N V I S I T

Jordanian team exploring trade

deals in Oman Times News Service

MUSCAT: Opportunities for business cooperation, especially in industrial cities and freezones, are being explored by a Jordanian economic delegation that arrived in Muscat, capital of Oman, on a two-day visit on Sunday.

The delegation, representing the Jordanian Businessmen Association (JBA), comprises businessmen active in construction, energy, water consulting and engineering services, telecommunications, information technology, banking and financial markets sectors.

The delegation, which includes 15 Jordanian businessmen headed by the Jordanian Businessmen Association’s chairman Hamdi Tabba’a, was scheduled to meet a number of officials in Oman, including the chairman and members of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), according to the Jordan News Agency (Petra).

Investment in Jordan The JBA had earlier said in a statement that the delegation will brief the Omanis on the investment environment in the kingdom during a presentation by the Jordan Investment Board (JIB) and will inform Omani businessmen about the promising investment opportunities in Jordan, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and the Jordan Industrial Estates Corporation (JIEC).

The delegation will also examine investment opportunities in Oman and review its progress in the development of industrial cities and free zones, it said. The visiting businessmen will also tour Rusayl Industrial Estate, 45km west of Muscat, Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority, and Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM).

On the sidelines of the visit, the Jordanian Businessmen Association and the Oman Chamber of Commerce will sign a joint memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cement relations between the two bodies and promote mutual economic and trade cooperation.

Majid Al Futtaim to invest in malls, cinemas in Egypt Additional EGP4b is to be allocated for four centres in new residential cities in Cairo, four malls and EGP500m will be committed to introduce the first local VOX cinemas

Times News Service MUSCAT: Majid Al Futtaim, the retail and leisure pioneer with malls located across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, has finalised new agreements with the Egyptian government, boosting its local investments to the tune of EGP22.5 billion.

In a recent press conference at the Egypt Economic Development Conference (EEDC), Majid Al Futtaim, announced the increase of total investments from EGP18 billion to EGP22.5 billion.

Alain Bejjani, chief executive officer of Majid Al Futtaim - Holding, has signed a memorandum of understanding for new projects with the Egyptian government.

City Centre Under the MoU, a new investment of EGP4 billion is to be allocated for the development of four neighbourhood centres in new residential cities in Cairo, as well as the development of four new shopping malls in greater Cairo.

Moreover, over the next five years, EGP500 million will be committed to introduce the first local VOX cinemas.

In addition, Bejjani unveiled

NEW INVESTMENT: Majid Al Futtaim’s latest investment follows closely after the recent announcement of its five year investment plan worth EGP18 billion. The plan includes developing Mall of Egypt at a cost of EGP5 billion, expansion of Carrefour hypermarkets and supermarkets network to 55 branches by the end of 2019 at a cost of EGP5 billion. - Bloomberg News

two new projects forming part of the original EGP18 billion investment plan, including a new City Centre, under the name of City Centre Almaza, with investments of EGP3.5 billion, and the major redevelopment and expansion of City Centre Maadi, at a cost of EGP4 billion.

“The government succeeded in creating an investment climate that has encouraged Majid Al Futtaim to increase investment to EGP22.5 billion, in addition to unlocking two major investments as part of the original EGP18 billion plan. The additional projects affirm our strong belief in the vast opportunities available in the Egyptian market. Moreover, we were honoured by the president’s presence at our press conference, which further cements the intent to advancing the Egyptian economy,” said Bejjani.

EGP22.5b

recent expansion of City Centre Alexandria with investments of EGP70 million.

Is Majid Al Futtaim’s total investments with the Egyptian government, an increase from EGP18 billion to EGP22.5 billion

Economic reforms Ashraf Salman, Egypt’s minister of investment noted, “As Egypt is undergoing a much needed economic reform process, we are working restlessly to identify the proper partners who will collaborate with us as we endeavour to achieve prosperity for all Egyptians. As such, it is important for us to work with experienced, committed partners and we believe that Majid Al Futtaim has a significant role to play in the development of our country’s retail landscape and economy, in general.”

Majid Al Futtaim is currently undertaking feasibility studies for four potential plots to develop neighbourhood centres in Cairo.

The new developments in

Majid Al Futtaim’s latest investment follows closely after the recent announcement of its five year investment plan worth EGP18 billion.

The plan includes, among others, developing Mall of Egypt at a cost of EGP5 billion, the expansion of Carrefour hypermarkets and supermarkets network to 55 branches by the end of 2019 at a cost of EGP5 billion, and the

Egypt are set to meet the continuously rising demand, both locally and regionally, for integrated lifestyles that combine modernity and conveniences.

Majid Al Futtaim’s mall portfolio has become world renowned for innovation within the shopping centre, retail, design and construction industries, and its iconic brands are intertwined with the lives of more than 250 million people each year.

In 2014, its shopping malls in Egypt attracted more than 25 million visitors, highlighting the company’s ability to contribute to Egypt’s growing tourism industry.

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GROWTH

China has ‘ample’ room for stimulus, says prime minister

CONFIDENT: Li Keqiang.– AFP

BEIJING: Chinese government has more weapons in its arsenal to boost the world’s second-largest economy, Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday as he sought to ease concerns about flagging growth.

Li earlier this month reduced China’s annual growth target to ‘approximately 7 per cent’, the lowest since a similar goal in 2004.

The economy expanded 7.4 per cent last year, the slowest pace in nearly a quarter of a century.

Fears are growing that Chinese expansion, a key driver of the global economy, may slow further after official data released last week showed production, consumption

and investment growth all fell to multi-year lows.

Authorities have so far avoided big-ticket incentives to bolster growth like the unprecedented four-trillion-yuan (now $640 billion) stimulus package Beijing deployed at the height of the global financial crisis.

But Li signalled that more measures could be taken, telling reporters at his annual press conference: “We still have a host of policy instruments at our disposal.”

Beijing was prepared to “step up our targeted macro-economic regulation” to boost market confidence if growth slowed to ap-

proach the “lower limit of our proper range” and threatened employment and incomes.

Double-digit growth “The good news is that in the past couple of years we did not resort to massive stimulus measures for economic growth,” he said after the close of the country’s Communist-controlled National People’s Congress legislature. That gave authorities “fairly ample room” to act, he said.

Top Chinese leaders have said the economy is in a delicate transition away from decades of double-digit annual growth to a new,

slower model that authorities say is more sustainable, a stage that they have branded as ‘new normal’.

Li dismissed theories that China’s boom has seen it overtake the United States to become the world’s number one economy, describing such purchasing power parity calculations as a ‘misleading exaggeration’.

“According to authoritative standards, China is still the second-largest economy in the world,” he said, stressing that it remained “behind about 80 countries in the world” in terms of per capita gross domestic product.

He recalled a recent visit he paid

to two rural families in the nation’s remote and backward west, where he met a man in his 40s who could not afford to marry and a college student who depended on his younger sister’s income as a migrant worker in the cities to pay his tuition fees.

“It truly pains me to see our people living in such distress and I’m sure that there are many more such families in the vast land of China,” he said, adding nearly 200 million Chinese remained in poverty by World Bank standards.

“China is still a developing country in every sense of this term,” the Chinese premier said. - AFP

B4

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

MARKET MSM index ends lower

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,400.48 .............. 6,299.20 ...................6,300.97 ................... 6,399.76................-98.79 .................. -1.54 Financial Index .....................................7,870.10 ............... 7,647.48 ................... 7,652.92 ................... 7,869.86............. -216.94 .................. -2.76 Industrial Index ................................... 8,563.49 ...............8,497.94 ................... 8,497.94 ................... 8,555.35.................-57.41 .................. -0.67 Services Index .......................................3,522.16 ............... 3,483.11 ....................3,483.11 ................... 3,521.79................-38.68 ...................-1.10 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................990.63 ..................982.77 .......................982.77 ...................... 990.70...................-7.93 .................. -0.80 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 19,181,283 .................. 5,183,246 .................. 1,175 ............... 14,835,455,367 ...................1 ..................... 32 .................... 11..........................44

Al Sharqia Investment, down by 9.36 per cent,

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 15

was the top loser.

ISIN ..................................................SECURITY NAME ...............................................................................................VOLUME ..............TURNOVER...................TRADES ...........OPEN PRICE............. HIGH....................LOW...............CLOSE PR. ..........PREV. CLOSE..........DIFF (RO) .................DIFF %......................LAST PR...............LAST BID.....................LAST OFFER .................MARKET CAP ........PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: Sustained uncertainty regarding market direction weighed on the bourse as the MSM 30 Index closed at 6,300.97 points, down by 1.54 per cent.

The MSM Shariah Index also declined by 0.80 per cent to close at 982.77 points.

Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of volume, while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover. There were no gainers. Al Sharqia Investment, down by 9.36 per cent, was the top loser.

As many as 1,175 trades were executed on Sunday generating a turnover of OMR5.18 million with more than 19.18 million shares changing hands. Out of 44 traded securities, one advanced, 32 declined and 11 remained unchanged. Omani investors remained net buyers to the tune of OMR159,000 while foreign investors were net sellers at OMR84,000 followed by GCC

and Arab investors, who sold stocks amounting to OMR75,000.

Financial Index declined heavily by 2.76 per cent to close at 7,652.92 points. Al Sharqia Investments, Oman & Emirates Holding, Gulf Investment Services, Al Madina Investments and Al Anwar Holding declined by 9.36 per cent, 7.58 per cent, 7.50 per cent, 7.14 per cent and 6.92 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index retreated by 0.67 per cent at 8,497.94 points.

Al Hassan Engineering, Oman Fisheries, Al Anwar Ceramics, Construction Materials and Gulf International Chemicals fell 3.94 per cent, 2.99 per cent, 2.87 per cent, 2.70 per cent and 2.28 per cent, respectively.

Services Sector Index closed at 3,483.11 points, down by 1.10 per cent. Al Jazeera Services, OIFC, Renaissance Services, Ooredoo and Sharqiyah Desalination declined on Sunday. – United Securities

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

OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ........................... 4,100 ............... 1,189........................5 ........... 0.290...........0.290 ...........0.290 .......... 0.297 .............0.297 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.290............. 0.290...................0.297...................28,226,880.........0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ............... 41,790 .............13,707........................3 ........... 0.328 ...........0.328 ...........0.328........... 0.328 .............0.328 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.328..............0.306...................0.328 ...................11,011,436 .........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY........................................ 2,081 ...............4,037........................2 ............1.940 ........... 1.940 ...........1.940........... 1.960 .............1.960 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.940.............. 1.810...................1.940..................175,812,000 ........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ...........................................69 ...................138........................1 ........... 2.000...........2.000 ...........2.000 .......... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.000 ............ 0.000...................2.000 ................ 190,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. .........5,000 .............11,250........................5 ........... 2.250 ...........2.250 ...........2.250........... 2.260 .............2.260 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.250............. 2.200...................2.250 .................155,940,000........0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA .............................................. 80,000 ............ 67,200........................5 ........... 0.840...........0.840 ...........0.840 .......... 0.840 .............0.840 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.840..............0.840...................0.848 ................ 134,400,000 .......0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE ................................................. 951,662.......... 153,459..................... 26 ............0.161 ........... 0.163 ...........0.161 ............0.161 ............. 0.161 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.162 ..............0.162...................0.163...................40,827,990.........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER.............................................................. 97,796 .............37,162........................7 ........... 0.380 ...........0.380 ...........0.380........... 0.380 .............0.380 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.380..............0.380...................0.388...................83,983,800.........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ......................... 24,606 ............ 42,814........................8 ............1.740 ........... 1.740............1.740 ............1.740 ............. 1.750............-0.010 ............-0.571................1.740 .............. 1.740................... 1.745 ................1,305,000,000......0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN ......................................................32,506 ...............4,216........................6 ............0.128 ........... 0.130 ...........0.128........... 0.130 ............. 0.131 ............-0.001 ........... -0.763................0.130 ..............0.130................... 0.131 ................. 260,040,663 .......0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ..........................65,343 ............ 21,223......................18 ........... 0.328 ...........0.328 ...........0.320........... 0.324 .............0.328 ...........-0.004 ........... -1.220 ...............0.320.............. 0.318...................0.320 ..................40,466,939.........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 331,000 ......... 158,056........................8 ........... 0.480 ...........0.480 ...........0.476........... 0.478 .............0.484 ...........-0.006 ........... -1.240 ...............0.476............. 0.000...................0.484 .................160,963,154 ........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 347,600 ........... 48,087..................... 30 ............0.140 ........... 0.140 ...........0.138 ............0.138 .............0.140 ...........-0.002 ........... -1.429 ...............0.138 .............. 0.136...................0.138................... 37,951,825 .........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 520,500 .........102,420......................14 ........... 0.200...........0.200 ...........0.196 ............0.197 .............0.200 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.500 ...............0.196 ..............0.194...................0.196................. 225,368,000 .......0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................20,333 ...............8,932......................15 ........... 0.446 ...........0.446 ...........0.430........... 0.440 .............0.448 ...........-0.008 ............-1.786................0.430..............0.430...................0.440 ..................20,047,022.........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 314,840 ...........46,234..................... 39 ............0.144 ........... 0.152 ...........0.144............0.147 .............0.150............-0.003 ........... -2.000 ...............0.145 ..............0.144...................0.145................... 38,751,958 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 523,920 .........134,446......................71 ........... 0.263 ...........0.263 ...........0.253........... 0.257 .............0.263 ...........-0.006 ........... -2.281 ...............0.253..............0.252...................0.253.................... 5,397,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 400,000...........80,000........................3 ........... 0.200...........0.200 ...........0.200 .......... 0.200 .............0.205 ...........-0.005 ........... -2.439 ...............0.200 .............0.196...................0.200 .................259,097,481 ........0.100 OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING ............................................................ 11,000 ...............4,410........................5 ........... 0.400........... 0.410 ...........0.400 .......... 0.400 .............0.410............-0.010 ........... -2.439 ...............0.410 ..............0.402...................0.410...................69,369,300.........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 2,375,309... 1,316,148...................148 ........... 0.572 ........... 0.572 ...........0.550........... 0.554 .............0.568 ...........-0.014 ........... -2.465 ...............0.552..............0.550...................0.552................1,209,209,256 ......0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 206,026 ............97,756......................21 ........... 0.480 ...........0.480 ...........0.470........... 0.474 .............0.488 ...........-0.014 ........... -2.869 ...............0.470..............0.462...................0.470..................117,004,404 ........0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................. 20,000 .............. 2,000........................1 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.103............-0.003 ........... -2.913 ...............0.100.............. 0.101...................0.108.................. 20,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 1,159,869.......369,000......................41 ........... 0.324 ...........0.324 ...........0.316 ............0.318 .............0.328 ...........-0.010 ........... -3.049 ...............0.316 .............. 0.316...................0.324 ................. 387,587,145 ........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 320,000..........221,755......................19 ............0.716 ........... 0.716............0.692........... 0.692 ............. 0.716............-0.024 ........... -3.352 ...............0.692..............0.692...................0.700..................450,453,407 .......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 148,900 ........... 59,564......................16 ........... 0.400...........0.402 ...........0.400 .......... 0.400 .............0.414............-0.014 ........... -3.382 ...............0.400............. 0.400...................0.408 ................. 112,837,782 ........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 339,500 ............71,337..................... 25 ............0.216 ........... 0.216 ...........0.208 .......... 0.210 .............0.221 ...........-0.011 ........... -4.977 ...............0.209............. 0.208...................0.210.................. 42,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 107,000 ........... 34,184........................6 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.312 ........... 0.320 .............0.338 ...........-0.018 ........... -5.325 ...............0.312 ..............0.310...................0.318...................32,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .............................................. 7,500 ...............2,673........................3 ........... 0.358 ........... 0.358 ...........0.352........... 0.356 .............0.378 ...........-0.022 ........... -5.820 ...............0.352..............0.348...................0.356................... 21,788,721 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 4,320,753 ...1,045,666...................293 ........... 0.250 ........... 0.255 ...........0.237........... 0.242 .............0.260 ...........-0.018 ........... -6.923 ...............0.242..............0.241...................0.242 ..................31,581,000 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 256,550 ............16,684..................... 10 ........... 0.065 ...........0.066 ...........0.065........... 0.065 .............0.070 ...........-0.005 ............-7.143................0.066..............0.066...................0.069...................13,464,840.........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 3,408,900 .....505,485...................164 ............0.150 ........... 0.153 ...........0.146 ........... 0.148 .............0.160 ...........-0.012 ........... -7.500 ...............0.147 ..............0.146...................0.147.................... 8,708,796 ..........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 750,694 ............ 91,315..................... 36 ............0.123 ........... 0.124 ...........0.120........... 0.122 .............0.132............-0.010 ............-7.576................0.122.............. 0.121...................0.122...................14,868,750 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .............91,804 ............ 14,262......................16 ............0.165 ........... 0.165 ...........0.154 ............0.155 ............. 0.171 ............-0.016 ........... -9.357 ...............0.156 .............. 0.156...................0.158................... 13,410,600 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 17,286,951......4,786,810 ............1,070 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......33........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................89,250 .......... 209,491........................9 ........... 2.350 ...........2.350 ...........2.345........... 2.345 .............2.345 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.345..............2.255...................2.345 .................223,847,122........1.000 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER..................................................33,346 ...............6,021..................... 10 ............0.181 ........... 0.181............0.180............0.181 ............. 0.181 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180..............0.180................... 0.181 ..................122,154,625 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .................................................. 37,649 .............22,193.....................24 ........... 0.592 ...........0.592 ...........0.586........... 0.590 .............0.592 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.338 ...............0.586..............0.586...................0.596...................29,500,000.........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,209,415 ......105,224......................21 ........... 0.088 ...........0.088 ...........0.087........... 0.087 .............0.088 ...........-0.001 ............-1.136................0.087..............0.086...................0.088..................130,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 163,600 ............ 13,753.....................20 ........... 0.085 ...........0.085 ...........0.083........... 0.084 .............0.086 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.326 ...............0.083..............0.082...................0.085...................14,700,000 .........0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION .................................. 1,280 ...............4,128........................5 ........... 3.225 ...........3.225 ...........3.225........... 3.225 .............3.305 ...........-0.080 ........... -2.421 ...............3.225..............3.100...................3.450................... 31,541,197 .........1.000 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ................... 23,000 .................. 828........................2 ........... 0.036 ...........0.036 ...........0.036........... 0.036 .............0.037 ...........-0.001 ........... -2.703 ...............0.036..............0.036...................0.037....................3,060,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................41,256 ...............2,693........................5 ........... 0.066 ...........0.066 ...........0.065........... 0.065 .............0.067 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.985 ...............0.065..............0.064...................0.065....................8,125,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.......................................7,525 ...................917........................3 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.119 ........... 0.122 ............. 0.127............-0.005 ........... -3.937 ...............0.121 .............. 0.121...................0.125.................... 9,175,376 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 1,606,321 ......365,249..................... 99 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 9........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...................... 274,966 ............29,621........................5 ............0.107 ........... 0.108 ...........0.107 ........... 0.108 .............0.106 ........... 0.002............. 1.887 ................0.108..............0.107...................0.108...................32,696,904.........0.100 OM0000004487 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES BONDS3.75 .............. 13,045 ............... 1,565........................1 ............0.120 ........... 0.120 ...........0.120........... 0.120 .............0.120 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.120..............0.120...................0.122................... 50,777,001 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 288,011 .............31,187........................6 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AV I AT I O N

Philippines to buy Spanish transport planes MANILA: The Philippines will buy three new transport planes from Spain to strengthen its poorly equipped military in handling external threats and natural disasters, the military spokesman said on Sunday.

The first of the three C295 planes will be delivered this month in a deal costing a total of P5.29 billion ($119 million), said Brigadier

General Joselito Kakilala.

“One will be delivered by the end of this month... for HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief ), military transport and other (uses),” he said.

The C295 is a twin-turboprop aircraft capable of carrying up to nine tonnes or 71 soldiers, using short, unprepared airstrips according to the website of the man-

ufacturer, the Airbus Defence and Space arm.

The Philippines, which has one of the region’s weakest militaries, has been trying to modernise its armed forces amid growing tensions with China over disputed territory in the South China Sea. Last year ithe Philippines government signed an agreement to buy 12 South Korean-made FA-50

jets for about $421.12 million.

The country also suffers from frequent national disasters.

Disasters such as super-typhoon Haiyan, which killed more than 7,350 people and ravaged an area as big as Portugal in November 2013, have frequently required the mass transport of relief goods and personnel to different parts of the archipelago.- AFP

B

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

SECTION

E-

IMES TECH STUFF

FIGHTING BACK AGAINST MALWARE

The flurry of pop-up ads, the unfamiliar search toolbar and the changed home page on your computer are all symptoms of infection by malicious software — or at least aggressive adware. When trying to download the boat manual, you may have unknowingly agreed to install the new browser toolbar and make other changes to your PC, or your computer may have simply been hijacked by a rogue website.

SMART APP

Pointing the way to good reads, videos and music HOW DO YOU sift through all the clutter on the web and find the best stuff to read? And once you find the best stuff, what’s the best way to share it with others?

Those seem to be two of the most pressing questions about using the web, and mobile apps try to answer them with varying degrees of success. My favourite for discovery and sharing of online content is StumbleUpon.

First, create a free account and then enter your preferred topics.

The options are vast, including alcoholic drinks, artificial intelligence and ancient history. Once you have made your choices, the app finds articles online that align with your interests.

Chromebook Pixel: the Turbo edition

G

oogle’s Chromebook Pixel is a mysterious beast. The Chromebook Pixel computer, a made-by-Google exercise in staggering specs, was first released in 2013 as the top-ofthe-line Chromebook, a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome operating system. Most Chromebooks sell for $250 to $500, but the Pixel came out at an eye-popping $1,300.

The original Pixel included mostly top-of-the-line technology and some indulgent impracticalities, like an extremely high-resolution multi-touch display. Yet it was burdened with outdated connection ports, mediocre battery life and a Web-only operating system that baffled some users.

Higher pixel density Now, the second-edition Chromebook Pixel has arrived. It’s just as confounding as the first, and, oddly, just as appealing.

The second-generation Pixel, like the original, is made of squared-off aluminum. And it has a complete lack of visible screws and vents. It feels solid - too solid, in fact, at a beefy 3.3 pounds.

Its high-resolution screen has higher pixel density than an Apple Retina display, and it’s still a touch screen. That’s a novelty that you’ll rarely use, unless you need to pinch and zoom, in which case it’s unbelievably useful. (But then you’ll need to immediately reach for a chamois to wipe down the display.)

In terms of speed and power, the Pixel is impressive, to say the least.

It comes in two models, and Google refers to the higher-priced version as the ‘LS’ model, short for Ludi-

crous Speed. Those prices are a bit lower than they were for the previous version, but the Pixel is still an expensive laptop at $1,000 for the base model and $1,300 for the faster one. The Chrome operating system has matured to where it’s not only usable but feels somewhat similar to the Mac or Windows operating system, as long as you primarily use your laptop for email and Web surfing.

Its battery life is said to be greatly improved — about 12 hours of consistent use, according to Google.

And in a cute touch, a strip on the laptop’s cover displays how much power is left if you tap on it while the lid is closed.

Certain other quirks will take getting used to or might never be considered valuable. For example, Google has replaced the caps lock key with a dedicated search key on its otherwise excellent keyboard.

The keyboard, by the way, is backlit — and the light fades when you take your hands off it and comes up again when you come close.

Cheaper Chromebooks But all of that said, the Pixel is not really meant to be a device for the masses to buy; its specs, its price and its usability aren’t really the goals. It is, by Google’s own dmission, a device meant to test and demonstrate improvements that could eventually find their way into cheaper Chromebooks — whether those are outward-facing hardware improvements like better trackpads or power efficiencies that lead to longer battery life.

In the case of the second-generation Pixel, the big, flashy proofof-concept feature is its all-in-one

The second-generation Chromebook Pixel computer, like the original, is made of squared-off aluminum. And it has a complete lack of visible screws and vents. It feels solid — too solid, in fact, at a beefy 3.3 pounds connection port, known as USB Type-C (try typing that without a caps lock key).

All-in-one connection The new connection replaces not only older USB ports, but also the power input and display-out ports commonly found on laptops. It can charge, transfer data and power an external display, all in one.

The USB Type-C port had a bit of a coming-out party this week, since it’s also featured on the new MacBook that Apple announced - a machine so tiny it has room for only one port and a headphone jack.

Unlike Apple, Google put two USB Type-C ports on the Pixel, one on either side. That lets you charge the device from either side, which is nice when you’re traveling and don’t know where the power outlet will be. But it also lets you attach external devices and charge at the same time.

The new connection standard is interesting all on its own. Google says it supports fast charging, so the Pixel can gain two hours of juice from being plugged in for just 15 minutes. USB Type-C plugs are reversible, so you can’t insert them the wrong way, which means they last longer than previous connectors, which tend to get damaged from repeatedly being shoved in the wrong way. And the new USB connector has higher power capacity than previous-generation USB connectors, so it can be used to charge devices.

USB Type-C That means that if, as Apple, Google and many other companies are hoping, USB Type-C eventually becomes standard across the industry, you could use the same charger to power any phone, any tablet and even any laptop. That would be a huge improvement. While most non-Apple phones use standard micro-USB cables to charge, laptop chargers come in every shape, size and expensiveto-replace variation.

So at the end of the day, Google doesn’t really care if you buy a Pixel.

(Let’s be honest, it’s doing fine without a marginal number of laptop sales thrown on the pile.) A few die-hard Chrome fans will get it, and it will be a great executive giveaway.

If you are looking for a minimalist laptop that requires an odd little collection of adapters and dongles, the new MacBook is a heck of a lot lighter and, hey, it comes in gold.

But as a technology platform and a demonstration of tech we might all be using in the somewhat near future, the Pixel impresses. - MOLLY WOOD/ The New York Times News Service

Brief summary The articles are displayed with a brief summary at the top so you can see the headline and the source website. The content is shown below in a vertical-scrolling webpage style. You swipe left or right to see other articles — or stumbles, as the app calls them — that fit your interests.

You can filter the stumbles by specific topic or by popularity, and you can give specific articles thumbs-up or thumbsdown to help teach StumbleUpon the kind of material you find most interesting.

If you find something interesting online, you can share it with just a few taps, so other StumbleUpon users may see it in their feeds. You can also share stumbles that you like with friends via other social networks or even emails.

The app is attractively designed, and reading online news articles or other content is easy.

But the interface can be a little confusing, because the menus and options look similar at a glance. StumbleUpon is free for iOS and Android devices.

The makers of StumbleUpon also have an app called 5by, free for iOS and Android. It is a similar discovery and sharing system for online content, but 5by is only for video. The app is a little simpler in design than the main StumbleUpon app and could be useful for filling up a few idle minutes with curious or interesting video clips.

Pinterest app Pinterest is perhaps the bestknown app in this category; if you haven’t heard of it, you’ve probably been hiding under an online rock. But if you haven’t actually tried Pinterest yet, now is the time.The app is an imagecentric discovery . and sharing tool. It works like a social network and is based on digital pinboards on which interesting images are ‘pinned’.

For example, a friend and I use Pinterest to share ideas about our photography projects:

We find inspiring images, ideas or photographs by others and pin them to our board.

Once you have created an account (it is free), you can search Pinterest and find individual pins or other people’s collections. You can follow users and add someone else’s pin to your own board. For example, I maintain a board that has cute T-shirt slogans. Other people sometimes re-pin what I have found to their boards.

You can also save content to read or look at later. When you are surfing online, you can pin items you want to bookmark.

They appear as images in the Pinterest board you choose; clicking on the images takes you to the source web page.

The app’s interface is slick and easy to use, and pinning is a surprisingly smooth process.

When you get the hang of it, it’s a great way to keep track of interesting online content. Be careful, though: Using Pinterest is a lot of fun, and it’s free for iOS and Android. You may suddenly find yourself completely absorbed.

Soundwave Lastly, music fans should check out Soundwave, a social network-based discovery and sharing tool for music, free on iOS and Android.

Soundwave tracks whatever music you are listening to, whether on your phone’s native music app, YouTube app or other apps, and automatically adds it to your Soundwave profile.

Your profile is shared so other users can follow you, and you can create private groups to chat about particular music.

The social and recommendation systems have one goal: introducing you to new music aligned with your existing tastes. It works surprisingly well. But it isn’t the most visually attractive or exciting app to use, and setting it up to connect to all the music apps you use can take some effort. - KIT EATON /The New York Times News Service

B6

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

ROUND-UP

Bollywood star Preity inaugurates th Malabar Gold’s 128 outlet in Salalah

To celebrate this occasion, the group introduced fabulous inaugural offers for their customers

SALALAH: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the leading jewellery retailers, marked another milestone in its history by the opening its 128th outlet in Salalah.

Prominent Indian actress Preity

Zinta and Noor ul Hassan Salim Al Gassani, manager, Oman Women Association in Salalah jointly inaugurated the outlet in the presence of Shamlal Ahamed M. P., managing director- International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; K. P. Abdul Salam, group executive director, Malabar Group, other directors, media representatives and other well-wishers, says a press release.

This elegant showroom conveniently located at Al Salam street, Salalah, is their second outlet in Salalah, seventh in Oman and 48th in the Middle East.

Like all other Malabar Gold & Diamonds outlets, this showroom will also display a significantly large collection of traditional as

well as contemporary jewellery in gold, certified diamonds, platinum and precious stone jewellery from across the world that can hold you spell-bound with their aweinspiring beauty.

To celebrate this occasion, the group introduced fabulous inaugural offers for their customers.

With every purchase of diamond jewellery worth OMR500, the customers will get a 1gm gold coin absolutely free and the customers can also avail a free gold coin with every purchase of gold jewellery worth OMR300. These offers are valid at their outlet in Salalah until March 31.

One of the most important factors driving the group’s success are innovation in their strategies,

SUCCESS STORIES

designs, promotions and the trust Malabar Gold & Diamonds evokes.

With a rich mix of traditional and trendy jewellery in gold, diamond and platinum, Malabar Gold & Diamonds is one of the most preferred destinations for quality jewellery. The combination of purest jewellery and cutting edge designs combining unmatched grace and style makes their jewellery unique.

The branded jewellery segment includes Ethnix, handcrafted designer jewellery; Era, uncut diamond jewellery; Mine, diamonds unlimited; Divine, Indian heritage jewellery; Precia, precious gem jewellery and Starlet, kids jewellery, which are renowned globally for their flawless craftsmanship and the impeccable style.

The leap from a single store to 128 outlets globally did not happen overnight. It was achieved through consistent effort and insistence on setting exceptionally high standards to meet the aspiration of customers over a period of 21 years.

Their dedicated and highly skilled employees invest heart and soul in striving to achieve maximum perfection. Absolute customer satisfaction is the overriding promise in everything they do.

Ornaments have never been so easier to buy, sell and exchange as it is at Malabar Gold & Diamonds and with their customer friendly policies, they give their customers enough reasons to come back to their stores. The jewellery group also gives their customers the ad-

vantage of using their zero percent Easy Payment Plan with selected banks through which they can pay the total amount in 3 to 6 instalments without any interest.

The group is in the forefront when it comes to CSR activities as well. The group sets apart a fixed percentage of its net profit to the benefit of needy and the charity projects of Malabar Gold & Diamonds have touched the lives of thousands of people across the world. They focus primarily in five priority areas such as health, education, environment, housing and women empowerment.

In Oman, Malabar Gold & Diamonds operates showrooms at Darsait, Baushar, Ruwi, Salalah and Sohar.

G O L D E N K L A X O N AU T O M O T I V E AWA R D

Meethaq launches interactive Kia Soul claims another award forum with top personalities MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, launched a unique social forum aimed at facilitating interaction with prominent personalities sharing inspirational aspects of their life and career as well as perspective on economy and important social and cultural issues in the country.

Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil & Gas, addressed the first of the series of Majlis Meethaq gathering at Bank Muscat head office, attended by key representatives of academic, industry, banking and financial sectors, says a press release.

Al Aufi appreciated Meethaq Islamic Banking for hosting the forum with a view to highlighting important economic, social and cultural issues in Oman. He shared interesting aspects of his personal life, career and views on important economic and social issues in the country. He exuded optimism on the recovery of oil prices and attributed the decline in prices to oversupply in the market.

“Meethaq is proud to introduce the Majlis forum aimed at presenting successful role models to community and highlighting their

achievements to motivate and inspire citizens, especially youth, to attain success in life. We thank Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi for addressing the inaugural session of the forum and enlightening the audience on opportunities and challenges faced in making crucial decisions in life which led to success. As part of its social development commitment, Meethaq aims to develop Majlis as an ideal platform to interact with prominent personalities and learn from their experiences in achieving success in life,” said Sulaiman Al Harthy, Group General Manager – Islamic Banking.

Majlis Meethaq will be held every month in which a well-known

personality from economic, social, religious or culture sector having influence on Omani society from the Sultanate or abroad will be hosted. The interaction between the guest and the audience will primarily focus on aspects of the presenter’s personal life, success in career and views on important issues facing the country and community.

Meethaq is focused on developing as a benchmark Islamic financial institution on both the local and regional level.

Meethaq has adopted the best practices in Islamic banking and finance worldwide to combine a robust model which protects customers and complements the Islamic banking industry.

MUSCAT: The new Kia Soul continues to be recognised for its iconic design and popularity — this time in Moscow, Russia, where it was chosen to be honoured with the prestigious Golden Klaxon automotive award.

One of Russia’s top 3 automotive awards, a Golden Klaxon awardee is considered to be highly influential in cementing decision of new car owners. Of more than 130 automobile models taking part in the competition, Kia Soul came out on top in the best compact SUV category, says a press release from Reliable International Automotive of Oman, the distributor for Kia in Oman.

“The second generation Kia Soul is a great example of the growth of the compact SUV segment. Having retained all the best features of its predecessor, it became more mature and comfortable, and now features noticeably improved handling characteristics,” said Roman Tarasov, Chairman of the Jury and the Test Editor of the Klaxon newspaper.

“We are thrilled that the improvements made to the second generation Soul — the more masculine styling touches, enhanced comfort, and most importantly, improved safety features — were so well received. Ever since its

launch in the spring of 2014, the new Kia Soul has proved its popularity not only in terms of high sales, but also through wide recognition among professional automobile communities. Since the introduction of the first generation model, Kia Soul has won more than 50 different international awards, including the Red Dot Design Award and the prestigious iF Design Award,” stated a Kia spokesperson.

“Winning this award is another important step for Kia in providing high-quality vehicles and delivering on our sales and aftersales service promises to Russian customers. We are excited to continue on this exciting streak and can’t wait to see what’s to come,”

the spokesperson added.

Owners will recall that the Soul has received a slew of prestigious awards including the Red Dot Design award and the highly respected ‘iF design award’.

The Kia design team, under the supervision of Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Kia created the new Kia Soul. The great challenge faced

by Peter Schreyer and team when designing the second-generation model was to preserve the strong, individual character of the Kia Soul and, at the same time, give the design new impulses.

Reliable International Automotive, the distributor for Kia in Oman, provides a rewarding ownership experience for customers.

AGREEMENT

OSC joins Outward Bound Oman’s Patrons Company to recreate history MUSCAT: His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said, Patron of Outward Bound Oman (OBO), and Oman Shipping Company (OSC) Deputy CEO Tariq Al Junaidi, signed an official Patrons Company agreement at the OSC offices recently.

As part of their innovative approach to corporate social investment, Oman Shipping Company was officially inducted into Outward Bound Oman’s ‘The Patrons Company’, a select group of companies that contribute to OBO’s initiatives in challenging and strengthening young people in Oman through challenging out-

door journeys in the mountains and deserts of Oman, to develop the next generation of leaders for the nation, says a press release.

“The history of Outward Bound is very much in sync with our maritime operations and we hope to use this support to provide training for young people who are considering a career at sea with an organisation like Oman Shipping, providing them with the skills they need to grow into responsible employees and leaders,” said, Tariq Al Junaidi.

“With this generous support, Oman Shipping Company is recreating history. We may be only six

years old in Oman, but Outward Bound began in the UK in 1941, at the start of the second world war, when lots of young sailors were losing their lives.

“Initially it was set up as a survival training school for young sailors, but over the last 73 years has developed into the world’s most powerful outdoor training organisation. Each year, 250,000 people undertake an Outward Bound course in one of 32 countries,” said Mark Evans, general manager of Outward Bound Oman.

Through this partnership both Oman Shipping and OBO aim to provide four courses each year, for

three years; each course will last for four days and three nights in Oman’s deserts and mountains.

Social investment programmes is considered a major part in Oman Shipping Company which was incorporated in 2003 and owned by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman through the Ministry of Finance (80%) and Oman Oil Company (20%). OSC was established to transport the Sultanate’s oil and gas products to world markets, providing Omani shipping services to the country’s trade partners in other commodities, and to re-vitalise Oman’s long standing and proud seafaring tradition.

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RECRUI JOB POSTINGS

The way to gain a good reputation is to endeavour to be what you desire to appear. — Socrates

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

CAREER COACH

How to handle a gap in your job history NO matter how diligent, hardworking and responsible you are, it is possible that you may find yourself out of work for a significant period of time at some point in your career. The key point to remember is not to let this gap in employment hurt you during your job search.

Here are some suggestions to help you stay connected to your career while conducting your job search: Find a consulting assignment or project. Many times, employees who are “in-between” jobs supplement their knowledge (and income) by taking contract or consulting assignments.

Sometimes these assignments can result in full-time, permanent positions.

Take a class in a subject related to your profession.

Volunteer with an organisation or become a mentor.

Read trade journals and attend seminars in your field of expertise.

Write an article for a publication in your area of expertise.

Many freelance writing assignments pay well.

Also be sure to maintain your network of industry contacts. A gap on a resume glares out at a recruiter or hiring manager. If you’ve spent your employment gap doing freelance work, consulting, or mentoring, be sure to list that experience in the Professional Experience section of your resume. Include the name of the organisation, job functions, dates, and city and state.

In other words, treat it as you would a regular job!

Let’s look at the worst-case scenario. Your resume has a large gap. You may want to consider a functional resume as opposed to a chronological resume. But be forewarned! A functional resume is a potential red flag to employers because it suggests that the jobseeker may have something to hide, so use caution before using a functional resume.

Recruiters and hiring managers prefer chronological resumes because they are easier to read and list skills and job functions as they apply to each position. A functional resume does not.

If you have an extensive gap in employment, you may want to address it in your cover letter to the prospective employer.

Include a brief one- or two-sentence explanation, but do not go into detail about a long illness or a frustrating job search.

Rather, state that you were out of the workforce for whatever reason, and explain that you are eager to return. If the gap in your employment happened a long time ago, don’t bother mentioning it at all.

Regardless of the reasons for your employment gaps, always maintain a positive, optimistic attitude, and be sure to let the hiring manager know that you are excited and ready to return to work. — Cynthia Wright/ www.quintcareers.com

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Bank Muscat, Lulu launch first co-branded retail card in Oman The unique ‘Lulu Bank Muscat credit card’ offers a range of benefits and exclusive advantages, notably rewards on all transactions which add immense value to the shopping experience

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, and Lulu Hypermarket, the largest retail chain in the GCC region with over 125 outlets, have joined hands to launch the first retail co-branded card in Oman.

The unique ‘Lulu Bank Muscat credit card’ offers a range of benefits and exclusive advantages, notably rewards on all transactions which add immense value to the shopping experience, says a press release.

The Lulu Bank Muscat credit cardholders earn points on all transactions when using their cards to make payments. For every transaction done at Lulu outlets in Oman, customers receive 2 per cent of the total transaction amount back in points and for any transaction done elsewhere customers will receive 0.5 per cent back in points.

“Bank Muscat is delighted to partner with Lulu Hypermarket, the region’s leading retail chain, to launch the unique co-branded

card that marks the beginning of a new collaborative journey between the Sultanate’s leading bank and the retail chain. The initiative is a fine example of cooperation between companies aimed at serving customers with niche products and services. The new card encourages electronic payment ensuring convenience and security,” stated Tariq Atiq, AGM – Cards & eBanking.

The ‘Lulu Bank Muscat credit card’ rewards programme allows customers to earn points for every card transaction in Lulu outlets

in Oman or any other merchant outlets. For example, if OMR100 is spent in Lulu Oman, the customer will earn OMR2 in points.

If the customer spends OMR100 elsewhere, he will earn 0.5 per cent which is equal to 500 baisa. Cash withdrawal transactions are not eligible for earning points.

The benefits include exclusive check-out counters at all Lulu outlets in Oman. The dedicated express check-out counters help cardholders avoid long queues. Customers can also enjoy discounts and special offers ORPEC

S H A R I ’A C O M P L I A N T C A R D

alizz bank unveils Elite MasterCard credit card

Mega oil and gas expo starts today

MUSCAT: alizz Islamic bank, the second Islamic bank in Oman, and MasterCard announced the launch of the country’s first Shari’a compliant World Elite MasterCard credit card.

The Shari’a compliant alizz World Elite MasterCard credit card offers exclusive dining, travelling and shopping experiences to cardholders, in addition to providing access to prestigious venues and global events. The invitation-only product targets the evolving requirements of the ultra-high net worth affluent segment in Oman and is packed with a host of value-added benefits and rewards,including travel and lifestyle benefits, concierge service and a comprehensive insurance suite, says a press release. alizz Islamic bank also offers its customers the Shari’a compliant Titanium MasterCard debit card and Shari’a compliant Titanium and Platinum MasterCard credit cards. These products offer premium features and privileges that provide cardholders with a range of lifestyle experiences, including access to select airport lounges across the GCC, exclusive benefits and luxury retail shopping advantages through the Priceless Arabia platform. Furthermore, all

MUSCAT: The three-day Oman Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition & Conference (Orpec) will start at 8am today at Oman International Exhibition Centre.

The trade exhibition, open from 10am to 6pm, is a dedicated platform for showcasing products, services and capabilities in the downstream petroleum sector. It is designed to deliver key buyers to Oman’s growing refining and petrochemical industries supporting Oman’s sales and marketing base and create a forum aligned with the government’s growth plans, says a press release.

The expo is a showcase for global manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers representing all of the key sectors within the refining and petrochemical industry. The conference on the Duqm Refinery Project and other key projects in Oman, midstream developments, and investment opportunities, is a discussion and knowledgesharing platform focusing on the market trends, developments, projects, technology and innovation in the sector.

A total of 96 companies and brands are participating in the exhibition.

MasterCard-branded cards can be used at over 35.9 million outlets across the globe.

“We are proud to be the first bank in Oman to launch a Shari’a complaint World Elite MasterCard credit card ,which is tailored to meet the evolving requirements of the ultra-high net worth affluent segment. Being a newly-formed financial institution which operates in compliance with Islamic principles, this launch represents a milestone in our ambitious plans to become Oman’s preferred financial Institution. Our mission is to deliver exceptional and sustainable results to our stakeholders by providing superior Shari’a compliant financial solutions, and our collaboration with MasterCard is the best testament on our success-

ful move towards achieving this vision,” said Salaam Al Shaksy, CEO of alizz Islamic bank.

“We are delighted to further strengthen our relationship with alizz Islamic bank as we launch Oman’s first Shari’a compliant World Elite MasterCard credit card. World Elite is our most prestigious and premium programme, designed to complement the lifestyles of the most affluent consumers across the globe. By combining Shari’a principles with the unmatched rewards of our World Elite programme, we are highlighting our commitment to develop bespoke payment solutions to meet the requirements of consumers from all walks of life,” said, Raghav Prasad, general manager for Gulf countries, MasterCard.

Crowne Plaza Salalah claims coveted award

for the staff and management of Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah as winning this award is truly a recognition and appreciation from our guests who recognised our sincere efforts and voted for us to win this

award,” commented Manuel Levonian, general manager. He added that the team at Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah always worked together to deliver IHG’s vision of ‘Great Hotels Guests Love’.

E N T E R TA I N M E N T C H A N N E L

OSN–Orbit Showtime announces exciting offers MUSCAT: OSN -Orbit Showtime Network announced the most exciting offers for both new and existing subscribers.

Now viewers have a choice to subscribe or renew to OSN platinum HD, Premier HD and Premier Packages to avail 2 months free viewing by subscribing one year.

The offer doesn’t end here; it also covers Free Dish, LNB and acces-

“The unique Lulu Bank Muscat co-branded card is a prestige offering designed to elevate the banking and shopping experience. The integration of banking and retail services emanating from the card offers a unique proposition to the largest banking and shopping community in Oman,” Tariq Atiq added.

The Chip & PIN card enhances security and gives peace of mind for all transactions, including everyday shopping. Transactions are authorised using Personal Identification Number (PIN) instead of signature.

The MasterCard is accepted worldwide. The card can be used for online shopping in which MasterCard Secure Code provides added security at participating merchants.

A wide range of free travel insurance with ‘Lulu Bank Muscat credit card’ includes travel accident insurance as well as insurance for lost baggage and money, cancellation, travel delay, delayed baggage, personal liability, legal expenses and loss of passport and access to free medical and legal referral services worldwide.

PHILANTHROPIST

Pravasi Samman award winner Parakh felicitated MUSCAT: R.M. Parakh, winner of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2015, was felicitated at a reception held at the Indian Embassy in Muscat.

Oman-based Indian businessman R.M. Parakh was among the list of 15 recipients for this year’s coveted Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award. He was presented the award recently in New Delhi, says a press release.

The award is given to distinguished members of the Indian Diaspora for their achievements in life and contribution to the

welfare of the Indian community abroad and for enhancing India’s image overseas. The 13th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention was the flagship event of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs of the Government of India.

Based in Oman for the last 36 years, Parakh has been involved in various social and philanthropic activities. During the Uttarakhand tragedy, Parakh helped by getting houses constructed and providing shelters and other facilities.

CULINARY SKILLS

ACCOLADE

MUSCAT: Adding another feather to its cap, Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah has won a coveted award in the World Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards, excelling in the ‘All Inclusive’ category.

The World Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards are accepted as the pinnacle of achievement for luxury hotels and spas worldwide. These awards were established as a celebration of ultimate achievement in service excellence. It is about rewarding and congratulating hotels and spas that have excelled beyond the normal call of duty.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards is a recognised global organisation providing luxury hotels with recognition for their world class facilities and service excellence provided to guests.

“It is indeed a crowning moment

at Lulu Hypermarket, travel insurance, extended warranty and customer protection.

Ananth A. V., Regional Director of Lulu Hypermarkets Oman, said: “We will soon unveil many attractive deals and offers exclusively for Lulu Bank Muscat credit cardholders.”

The minimum monthly salary eligibility for the card is OMR250 and the annual fee is OMR10. Supplementary cardholders are also eligible to earn points on usage of cards. The points will be credited to the primary account. Redemption of points at Lulu outlets is available for a minimum amount of OMR5 and points are redeemed in multiples of OMR5.

The unique card allows smooth access to almost everything in a secure environment — travel, entertainment or shopping. Created exclusively for a niche segment, the card is a value-added package aimed at offering a rewarding experience. By simply using the card, customers will be able to avail attractive benefits on all transactions.

sories along with free installation for all new subscribers, says a press release.

In addition to that, OSN also announced two months free offer for package upgrades to OSN platinum HD, Premier HD and Premier Packages. The two months free offer can be availed both for cash and credit card payments.

Mustafa Sultan Enterprises

Entertainment Factory (Pay-Tv) division is pioneer in Pay TV business for more than 20 years and is the distributor for OSN in Oman.

They have a showroom in Al Khuwair and two kiosks at Muscat City Centre and Muscat Grand Mall.

MSE-EF also offers the Pay Tv services through their sub dealers spread across in all major towns of the Sultanate.

Winners of fun-filled ‘A’Saffa BBQ Challenge’ announced MUSCAT: The ‘A’Saffa BBQ Challenge’, Oman’s most prestigious barbecue cooking competition, recently witnessed 25 families battle it out at the Civil Aviation Club.

A marvellous opportunity to showcase one’s barbecue culinary skills for an appetising family barbecue getaway; the teams were judged by Oman’s celebrated master chef Issa Al Lamki and his team of chefs who declared Mohammed (Team 17) as the winners, Sahir (Team 6) as the first runners up and Naseem (Team 7) as the second runners up, says a press release.

Three fully-dressed chicken were provided to each team by A’Saffa at the competition. For their convenience, participants were asked to bring their own barbecue sets, coal, fuel, skewers, spices and culinary ware. The families received points based on: Taste, recipe innovation, recipe originality, cooking hygiene and preparation, and presentation.

The event also provided a specially cooked A’Saffa food fare for kids. Special events for the kids, such as a — magic show, games and DJ were also part of the day’s proceedings.

“The ‘A’Saffa BBQ Challenge 2015’ was undoubtedly the ultimate ‘live’ competition barbecue experience! On behalf of A’Saffa

The ‘A’Saffa BBQ Challenge 2015’ was undoubtedly the ultimate ‘live’ competition barbecue experience!

We are encouraged by the success of the event and it will be part of our annual calendar. It was a day of family fun and competition, and possibly the best way to showcase our range fresh, halal, healthy, tasty and 100% natural chickens Sidhartha Lenka

Head of Marketing and Sales, A’Saffa Foods

Foods my heartiest congratulations to the winning families and a sincere thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event the magnanimous success it has been. We are encouraged by the success of the event and it will be part of our annual calendar,” said Sidhartha Lenka, Head of Marketing and Sales, A’Saffa Foods.

“It was a day of family fun and competition, and possibly the best way to showcase our range of fresh, halal, healthy, tasty and 100% natural chickens. A’Saffa is a brand that is steadily becoming synonymous with healthy eating habits and family fun; and by hosting this event - the first of its kind in Oman - we aimed to reiterate this,” he added.

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S

PAKISTAN SET UP CLASH WITH AUSTRALIA Sarfraz Ahmed scored Pakistan’s first World Cup century since the 2007 edition to lead his team into the quarterfinals with a sevenwicket romp past Ireland at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. >C5

Oman’s gold rush continues at GCC Women’s Games In the taekwondo competitions at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, the hosts won as many as three gold medals while Shnoona bagged 200m gold medal

FLYING KICK: Oman’s Yusra in action during the taekwondo competition at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Sunday. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: The Sultanate’s taekwondo team led the way as the Omani athletes bagged more gold medals at the ongoing GCC Women’s Games on Sunday.

In the taekwondo competitions at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, the hosts won as many as three gold medals. The gold rush was started by young Yusra Al Khamis in the 63kg competition.

Then in the 62kg competition, Noora Ramada took the top honours while Minar Abdullah completed Oman’s tally for the day by winning gold in the 46kg category.

Meanwhile, Oman’s star athlete Shnoona Al Habsi completed a triple when she won the 200m race, in which the hosts got another medal, a bronze, through Mazoon Al Alawi.

Shnoona had already emerged the fastest athlete of the fourth GCC Women’s Games by winning the 100m race. She also won the 4x100m relay gold along with

EXCELLENT SHOW

Oman tent pegging team win three silver medals in India

MUSCAT: Oman tent pegging team continued their excellent performance at the International and Asian tent pegging championships being simultaneously organised in Noida, near the Indian capital city of New Delhi.

The Sultanate’s riders clinched

three silver to take their medal tally to 10.

Hamoud Al Dughaishi and Hilal Al Balushi combined well to bag two silver medals in the pairs tent pegging competition. The duo garnered 19 points to take second place in Asian as well as

the international championships.

In the individual lance competition of the Asian championship, Safwan Al Maamari bagged the silver with 29.5 points. Sudan’s Mustafa Al Imam took gold with 56 points while Jordan’s Adil settled for bronze.

FORMULA ONE

Hamilton wins Australian GP MELBOURNE: Lewis Hamilton’s world championship defence got off to a flying start on Sunday with a crushing victory for Mercedes in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as Formula One rivals succumbed to a farcical rash of reliability problems.

Pole-sitter Hamilton started from a grid reduced to 15 cars from a possible 20 and cruised to his 34th race win with a 1.3-second gap to runner-up team mate Nico Rosberg.

With Mercedes enjoying a Sunday stroll, Sebastian Vettel finished third — 34 seconds behind Hamilton — on his Ferrari debut after winning a battle for the podium

with Williams driver Felipe Massa.

Ferrari’s cheer was tempered, however, by two botched tyre changes for Kimi Raikkonen, the second forcing the Finn to retire when fifth late in the race due to his left rear wheel not being properly attached.

Max Verstappen’s record-setting turn as the youngest ever F1 driver ended on a sour note when the Dutch 17-year-old rolled to a stop near the pit entry after complaining of smoke in the cockpit of his Toro Rosso.

McLaren’s Kevin Magnussenand Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat were unable to start after both suffered failures on their forma-

tion laps. Williams driver Valtteri Bottas was ruled out of the race with a back injury less than an hour before the start.

Following a week of legal battles, Sauber were buoyed by a fifth place finish for Brazilian rookie Felipe Nasr, gaining their first points since 2013.

It was the best finish by a Sauber rookie, with Nasr’s teammate Marcus Ericsson and Red Bull’s Carlos Sainz also earning their first points by finishing eighth and ninth respectively.

Local hero Daniel Ricciardo had a terrible start and his Red Bull lacked pace but he battled hard to finish sixth. - Reuters

STUNNING SHOW: Yusra Khamis displays her medal as she stands

with the officials after winning a gold medal in the taekwondo competitions at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Sunday.

RELAY GOLD: Oman’s 4x100m relay team, who won the gold on Sat-

urday, pose on the podium after receiving the medals on Sunday.

Khadija Al Manji, Mazoon Al Alawi and Buthaina Al Yaqoobi.

The bowling action began at the Oman Bowling Centre on Sunday with Bahrain’s Nadia Al Awadi taking the lone gold on offer in singles category. Kuwait’s Fatma Mohammed took the silver while Sarah Al Malla of the UAE won the bronze medal.

Oman spikers eye gold At the indoor stadium of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Oman team got the better of Bahrain in a volleyball match. Their 21-14 victory helped the Omanis to move close to the title. The Sultanate squad will now take on the UAE, the winners taking the gold in the five-team competition.

FOOTBALL

Oman team for friendies MUSCAT: Oman will have the services of star custodian Ali Al Habsi when they play two friendly matches later this month.

Ali, who made 150th appearance for English Championship side Wigan Athletic, is likely to play in both friendly matches against Malaysia on March 19 and Algeria on March 30.

The other players selected in Paul Le Guen’s probables are Riyadh Al Alawi (Al Arouba), Mohannad Al Zaabi (Al Khabourah), Ali Bait Nahar (Dhofar), Said Al Mukhaini (Al Arrouba), Abdulsalam Amor (Kuwait), Ahmed Al Mukhaini (Al Arouba), Hassan Mudhaffar (Al Arouba), Mohammed Al Musallami (Fanja), Ali Al Busaidi (Al Nahda), Azan Al Balushi (Al Musannah), Fahd Naseeb (Al Nasr), Ahmed Mubarak (Al Arouba), Ali Al Jabri (Fanja), Raed Ibrahim (Fanja), Eid Al Farsi (Al Arouba), Mohsin Jahwar (Saham), Fahd Al Jalboobi (Saham), Abdulrahman Al Ghassani (Fanja), Yaqoob Al Qasmi (Saham), Abdulaziz Al Muqbali (Kuwait), Mohammed Al Siyabi (Al Shabab), Said Ruzaiqi (Al Nahda), Qasim Said (Al Nasr) and Waleed Al Saadi (Suwaiq) EPL

Chelsea held LONDON: Chelsea opened up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League despite being held to a 1-1 draw against topfour hopefuls Southampton in an absorbing game at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

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Max Teams dominate

A DIVISION

Max Team Bravo AL TURKI STARS: S. Rana, T. Bhandari and Bunty Nandi.

Ton-up Twinkle stars in Al Turki NMC’s win

clinched the title ahead of Max Team Charlie while Al Nimer Tourism took the third place

MUSCAT: Skipper and opening batsman Twinkle Bhandari slammed an unbeaten 134 as Al Turki NMC recorded a 136-run win against OCT Muscat A in a Muscat Pharmacy & Stores-sponsored A Division 50 overs-a-side league match.

Invited to bat first, Al Turki NMC made merry piling up 303 runs for the loss of five wickets in 50 overs. Shivpalsinh Rana scored a valuable 96 while opening batsman Ajay Lalcheta chipped in with 32 runs.

In reply, winless OCT Muscat A were bowled out for 167 in 37.3

overs. Mohammed Ali top scored with 55 runs and Shuaib Ismail Al Balushi contributed 36 runs.

Bunty Nandy picked up four wickets while Ajay Lalcheta and Jayesh Odedara claimed two each.

Brief scores: Al Turki NMC 303 for 5 in 50 overs (Twinkle Bhandari 134 n.o., Shivpalsinh Rana 96, Ajay Lalcheta 32; Mohammed Aslam 2/47, Shuaib Ismail Al Balushi 2/76) bt OCT Muscat A 167 in 37.3 overs (Mohammed Ali 55, Shuaib Ismail Al Balushi 36; Bunty Nandy 4/15, Ajay Lalcheta 2/20, Jayesh Odedara 2/48). Points: Al Turki NMC - 5 (8 games, 25 pts), OCT Muscat A - Nil (9 games, Nil).

MUSCAT: Max Team Racing had a memorable outing in the 24hour SWS Endurance Race at the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) Muscat Speedway here on Saturday, as they outpaced their rivals for a creditable 1-2 finish in the day-night competition.

Max Team Bravo comfortably clinched the title and Max Team Charlie emerged runners-up, while Al Nimer Tourism survived a scare in the closing stages to finish third.

The four-member Max Team Bravo, comprising Wadea Al Kharusi, Waheeb Al Kharusi, Warith Al Kharusi and Khalid Al Wahaibi, had made their intentions clear and pushed hard for the title from the first lap itself.

And they successfully maintained huge lead for a major part of the competition.

They completed 1,448 laps to be on top of the podium, while Max Team Charlie, represented

by Ahmed Al Moosa, Mohammed Al Zadjali, ShadiYounes and Ammar Al Balushi, drove 1,445 times around the Muscat Speedway. Al Nimer Tourism, which had Ali Moosa, Faisal Al Zubair, Haitham Al Zadjali, Hussain Ummid Ali and Sanad Al Rawahi in their ranks, made 1,443 laps.

Though the first two places were decided a couple of hours before close, the fight for the third position went down to the wire with Merge breathing down the neck of Al Nimer Tourism. Both teams completed 1443 laps, but

Al Nimer finished 17.103 ahead of their rivals to make the podium.

Wadea Al Kharusi, captain of Max Team Bravo, said the victory was a result of an excellentteam effort. “Everyone in the team contributed in this victory. Our strategy was to push hard from the start.

We utiliseda major share of the pitstops at night, and cameback strongly in the morning,” he said.

Ahmed Al Moosa, captain, Max Team Charlie, felt proud that his team finished second despite earning two penalties.

“We got a 30-second penalty at the start after failing to stop at the scales. Later, we receivedoneminute penalty for a contact with a rival car. But our talented drivers overcame the hiccups and drove brilliantly to wipe off the deficit,” he said.

Ali Al Moosa, captain of Al Nimer Tourism, looked relieved after his team finished third. “The strategy to push hard at the end paid dividends. In the process, we erased the 2-lap penalty imposed on us for being underweight,” he said.

The event also saw two women drivers — Shatha Al Zadjali of Techno Gym and Laila Al Sinani of Merge — playing crucial roles to help their teams secure creditable results.

Shatha said she was happy to outpace some of her male counterparts despite getting enough sleep. “I know that endurance drivers should never expect good sleep. I could rest just two-and-a-

half hour on Friday night as I was managing the team affairs. Besides, I drove the kart two times — around 11 pm on Friday and 5.30 on Saturday morning — without making any mistakes,” she said.

Shatha said the event helped her gain valuable experience about formulating team strategies. “It was a great learning experience. I am proud to be part of a fantastic team that has experienced drivers like Ahmed Al Shamsi and Moeen Serraj from the UAE and Issa Al Wardi from Oman,” she said.

And she hoped to see an allwomen team in the fray for the next edition of the competition. “I want to see entry of an all-women team for the 24-hour endurance race next year,” she said.

Teams for future Corporate giant, Omantel, showed why they should be considered as the teams to watch out for in the future editions of the endurance race with their fine efforts.

“All our three teams — Omantel Hayyak, Omantel Makasib and Omantel Mada — performed well.

Remember, we are participating in the in the 24-hour endurance race for the first time. In fact, Omantel Hayyak enjoyed the top position for some time, but a few tactical mistakes cost the team dear,” said Saleem Abdullatif, captain, Omantel Makasib.

According to Saleem, the teams might have missed the podium on their debut in the 24-hour race but

Omantel has fulfilled its objective.

“It is a big achievement for Omantel, as 15 employees from the company successfully competed in a tiring endurance race,” he said.

Reaping the benefits Max Team Racing have won the benefits for their huge investment in man power and good team strategy, said team manager Mutasem Al Malki.

“Ours is a relatively new team, but we want to make a big name in endurance races. The team has grown tremendously since its inception in September 2014, and we are happy to field three teams in the 24-hour endurance race this year.”

In fact, the team strategy proved to be vital as the winners Max Team Bravo went for longer stints in the beginning, and make short stints in the closing stages.

“Of course, the strategy won us the title,” he said.

Said Sultan bin Hamed Al Busaidi, chairman of Oman Sports Club, was the chief guest at the presentation ceremony.

Final standings (total laps in brackets): 1. Max Team Bravo (1,448); 2. Max Team Charlie (1,445); 3. Al Nimer Tourism (1,443); 4. Merge (1,443); 5. Omantel Hayyak (1,439); 6. Ice Racing Team (1,439); 7. Team Techno Gym (1,437); 8. The Steak Company (1,431); 9. Omantel Makasib (1,428); 10. Max Team Alpha (1,426); 11. Stag Racing (1,424) and 12. Omantel Mada (1,414).

OMAN CRICKET

H DIVISION: Champions Sayarti.

H DIVISION: Runners-up Abu Maather.

J DIVISION: Champions NBO B. – Supplied photos

Sayarti and NBO B emerge champions MUSCAT: Abu Maather defeated eventual champions Sayarti by 23 runs but ended up as runners-up in the Oman Cricket-organised H Division T20 tournament.

Opting to field first, Sayarti bowled out Abu Maather for 158 in 20 overs. In reply, Sayarti managed to score 135 for nine in 20 overs.

Brief scores: Abu Maather 158 in 20 overs (Wasim Jamadar 33, Reyaz Zaidi 27; Ruwan Rupasinghe 3/22, Priyantha Kumar 2/29, Achintha 2/30) bt Sayarti 135 for 9 in 20 overs (Christopher Raja 31, Achintha 27, Retheesh Gopinath 27 n.o.; Haneef Hodekar 3/9, Khot Kalim 3/26). Points: Abu Maather - 2 (8 games, 11 pts), Sayarti - Nil (8 games, 12 pts).

NBO B win title National Bank of Oman B (NBO B) clinched the J Division title when they defeated Douglas OHI. Batting first, NBO B scored 188 for two in 20 overs. A 10-man Douglas OHI team, in reply, were bowled out for 97 in 17.5 overs.

Brief scores: NBO B 188 for 2 in 20 overs (Homeshwar Ratre 61, Samuel Kett 60 n.o., Ismail Al Balushi 42 n.o.) bt Douglas OHI 97 in 17.5 overs (Jiaur Rehman 3/20, Homeshwar Ratre 2/27).

Points: NBO B - 2 (8 games, 14 pts), Douglas OHI - Nil (8 games, 8 pts).

J DIVISION: Trust Oilfield Strikers.

Khurram lifts Trust Oilfield Opening batsman Khurram Rashid smashed an unbeaten 106 runs as Trust Oilfield Strikers recorded a 10-wicket victory against Cameron in a J Division T20 match. Invited to bat first, Cameron scored 151 for nine wickets in 20 overs.

Trust Oilfield Strikers achieved their target in 18.2 overs without losing any wickets.

Brief scores: Cameron 151 for 9 in 20 overs (Navneeth 68; Brijesh Gandhi 4/20, Vishnu Poovathingal 2/32) lost to Trust Oilfield Strikers 154 for no loss in 18.2 overs (Khurram Rashid 106 n.o., Taimur Khan 37 n.o). Points: Trust Oilfield Strikers - 2 (7 games, 8 pts), Cameron - Nil (8 games, 6 pts).

C DIVISION: Powertech Engineering. – Supplied photos

Easy for Design Design Unit Engineering recorded a 54-run victory against OCT Seeb in an Al Ansari Group of Companies-sponsored C Division Twenty20 match.

Batting first, Design Unit scored 171 for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.

In reply, OC Seeb were bowled out for 117 in 14.6 overs.

Powertech win In another C Division T20 match, Powertech Engineering registered a three-wicket win against PDORC. Invited to bat first, PDORC scored 173 for eight wickets in 20 overs. In reply, 10-man Powertech Engineering reached their target off the last delivery of the 20th over scoring 174 for seven wickets.

Brief scores: Design Unit Engineering 171 for 9 in 20 overs (Shamas 50, Jayaprakash 25; Issa Rahim 2/20, Abbas Al Balushi 2/20, Mohammed Siddiq 2/21) bt OCT Seeb 117 All in 14.6 overs (Abbas Al Balushi 50; Nishanth 4/1, Shakeel 3/25). Points: Design Unit Engineering - 2 (7 games, 8 pts), OCT Seeb - Nil (8 games, 4 pts).

Brief scores: PDORC 173 for 8 in 20 overs (Abdul Majeed 64, Qais Mohammed 28, Mazhar Javed 22, Atttique 20; P. Raghu Ganesh 2/29, N. Anantha 2/29) lost to Powertech Engineering 174 for 7 in 20 overs (K. Prabhakaran 76, M. Nejim 43, A. Anburaj 24; Aqib Mohammed 2/26).

Points: Powertech Engineering - 2 (7 games, 8 pts), PDORC - Nil (8 games, 6 pts).

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

NEXT MATCH (1ST QUARTER FINAL ON MARCH 18) SOUTH AFRICA V SRI LANKA (7:30AM OMAN TIME)

SARFRAZ AHMED

101*

runs from 124 balls 6 fours

STAR OF THE DAY

MATCH REPORT ON

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

WA R N I N G

C O M M E N TA RY

Aussies to unleash bouncer-barrage in knockouts, says Cummins ADELAIDE: Ahead of the World Cup knockout stage, Australian pacer Pat Cummins warned rival batsmen on Sunday that the cohosts will be unleashing bouncerbarrages.

With the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Pat Cummins, the sheer speed of the Australian attack shapes as the biggest worry for their opponents as the teams head into the business-end of the tournament.

The four-time World Cup champions will play their quarterfinal at the Adelaide Oval on Friday against Pakistan and Cummins believes that it is the ideal venue for him, Mitchell Starc and Johnson to launch their assault.

“It’s been close to the quickest wicket I have played on this year.

With a few of us trying to bowl quicker, it’s going to favour us. For us having all our games in Australia, the bouncer is really important,” Cummins was quoted as saying by news.com.au.

The 21-year-old said bowling quick bouncers to check the flow of runs, especially at the death, will be key for them.

Adelaide Oval pitch has been close to quickest, says pacer Pat Cummins “You can bowl two bouncers an over and if you execute it well, it can be a dot ball which, especially towards the end of an innings, can be gold. It’s definitely something we are going to continue using,” he added. Cummins expressed disappointment about his performance against Scotland but exuded confidence about doing well ahead.

“In one-dayers, batsmen try and accumulate plenty of singles through the middle overs and with fast bowlers, you can try and rough them up or have a bit more flexibility - trying to be aggressive through those overs,” Cummins said. “Hopefully it’s one thing that sets us apart and hopefully it’s a positive. It’s getting towards the business end and I just can’t wait to get into the pressure games.” - IANS

It’s practically do-or-die from now on

N

ow that the quarterfinal line-up is clear, we are now heading into the business end of this World Cup. There are no loose ends from now on and it’s practically door-die for all the eight teams.

Any slip-up will see them heading home. Now the situation is simple — the team who excel in all six innings from now on will win the pennant.

So which of the teams will get into the semifinals and from there to the final is anybody’s guess.

Pre-tournament favourites — New Zealand, Australia and South Africa — are all there in the last eight stage and cruising along without the tag this time is Team India.

Add to that the ‘predictably unpredictable’ Pakistan, the Sangakkara-inspired Sri Lankans, the roaring Bangladeshi tigers and the back-door entrants West Indies.

Comparing these eight teams, the smoothest qualifiers are indeed India and staying close are the co-hosts New Zealand — both of them winning six of the six Pool matches.

Well the battle lines which have been drawn are intriguing, with the first one at the Sydney Cricket Ground will see the enterprising South Africa taking on Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

On the other hand the most fascinating quarterfinal will be

between defending champions India and Bangladesh.

I say fascinating because this match will be played on the sprawling Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was bleeding blue when India defeated South Africa in the league phase.

With a capacity of nearly 90,000, MCG had witnessed nearly 70 per cent of Indian fans thronging the stands and it will not be different on Thursday as well.

Meanwhile, Pakistan after beating Ireland have picked up Australia as their opponents and will once again play in Adelaide.

The way Shahid Afridi exhibited some good spin bowling on Adelaide Oval pitch, Pakistan must seriously think of playing Yasir Shah to blunt the marauding Aussie batsmen and in the process set up a grudge match against arch-rivals in the semifinals, with the hope that India get past Bangladesh.

The final quarterfinal will be between New Zealand and West Indies at Wellington and there too any result is possible on Friday.

Captain Cool has once again proved that he is the best finisher in world cricket.

Can anyone dispute this?

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men, so adept at performing diabolically away from the subcontinent, have found the motivation to defend their crown.

Everything has worked well for the Men in Blue and they look to take their successful momentum till the fag end.

Some may question Dhoni, why he is not giving exposure to the bench strength. But the answer is simple, ‘don’t disturb the winning combination’.

Captain Cool has once again proved that he is the best finisher in the world cricket. Can anyone dispute this?

Rewind to 2011 final against Sri Lanka. After promoting himself up the batting order, he capped his fighting and match-winning knock with a six, which is now

part of the cricketing folklore.

Fast forward to 2015. Under severe criticism for his drab performances, with India not comfortably placed against Zimbabwe, Dhoni walks to the middle and resurrects the Indian innings in his inimitable style — building the innings with a dab here and a whack there followed by thunderous flat batted shots as and when opportunity presented itself.

Remember how he coaxed Raina to keep his composure and helped him to his maiden World Cup ton?

And how did he finish the innings! With a six, similar to the one he hit in the final four years ago.

With that whack down the ground, he signaled that fire is still there within him and he is the ‘man for the kill’ if everything else fails.

Even before shutting out Zimbabwe, he showed just why he is the best sign-off man the game has ever seen with an innings of sheer class against the Caribbeans in Perth.

The calmness of Dhoni is the recipe for his success and he has done it time and again. The Indian fans will be expecting him to do it three more times this edition.

He is indeed the best player in business.

— sportseditor@timesofoman.com

COMMENT

England always learn the hard way: Collingwood SYDNEY: Former captain Paul Collingwood on Saturday said the England cricket team always learned lessons the hard way. In a column written for the International Cricket Council (ICC) website, the former allrounder wrote, “The devastating thing is that it’s another four years until the next World Cup. “We keep coming out of these tournaments saying we’ve learnt lessons but it really is the time to learn them. We always find out the hard way.”

Collingwood said that there is a massive difference between England and other heavyweight teams who were very much at the forefront during the World Cup. He added England need a mental break now and think outside of cricket for sometime to come out fresh and steady.

“The frightening thing is that if they’d pushed teams close in the defeats, people would have accepted that but there’s been such a huge gap between the best teams and England.

They will need a mental break now,” said Collingwood.

“They need to get away from the game, away from thinking cricket 24 hours a day and the anxiety of thinking about it all and really try to recharge as quickly as possible for a tour to the West Indies that everyone will have a close eye on after what’s happened over the last few weeks.”

Collingwood led England to victory in the 2010 World Twenty20 in the West Indies.

“It’s a massive year for England. New Zealand will be tough in the Test matches early in the season with the way they swing the ball and have good batsmen and then it’s the Ashes,” he wrote.

Collingwood, now a part of the Scotland coaching staff, said that it was disappointing not to make the quarterfinals. — IANS

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

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Pakistan set up Australia clash

MAN OF THE MATCH: Pakistan batsman Sarfraz Ahmed thanks Almighty as he celebrates his century during the 2015 cricket World Cup Pool B match against Ireland at the Adelaide Oval. – AFP

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERY

Sarfraz Ahmed returned unbeaten on 101 to

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

emulate Imran Nazir’s 160 against Zimbabwe in Jamaica in 2007, the last hundred hit by a Pakistani batsman in a World Cup

ADELAIDE: Sarfraz Ahmed scored Pakistan’s first World Cup century since 2007 to lead his team into the quarterfinals with a seven-wicket romp past Ireland at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Left-armer Wahab Riaz took three wickets and fellow-seamers Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali snared two apiece as Ireland, electing to bat, were shot out for 237 despite skipper William Porterfield’s 107.

The modest target was overhauled in 46.1 overs as Sarfraz returned unbeaten on 101 to emulate Imran Nazir’s 160 against Zimbabwe in Jamaica in 2007, the last hundred hit by a Pakistani batsman in a World Cup. The match ended in a farce as Umar Akmal played out five dot balls when five more runs were needed so that Sarfraz, then on 97, could reach his century.

Sarfraz duly obliged in Paul Stirling’s next over hitting a boundary and then himself defended four balls to allow Akmal to hit the winning runs in the subsequent over.

Pakistan finished third in Pool B behind defending champions India and South Africa, while the West Indies took the fourth place following a six-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates in Napier earlier on Sunday.

Pakistan take on four-time champions and Australia in the quarterfinal in Adelaide on March 20, while the West Indies travel to Wellington to play co-hosts New Zealand on March 21.

Ireland, the last surviving nonTest nation in the fray, paid dearly for a miserable batting display in which Porterfield played a lone hand with 11 boundaries and a six.

The first four wickets fell for 134 runs by the 30th over as none of the top order crossed 20 on a slow pitch. Wicket-keeper Gary Wilson’s 29 was the next highest score before the Irish were bowled out off the last ball of the innings.

Porterfield batted till the 39th over when he mistimed an ondrive off Sohail Khan and Shahid Afridi took a low diving catch running in from the edge of the circle.

Porterfield was the fifth Irish batsman to score a World Cup century after Jeremy Bray’s 115 against Zimbabwe in 2007, Kevin O’Brien’s 113 against England and Paul Stirling’s 101 versus the Netherlands,

both in 2011, and Joyce’s 112 against Zimbabwe in this edition. Pakistan had not won a match batting second in this tournament, but a runrate of under five an over was easily achieved after a 120-run partnership for the first wicket between Sarfraz and Ahmed Shehzad (63).

The Irish bowlers were struggling to contain the runs when they secured two unexpected breaks with the wickets of Shehzad and Haris Sohail in the space of six runs. Shehzad top-edged a pull off Stuart Thompson and was caught at mid-on by Joyce, while Haris was run out after Sarfraz refused a sharp single.

Skipper Misbah-ul Haq, who hit four half-centuries in the previous five matches, made 39 in a thirdwicket stand of 82 with Sarfraz.

Pakistan made two changes from the side that upset South Africa, bringing in Adil and Haris in place of the injured Irfan and Younis Khan. The seven-foot tall Irfan was ruled out with a hip injury.

Ireland retained same side that lost to defending champions India. - AFP

S TA N D I N G S POOL A

Teams *New Zealand *Australia *Sri Lanka *Bangladesh England Afghanistan Scotland

M 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

W 6 4 4 3 2 1 0

L 0 1 2 2 4 5 6

T 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

N/R 0 1 0 1 0 0 0

Pts 12 9 8 7 4 2 0

Net RR +2.564 +2.257 +0.371 +0.136 -0.753 -1.853 -2.218

6 6 6 6 6 6 6

6 4 4 3 3 1 0

0 2 2 3 3 5 6

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

12 8 8 6 6 2 0

+1.827 +1.707 -0.085 -0.053 -0.933 -0.527 -2.032

POOL B

*India *South Africa *Pakistan *West Indies Ireland Zimbabwe UAE

IRELAND W. Porterfield c Afridi b Sohail P. Stirling lbw b Adil E. Joyce c Akmal b Wahab N. O’Brien c Akmal b Rahat A. Balbirnie c Afridi b Haris G. Wilson c Wahab b Sohail K. O’Brien c Maqsood b Wahab S. Thompson c Akmal b Rahat J. Mooney c Akmal b Wahab G. Dockrell run out (Wahab) A. Cusack not out Extras: (lb-2, w-10) Total (all out, 50 overs)

107 3 11 12 18 29 8 12 13 11 1 12 237

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-56, 3-86, 4-134, 5-182, 6-189, 7-204, 8-216, 9-230, 10-237 Bowling: Sohail 10-0-44-2 (2w); Adil 7-0-311 (2w); Rahat 10-0-48-2 (2w); Wahab 10-0-543 (3w); Afridi 10-0-38-0; Haris 3-0-20-1 (1w) PAKISTAN Ahmed Shehzad c Joyce b Thompson 63 Sarfraz Ahmed not out 101 Haris Sohail run out (Balbirnie/Dockrell) 3 Misbah-ul Haq hit wkt b Cusack 39 Umar Akmal not out 20 Extras: (b-1, lb-1, w-13) 15 Total (3 wkts, 46.1 overs) 241

Did not bat: Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Ehsan Adil Fall of wickets: 1-120 (Shehzad), 2-126 (Haris), 3-208 (Misbah) Bowling: Cusack 10-1-43-1 (3w); Mooney 9-1-40-0 (3w); Thompson 10-0-59-1 (3w); Dockrell 6-0-43-0; K O’Brien 10-0-49-0 (4w); Stirling 1.1-0-5-0; Man of the match: Sarfaraz Ahmed Result: Pakistan won by seven wickets Umpires: Marais Erasmus, Ruchira Palliyaguruge TV umpire: Simon Fry (AUS) Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI))

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MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

Relieved Pakistan skipper says pressure now on hosts Australia Beaten by arch-rivals India in their tournament opener, the 1992 champions stared at an early exit from the tournament before winning their final Pool B game against Ireland on Sunday to set up a quarterfinal clash with Australia

ADELAIDE: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq admitted being under tremendous pressure to qualify for the World Cup quarterfinals but felt the burden now shifts to their last-eight opponents and tournament co-hosts Australia.

Beaten by arch-rivals India in their tournament opener, the 1992 champions stared at an early exit from the tournament before winning their final Pool B game against Ireland on Sunday to set up a quarter-final clash with Australia.

“It’s always difficult when you are playing against a team which is having no pressure. Ireland were playing without pressure. Everybody expected us to win,” Misbah told a news conference after the seven-wicket win over Ireland.

“All the pressure is on the Test playing nations. This was a much bigger game for us in terms of pressure. It will be less against Australia because they are the favourites, they are playing at their own ground. So we have nothing to lose.”

Pakistan lost their second pool match against West Indies as well before four successive wins revived their knockout stage campaign. Misbah acknowledged Australia, who lost only one of their six pool matches, would prove a difficult opposition but was confident of beating them.

“Of course, why not? On any day, whichever team plays better, they will win. In one-day game, you never know. One good spell, one good innings can change the whole course of the game. We got those sort of players who can do it for Pakistan. Every team is beatable,” he said.

Reverse swing, a traditional Pakistan strength, has been negated to a large extent by the two newball rule but Misbah said there are other ways his bowlers could trouble Australia.

“In Australian conditions, you get pace and bounce. So if your bowlers have that ability to bowl around 150(kph) and they could have a little bit of extra bounce...

All the pressure is on the Test playing nations. This was a much bigger game for us in terms of pressure.

It will be less against Australia because they are the favourites, they are playing at their own ground.

So we have nothing to lose Misbah-ul Haq Pakistan captain

“It’s not a matter of just swinging the ball. It could really hurry down to the batsmen and you could get wickets even with the short balls.

“If you are bowling in the right areas, you could really create pressure. That’s what these pacers have been doing. If you get reserve swing, that’s a plus.”

Pakistan missed towering leftarm paceman Mohammad Irfan through injury on Sunday but Misbah was hopeful the bowler would be available against Australia.

“Let’s see about Irfan. He is having a problem in his quad while bowling. We are hoping he will be okay by our quarterfinal.” - Reuters MANTRA

The Mahi way — Minimum practice maximum results MELBOURNE: Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s cricketing philosophy has by and large remained unorthodox and the biggest testimony to that is his ‘minimum practice and maximum result’ theory that has worked wonders during his decade long career as India international.

Believe it or not, the Indian captain has not performed the routine wicketkeeping drills at the nets for more than three years now and still maintains that high dismissal rate at the top level with a routine of 10 catches on match days.

Call it the ‘Mahi Way’ but that’s how it has been for the Jharkhand dasher over the years. Those who have watched the Indian team’s training session over the years during home and away tours will notice that Dhoni on training days would hardly be seen with his wicketkeeping gears on.

May be on odd occasions, he will wear the keeping gloves but very few could recollect having seen him wearing keeping pads on.

He does all the normal fielding

drills, takes part in catching sessions, diligently bats at the nets and occasionally bowls his seamup stuff also but no one has seen him perform wicketkeeping drills.

Cut to the days of Syed Kirmani and then to Kiran More, Nayan Mongia and in recent times, Wriddhiman Saha, all these players would religiously do their “routines” as far as the glovework is concerned.

But then Dhoni always love to buck the trend. In fact, someone who has seen most of Dhoni’s training sessions over the years confirmed that the skipper indeed doesn’t do keeping drills.

“I can’t remember seeing Dhoni do wicketkeeping drills at the nets. If you ask me why, I won’t be able to answer you. His wicketkeeping drill is to take 10 catches on match days to get a feel of the ball hitting the gloves. That has worked for him nicely in all these years,” a member of Indian team’s support staff, who has closely seen Dhoni train, told PTI on con-

dition of anonymity. Playing all three formats round the year can take its toll on the body and Dhoni always advocates about clever training methods with less strain on the body.

Keeping wickets with crouching stance for 100 overs in Test matches or 50 overs in an ODI, day in and day out is no joke as there is a lot of stress on the back.

Probably keeping himself fresh for match situations. Seldom do people know their strengths and limitations. For Dhoni, his biggest strength is being aware about his limitations and working around it.

The 294 dismissals (catches plus stumpings) from 90 Tests and 325 dismissals in 260 ODIs is a proof that Dhoni indeed is India’s greatest wicketkeeper-batsman.

Syed Kirmani, who played only two Tests less than Dhoni and has a total dismissal count of 198 (catches and stumpings included).Kirmani didn’t play in the IPL era and also when ODI matches were not the priority cricket. - PTI

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

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TROUBLE FREE

No rift in Windies team, says Holder

HAPPY BUNCH: West Indies captain Jason Holder, centre, celebrates with teammates Darren Sammy, right, and Jerome Taylor, left,

after the Pool B 2015 Cricket World Cup match against United Arab Emirates at McLean Park in Napier. – AFP

West Indies sneak into quarterfinals SCOREBOARD

After a laboured performance in the field in the mustwin match, the West Indies picked up the intensity when batting, as the storm clouds on the fringes of Cyclone Pam edged towards McLean Park

NAPIER: The West Indies entered World Cup quarterfinals after overpowering the United Arab Emirates by six wickets in their last Pool B match on Sunday.

They reached their victory target of 176 runs in just 30.3 overs in Napier.

After a laboured performance in the field in the must-win match, the West Indies picked up the intensity when batting, as the storm clouds on the fringes of Cyclone Pam edged towards McLean Park.

A washout would have ended their World Cup campaign but the weather held off and the West Indies got the win they needed.

With Ireland losing to Pakistan in Adelaide, West Indies finished fourth in Pool B. “I’m extremely pleased with the way the guys came out an played,”

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Amjad Ali lbw b Holder 5 A. Berenger c Ramdin b Holder 7 Krishna Chandran c Smith b Holder 0 Khurram Khan b Taylor 5 Shaiman Anwar b Taylor 2 S. Patil b Holder 6 Amjad Javed b Russell 56 Nasir Aziz c Holder b Samuels 60 Mohammed Naveed b Russell 14 Mohammed Tauqir b Taylor 2 M. Guruge not out 4 Extras (lb-4, w-10) 14 Total (all out, 47.4 overs) 175 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Berenger), 2-16 (Krishna Chandran), 3-17 (Amjad Ali), 4-21 (Khurram), 5-26 (Shaiman Anwar), 6-46 (Patil), 7-153 (Amjad Javed), 8-167 (Mohammad Naveed), 9-167 (Nasir Aziz), 10-175 (Mohammad Tauqir) Bowling: Taylor 8.4-0-36-3 (2w); Holder 10-1-27-4 (4w); Roach 8-0-54-0 (2w);

said West Indies captain Jason Holder. “We needed to win by a certain margin. We had to show positive intent. We knew we had to finish the game inside 36 overs and we did it.”

Charles, making his first World Cup appearance after being brought in as an injury replacement for Darren Bravo, was thrust into the starting XI at the last minute when Chris Gayle pulled out with a back injury.

But there was no sign of rustiness as he and fellow opener Dwayne Smith launched into Nasir Aziz when UAE skipper Mohammed Tauqir decided his batting hero should opening the bowling with a touch of spin.

Charles’s cavalier innings ended on 55 off 40 deliveries and Andre Russell added seven before Carter (50 not out) and Denesh

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT Russell 8-3-20-2 (2w); Samuels 10-4-25-1; Sammy 1-0-4-0; Smith 2-0-5-0; WEST INDIES D. Smith c Patil b Guruge 15 J. Charles c Chandran b Amjad Javed 55 M. Samuels c Berenger b Guruge 9 J. Carter not out 50 A. Russell c and b Amjad Javed 7 D. Ramdin not out 33 Extras (lb-4, w-3) 7 Total (4 wkts, 30.3 overs) 176 Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Smith), 2-53 (Samuels), 3-109 (Charles), 4-118 (Russell) Bowling: Aziz 6-0-47-0; Naveed 6-0-34-0 (1w); Guruge 7.3-1-40-2; Tauqir 3-0-22-0; Javed 8-0-29-2 (2w); Result: West Indies won by six wickets Man of the match: Jason Holder Toss: West Indies Umpires: Aleem Dar , Ranmore Martinesz TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG) Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)

Ramdin (33 not out) saw the West Indies to a comfortable victory.

Charles, who hit nine fours and two sixes, was undone when he mistimed an attempt to drive Amjad Javed and skied the ball to Krishna Chandran at mid-on.

The wicket capped a solid allround game for Javed, who took two for 29.

He’d earlier featured in a 107run stand with Aziz that frustrated the West Indies after the Middle East amateurs had been reduced to 46 for six.

Gayle’s absence made the option of batting first and piling up a huge total a less attractive option for the West Indies.

Holder took the the alternative route when he chose to field first after winning the toss in the hope of bowling out the UAE cheaply.

He played his part with his best

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

A rain washout would have ended their World Cup campaign but the weather held off and the West Indies got the win they needed World Cup performance of four for 27 as he bowled himself out at the top of the innings.

“The ball came out really well for me at the start,” said paceman Holder. “The pitch was a bit slow but it swung and bounced a bit for me. But once Holder had used up his 10 overs and UAE were on the ropes, Javed and Aziz found the middle-overs attack of Kemar Roach much to their liking.

Aziz, in only his third ODI and not required to bat in the first two, looked very accomplished as he smacked eight fours in his 60 off 86 deliveries.

Javed topped his previous best of 42 as he reached his first halfcentury and with Aziz he posted the equal fourth-highest partnership in the UAE’s ODI history after also making 107 with Shaiman Anwar earlier in the World Cup against Ireland.

But once Aziz and Javed were dismissed the innings folded quickly, with the last three wickets falling for eight runs. - AFP

NAPIER: West Indies skipper Jason Holder dismissed talk of a rift in the ranks Sunday as he led his side to a likely World Cup quarterfinal against New Zealand.

Holder, a surprise choice to lead the West Indies to the World Cup, appeared to be involved in an on-field argument with former captain Darren Sammy during their must-win final Pool B match against the United Arab Emirates in Napier.

The mission seemed in the bag when Holder won the toss, put UAE into bat and rapidly reduced them to 46-6 before Nasir Aziz and Amjad Javed staged a 107-run stand. Sammy was brought on to try to break the partnership with the score at 108-6 after 30 overs and was not happy when taken out of the attack after just one over that yielded four runs.

Sammy and Holder appeared have strong words which Holder later played down as “a little banter on the field” saying they wanted to have some fun but “unfortunately it probably didn’t look that way.”

He later conceded they “had a little tussle there. It’s just part of the game. At the end of the day we shake hands and still smile together.”

Sammy later posted a picture on Instagram of him enjoying a bubbly with Holder in the locker room although his conciliatory smile was in stark contrast to his captain’s stony-faced expression.

The West Indies World Cup campaign, which started with a shock loss to Ireland, has been dogged with suggestions of unhappiness in the camp with the 23-year-old Holder struggling to

MAN OF THE MATCH: West Indies captain Jason Holder

get the respect of the senior players. But Holder rejected talk of problems and said the two-time champions were looking forward to a likely quarter-final against unbeaten New Zealand in Wellington on March 21.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more from the guys. It was a must-win game and we had to win by a big margin and the way the guys came out and played cricket I can’t ask for much more,” he said. - AFP

C8

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

Porterfield condemns ICC’s blurred vision

UAE’S REACTION

With the ICC planning to reduce the next World Cup in England in 2019 from 14 teams to 10, Ireland captain William REFLECTING PRIDE: UAE captain Mohammed Tauqir bowls dur-

ing the match against West Indies. –AFP

One catch could have changed our World Cup: Tauqir NAPIER: United Arab Emirates captain Mohammed Tauqir was able to reflect with some pride on a World Cup campaign that ended on Sunday without a win but he felt one dropped catch could have changed the complexion of their tournament.

Tauqir’s side lost to West Indies by six wickets at McLean Park in Napier on Sunday, a victory that propelled Jason Holder’s side into a likely quarter-final against New Zealand.

It was the sixth loss of the World Cup for UAE, who demonstrated on several occasions they could play international standard cricket if they did not quite have the skill or class to put consistent pressure on their opponents.

They suffered just one humiliating loss, to India by nine wickets, but their mindset after that game appeared to be not to get embarrassed rather than attempting to beat the test nations.

Tauqir, however, felt that had Nasir Aziz taken a catch in the outfield off Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien, they might have been able to record their second victory at the World Cup after they beat the Netherlands by seven wickets in 1996.

O’Brien went on to score another 26 runs that helped Ireland to a two-wicket victory as they

made 279 for eight with four balls to spare.

“Overall the whole tournament has been very, very special for the whole team,” Tauqir told reporters in Napier. “We really enjoyed the whole tournament.

“I think one moment that would have changed the game was I think Kevin O’Brien’s catch that got dropped. If that catch would have been taken, I think we would have definitely won that game.”

Tauqir singled out Shaiman Anwar’s batting as being a particular highlight for the team.

Anwar top-scored with 311 runs at 51.83 and at one stage after all of the teams had played four games, was the highest run scorer in the tournament.

Tauqir added the bowling had been good, though the majority of the batsmen had struggled and their fielding was not up to scratch.

“There were a few positives. I think overall our bowling department was pretty consistent in every game,” he said.

“I think it’s a little bit of fielding and the batting department that needs a bit of improvement.

“But we take a lot of positives from the whole event, and it was overall a good learning experience for us.” - Reuters

Porterfield hoped it was not the end of the Irish dream in the sport

ADELAIDE: Ireland captain William Porterfield on Sunday questioned the International Cricket Council’s vision for the sport after the non-Test nation faced the axe from the World Cup. Ireland lost to Pakistan by seven wickets at the Adelaide Oval in a match that lifted the winners into the quarterfinal and sent the loser home.

With the ICC planning to reduce the next World Cup in England in 2019 from 14 teams to 10, Porterfield hoped it was not the end of the Irish dream in the sport.

“I’d love to think it was not our last World Cup game,” the skipper said.

“Obviously it will be interesting to see what their (the ICC’s) vision for the game is.

“We need to know that and everyone wants to know that because if their vision is to grow the game, then cutting teams in world competitions will not be the right thing.

“I think the next World Cup is two or three days longer than this World Cup, so when you’ve got four fewer teams and your competition drags out longer, that’s not an excuse.”

Porterfield did not expect an immediate response from the ICC on the matter. “I’m sure they’re hoping everything blows over the next few weeks and they don’t hear much from us,” he said.

“Then it will be easy to brush it under the carpet. But I think some-

GOOD CENTURY: Ireland’s William Porterfield celebrates reaching his century during the Cricket World

Cup match against Pakistan at the Adelaide. – Reuters

thing has to be done if they want to grow the game.”

Porterfield insisted Ireland needed to continue playing at the top level despite their first round exit — mainly due to an inferior run-rate to the West Indies.

“We’ve missed out on the quarter-finals only on run rate,” he said.

“I think we’ve shown what we can do. We’ve done plenty enough.

The other non-Test nations have also put on some great performances and they’ve played even less cricket than we have.”

Porterfield hoped the ICC will not ignore pleas from cricket’s greats like Sachin Tendulkar to

expand the World Cup, rather than shrink it. “If you cut us out of the World Cup then what’s the point really for us to keep going,” he said.

“A lot of people have spoken out that it is the wrong move, a lot of influential people have said that.

So I don’t think the ICC can just ignore that.” - AFP

C

SECTION

‘I

’m a romantic omantic schizophrenic,” is written en on the wall as you enter Savage Beauty, the thrilling new exhib exhibition on of the work of British fashion fas designerr Alexander McQueen at the Victoria and Albert bert Museum, London.

Born 1969, the son of a taxi orn in Lewisham in 1969 driver, shown to be an artist in iver, McQueen is sho tradition: wracked by inner the Romantic trad conflicts which found expression in clothes that aimed not for simple elegance, but vioand pain. This is the most excitlence, grace gr that I’ve seen for quite a while. ing exhibition e McQueen left school at 15 and became an apprentice tailor on Savile Row; he was the head designer at Givenchy by the age of 27.

The opposing forces in his own nature were the fuel of his art. He said: “I oscillate between happiness and sadness, life and death, good and evil.” There is a sense here of how dangerous creativity can be.

‘McQueen’s influences included Poe, Hitchcock, and Pauline Réage’s novel Story of O. Indeed, the curation makes you feel as

LIFE & STYLE

though you’ve entered Réage’s fantasy world: th gold gilded mirrors reflect mannequins in haute couture from the 2009 autumn/winter collection, Horn of Plenty. Highlights include a dress made of dyed black duck feathers; another made of a black leather harness, the mannequin’s face covered with a gimp mask, her mouth zipped shut. This blend of performance and concealment, of power and constriction, poses fascinating questions about femininity.

McQueen’s work was autobiographical; he was abused as a child and witnessed his sister being beaten by her husband. It is wrong to suggest that these clothes are misogynistic; rather, they offer the female form an ambiguous kind of protection. They are tragic in a complex way.

Next, you go through a low, dark tunnel adorned with bones and skulls, and emerge into a circle of mannequins with resin horns coming out of their faces, part of the 2000 autumn/winter collection, Eshu, inspired by Yoruba motifs. McQueen said: “Fashion can

be really racist, looking at the clothes of other cultures as costumes.”

What is striking is McQueen’s poetic and philosophical use of language. The titles of his collections are strong: Highland Rape, the 1995 autumn/winter collection which made him a star, references his Scottish heritage as well as his antagonistic relationship with tradition. Like many avant-garde artists before him, he learnt the rules in order to smash them.

Kate Moss appears in one of the most moving works in the exhibition: a film installation made with a 19th-century technique called Pepper’s Ghost. Her image floats above the catwalk for the 2006 autumn/winter collection Widows of Culloden. She is a spectre.

McQueen hanged himself in 2010 at the age of 40. But it is his work, not his suicide, which confirms his Romantic greatness. The final room is full of light; the music is pounding and vital, and McQueen’s words are written on the wall: “There is no way back for me now…” -Zoe Pilger/The Independent

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

Previewing McQueen’s Spring/Summer 1999 collection, model Shalom Harlow graced the runway in this strapless white dress, before being rotated slowly on a revolving section of the catwalk whilst being sprayed with paint by two robotic guns.

C10

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

PRAYER TIMINGS

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

BORN today, you are not always the first to be noticed, but once you get working on a project, you are likely to attract a great deal of attention for your confidence and the influence you exert over others in ways both large and small. You may, when young, fear being overlooked, but as you grow older, you will realise that this is merely an insecurity that you can quickly discard, like an old coat that no longer suits your style, taste or physique. When it comes to doing what is important and has to be done, you can be counted on to be on the front lines, getting it done in a way that is recognised as uniquely your own. You can weather criticism quite well, which is good, because you’re likely to get more than your share.

The support you give others in your life is of a kind they are unlikely to find elsewhere, and when you have pledged your loyalty to someone, it is undying. You will work tirelessly for a person or cause that you have embraced, and you will not give up until you have reached your goal. You will, as they say, die trying.

Also born on this date are: James Madison, US president; Jerry Lewis, actor and comedian; Erik Estrada, actor; Victor Garber, actor; Mercedes McCambridge, actress; Bernardo Bertolucci, filmmaker; Pat Nixon, US first lady; Chuck Woolery, game show host; Henny Youngman, comedian and musician; Jim Bridger, trapper and scout.

W E AT H E R

OMAN

Max

WORLD

Max 29 Min 18 Max 9 Min 6

Max 24 Min 14

Max 30 Min 24 Max 12 Min -2

Max 31 Min 21

Max 6 Min -2

Max 30 Min 18

Max 29 Min 19

Max 34 Min 18

Max 31 Min 22

Max 29 Min 17

[Feb. 19-March 20] Max 28 Min 22

Max 31 Min 18

Max 31 Min 21 Max 22 Min 18

—www.met.gov.om

Min

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

28 26 27 26 24 26

22 20 19 16 20 16

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

14 27 14 12 7 22 32 14 23 9 26 32 15 12 27 32 17 10

9 9 6 6 0 9 24 4 20 5 16 24 10 5 18 24 9 1

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

[March 21-APRIL 19] Your thoughts may turn to financial issues much more quickly than you had expected; a discovery provides you with some new tools.

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] You’re eager to be reunited with someone who has enabled you to achieve a high performance level in the past.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20] You’re seeing a kind of support that you haven’t enjoyed in the past. You know what is possible and how to achieve it eventually.

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] You may be made to wait much longer than usual for the final word on a central issue. Keep all options on the table until then.

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] You can put in a good word for someone you know well, someone who is looking to you for a certain kind of guidance. You can lead by example.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] You may have to change your plans quite suddenly, perhaps even “midstream.” Navigating a patch of rough water may be second nature.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] A study of past mistakes can keep you from repeating them, but there’s more to it than that. Self-awareness is key.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] You may be considering a change in policy with regard to what you offer those who assist you in your work — but haste can be dangerous.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] You’re trying to reach more than the usual audience, and your message is one that many will find useful and inspiring.

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] You must take some time to assess not only your own needs, but the needs of those around you. They are, after all, closely linked.

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18] Your actions can have a more profound impact on everyone around you than you might normally expect.

Money matters figure prominently.

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow)

6:16pm 6.15am

High tide Low tide

4:49am 11:51am

5:55pm 11:32pm

AIRLINES

C

ARIES

12.21pm 3.46pm 6.21pm 7.31pm 5.00am

maximum wave height of 1.25 metres.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog formation.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Partly cloudy skies over northern parts of the Sultanate with chance of isolated rain.

Chance of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches over governorates of South Al Sharqiyah, Al Wusta and Dhofar. Chance of blowing dust over deserts and open areas.

lear to partly cloudy skies over northern parts of the Sultanate and clear over the rest of the Sultanate with chances of late night to early morning low level clouds and fog patches along southeastern coast.

EXPECTED WINDS: Wind will be northerly to northeasterly light to moderate along Oman Sea coast while wind will be southeasterly light to moderate over the rest of the Sultanate.

SEA STATE: Slight along most of the Sultanate coasts with

PISCES You’re likely to have two important questions that must be answered before you can progress efficiently.

Ask right away!

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) 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

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

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

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

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

20:50

Daily

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

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

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

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

10:20 12:30

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

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

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

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

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

Daily Daily

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

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

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

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

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

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

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

Daily

16:50

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102) 15:00 Dubai 07:00 TO DUBAI (Route 201) 06:00 Sohar 06:00 Dubai 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Dubai 15:00 Sohar 15:00 Dubai

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

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

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

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

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

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

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

LISTINGS

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766 Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691 Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740 Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah.

Tel: 23291635 HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052 Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic: 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740 Ceregem National Raak: 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217 Elixir Health Centre: 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre: 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274 Hamdan Hospital: 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

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

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

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

National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Sohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pm Muscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

MONDAY

TUESDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

RIYADH 0005 CAIRO 0005 ABU DHABI 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 SALALAH 0030 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 0100 DACCA 0145 SALALAH 0205 LAHORE 0215 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0255 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0355 ABU DHABI 0405 BAHRAIN 0405 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0610 BAHRAIN 0640 ABU DHABI 0650 SALALAH 0655 ZURICH 0720 MALPENSA 0720 JEDDAH 0730 DOHA 0735 KUWAIT 0735 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 DUBAI 0850 JAIPUR 0855 SHARJAH 0915 LAHORE 0920 DELHI 0920 HYDERABAD 0920 ISLAM ABBAD 0930 COCHIN 0930 TRIVANDRUM 0940 DUBAI 0940 MADRAS 0940 BANGALORE 1000 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1035 DUBAI 1110 MANILA 1110 KHASAB 1115 BAHRAIN 1130 COLOMBO 1140 DUBAI 1200 MALE 1205 CALICUT 1210 SALALAH 1215 LAHORE 1215 ZANZIBAR 1225 MUKHAIZNA 1230 KARACHI 1230 BANGKOK 1305 DUBAI 1330 SALALAH 1445 KHASAB 1445 ABU DHABI 1530 DUBAI 1555 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 MUKHAIZNA 1730 DUBAI 1730 DELHI 1730 LUCKNOW 1735 BANGALORE 1740 HYDERABAD 1740 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1750 DUQUM OMAN 1755 BAHRAIN 1810 KUALA LUMPUR 1910 DAMMAM 1910 RIYADH 1910 SHARJAH 1915 MADRAS 1920 KUWAIT 1925 TEHRAN 1940 DUBAI 1945 KATHMANDU 2010 DUBAI 2030 JAKARTA 2055 MUNICH 2105 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 DACCA 2115 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 DUBAI 2125 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 CHITTAGONG 2140 SALALAH 2140 COCHIN 2140 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 AMMAN 2205 DOHA 2210 SALALAH 2220 BAHRAIN 2240 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2250 ABU DHABI 2250 KARACHI 2255 AHMEDABAD 2300 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 DAMMAM 2350

WY636 WY406 WY682 WY676 WY648 WY816 WY910 WY916 NL768 PK281 PK225 TK774 QR1132 ET624 EK866 EY384 GF560 FZ041 WY658 4H562 WY638 WY902 WY678 WY686 WY412 WY114 WY144 WY154 WY692 WY674 WY668 WY132 WY602 WY202 WY432 WY102 FZ043 WY272 G9114 WY236 WY242 WY346 WY252 EK862 QR1128 EY382 WY3302 QR8550 WY604 WY918 G9841 GF562 WY424 WY372 FZ037 IX337 WY904 WY818 PK191 WY606 BG023 WY324 IX817 WY920 WY906 WY3304 KU677 WY632 FZ045 G9119 WY328 WY204 WY292 WY246 WY610 WY264 WY232 WY216 QR1126 WY664 EK864 GF564 WY3306 SV534 WY822 G9116 WY646 TG507 FZ047 WY338 WY614 WY224 WY124 WY386 4H561 AI973 WY624 6.00E+81 WY374 WY312 WY914 FZ049 WY254 AI907 QR1134 WY928 UL205 GF566 BA073 EY388 WY672 WY908 AI985 WY662 LX242 9W540 LH618 WY612 WY654 WY696 WY717

ABU DHABI 0005 CAIRO 0005 RIYADH 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 SALALAH 0030 SALALAH 0125 LAHORE 0130 ISLAM ABBAD-SIALKOT 0200 KARACHI 0215 ISTANBUL 0215 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0355 ABU DHABI 0405 BAHRAIN 0405 DUBAI 0415 BAHRAIN 0640 JEDDAH 0645 ABU DHABI 0650 SALALAH 0655 MEDINA 0700 RIYADH 0700 AMMAN 0705 FRANKFURT 0715 MALPENSA 0720 ZURICH 0720 DAMMAM 0725 JEDDAH 0730 DOHA 0735 PARIS 0800 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 TEHRAN 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 DUBAI 0850 JAIPUR 0855 SHARJAH 0915 HYDERABAD 0920 DELHI 0920 ISLAM ABBAD 0930 MADRAS 0940 DUBAI 0940 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 MUKHAIZNA 1045 DOHA 1050 DUBAI 1110 KHASAB 1115 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120 BAHRAIN 1130 BEIRUT 1130 COLOMBO 1140 DUBAI 1200 CALICUT 1210 SALALAH 1215 BANGKOK 1305 GWADUR 1320 DUBAI 1330 CHITTAGONG 1345 KARACHI 1355 MANGALORE-ABU DHABI 1440 KHASAB 1445 SALALAH 1445 MUKHAIZNA 1445 KUWAIT 1525 ABU DHABI 1530 DUBAI 1555 SHARJAH 1555 LAHORE 1600 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DELHI 1730 DUBAI 1730 LUCKNOW 1735 HYDERABAD 1740 TRIVANDRUM 1740 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1750 BAHRAIN 1810 MUKHAIZNA 1845 RIYADH 1900 KUALA LUMPUR 1910 SHARJAH 1915 KUWAIT 1925 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1935 DUBAI 1945 KATHMANDU 2010 DUBAI 2030 COCHIN 2045 MUNICH 2105 MALE 2110 DACCA 2115 DELHI 2125 DUBAI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 COLOMBO 2140 CHITTAGONG 2140 SALALAH 2140 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2155 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 SALALAH 2220 COLOMBO 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 MEDINA 2250 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 DAMMAM 2350 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

AI986 LX243 9W539 BA072 WY715 LH619 WY211 WY251 WY201 WY225 WY235 WY601 WY281 WY345 WY341 WY241 WY271 WY643 WY637 WY657 WY821 WY123 WY371 WY667 WY383 WY901 WY847 4H584 BG022 PK230 TK777 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 GF561 WY603 WY3301 WY903 WY323 WY917 WY263 WY291 FZ044 WY283 WY245 WY231 G9115 WY815 WY203 WY905 WY605 WY337 WY253 EK863 WY311 EY383 QR1129 9W533 WY919 GF563 WY631 IX350 FZ038 PA451 WY683 WY3303 WY433 WY663 WY113 WY101 WY645 WY413 WY153 WY143 WY131 WY609 WY405 WY693 WY3921 WY675 WY613 FZ046 WY913 WY623 WY325 QR1127 WY681 WY907 GF565 WY647 WY661 EK865 WY695 WY653 WY653 G9117 WY909 WY611 FZ048 WY635 WY915 AI978 4H561 FZ050 KL442 WY817 9W529 WY411 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 WY677 QR1135 GF567 WY673 EY381

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 ZANZIBAR 0040 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 TRIVANDRUM 0110 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 COCHIN 0125 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 BANGALORE 0150 ISLAM ABBAD 0150 LAHORE 0150 DELHI 0155 JAIPUR 0200 KUWAIT 0200 ABU DHABI 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 KUALA LUMPUR 0205 MUNICH 0210 COLOMBO 0210 DOHA 0225 MALE 0235 SALALAH 0240 JAKARTA 0245 DACCA 0245 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0250 LAHORE 0315 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0350 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 BAHRAIN 0745 DUBAI 0800 MUKHAIZNA 0800 SALALAH 0800 KARACHI 0800 KHASAB 0815 LUCKNOW 0920 CALICUT 0920 DUBAI 0935 BANGALORE 0940 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 BOMBAY 1030 SALALAH 1030 DUBAI 1030 KATHMANDU 1040 MADRAS 1040 DUBAI 1055 CHITTAGONG 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 DOHA 1115 COCHIN 1135 KHASAB 1145 BAHRAIN 1215 ABU DHABI 1220 CALICUT 1310 DUBAI 1315 LAHORE 1315 RIYADH 1320 MUKHAIZNA 1330 TEHRAN 1330 DOHA 1330 FRANKFURT 1400 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 KUWAIT 1405 AMMAN 1405 ZURICH 1405 MALPENSA 1415 PARIS 1420 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 DAMMAM 1430 DUQUM OMAN 1455 JEDDAH 1630 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 SALALAH 1735 DUBAI 1820 KARACHI 1830 DOHA 1845 RIYADH 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 KUWAIT 1900 DOHA 1900 DUBAI 1905 DAMMAM 1910 BAHRAIN 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 2005 SALALAH 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2040 ABU DHABI 2040 SALALAH 2110 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 JEDDAH 2215 DUBAI 2225 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 BANGKOK 2235 TRIVANDRUM 2240 AMMAN 2240 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 MEDINA 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2350

AI986 LX243 9W539 BA072 SG062 LH619 WY685 WY251 WY423 WY201 WY235 WY601 WY345 WY241 WY431 WY271 WY657 WY821 WY637 WY123 WY371 WY667 NL769 WY691 WY901 PK282 TK775 PK226 ET625 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY3301 4H562 GF561 WY903 WY603 WY917 WY323 WY263 WY215 WY291 WY327 FZ044 WY385 WY245 WY231 G9115 WY815 WY203 WY905 WY605 WY373 WY337 WY717 EK863 WY311 EY383 WY3303 QR1129 WY919 G9842 GF563 QR8551 WY927 WY631 WY223 IX350 WY253 FZ038 WY663 WY101 WY113 WY645 PK192 WY143 WY131 WY609 WY405 BG024 WY3305 IX818 WY671 KU678 WY675 G9110 WY613 FZ046 WY913 WY623 QR1127 WY681 WY907 GF565 WY661 WY647 EK865 WY695 WY653 SV535 G9117 WY909 WY611 WY635 TG508 FZ048 WY915 4H561 FZ050 WY817 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 UL206 WY673 EY381

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 AHMEDABAD 0030 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 MADRAS 0110 BEIRUT 0115 BOMBAY 0120 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 ISLAM ABBAD 0150 DELHI 0155 TEHRAN 0155 JAIPUR 0200 BAHRAIN 0205 KUALA LUMPUR 0205 ABU DHABI 0205 MUNICH 0210 COLOMBO 0210 DOHA 0225 LAHORE 0230 DAMMAM 0235 SALALAH 0240 SIALKOT 0300 ISTANBUL 0315 KARACHI 0315 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 MUKHAIZNA 0715 DACCA 0745 BAHRAIN 0745 SALALAH 0800 DUBAI 0800 KHASAB 0815 KARACHI 0920 LUCKNOW 0920 TRIVANDRUM 0920 CALICUT 0920 LAHORE 0930 DUBAI 0935 MALE 0940 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 BOMBAY 1030 SALALAH 1030 DUBAI 1030 COLOMBO 1040 KATHMANDU 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 CHITTAGONG 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 MUKHAIZNA 1115 DOHA 1115 KHASAB 1145 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210 BAHRAIN 1215 DUBAI WORLD CENTRE-DOHA 1220 SALALAH 1220 ABU DHABI 1220 COCHIN 1235 CALICUT 1310 MADRAS 1315 DUBAI 1315 DOHA 1330 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 FRANKFURT 1400 KUWAIT 1405 GWADUR-TURBAT 1405 MALPENSA 1415 PARIS 1420 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 CHITTAGONG 1500 MUKHAIZNA 1515 MANGALORE 1530 MEDINA 1535 ABU DHABI-KUWAIT 1625 JEDDAH 1630 SHARJAH 1645 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 SALALAH 1735 DUBAI 1820 DOHA 1845 RIYADH 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DOHA 1900 KUWAIT 1900 DUBAI 1905 DAMMAM 1910 BAHRAIN 1920 RIYADH 2000 SHARJAH 2005 SALALAH 2015 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2040 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2040 DUBAI 2040 SALALAH 2110 JEDDAH 2215 DUBAI 2225 BANGKOK 2235 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 COLOMBO 2335 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2350

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY682 WY406 WY636 WY648 WY816 WY910 BG021 4H583 WY3916 PK229 TK776 QR1132 EK866 EY384 GF560 FZ041 WY114 WY658 WY638 WY902 WY154 WY144 WY674 WY668 WY644 WY602 WY202 WY102 FZ043 WY272 G9114 WY342 WY242 WY236 WY346 WY226 WY212 EK862 WY252 WY282 QR1128 EY382 9W530 WY604 WY844 WY918 GF562 WY372 FZ037 WY384 IX337 WY902 PA450 WY716 WY3302 WY324 WY818 WY606 WY906 WY920 WY632 FZ045 WY204 WY292 WY3304 WY610 WY246 WY264 WY284 WY232 WY664 QR1126 EK864 WY3922 GF564 WY822 WY694 WY684 G9116 WY254 WY646 WY434 FZ047 WY338 WY614 WY848 WY124 AI977 4H561 KL441 WY624 AI973 6.00E+81 WY312 WY914 9W534 FZ049 AI907 WY414 QR1134 WY928 GF566 BA073 EY388 WY326 SG061 WY908 AI985 WY662 LX242 9W540 LH618 WY612 WY654 WY696

ETA

ETD

ETA

ETD

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

C11

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA Run All Night (2D) (Action) (15+) Cast: Liam Neeson, Ed Harris 2:45, 5:00, 9:30, 11:45 PM Cinderella (2D) (Adv/Drama) (PG) Cast: Lily James, Hayley Atwell, Richard Madden 3:45, 5:45, 7:45 PM Superfast (2D) (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Lili Mirojnick, Dale Pavinski 2:00, 8:15 PM Walking on Sunshine (2D) (Musical/ Romance) (12+) Cast: Greg Wise, Adrian Quinton, Annabel Scholey 6:20 PM Before I go to Sleep (2D) (Mystery/ Thriller) (12+) Cast: Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth 2:00, 9:45 PM Outcast (3D) (Action/ Adv) (15+) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Hayden Christensen 11:30 PM Demonic (2D) (Horror/ Thriller) (12+) Cast: Maria Bello, Frank Grillo 10:10, 11:45 PM American Heist (2D) (Action/ Adventure) (15+) Cast: Adrien Brody, Hayden Christensen, Jordana Brewster 4:00, 7:15 PM

Cinderella (2D) (Adventure) (PG) Cast: Lily James, Hayley Atwell, Richard 10:00 AM, 12:00, 04:15 & 07:40pm Gold Class: 01:30 PM & 07:30 PM Run All Night (2D) (Action) (15+) 05:30, 09:35 & 11:45 PM Gold Class: 05:15 & 11:15 PM

The Sponge Bob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water (3D) (Animation) (PG) 10:05 AM American Heist (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: Hayden Christensen, Adrien 11:05 AM Superrrr Fast (2D) (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Lili Mirojnick, Dale Pavinski 08:15 PM; 02:00 PM & 06:10 PM Before I Go TO Sleep (2D) (Mystrey) Cast: Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth 03:45 PM; Gold Class: 03:30 PM (12+) Cairo Time (Arabic) (2D) (Comedy/ Drama) (12+) Cast: Ayten Amer, Mervat Amin, Nour El-Sherif 02:05 PM NH 10 (Hindi) (2D) (Crime/Drama) Cast: Neil Bhoopalam, Ravi Jhankal, Darshan Kumaar 08:00 PM Demonic (2D) (Horror/Comedy) (12+) Cast: Maria Bello, Frank Grillo 10:15 PM & 11:45 PM Gold Class: 09:30 PM

SCREEN 3 Run All Night (Action/Suspense) (15+) Cast: Genesis Rodriguez, Liam Neeson, Joel Kinnaman 3:45, 6:45, 9:45PM

Run All Night – 2D (15+) (Action | Adventure) Cast: Liam Neeson, Ed Harris 3:15, 7:30, 9:15, 11:30 PM Before I Go to Sleep – 2D (12+) Mystery | Thriller Cast: Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth 5:30, 9:30 PM Cinderella – 2D (PG) (Adventure | Drama | Family) Cast: Lily James, Hayley Atwell, Richard Madden 3:30, 5:30, 6:45 PM Superfast! – 2D (15+) (Comedy) Cast: Lili Mirojnick, Dale Pavinski, Andrea Navedo 3:45 , 9:45 & 11:45 PM Cairo Time – 2D (12+) (Comedy| Drama | Romance) Cast: Ayten Amer, Mervat Amin, Nour El-Sherif 7:15 PM Demonic – 2D (15+) (Horror | Thriller) Cast: Maria Bello, Frank Grillo, Cody Horn 5:30 & 11:15 PM Apartment 143 – 2D ( 15+ )(Horror | Thriller) Cast: Kai Lennox, Gia Mantegna, Michael O’Keefe 5:00 PM NH 10 – 2D (TBC ) (Crime | Drama)

SCREEN 1 NH 10 – Hindi (Suspense/ Thriller ) Cast: Anushka Sharma , Neil Bhoopalam, Ravi Jhankal, Darshan Kumaar 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30 PM SCREEN 2 Badlapur – (Action | Drama) – 15+ Cast: Varun Dhawan, huma qureshi, Yami Gautam 3:45, 6:45, 9:45pm

Cast: Neil Bhoopalam, Ravi Jhankal, Darshan Kumaar 9:00 & 11:15 PM American Heist– 2D (15+) Action Cast: Adrien Brody, Hayden Christensen, Jordana Brewster 3:00 & 7:15 PM

Run All Night – 2D (15+) Action, Crime, Drama Cast: Liam Neeson, Ed Harris, Joel Kinnaman 03:45, 07:45, 09:45, 11:45PM Cinderella – 2D (PG) Adventure, Drama, Family Cast: Lily James, Hayley Atwell 03:15, 05:45 PM Before I Go to Sleep – 2D (12+) Mystery, Thriller Cast: Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, Mark Strong 03:15, 05:00PM NH 10– 2D (Hindi) (Crime/Mystery) Cast: Neil Bhoopalam, Ravi Jhankal, Darshan Kumaar 06:45, 09:00, 11:15 PM Demonic – 2D (12+) Horror, Thriller Cast: Maria Bello, Frank Grillo 05:15, 08:30, 11:45PM Superfast! – 2D (15+) Comedy Cast: Lili Mirojnick, Dale Pavinski 06:45, 10:00 PM

Superfast! (Fast...er) (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Lili Mirojnick, Dale Pavinski 04:30, 07:45, 11:45 PM Run All Night (Action | Crime) (15+) Cast: Liam Neeson, Ed Harris, 07:45, 09:45PM

Cinderella (Adventure | Family) (PG) Cast: Lily James, Hayley Atwell, Richard Madden 04:00, 05:50 PM Demonic (Horror | Thriller) (TBC) Cast: Maria Bello, Frank Grillo 6:15 PM NH 10(Hindi) (Crime | Drama | Mystery) (TBC) Cast: Anushka Sharma Neil Bhoopalam, Ravi Jhankal, 09:30 & 11:45 PM

Before I Go to Sleep (2D)(12+) (Mystery/Thriller) Cast: Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth 5:00, 9:30 & 11:30PM Run All Night (2D)(15+) (Action) Cast: Liam Neeson, Ed Harris 3:00, 7:00, 9:00 & 11:15PM Cinderalla (2D)(PG) (Adventure/ Drama/Family) Cast: Lily James, Hayley Atwell 11:00AM, 1:00, 4:15 & 6:15PM Super Fast..er (2D)(15+) (Comedy) Cast: Lili Mirojnick, Dale Pavinski 11:00AM, 12:45 & 2:30PM NH 10 (2D)(Hindi) (Crime/Drama/ Mystery) Cast: Anushka Sharma, Ravi Jhankal 8:00PM Outcast (3D)(15+) (Action/Adventure) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Hayden 11:30AM, 1:15 & 5:15PM Youm Maloush Lazmah (2D)(12+) (Comedy) Cast: Noah Taylor, Kodi Smit-McPhee 3:00 & 7:30PM Demonic (2D)(12+)(Horror/Thriller) Cast: Maria Bello, Frank Grillo, Cody 10:15 & 11:50PM

Run All Night ( Action/Crime / Drama) Cast: Liam Neeson, Ed haris, John C’ Reilly 4.00, 8.00 p.m, 10.00 p.m & 11.55 p.m.

CP No: 668 (15+) Before I Go TO Sleep (Thriller ) Cast: Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth, Mark Strong 2.00 pm & 6.00 pm CP No: 6669 (12+) Superfast (Comedy ) Cast: Lili Mirojinick, Dale Pavanski 2.00, 4.00 p.m., 8.00 p.m. & 10.00 p.m.

CP No: 667 (15+) Apartment 143 ( Horror/ Thriller) Cast: Kai Lenox, Gia Mantegna, Michael O’Keefe 6.00 p.m. & 11.55 pm; CP No: 701 (15+ )

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

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Fireman (Mal) (Act \Thriller) Cast: Mammootty & Nyla Usha 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm Cinema Main NH 10 (Hindi) (Action\Thriller) Cast: Anushka Sharma, Deepti Naval & Neil Bhoopalam 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45pm Cinema – 3 Kakki Sattai (Tamil) ( Com\Act) Cast: Shiva Karthikeyan, Sri Divya & Prabhu 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm Cinema -2 Temper (Telugu) (Act) Cast: Jr Ntr, Kajal Agarwal 3:45pm Cinema-4 Picket 43 (Mal) (Act) Cast: Prithviraj, Javed Jafry 6:45 & 9:45pm Cinema -4

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

ACES ON BRIDGE

How does declarer take those tricks?

SUDOKU

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

7

5 6

2 4

2 7 3 9 6 7 5 1

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

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

40 41 42 43 44 46 47 49 51 52

Website address Hip-hop Incite Rover Common article Storm winds Mild quarrel Diatribe Bird calls Origami need Avoid

DOWN 1 Mistake (hyph.)

2 Car safety device (2 wds.)

3 Rx givers 4 Rio — Janeiro 5 Uh-huh 6 Hawks 7 “Rag Mop” brothers 8 Flour sack abbr.

9 Wide shoe 10 Luggage compartments 11 Beach find 13 Vanquishes a dragon 16 Long sighs 20 Forest grazer

22 23 24 26 27 29 30 31 32 33

Viking’s bay Ostrich cousin “Stir Crazy” star Make inquiry — for the course Sister Hunker down Root vegetable Call in sick Client mtg.

34 35 36 38 41 44 45 46 48 50

Sounded hoarse Pilot an airplane Minority groups High-tech beam Insolent Mountain pass Sault — Marie Vast expanse Nile sun deity Wheeling’s loc.

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 Villain 6 Parking attendant 11 Evening wingding 12 Bonfire residue 14 — d’oeuvre 15 Window divisions 17 Appliance-tag letters 18 Recede gradually 19 Madison Ave. output 20 Forensic science tool 21 Laze around 23 Codgers’ queries 24 Inclined to dawdle 25 Massive pileups 27 Flatten 28 Columbus sch.

29 Opposing vote 30 — naked 33 Arctic sights 37 Tobacco chew 38 Hosp. employee 39 Stellar review

ABHINAV SINGH

SHUBHRIKA SINGH

JACELYN VALLADARES

SWATHI B.

B. SUBHADEVI

OINDRILLA SANYAL

March 16, 2012

March 16, 2013

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

Previous puzzle Solution

ELVIS Stojko, a three-time world figure skating champion from Canada, said, “I had the strength and the finesse there and put it all together.”

There is hardly a bridge deal that goes by without at least one finesse being attempted. Sometimes, though, how that finesse is approached can be key. In today’s deal, how should South play in three no-trump? West leads the heart five. East wins with his queen and returns the suit to dummy’s nowbare ace.

South’s two-no-trump rebid shows 18 or 19 high-card points (or a great 17 or poor 20) and is in principle game-forcing. The responder then has the three-level to investigate strains other than notrump and, perhaps, to start a slam investigation.

Since the lead has removed dummy’s only fast entry, South cannot use dummy’s diamonds.

Instead, he must hope to take one spade, one heart, three diamonds and four clubs. To get those club tricks, though, might require taking three club finesses. Declarer must stay in the dummy throughout.

First, he must run the club nine.

When that wins, he continues with the club queen. Then East has no defence.

Note, though, that if South starts with dummy’s club queen, East can defeat the contract by playing low to this trick. Then what does declarer do? If he follows suit with his club three, he must take the second club trick in his hand and cannot finesse for a third time. Or, if he unblocks his 10 or jack, then leads dummy’s nine, East can cover with his queen. East’s eight will beat declarer’s three on the fourth round of the suit.

— By Phillip Alder

WITH LOVE

March 16, 2012

2 6

9 1

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area.

— Seven Galaxies

BORN LOSER

March 15, 2009

March 15, 2000

March 15, 2004

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

KIDSPOT

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

C12

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2015

EXTRA A father’s journey of healing and life

T

akayuki Ueno was sitting in front of a memorial urn wrapped with white cloth at his house, which is surrounded by farms in Minami-Soma, about a kilometre from the coastline.

“I’m sorry, Kotaro,” Ueno said softly, tapping the box as if he were soothing a child. The box holds not remains but clothes belonging to his son, Kotaro.

Then the 42-year-old father cradled the urn of his daughter, Erika, as he held his face against the box.

Tears fell from his eyes as his mind was flooded with memories of Erika, a shy eight-year-old girl, and Kotaro, a mischievous boy.

When the disaster struck, Ueno was living with his parents, his wife, Kiho, and their two children.

The father and his 38-year-old wife were the only ones who survived. They were both at work

when tsunami swallowed the city.

They identified the body of Erika two days later, but they could not find Kotaro. Ueno blamed himself, tormented by the feeling that he was “the worst father who failed to protect his child.”

Ueno thought of killing himself if he ever found Kotaro’s body.

A thought popped into his head one day. “Maybe Kotaro is keeping himself from being found because he’s trying to prevent me from

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

dying. I was finally able to feel, I should try to live,” Ueno recalled.

Half a year on, Ueno and Kiho were blessed with a new life. The baby, Sarii, is now three. Her name uses three kanji, two of them taken from her sister and brother.

Disaster-struck areas are rebuilding, one step at a time. Cities are slowly starting to come back to life. There lie memories of precious, beloved lives.— Daisuke Tomita/ Yomiuri Shimbun (The Washington Post)

BRIEFS

Sean Penn doesn’t compromise, says ‘Gunman’ director Pierre Morel says the film’s star, Sean Penn “doesn’t compromise” when it comes to acting.

Morel, who also directed Taken, marvelled at the experience of working with Oscar-winning star along with Javier Bardem and Idris Elba, months after the shooting of Gunman finished, reports variety.com In the film, Penn plays an ex-assassin on the run, with Elba appearing as an Interpol agent and Bardem playing Penn’s girlfriend-stealing excolleague. The murky allegiances among the three provide much of the film’s tension. Gunman bows in theatres on March 20.

Kate Winslet turns 40, says ‘earned it’ Kate Winslet, who will turn 40 this year, says she is gracefully looking forward to a new chapter in her life. Winslet, who will celebrate her birthday on October 5, laughs off the notion that she still looks as young as ever and says the idea of ageing hardly bothers her, reports people. com “I’m definitely going to get to my 40th birthday and feel I’ve earned it,” said the Insurgent star. ” -IANS

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

RENT

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VACANCY

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

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DAILY GUIDE

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

FOR RENT

OFFICES FOR RENT Premium offices to let a very good location on the main road very close to Zakher Mall, Al Khawiar. Business Center has offices with sizes of 50m2, 110m2, 180m2, 207m2, 230m2, 437m2.

Showroom also available at Business Center, Area 500m2 with central A/c.

Offices with Central Air-conditions, Security System with CCTV cameras, and Security presence in the building.

Contact: 97377355 / 97307476, Email id: aaleem@ggcoman.com

Flat at Darsait. Contact 99326879 Full furniture for rent for family.

Contact 99251975 Villa for rent with 4 bedroom at Al Khodh, Rent 750/-RO.#92888115 1 bedroom attached toilet in Al Khuwair bachelors/ family R.O 140/-. Contact 95154331

We have 1BHK , 2BHK flats & office available in Mabela 7, brand new building main road, 1BHK RO 175/- , 2BHK RO 220/- only. Contact 93782735 / 99208033 We have 2050 sqm land in Ghala 800 sqm constructed Warehouse and other area open land. Prime location near Coco Cola Ware house very nice place. Contact 93782735 / 99208033 We have flats, offices, villa, shops & ware house for rent in Ghubra, Azaiba, Bousher, Ruwi, Mumtaz , Darsait, Mabela. Contact 93782735 / 99208033 2 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ AZAIBA, 2 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33, 1 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair, 3 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 25. 5 B/R Fully Furnished villa @ Madinat Al Ilam. For Daily, Weekly, monthly or Yearly contract. Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC 99249069 / 99436312/92888376, Email: info@alshahiintl.com Villa sharing rooms at Al Khuwair.

Contact 94638876

Foklift 7,5,3 Ton with driver – 99424338

1BHK new bldg with A/C curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact 99061408 / 99024039 2 BHK Mumtaz. Contact 92144045 Brand new deluxe flats located near Seeb flyover on the right band side of the main road coming from the Seeb palace round about, 2 bedrooms family, hall, kitchen, 3 toilets with split unit ACs. Contact 97755586

We have 150 sqm office in Ghubra main road prime location already glass partition done. Office with pantry & 2 washrooms. Contact 9378235 / 99208033

200 Sqr mtrs office for Rent in CBD. Contact 99792181 1, 2 & 3 BHK in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181

Villa in Mawallah rent, 2 bedroom, 2 bath room, 1 sitting room & kitchen with parking. Contact 99595866

We have 2 BHK flat & 100 sqm office & 60 sqm shop for rent in Ghala brand new building. Contact 93782735 / 99208033

2 BHK flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

Independent rooms in Qurum / Al Hail. Contact 95529970

Store or Labour camp in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99792181 Available furnished Office in Al-Khuwair near Centerpoint.

Contact 92870771

NEW WAREHOUSE For rent at Ghala Ind. Area. 578 & 1170 approx sqms Near Hotel Al-Madinah Holiday, Ghala. Container can enter. Immediate access to roads & highways.

Contact : 92078090

Villa Bosher behind Dolfeen near Muscat Hospital 5BHK hall living room with split a/c for family only 650/- R.O . Contact 92479515

Commercial /Non - commercial double story villa for rent in Al Khuwair suitable for offices.

Contact 95526871

New flat Al Athaiba behind Al Meera market, 4BHK hall, Kitchen, 5 bathrooms for family only first floor villa 550/-R.O .Contact 92479515

New building under construction in Bowshar consists of three rooms and a hall and the sitting room, 4 bathrooms, at the second floor.

Contact 92711504 finishes

House for rent in Al Amerat Madinat Al Nahda consists of 3 bedrooms and 3 toilet & 2 Majlis away from school one kilometer. Contact 99351337 2 bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact 92584715 / 24700120 Commercial Villa in Al Khuwair with Private Parking’s,7 Rooms Hall and Reception and Kitchen Contact 95202430 2BHK Wadi Kabeer R.O 325/- & 300/-. Contact 92144045

2 Bedroom flats at prime location of Azaiba Contact: 92197959

2BHK with split AC in W.K behind Sana Fashion. Contact 96708000

New building near the Bousher Al Misfah high way, with showroom, offices, and shops. Great for banks, medical clinics and companies 95202430

2BHK in Al Ghubra near Indian School. Contact 96708000

2 rooms attached bathroom with kitchen South Mabellah.

Contact 94090550 Room for rent for family or working lady at Mabella Sanaya.

Contact 94330490 Flat 4 rent south Al Mabelah.

Contact 95331177 / 95230355 Villas & flats. Contact 92144045

Shop in Wadi Kabir & Azaiba.

Contact 99024730

Industrial /commercial shops at Wadi Kabir 4 x 5.6 x 4.6 MTR height.

Showroom with mezzanine & office at Al Noor Street near Switz bakery & Al Masa hall corner building all on roads & parkings in front of shops & show room. Contact 99065900 or 99354975

2BHK & 3BHK in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99024730

3BHK Wattaya. Contact 92144045

2 BHK commercial & residential flat at Honda road. Contact 98087644 / 99795241 2Bedroom centrally Air conditioned flat at CBD. Contact 94460790 / 24714625 2 bedroom flat in Al Ghubra near Oman oil 18 November Street. OMR 330. Monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Big flat first floor in villa Al Ghoubrah South, 3BHK hall living room with split a/c family only 525/- R.O. Contact 92479515

2BHK Al Khuwair 350/- .

Contact 92144045 1BHK with A/C Ghubra R.O 275/-.

Contact 92144045

Show room with sales counter attached with store and racks location near Wadi Kabir old Round about.

Contact 99474197 / 95403957

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT Upper portion of beautiful villa for rent in prime location of Mawalah Ahmed clinic three bedrooms, attach bathroom, kitchen, Majlis, living room. Contact 95526871 Full staff accommodation for rent in Azaiba, 15 rooms with attached bath and kitchen with parking and yard.

Contact 95526871 4 BHK villas for rent at Al Ghoubra North 18th November Street near new mars hyper market.

Contact 97681599 Bachelor villa at Ansab.

Contact 98458542 Flats & shops for rent at MBD, Wadi Kabir, AL Khoud & villa at Azaiba.

Contact 93994401/02/03 Villa 2 bed rooms, hall, sitting room in AL Hail south R.O. 320/Monthly. Contact 93993354 1 Bed room in Al Hail south R. O 160/- Monthly. Contact 93993354 1BHK flats at Muttrah.

Contact 93231403 2 shop in prime location with material one north Ghobrah & on Honda road. Contact 94676848 Deluxe 1 bedroom flat, ideal for office / residence at Qurum near PDO. Contact: 97721313 / 95070421

Furnished room available on Seeb share with small family for couple working ladies. Contact 96996938 1 Bedroom attached toilet Al Khuwair area only for ladies or husband and wife without children. Contact 9:00 pm to 7:00 am 95765719 3BR top class fitting flat ideal for top executives Mumtaz area, Ruwi.

Contact 91287824 Flats shops and store for rent in Ruwi, Honda road, Rex Road. Contact 95902218/ 92433127 / 97293708

Villas & flats at Ansab.

Contact 98458542 2BHK flat Al Khuwair with split A/C. 350/- Contact 95121126/99358589/97079146 If require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send messages through Whatsapp or call – 99376454 Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat.

Contact 99349526

FOR SALE

Single room with A/C having separate entrance for non –cooking Indian Executive, near Rawasco, Al Khuwair rent 130/- including (W& E). Contact 92888691/95397442/97201100

1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khan co. OMR 1,500 Monthly. Electricity and boundary wall will be provided.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Established Running Restaurant for sale in Salalah. Contact casualdining767@gmail.com Double burner Shawarma machine at Ruwi for sale. Contact 95395378 / 91374871 22KV Generator – 99424338

Flat Wadi AL Kabeer, 2BHK, sitting room, 3 bathroom balcony split /AC 300/- R.O Contact 99324402

Room for rent Honda road. Contact 92540125/ 97605342/ 94053366

Al.Khuwair studio behind platinum hotel rent 130/-R.O PDC. Contact 99879939

Expat leaving. Treadmill/gym items/Fridge/Washing machine/ Sofa(4 set)/wardrobe (4 door)/4burner stove/grill/ AC(window) other items for immediate sale. 95293535

85 SQM shops in Ruwi only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

AL Khuwair behind platinum hotel 4 BHK, 3bathrrom, sitting dinning split AC. Contact 99879939

New Panasonic 500 Ansi lumens dip projector pt –D 5000.

Contact: Hari 92138468

Spacious 2 BHK flats in Ruwi MBD area only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

Flats and shops. Contact 93009999

Land for sale residential commercial and residential and tourist and industrial, and hotels for sale in Muscat (Al Khuwair and the Qurum, and crushed stone, and Bowshar, and spite and Gala heights, and the heights of the airport) to deal with the buyer. Contact 99070093

1BHK near Oman house behind Khimji, HO. Contact 95865686

Industrial Land in Misfah.

Contact 93009999

1000 sq mtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for Ware house workshop.

Contact 24700120 / 925

Beautiful office space available in Ruwi MBD area only on 2/- OMR per sqm. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

Villa Al Khuwair, 8 bedroom, 7 bathroom, 3kittchen. 950/-.

Contact 99358589/ 95121126/95570288

Deluxe 3 bedroom apartment for rent in Mumtaz area for more information. Contact 99336263

Flat Wadi AL Kabeer, 2BHK, sitting room, 3 bathroom balcony split /AC 300/- R.O Contact 99324402

WANTED

Well furnished with net and phone connection ready to occupy office in prime location in AlGhubra South on Sultan Qaboos Road, kindly contact 93441134

Clinic required, One Established new Clinic in Muscat, with Valid License & Clearance is required to purchase interested Parties can contact 91283188 or send your inquiries to mohamedsfarah@hotmail.com

Food counter for sale new bainmary with glass cover suitable for food Court and restaurant 2 pcs.

Contact 99656863

1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khan co. OMR 1,500 Monthly. Electricity and boundary wall will be provided.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880

FOR SALE

Ready mix concrete for sale.

Contact 99054673 Coffee shop for sale a well running coffee shop for at Wadi Kabir Sanaya. Contact 94159356/91039293

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

Contact 99656863 For sale laundry shop in Azaiba 4 clearance for sale work shop carpenter Wadi Kabir, 4 clearances.

Contact 99345137 Commercial registration with excellent name Grade A for business software for sale. Contact 92959251 Building Material shop for sale at Suwaiq A running 5 shutter building material shop with two paint machines available for immediate sale. Also available warehouse and yard at the same place. Interested parties please contact the following numbers: 93223382 / 99874936 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 New barber shop on sale at Misfah.

Contact 93833107 Shop for sale Honda road.

Contact 94053366 / 97605342

AVAILABLE Established Restaurant for rent with sponsorship. Contact 97628242 Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman. com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

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

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. Tel: 97000155 or 92688692 Dental Clinic with license for sale in Sohar. Contact 92816015 Shop for sale at Ruwi. #99103077

5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Dental clinic for sale or rent running last 2 yrs in center of Sohar.

Contact 97004100

BUYING/SELLING Looking for purchase of Used Portable Compressor (350 CFM, 7 Bar Pressure) powered with Diesel run Generator.

Kindly Contact 99014686 or operation@khancogroup.com

ACC. AVAILABLE Family sharing accommodation available in Al Khodh.

Contact 98292798 Sharing accommodation available in Muttrah near Khimji Mart for family only with A/C & attached bath room. Contact 95450743 Single room available with A/C for non cooking executive bachelor at Hamriya R/abt. (on main road side, Opp. Apollo Hospital).

Contact: 91673718, 98232567 Room for SRI LANKAN Executive at Al Khuwair.TEL 96536307 Furnished M. bedroom with attached bathroom and (2 no) rooms with sharing bathroom n kitchen available from 1st April for E. bachelor in N Azaiba area behind Muscat Bakery, with sea view. Contact -95450250 Sharing accommodation available for working lady or small family near Ruwi Church. Contact 99318980 Contd on pg 6

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DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE ACCA-UK +2.5 years of experience in Accounts, Bookeeping and Audit.

Looking for job in Accounts /Finance /Internal Audit. Also worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and PeachTree. Gsm: +968-95459488 Email: mr.shoaibaslam@gmail.com ACCA-UK, B.Sc (OBU-UK) having 2.8 years of experience in Accounts, Bookeeping and Audit. Looking for job in Accounts/Finance department. Also worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and PeachTree.

Email: AliRiazMughal@Outlook. com, Gsm: +968-95459936 Chartered accountant (FCA), Indian male, 18 years total experience, including 11 years in GCC. Solid experience in diversified business segments seeking suitable senior position available immediately.

Email: jobsmuscat2015@gmail.com Accountant: Indian Male 29 years, 7 years experience in Oman seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Administration, Purchase (Release Available) Ph. 97614351 Email:vijayapalanbinu.aniyan@ gmail.com Indian male 35 years M.Com, 8 years in Oman out of 13 years experience in accounts up to finalization having NOC and Oman D/L. Contact 98407501 Indian female, 23 years B.Com Graduate having 2 years experience has accounts + office assistance , good working knowledge in tally, MS Office, SAP. Contact 97669156 Accountant 25 years experience M.Com Accounts up to finalization 14 years in Oman. NOC release available. Contact 99640490 email: mathutb@gmail.com

ARCHITECTURE Urgently required, Architect with knowledge of interior design.

Minimum 2-3 years experience.

Interested candidate may please send CV to fax: 24694998 Email: fareedadesign@gmail.com

CATERING Required a Bakery man for a catering company to be posted in interior site. Apply with NOC. #95332694, Email : ccs_oman@yahoo.com Personal Chef needed for work in home and boat. Must be fantastic chef and willing to do housekeeping/ cleaning also. email cv: alibadawy@gmail.com Experience cook for Omani family 1Nos. Contact 99228046 Email: oman518@gmail.com Shawarma /BBQ/Tandoor /helper wanted. Contact 95529970 Required urgently Yemani Cook.

Contact 99443236 muscat@oigoman.com

ADVOCATE Law firm office at Shatti al Qurum looking for Indian legal advisor minimum 5 years experience in Oman . please Contact :99772277 sereen38@gmail.com

DRIVER Wanted one light driver. Indians only should apply. #95451713

DOMESTIC HELPER Housemaid required for Keralite family Cont 92729883 Wanted full time Keralite housemaid at Al Khuwair. #93267065 Part time maid at Al Ansab-3.

Contact 98458542

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

Required MEP Engineer with minimum Diploma or degree 5 yrs experience & with driving license.

Fax : 24478522, Email : gh1.careers@gmail.com Urgently required experienced Civil Project Managers site Engineers, MEP draughtsman, MEP quantity surveyor for an excellent grade Civil Construction company.

Interested candidates can contact on 00968-99885931 / 99881459 and send CVs on mohamed@oasisgrace.com Contact 24826566 Fax: 24812226 A well reputed Steel fabrication & machining workshop company in Oman requires following urgently: Machinist 5 years experience in milling, turning & surface grinding 2 Nos. Contact 99228046 Email: oman518@gmail.com

Indian male BBM 23 yrs having 2 yrs experience seeking suitable job in accounts, admin, HR, Operation Coordination logistics etc.

Contact 97623267

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

Accountant: a well experienced Indian male, M.Com, more than 20 years experience in accounting field (GCC & India), looking for job as accountant or accounts manager in oman. presently working in India and ready to join immediately. # :99087175

Wanted Mechanical Engineers with min. 5 yrs experience. Apply with bio data to hr_oman1@yahoo. com, immediately.

IT SALES / MARKETING Required IT Technician for computer shop. Send your CV at khalid@rayyancomputer.com

MEDICAL Temporary Pharmacist required in Ibra. Candidates with License & NOC, contact 98883100

Salesman Wanted for outdoor sales of ceramic items and building materials. Should have similar 2 years experience, driving license and NOC. Call 99332547 Required Salesman, Tailor, and Barber. Contact 96964767

Wanted urgently Pharmacist and Lab Technician ladies preferred.

Contact 95918538 Email: us to: jobsomanmedical@gmail.com

Looking for Qualified and experienced Sales Executives in industrial and mechanical field items & building materials. Please send your CV to slayhawk@yahoo.com

Wanted female Nurse for Skin clinic in Muscat. Must have MOH license and NOC. Mail to clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com

Required promoter for promoting Perfumes in shopping centre please.

Contact 95663682 or send CV atugt15@gmail.com

Required Nurse for a reputed clinic in Suwaiq. Contact 26861077 / 99605906 / 92801446

Our company CHABROS LLC is seeking for Indian salesman.

Have an experienced in building materials. Please send CV to chabros@omantel.net.om

Urgently require for the Polyclinic in Sur. positions, General practitioner, (GP) Pediatrician, Gynecologist, Orthopedics, Physiotherapist, Lab technician, with MOH license, or without license.

Contact- GSM, 968 99567864 mail:alrawdahpolyclinic@gmail.com Require GP doctors and Staff Nurse for a medical centre in Mabela. Contact 95200180, amanammc@gmail.com Urgently required a female nurse with MOH license to work permanent or leave vacancy for a reputed clinic. Salary Negotiable.

Contact 94618483 Wanted labs Technician to work in a polyclinic. Candidates who have passed their prometric examination can also apply.

Attractive salary offered. Contact 91173571 Urgently required exp Pharmacist with MOH license and NOC. Contact: 97164554 or royalmedicalservice@gmail.com Urgently required an Orthodontist with MOH to work at a reputed Dental Center in Muscat.

Contact 968 99694723, Email : dr.bdohc@gmail.com Urgently required Pharmacist.

Contact 94200385/ 95206905/ 97433142 Email: anitho@gmail.com

Urgently required out door sales executive for furnishing company with valid Oman license and minimum 3 years experience in furniture field.

Contact 93231403 or mail: rainbowfurnishing156@gmail.com Sales Executive with 2 years experience in corporate sales and driving license. Working experience with IT or Security systems preferred.

Contact 99351673 Email: tgmuscat@outlook.com

Oil marketing and trading company require Sales Executives. The desire candidate should have Oman driving license, with Oman experience and required on urgent basis for oil company. Please post the CV on fakhare@gmail.com Office no 00968-24467177 Urgently required an excellent grade construction firm based in Muscat has immediate vacancy for Marketing Executive minimum 5 years experience with D/L. Email your CV to info@omannc.com Marketing Executive for printing press, minimum 2 years experience with D/L. Email: arshedkm@gmail.com

TRAVEL/TOURS Wanted an experienced person in reservations and ticketing using airlines Sabre system for a new travel agency; please send your CV to sunairways1@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL / OFFICE Wanted for immediate appointment : Male Secretary, HR Personnel with minimum 5 yrs experience for all posts. Apply with bio data to hr_oman1@yahoo.com immediately

Wanted Salesman with driving licence and car. Gsm : 98805474 or email id: jobssales2015@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Indian Accounts / Audit assistant with 2 years of experience currently on a visit visa looking for suitable job openings.

Contact: 94677338, 97041086 Email: ajeeshkcy1989@gmail.com ACCA finalist and BSc from Oxford Brookes University UK, having 18 months working experience, currently in Muscat on visit, seeking immediate and suitable position.

Contact : 95375282

22 years of experience in Multinational Companies & reputed firms in Financial Management, Project Management, Budgeting and Cost control, seeking a strategic Financial/Management Accounting role in a dynamic organization . # +971-506178139, Email.georg_vargis01@yahoo.com A Fresh ACCA Affiliate, Pakistani male, 24 yrs, open for positions of Accounts, Audit and finance. 94541539 email: wasiqnasir_3@yahoo.com

C.A with 11 yrs experience (6 years in Oman) as Finance Manager. Contact 93731296 CA India, CPA (Australia) Qualified Indian male with more than 20 years experience in Senior position (12 yrs in Oman with valid D/L) currently on visit, seeks immediate & suitable position in a dynamic organization.

Contact 93910095 Email: reji.thomas07@gmail.com Indian male 32 years M.B.A, 5 years experience as Accountant in Qatar and 3 years experience in Marketing and Purchase department valid Qatar license is advantage, seeking suitable placement. # 93011814 Mail: shajusr@yahoo.com MBA finance graduate Indian male on visit visa one year’s internship experience in financing/marketing looking suitable marketing /finance position. Contact 95394938 Email: safeer.buzz@gmail.com Accountant male 25 CA finalist from Pakistan having 4 years experience looking for suitable position in accounts /audit currently on visit visa. Contact 98845617 Email: usmanmaqsood.ca@gmail.com CA Finalist having big four experience of more than three years seeking suitable position currently on visit visa. Contact 94663269 Email: rizwan_ravian@yahoo.com Indian male postgraduate 7.5 yrs experience in Admin /accounts /HR logistics and procurement seeking suitable placement immediately available. Contact 93164413 Indian female post Graduate MIB, B.Com 2 years experience in accounting field well versed in tally, ERP-9 Peach tree, MS Office.

Contact 97235401 Indian female 28 MBA (HR) B. Sc, 3+ years exp India & Oman HR/Admin looking for suitable placement.

Contact 95619537 Accountant Indian male M.B.A, B.com having 5 years GCC exp with valid Oman driving license & Noc available. Contact 91719385 mail: shinuyesodharan@gmail.com Indian, MBA finance looking job in accounts, finance, cost controlling 9 years experience 3 years in GCC. Contact 97138592 on visit visa.

Female M.com with tally seven years Indian experience in audit and accounting on family visit. #93213138 Indian male 34 years b.com with 7 years experience in Oman. accounting upto finalization. management accounting, budget looking for suitable post. NOC not available.

Contact 97427897.

Part Time Accounting, Accounts Finalization, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Onsite Tally Training, Inventory Management Contact : 96975454, email : ibfcoman@hotmail.com Accountant 35 years B.COM with experience in Oman urgently seeking suitable job Accountant/ Ass. Admin / HR valid driving license & NOC. Contact + 968- 99176112 Email : aamirjaved24@hotmail.com Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331 Indian female, M. Com with 6 years experience in finance, HR & Administration with Oman D/L . On family joining visa. Contact 99864846 Email: b_ralitha@yahoo.com Seeking for a job on Indian male aged 23 years qualification are BCA bachelor & computer application & accountant 1 years experience.

Contact 95386434 Email: mohammedshanid5@gmail.com Indian male, B.COM, currently in Oman on Visit Visa, Urgent seeking suitable Job Accountant / Administrative/ HR dept. have 6y. UAE experience, Valid Driving License, Knowledge of Internet ,Tally ERP9, Microsoft Office. MS EXCEL, immediately available.

Contact +968-92718733 , Email : sahashankar@gmail.com B.com doing CA Accounts/ office job male now working in Oman Noc, release available. Contact 92715465 Email: alsabathehm@gmail.com Part time Accountant with 15 years exp in Accounts, finance, audit tax management. Contact 95857199 Indian female B.com CA Inter 3 years internship completed 2 years accounting experience currently on visit visa seeking for suitable job . Contact 94682798/95736496 Email: giby2605@gmail.com Male, total 17 years experience in India & Oman - India - 9 years & Oman - 8 years In the field of procurement, material controller and accountancy - Local release available (Noc) Cont no. 91680124 , 98606546 India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placement. Contact:93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com B.Com India. Languages : English, Hindi & Malayalam. #92954613 Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate 1 year exp in Accounts, currently on visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact – 94341848 / Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com Indian M.Com Finance exp 1 year now in visiting visa. #96970734 Pakistani male, 25 yrs, MBA Finance, 1.6 yrs exp in Accounts seeking placement in Accounts, Administration or Business Management.# 92651927 / 94250149 Indian male 26 years, with 4 years experience in accounts and administration looking for suitable placement. Contact 93008891 Female with MBA finance, financial and tax professional four and half years of experience seeks suitable opportunities in reputed organizations. Contact- 99792457 Email: msparveen1@gmail.com Indian male, B.Com, Accountant – 6yrs exp in Oman, NOC availableReady to join.contact: 98162671 ; email: prasanths3@gmail.com Indian Male, 25 yrs currently in Oman on visit looking for suitable vacancies in accounts, B.Com completed 1 yr experience. Contact 92024380 Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit visa. Contact 92045306 Accounting up to finalization, auditing & contact for tally ERP software Contact– 91720465

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

IT

Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. #98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com

Project Engineer, civil engineer BSC, Building Construction 5 Years Exp in Oman fluent Arabic, English and good Indian .Contact - 97858589

IT Support Engineer Indian male with 6 years experience in system Admin/ IT support seeking suitable placement. Contact 94549589 / 99817516

Indian male- B.Com/B.Ed/15 years Exp – 5 in Oman, seeks job in Accts/Sales/Logistics have NOC and Oman D/L with car. Contact – 92919625/93511425/ 93424828; Email- seshadricpioman@gmail.com

ADMIN/HR Over 14 years of gulf experience in Admin /HR /Logistic fluent in Arabic & English with D/L , looking for suitable position. Contact 95824598 Indian female with excellent communication skills, confident, dedicated to work and enthusiastic.

Knowledge about ms office. Has 6 years of experience in customer service, telecommunication, HR.Looking for immediate placement. Contact # 97348819 Indian female 6 years experience in finance HR/ & Administration (M.Com) with Oman D/L or family joining visa. Contact 99796847 Email: rabitha.05@gmail.com MBA in Marketing and HR seeking suitable jobs. Contact 91250149 Email: hameem.husain@gmail.com Indian female MBA (HR) with Good computer proficiency and 3 years of experience. Holding Oman Driving License. Contact:-93554207 humanresourceoman@gmail.com Wanted job as Administrative, Assistant, Supervisor 10 yrs exp.

Contact 99014612 MBA Admin CRM exp female Indian.

Contact 92135280 Indian female B.Com with excellent communication available for immediate joining full time or part time in HR & Admin coordination. #98460262 Indian male, 27 yrs, MBA having 3 yrs. experience in advertising company and have through knowledge in office Co-ordination& administration, good computer proficiency on visit visa looking for suitable placement. Contact 91361534 sreejith. mv63@gmail.com Indian female, MBA (HR) and B. Sc Microbiology holder, with computer knowledge confident and enthusiastic. 6 months experience looking for immediate placement in any sector.

Contact 97151308 Smart, excellent English, double masters, 10 years Oman experience.

Immediate NOC. Contact 91229392 Young Indian male with 5 years Muscat experience in admin, purchase & Masters from UK seeks placement. Possess driving license.

Contact 94400671 Indian male MBA 32 yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking suitable placement in Admin/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics etc. Holding valid Oman D/L .Contact - 99054786

ARCHI./ DRAUGHTSMAN Indian male AutoCAD, 3ds Max , 5 years of experience here on visiting visa looking for a job.

Contact 98360268 / 99881264 Indian male, Autocad draughtman with 2 years of experience currently working in oman.seeking suitable placement.NOC available.

Contact: 94123480 Email: fahadhundred@gmail.com Female Architect 3.5 years experience looking for job, having experience in Oman AutoCAD and sketch up. Contact 96146645 Email: anjuovil@gmail.com Indian male, 1 and half years experience in Indian, Using Total station, Auto level and Auto Cad , seeking suitable placement. Contact 95140761 / 99208290 Email: binu.brijiv@gmail.com Architect (B. Arch) 3 years experience in 2D/3D CAD and construction detailing for design consultancies seeking suitable position in reputed firm. Contact 99083386 Email: nitish.nadaraajan@gmail.com Autocad D/man, Civil Engg Diploma 3 yrs, Gulf exp in architectural, structural, interior, security systems, knows 3d , NOC available.

Contact 98225740 Auotcad knows 3D,REVIT, MAX Ph : 97103168

ADVERTISING Indian Male, 28 years, have Omani driving license. NOC available, seeks job. Phone: 96245690

ARCHI./ DRAUGHTSMAN AutoCAD operator, Indian male 3 yrs experience in Auto CAD 2D & 3Ds Civil Draftsman, MAX and Photo shop, presently on visit visa seek suitable placement.

Contact 91764358 Email: mohdsiraj02@yahoo.com

BEAUTICIAN Beautician gulf exp (overseas) looking job. Contact 95175192

CATERING Arabic conti Indian B.B.Q salads Gulf experience 10 years looking for good opportunity. NOC available. Contact 97004585 / 95451027 Indian cook, Tandoori cook, male, 32 yrs, having 4 yrs of experience in Muscat in India, looking for a cook job in Hotel. Contact 93753523 / 98744307 / 92175119.

DESIGNER Modular kitchen designer with 4 years Bahrain /Dubai experience plus 10 years AutoCAD, 3D, Photoshop& 20-20 Fusion. #+96896467673, cristobabu@gmail.com Keralite Bachelor professional building designer with AutoCAD, 3D Max & Accounts. Contact 96535497, email : bhaviwky90@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Diploma Mechanical Engineer with 10 years experience in site & workshop supervising (oil & gas) with valid GCC license & good knowledge about auto-cad & primavera seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 94197342 email-jinogeorge001 gmail.com.

Mechanical Diploma Engineer Indian male 17 yrs experience include 6 yrs in Oman. Steel structural fabrication & maint. in heavy equipments. Oman driving license & NOC available seeking suitable placement. Contact 96728805 Email: jansanjosep@yahoo.co.in

BE Petroleum Engineer - 23 years, 1 year exp (6 months offshore), previously done 2 onfield internships in Oman. Seeking suitable placement.

Valid HSE PDO passport and Oman driving license holder. Contact: 97384353, wnehri@gmail.com

Elet.Engr 9+ yrs exp Noc available can join immediately. #99148940 Email: jobluk.om@gmail.com

BSc Civil Engineer over 19 years experience in construction field with project management skills, seeks suitable placement NOC available & can join immediately.

Kindly Contact: 92198264 Email: mdrana1970@gmail.com

Quality Assurance Design, BTech Elec, MBA (TQM) , IT Infrastructure(WLAN , TETRA) Security systems(CCTV AACS),Project control Engineering, Document Control / CAD Managing /Change management, Exp in Major projects, NOC available Ph : 99506977

Indian Mechanical Engineer 27 years experience in Oman for 8 years with Omani driving license looking for job change. NOC available. Contact 92986079 for short and long term contracts. Area of experience oil and GAS. Contact 92986079 Electrical Engg B.E 6+ yrs in Oman exp in ELP projects, LV , 11KV, 33KVOHL , UGC & DCRP requirements available with release/NOC valid D/L join immediately. Contact: 97601836 Email: sidm4u@gmail.com Elet Engr (13+yrs exp.) Diploma presently working as Site Engr HV & LV OHL, U/G having NOC & valid Oman D/L . # 96274568 / 95129698

Light Driver having own visa looking for job as driver.Contact 92303692

Indian- B.E Mechanical with MBA, 25 years experience last 12 years in Oil & Gas Sector in Oman. Skilled in Business Development, Sales & Marketing looking opening in oil gas trading or drilling or service companies as General manager/ country manager/ Business Development Manager. Contact -94688594 gmbdm2015oilandgas@gmail.com

Lady driver available Friday and Saturday with luxurious car in Muscat region and Sohar.

Contact 98294551.

Indian B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, 26 yrs, 4 yrs experience in HVAC/MEP. Contact 94669629, rajeevhpd15@yahoo.com

Light driver with car 7 yrs experience. Contact 91553628 / 95667138

25 years old Indian male BE in Electronics and Communication / NEBOSH presently working as Safety Officer in reputed company in India looking for suitable placement.

Contact India: 0091- 9605114343 Email: harishharinarayan@gmail.com

DRIVER

Light driver 8 years experience in Oman. Contact 95927422 Light driver. Contact 91376612 Light & heavy duty driver JCB, Shovel operator valid GCC license Indian Pakistani looking for job.

Contact 95175192 Driver available in Ruwi.

Contact 97460056 Indian male Qatar GCC heavy driver license holder looking for a good placement now on a visiting visa.

Contact 98739710.

Light duty driver with 3 years experience in Oman +5 years in Saudi Arabia speaking Hindi Arabic English. Contact 96088707 Light duty driver looking for job 2 yrs exp. Contact 98356230 Light driver job. Contact 96756014 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 92791678 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 91376612 LV Driver- 2 yrs Exp-know English- Contact 95292064

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Seeking job Electronics and Instrumentation Engineer (Indian) Indian male, Instrumentation Engineer having total 5 years of experience in electrical site execution, 1 year in Uae,presently in oman (visit visa) seeking suitable job Contact. 95690915 Email. Syam.andrews@gmail.Com Indian male 24 years, Mechanical Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience in pipeline,16years in oman seeking immediate placement Contact 95775742

Looking Part time Job in HVACContact - 93198128 Quantity Surveyor (Civil Building) looking for Part time job Contact no:-94391712 E-mail addressinayathhussain@yahoo.com Indian male, 24 years, BE Computers Science & Engn, worked as Network Engn/Network Analysis, well versed with CISCO devices. Smart, confident and good English command, ready to join ASAP, available on Contact 99797616 / 94208353 Email: abrar_met@hotmail.com Sudanese Electrical plants equipment Engineer with 3 years Diploma degree of Electrical Engineer have 5 years experience in building constructing industry operation installation maintenance asphalt crushers stone plants and automation systems. Contact 94549609 B. Sc Civil Engineer with 5 years experience and valid Omani driving license and PDO driving and safety license and OSHA safety license looking for suitable job. Contact 92548097 Sudanese chemist resident, 3 years experience in chemical industry.

Contact 97399073 Sudanese Graduate with 3 years Diploma in Civil Engineering have 5 years experience in building construction industry materials, specification & testing.

Contact 96995670 B.Sc Electronics, Tech, C.C.T.V, Security System Saudi exp 2 years total 10 years exp now on visit visa Indian. Contact 97364750 Email: bijumonjk1@gmail.com Civil Engineer (Diploma) with exp. looking for placement.

Contact 95200650

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

Indian male Mechanical Piping Engineer (BE) Done NDT course fresher on visit visa looking for job.

Contact 97359171 Graduate Indian male with 19 yrs experience in civil projects, commercial and procurement departments in oil & gas sector seeking suitable position. Contact 91251912 Email: suprarmct1975@gmail.com Civil Engineer 7 years experience in building line in Oman valid Oman D/L. NOC letter available looking for suitable placement. #96936406 Indian male B.E / B.Tech Civil /Site Engineer 3 years experience NOC D/L available. Contact 93883136 mohammedcivilengineer.mct@ gmail.com Mechanical Engineer seeking a senior position having 15 years of GCC experience operating in markets Oman, Kuwait , Bahrain & Saudi Arabia speculated in gas analysis and detection systems for Oil & Gas and petrochemical industries.

Contact 99230888 H.S.E & ELE Engineer have electrical license 4 years experience.

Contact 96076470 Email: aiashf@yahoo.com Diploma in Architect 2.5 years experience in Oman having driving.

Contact 92967404 Electrical Engineer B.E Engineer, 6 years experience in Dubai, Bahrain with G.C.C. professional licenses holding GCC driving license.

Contact 98063081 Email: imran.engr08@gmail.com Male 27 diploma in civil engineering, 8 years experience in building constriction, 6th years in Oman now looking for the job permanent base or contract base immediately also I have a Noc for permanent base.

Contact 94619501/98925718 Email: engineertanoli@gmail@gmail.com D.A.E Civil 4 years experience D/L Oman. Contact 96719649 Email: qamarsaleem52@yahoo.com .

Civil Engineer 4 years exp (3 in Oman as a Quantity Surveyor & planning engineer for road works & bridges in a big project) fluent in English & Arabic.

Contact - 93477660 B.Tech electronics & instrument, Indian male having 4 years exp in oil & gas field one years experience in Saudi, looking for suitable vacancy.

Contact 98854946 Email: alfredtjose@gmail.com Experienced female Electrical Engineer. Contact 93800906 Civil Engineer with 12 years Experience Looking For Job. Contact 98162295 Generator maintenance in charge with 4 yrs experience with Cummins, caterpillar, kirloskar and voltas. Contact - email: shibinmundakkal@gmail.com Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Aircraft Maintenance Technician with one year experience seeks suitable placement. Contact amaljohn2002@gmail.com

B.Tech Mechanical Engineer (Automobile)&Diploma in QC with 2yrs experience in oil & gas company seek suitable placement job currently on Visit Visa. Contact no.96071081, 99214308 , Email: rahulvarikkat@gmail.com Indian male, 28 diploma in fire and safety Engineering computer hardware net working 1 yr customer service experience trouble shooting technical support on visit visa.

Contact 91025050 / 98856803 Email: purujith8797@gmail.com BE/EEE Electrical Engineer Indian male 25 years having 2.5 years experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact 00968-96522624 / 92770316 contact India +91- 9994024477 / 9597539520 Electrical Engineer Indian male 29 years, having 5 years of experience in Industrial Automation & utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement. #92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 11 years exp in oil & gas industry.

Contact - 95928035 Telecom Engineer with 4.5 years Oman experience looking for a suitable opportunity, interested even in Marketing also. Possess valid Oman driving license. Contact 94145460

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 male Graduate IT Engineer Hardware networking MCITP, CCNA RHCE 3 years of experience on visit visa seeking job. Contact 94647824 Email: azharpo@gmail.com Indian female IT professional (B.Tech) on visiting visa, 1.5 yrs experience in .Net, worked in MNC, seeks suitable positions.Contact 94389666 Indian male IT prof, MCA 2 yrs exp in Oman and 3+ yrs exp in India (system admin, hardware, networking, SharePoint, PHP, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, Ajax MySQL).

NOC available. Contact 97496998 IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp, seeks suitable position.

Contact 94543668 Hardware and Network Technician with 6 years experience one year in Oman, good experience in security systems and net work cabling looking for suitable placement.. #96365220 Indian male MBA (marketing & IT) with 1 yr exp looking for suitable placement presently on visit visa.

Contact 97327997 Email: irshad.alimc@gmai.com

DAE (Civil) having 3.5 years Experience 2 years from Oman with driving licences, seeking for suitable position in Construction field NOC and release available . Contact 96968554 Email: mehranahmad26@yahoo.com

Indian male 25 B.Tech (IT) Engineer 2.5 yrs exp in hardware networking.

Currently on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact – 94359564

24 years Indian female diploma in computer science and engineering now on visit visa seek suitable placement. Contact 96314974/99107369

Hardware specialist B.Tech M.Tech electronics with 10 years experience seeks suitable opportunities in reputed organizations.

Contact 91289459 Email: shrn.shrf@gmail.com

Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, Gulf Exp in Design and Manufacturing Ph: 97097688 B.E /B.Tech civil 2-3 years.

Contact 93850875/95283064 Diploma of Associate Civil Engineering, Diploma of AutoCad, having 3.5 yrs experience, 2 yrs experience of Oman in Building Construction, valid transferrable ID Card.

Contact 94378581 Indian male, 26 yrs B-Tech (ECE) with MBA in Marketing / HR looking for a suitable placement. Currently on visit visa valid up to 30 January 2015. Contact 93754428, email : shijosirius709@gmail.com

EDUCATION Indian Female (M.Com, B.ED) 2Yrs Experience in teaching seeks suitable placement . Specialization in ( Accounting, Business studies, Human resource management, Economics). Presently in Visit Visa Status. Contact:97342709, Email: sininair27@gmail.com Pakistani Female: looking for job as English lecturer, having 5 years teaching experience in Pakistani universities, qualification M. phil English linguistics Contact no 93534255 1 year experience in teaching all subject to KG classes, currently working as a teacher in Oman, seeking suitable placement, Family visa.

Contact 92178304 / 99036256

HOSPITALITY 27 yrs Indian male, Hospitality science, Graduate with New zealand business diploma having Oman experience in money exchange firm, looking for suitable opportunities in reputed organization.NOC available.

Contact.91383167

IT

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

MISCELLANEOUS Indian female 25, BFT with excellent communication skills, confident, dedicated to work and enthusiastic. 5 yrs experience in merchandising and fashion marketing. available on family visit, seeking for a suitable job. #96990368, simmy.missy@gmail.com Looking for job of Salesman, office boy or helper. I can speak Hindi and Arabic but can read English.

Contact 94432608 Helper, Electrician, Plumber, exp Gulf & India looking for job.

Contact 95175192 Logistics Officer, Experience in Store keeping. Contact : 99505934

MEDICAL Staff Nurse working in muscat.

Looking for new opportunity.

Release / NOC letter available.

Contact 99433415 Female Dentist Indian, 28 years Dental Surgeon, 3 years of experience, Oman prometric passed with 64%, looking for a suitable placement in Muscat region. Contact 91377681 Email: hashmisarwat@gmail.com Medical- Indian female, 27 yrs, masters in hospital administration, fellowship in HTA studied in a super specialty medical sciences and research center in India and done project in an established hospital in sultanate of Oman.

Contact 93200827, 91026506 Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378

MCA, MBA, CCNA, MCSE, Indian male with 10 years of experience, holding Oman driving license on visit visa seeks any suitable placement. Contact 92716116 / 91266535 Email: sijuayur@gmail.com

Female pharmacist with 3 years experience and MOH license currently in Oman, CONTACT 92455124

Looking for job Tunisian Bachelor with experience 5 years in Network/IT. Cont.:91368102

Welder, 3G, 6G, TIG, Exp in Fabrication , Gulf Exp Ph : 97103168

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

Care taker, Gulf Exp knows Hindi, Arabic Ph: 94238840

D6

M O N DAY, M A R C H 1 6, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Purchase Manager with 14 years experience in construction industry with valid D/L & NOC .

Contact 92884811 Email: bati.rajesh@gmail.com Qualified Manager: (12+ yrs. Oman Exp.) Vast knowledge in A/c & Admin, Costing, Banking, Credit Control, Insurance, International Purchase/ Logistics & Finance, With D/L looking for suitable position.

Contact 93826090 Email: jskanchan01@gmail.com Restaurant /Catering Manager – Operations with 21 years experience with 2 years in Saudi is available on visit. Contact 98894682 Smart, excellent English, double masters. 10 years Oman experience immediate, NOC . Contact 91229392 Indian female with nine years of experience in 5 Star hotels as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager looking for a suitable placement in a reputed Star hotel. Contact: 91219787

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Indian male more than 10 years Gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin (employees visa processes), Secretarial and purchase coordination with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 99709336 Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement. Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com Indian female, well experienced in secretarial, administration, customer care & supervisory jobs.

5 years experience in Muscat.

Immediately available for joining.

Contact: 92139298

SALES / MARKETING Indian male, 15 years experience in managing department stores, in Karnataka, India, looking for placement.Contact 93086105 or 99016546 MBA (marketing & operations) with 2 years experience in marketing & operations looking for suitable placement, presently on visit visa.

Contact 97920125 Email: hareeshg111@gmail.com Indian male 23 with 2 years Oman experience looking for suitable placement in sales and marketing.

NOC available with valid D/L. Contact 96392009 Looking for suitable placement in outdoor marketing field with 6 years experience valid Omani driving license. Abundant experience of local market can handle independently with positive attitude.

Contact 99432807 Male 22, BFT Graduate, seeking job as Merchandiser, Marketing.

Contact 98660360 Indian male 34 years, having 5 years experience in Saudi as Safety Officer looking for suitable jobs in this field. Contact 94349820 Indian male, B.Com Graduate, good experience in purchase, worked in SAOC company seeks suitable position. Contact 93219971 18 yrs Oman experience in building materials seeking suitable placement, NOC available Contact 93105775

SALES / MARKETING Indian B.Com 2.5 years back office, 1.5 yrs sales, 27 yrs, MS Office, MS word, Excel. Contact 95612321 Email: jkadavil@gmail.com Salesman, building materials, Gulf exp, knows Hindi, Arabic & English.

Contact : 95516807 Indian male 9+ years experience in GCC and Indian in hardcore sales and customer service looking for buffer opportunity, holding valid Oman driving license visit visa.

Experience shipping, banking, safety products (PPE) Contact : 97132606 Indian Male having 7 yrs in experience in Oman Sales & Marketing Office Automation Printer, Copier, MFP, IT products & Stationery. Looking for Suitable Placement NOC Available Contact :9738474 Indian male 25 yrs M.B.A having More than 2 years experience in sales & marketing good communication skills Looking for a suitable job.

Contact 92152913 email: May4senthil@gmail.com Young female, having experience of working in Oman with expertise in the field of Event Management, Advertising, Marketing and Hotel Management. Currently on a visit visa. Seeking for a suitable Job. Contact 96153578 Indian female 7 yrs experience in Admin /Sales Coordination in Oman with valid Oman driving license urgently seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94176308 MBA with Oman D/L seeking marketing or sales jobs.

Contact 94143154 email: rinojnathen008@hmail.com Indian male, with 8 yrs exp in Sales Operations & accounts handling, expert in SAP & ERP applications seeks job. Contact 93345990 Indian Male, 7 yrs experience in building materials trading having Oman D/L, immediate release available. Contact 98676713 Indian male, B.Com, 20 yrs experience in Sales & Marketing having UAE light D/L looking for suitable post. Contact +91 9946699062, email : sajim40@gmail.com Well experienced restaurant Manager with Ample knowledge of sales and operations seeking suitable placement Noc available.

Contact 92953199

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Male, 27, Mechanical Engineer. HND, with exp. as Project coordinator in U.A.E, Valid GCC D/L, currently on visit, looking for a suitable position.

Contact 97070427 Indian, Male, 43 years, Chartered Accountant, 18+ years of experience, looking for a change. Valid Driving License. Release available.

Contact: aurosun@gmail.com Indian female (B.A. B.ed) seeks suitable placement as fresher primary teacher.(Specialization in social studies, currently pursuing M.A in English).Presently in family visa status. Contact:99713864.

Email:poojaavn@yahoo.com 28 year Indian male Art specialist with 7.5 yrs of experience in Healthcare industries in AR analyst (US Based Project - M.BA., Finance) seeking suitable placement. Contact +91 9841906431, E-mail: aru1986k@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS MBA fresher, with fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, looking for suitable job. Currently in Oman on visit visa. Mob : +968-93730345 Indian Teacher Female with two years experience seeks suitable placement in Indian or Omani Schools currently on visit visa please contact 99436826. Email id :- ineshdsouza31@gmail.com Diploma in Fire and Safety Engineering. Have 3.5 years of experience as an Safety Advisor.

Having a valid Omani driving license is looking for job. For further information please contact me at 96896176872, 9689808527.

Civil draughtsman expecting part time job.(civil infrastructure) and BBS. Contact :95914642 Indian male 28yr age having 6 years Gulf+ Indian experience in HR field, looking for suitable placement. Contact: 97914340, Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com MBA fresher, with fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil & Malayalam, looking for suitable job.

Currently in Oman on visit visa.

Mob : +968-93730345 Indian male Executive secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seek suitable placement.

Contact : 99514286 B.tech Mechanical Engineer : Keralite bachelor with B. Tech looking for job in Oman with three year of experience ,on Visiting Visa. Contact no.-0096891296354, Email-manurpr88@gmail.com Marketing executive + Warehouse manager ,Male 24years, 2 years exp with NOC available, GCC driving license, looking for suitable opening, please contact 97307863 Indian Male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin (employees visa processes), Secretarial and purchase with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact 99709336 Indian male, 14 years Experience in maintenance & Supervisor in hotel ( Electrical, Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) mob : 95 25 36 40 27 years, Indian optometrist , female , 3years experience looking for suitable placement in Muscat.

Contact : 92066532 EMAIL : aradhanaarun88@gmail.com Sales manager (be-mech/mba) in oman since-2005; (omn-d/l); seeking immediate replacement in marketing and sales or, bdm profile, contact-96040977, kvmssn@gmail.Com ACCA+2.5 years of experience in Accounts, Bookeeping and Audit.

Looking for job in Accounts/Finance/Internal Audit. Also worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and PeachTree. Gsm: 91717234 Email: xhoaib101@hotmail.com, Indian Male 22 years, B.Com looking for suitable placement.

Contact no. - 99894520 email- fouzishaque@gmail.com B.tech Mechanical Engineer, Keralite bachelor with B.tech looking for job in oman with a year of experience on Visiting Visa.

Contact no.-0096891296354, Email-manurpr88@gmail.com

Part- Time Accountant, well versed with all accounting, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact : 98803439 Sr. Sales Manager (BE/MBA) 9 yrs in Oman; (GCC/omn-d/l); seeking immediate replacement in mktg, sales or, bdm profile, # 96040977, kvmssn@gmail.com Planning Engineer 7 years of Experience in project planning and control in oil and gas, PDO & QP Approved Planner,PRIMAVERA-6,B. Tech in Mechanical engineering from CUSAT Contactullasprabhakaran@yahoo.co.in, ph-00974 70230223 Indian male total 17 yrs exp in field of procurement, inventory, controlling & accountancy. Local release available, seeking suitable placement. # 91680124 / 98606546 Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of Ms .Office & Tally, 4yrs experience in A/Cing & admin dept .looking for good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220 British Beauty Therapist Looking for suitable position Mob: 97175240 ACCA-UK, B.Sc (OBU-UK) having 2.8 years of experience in Accounts, Bookeeping and Audit.

Looking for job in Accounts/Finance department. Also worked on Oracle R12, Tally, Quick Books and Peach Tree. Email: AliRiazMughal@Outlook.com, Gsm: +968-95459936 Indian Male 28yr age having 6year gulf+ Indian experience in HR field, looking for suitable placement. Contact:97914340,Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com Indian male, 11 years exp.

In accounting, knowledge in tally also. Looking for a part time job.

Contact . 98983122 Female Executive Assistant/ Executive Secretary with 27+ experience, worked with top management/Board in financial services with shorthand skills & Omani driving license, seeks suitable placement. Call 95941515 Indian Female, 24 yrs MS. Software Engg. Currently on family visa, 1 year experience in SAP WM & IT seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95490105 Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available.

Capable to handle accounts up to finalization. Contact 9602 3965.

Indian female, Graduate, Certified in IATA, with 8 months experience in Travel and 2 and half years experience in Operations and HR looking for job in Field of Travel/ Office Management. Contact -92816803/ 92459686. Emailvijetadevilishangel@gmail.com MBA (international business) with 2.5 years experience in sales and also experience in vehicle spare parts (in-charge) looking for a suitable job presently on visit visa. Contact 93539456, 95765868, E mail: mathewsantony936@gmail.com INDIAN FEMALE ,Graduate, Certified in IATA, with 2 and half years experience in Admin/ Accounts and Office coordinator looking for job in Field of Travel/Office Management. Contact -92459686/ 92816803, Emailkrupa_patel1984@yahoo.com

M.V. FOR SALE

Mazda 3 hatch back, Model 2014(registered in May), automatic, white colour, with full warranty, expat lady driven single owner and km 2100. Price RO.5800.

Call 99230708 / 99312201.

Mazda 6, 2007 full options, Manual gear, excellent condition very low mileage, 76,000 km only, alloy wheels, accident free dealer maintained. Price 2,300 Only. #93642176 Car for sale Toyota Yaris 1.3, 2008 model 90000 km, hatchback.

Contact 99354340

FOR HIRE

TRUCK FOR HIRE Isuzu 10 ton cargo body truck (2012 FVR) with UAE experienced driver available for long term / short term rent.

Contact: 95346950 Foklift 7,5,3 Ton with driver – 99424338 Hire Generators, Air conditioners.

Contact 98927220 Running truck wash for rent in Ouhi Sunia Sohar. Serious people can. Contact on 97864747 50 seater bus with PDO specification for rent or lease.

Contact 99839898

SIT WANTED Part Time Accounting Job Complete Data Entry, Reporting and Finalization. Any Time Available.

Location Ruwi to Bharka. Please Contact- +968-92049215 Email:- aiafe.oman@gmail.com Indian female, 24yrs, M.Com (Accounts) having 3 yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proficiency seeks suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available. Contact: 99654913 Indian female B.Com Graduate, 4yrs experience in accounts, admin dept looking for placement in any field 98928220 Sudanese/Bsc IT/ 2 years experience/ excellent English-Arabic speaking/ Omani driving license/ # 96387227, henrykarrar@gmail.com Indian Female, B.tech bio-technology graduate. Knowledgeable in food processing techniques, having 2 yrs experieince as associate research analyst(media monitoring) in Nasdaq Omx, seeking for growth oriented job. Contact 92044603, angeline.babithac@gmail.com.

Dodge Nitro 4.0 ltr engine 2007 model 130000 kms, red colour, registration valid for one year. RO.2700/-.

Contact - 91251966 Toyota Camry white 2011 km -51000 R.O 4800/-.

Contact 99561562 Honda CRV , 2012 EX 2012 model , twilight blue liters , 34000 Km , free service package up to 60000 km expat single owner , insurance valid Oman & UAE up to August 2015 , R.O 7750/- . Contact 99069741

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished Room with attached bath for Indian Bachelor in Al Falaj area Ruwi & sharing room lady in Wadikabir. Call 95941515 Sharing Executive bachelor at Wadi Kabir. Contact 97940331 Furnished room for Executive bachelor at Ruwi. Contact 92435784 Sharing accommodation available for Exe. bachelor or single lady furnished one room with attached bathroom behind Haffa house, Ruwi.

Contact 99839629 Sharing family accommodation in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057 Room, hall, kitchen toilet in South Mabela RO 140/-. Contact 98869198 100% furnished sharing acc. brand new and perfectly maintained attached bath room, spacious kitchen etc for couples or upper class executives. Contact 99013344 1B/R available for bachelors in REX ROAD, Ruwi. Contact 99889590 Sharing room with A/C available behind Oman house.

Contact 99354340 Gubrah furnished room, attached bath dish TV, WIFI, kitchen available for Executive single person, couple.

Contact 99658689 Room in CBD area for non cooking Executive bachelors free WIFI, Advance deposit.

Contact 95934642 Room for executive bachelors (no Kitchen) including W/E. 125 RO. Contact 98949724

SIT WANTED CAT (UK) , ACCA (UK) , 3 year experience. (including one year experience in EY world 3rd largest audit firm) looking for reputed company for a job of Internal Audit, Finance and Accounting.

Contact no: 00923008833525

M O N DAY, M A R C H 1 6 , 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

TOURS

RENT A CAR

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 98505294 Transportation. Contact 99664703 Picking and drop. Contact 96743215

RENT A CAR

Transportation. Contact 98518979 Transport to ISWK. Contact 93172589 Transportation . Contact 98178135 Transportation available.

Contact 95570429 Transportation. Contact 91379976 Pick & Drop any time.

Contact 97014786 Pick & drop anytime in al Khuwair.

Contact 99764307

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

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M O N DAY, M A R C H 1 6, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

WEBSITE

MANPOWER

Canada, Legal jobs for Construction, Hotel, Medical and Gas & Oil Staffs.

Free recruitment. Please send CV to margholdingimmigration@gmail. com, 00973 35030992 Bahrain office.

COMPUTER

CLASSES

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

DRIVING

Available construction workers, hospital staff with Oman parametric, housemaids Indian, Uganda.

Contact 9629417/98408488 Email: alkubratrading@gmail.com

MATRIMONIAL Alliance seeking from Menon/Nair parents of professionally qualified grooms for a B.Tech graduate girl hails from Palakkad (23, Makeeram – 1 dosham), presently working in Dubai and staying with parents.

Please contact +968-92146800.

Preference to Palakkad, Trichur & Malabar side boys.

Lady Trainer available for driving classes in Seeb area. Knows Hindi, English, Arabic & Baluchi.

Contact 98869198

BUSINESS

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

Tamil Muslim parents looking for boys from good reputed family B.S.C smart, 23 yrs.# 99443236 after 6 pm

Air conditioning split A/C, Ducted split & package A/C, maintenance & installation. Contact 98667326

Keralite Syrian Christian Parents seeking alliance from any Syrian Christian Denominations Graduated working girls preferably in Oman or UAE for their son MBA 29/175-born brought up in Muscat working in a reputed organization. # 97226324 email: m4proposal@yahoo.com

Cheapest prices all types window, curtains and Blinds.

Contact 99539521

We are looking for a Muslim Girl for our son interested parents or daughter May. Contact 97664009

Carpet & sofa shampooing. Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99884591 / 92682970

Tutoring ACCA/CAT subjects, passing exams by expert lectures.

Contact +( 968) 99229700

Cleaning services, carpet & sofa shampooing, marble restoration (grinding) and polishing, pest control, fogging service. Contact 99448057, 95401996

GOOD NEWS

GOOD NEWS

Cheapest Prices, all types window, curtains and blind.

Contact 99539521

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba. # 99639695 / 99117987 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 , www.siddhayur.com 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

Computer service/ AMC/ Networking. Contact 91339882

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

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

Grade -1 tender board construction LLC Company looking for joint ventures on a larger scale or partners who can invest 70% of the capital.

Email: civilprojects57@gmail.com Coffee shop business partner required. Contact 95212017

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 House shifting. Contact 99708138 House shifting packing.

Contact 99657644, 98518013

Split & window unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact 99557080

GULF INTERNATIONAL LLC. all kind of pest control. #92326955

Window & spilt unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476

Pest control & cleaning services professionals in pest control service bedbugs treatment, rodent, treatment, snake treatment and termite treatment, pre and post construction. Contact 93098450, 96408964, fax : 24472116

AC service repair and maintenance.

Contact 95356877 We offer you the business services maintenance of buildings and villas for paint and carpentry and decoration works and installation of material awater Broof and cleaning services building management and leasing of real estate . Contact 99070093 Cold store freezer, chiller A/C installation and maintenance.

Contact 92279370 Cheap website / software development, SEO, SMO, SMM, APP store optimization, apps for IOS, Android, windows, blackberry. Contact 95526871, www.ashterzsoft.com

A/C maintenance split A/C servicing. Contact 94217681/ 99210141 Pest Control Treatments, Termites, Cockroaches, Bedbugs. Contact Ocean Centre LLC. #99344723 Carpet & sofa shampooing. Ocean Centre LLC.# 99884591 / 92682970 Feasibility study, market research, financial analysis of companies.

(968) 99229700

NRI

Door to Door Computers repair specialist laptop software Website cartridges. Contact 99199376 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Marble polishing & crystallization, building cleaning floor, floor polishing, carpet, sofa shampooing, pest control, anti termite shifting, maintenance. Contact 99504275 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

Spacious, 2BHK flat for sale at Hebbal Bangalore. # 96263157

LOST Mohammed Suhaghan Mohammed has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AB 3415558. Finder please handover to ROP