Times of Oman - March 17, 2015

44

20

ART OF COOKING 2015

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

68-page cookery book containing recipes from top chefs with today’s edition.

DIGEST VIDEO Top stories in one minute with our new daily Digest

CHEF’S SPECIAL

TUESDAY, March 17, 2015 /26 Jumada Al Ula 1436 AH

timesofoman.com

wtimesofoman.com

facebook.com/timesofoman

twitter.com/timesofoman

blog.timesofoman.com

Tourism taxis aim to be smart choice for Oman The implementation of the field work is going to start from April and the estimated date for the launch of the initiative is mid of July Salim Sultan Al Abri Expert of tourism initiatives, minister’s office

Tourism smart taxis will be equipped with the latest technologies and devices

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com

TOURISM BOOSTING INITIATIVE: An agreement has been signed with a Singaporean company to shift from the current system to the new one. — Times file picture

ECONOMY

MUSCAT: ‘Tourism smart taxis’ will be introduced in Muscat soon, in a bid to enhance the experience of customers and help increase drivers’ income, said an official at the Ministry of Tourism.

Tourism smart taxis will be equipped with the latest technologies and devices that will allow for advance booking, smart communications, tracking, taxi meter charging, billing and service monitoring, said Salim Sultan Al TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

Producers cut costs as crude prices fall A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oil producers in Oman, including majority stateowned Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), are resorting to cost-cutting measures in view of the plunging crude prices in the international market.

All oil companies are reviewing their operations and identifying areas for saving costs, said Salim Nasser Al Aufi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas. Oman Crude declined by more than 50 per cent in the last one year to touch $52.35 per barrel on Monday.

Al Aufi was interacting with the media on the sidelines of the Oman Refining and Petrochemical Conference (and exhibition) here on Monday.

The conference and exhibition, which is being held between March 16 and 18 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre, was organised by Omanexpo, in association with World Refining Association.

“PDO has an intensive programme now to look at all the operations to identify areas they can optimise and they are doing that,” Al Aufi said, adding, “I know they have identified quite a number of opportunities that they will announce during the forthcoming press conference in April.”

48,000 bpd was the output from Harweel enhanced oil recovery project

$52.35 was the average price of Oman crude oil per barrel on Monday

Further, major producers like PDO and Occidental have gone back to their contractors for identifying areas of cost cutting.

However, he said there is no set target for cutting cost.

The only stipulation from the ministry is that Omanis should not be retrenched from employment.

Al Aufi also noted that there is no slowdown in investment to develop oil projects, which include drilling and other production activities, and added, “Everything is going on as planned.”

Referring to the country’s anticipated oil production this year, the undersecretary said the earlier set production target of 980,000 barrels is intact. >A6

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said blesses launch of National CEO Program

OMAN

Sultan’s Special Force Marks its Annual Day

1

The Sultan’s Special Force celebrated its annual day.

Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office patronised over the ceremony. >A4

OMAN

Rain hits several parts of Sultanate

2

Rain lashed several parts of Oman on Monday afternoon as water submerged roads, resulting in wadis overflow in the wilayats of Izki and Samail. >A6

SPORT

Oman are Asian tent pegging champions

3

In championships held in India, Omani squad won the Asian title while also clinching overall second place in the international event. >C1

A5

Abri, expert of tourism initiatives, minister’s office.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Al Abri said that the initiative was undertaken by a committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Royal Oman Police (ROP), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Muscat Municipality.

Feasibility study An agreement has been signed with a Singaporean company to shift from the current system to the new one, he said, adding that the feasibility study has already been finalised.

According to him, the pilot project will be executed at 3, 4, and 5 star hotels in Muscat as well as Port Sultan Qaboos and if the project is successful, it will be extended to other parts of Muscat and outside Muscat as well.

The implementation of the field work is going to start from April and the estimated date for the launch of the initiative is mid

of July this year, said Al Abri.

The official also explained that high standards regarding safety, engine requirements, life of the vehicle and similar issues have been set for the taxis joining the new fleet.

Training As part of the initiative, certain training programmes will be held for taxi drivers to help them operate and maintain the new systems, improve their language and communications skills and keep a clean appearance, he added.

Advertisement In addition, Al Abri said that the ‘tourism smart taxi’ initiative will also help increase the income of taxi drivers as advertisements can be displayed on the body of the vehicle and also the drivers will be allowed to sell water bottles or snacks inside the taxi.

The smart devices installed in the taxi will also help them save time and consume less fuel, which is good for the environment as well, he stated. >A6

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

PRESIDENT OF IRELAND

HM sends greetings MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to President Michael Daniel Higgins of Ireland on the occasion of his country’s National Day. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere greetings along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to President Higgins and the friendly people of Ireland further progress and growth. — ONA INDIAN SCHOOLS

1,900 students on waiting list for admission RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Results of the first draw for admissions to the six Indian schools in the Muscat capital area were announced, with 1,900 students being kept on the waiting list.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Wilson George, chairman, Indian schools in Oman, said 1,900 students have been wait-listed as the number of applicants far exceeded the available seats in the six Indian schools in the capital.

“However, there are seats which are left to be allocated in afternoon shifts at Mabela and Seeb,” he said. In the afternoon section both schools can accommodate around 400 students.

This year, the Board received around 5,000 applications for admissions in various classes in Indian schools. >A6

A2

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

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

FTTH is a state-of-the-art technology that provides high speed internet broadband with speeds of more than 150 MB per second.

Said Abdullah al Ajmi, vice president of Omantel Integrated Networks Unit

Omantel rolls out fibre-to-the-home Coverage plan of Omantel's new broadband technology Areas under FTTH coverage

1

2

Muscat Al Khoudh 6 , Al Maabela (Phase 3,4,6) , Madinat Al Nahdha in Amerat (Phase 1&2), The Wave Muscat, Muscat Hills, Baushar New Business Area (Phase 1), Al Muna, Al Qurm 29, Ras Al Hamra new residential areas in Watiyah, Hilat Al Sad, Madinat Sultan Qaboos

13

4

Dhofar Salalah Down Town, Garden Mall, Auqad, Industrial Area at Raysut

3

Al Wusta Duqm ( City Centre ), Khaluf

4

Buraimi Arth Al Jaw ( 1st stage)

14

6

Muscat Al Sarooj, Madinat Al Ialam, Al Khoudh 7, Al Maabela ( 5,7,8 and 9) expansion of the new business area in Baushar (1st stage) , Bandar Al Jissah project

7 10

5 11

9

1 12

3

6 2

6

Dhofar Sahnout, Auqad North, Taqa Al Sharqiyah, Shaleem (the Wilayat centre)

Source: Omantel

new generation of broadband, will open new horizons to use internet, especially for applications that require high bandwidth and speeds such as e-education, e-examination etc

8

North Al Batinah Muwailih , Al Huwail, Deel Al Braik in Saham, Al Uqr in the wilayat of Shinas , Al Batha in south of Wilayat Suwaiq

9

Al Dakhiliyah Al Seeh Al Ahmer in Bidbid, Izki Heights, Nizwa (Firq)

10

Al Dhahirah Al Dareez and Al Dishi in the Wilayat of Ibri

11

North Sharqiyah Al Ayoon in Al Mudhaibi and Al Safalah in Ibra

12

South Al Sharqiyah Al Aijah and Al Ghalilah in the Wilayat of Sur, Sur (Al Ais)

13

South Al Sharqiyah Qroon Al Said in Diba, Khasab (Ras Bani Al Boor)

14

Al Buraimi Al Jaw land (2nd stage) Graphics

Times News Service

FTTH, which is the

South Al Batinah Hai Al Sarh, the Industrial Area, Shabikah in the wilayat of Al Rustaq

8

Areas Planned for coverage in 2015

5

7

MUSCAT: Omantel has launched a project to introduce fibre-tothe-home (FTTH) technology in Oman that will provide the fastest and most comprehensive range of internet applications.

The introduction of FTTH would can provide a comprehensive variety of entertainment options for both the home and business users through a high speed connection network. The FTTH technology will also provide internet users with high speed internet services that will support services such as high definition video, video on demand, e-education etc.

The project has been implemented in phases starting with the main towns of different governorates. FTTH has also been provided in areas located outside the main towns. The company will continue its endeavour to extend

FTTH to newly planned areas as an alternative to copper cables that were used in the past.

Commenting on the service, Said Abdullah Al Ajmi, vice president of Omantel Integrated Networks Unit said, “FTTH is a state-of-the-art technology that provides high speed internet broadband with speeds of more than 150 MB per second. We, at Omantel are very proud of being the first telecommunication company to provide this service many years ahead in Muscat.”

“There is a growing demand for home broadband and modern technologies which have urged us to adopt a strategy to build new fibre optic plant networks in newly-planned areas.”

FTTH provides customers with unmatched benefits including high speed and reliability regardless of the distance between the customer and the central exchange.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO DOWNLOAD OUR FREE WHATSNEWS APP

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

SAFETY ISSUES

Parents welcome Indian schools’ plan for buses Times News Service MUSCAT: A majority of parents of Indian schools have expressed relief after the school authorities offered a school-approved and monitored transport system starting from the next academic year.

“We have to ensure the safety of our children, so it is a great move by the school management committee,” said A Seal, a parent of a student from the Indian School Muscat.

The parents also said the entire scenario will change once the school transportation system comes into force.

“Right now, driver discipline is a matter of concern as some of them lack discipline and are not punc-

A3

tual. As the schools did not have their own buses, they were forced to depend on contractors, and the school authorities did not have any control over them,” said S Basu, another parent.

She also said that students are now crammed together into some of the buses.

Dangerous “The seating capacities of some of the private buses are right now less than 30, but sometimes they carry more than 40 students. There is also no facility of strapping them, which is also very dangerous,” said Samit, a parent.

The parents also said that they do not mind paying 15 per cent more when it concerns the safety

of their children. “Safety comes first,” they said.

One of the biggest advantages with these buses will be the tracking system.

“It will help you to know where the buses are, and monitor the pick-up and drop. You will be informed in case a bus takes the wrong route or in the event of an unscheduled stop or delay,” said officials.

Right now, all that some parents are left with are couple of phone numbers of drivers. “We become paranoid if our child reaches even 10 minutes late, but there is nothing we can do,” they said.

Board officials said that they would be monitoring the speed as well as scheduling of the buses.

“If the vehicle is travelling at high speed, the drivers will be warned,” said Wilson George, chairman, Indian schools of Oman.

High cost In 2013, Indian School Darsait (ISD) had floated the idea of running school buses, but there were no takers, as parents did not agree to the high cost.

“We did not get a good response from the parents at that time,” admitted a board official.

However, after the Pakistan School bus crash, ISD sent out letters to parents and now most of them have agreed with the proposal. “There is tremendous interest in the school transportation system now,” he said.

The pilot project for the transport system will start from the ISD next month and will be implemented later in all schools in the capital.

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

Overseas PhD for 28 Omani students The Omani students majored in medicine, engineering, political science and Information Technology etc

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

Times News Service MUSCAT: Twenty-eight Omani students, comprising 22 males and six females, got their PhD degrees from various universities across the world in 2014, according to the Ministry of Higher Education.

The Omani students majored in medicine, engineering, political science and Information Technology in addition to nursing, Arabic and English literature. Some also did their PhDs in education, business management, geology and defence studies, apart from philosophy, criminal law and business law.

The students had completed their studies from top universities, according to the Ministry of Higher Education.

The institutions the Omani students got their doctorates from included University Paris 1 Pantheon, The University of British Colombia, The Australian National University, and University of Soosah apart from The University of Nottingham, University of Leeds, University of Tasmania and the University of Exeter.

They also majored from institutions such as University of Pretoria, University of Bristol, International Islamic University Malaysia and University Sains Malaysia in addition to Lincoln University and Hokkaido University among others.

A4

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

OMAN

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

SULTAN’S FORCES DISPLAY LOYALTY Times News Service

MUSCAT: Sultan’s Special Forces (SSF) celebrated Annual Day under the patronage of Gen Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office, on Monday morning.

Upon his arrival at the military parade field, the SSF Commander received Gen Al Nu’amani after which the national anthem was played and the graduates saluted the chief guest.

The Sultan’s Special Forces also celebrated the graduation of new batch of soldier recruits.

The peace of honour music was played and the graduates paid the military salute to the minister.

Then, the chief guest presented appreciation certificates to the top graduates.

Then, the graduates proclaimed thrice Long Live His Majesty Sul-

tan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Al Nu’amani also awarded the excellent service and the Royal praise for a number of officers of the Sultan’s Special Forces in recognition of their service, dedication and devotion to duty.

The function was attended by Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs and the head of the Internal Security Service and a number of commanders of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, the military and security services, and a gathering of officers and non-commissioned officers and members of the Sultan’s Special Forces.

Gen Al Nu’amani also pinned medals of excellent service and Royal commendation on a number of SSF commissioned and noncommissioned officers in recognition of their dedication and sincerity in carrying out the sacred duty.

A5

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

Tweet all about it

OMAN

HM blesses national CEO training project

PA S S P O R T, V I S A S E R V I C E

Indian embassy’s agent shifts base Qurum park

Muttrah Darsait Police Stadium

Dr Ali Qassim Jawad

Advisor to The Royal Court of Diwan

12-month programme for latest leadership thinking and research. –Supplied photo

This is a strategic initiative aimed at identifying and developing world-class competitive Omani CEOs

Times News Service MUSCAT: With the blessings of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Public Private Partnership Committee, on Monday announced the launch of the National CEO Program (NCP) under the supervision of the Institute of Capability Development at the Diwan of the Royal Court.

The committee also urged applicants from the Omani private sector to apply online at www.ceo.om.

The NCP is a unique programme for senior Omani private sector executives. This is a strategic initiative aimed at identifying and developing world-class competitive Omani CEOs so as to help maximise the performance of the private

sector and the nation’s economy.

The NCP provides a powerful learning experience built on three key methodologies. The participants are involved in a sixmodule 12-month programme for latest leadership thinking and research. This included individual one-on-one and team leadership coaching, a powerful application process that focuses on developing strategic projects for the country and the creation of a cross-sector, cross-region community of senior private sector leaders.

Applications for the first group of 30 participants from the private sector will be open from March 17 to April 11, 2015. The selection process for the programme has been designed to be transparent,

rigorous and fair. Potential candidates will apply and be assessed online prior to being invited for both a competency-based and a panel interview.

The Advisor to The Royal Court of Diwan Dr Ali Qassim Jawad said, “Oman’s private sector is a catalyst for socio-economic growth in the Sultanate. It has limitless capacity and potential to play a lead role in commercial development. Equipping private sector leaders with latest thinking, skills and capabilities, will support the sector’s sustainable national, regional and international competitiveness and growth. We encourage private sector leaders to visit our online portal www.ceo. om and apply to participate in this unique learning journey.”

This transformational learning journey is built on strategic partnerships with IMD, one of the world’s premier international business schools, and McKinsey & Company, the leading global management consulting firm.

IMD will be leading the knowledge sessions. On this occasion Professor Michael Wade, profes-

CBO PLANS

Sharia Authority to focus on Islamic banking initiative Times News Service MUSCAT: The first meeting of the High Sharia Supervisory Authority was held on Monday, on the premises of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO).

All the members, including Shaikh Dr Kahlan bin Nabhan Al Kharoosi, Shaikh Dr Abdullatif bin Mahmood Al Mahmood, Dr Said Bouheraoua, Ahmed Suhaimi bin Yahya and Dr Yaqoob bin Mohammed Al Waily attended the meeting.

Hamood Sangour Al Zadjali, the executive president welcomed the members and wished them success in performing their roles as members of the Authority. He stated that the CBO is looking forward to benefitting from their knowledge and experience in ‘Fiqh’, Islamic banking and finance in order to address the

LUXURY SHIP DOCKS AT SALALAH PORT

A luxury cruise ship visited Salalah Port on Monday with 624 passengers on board, including 333 tourists as part of its tour programme to a number of ports around the world. The luxury ship’s programme includes tours to the most important archeological and historic landmarks. apart from sea beaches in the Governorate of Dhofar.

Europe. The tourist cruise ship had earlier docked at the Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat as part of its itinerary and would now be heading for the Aqaba Port in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.-ONA

common interests. The formation of the Authority is a major step towards accomplishment of the CBO’s efforts since the roll out of Islamic banking in the Sultanate.

The Royal Decree No. 69/2012 opened the doors to Islamic banking in the Sultanate through amendments in the Banking Law No. 114/2000, which allowed banking activities by full-fledged Islamic banks or standalone Islamic banking windows of conventional banks.

The members elected Shaikh Dr Kahlan Bin Nabhan Al Kharoosi as chairman of the Authority and Shaikh Dr Abdullatif bin Mahmood Al Mahmood as deputy chairman. The Authority also noted the proposal to appoint a coordinator/secretary and specified his responsibilities.

There was a presentation to the Authority on the legal and

regulatory framework of Islamic banking entities and their performance since the inception of business in January 2013 to December 2014.

In December 2012, CBO had issued a comprehensive Islamic Banking Regulatory Framework (IBRF), covering regulatory and supervisory aspects of Islamic banking, to ensure the smooth functioning, soundness and stability of the Islamic banking industry in the Sultanate.

The IBRF provides detailed instructions and guidelines on the issues relating to licencing and supervision of Islamic banking entities based on the best regional and international experiences and practices.

Earlier, the Board of Governors approved the appointment of scholars as members of the Authority.

sor of innovation and strategic information management said, “At IMD, we are proud to be a part of the transformational journey to develop a cadre of inspiring global leaders within Oman.

The participants in the programme will learn about the latest thinking on traditional management topics such as market growth, finance, communications, and strategy. In addition, they will cover cutting edge topics like digital business transformation, board effectiveness, and managing in an environment of disruptive innovation. They will also develop a deep understanding of their leadership skills and embark on a journey to become more inspirational and effective leaders.”

The programme is not only designed to improve the leadership capabilities of next-generation Omani CEOs through knowledge sessions but includes a fundamental component of inter-modular project work. In small groups, participants will embark on developing ambitious projects designed to enhance Oman’s status as a global leader, both now and in the future.

TAMIMAH COMPLEX

Times News Service MUSCAT: BLS International, to whom the Embassy of India, has outsourced passport, visa and passport related miscellaneous services, is shifting to a new location from March 22.

A press release from the Indian embassy stated that the address of the new location of BLS International is as given in the chart above: Fourth floor (C Block), Al Tamimah Building (Polyglot

Ruwi round-about

Am era t

500m

RUWI

Sheraton

ir ab iK

GLOBAL COMPETITION: The participants of National CEO Program are involved in a six-module

Al Kh uw ai

r

Toyota

d Wa

Equipping private sector leaders with latest thinking, skills and capabilities, will support the sector’s growth

Khoula Hospital

Institute), Way No 327, Building No 1340 Wattayah, Muscat.

Their premise at present is the Al Makhtabi Building, (Wattayah) Due to shifting to new premises, BLS International will remain closed on March 21 (Saturday), the release stated.

BLS International LLC was once again awarded contract for outsourcing of passport, visa and attestation services on behalf of the Embassy of India Muscat effective from January 1, 2015.

NAT I O NA L E C O N O M Y

Tourism Ministry signs MoUs to support SMEs MUSCAT: The Ministry of Tourism on Monday signed a number of agreements and MoUs with banks to support and develop SMEs in Oman .

The agreements and MoUs were signed on behalf of the Ministry of the Tourism by Ahmed bin Nasser Al Meherzi, Minister of Tourism while they were signed from the other side by the chairmen of the Boards of Oman Development Bank, Bank Muscat, Oman Arab Bank and National Bank of Oman.

The Minister of Tourism said that the agreements and MoUs

came after two years of looking for a mechanism to support SMEs operating in the field of tourism. As per the terms of these agreements, priority will be given to supporting SMEs. Symposium follow-up He also pointed out that the agreements come as part of a series of measures taken by the Ministry of Tourism to implement the decisions of Seih Al Shamikhat Symposium on SMEs in 2013, as well as the decisions follow up symposium, which was held at SQU early this year. – ONA

A6

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 This is a positive step and the initiative taken by the Ministry of Tourism aligns with guest expectations and the very best taxi services in the world.

David Todd, General Manager and Director of Operations Northern Gulf at InterContinental Muscat

OMAN

Several wilayats of Sultanate hit by rains adjoining areas, which could bring thundershowers,” the Oman Meteorology Department said.

Partly cloudy skies are expected over the northern parts of Oman on Tuesday with chances of isolated rain – Supplied picture

Times News Service MUSCAT: Rains hit several parts of Oman on Monday afternoon resulting in submerged roads and overflowing wadis in the wilayats of Izki and Samail.

Medium to heavy rain fell in the wilayats of Sohar, Shinas,

OFFICIAL VISIT

Liwa and Rustaq. Other wilayats of Buraimi, Mahda, Ibri and Izkia apart from Nizwa, Hamra, Bidyah and Ibra received light to medium rainfall. Bidbid, Mudhaibi, Sur and Awabi in addition to Nakhal and Suwaiq also witnessed light to medium rainfall.

Wadis Bani Omar, Mahram,

Diqal and Harmi in addition to Tanuf, Kamah and Hawasnah overflowed.

“Partly cloudy skies are expected over northern parts of the Sultanate on Tuesday with chances of isolated rain. There is a possibility of convective clouds developing over Al Hajar Mountain and the

Low level clouds The met department also forecast late night to early morning low level clouds or fog over the governorates of South Al Sharqiya, Al Wusta and Dhofar. They also warned that the sea could get rough. The chances of dust blowing over the deserts and open areas were also predicted.

One minor rain-related road accident was reported, but there were no casualties. Public Authority for Civil Aviation PACA has called on the public to be cautious and not cross wadis during the rain. In the recent past, there have been frequent reports of casualties in accidents due to drivers indulging in daredevilry on the slippery roads and while crossing overflowing wadis.

– ONA

Bin Alawi receives key Iranian official MUSCAT: Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minster Responsible for Foreign Affairs received in his office Abdallahaan Amir Hussein, assistant foreign minister for Arab and African Affairs in the Islamic Republic of Iran, who is on an official visit to the Sultanate.

During the meeting, an invitation was handed over to Alawi from Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs to attend the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement Or-

ganisation, due to be held in Tehran next June.

The meeting discussed aspects of the bilateral cooperation between the two friendly countries and exchanged viewpoints on regional and international issues of common concern. The meeting was attended by Ahmed bin Yousef Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic Affairs, the Iranian ambassador to the Sultanate and a number of officials in the Foreign Ministry. — ONA

L I F E S T Y L E S H O P P I N G D E S T I NAT I O N

More than 10m shoppers flocked to City Centre Muscat; footfall, sales rise City Centre Muscat also hosted unique exciting events and activities in the past year—in line with Majid Al Futtaim’s vision to create great moments for everyone, every day—which contributed to the destination’s popularity.

Times News Service MUSCAT: More than 10 million shoppers flocked to City Centre Muscat in 2014, hundreds of thousands more than the year before, mall bosses have revealed.

City Centre Muscat, the first and largest lifestyle shopping destination in Oman, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim, the region’s leading shopping mall, retail, and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa, has recorded a significant increase in footfall and sales in 2014.

Destination for shopping More than 10 million shoppers visited the destination for shopping, dining and entertainment, representing a 7 per cent increase compared to the previous year, while retailers enjoyed almost a 10 per cent increase in sales from the previous year.

Important enhancements by City Centre Muscat in 2014 contributed to this growth, including the launch ECONOMY

< FROM

A1

Oil output up slightly

“We can touch one million barrels per day any time provided every well and every facility run (uninterrupted) and there is no scheduled or unscheduled deferment,” he clarified.

Al Aufi noted that the production has gone up slightly, which was mainly contributed by Harweel enhanced oil recovery project. After reopening Harweel, it came back better than expected.

“We almost reached 48,000 barrels per day from this oilfield,” he said.

The undersecretary earlier said PDO’s operations in all its oil clusters are economical since the average cost of crude production is around $27 per barrel, but some of these capital expenditures are for future production. However, the operating cost alone for PDO is around $10 per barrel, he said earlier.

MEETING NEED OF SHOPPERS: Important enhancements by City Centre Muscat in 2014 contributed to this growth. — Supplied picture

of a 10-screen VOX Cinemas, the renovation of Magic Planet, the mall’s food court dining area, and the addition of a new car park facility accommodating 700 vehicles, for a total of 2,250 car park spaces available across the mall.

“In response to the needs of our shoppers, Majid Al Futtaim’s

investment in City Centre Muscat has positively influenced the mall’s sales and footfall, while benefiting residents and tourists through enhanced shopping, dining and entertainment experiences”, said Husam Al Mandhari, Senior Mall Manager for City Centre Muscat.

S M A R T TA X I S

< FROM

A1

International operators experience to be utilised

Al Abri noted that an international operator from London, Singapore or San Francisco, three major cities with extensive and successful experience in this field, will be chosen to help implement the initiative and monitor the new services.

The ‘tourism smart taxis’ brand may later be changed to ‘smart taxi Oman’ and the experience, if successful, can be applied to ordinary taxis as well, he said.

Positive step Welcoming the initiative, David Todd, General Manager and Director of Operations Northern Gulf at InterContinental Muscat, described the initiative as a “positive step” taken by the Ministry of Tourism which “aligns with guest expectations and the very best taxi services in the world.”

Marwan Al Zadjali, Communications Coordinator, Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, said that the initiative will help develop tourism in Oman and the taxi meter feature, in particular, will make transport more convenient for tourists but may not be welcomed by taxi drivers themselves.

Haggling Having a taxi meter system is more convenient than negotiating the price because some drivers overcharge the guests who are new to the country and may not be familiar with the rates, he said.

However, it will affect the taxis themselves as some are living on these negotiations and the introduction of taxi meter will negatively impact their income.

“They have been negotiating (the fees) for many years and are

INDIAN SCHOOLS

A1 3,100 students accommodated

Tentative vacancies According to tentative vacancies this year, the Indian School Muscat had 400 vacant seats, Indian School Darsait has 290 seats, Indian School Ghubrah has 135 and Indian School Wadi Kabir has 608 along with 407 vacant seats in the Indian School Seeb and 538 vacancies in the Indian School Mabella.

used to it. So they may not be very accepting of the idea of meters although it is something for the good of the country.”

The advertisement feature of the initiative is something that can help them a little, he added.

The initiative is good for the guests, Al Zadjali said, adding, “If the country is developing itself, it should consider all areas including the taxis, and the Ministry of Tourism should really work on it.”

Features Detailing the features of tourism smart taxis, Al Abri said that foreign visitors will be able to book these taxis before arriving in Muscat and a passenger can track the taxi when it is coming to the station. “You can also evaluate the drivers and choose the driver you want.”

O M A N I - K U WA I T I

< FROM

“However, in the first list we have managed to accommodate only 3,100 students as only 2,400 seats were available when we opened the admission process this year,” claimed the chairman.

Enriching experiences.

Visitors appreciated the opportunity to engage with the community and participate in innovative and enriching experiences.

City Centre Muscat’s positive performance during the last year complements the mall’s current redevelopment plans, which, once completed in 2015, will represent a retail expansion of 10,000 square metres at a cost of OMR27 million.

The mall will welcome 60 additional new shopping outlets featuring a diverse collection of lifestyle-oriented brands, as well as a new dining zone, with five new casual-dining restaurants featuring different international cuisine concepts.

However, the quota has come under severe strain for classes like KG 1 and Class I as it had received more than double the applicants.

“For the rest of the classes we have managed to accommodate more or less everybody,” said the chairman.

He also admitted said that it would be “real challenge” to accommodate everybody.

For KG1, there were around 1,500 vacant seats and for Class I there were 369 seats across six schools.

It would seem that admissions in Indian schools in Muscat have

begun to resemble a mad scramble. “I have been trying to get my daughter admitted for the last six months,” admitted a parent.

Short of ‘a nightmare’ Another parent, Sudha, said finding an Indian school for her daughter has been nothing short of “a nightmare.”

“I was shocked to find my daughter ’s name missing from the first list. If his name is not in the second list, I may have to return to India. I never thought it would be so difficult,” she added.

The next draw will be in the first week of April.

Media forum concludes MUSCAT: Omani-Kuwaiti Media Forum, themed ‘Meet to Promote,’ concluded on Monday.

The forum came up with a number of recommendations that enhance the political, media and economic relations between the two countries.

Mansoor Al Ajmi, SecretaryGeneral of the Forum delivered a speech during which he pointed out that the forum aimed at opening important channels for enhancing the Omani-Kuwait relations. — ONA

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 Other captive members of government, which offered its resignation in January, would also be released in a ‘goodwill gesture’ by the Houthi militia that would “push forward” UN-brokered reconciliation efforts Khalid Bahah, Yemeni Prime Minister

INTERNAL STRIFE

Yemen premier says Houthis ready to end his house arrest SANAA: Yemeni Prime Minister Khalid Bahah said that he was poised to leave the capital Sanaa on Monday after Houthi militia agreed to free him from two months of house arrest.

Bahah said on his Facebook page that other captive members of his government, which offered its resignation in January, would also be released in a “goodwill gesture” by the Houthi militia that would “push forward” UN-brokered reconciliation efforts.

Yemen’s President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has said he never accepted the Bahah government’s resignation and has called on ministers to join him in Yemen’s second city Aden where he established his authority after escaping from Sanaa last month.

Defence Minister General Mahmud Subaihi reached Aden this month, escaping following a firefight with Houthi militiamen that killed at least one of his guards.

But Bahah said that his government “does not intend to act as caretaker due to the exceptional circumstances” in the country.

No immediate plans He also announced no immediate plans to travel to Aden, saying he would head to his native province of Hadramawt in the southeast to visit his family. Bahah said he had been held under house arrest by the Houthis since January 19 — three days before he tendered his resignation. He was one of a string of government members detained by the militia whose release the UN has repeatedly demanded. — AFP

A7

REGION

Waiting for US action after Kerry comments: Al Assad In Damascus, local media touted US Secretary of State John Kerry’s statement as a reversal of US policy

DAMASCUS: Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad said on Monday he was waiting for action from Washington after US Secretary of State John Kerry acknowledged talks with Damascus were necessary to end the country’s conflict.

The weekend remarks by the top US envoy were quickly clarified by his spokeswoman, who said Washington’s policy was unchanged and Assad had no role in Syria’s future.

But in Damascus, local media touted Kerry’s statement as a reversal of US policy, and Assad said he was waiting to see whether they would be followed by action.

Still listening “We are still listening to the comments and we have to wait for the actions and then we’ll decide,” the Syrian leader told Iranian television in remarks carried by Syrian state media.

Assad has long accused Washington of “supporting terrorism” because of its backing for the Syr-

QUICK REACTION: A handout picture released on Monday by the official Syrian Arab News Agency

shows Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, centre right, meeting with Iranian Minister of Economy and Finance Ali Tayebnia, centre left, and an accompanying delegation in Damascus. – AFP/HO/SANA

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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

ian opposition, and repeated on Monday that any shift in policy required an end to that. “We have no choice but to defend our country,” he added. “Any international changes that come about within that framework are something positive, if they are honest and have an effect on the ground.”

Assad was speaking after Kerry said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that Washington could negotiate with Assad. “Well, we

have to negotiate in the end,” the US envoy said, when asked by CBS television if he would negotiate with Assad.

Kerry stressed that any negotiations would be in the context of the Geneva communique.

The document, produced after 2012 peace talks, calls for a transitional governing body with full executive powers, but makes no mention of Assad’s future. Syria’s government insists Assad’s departure from office is not up for discussion, but the opposition and its backers say he can have no role in the country’s future after a bloody four-year civil war.

On Monday, opposition sup-

porter France reiterated that position. “Our goal is a negotiated political settlement between the different Syrian parties that leads to a unity government,” foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said. “It is clear for us that Bashar Al Assad cannot be in this framework.”

In his interview, Kerry made no reference to Assad’s future, but said pressure was being applied on the leader to bring him to the negotiating table.

Syrian media on Monday described the remarks as evidence of the “failure” of Washington’s Syria policy, saying Washington was acknowledging Assad would

not be ousted militarily.

“Facing a fait accompli, the American administration has backed down and recognised the need to reposition its policy on the Syria crisis,” wrote Al Watan, which is close to the government.

“This is a new recognition of President Assad’s legitimacy, his key role and his popularity, and the resulting necessity of negotiating with him,” the daily said.

The newspaper suggested Kerry’s comments could pave the way for American participation in talks on the conflict hosted by Russia next month.

Moscow is seeking to sponsor its own peace initiative, but there has been no indication of whether the US-backed Syrian opposition will attend the April 6 talks.

Kerry’s comments drew consternation from some in the Syrian opposition.

Samir Nashar, a member of the US-backed Syrian opposition National Coalition, said the remarks appeared to be a “test”.

“They are an intentional test to see the reactions of Syrians and of countries that support the Syrian revolution,” he said.

Nashar said the statement had “blurred the American position”.

“America used to say that Assad had to step down... But now, Kerry has adopted this ambiguity that keeps Assad afloat in any political solution.”

Kerry’s remarks come after CIA head John Brennan also warned that Washington feared a chaotic collapse of Syria’s government could usher in an hardliners takeover. — AFP

BEFORE GRILLING

Kuwaiti minister quits after accusing lawmakers of taking bribes KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s electricity and water minister resigned on Monday a day after he indirectly accused some lawmakers of accepting bribes to grill him.

The cabinet promptly accepted the resignation of Abdulaziz Al Ibraheem, who also held the public works ministry, a statement quoted State Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al Sabah as saying.

The statement gave no reason for the resignation, only saying that State Minister for Housing Affairs Yasser Abdul was appointed acting minister in the portfolios vacated by Ibraheem.

The move however comes a day after Ibraheem was asked by a reporter to comment on a tweet that claimed some lawmakers were paid up to $1.17 million (350,000 dinars) to question him.

“That’s because we fight corruption,” said Ibraheem, a longserving senior employee at the ministry of electricity and water before he was promoted to lead the department in 2012.

That was followed by a statement on Sunday night in which he reiterated his resolve to continue fighting corruption.

His comments sparked an uproar in parliament with many

members calling on him to hand in his resignation, which he did on Monday. At least two lawmakers had announced plans on Sunday to question him in parliament about the comments.

Ibraheem, a 63-year-old engineer, became a cabinet member in July 2012. Lawmakers questioned him in parliament at least twice on a variety of allegations including administrative violations. But he

denied the accusations and survived the grillings.

Corporate taxes Meanwhile, Kuwait has sought help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to introduce corporate taxes in a bid to diversify revenue in the face of falling oil prices, a minister said on Monday.

“The IMF will prepare a preliminary report on how to impose

taxes on companies in Kuwait,” Commerce and Industry Minister Abdulmohsen Al Mudej said after a meeting with IMF representatives, the official KUNA news agency reported. The two sides discussed ways of introducing corporate taxes for Kuwaiti and foreign companies operating in the Gulf country after the recent introduction of a new corporate law, the minister said. — AFP

A8

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 The decline in food inflation will be short lived as unseasonal rains have already started to have an effect on production. We expect the government to act proactively as food inflation is likely move up from the next month onwards Anis Chakravarty, Senior director Deloitte (India)

INDIA

Ruckus in Parliament over Rahul ‘snooping’ Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma accused the government of tapping phones of political leaders, judges and others through imported devices and demanded an inquiry into the affair under Supreme Court monitoring

NEW DELHI: Opposition parties in Parliament on Monday vociferously protested the “snooping” on Rahul Gandhi, with the government dismissing their contention saying they were making a “mountain out of what is not even a molehill”, leading the Congress to walk out of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament.

The government maintained in both the Houses that Delhi Police personnel had recently visited Rahul’s residence to collect information on him as part of a transparent security profiling that was used to profile 526 other VIPs, including former prime ministers and Sonia Gandhi since UPA rule.

In the Rajya Sabha, the Parliament’s Upper House issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad who said Rahul had been a Special Protection Group protectee since his father Rajiv Gandhi became prime minister and it was “beyond comprehension” why police was now collecting information on him like his shoe size, colour of hair, etc.

Inquiry demanded Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma accused government of tapping phones of political lead-

ROUTINE EXERCISE: Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi talks to media at Parliament House, in New Delhi on Monday. Delhi Police continued to refute charges of ‘snooping’ on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi saying that physical appearance detailing is an old and routine process. - PTI

ers, judges and others through imported devices and demanded an inquiry monitored by the Supreme Court into the snooping issue.

The Upper House also saw Satyavrat Chaturvedi (Congress), Naresh Agarwal and Ramgopal Yadav (both Samajwadi Party) and K. C .Tyagi (Janata Dal-United) raising the issue of “snooping and spying” on the government’s political opponents.

In the Lower House of the Parliament, Lok Sabha, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said the National Democratic Alliance government was pursuing the Gujarat model of governance by snooping on political opponents.

“This has never happened in democracy,” Kharge said and asked the government to tell police officials to read ‘Who’s Who’ instead of seeking simple information from the persons concerned.

Security profiling Responding to the charges, Leader of Rajya Sabha and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in both Houses the police has been collecting such information since 1987 on VIPs living in Lutyens Delhi through a proforma as part of a transparent security profiling.

Security needs and profiling should be left to security experts and “we should not attempt to become one”, he said, adding “the issue raised is making mountain of what is not even a molehill.”

The proforma, which was revised in 1999, has been used to profile former prime ministers H. D. Dewa Gowda, I. K. Gujral, Manmohan Singh and Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The same was also used to profile Congress President Sonia Gandhi in October 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, he said.

When Lok Sabha met for the day, Kharge raised the issue saying it was not limited to the right of privacy of Rahul Gandhi but all members. If such incidents continue, the democratic norms as enshrined in the Constitution will be “demolished”, he said.

In the Rajya Sabha, Azad charged government with snooping and spying on political opponents, saying the government was “resorting to threats, coercion and pressure to quell political dissent”.

“If you raise voice, the Central Government can use any measure,” he said demanding that Home Minister Rajnath Singh should come to the House and explain.

Last year there were reports of NDA government minister’s telephone being tapped, Azad said, adding since BJP assumed power in May 2014, religious and political freedom have been curbed.

After hearing all those who had given a notice and the government, Kurien, who was in the Chair, said, “To take a proper decision, I have heard them out. I have taken a decision. I am ruling out a discussion. Notice under 267 is ruled out. I have not allowed.”

Dissatisfied Congressmen were soon on their feet in protest as Naresh Agarwal (Samajwadi Party) and Tapan Kumar Sen (Communist Party of India-Marxist) said once a discussion has started, the House will decide whether it will take place under the rule or not.

Political espionage Tyagi earlier said the security profiling has “never been heard of” and demanded a discussion on invasion of privacy as well as corporate and political espionage.

Agarwal alleged that one lakh telephones were being tapped everyday without requisite permission and warned that the privacy of individuals should not be challenged. - PTI

M I N I S T RY O F E X T E R NA L A F FA I R S

EU-India summit off amid acrimony over trial of Italian marines NEW DELHI: Plans for the European Union to host a summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi have collapsed amid acrimony over delays to the trial of two Italian marines for murder in the 2012 killing of two Indian fishermen.

A spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday confirmed that no EU-India summit would take place during Modi’s trip to Europe next month, when he will visit Germany and France, but the official declined to comment further.

The head of a European Parliament delegation visiting India expressed disappointment and said the failure to hold a summit would delay efforts to strike a long-awaited free trade deal.

“Of course we attach importance to the imprisonment under any circumstances of citizens of our member states,” Geoffrey van Orden told a news conference, when asked whether the case of the marines was behind the failure to set a summit date.

“We feel the process has gone on a bit long and should be expedited,” said van Orden, a British member of the European Parliament who headed the seven-strong delegation.

Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, part of a military team protecting a privately owned cargo ship, say they mistook Indian fishermen for pirates and fired warning shots into the water.

Taken exception India’s Supreme Court has allowed Latorre to temporarily return to Italy for heart surgery, but Girone remains in India awaiting trial.

Indian reports say New Delhi has taken exception to the role of EU Foreign Affairs High Representative Federica Mogherini in the case, which has made headlines in her home country, Italy.

A European Parliament resolution in January called for the return of the marines and a change of jurisdiction in the case. Italy argues that the incident took place in international waters off India’s southwestern coast.

“It’s good for everyone to be fully aware of how much of an impact the unresolved dispute of the two Italian Navy officers can have on relations between the EU and In-

ACCUSED: Italian marines Mas-

similiano Latorre, right, and Salvatore Girone, left, arrive at Ciampino airport near Rome in this photograph taken on December 22, 2012. - AFP file photo

It’s good for everyone to be fully aware of how much of an impact the unresolved dispute of the two Italian Navy officers can have on relations between the EU and India Federica Mogherini EU Foreign Affairs High Representative

dia,” Mogherini told a debate on the resolution. “It is putting them to the test.”

The last India-EU summit was held in February 2012, just days before the incident. Members of the European Parliament delegation said they hoped a summit could be held later this year. - Reuters

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

ECONOMY

India a bright spot, but implementation of reform measures holds key: Lagarde NEW DELHI: Describing India as a bright spot in the “cloudy” global economy, IMF chief Christine Lagarde on Monday said much still needs to be done to boost private investment in the country and the reform measures must be on the “actions list” now.

Lauding steps towards subsidy reforms and implementation of the Goods and Services Tax, Lagarde also said: “Those reforms are bold but we need resilient implementation. It is always key to success around the world.... yes, it is a case here as well.”

Listing labour reforms as a starting point for making doing business easier, she said stable regulatory regime is also a prerequisite for boosting private investment.

“Much needs to be done in easing land acquisition,expediting clearances and establishing a stable regulatory regime so that the private sector can invest.

“These issues are on the radar of policymakers, which is promising, they must be on the action list,” she said while speaking at a function at Lady Sri Ram College here.

Urgent remedies are needed to push growth, she said, adding that “a good starting point is to make Indian labour markets more flexible”.

Commenting on India’s prospects, she said: “In this cloudy global horizon, India is a bright spot. Recent policy reforms and improved business confidence have provided a booster shot to economic activity,” she said.

On economic growth front, she said using India’s new GDP series, the IMF expects the economy to pick up to 7.2 per cent expansion this fiscal and accelerate further to 7.5 per cent next year “making India the fastest growing large economy in the world”.

The IMF chief further said,

Inflation plumbs negative record in February NEW DELHI: Persistent deflationary pressures pulled down the rate of price rise to a record (-)2.06 per cent in February — keeping inflation in the negative zone for the fourth straight month — on account of cheaper food, fuel and manufacturing products, raising industry clamour for further cuts in interest rate.

Inflation measured on wholesale price index (WPI) was at (-)0.39 per cent in January, (-)0.50 per cent in December and (-)0.17 per cent in November.

It was 5.03 per cent in February 2014. With inflation dropping to record lows, industry demanded further easing of interest rates to boost industrial growth.

Cautioned Experts cautioned however that unseasonal rains this month could be a damp-

“Indeed, a brighter future is being forged right before your eyes. By 2019, the economy will more than double in size compared to 2009.”

When adjusting for differences in purchasing prices between economies, India’s GDP will exceed that of Japan and Germany combined, she said adding it will also exceed the combined output of the three next largest emerging market economies.

India’s growth rate this year is

COOLING OFF: Fish and

crabs are seen for sale at a wholesale market at a fish harbour in Mumbai, on Monday. India’s wholesale prices declined at a much fasterthan-expected pace of -2.06 per cent on year in February, their fourth straight monthly fall. - Reuters

ener and the decline in food inflation may be short-lived, prompting the Reserve Bank to avoid lowering rates immediately.

“There is a low likelihood of a rate cut in the April

expected to exceed that of China, she said, adding the country will also become the most populous in the world by 2030.

Lagarde believes that the conditions are ripe for India to reap the demographic dividend and become a key engine for global growth as it (the country) is on the verge of a new chapter, filled with immense promise.

On world economy, she said, “More than six years after the

monetary policy review, notwithstanding the lowerthan- expected WPI print for February. We expect further repo rate cuts to be limited to 50 basis points in the remainder of 2015,” ICRA Senior Economist Aditi Nayar said.

As per official data released on Monday, inflation in food articles category stood at 7.74 per cent, and the in manufactured products category, it was 0.33 per cent.

Fuel and power inflation saw significant cooling at (-)14.72 per cent in February.

“The decline in food inflation will be short lived as unseasonal rains have already started to have an effect on production. We expect the government to act pro-actively as food inflation is likely move up from the next month onwards,” Deloitte (India) Senior Director Anis Chakravarty said. - PTI

global financial crisis, the recovery remains too slow, too brittle, and too lopsided. We have pared down our forecasts of global growth since last October, despite the boost from cheaper oil and stronger US growth.”

While the global economy is expected to grow by 3.5 per cent this year, and 3.7 per cent next year, this is still below what could have been expected after such a crisis, she added. - PTI

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

INDIA

Congress workers, police clash during protest against land bill SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERY

Promising to block

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

the bill’s passage

We are not talking about changing the shape of the bill. We are not for any amendment of the bill. We want this bill to go lock, stock and barrel

in the Rajya Sabha, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, termed the ordinance as an attempt to weaken the Food Security law passed by the UPA

STRONG PROTEST: Police charge to disperse protesters led by the

government

opposition Congress party leaders in New Delhi on Monday. Police baton-charged and fired water cannon at demonstrators rallying against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s land reforms, which they say will harm the country’s millions of farmers. - AFP

NEW DELHI: Hundreds of Congress workers on Monday clashed with police during a protest against the Bharatiya Janata Party Government’s Land Acquisition bill,saying it was anti-farmer.

Police resorted to lathi-charge and used water canons, leading to injuries to some including Youth Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Brar, when Congress workers tried to break barricades at Jantar Mantar to proceed towards Parliament.

Senior party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma, Jairam Ramesh, Ambika Soni, Ahmed Patel addressed the protesters who gathered at Jantar Mantar in New

Delhi. Congress President Sonia Gandhi, who was not present in the protest, expressed her solidarity with the protesters in a message through Patel.

“Soniaji has said that she was always with them and will continue to back and support the movement,” Patel said reading out Sonia’s message.

Promising to block the bill’s passage in the Rajya Sabha, Azad termed the ordinance as an attempt to weaken the Food Security law passed by the UPA government. “You continue protesting outside the Parliament, we will try not let the bill get passed when it is introduced in the Parliament,” the

Leader of Congress in the Rajya Sabha said.

“We are not talking about changing the shape of the bill. We are not for any amendment of the bill. We want this bill to go lock, stock and barrel,” he said.

The rally was a culmination of Youth Congress’ foot march agianst the Land Acquisition Bill launched on Friday from BhattaParsaul village in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida district which reached Rajghat here last night.

Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “10 lakh suit”, Ramesh, who led the rally from Bhatta-Parsaul, said the agitation was a “sanjeevani” for the party.

Ghulam Nabi Azad

Leader of Congress in the Rajya Sabha

Invoking Mahatma Gandhi, Ramesh said, “One was ‘Sabarmati ke Sant’ who believed in a frugal lifestyle and today we have ‘Sabarmati ke mahant’ who wears suit worth Rs 10 lakh...They talk of ‘ghar vapsi’ where as we promise ‘jameen vapsi’.”

‘Draconian 1894 law’ Ramesh, who was instrumental in drafting the UPA’s land bill, slammed the government for “doing away” with the safeguards, thus, “bringing back” the draconian 1894 law.

“For the first time we put power in the hands of the farmers from the hands of the collectors.

G R O W I N G AT TA C K S O N M I N O R I T I E S

Gang rape of elderly nun, church attack condemned by political, church leaders NEW DELHI: Political and Church leaders on Monday severely condemned the rape of an elderly nun in West Bengal and the attack on an under-construction church in Haryana, calling it a serious situation as the twin incidents echoed in Parliament.

Members in the Upper House of the Parliament, Rajya Sabha demanded stern action to check growing attacks on minorities, citing instances of rape of the 70-year-old nun at a convent school in West Bengal’s Nadia district and destruction of the church in Hisar.

Delhi Archbishop Anil J. T. Couto called for immediate action by authorities to maintain peace and harmony.

Observed Couto also observed that frequent unwarranted remarks and irresponsible statements by leaders of both religious groups and political parties hurt the sentiments of minorities and created an at-

LONE RANGER: A student holding a banner against the gangrape

of a nun by a group of bandits two days back at the Convent of Jesus and Mary School of Begopara, in Nadia on Monday. - PTI

mosphere of hate and suspicion towards other faiths and communities. D. Raja (Communist Party of India), who had given a notice for suspension of business in the Rajya Sabha to take up a discussion on the matter, said it was a serious situation that minorities were not safe.

“With great pain and agony I raise this issue... There is increase in attacks on Christians in the country. It is very shocking. Right wing extremist forces have become very aggressive.

“Can we safeguard the secular fabric of our nation?.... It is a serious matter and it concerns all the

CONTROVERSY

Sharad Yadav unapologetic over remarks on women’s complexion NEW DELHI: The controversy over the sexist remarks of JD-U leader Sharad Yadav refused to die down as he remained unapologetic in the Rajya Sabha that witnessed uproar briefly on Monday over his defiant attitude.

Calls to him to desist from such a language and withdraw his remarks over the colour and body of South Indian women fell on deaf ears as Yadav said he was ready to debate discrimination based on colour.

With Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani appealing to him not to bring in issues like colour of women, the JD-U leader retorted in a tone of derision, “who are you?”

“Why should I apologise? I raised a very important issue of discrimination on colour,” he said.

“There has been a long struggle against discrimination based on colour...I am ready to participate in a debate any time,” said Yadav.

Irani reacted sharply to the remarks, asking Yadav to refrain from commenting on complexion of women in any manner.

DEFIANT: Sharad Yadav

“I appeal through you (chair) to the gentleman, do not make comments about the colour of any woman’s skin. I beg of you.

You (Sharad Yadav) are a senior member, a very wrong message is going to the rest of the country,” she said.

Yadav responded saying: “I strongly refute the allegation.”

“From Gandhi to Lohia, I have all the record of what has been said about women. A lot of struggle has been done for women with dark complexion,” he said.

Irani again got up to respond saying: “Please don’t do this.

Naming Lohia and Gandhi and commenting on women”.

Trying to clarify, Yadav said, “I can discuss the issue with anyone, we are in favour of Indian culture.”

The issue figured after Prasad rose to dissociate himself from comments made by Yadav last week. “I dissociate myself from those remarks. I completely disassociate and disapprove of the remarks... I appeal to Sharad Yadav to kindly withdraw his comments,” he said.

During the debate on the insurance bill in the Rajya Sabha last week, he spoke on Indian’s obsession for fair skin and said: “Your god is dark like Ravi Shankar Prasad, but your matrimonial ads insist on white-skinned brides.”

On Monday Yadav defended his remarks saying, “What have I said... ‘saanvli’ (dark complexioned) women are more in number in India, they are more in number the world over. I am ready to debate with anyone on the struggle of (Ram Manohar) Lohia and others for them.”- PTI

A9

people of the country.

“I want that the business of the House be suspended and this issue be discussed under Section 267,” Raja said.

Agreeing with Raja, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the state governments should take necessary action in such cases and book the culprits. “...We are against such incidents. Communal harmony should be maintained in the country. No one has any doubt on this.

“Everyone has the right to practice their religion and all state government where such incidents are happening should take stern steps against the guilty and those responsible for such incidents,” Naqvi said.

Meanwhile, the Centre on Monday asked the West Bengal government to send a report on the incident of gangrape of an elderly nun at a convent in Nadia district of the west Indian state and action taken so far. - PTI

“Even the land labourers were given bargaining power through the law. It had the provisions of four times compensation. We essentially repealed the century old law,” he said.

A number of other party leaders including Raj Babbar, Oscar Fernandes, Randeep Surjewala, Sachin Pilot, Kumari Selja, Deepinder Hooda and Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken also participated in the protest.

Addressing the gathering, Babbar said government’s decision to “do away” with the consent clause in the in the bill was not acceptable.

“In (proposed) law, farmers don’t have the right to take decision regarding their own land.

Even if I take a pen from you, I will ask you. Then how come you take away land from farmers, for whom it is like his mother, without his consent,” Babbar said.

Surjewala said the agitation launched by Congress along with farmers will “unmask the Modiled Centre’s ‘anti-farmer’ stand”.

“This is India Youth Congress’s (IYC) rally from Bhatta-Parsaul to Parliament. Modi’s black law will disappear. BJP’s anti-farmer face will be unmasked. Both the Congress and farmers will win,” he said.

A Youth Congress leader said a number of protesters were injured in lathi-charge by police. - PTI

DUBAI

Indian woman sheds 32kg to win gold competition DUBAI: An Indian businesswoman has lost a whopping 32kg to win a competition here which rewarded one gram of gold for every kilo she lost.

Sharada Serigara, who beat more than 7,000 contestants in the ‘Your Child in Gold competition’, weighed 96kg before the contest and lost 32kg in roughly two months.

Serigara won 32 grams of gold worth about 4,380 dirhams in the contest organised by Dubai Municipality, an English daily in Dubai reported on Sunday.

“There was no secret to my feat. It was all about diet and exercise and the determination to get healthy,” Serigara was quoted as saying by the paper.

Somesh Chakrabortty, an Indian grade 10 student was the child category winner, losing 12kg in the contest. He weighed 97kg before competing. - PTI 2 1 M O R E D E AT H S

Viral flu toll climbs to 1,731 NEW DELHI: The flu toll in India climbed to 1,731 on Monday as 21 more deaths were reported even as the number of persons affected by the disease inched close to 30,000-mark,.

Data collated by the Health Ministry said that as on March 15, 1,731 people have perished to the disease while the total number of affected persons across the states stood at 29,938. - PTI

A10

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 A man was killed and ten wounded when a passenger van was washed away by flash-floods in Mach Town of Bolan district. More than 50 families were rendered homeless when torrents washed away their mud houses Sarfraz Bugti, Balochistan Home Minister

PAKISTAN

Christians protest attacks; police arrest 17 suspects

50 families lose homes as storm pounds Balochistan QUETTA: Snowfall and rain triggered by intermittent storms swept through large swathes of territory in Balochistan on Saturday, leaving one person dead, 10 others injured and rendering at least 50 families homeless.

Electricity, being the first casualty of rain, was missing along with breakdown of sewerage system and disruption in traffic on roads and highways on day two of the wet spell.

“A man was killed and ten wounded when a passenger van was washed away by flash-floods in Mach Town of Bolan district,” Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti told reporters in Quetta.

“More than 50 families were rendered homeless when torrents washed away their mud houses,” he said.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Pakistan Army are on high alert to deal with any situation developed after the heavy rains in plains and snowfall on mountains, the minister said.

Bugti said that urgent relief items including tents and food have been dispatched to the affected areas. — Express Tribune

A day after two churches in Lahore’s Youhanabad district were targeted by blasts more than 1,000 policemen were deployed as many protesters were armed with clubs, but the situation remained calm

LAHORE: Some 5,000 Christians rallied in the Pakistani city of Lahore on Monday, blocking roads and shouting anti-government slogans in a second day of protests against twin Taliban suicide bombings of churches that killed 14 people.

Sunday’s attacks in the Youhanabad neighbourhood of the eastern city sparked mob violence in which two other suspected militants were killed, with Christians smashing up cars and a bus station in a rare show of anger from the persecuted minority group.

More than 1,000 policemen were deployed in the neighbourhood Monday, where many protesters had armed themselves with clubs, but the situation remained calm. “We are on the roads to get justice, we want protection,” 50-year-old protester Maqbool Bhatti told AFP. Bhatti, a government employee, said authorities had failed to take adequate security measures.

“There was no proper security on Sunday, the government should protect all churches,” he said.

Asher Kanwal, 30, added: “Christians are protesting because they are worried of their future.”

Meanwhile, according to PTI, police arrested 17 suspects in connection with the attacks.

The police also registered two

S N O W FA L L , R A I N

ZAHRA SHAHID’S KILLING

PRAYING FOR THE VICTIMS: Pakistani Christians attend special prayers in Lahore on Monday for victims of suicide bombing attacks on churches by Taliban militants. — AFP

first investigation reports - one against Taliban militants and the other against those responsible for burning alive two “suspects” who were detained after the blasts.

The security of churches across Pakistan has been stepped up on the direction of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“Police have taken some 17 suspects into custody during a search operation launched last evening,” Lahore police spokesman Niyab Haider told PTI. “We have also registered two murder cases against the Taliban militants and those involved in lynching of two men,” Haider said, adding that an investigation team had also preserved the forensic evidence at the blasts site.

He said the limbs of the suicide attackers had been found and sent

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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

to the National Database Registration Authority for establishing their identity.

Taliban splinter group Jamaatul Ahrar has claimed the responsibility for the attacks on Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church in Christian-dominated Youhanabad area during Sunday mass.

The same group had claimed the responsibility of a suicide attack at Wagah border in September last year in which 60 people were killed.

Inspector General Police Pun-

INCOMPLETE SENTENCES

jab Mushtaq Ahmed Sukhera told reporters that there had been a similarity in Wagah Border and Youhanabad churches blasts.

“There has been a clear similarity between the Wagah and Youhanabad suicide attacks,” he said.

Christians, who make up around two per cent of Pakistan’s mostly Muslim population of 180 million, have been targeted recent years, often over allegations of blasphemy. Sunday’s attacks were the worst on the community since a devastating double suicidebombing attack 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 neigh-

bourhood of Lahore, following blasphemy allegations against a Christian man.

Own security checkposts Christian volunteers established their own security check-points on Sunday, tying ropes across the roads leading into Youhanabad and patting down worshippers who had come to offer prayers for the dead ahead of funerals planned for Tuesday.

Some carried placards with slogans such as “Why do you kill us?”, “Stop killing Christians,” and “Let us live”.

Special prayers were meanwhile planned at churches throughout the country, as well as candle-light vigils by Christian groups and members of civil society. — Agencies

Imran fined Rs50,000 in MQM suit KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday fined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan Rs50,000 for not appearing before court for the hearing of a Rs5 billion defamation suit moved by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in 2013, Express News reported.

The MQM had moved a defamation suit against Imran after he alleged that Altaf Hussain was responsible for the killing of PTI Sindh senior vice-president Zahra Shahid. She was shot dead outside her home in Karachi on May 18, 2013, hours before re-elections were due to begin. — Express Tribune

RAGING INSURGENCY

Prisoner exchange deals with Ali Zafar seeks global help against ‘extremist darkness’ other countries suspended ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has suspended all prisoner exchange agreements with other countries after it discovered that prisoners repatriated from Britain were set free by corrupt officials without completing their sentences, the interior minister said on Monday.

Authorities have arrested an interior ministry official and a police officer after investigating a complaint by British authorities, that three convicts sent to Pakistan in 2010 to serve out their prison terms ranging from 18 to 25 years for drug trafficking and murder were released within two months.

“We investigated and found out that two prisoners were set free

in two months and the third one spent just one day in jail,” Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told a parliamentary committee.

He said one of the convicts had fled to Dubai while another went to Malaysia and from there to Ecuador, but both had since been arrested and were being repatriated to Pakistan. The third had been arrested in Pakistan.

Khan said that during their own investigations Pakistani authorities found a fourth prisoner who had similarly evaded a sentence two and half years ago and had since rearrested him.

“We have suspended implementation of all prisoner exchange agreements with various countries

till formulation of a transparent policy,” Khan said. The identities of the convicts were not revealed.

“We will show the world that Pakistan is a responsible country and we will not spare anybody involved in corruption,” he added.

The officials who were involved in the illegal release of prisoners had been in prison for the past nine months, he added. It was unclear why the scandal had not come to light previously. — AFP

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

ISLAMABAD: Three months after the devastating Peshawar school attack, in which over 130 students lost their lives, singeractor Ali Zafar has urged the world to help Pakistan out of extremist darkness.

“Pakistan needs your help. It has been fighting this battle for years and has lost countless lives in the process,” the actor urged in his blog. On December 16, 2014, Taliban gunmen stormed into an army school in Peshawar, killing more than 150 people, including 132 children.

The actor wrote: “The world needs to see Pakistan in a whole different light to help us out of this darkness. They need to partner with us towards progress.”

“This is something that we all need to work towards — the international community and us,” he added. Ali stressed the need for the world to understand the complexities of Pakistani society and the “fact that it’s not easy to survive through all that this country has been through” “Unfortunately because of an extremist minority, it is sometimes seen as an extremist country. “But no society is void of extremism in one way or the other.”

Shocked and disturbed, Ali had cancelled his tours and concerts scheduled in the weeks following the attack.

He even united actors, cricketers and musicians for his song Urein Ge (Wil fly), honouring the Peshawar school victims.

“Today, the entire nation stands as one for this cause. And that is what I have tried to show the world in this video. A Pakistan that stands united to make sure that the lives of those innocent children did not go to waste,” he said regarding the song.

The actor further stressed he

The world needs to see Pakistan in a whole different light to help us out of this darkness. They need to partner with us towards progress. This is something that we all need to work towards — the international community and us Ali Zafar Singer-actor

wanted Urein Ge to be more than just a song. “I wanted to practically help towards a cause dear to me — education.”

Speaking of the astounding response to his song, Ali wrote, “And the response to the song and video further solidified my belief that every Pakistani wants the same.

They just need someone to show them the way. And to me, education is the way forward. It’s the key to progress and peace.”

With both his parents having served in the field of education their entire lives, Ali said that was one of the reasons the tragedy affected him so much. — Express Tribune

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 She is most likely in Syria now.

We are probing a kidnapping case Elsbeth Kleibeuker, Netherlands official

WORLD

Putin laughs off death gossip in reappearance The Internet and even traditional

So everyone has now seen the paralysed president captured by generals who has just returned from Switzerland where he was delivering a baby? We no longer want to talk about this. Everything is good

media in Europe were set abuzz with speculation that Russian President Vladimir Putin had died, been deposed

Vladimir Putin

in a palace coup,

Russian President

or had once again become a father

SAINT PETERSBURG: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday dismissed days of frenzied “rumours” over his health and whereabouts as he reappeared in public after an unusually long 10-day absence.

The feverish speculation fuelled by social media saw all eyes turn to an otherwise unexceptional meeting planned between Putin and the leader of Kyrgyzstan to see whether the Russian strongman would appear.

The typically tardy Putin was two hours late but showed up looking relaxed with no visible signs of ill-health, quelling the rumours that exposed the fragility of Russia’s tightly-controlled political system dominated by one man.

“We would be bored if there were no rumours,” Putin said as he met Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev at the sumptuous Konstantinov’s Palace just outside Saint Petersburg.

In an apparent bid to dispel speculation about his host’s ill

health, Atambayev said Putin had taken him for a drive around the palace grounds before their meeting. Dismissing the rumours, a smiling Atambayev said: “In their dreams.”

The usually omnipresent Putin, 62, was last seen in public on March 5 at a news conference with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

However the rumour mill went into overdrive when he cancelled a number of scheduled events last week, including a trip to the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan and the planned signing of an alliance agreement with the breakaway region of South Ossetia.

While the Kremlin continued to release footage of Putin in meetings, many speculated that it had been filmed much earlier than when it was broadcast.

The Internet and even traditional media in Europe were set abuzz with speculation Putin had died, been deposed in a palace coup or had once again become a father.

Morbid jokes and gags spread on Russian social networks -- one of the last bastions of free speech

in Russia -- and the hashtag #Putinumer (#Putindead) trended on Twitter.

“Has Putin died?” asked one website where the question was the only thing appearing on a blank page above a button which users could click to check, yielding responses such as “No” and “Still No”.

Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov was forced to fend off countless questions about each rumour, which he dismissed as “March madness.”

He said Putin was busy with Russia’s economic crisis and has “meetings constantly, but not all meetings are public.”

Peskov on Monday said Putin had driven his guest around the palace for about 15 minutes.

“So everyone has now seen the paralysed president captured by generals who has just returned from Switzerland where he was delivering a baby?” he asked sarcastically.

“We no longer want to talk about this. Everything is good.”

Social networks greeted Putin’s appearance with a fresh dose of humour.

F E A R S O F E X T R E M I S T S E X PA N D I N G O P E R AT I O N S

Commander linked to IS rebels killed in Afghanistan KANDAHAR: Afghan forces have killed a militant commander suspected of having links to the IS group in an air strike, officials said Monday.

Hafiz Waheed, a successor to Abdul Rauf Khadim who died in a US drone strike last month, was killed along with nine others in the Sangin district of Helmand province late on Sunday, according to a defence ministry statement.

“All the militants were associated with IS group,” the statement said, adding that six others were wounded in the strike.

NATO not involved NATO forces, who remain in the country in a limited training mission, were not involved in the operation, a spokesman said.

Zamen Ali, a senior Afghan army officer in southern Afghanistan, told AFP that Waheed took

Hafiz Waheed, a successor to Abdul Rauf Khadim who died in a US drone strike last month, was killed along with nine others in the Sangin district of Helmand province late on Sunday, said the Afghan defence ministry over the anti-government militia Khadim had commanded following his death on February 9.

Khadim, Waheed’s uncle, was a former Taliban commander and Guantanamo detainee who allegedly changed his allegiance to IS, raising fears the extremist group was seeking to expand its operations in Afghanistan following the end of NATO forces’ 13-year combat mission at the end of 2014.

But IS has never acknowledged having representatives in Afghanistan, and a senior Taliban commander told AFP on condi-

tion of anonymity that Khadim had “not formally joined IS and IS had not recognised him”.

Rasol Zazai, an army spokesman in Helmand province told AFP that Waheed’s followers were active in several areas of Sangin district, where the military began an operation in February.

Afghan security officials have launched a major operation against insurgents in Helmand designed to weaken the Taliban before the start of the so-called “fighting season”. — AFP

NEW GUIDELINES

Chechen woman kidnaps her Dutch children to join IS group THE HAGUE: A Chechen woman living in the Netherlands has taken her two young children against their father’s will to join the IS in Syria, in what is believed to be the first such case, prosecutors said on Monday.

The unnamed 32-year-old refugee flew with her children, a boy aged eight and a girl aged seven, from Charleroi in Belgium to Athens in November, possibly using false passports after their Dutch father warned police of their imminent departure.

“She is most likely in Syria now. We are probing a kidnapping case,” public prosecution spokeswoman Elsbeth Kleibeuker told AFP, adding that an international detention request had been issued for them.

The Chechen woman and her

children, who are Dutch nationals, were photographed as she withdrew cash from a cash machine in Istanbul in mid-December, the Dutch Limburger newspaper reported on Monday.

said public prosecution service spokesman Bart den Hartigh.

“Unfortunately there’s very little we can do (if they are) in Syria,” he told state broadcaster NOS.

Turkey-Syria border town On December 28 she posted a picture on Facebook, believed to have been taken in the Turkish-Syrian border town of Tell Abiad, which is controlled by the IS extremist militant group.

In early January, she phoned her mother in southern Dutch city Maastricht and told her that she was in the IS stronghold of Raqqa, after which nothing further has been heard.

“The mother has taken the children against the wishes of her ex-husband, who has custody,”

Young girl rescued At least 160 people have travelled from the Netherlands to join extremist fighters in Syria and Iraq, Dutch Interior Minister Ronald Plasterk said late last year.

Nine of these were from Limburg province, including six from Maastricht, news reports said.

Their number included a young Dutch girl called “Aicha”, who was dramatically rescued by her mother from Syria last year after the teen travelled there to marry a extremist fighter she saw as a Robin Hood figure. — AFP

“White smoke billows from the Kremlin. Putin still in charge,” Ian Bremmer, a US political scientist, quipped on Twitter.

Independent Internet TV channel Dozhd (Rain) quoted sources as saying the Russian president had been knocked down by the flu and retreated to his residence on Lake Valdai in the north.

The Kremlin refused to confirm the report.

Putin’s reappearance comes as Russia marks the one-year anniversary of a referendum in Crimea that led to Russia annexing the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine and froze Moscow’s ties with the West.

His disappearing act also came amid a febrile political atmosphere in Moscow after the murder of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, the most shocking assassination of Putin’s 15 years in power.

Some observers suggested that Putin took the time out to deal with increased infighting among political and business elites over Russia’s confrontation with the West and the economic crisis sparked by sanctions and falling oil prices. — AFP

A1 1

A12

T IME S O F O MAN

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

COMMEN ARY ISO 9001:2008

Certified Company Founder: Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman and Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Anees bin Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Officer: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali Editorial: 24726666, Fax: 24813153; E-mail: editor@timesofoman.com Advertising: 24726666, Fax: 24812624 Circulation: 24726600, Fax: 24818270; E-mail: circulation@timesofoman.com Printed and published by: Muscat Media Group P.O. Box 770, Ruwi, Postal Code: 112, Sultanate of Oman.

Subscription: RO70 per year.

The problem is much bigger than Ferguson

T

he Justice Department’s exposé of the bigoted law enforcement practices at play in Ferguson, Mo., has rightly led to an exodus of officials from the town government. In the week since the report was made public, the police chief, the city manager and the municipal court judge have all stepped down, and the city’s court has been placed under state supervision. The situation took a tragic turn when two police officers were shot and wounded during a demonstration. Police officials should not use the shootings as an excuse to clamp down on legal, peaceful demonstrations. That would only inflame tensions, making the climate worse.

The housecleaning among the political leadership in Ferguson is a necessary step. But the illegal and discriminatory measures uncovered by the Justice Department are not limited to that troubled municipality. Indeed, the evidence strongly suggests that Ferguson is not even the worst civil rights offender in St. Louis County and that adjacent towns are also systematically targeting poor and minority citizens for street and traffic stops to rake in fines, criminalising entire communities in the process.

St. Louis County has some 90 municipalities, some of which get 40 per cent or more of their revenue from traffic fines and fees from petty violations. Drivers can pass through several towns in just a few miles on a single road. Those detained in one town are often dragged through the courts or jails of other communities. At the moment, civil rights lawyers are suing nearly a dozen towns either for illegally jailing people who are too poor to pay fines or for assessing fines and fees that lawyers allege are illegal to begin with.

Ferguson’s perverted system of justice is not unique in the county.

The Justice Department’s top civil rights prosecutor, Vanita Gupta, made that point last week when she said that “Ferguson is one dot in the state, and there are many municipalities in the region engaged in the same practices a mile away.” She added that “it would be a mistake for any of those neighbouring jurisdictions to fold up their hands.

They should absolutely take note of this report.” The Justice Department may need to sue other towns with bad records and join some of the pending lawsuits to make this point. As for Ferguson, the police department has clearly broken the trust of the city it is supposed to serve. One way to solve that problem is to dissolve the department and hand the policing function over to the county itself. But cleaning up that one town won’t necessarily help its residents if they continue to be ensnared in the deplorable justice systems operating elsewhere in St. Louis County. - The New York Times News Service

COMMENTARY

Behold the battle to be the biggest hypocrite ROBERT FISK

Church bombings in Lahore

T

wo churches in Lahore were bombed shortly before noon on March 15. At the time of writing the number of deaths had reached 14 while 70 others suffered injuries. Two men said to have a connection to the bombers were beaten to death by an angry mob, though there is no conclusive evidence of their connection. It is reported that one of those slain by the mob was set on fire. Water cannons were deployed on Ferozepur Road and protesters vandalised the metro bus system, forcing its closure. There were protests in Karachi and the mayhem following the attacks in Lahore is an unwelcome development as most of those involved in the destruction are themselves from the Christian community. Christian leaders have called for calm.

The attack was quickly claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaatul Ahrar and there is no reason to dispute the claim.

Accusations of failure are flying on all sides, with the Christian community alleging that the police failed in their duty and instead of guarding the gates of the churches were in a shop watching the Pakistan-Ireland cricket match.

The bombers were stopped at the gates of the churches by their own security guards, not the police, which might add credence to the claims. The churches were packed at the time and had the bombers got inside, the death toll would have been far greater. Once again a minority group has been targeted and once again there is at the very least a strong suspicion that the state failed in its duty to protect it. Unusually, the Christian community responded en masse and with violence to the attacks, and Christian leaders’ attempts to calm the situation fell largely on deaf ears. The attack was relatively sophisticated involving simultaneous attacks on two targets and yet again displays the capacity of Pakistani Taliban affiliates to wreak havoc and murder at will. This will not be the last time a vulnerable minority group is the target, and we can only hope that the next attempt to commit a similar atrocity is dealt with in a more competent manner by the law enforcement agencies. - The Express Tribune

More needs to be done to make school buses safe This refers to the news story, 30,000 pupils to get safer school buses (March 16). I am sure the measures taken by the Indian school authorities will ensure a high degree of safety for the students who commute to the school in school buses. And for these the Indian school authorities here in Oman certainly deserve to be commended.

However, more needs to be done.

Foremost is to have more responsible drivers for the school buses. And then the authorities need to make sure that drivers do not use their mobile phones when driving with children inside. We have seen that most of the accidents take place because of human errors and the drivers are primarily responsible. This factor needs to be taken care of

to make the school buses safe for the pupils. And then shall the parents would feel confident to send their children in school buses.

Zeba Khan Muscat

The schools should have physical activity periods This refers to the news feature, More sports centres needed to beat growing obesity among children (March 15). The school curriculum should include serious physical activity periods right from grade one. This way the situation will automatically change and improve. If you build more sport centres without adequate awareness it will take time. The best way is to educate young children about the importance of eating good nutritional

And when Vladimir Putin was concluding Russia’s second war in Chechnya in 2002, we were far too preoccupied with our new adventure in Afghanistan and our forthcoming “liberation” of Baghdad to worry about the poor old Chechens again

S

trange, isn’t it, how every time we have a “crisis” in the Middle East, the Russians step in to take advantage of it? Or so it looks. No sooner have we identified Isis as the most apocalyptic, end-of-the-world antagonist since Hitler/Napoleon/Nero/Genghis Khan, than old Mother Russia stretches out her bear’s claws and tickles a former Soviet Republic, namely Ukraine.

While the Isis boys consolidated in Raqqa and Mosul, the Russians took over Crimea. Weapons poured in to help the Kurds in Kobani while the Ukrainians pleaded for more guns. Moscow’s “experts” now regularly appear on Russian television — many have an odd habit of flapping their hands in front of the screen — to tell us that “our” war is in fighting “fascism” in Syria and Iraq (and, I suppose, Afghanistan), not in supporting the “fascists” of Ukraine. Flash back now to the forgotten war in Chechnya — forgotten by us, that is. We were indulgent when Boris Yeltsin fought the first Chechen war in the mid-1990s, firstly because we wanted “democracy” to break out in the wreckage of the Soviet Union — even at the cost of the destruction of Grozny — but also because the Russians had accepted the West’s liberation of Kuwait with scarcely a whisper of concern about Iraqi-Russian relations.

We owed the Russkies one for this.

And when Vladimir Putin was concluding Russia’s second war in Chechnya in 2002, we were far too preoccupied with our new adventure in Afghanistan and our forthcoming “liberation” of Baghdad to worry about the poor old Chechens again.

There was Western condemnation aplenty during the two conflicts, which lasted from the early 1990s to 2002 — the aftermath much longer — including threats of sanctions and international isolation.

Foreshadowing Barack Obama’s fatuous “red line” in the Syrian war 10 years later, George W Bush even talked of how Russia had “stepped over the bounds”. The Russians didn’t care. Indeed, the civilian casualties of the two Chechen wars, which mounted to perhaps 125,000 dead, elicited far less passion than the West demonstrated when fatalities of the Syrian civil war reached 125,000 last year, a statistic — and all such figures must be regarded with the deepest scepticism — which included several thousand armed rebels as well as civilians.

Ruffle the pages of our history books a little further, however, and we find another far more momentous self-negation in 1956.

For no sooner had the British and French connived with the Israelis to go to war over Suez — and drive Nasser out of power — than the Soviets sent their tanks into the streets of Budapest to suppress

READERS’ FORUM NEW INDIA ASSURANCE New India’s PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE offers you world-wide cover/ protection and TRAVEL INSURANCE that ensures you tension-free travels. website: www.newindiaoman.com

Happiness arises in a state of peace, not of tumult ANN RADCLIFFE

the Hungarian Revolution. The disregard for international law demonstrated by both the Soviet forces and the Anglo-French armies flattened out each other’s outrageous conduct.

And although the Soviet tank bombardment of Budapest was long in the planning and thus unlikely to have been timed to coincide with the Suez invasion, it was difficult to condemn the Russians for taking advantage of our European aggression in Egypt. Operation Musketeer (the UK version of the Suez invasion) morally cancelled out the subsequent Soviet Operation Whirlwind in Hungary (intriguingly, the same name Saddam used for his assault on Iran in 1980).

It was all very well for The Daily Telegraph to use the headline “Free World’s Shock and Horror” of the Russian onslaught on Budapest or for The Guardian to trumpet the “Inspired Resistance to Soviet Brutality”, but the Europeans had been committing a few war crimes of their own in Egypt, not least the French paratroopers who massacred civilians with the same panache they were displaying in Algeria.

Only the freedom of Western reporters to roam the streets of Budapest during the uprising and the extraordinary censorship imposed by the AngloFrench authorities on their own journalists in Egypt allowed the Europeans to win the propaganda war at home. But internationally — and especially in the Arab world — the cruelty of the Russians was matched by the brutal hypocrisy of the British and French. On 4 November 1956, the Soviets reached the centre of Budapest. A few hours later, British paratroopers were preparing to land at Port Said.

Checkmate.

And who are the winners of this decades-long burlesque? Well, the Arabs for one. Field Marshal President Sisi of Egypt feted Putin in Cairo, but is happy to host UK businessmen to assist his pharaonic projects for a new Egyptian administrative capital (total cost around $45bn) and a “new” Suez Canal.

And President Bashar Al Assad can count on Putin’s support in his war against the rebels of Syria while benefiting from US air strikes on his Isis enemies. And there’s Israel. Its alliance with the US is as strong as ever despite Bibi Netanyahu’s tomfoolery on Capitol Hill.

Israel is offering to mediate between Russia and Ukraine — an interesting proposal, since Israel has plenty of experience of occupying other people’s land. And remember, Putin once praised the political career of Soviet-born Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman — who believes that disloyal Arab-Israelis should have their heads axed off — as “brilliant”. At least the dictators and racists of the Middle East understand the hypocrisy of the superpowers. - The Independent

food in addition to engaging in physical activities.

Leila Al Battashy Muscat

There is actually no need for more sports centres This refers to the news feature, More sports centres needed to beat growing obesity among children (March 15). I don’t think that more sports centres will be of any significant help in fighting the incidence of children being overweight. Healthy lifestyles start at home. If parents don’t teach them the importance of having proper nutrition and healthy food then no amount of sport’s facilities can fix the problem. It would be like incurring expenses for nothing.

Samia Mansour Muscat

Bowlers have won most of the matches in ICC cup I think this is the first time that bowlers have really made the mark in the ICC World Cup. In fact, most of the matches have been won by the teams in the fray because of their bowlers.

But this is not to deny the role played by the batsmen. We have seen centuries galore and we have seen heroic performances of batsmen leading their teams to victories. But the bowlers, this year, have been outstanding. The fifty-over format of cricket is normally believed to be the batsman’s variant. But, it was nice to see some great bowling that sent bells flying frequently. It was nice to see the bowlers making the mark in batsmen-friendly variant of the game.

Ashok Panicker Seeb

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

T I M E S OF OM A N

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

A1 3

PERSPEC IVE Lord Baker’s grand coalition is actually fatally flawed O

n Thursday (March 5) the British national press caught up with what the Times of Oman reader already knew. New polling information, by Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft, which for the first time included Gordon Brown’s Kirkcaldy seat, indicated that the former Prime Minister’s Labour majority of 23,000 would overturn to give a 24,000 SNP majority.

Brown currently holds Labour’s safest Scottish seat. This is therefore a colossal shift in Scottish voter opinion; and the British press, including The Guardian and The Independent led with the realistic possibility of the Scottish nationalists (SNP) wining 56 out of the 59 Scottish Westminster parliamentary seats; confirming my prediction published in the Times of Oman more than two weeks ago. As with the prospect of nationalist success in the recent Scottish independence referendum, I always figured that any likelihood of similar nationalist success in the 2015 Westminster general election would galvanise the minds of the elder statesmen within the main political parties: in particular the Conservatives.

I therefore withheld an earlier article addressing the possibility of a Westminster Labour/Conservative ‘Grand Coalition’, deciding to address this flawed solution when it surfaced.

The ‘Grand Coalition’ issue has now, surfaced (The Independent, March 7) ahead of the general election, and the author of this proposed union saving solution is the Conservative peer Lord Baker; who as a minister created the Poll Tax. Kenneth Baker elaborated his Poll Tax policy to Margaret Thatcher during a weekend meeting at Chequers (the British Prime Minister’s country residence). Aware of Baker’s flawed policy two senior ministers, unable to attend, wrote to Margaret Thatcher illuminating the defects of the Poll Tax. Both strongly advised her to reject Baker’s proposals.

One was the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nigel Lawson, and the other the Defence Secretary, George Younger: previously Secretary of State for Scotland. Both considered this policy to be political suicide for the Prime Minister.

Kenneth Baker charmed Margaret Thatcher into agreeing a Poll Tax. First introduced in Scotland it led to protests across Scotland, and riots in London. Within a decade the Conservatives were eradicated from the Scottish political landscape.

The flaw in Baker’s ‘Grand Coalition’ policy is similarly fatal. Should the Scots at the forthcoming general election return 56 nationalist MPs and the two main political parties prove unable to form majority government; any attempt to form a

GARY SMITH

Britain would become politically divided with two English parties, having little or no political representation in Scotland, opposing the democratically elected representatives of their unionist partners; the Scots

‘Grand Coalition’, focussed on freezing the SNP out of Westminster politics, would instantaneously destabilise the union. Britain would become politically divided with two English parties, having little or no political representation in Scotland, opposing the democratically elected representatives of their unionist partners; the Scots. Against this backdrop the Scottish electorate would view this ‘Grand Coalition’ as a hostile English party-political move against their democratic choice of elected representatives.

This would fuel fresh calls for an immediate Scottish independence referendum, resulting in a devastating ‘YES’ vote. Britain as we know it would disintegrate within a year.

Latest opinion polls (The Guardian and The Independent, 5th March) suggest that both main parties are tied on 272 seats; the SNP emerging as the third largest party, holding the balance of power with 56 seats. Should this prediction prove correct, the likely form of government would be Labour with SNP support? This would provide a parliamentary working figure of 328 seats: enough to operate stable government.

Whilst the SNP have effectively managed a Scottish coalition government they have ruled out a formal Westminster coalition: instead hinting at a ‘supply and confidence’ provision to assist the formation of a stable government.

Additionally the Greens and Welsh nationalists are likely to support this Labour/SNP coalition arrangement from the political wings.

To compound David Cameron’s problems Jacob Rees — Mogg, a Conservative MP, is on record as saying “We are no longer a two party state”; and by this he means the capability of either Conservatives or Labour to form an outright majority British government (Channel Four news 5th March). Finally, Her Majesty the Queen is constitutional head of the British state and government.

By bloodline the Queen is also half Scottish and has significant experience of dealing with Prime Ministers; allied to an instinctive feel for what is in Britain’s best interests.

That Lord Baker’s Poll Tax folly resulted in riots, and the downfall of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister, followed by a Conservative wipe out across Scotland; it is doubtful — should Scotland elect 56 nationalists MPs to Westminster — that his most recent idea of a ‘Grand Coalition’ would find favour at the Palace.

The author is a freelance contributor based in Britain. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely his and not of Times of Oman.

All journalists must tread carefully WILL GORE C harles Kennedy’s appearance on Question Time last week raised a few digital eyebrows among the twitterati. Plenty suggested his performance was, at best, below par; and certainly at times it was uncomfortable to watch.

We may never know the reasons for Kennedy’s mishap. And speculating feels a little tawdry, however unavoidable the discussion about his appearance.

Nonetheless, the incident also led to questions about the BBC’s role in putting Kennedy on its panel. Were the producers oblivious to any apparent problem?

Frankly, it is a little simplistic to assume that a person can be judged in the green room on their likely performance when the cameras roll.

All this got me wondering about the broader question of how journalists obtain information from sources who are, for whatever reason, under the weather or vulnerable.

The rules are clear that if someone says they don’t want to

respond to a journalistic inquiry then questioning must end. But what if a person is not in a position to make a cogent judgement about whether to comment?

Is the onus on a reporter to walk away from a conversation which might embarrass the subject of the inquiry; or is everything fair in love, war and journalism?

It is certainly accepted that a person who is grieving should be treated with particular sensitivity. And patients in hospitals are off limits unless senior staff consent and the individual is compos mentis.

Interviews with children on subjects involving their welfare — or the welfare of another child — should not take place without parental consent.

But these are all quite specific areas. What about an 18-yearold who has never dealt with the media before and says something stupid?

And what if a journalist arrives on a doorstep to be confronted by someone who is obviously under

the influence of drugs or drink?

Should adults with learning disabilities be treated differently to those without?

Each case, in the end, has to be treated in the context of its specific circumstances.

Journalists should always try to ensure that a person understands, for instance, if they are being asked to comment on something with a view to publication.

And there may be occasions when someone’s comments should be discounted because they were made at a time of susceptibility.

Yet there is a fine line between showing consideration and being patronising. Moreover, there will be times when comments made under the influence are certainly worthy of being reported. Think John Galliano.

But at least in the newspaper world the contact between journalist and subject comes prior to publication. There is no such time for deliberation with live television. - The Independent

Learn how to embrace the constraints television: the never-ending drama between the motherin-law and the daughter-inlaw.

Instead, I started focusing on current health issues, holding up close and personal Oprah-type interviews with celebrity guests, bringing on high achievers and people of all economic backgrounds and celebrating their lives.

In the middle of all this, I didn’t give up on any of the things I wanted to get across.

When it came to breast cancer, my solution was to talk about cancer without using the word ‘breast’.

I invited women doctors and cancer experts to talk about cancer in general, about how women were at risk from particular types of cancer, and how women over 40 should get themselves screened and tested regularly. But all without mentioning the word ‘breast’.

Similarly, when it came to violence against women, my solution was to invite activists for women’s rights to come and talk about female empowerment, about the importance of standing up for one’s rights and about their own personal journeys.

I invited representatives from NGOs dealing with women’s issues to appear on the show and then encouraged my viewers to get in touch with them.

But all without specifically mentioning rape or sexual violence.

We are taught too often that constraints are terrible things, that every time somebody tries to stop us, we must bulldoze our way through and change the system, and bring about a revolution. I’m not saying that’s wrong. I’m just saying that there are other ways.

When I first joined the media, I used to challenge every constraint and scream as loud as I could against it. But people don’t like screaming.

They don’t like confrontation. Many of them simply tune out.

What I’ve learnt now is that nudges can be just as effective as pushes, that working for change within a system is often more useful than railing against the ‘system’.

Focus on eating the fruit, not on counting the trees.

So, don’t be afraid of constraints. If you embrace constraints and if you embrace challenges, you will become a better artist. I read somewhere recently that only when one is limited can one begin the journey to becoming completely limitless!

You will be forced to look within yourself and to use all of your skills. And that will be good for you and your art, no matter what that art may be. - The Express Tribune

JUGGUN KAZIM

M

ost of us grow up with the idea that creativity and constraints are opposites, like fire and water. That what a true artist needs is a blank page, the freedom to do whatever he or she wants.

Well, I disagree.

Art is about choices. What to say. What not to say. And how not to say. But more choices don’t always make us happier or freer.

Some years ago, there was even a book called The Paradox of Choice about how people buy more stuff when given less choice.

We see this paradox in the arts the whole time. Take poetry as an example. Yes, you can write free poetry in which nothing rhymes.

But there have been many great poets who chose to work within a particular form. Shakespeare wrote sonnets. Ghalib wrote ghazals. I am an actor and a woman in a country where being either of those two can be a problem. Every weekday morning, I go live before an audience of millions.

Like all television hosts, I have to work within certain constraints. But because I work for a state-owned channel, I work with more constraints than others.

The first year of hosting my breakfast show, “Morning with Juggun”, I would often sit on my bathroom floor, crying with frustration because I couldn’t talk about anything that I wanted to talk about, like violence against women and children, breast cancer awareness — because I couldn’t use the word ‘breast’ on air — child molestation, rape, minority rights, the list went on and on.

I kept feeling sorry for myself. And as a result, I went on air every day and talked about things without any real emotion or sincerity.

Then something dawned on me one day. I was using my constraints as an excuse to be lazy and uncreative.

You have to work within the framework of your constraints and create something meaningful and beautiful, and at the same time, interesting for your audience. That’s the challenge.

In the case of my morning show, I realised that the one luxury I had in working for a state broadcaster was that I could happily ignore all the stunts other anchors were being forced to pull to get ratings. In the case of Pakistan, that meant week-long shows on weddings, exorcism specials to rid guests of their demons and of course, that old staple of sub-continental

China building second aircraft carrier Chinese officials have confirmed that construction of the country’s first indigenous aircraft carrier is underway, according to a number of Chinese and Taiwanese media sources Length

315 metres

Width

75 metres

Displacement Speed

Carrier comparison

65,000 tonnes 31 knots (57km/h)

Due date

2020

Design Believed to be significant upgrade over China’s first aircraft carrier Liaoning

Nimitz (United States) New carrier (China) Liaoning (China) Queen Elizabeth (UK) Charles de Gaulle (France)

TODAY IN HISTORY 1766

Britain repeals the Stamp Act.

1799

Napoleon Bonaparte and his army reach Mediterranean seaport of St. Jean d’Acra, only to find British warships ready to break his siege of the town.

1886

Twenty African Americans are killed in the Carrollton Massacre in Mississippi.

Active phased array radar Long-range detection and tracking, similar to US Aegis system

Propulsion Smokestack shape suggests gas turbines, or diesel /gas combination, instead of steam power

Ski-jump Assists take-off. Carrier may also have two catapults for launching planes

1959 Armament 4 x HQ-16 surface-to-air missile launchers, close-in weapon systems (CIWS), 4 x 30mm guns, 3 x anti-submarine launchers

Aircraft lifts (x3) Move planes between hangar and flight deck

Source: Jane’s Information Group, Andrew S. Erickson

Aircraft About 70 carried, including J-15 fighters, plus anti-submarine and early warning helicopters

Bow Hydrodynamic projection

Graphic News /

Graphics

The Dalai Lama flees Tibet and goes to India.

1962

The Soviet Union asks the United States to pull out of South Vietnam.

1966

A US submarine locates a missing H-bomb in the Mediterranean.

HISTORYNET.COM

OPINION POLL FROM OUR ARCHIVES SEMINAR ON OMAN – UNICEF COOPERATION

MUSCAT: A seminar on the revision of the programme strategy for technical cooperation between the Sultanate and the Unicef will be held at Oman Sheraton Hotel today. The seminar is part of the preparations by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Vocational Training to map out a programme for technical cooperation between the government and the UN Organisation. The programme will take the form of a working plan to help improve the quality of child and mother care from 2001 to 2003.

Are you prepared to pay more if it means extra safety for your child?

Visit timesofoman.com to cast your vote

LAST POLL RESULT Yes

55.9%

No

44.1%

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

A 14

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

GLOBAL EYE

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

SPAIN: A train passes through a tunnel in the rocks as people walk the foot-path ‘El Caminito del Rey’ (King’s little path) a narrow walkway hanging and carved on the steep walls of a defile in Ardales near Malaga in Spain, on Sunday. The one meter wide and 7.7km long path, hanging from Ardales’ defile at a height 100 meters, was closed in the mid 1990s after several hikers died. Once restored, it will be reopened to the public on March 28, 2015. – AFP

HONG KONG: The IFC, left, and ICC, right, towers are seen shrouded in fog in Hong Kong on Monday.

The foggy weather in the Southern Chinese city is caused by a humid maritime airstream affecting south China coastal areas. – AFP

CHINA: Kazakhs herd their sheep in Yili, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China. Around 400,000 livestock in Yili started the 10-day trip to their spring pasture at the end of winter, according to local media. – Reuters

UNITED KINGDOM: London mayor Boris Johnson, left, plants waterlilies at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, west London on Monday. – Reuters

FRANCE: Truck drivers stand at the entrance of the A84 highway during a national strike on Monday, near the northwestern French city of Caen. – AFP

RUSSIA: People releasing red balloons during a flashmob at St. Petersburg’s Palace square in Russia, on Sunday. – AFP

AUSTRALIA: A 1.5-metre (4.9-feet) tall albino wallaroo, right, with her normal coloured adult daughter, left, sits between the trunks of eucalyptus gum trees in the Mount Panorama Woodlands near Bathhurst, in New South Wales, Australia. – AFP

GERMANY: A man tries out 3D goggles at the Vodafone stand at the CeBit trade fair in Hanover, Germany, on Monday. The world’s biggest computer and software fair will open to the public from Monday to this Friday. – Reuters

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015 A An emotional President Baldwin Lonsdale of Vanuatu said the need of help was “immediate” after Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam n ttore through the country on Friday night packing wind gusts of up to 320 kilometres an hour, leaving massive destruction o

A1 5

WORLD

ALLEGED ABDUCTION

Wife fears for life of missing Bangladesh opposition spokesman DHAKA: Bangladesh’s main opposition party accused the security services on Monday of abducting its top spokesman after he was allegedly picked up by plain-clothes detectives from a hideout nearly a week ago.

Salahuddin Ahmed took over as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) spokesman in January when his predecessor was arrest-

ed on charges of inciting violence at the start of a transport blockade called by BNP leader Khaleda Zia. Picked up “Ahmed has been picked up, blindfolded and led by law-enforcing agencies and we believe he is still in their custody. He should be freed or brought to a court,” Zia’s aide Shimul Biswas said.

Ahmed’s wife Hasina Ahmed said detectives had last Tuesday raided the house where her husband has been hiding in recent weeks and then taken him to an undisclosed destination.

Plainclothes policemen A janitor at the house in Dhaka’s Uttara suburb told reporters up to four plainclothes policemen who

identified themselves as detectives had led a blindfolded detainee to a minibus. However, national police chief Shahidul Haque on Saturday denied that police or any other law-enforcing agencies had abducted Ahmed.

“Police have submitted reports on Ahmed to the High Court in which they have said they did not arrest him and Ahmed is not in

Militant group leader held in Philippines Mohammad Ali Tambako was detained along with five accomplices as he was travelling on a motorised tricycle on a main road near a major southern city on Sunday night

MANILA: Philippine security forces have arrested the head of a small militant group who was involved in protecting one of the United States’ “most wanted terrorists”, the military said on Monday.

Mohammad Ali Tambako was detained along with five accomplices as he was riding a motorised tricycle on a main road near a major southern city on Sunday night, military chief General Gregorio Catapang told reporters.

ARRESTED: Members of the Philippine National Police intelligence

escort Mohammad Ali Tambako, centre, founder and leader of the Justice Islamic Movement, upon arrival at Villamor Air Base, in Manila on Monday. – Reuters

His capture is part of an offensive against splinter groups who oppose a pact with the nation’s biggest rebel group that aims to end a decades-long separatist insurgency. The rebellion has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Tambako is head of the Justice for Islamic Movement (JIM), which has only about 70 members but has played a key role in recent deadly violence, including the massacre of 44 policemen,

according to Catapang. He said Tambako had helped to protect Abdul Basit Usman, a Filipino bomb-maker who has a milliondollar reward on his head from the United States. “He (was) reported to be coddling the notorious bomber Basit Usman and five foreign terrorists,” Catapang said.

He expressed hope that, now Tambako was in custody, Usman and the others would soon be arrested.

C YC L O N E - H I T PAC I F I C I S L A N D C OU N T RY

DEVASTATED: An aerial view shows homes destroyed by Cyclone Pam in Port Vila, the capital city of

the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, on Monday.

– Reuters

Vanuatu president calls for global help to rebuild nation PORT VILA: (VANUATU): Vanuatu’s president pleaded with the world on Monday to help the cyclone-ravaged Pacific nation rebuild its “completely destroyed” infrastructure as aid agencies warned conditions were among the most challenging they have faced with fears of disease rife.

An emotional President Baldwin Lonsdale said the need was “immediate” after Severe Tropical Cyclone Pam tore through the country on Friday night packing wind gusts of up to 320 kilometres (200 miles) an hour, leaving massive destruction.

In the capital Port Vila access to water was partially restored and stores began reopening, but entire neighbourhoods remained without power as aid workers streamed in to take the measure of what many have said might be one of the region’s worst weather disasters. “The humanitarian need is immediate, we need it right now,” Lonsdale said before flying home from a disaster conference in Japan, adding that the poverty-stricken island chain also desperately required longerterm financial support.

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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

“After all the development we have done for the last couple of years and this big cyclone came and just destroyed... all the infrastructure the government has... built. Completely destroyed. We need international funding to (re) build all the infrastructure.”

Support pledged Many world leaders have pledged support. Military planes from Australia, New Zealand and France were arriving loaded with food, shelter, medicine and generators, along with disaster relief teams. The official death toll in the battered capital Port Vila, where aid workers said up to 90 per cent of homes have been damaged, stands at six with more than 30 injured, although there are fears this is likely a fraction of the fatalities caused by the storm.

The nation’s Prime Minister Joe Natuman was at home when

the tempest hit. “I tell you it was quite frightening,” he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “It sounded like a big noise, you know. Throughout the night, big noise, thunder, lightning. When you looked out you couldn’t see anything.”

While the aid missions continued landing, workers on the ground said there was no way to distribute desperately needed supplies across the archipelago’s 80 islands, warning it would take days to reach remote villages flattened by the monster storm.

Oxfam country director in Port Vila Colin Collett van Rooyen said a lack of clean water, temporary toilets, water purification tablets and hygiene kits needed to be addressed rapidly.

“Friday night was the first emergency with the arrival of Cyclone Pam, disease will be the second emergency without clean water, sanitation and hygiene provision,” he said.

“There are more than 100,000 people likely homeless, every school destroyed, full evacuation centres, damage to health facilities and the morgue.” — AFP

Police commandoes conducted a botched raid in rebel territory on January 25 that aimed to kill or capture Usman and another man on the US list of “most wanted terrorists”, Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir. Zulkifli was reported killed, but Usman escaped, and rebels killed 44 police commandoes after trapping them in a cornfield.

Catapang said Tambako was among the rebels who fought the police commandoes.

He said Tambako was captured near General Santos, a coastal city not known for militancy, more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the farming area where the massacre took place.

Arms and ammunition His group had just three grenades and four handguns, and did not put up a fight when confronted by police and soldiers, according to Catapang.

Tambako was possibly heading for a safe-house or a boat to escape the recent military campaign, officials said.

More than 65,000 people have been displaced in the fighting over the past month, according to the government. The military says it has killed about 100 militants, although those figures cannot be verified.— — AFP

their custody,” said deputy attorney general Mohammad Bashirullah.

Ahmed is one of scores of BNP officials to have disappeared in recent months. Although the government has denied any role in the disappearances, rights groups claim the officials were picked up by the security forces on the instructions of their political masters.

Rights advocates fear they may

have been killed or are being held without trial. Ahmed’s wife said she now feared for her husband’s life, telling AFP: “If he’s accused of anything they should prosecute him, but please keep him alive.”

Ahmed was a three times former member of parliament and was also a communications minister when Zia was prime minister from 2001 to 2006. — AFP

A16

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

WORLD UKRAINE PEACE DEALS

Tusk presses EU leaders to keep Russia sanctions ROME/BRUSSELS: European Council President Donald Tusk is pressing EU leaders to pledge this week to keep sanctions on Russia until a Ukraine ceasefire deal is fully in place, effectively extending sanctions until at least the end of the year.

Europe must maintain pressure on Russia with sanctions until Ukraine has full control of its borders, Tusk said in an interview with several newspapers published on Monday.

“I’m sceptical about the goodwill of the Russians and I’m convinced that what’s needed is to maintain pressure,” he was quoted as saying

by Italian daily La Stampa, one of six European newspapers which took part in the interview.

“We have to keep up sanctions until there is full respect for the (Minsk) agreements.

“That is until Kiev is responsible for its national frontiers,” he was quoted as saying.

EU economic sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict are due to expire in July.

Some EU governments want the bloc to act now to renew them, while other want to delay a decision to see how a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine develops. — Reuters

Mr Miliband’s statement is absolutely fine from our point of view, because formal coalition with seats in the UK government has never been our preference anyway. The other arrangements which have not been ruled out - such as confidence and supply, and voting on an issue by issue basis - are the options we believe are best for Scotland anyway.

Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish National Party leader

Families flee Libyan city as clashes with IS escalate Families were seen packing into cars and heading westwards along the coast for Misrata, the stronghold of Libya Dawn, the armed group that backs the

CONFLICT: Fighters from Misrata sit on top of a vehicle near Sirte,

Libya, on Monday. — Reuters

government in the capital, Tripoli

NEAR SIRTE (LIBYA)/BRUSSELS: Families fled Libya’s coastal city of Sirte in their dozens on Monday after two days of clashes between IS militants and fighters loyal to a government based in Tripoli, with the violence set to escalate, according to witnesses.

Families were seen packing into cars and heading westwards along the coast for Misrata, the

stronghold of Libya Dawn, the armed group that backs the government in the capital, Tripoli.

Some 20 cars evacuated staff from a hospital.

One resident leaving the city said IS had told them that more fighting was likely in the next few days. Fuel was running short in Sirte while some shops had closed, he said.

The region east of Sirte, towards Benghazi, has been a battlefield since December when Libya Dawn tried to seize Libya’s biggest

oil ports, Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, which are held by forces loyal to the internationally recognised government of Prime Minister Abdullah Al Thinni in the east.

Reinforcements from Misrata could be seen arriving on Monday on the outskirts of Sirte - the birthplace of Muammar Gaddafi, who was ousted four years ago after decades in power.

IS has exploited turmoil in Libya, a major oil producer, where Thinni’s government and the adminisration in Tripoli and

their respective allies are fighting for power.

Militants loyal to IS have taken over government buildings, a hospital and the university in Sirte and at the weekend fought near the city with Libya Dawn forces, although there was no major confrontation in the city centre, residents said.

On Sunday, a car bomb exploded in Misrata at the headquarters of a force sent to fight IS in Sirte.

Misrata has largely been spared the kind of violence gripping other parts of Libya. There was no claim of responsibility.

Militants loyal to IS have claimed responsibility for an attack on the luxury Corinthia hotel in Tripoli in January, as well as the killing of a group of Egyptian Copts from Sirte that triggered air strikes by Egypt.

Spain for oil embargo Meanwhile, Spain said on Monday the European Union should consider an oil embargo and freezing of Libyan central bank assets if UN-brokered talks to resolve the country’s political crisis failed.

EU foreign ministers agreed to draw up proposals for an EU mission to Libya if the talks produced a deal between two rival

governments and armed factions battling for power and oil wealth four years after NATO helped oust Muammar Gaddafi.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo told reporters formation of a united government was the “last hope for a peaceful solution”. Should the talks fail, the EU should take measures to force the parties back to the table.

“I think we should consider measures to freeze the assets of the central bank ... and possibly impose an oil embargo, to convince all parties that only with political stability, there can be economic growth,” Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said.

Ministers backed a call by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to examine sending a mission to Libya, without giving any details at this stage. Italy’s foreign minister said sending European police officers “would be of huge importance”.

Mogherini has floated the idea of the 28-nation EU sending a team to Libya to monitor a ceasefire or to protect airports and other infrastructure if the talks succeed. She has also suggested EU ships could help police an arms embargo. — Reuters

S TA N D O F F W I T H W E S T

Iran MPs won’t derail nuclear deal: Larijani TEHRAN: Iranian MPs will not derail a nuclear deal with the West, as US lawmakers have threatened to, if the country’s supreme leader gives it his backing, parliament’s top official said Monday. Speaker Ali Larijani said lawmakers and the government would be unified if an agreement gets the nod from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“Parliament and the government are following the same path,” Larijani told reporters.

“We don’t have problems like those in the United States,” he said, alluding to the split between President Barack Obama’s White House and the US Congress over nuclear talks.

Hardline Iranian lawmakers have repeatedly insisted that a nuclear agreement with world powers can only be binding if it is ratified by parliament.

Some have also criticised the negotiations, saying President Hassan Rouhani’s government made too many concessions under an interim deal implemented in January 2014.

But when asked if an agreement would require approval from parliament and Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Larijani said MPs would not stand in the way.

“We are together and there is coordination and consultation between government and the parliament... and all are under the supervision of the leader,” he said. Larijani lambasted a letter from Republican senators last week that said a final agreement could be rescinded by another

Parliament and the government are following the same path. We don’t have problems like those in the United States Ali Larijani

Iran Parliament Speaker

US administration after Obama leaves the White House.

“What the US Congress did was really amateurish,” Larijani said. “Even their political experts denounced them because they undermined their own integrity.

We are not going to copy their mistake.” — AFP

E L E C T I O N S O N M AY 7

Labour rules out formal link-up with Scottish nationalists LONDON: Britain’s opposition Labour Party ruled out forming a coalition government with the Scottish National Party (SNP) after a May 7 national election, a tactical move it hopes will resurrect its flagging fortunes in Scotland and calm nervous English voters.

“It will not happen,” Labour leader Ed Miliband said on Monday of a possible formal coalition with the SNP. “Labour will not go into coalition government with the SNP. There will be no SNP ministers in any government I lead.”

Miliband did not rule out striking an informal deal however, a decision likely to ensure that speculation about such an arrangement will continue.

Ruling out formal cooperation with the SNP, which still wants Scotland to break away from Britain, but which is also, like Labour, left-wing, could help persuade Scots a vote for the nationalists is a wasted vote, Labour hopes.

An opinion poll earlier this month suggested Labour risked losing its safest seat in Scotland, that of former prime minister Gordon Brown. — Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

MARKE Muscat 6,258.09 - 42.88 - 0.68%

Dubai 3,519.55 - 94.00 - 2.60%

Abu Dhabi 4,365.22 - 59.53 - 1.98%

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

DIGEST VIDEO Top stories in one minute with our new daily Digest

Kuwait 6,446.37 - 26.96 - 0.42%

Saudi Arabia

9,438.24 - 190.41 - 1.98%

Bahrain 1,468.57 - 8.19 - 0.55%

Qatar 11,761.11 - 203.04 - 1.71%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.44 Pound ............................................1.74 Indian Rs .............................163.00 Pak Rs ....................................260.01 Bangla Taka.......................199.64

Indian Rs .................................. 163.00 Pakistan Rs ............................. 263.15 Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 343.65 Bangla Taka.............................201.70 Phil Peso .....................................114.75

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......14.85

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$52.35 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) .........$51.80 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) .........$54.14 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........ $54.37 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$54.00

* Rates are as of Mar. 16 Source: Bank Muscat

West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$44.36

* Rates as of Mar. 16 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......14.30 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 140.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 133.75 * Rates as of Mar. 16 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Sohar Refinery expansion to be completed by end of 2016 SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

ARTICLE, VIDEO

Orpic’s two other projects — 280-km-long

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

Muscat-Sohar product pipeline and Liwa Plastics Industries Complex -are scheduled for completion by 2017 and 2018, respectively

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Sohar Refinery expansion will be completed by the end of 2016, while 280-km-long Muscat-Sohar product pipeline and Liwa Plastics Industries Complex will be commissioned by 2017 and 2018, respectively, said a senior official of the Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries ComCRUDE OIL MARKET

Oil slumps to six-year low MELBOURNE: Oil extended its collapse to the lowest intraday price since March 2009 on speculation that record United States supply may start to strain the country’s storage capacity.

Crude tanks in the US may fill up as drilling-rig cuts fail to slow production this year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicted.

Speculators have cut bullish bets on oil to the lowest level in more than two years while short wagers rise to a record, US Commodity Futures Trading Commission data show. Futures lost as much as 2.8 per cent to $43.57 a barrel in New York on Monday, falling for a fifth day.

Oil is extending a fourth weekly slump after government data showed US output and stockpiles expanded to the highest levels in more than three decades, exacerbating a glut that drove prices almost 50 per cent lower last year. The market hasn’t bottomed yet because of the surplus, former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said on Bloomberg Television.

“We’ve got this ongoing increase in inventory with no cut in production, despite the drop in the number of shale-oil rigs,” Ric Spooner, a chief strategist at CMC Markets in Sydney, said.

US oil production will expand this year. - Bloomberg News

pany (Orpic). These are the three main new projects of Orpic, with capital expenditure running into billions of Omani rials.

“In 2013, we started the Sohar Refinery Improvement Project, which was in response to the need to enhance refining capacity and carry out environmental improvement,” said Musab Al Mahruqi, chief executive officer of Orpic, while addressing the Oman Refin-

Musab Al Mahruqi. – O. K. MOHAMMED ALI/Times of Oman

ing and Petrochemical Conference (and exhibition) here on Monday.

The conference and exhibition, which is being held between March 16 and 18, at the Oman International Exhibition Centre was organised

by Omanexpo, in association with

World Refining Association.

Al Mahruqi said with the commissioning of the Sohar Refinery Improvement Project, Orpic would be able to reduce the import of naphtha from 70 per cent to 25 per cent. Product range will increase substantially, while for the company will be able to produce bitumen for the first time in Oman.

Bitumen is in demand due to transport infrastructure projects.

The project will also provide 300 permanent direct jobs, besides offering business opportunity for 2,400 Omani contractors during the lifetime of the project. Further, the project will help to generate

900 indirect jobs.

Regarding the $3.6 billion Liwa Plastics Industries Complex (LPIC), he said it would support the development of a vibrant downstream plastics industry in the Sultanate of Oman. “It will bring new business opportunities for the Sultanate in the fast growing plastics industry,” he said Polyethylene production He further said the LPIC has six components, which include a steam cracker unit, polymer units, a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) extraction unit and an NGL pipeline from Fahud to Sohar. It will enable Oman to produce polyethylene for the first time.

“The project is on schedule and will be commissioned in 2018.”

The company’s profit and revenue will double with the commissioning of these two projects.

“Oman will have six of the seven building blocks of petrochemicals, paving the way for future downstream developments.”

The Orpic chief also said that the 280-km-long Muscat-Sohar multi-product (for transporting refined products) pipeline is due for commissioning in 2017. It will have an intermediate distribution facility in Jiffin and a new storage facility at the Muscat International Airport for aviation fuel.

“It will eliminate the need to truck refined products, which will reduce the number of fuel tankers (by 70 per cent) and also lower the cost,” he said.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

B3

MARKET Al Nimr Expo adds workshop division It will organise specialised industry workshops and training sessions that contribute to the development of personnel and staff of private and public sectors in Oman

BUSINESS REPORTER

MUSCAT: Al Nimr Expo has added a new division called ‘Al Nimr Workshops,’ which will organise specialised industry workshops and training sessions, Al Nimr officials announced on Monday.

Al Nimr Workshops has been established to address the need for specialised sessions that contribute to the development of personnel and employees of the private and public sectors in Oman.

“The decision to expand Al Nimr Expo with Al Nimr Workshops division was taken to address industries’ needs for development of their personnel and employees in different areas of interest with quality and enriching workshops and training sessions,” Salim Al Hasmi, chairman of Al Nimr International Exhibition Organisers, said at a press conference.

The agenda for this year has been set with five workshops that will discuss three main topics —customer service, real estate practices, and e-government in the months of April and May.

The workshops will be facilitated by international certified experts and trainers, according to Maryam Al Balushi, the event executive for training and workshops at Al Nimr Conferences.

Sherwin Sevillena, chief executive officer of Al Nimr Expo and Conferences, said that Al Nimr has always sought to contribute to the development of the Sultanate’s economy through introducing new initiatives and supporting events related to the public transport, logistics, safety, real estate and other sectors.

Three workshops “Before determining the topics of the workshops, we researched the needs and requirements of different industries in the Sultanate of Oman and have interpreted the input of our clients, industry experts, and partners to develop the workshops.”

Customer Service Week Workshop will include three workshops on customer service in the last week of April. One is planned for the public sector and two workshops are intended for the private sector that targets different levels of employment in service-orientated organisations including banking and finance, telecom, automotive, tourism and hospitality, retail and others.

Another workshop about strategies and best practices in real estate brokerage aims to support the local brokerage companies to be more competitive and transparent, introducing them to the best practices in the region and the world. It will also provide them with the right processes and procedures to become licensed brokers in Oman.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

APPOINTMENT

Rawahi joins ahlibank as deputy general manager Times News Service

Yousuf Al Rawahi. – Supplied picture

MUSCAT: Yousuf Al Rawahi has been appointed as ahlibank’s deputy general manager – head of branches, retail banking.

A versatile, detail-oriented and result-driven professional, Al Rawahi joins the bank with more than 20 years of experience working in the retail banking sector, and has worked with Bank Muscat and

HSBC. Yousuf has a diploma in General Banking from College of Banking and Financial Studies.

“We are very pleased to announce that Yousuf Al Rawahi has joined the bank’s senior management team,” said Lloyd Maddock, chief executive officer of ahlibank.

“We are certain he will be a great addition to the team, and will help us build on the momentum that we have established in retail banking.

I am confident that he will be invaluable as we continue to execute our strategic growth plans to positively impact banking in the Sultanate,” he added.

“We welcome Yousuf Al Rawahi on board,” stated Said Al Hamdani – DGM HR. “A well-equipped and knowledgeable workforce is vital for successful operations of a bank, “ Said Al Hamdani – DGM HR added.

B4

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

MARKET MSM index in red zone

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,300.82 .............. 6,240.52 ...................6,258.09 ...................6,300.97............... -42.88 .................. -0.68 Financial Index .....................................7,652.58 ...............7,580.84 ................... 7,606.49 ................... 7,652.92................-46.43 .................. -0.61 Industrial Index ................................... 8,474.35 ...............8,416.58 ....................8,416.70 ...................8,497.94................-81.24 .................. -0.96 Services Index ....................................... 3,483.11 .............. 3,460.99 ................... 3,461.84 ....................3,483.11................-21.27 .................. -0.61 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................980.72 ..................976.43 .......................976.57 ...................... 982.77..................-6.20 .................. -0.63 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 35,203,613 ................. 7,820,644 .....................933 ...............14,806,108,067 .................. 4 ..................... 25 .................... 19 .........................48

United Finance, which rose 5.80 per cent, was the top gainer, while Al Hassan Engineering,

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, MARCH 16

down by 5.74 per cent, lost the most 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: Muscat bourse’s general index, MSM 30 Index, continued its slump and ended the day at 6,258.09 points, down by 0.68 per cent. The MSM Shariah Index also declined by 0.63 per cent to close at 976.57 points.

United Finance was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. United Finance, up by 5.80 per cent, was the top gainer, while Al Hassan Engineering, down 5.74 per cent, lost the most.

As many as 933 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR7.82 million with more than 35.20 million shares changing hands. Out of 48 traded securities, 4 advanced, 25 declined and 19 remained unchanged.

At the close of the session, Omani investors remained net buyers to the tune of OMR4.38 million while GCC & Arab Investors were net sellers at OMR3.50 million followed by foreign investors, who sold stocks amounting to OMR882,000.

Financial Index closed at 7,606.49 points, down by 0.61 per cent. United Finance, Al Sharqia Investments, Oman & Emirates Holding and Bank Dhofar increased by 5.80 per cent, 1.29 per cent, 0.82 per cent and 0.57 per cent respectively. Al Madina Takaful, Al Madina Investments, Gulf Investment Services, Ominvest and Bank Muscat declined 3.57 per cent, 3.08 per cent, 2.03 per cent, 1.67 per cent and 1.44 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index declined by 0.96 per cent to close at 8,416.70 points. Al Hassan Engineering, Al Anwar Ceramics, Construction Materials and Oman Cables decreased 5.74 per cent, 2.95 per cent, 2.78 per cent and 2.55 per cent respectively.

Services Sector Index closed at 3,461.84 points, a loss of 0.61 per cent. Al Jazeera Services, OIFC, Renaissance Services, Ooredoo

and Al Suwadi Power decreased 5.06 per cent, 2.38 per cent, 2 per cent, 1.16 per cent and 0.55 per cent respectively.

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

OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 24,055,484 3,606,491..................... 35 ............0.145 ........... 0.150 ...........0.140........... 0.146 ............. 0.138............ 0.008............. 5.797 ................0.145 ..............0.143...................0.145............... 40,151,930 .......0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 142,080 ...........22,304..................... 28 ............0.160 ........... 0.160 ...........0.156 ............0.157 ............. 0.155............ 0.002............. 1.290 ................0.157 .............. 0.156...................0.157 ...............13,583,640 .......0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 133,600 ............16,414......................14 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.121 ............0.123 .............0.122 ............0.001 .............0.820 ................0.122.............. 0.121...................0.122...............14,990,625 .......0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR .............................................................. 11,806 ...............4,158........................5 ........... 0.340...........0.370 ...........0.340 .......... 0.352 .............0.350 ........... 0.002............. 0.571 ................0.370..............0.342...................0.370..............472,821,259 .....0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION .............................. 500 ...................145........................1 ........... 0.290...........0.290 ...........0.290 .......... 0.297 .............0.297 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.290..............0.292...................0.300 ..............28,226,880 ......0.100

Dubai stocks fall Dubai stocks led a slump in Middle Eastern markets as Brent crude extended its slide on speculation that record United States supply may start to strain the country’s storage capacity.

Egypt’s shares retreated.

The DFM General Index decreased 2.6 per cent to close at 3,519.55, the lowest since January 6. It was the biggest decliner among more than 90 gauges tracked globally by Bloomberg after Greece’s benchmark index.

The measure’s 14-day relative strength index fell to 25, the lowest since December. A level below 30 indicates to some analysts a security is oversold.

Egypt’s EGX 30 Index lost 1.7 per cent in Cairo, the steepest loss since February 17.

Brent crude lost 0.3 per cent to $54.52 per barrel after falling 8.5 per cent last week, the most since the five days ended January 9. Crude tanks in the US may fill up as drilling- rig cuts fail to slow production this year, the International Energy Agency predicted.

“Technically, the market is in oversold territory and should rebound, but the overall sentiment is negative, driven by a fresh slide in crude prices,” Ahmed Shehada, the head of advisory and institutions at NBAD Securities in Abu Dhabi, said by phone. “Equity markets are doing what the oil price is doing since September and it looks like that’s the way the markets will behave for the foreseeable future.”

The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, is home to about a third of the world’s proven oil reserves. - United Securities/Bloomberg News

OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................... 1,000 ..................434........................1 ........... 0.434 ...........0.434 ...........0.434........... 0.440 .............0.440 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.434..............0.430...................0.436...............20,047,022.......0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ..............................................................557 .................. 972........................1 ............1.745 ........... 1.745............ 1.745 ............1.745 ............. 1.745 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................ 1.745 ...............1.710................... 1.745 ............. 349,000,000 .....0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 107,953 ............ 14,034........................2 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.130........... 0.130 .............0.130............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.130 ..............0.127...................0.130..............260,040,663 .....0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ........................................................................ 3,574 ...................715........................2 ........... 0.200...........0.200 ...........0.200 .......... 0.200 .............0.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.200 ............. 0.195...................0.200 .............259,097,481 ......0.100 OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING .............................................................12,116 ...............4,846..................... 10 ........... 0.400...........0.400 ...........0.398........... 0.400 .............0.400 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.400............. 0.400...................0.420 ..............69,369,300.......0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 252,543 ......... 439,103..................... 47 ............1.745 ........... 1.745............1.730 ............1.740 ............. 1.740............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.740 ...............1.735...................1.740 ............1,305,000,000....0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA ...............................................10,000 ...............8,400........................3 ........... 0.840...........0.840 ...........0.840 .......... 0.840 .............0.840 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.840..............0.840...................0.844 .............134,400,000 .....0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE ...................................................78,000 .............12,558........................3 ............0.161 ........... 0.161............0.161 ............0.161 ............. 0.161 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.161 .............. 0.161...................0.162...............40,827,990.......0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER............................................................ 100,000 ...........38,000........................2 ........... 0.380 ...........0.380 ...........0.380........... 0.380 .............0.380 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.380..............0.380...................0.390 ..............83,983,800.......0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING ..............................................4,430 .............. 2,924........................1 ........... 0.660 ...........0.660 ...........0.660........... 0.660 .............0.660 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.660..............0.648...................0.660 ............. 131,759,496 ......0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING .....................................6,200 .............12,369........................2 ............1.995 ........... 1.995 ...........1.995 ............1.995 .............2.000 ...........-0.005 ........... -0.250 ...............1.995 .............. 1.955...................2.200 .............189,525,000......0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 831,229 ......... 427,136..................... 27 ............0.514 ........... 0.518 ...........0.510 ............0.514 ............. 0.516............-0.002 ........... -0.388 ...............0.518 .............. 0.514...................0.518 ..............170,068,573......0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ...................................48,853 .............15,406......................13 ............0.318 ...........0.320 ...........0.314 ............0.316 ............. 0.318............-0.002 ........... -0.629 ...............0.320..............0.314...................0.320 .............385,149,490......0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 2,276,241 ......547,222................... 179 ........... 0.242...........0.242 ...........0.236........... 0.240 .............0.242 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.826 ...............0.239..............0.239...................0.240 ..............31,320,000.......0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR....................................................................8,000 ...............1,560........................1 ............0.195 ........... 0.195 ...........0.195 ............0.195 ............. 0.197............-0.002 ............-1.015................0.195 .............. 0.195...................0.197............. 223,080,000 .....0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 152,585.......... 104,103......................31 ........... 0.688 ........... 0.700 ...........0.680........... 0.684 .............0.692 ...........-0.008 ............-1.156................0.700..............0.688...................0.700..............445,245,853 .....0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ............................ 6,630 ...............2,122........................2 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.320........... 0.320 .............0.324 ...........-0.004 ............-1.235................0.320.............. 0.316...................0.324 .............. 39,967,347 .......0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 2,247,079 ...1,228,914................... 198 ........... 0.554 ...........0.554 ...........0.536........... 0.546 .............0.554 ...........-0.008 ........... -1.444 ...............0.536..............0.536...................0.540 ............ 1,191,747,751 .....0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 236,805 ..........111,377........................7 ............0.476 ........... 0.476 ...........0.470........... 0.470 .............0.478 ...........-0.008 ............-1.674................0.470..............0.470...................0.474..............158,269,210......0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 352,500 ........... 88,700.....................42 ........... 0.256 ...........0.256 ...........0.250........... 0.252 .............0.257 ...........-0.005 ........... -1.946 ...............0.256..............0.256...................0.257................5,292,000........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES .......................................47,000 .............18,426........................5 ........... 0.390 ...........0.398 ...........0.390........... 0.392 .............0.400 ...........-0.008 ........... -2.000 ...............0.398..............0.392...................0.398.............. 110,581,026 ......0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 1,457,080 ...... 211,209..................... 47 ............0.140 ........... 0.148 ...........0.140............0.145 .............0.148............-0.003 ........... -2.027 ...............0.144..............0.143...................0.144................8,532,266 ........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 165,759 ............ 23,922.....................24 ............0.147 ........... 0.147 ...........0.142........... 0.144 ............. 0.147............-0.003 ........... -2.041 ...............0.142..............0.144...................0.145............... 37,961,102 .......0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 252,000............51,728..................... 28 ........... 0.208...........0.208 ...........0.204 .......... 0.205 .............0.210 ...........-0.005 ........... -2.381 ...............0.205............. 0.204...................0.205 ..............41,000,000.......0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY.................................... 110,594 ...........211,235..................... 25 ............1.920 ........... 1.920 ...........1.910 ............1.910 .............1.960 ...........-0.050 ............-2.551................1.910 .............. 1.910...................1.990..............171,327,000 ......0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 605,263 .........278,822..................... 27 ........... 0.460 ...........0.468 ...........0.460........... 0.460 .............0.474 ...........-0.014 ........... -2.954 ...............0.468..............0.464...................0.474..............113,548,578 ......0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ....................................... 7,000 .................. 441........................1 ........... 0.063 ...........0.063 ...........0.063........... 0.063 .............0.065 ...........-0.002 ........... -3.077 ...............0.063..............0.063...................0.067............... 13,050,537 .......0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ........................................... 43,000 .............14,552........................9 ........... 0.330 ...........0.342 ...........0.330........... 0.338 .............0.356 ...........-0.018 ........... -5.056 ...............0.340..............0.334...................0.340 ..............20,687,044.......0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 33,767,461......7,520,743 ...............823 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......33..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001228............OMAN HOTELS AND TOURISM ................................. 454 ...................107........................1 ........... 0.236 ...........0.236 ...........0.236........... 0.228 .............0.228 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.236............. 0.000...................0.236...............12,540,000.......0.100 OM0000001384............FINANCIAL SERVICES ................................................4,200 .................. 655........................3 ............0.156 ........... 0.156 ...........0.156 ............0.165 ............. 0.165............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.156 ............. 0.000...................0.156...............10,725,000 .......0.100 OM0000001426............OMAN REFRESHMENT .............................................. 2,037 ...............4,970........................1 ........... 2.440...........2.440 ...........2.440 .......... 2.450 .............2.450 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.440 ............ 0.000...................2.440 .............122,500,000 .....0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING .......................... 1,000 ...................174........................1 ............0.174 ........... 0.174 ...........0.174 ............0.176 ............. 0.176............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.174 .............. 0.159...................0.169................5,280,000........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK..................................................5,000 ..................440........................1 ........... 0.088 ...........0.088 ...........0.088........... 0.088 .............0.088 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.088..............0.087...................0.088...............88,000,000 ......0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................60,445 ...........141,706......................14 ........... 2.340...........2.345 ...........2.340 .......... 2.345 .............2.345 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.345............. 2.300...................2.450 .............223,847,122......1.000 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER....................................................3,000 ..................540........................1 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180............0.181 ............. 0.181 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180............. 0.000................... 0.181 ..............122,154,625......0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................... 17,542 ............... 3,158........................5 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180........... 0.180 ............. 0.181 ............-0.001 ........... -0.552 ...............0.180..............0.180................... 0.181 .............. 128,593,141 ......0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................62,748 .............36,814..................... 30 ........... 0.588 ...........0.590 ...........0.586........... 0.586 .............0.590 ...........-0.004 ........... -0.678 ...............0.586..............0.580...................0.590 ..............29,300,000 ......0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 583,878 ............50,196......................16 ........... 0.086 ...........0.087 ...........0.085........... 0.086 .............0.087 ...........-0.001 ............-1.149................0.086..............0.085...................0.086..............129,000,000 .....0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................28,303 ................1,816........................9 ........... 0.064 ...........0.065 ...........0.064........... 0.064 .............0.065 ...........-0.001 ............-1.538................0.065..............0.065...................0.066................8,000,000........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 120,270 ..............4,255..................... 10 ........... 0.036 ...........0.036 ...........0.035........... 0.035 .............0.036 ...........-0.001 ........... -2.778 ...............0.035..............0.035...................0.037................2,975,000 ........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 166,700.............13,474..................... 10 ........... 0.082 ...........0.082 ...........0.080........... 0.081 .............0.084 ...........-0.003 ............-3.571................0.080..............0.080...................0.085............... 14,175,000 .......0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................... 67,752 ................7,811........................6 ............0.116 ........... 0.116............ 0.115 ............0.115 .............0.122 ...........-0.007 ............-5.738................0.115 .............. 0.110................... 0.116 ................8,648,920 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 1,123,329............266,116 ..............108 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......14..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BOND MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...................... 312,823 ............33,785........................2 ............0.108 ........... 0.108 ...........0.108........... 0.108 .............0.108 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.108..............0.105...................0.110 ...............32,696,904.......0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 312,823 ............33,785........................2 ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

MUMBAI BOURSE

Indian stocks fall to one-month low ahead of US policy meet MUMBAI: Indian stocks fell to over one-month lows on Monday with benchmark Sensex losing 65.59 points to end at 28,437.71 and Nifty index shedding 14.60 points to close at 8,633.15 as markets turned volatile ahead of a closely watched United States Federal reserve policy meet that may indicate timing of rate hike.

The 30-share Sensex after hitting a session high of 28,581.82 in early trade, subsequently suc-

cumbed to selling in bluechips and slipped into red as it hit a low of 28,384.09.

After cutting some losses, the Sensex settled at over one-month low of 28,437.71, down 65.59 points, or 0.23 per cent. An earlier than expected US interest rate hike is feared to trigger capital outflows from emerging markets like India.

The US dollar hit a 12-year high against the euro on Monday, ahead of Federal Reserve policy meet-

ing this week, while oil prices fell again as US supplies continued to build. Global investors are keeping their focus on the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting on Wednesday, seeking a timeline for when it will raise interest rates as the US economy strengthens.

The Sensex had lost 427.11 points on Friday after rise in retail inflation dimmed hopes of aggressive rate cuts by Reserve Bank of India. Also, the NSE index Nifty

ended 14.60 points, down at over one-month low of 8,633.15 after touching a high of 8,663.55 and a low of 8,612 intra-day.

Selling pressure was visible across-the-board despite successful coal and spectrum auctions and passage of Insurance Bill in Parliament, brokers said. “After the budget, the most anticipated macro event which is watched by markets worldwide is the FOMC meet that is scheduled

in coming weeks where markets fear rate hikes by Fed backed by reviving growth and better than expected jobs data,” said Hiren Dhakan, Associate Fund Manager, Bonanza Portfolio.

Globally, Asian markets ended mixed as investors await developments from Bank of Japan and US Fed meetings this week.

European markets edged up in opening trades.After judging the outcome of recent IIP and CPI

numbers, it almost became evident that India’s central bank would not be cutting rates in the upcoming policy meet but the outcome of WPI has once again raised hopes of a rate cut, he added.

During the day, government data showed Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation for February dipped (-) 2.06 per cent. This is the fourth month in a row that WPIbased inflation remained in the negative zone. - PTI CURRENCY

Indian rupee ends higher MUMBAI: The rupee ended higher by 16 paise to 62.81 against the American currency on fresh selling of dollars by banks and exporters on the back of weakness of dollar the overseas market.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the rupee resumed slightly lower at 62.98 per dollar from Friday’ close of 62.97 and moved down further to 62.99 per dollar on initial dollar demand from banks.

However, it recovered afterwards to 62.76 per dollar on renewed selling dollars by banks before ending at 62.81 per dollar, showing a gain of 16 paise or 0.25 per cent. The local currency hovered in a range of 62.76 per dollar and 62.99 per dollar during the day.

The euro recouped its earlier losses against the dollar after briefly touching a fresh 12-year low against the dollar in Asia trade on Monday as shortcovering kicked in. But further slides in the single currency look likely. - PTI

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

B5

ROUND-UP MHD unveils all-new LR Discovery Sport The Discovery Sport launch event was conducted as part of the Muscat Act of the Extreme Sailing Series programme

MUSCAT: Mohsin Haider Darwish (MHD) celebrated the Mena debut of Land Rover’s hotly anticipated new Discovery Sport recently, introducing the vehicle to an enthusiastic audience during an exclusive event hosted at the Al Mouj Golf Club in Muscat, says a press release.

Turning heads since its worldwide debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show, the new Discovery Sport has been billed as the world’s most versatile and capable premium compact SUV, unique to its segment and is set to receive an overwhelming response from Mena customers when it goes on sale in the region early next year.

The event welcomed a large number of guests including VIPs, customers and key members of the media who were treated to an exclusive unveiling of the first member of Land Rover’s new Discovery family. The guests were entertained by a quartet of Omani musicians playing the violin, kanun, tabla and flute to render some

exquisite pieces of Arabic music.

The Discovery Sport launch event was conducted as part of the Muscat Act of the Extreme Sailing Series programme. Now in its seventh season, the Extreme Sailing Series is an award-winning and adrenaline-fuelled global Stadium Racing series competed on Extreme 40 catamarans.

Speaking about the launch, Bruce Robertson, MD of Jaguar Land Rover Mena said: “The Discovery Sport combines premium dynamic design and versatility which I am confident will resonate on an emotional level with our Mena customers, and we expect this to deliver solid results when sales start early next year.

"This vehicle has garnered a huge amount of attention globally and here in the region since the official unveiling in Paris and we are extremely proud to be revealing the new Discovery Sport here in

the Sultanate of Oman.”

Added David Aziz, CEO- Automotive Products from Mohsin Haider Darwish said, “We are honoured to unveil the Discovery Sport to our distinguished customers in the Sultanate of Oman.

We are confident that this vehicle will exceed customer’s expectations with the start of sales.”

Anticipation for the new Discovery Sport launch has been building up over the last few months as car enthusiasts across the Mena region have been closely watching Global Engineers conduct a final series of hot weather tests on the new Discovery Sport prototypes with the Jaguar Land Rover Engineering Centre in Dubai. The prototypes were put through their paces during arduous Middle East hot weather tests which included off-road desert capability, transmission calibration and brake noise temperatures up

FA S H I O N E L E M E N T

Splash launches its own ‘Love Splash’ perfume line MUSCAT: Venturing into the lifestyle segment, Splash, the Middle East high-street retailer, has announced the launch of its perfume line, as part of its growing business.

Titled ‘Love Splash’, the range consists of two variants namely Classic and Sport for both men and women. The perfume has been created exclusively for Splash by perfumer Sergio Momo from Italy bringing in the fashion element via packaging and design and ensuring quality and price levels are met via the scents produced, says a press release.

Talking about a category expansion in the business, Raza Beig, CEO Splash and ICONIC, said, “As a business we dress millions of customers across the region and with an aim to constantly improvise we ventured into perfumes which will be an important category for us to com-

plete the look and feel. The Splash perfume is made in Italy with no compromises on the oils and design. We wish to offer this product at OMR10 for a 100 ml bottle, thus cementing our fashion and affordability proposition to our deserving customers.”

‘Love Splash’ currently includes 4 options and if well received with the audience we do aim to grow this category further,” added Raza.

The Sport variant is a longlasting and exhilarant scent that’s a blend of lemon, bergamot and orange blossom and is perfect for active and sporty men. Sport Women is refreshing and an invigorating perfume which will accentuate her confident self with strong hints of pink pepper, orange and green apple for the perfect citrus concoction.

For those who prefer something old-school and classy, the Classic range is what you’re looking for.

Expect a crispy scent that’s feminine and oozes sensuality which is a mix of head notes consisting of white tea, bergamot and tangy tangerine. The men’s variant is a powerful but subtle fragrance without being overwhelming with hints of bergamot, elemi and grapefruit as the head notes.

The range is available across select Centrepoint and Splash stores across Oman.

NEW PRODUCT

Panasonic conducts training session for service technicians MUSCAT: With a diverse network of production and R&D facilities, Panasonic delivers innovative products incorporating cutting-edge technologies that set the standard for air conditioners worldwide.

In keeping up with this trend, Panasonic has introduced two new line-up of air-conditioners in the Sultanate of Oman. Panasonic’s new series of air-conditioners for 2015 aims to meet the tightening energy saving regulations, increase in demand for new R410a refrigerants across the world and products suiting the tough local climatic conditions, says a press release.

In order to ensure that the extensive network of installers and service technicians which Omasco has in the Sultanate, are well trained with the product before it arrives in the market, Panasonic conducted service training and seminars in various parts of the country.

“Our focus always is on ease of use, and our history of rigorous quality control is unmatched in the industry With more than 40 years of experience, Panasonic has sold over 70 million

air-conditioner units in Japan and around the world. Our key focus in Omasco has always been on customer service because of which we are conducting this training to local staff with the help of Panasonic engineers from Global Consumer Service centre in Malaysia and India. We intent to train around 500+ technician’s in Oman this year,” said, Ashok Balan, Divisional Manager, Panasonic Sales & Service, Oman Marketing & Services Company.

The key enhancement for this year’s product is having a lineup of 'PV series' with the new R410a refrigerant and features like “IAuto” which substantially increases the volume of air from the unit leading to the room getting

cooler 15% faster.

Apart from that enhancing the durability of this split air conditioner unit is the unique microchannel condenser. Made of new alloy, this condenser offers superior durability compared to existing models available in market.

Apart from the above, a new “UC series” of air conditioners is launched with reliability is the key benefit of this air-conditioner as it comes with a eco tough casing. This makes the unit and the condenser more resistant to salt, air, water and other corrosive material, making it a reliable and a long lasting partner. This unit has been tested in one of the most corrosive environments of Salalah for long period prior to its launch in Oman.

The 'UC Series' also provides clean air as it comes with Catechin filter which can not only catch mites, tobacco smoke and other common pollutants but also deactivates microscopic viruses and 90% of bacteria. Available in two capacities of 18000 BTU, and 24000 BTU, and Panasonic’s new series air-conditioners can be chosen depending upon comfort level and requirement.

to a sweltering 50°C. The exclusive behind-thescenes footage of the hot weather testing captured the new Discovery Sport showing off its exceptional capabilities, making it one of the most accomplished vehicles in its segment. A host of innovations have allowed Discovery Sport to boast a progressive new design approach and introduce the versatility of 5+2 seating into the premium compact SUV class for the first time, in a seating no larger than existing 5-seat premium SUVs. Coupled with supple long-travel suspension, the innovative rear axle also ensures the Discovery Sport is comfortable, refined and rewarding to drive on-road, while retaining the breadth of the class-leading allterrain capability for which Land Rover is world-renowned.

As with every new Land Rover, safety has been a key priority in the development of the new Discovery Sport, resulting in a first-in-class pedestrian airbag, autonomous emergency braking, and a stateof-the-art bodyshell featuring both ultra-high-strength steel and lightweight aluminium.

This represents a fraction of the advanced equipment available in Discovery Sport, which also includes Head-Up Display (HUD), an all-new 8-inch touch screen infotainment system, and tilt-andslide row-two seating for maximum interior configurability.

The new Discovery Sport range of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines will be available across the Sultanate of Oman with prices starting from OMR18,950 onwards.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

OAB team visits special economic zone in Duqm MUSCAT: A group of executives from Oman Arab Bank (OAB) led

by CEO Amin Al Husseini, visited the Special Economic Zone Authority in Duqm (SEZAD) for two days to assess the capabilities and investment opportunities of the region.

The visit covered the various facilities and prospects available to investors, private companies and institutions looking to initiate their investment in SEZAD. SEZAD offers a variety of services and supporting infrastructure that facilitate its role as a distinguished economic zone.

It holds a comparative and competitive advantage that allows it to be a regional hub for maritime transportation and as a logistics supply channel for the Gulf region, says a press release.

OAB officials were accompanied by members of SEZAD that organised the visit as an opportunity to understand the various projects currently implemented in the region.

Amin Al Husseini, CEO of

OAB, remarked during the visit, “The region has managed to develop, implement and establish its infrastructure and key projects — particularly the ship dry dock- at a significant level.

"This will result in encouraging the private, local, Gulf and Western sectors to invest in Duqm, and in turn profit from its infrastructure.

“We have had the opportunity to closely interact with the key people for two days, it brings us great pride and pleasure to witness what the area has achieved.

Duqm will play a vital role in diversifying the local economy, and enabling further opportunities for investors to financially invest and curate their projects in the area.”

During SEZAD’s early establishment, OAB was the first bank to open one of its branches at the authority in 2011. The branch continues to be a fundamental outlet as it offers banking services to investors and members of the local community.

B6

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

ROUND-UP Oman Petrochemicals expo opens with focus on downstream sector

The event comprising threeday exhibition and two-day conference was inaugurated

by Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas, under the important theme of ‘Maximising Oman’s Downstream Value’

Times News Service MUSCAT: A world of products, services and capabilities in the downstream petroleum sector opened yesterday at the Oman Refining and Petrochemicals Exhibition and Conference (Orpec), which has brought together around 100 local and foreign companies.

The three-day exhibition and two-day conference, which is the only downstream event in Oman, was inaugurated by Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas, at the Oman International Exhibition Centre in Muscat yesterday under the theme of ‘Maximising Oman’s Downstream Value’.

The event, which is powered by OGWA and co-hosted by Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic), focuses on current key refinery petrochemical projects in Oman, midstream developments and investment opportunities.

Organised by Omanexpo and World Refining Association, Orpec provides a platform for the biggest oil and gas companies in Oman, the Middle East and beyond to share their knowledge and experience and discuss the market trends as well as the latest developments, technologies and innovations in the sector.

The exhibition held alongside the conference also provided an opportunity for local and global manufacturers, distributors and suppliers representing all the key sectors in the refining and petrochemical industry to offer their latest products and services.

The exhibit features around 100 brands from Oman, the Netherlands, Germany, China, the United States, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

There are three country pavilions from China, Italy and India.

Al Aufi delivered a speech on the first day of the conference along with a number of other high-profile speakers, including Musab Al Mahruqi, chief executive officer of Orpic; Hilal Al Kharusi, EVP Emerging Businesses, Oman Oil Company; Andrew Horncastle, vice president of Strategy&; and Fred Ozeir, principle, Strategy&.

In addition, Henk Pauw, general manager, Liwa Plastics Project, Orpic; Jacobus Nieuwenhuijze, project director at Duqm Refinery and a number of other speakers participated in plenary sessions on the first day.

One of the key features of ORPEC is new project updates on the Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical Complex, a joint venture between Oman Oil and IPIC that is under

PHOTOS: O.K. Mohammed Ali/Times of Oman

construction. The complex will generate an extra 230,000 bpd of refining capacity for the Sultanate with products to be used domestically as well as exported to markets in Asia and Europe.

Feedstock is another highlight of the event as feedstock challenges are becoming increasingly prevalent now that the Sultanate is shifting focus to ensure value creation further down the chain by developing its petrochemical and chemicals industries.

With the global market becoming ever more competitive, it is imperative for refining and petrochemical producers to continuously innovate to ensure they can stay ahead of the competition.

That is why Orpec organisers decided to bring together global petrochemical technology providers and manufacturers to discuss the latest technologies transforming the marketplace.

Developing talent Developing local talent and creating In-Country Value (ICV) have also taken centre stage at the conference as 95 per cent of personnel in the energy industry in Oman see the large youth population and a lack of talent as the biggest challenges for the sustainability and

development of the Sultanate’s energy sector.

On the second day of the conference, academics and HR executives from oil and gas companies will discuss how operators and universities can work together to bridge the knowledge gap. In addition, the conference aims to discuss the latest updates on the progress of Liwa Plastics Project, with which Oman is announcing its intention to prepare the ground for the development of the manufacturing industry.

Other speakers at the conference include Ed Morse, managing director, Global Head of Commodity Research, Citi Group; Mohammed Hammad, director of Programs, Maaden; Shailendra Mohite, senior engineer Stakeholder Management, Kuwait Petroleum International; Mohana Murali, senior technical service manager, Borouge; Andres Suarez, GM Logistics, Orpic; Nofal Al Saidi, GM Human Resource Services, Orpic; Prof. Abdullah Hamed, AlBadi, Dean of Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University; Ayham Al Rahawi, assistant professor of engineering, German University of Technology; Reggy Vermeulen, commercial director, Port of Duqm; Jane Sadler, principle

People and Organisation, Service Lead, Advisian Worley Parsons; Andrew Nicholson, VP Aromatics, Argus DeWitt; Khalifa Said Al Abri, Acting CEO, Public Authority for the SMEs Development; Raphael Parembi, chief executive officer, SME Development Fund; Mathew Nathan, head of Oil and Gas Petrochemicals, Project Finance, MENA, HSBC; David Purvis, global director polymers, Worley Parsons; James Knox, Business Development, director - Gasification, CB&I; Béla Kelemen, and VP SCM, MOL Group.

The conference will also cover the following topics: socio-economic impact of the oil and gas sector; Oman’s refining and petrochemical expansion projects; maximizing profitability with integrated process technologies; gasification solutions for the refinery and petrochemical industry; being competitive in an oversupplied market; the best option for downstream development; how to build a world class integrated refinery safely, on schedule and below budget; forecasting china’s refined product market to understand new developments and what the future competitive landscape will look like; LNG imports as a strategic choice for the GCC region proven approach to maximum RFCC profitability; the drivers of investing in Oman’s refining, petrochemical and chemical industries from the investor perspective and infrastructure development.

Commenting on the significance of the conference, Maxwell Thompson, head of content at World Refining Association, said, “The Middle East downstream industry has come very far, very fast. From the first joint-venture petrochemical plant in 1981, the industry has expanded to a total annual petrochemical production of 121 million tonnes in 2012 and is expected to develop at a faster pace than global growth between 2013 and 2020.”

“For many GCC states, this growth results from adapting their

core hydrocarbon focus to locking in value from deeper integration between refining and petrochemical sectors through the development of mega-integrated complexes. It is against this backdrop that the inaugural Oman Refining and Petrochemicals Exhibition and Conference has been developed. Bringing together key industry executives, solution providers and investors the programme examines the vital components essential to ensure the successful growth of Oman’s downstream industry. In addition participants will learn of future plans, new projects and investments across the refining and petrochemical markets,” he noted.

Participating companies The participating companies are Across Technologies LLC; Add Energy & Partner LLC; Agnice International & Partners LLC; Airpack Netherlands; Al Batina International Trading & Maritime Services LLC; Ali Al Aufy Trading Co. LLC; Al Watanyiah Oil & Gas LLC; Aquarion Group AG; Arabian Control Systems LLC; BAC Valves, S.A; BASF; Baumer Group; Bea Technologies; B&W Megtec; Beijing FRAC Technology Development Co., Ltd.; Bernard Controls; Bliss Anand Pvt. Ltd.; Business Gateways International; Chromalox; Cometto Industrie SpA; Consolidated Contractors Company (Oman) LLC; CTS Middle East Wll Bahrain; China Innovation Exhibition Co., Ltd.; DB Schenker; Deltavalve Delval Flow Controls Pvt. Ltd.; Dena Oilfield; Dubai Cable Company; Faber Officine Meccaniche SRL; Farassan Co.; FCG Flameproof Control Gears Pvt Ltd; Feam; Fenix Process Technologies; General Tech Services; Global Source Trading LLC; Grace Catalyst Technologies; Hempel; Honeywell; Iconics; IDS GmbH; Instrumax Enterprises; Khimji Ramdas LLC; Kirloskar JLT; KSB Aktiengesellschaft; Linde Engineering; Mashareea Al Sultanate LLC; Metalfab; Metering &

Technology SAS; Metron Energy Applications; Middle East Scientific Equipment Corporation LLC; MSA The Safety Company; Muscat Horizons International; Naffco FZCO; Nalco Champion; National Oilfield Supply Co. LLC; OBL; Ocean Technical and Mechanical Services; Oman Cables Industry SAOG; Oman Oil Refineries & Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic); Ops Excellence; Oriental Control Systems; Pepperl + Fuchs; Petrofac; Petrojet; Potential Advertising & Publishing LLC; Power Mechanical Ltd; Purshottam Kanji Trading Co LLC; Quartet Solutions LLC; Ras Al-Hamra LLC; Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East; RGE Group SA; Rose Systemtechnik GmbH; SAP Middle East & North Africa LLC; SeaCliff International LLC; Siemens AG; Specialist Services; Special Oilfield Services Co. LLC; Special Technical Services LLC; Sprung Instant Structures, EC; Super Proof Seals Engineering Pvt. Ltd; Super Scientific Works Private Limited; Swagelok; Synergy Petroleum International LLC; Technical & Administrative Training Institute; Technical Trading Co. LLC; 3D Engineering Services LLC; ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions; Tianhe Oil Group Huifeng Petroleum Equipment Co., Ltd; TMK Gulf International Pipe Industry LLC; Total Safety LLC; United Media Services; Valvserve; Ventil Middle East FZC; Waleed Associates LLC; WorleyParsons Oman Engineering LLC and Yangzhou Xinyang Technology Development Co., Ltd. Exhibition hours are from 10am to 6pm and conference hours are from 8am to 5.15pm on March 16 and from 8am to 12.35pm on March 17.

Exhibition sponsors are: Silver sponsor (Worley Parsons), visitor bag sponsor (STS), associate sponsor (SeaCliff ), and lunch sponsor DB Schenker. Gold sponsor of the conference is CBI and silver sponsors are ALBEMARLE, Worley Parsons and GRACE.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

B7

ROUND-UP ‘Khimji’s Travel Fest’ gets great response

A N A LY S I S

Modern Exchange conducts seminar on Indian budget MUSCAT: Oman’s premier money exchange company, Modern Exchange, along with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) – Muscat Chapter, hosted a seminar on Indian budget 2015-2016 at Hotel Muscat Holiday, Al Khuwair recently.

The Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India H.R. Khan and eminent tax lawyer and chartered accountant, Homi Ranina were the keynote speakers at the event, presenting details and insights on the Indian budget presented by the Government of India, says a press release.

Umesh Kumar, Chairman of ICAI, Muscat Chapter, started the seminar by welcoming their members and guest speakers.

Philip Koshy, General Manager, Modern Exchange, welcomed the gathering of more than 450 people and stated that Modern Exchange organised the budget seminar every year for their customers and for NRIs in Oman and would like to continue it every year. Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest of the evening, J S Mukul, Ambassador of India to Sultanate of Oman, discussed the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Indian government.

Khan gave an in-depth analysis of the external factors which influence the Indian economy. “We are trying to make the investment easy and hassle free,” he said.

“The budget also provides a framework for individual to invest in foreign countries. The digital India initiative by the new government will reduce a lot of expenditure. JAM trinity — Jan DhanYojana, Aadhar, Mobile — numbers will bring the whole host of people into the system of country’s economic development. If we have a continuous 10 years of two digit growth, the poverty can be seen only in the museum, he said. India will become the world’s most dynamic economy, he added.

With over three decades of experience in matters related to taxation, finance and corporate management, Ranina said that the initiatives have begun to put India in the growth trajectory.

“The budget is all about a change in direction which we witnessed for the last 50 plus years. The new government means business and they are really into it, he said.

Ranina showed the bigger picture of the Indian budget.

“Taxes drive people to go behind black money and the government realised the need for a change,” he added.

The states are empowered and the time comes for the states to compete with each other.

Some states which don’t want to change will be left behind and go backwards, he said.

MUSICAL BAND

Red Khanjars perform at ‘Holi Milan’ event MUSCAT: The young music band from Oman, Red Khanjars, had a successful stage performance for the second time in Muscat. This time, the band comprising four members rendered some soulful compositions at the Holi Milan celebrations organised by the Bhojpuri Wing of Indian Social Club, says a press release.

Red Khanjars is a musical band formed this year and they have by now created a furore amongst the musical lovers of all age groups in Oman. The band has three Omani youngsters in vocal and strings, along with Santrupth, who is a Trinity Grade 8 drummer and the

youngest member in the group.

At this time when both countries, Oman and India, share the 60th year of Indo-Oman diplomatic relations, the Red Khanjars is a true reflection of the camaraderie that exists between the two nations.

The premier event witnessed a large turnout of a cross section of attendees comprising families looking for new destinations as well as couples seeking that special honeymoon hideaway resort. Not only that, packaged tours and cruise holidays also witnessed growing demand at the event

MUSCAT: The first Khimji’s Travel Festival, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel recently, was a huge success with more than 1000 footfalls.

The event was declared open

by Anil Khimji, Director, Khimji Ramdas, in the presence of other directors, dignitaries and suppliers. The one-day event brought under one roof 20 of the world’s famous tourism boards and hotel chains, says a press release.

“I was very pleased to note the way Khimji’s House of Travel organised the entire event. I had an

opportunity to avail information on exclusive discounts and offers on holidays from a host of popular tourism boards and hotel chains. I encourage people to visit their offices in CBD area in Muscat to understand their current offerings.

Finally, our entire family had an unforgettable experience, thanks to the care and hospitality provided to us by their entire team,” said, Mohammed Al Kharusi, a potential traveller.

The event witnessed a large turnout of a cross section of at-

tendees comprising families looking for new destinations as well as couples looking for that special honeymoon hideaway resort.

Packaged tours and cruise holidays too witnessed growing demand at the event.

Speaking at the opening M. C. Jose, CEO of KR Projects and Logistics Group, said, “We are thankful to all our partners without whom a prestigious event of this stature would not be possible. We believe that the success of an event of this kind not only reflects the strength of our associations, but also gives an opportunity for all those wishing to travel to meet one to one with some of the best suppliers in the world.”

Tourism Board representatives from the Seychelles, Hamburg, Malaysia, and Abu Dhabi were present and so were luxury hotel chains including Taj Group, Peninsula Group and the Jumeirah Group. The Minor group of hotels from the Far East and the Steigenberger group of hotels from Germany were also present at the Travel fest along with a host of other suppliers.

Speaking about the success of the event Cashio Vettom, Sr. Divi-

sional Manager, Khimji’s House of Travel, said, “We are truly pleased with the response we have received for our event. It clearly demonstrates that the discerning client is attracted toward high quality products and services and we are glad to have brought together some of the finest brands in the travel business to the people of Oman. While regular destinations always draw a section of the public toward their stands, we also noticed that cruise holidays are witnessing growing interest and demand this year. Customers call contact our toll free 80075000 to get more details.”

“Statistics state that Europe is still the most popular continent for visitors from across the world, we are pleased to note here that along with our visa solutions partner, we also manage the Visa Application Centre in Oman for some of the most popular European countries visited by the nationals & residents of Oman,” added Vettom.

The House of Travel intends to build on the success of this event and conduct similar events in the future that give customers the opportunity to meet with end suppliers.

B8

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

ROUND-UP

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

ELECTRONIC MEDIA

Bank Muscat supports media conference MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has extended lead support to Oman’s first electronic media conference to be held under the auspices of Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Service, from March 22 to 24 at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The conference will discuss global developments on the elec-

tronic media front; practical aspects and tools that facilitate a smooth transition to a digital world; steps to equip the national cadres to enable them to deal with these developments; and raise awareness on benefiting from the positive aspects of electronic media as well as highlight its negative aspects, says a press release.

The electronic media has be-

come an important factor in shaping the world and society. Digital media, especially social media, is characterised by its speed, ease of use and effectiveness in exchange of information.

As the nation’s leading financial institution, Bank Muscat seeks to utilise all opportunities in extending support to initiatives complementing national development.

Ooredoo offers host of benefits to customers As part of 10th anniversary celebrations Ooredoo has planned a music concert on March 19 and is offering a generous 10 GB of data for just OMR5 till March 25

MUSCAT: To celebrate 10 years of serving the nation, Ooredoo is delivering a host of inspiring promotions and memorable experiences to be at one with its customers on this momentous milestone. As well as an open invitation to customers to a music concert at Oman Automobile Association on March 19, Ooredoo is offering a generous 10 GB of data for just OMR5 till March 25, says a press release.

Ooredoo’s progress over the last decade is best demonstrated by its popularity, now comprising a large and engaged customer base that exceeds the two and a half million threshold.

Ooredoo’s fantastic online presence further ranks among the top social media brands in the Sultanate; it’s strength in this area is a testament to the innovative ways it uses social media platforms to interact with customers

on anything from responding to issues to running competitions.

The company’s brand values lived out in their everyday interactions with customers to deliver a unique and dynamic customer experience.

Ooredoo also celebrated the event with family members, holding a ‘All Hands’ session to commemorate 10 inspiring years, share future visions and to enjoy the successes of the last decade.

In furthering its achievements to date, the people-centric operator has prioritised the expansion of its fixed-line and wireless networks over the coming year, which will see the delivery of a series of innovative concepts for new services and products aimed at entrepreneurs, businesses, women and the youth, whilst further contributing to the formation of Oman’s digital and knowledge-based society.

C

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

SECTION

SPOR YOUR GAME

S

THE ‘STARC’ DIFFERENCE IN AUSSIE CAMPAIGN Publicly labelled “soft” by former Test bowler Shane Warne only a few months ago, paceman Mitchell Starc has come of age at the World Cup and could prove key to Australia’s hopes of winning a fifth trophy. >C5

Oman tent pegging team emerge Asian champions

FOOTBALL

OFA chairman to meet Fifa boss in Zurich MUSCAT: Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad Al Busaidi, chairman of the Omani Football Association (OFA), left for Zurich on Monday to participate in the meeting of the Technical Development Committee of the world football governing body Fifa.

During his visit, Sayyid Khalid will meet Fifa President Sepp Blatter in the latter’s office at Fifa Headquarters.

During the meeting, the two officials will review the relations between Fifa and the OFA and the ways to further the cooperation between the two soccer bodies.

FOOTBALL

TEAM WORK: The Omani riders in action in the Indian file competition of the Asian and international tent pegging championships in India. – Supplied photos

In the championships held in India, the Omani squad won the Asian title while also clinching overall second place in the international event

MUSCAT: Oman, who won a total of 14 medals, emerged the Asian championships and also clinched the runners-up spot in the international tent pegging championships in India.

The Asian and international tent pegging championships were simultaneously organised by the Indian Equestrian Federation in Noida, near the Indian capital city of New Delhi, from March 10 to 15.

Besides Oman and hosts India, the other nations that took part in the 12-nation championships were Russia, the USA, Kazakh-

stan, Germany, Great Britain, Sudan, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan.

In the Asian championships, Oman won the championship with 620. 5 points. India took the runners-up spot with 586 points while Iraq settled for the third place with 562.5 points.

In the international champion-

GCC WOMEN’S GAMES

Oman handball team win silver, bowling duo bag bronze medal

MEDAL WINNERS: Oman’s bronze medal winners, right, pose on the podium after the pairs bowling

competition of the GCC Women’s Games at Oman Bowling Centre on Monday. – JUN ESTRADA/Times of Oman

MUSCAT: Oman had to satisfy with just one silver and a bronze at the ongoing GCC Women’s Games on Monday.

However, the silver earned by the handball team and the bronze bagged by the bowling pair were enough for the hosts to maitain their second place in the overall medal tally behind Bahrain. The UAE are in the third place.

After Sunday’s action, Bahrain have won a total of 26 medals, including 15 gold, eight silver and

three bronze. Oman also have 26 medals but won five gold medals less. They have won six silver and 10 bronze.

The UAE have a total of 18 medals, including eight gold, eight silver and two bronze medals.

At the Oman Bowling Centre in Al Khuwair, the Omani duo of Aisha Al Sibani and Shakila Al Esari posted a combined score of 1,910 to win bronze in the doubles competition. Aisha bowled a series of 175, 166, 165, 175, 159 and 144 for a

total of 984 while Shakila bowled 147, 176, 172, 144, 135 and 152 to total 926.

The gold went to the Bahrain’s Majedha Taher and Nadia Al Awadhi (2,094) while Kuwait’s Hanadi Al Mezaiei and Fatima Mohammed took silver with combined score of 1,978.

In the handball competition, Oman had to settle for silver after losing the final and title decider 29-8 to eventual champions Qatar. Kuwait bagged the bronze.

SILVER LINING: Oman’s handball team on the podium after winning the silver medal. – Supplied photo

ships, Oman (620.5) finished second behind eventual champions Sudan (677) and India (586) took the third place.

On the final day of the championships, Oman bagged medals in Indian file and team lance competitions of Asian as well as the international championships.

The Sultanate’s squad compris-

ing Hilal Al Balushi, Hamoud Al Dughaishi, Yousuf Al Maamari and Safwan Al Maamari, garnered 39.5 points to clinch the gold medal in the Indian file of the Asian event while taking silver in the international event.

Pakistan team won the silver in the Asian event with 28 points while Iraq took the bronze medal with 27 points.

In the international championships, British team won the gold ahead of Oman while Sudan settled for the bronze medal.

In the team lance competition of the Asian championships, Oman (95.5) had to satisfy with silver behind India (97). Jordan (92) won the bronze.

In the same category of the international championship, Oman (95.5) took bronze behind gold winners Sudan (109.5) and silver medallists India (95.5).

Sunderland sack manager Gus Poyet SUNDERLAND: Sunderland sacked their manager Gus Poyet on Monday, less than 48 hours after a humbling home loss to fellow Premier League strugglers Aston Villa.

The Uruguayan paid the price for a poor run of results that has left the Black Cats fourth from bottom after Saturday’s 4-0 rout, the club’s sixth game without a win.

In a statement Sunderland, one point above the relegation zone, announced: “Sunderland AFC have parted company with head coach Gus Poyet this afternoon.”

Local press reports suggest former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat, currently in charge of Serbia’s national team, could be appointed on a temporary basis. - AFP

C2

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

SPORTS

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

Platini delighted football’s ‘shameful slavery’ is ending Platini said ‘I have put a lot of pressure

It’s about time that the world of football wakes up, and that the money coming into football remains in football Michel Platini

on Fifa to stop third party ownership’

NYON: The practice of third parties owning a share of footballers was a modern-day form of slavery and had to stop, Uefa’s French President Michel Platini said on Monday.

Third Party Ownership (TPO) is widespread in Brazil and Argentina and has been widely exploited by clubs in Portugal and Spain, who are largely opposed to the Fifa ban on the practice being introduced on May 1.

TPO involves a player’s eco-

Uefa Chief

nomic rights being owned by a third-party, such as an agent or sports management agency who may help to cover a young player’s development costs, but then later

benefit from a percentage of future transfer fees.

Platini, a staunch opponent of the system, was asked about it by fellow former France internation-

al Laurent Blanc, now the manager of Paris St Germain, on a Uefa video forum during the Uefa president answered questions from players and fans.

“I have put a lot of pressure on Fifa to stop third party ownership,” Platini said.

“Today, it’s shameful to see some players with one of their arms belonging to one person, a leg belonging to a funds pension located who knows where, and a third person owning his foot. It is shameful; we’re dealing with a type of slavery that belongs to the past.

“Everyone earns money on such transfers, and while we are trying to find money to invest in football, that money goes in the pockets of I don’t know who, and I don’t know where.

“It’s about time that the world of football wakes up, and that the money coming into football remains in football, and doesn’t disappear.”

The Iberian leagues filed a legal challenge with the European Commission this year over Fifa’s decision to ban TPO, saying it strengthened clubs and helped stop talent draining away to wealthier leagues like the English Premier League.

La Liga’s Director General Javier Gomez said in January: “If we don’t achieve change together in five years we will turn into the world’s fifth league.”

Meanwhile, Jorge Mendes, one of the sports’s most powerful agents said in an interview that the ban on TPO was illegal and will kill competition in European football.

“It’s illegal, completely illegal, illegal, illegal,” he said.

Platini, though, is delighted the system will be outlawed.

“It is not a complicated question ... myself, I went on strike in 1972 so that a player remains free, that he belongs to himself,” the Uefa chief said. - Reuters

AT H L E T I C S

Raul, Asta winners at MRR Tarmac Winter Series MUSCAT: Raul Valdez and Asta Paker emerged the winners in the men’s and women’s open categories respectively in the eighth and penultimate race of the Muscat Road Runners Tarmac Winter Series on Saturday.

The 10km race, which started at Gubrah Lake car park, saw the participation of 65 runners. Raul Valdez took the top honours in time of 36 minutes and 36 seconds.

Nick Conlan clocked 37:24 to take second place ahead of Richard Holmes, who settled for the third place in 37:31.

Asta Parker won the women’s title in a time of 43:01.

Nine of the runners were juniors competing in the 2km and 5km categories for the under-16 age

group. Suleiman Saif Al Riyami won the 2km race in a time of 10:14 while Harry Winning won the 5km race in 26:18.

The organisers thanked the race organiser Paul Vlaarkamp and series sponsors ‘Tarmac’.

The next race, an evening run, is scheduled for March 25.

Race 8 results Men’s open: 1. Raul Valdez; 2.

Nick Conlan; 3. Richard Holmes.

Women’s open: 1. Asta Paker; 2. Irene Ng’eno; 3. Sally Hart.

Men’s veteran: 1. Karl Street; 2. Salah Al Wahaibi; 3. Dariusz Solecki.

Women’s veteran: 1. Maureen Getty; 2. Julie Moore; 3. Francesca Aub-Robinson.

EXCELLENT RACE: Winners in various categories pose for a group photo. – Supplied photo AT H L E T I C S

Triple jumper Tamgho set for return PARIS: World champion triple jumper Teddy Tamgho is to return to competition on Saturday after serving a one-year ban for a doping offence, his agent said.

The 25-year-old Frenchman last competed in August, 2013 when he won the world title in Moscow with a superb leap of over 18 metres. He then sustained a fracture of his left tibia during a training session in November of that year and was hit with a one-year ban in March of last year after missing three dope test assignments.

His main aim for this year will be to defend his world title in Beijing in August. - AFP

O LY M P I C S

Fifa names six cities, seven stadia for Rio 2016 SAO PAULO: Six cities and seven stadiums are to be used as soccer venues for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, Fifa announced on Monday.

There will be two grounds in the host city of Rio de Janeiro with matches held at the Olympic Stadium and the Maracana, site of the 2014 Fifa World Cup tournament final.

The other games are to take place at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia, the Amazonia arena in Manaus, the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador and the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo.

“The Olympic football tournaments will be a fantastic opportunity to revive the great atmosphere seen during the 2014 Fifa World Cup, not only in Rio de Janeiro but also in the other five cities,” said Marco Polo Del Nero, chairman of the organising committee for the Olympic Games soccer.

“They did an excellent job in 2014 and now they can use the World Cup stadiums and infrastructure already in place to unite the country for a major event once more,” he added in a news release.

Neymar confirmed Sixteen men’s sides and 12 women’s teams will play a total of 58 matches between August 3 and 20.

Olympic gold is the only major title that Brazil have not won and the host nation are determined to end that run.

All the teams will be largely made up of youngsters but as per the Olympic rules three players over 23 years are permitted in each squad.

Barcelona forward Neymar has already confirmed that he plans to be one of Brazil’s three over-age players. - Reuters

OMAN CRICKET

Carillion Alawi record facile win over Ibrahim Al Kishri MUSCAT: Carillion Alawi recorded a 78-run win against Ibrahim Al Kishri in an Enhancesponsored E Division T20 match.

Opting to bat first, Carillion Alawi scored 188 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. Yousuf Zoher top scored with 57 runs.

Gurumit Ram (38) and Mohsin Javed (28) put together 48 runs for the first wicket in 5.3 overs.

Kashir Bakkar claimed three wickets while Anshul Jangid bagged two.

In reply, Ibrahim Al Kishri were bowled out for 110 in 14.5 overs.

Vishal Vinod Sodhi opening the batting chipping in with 22 runs and Aftab Hussain contributed a run a ball 21.

Issam Othman Al Balushi took three wickets and Murtaza Ismail claimed two.

Brief scores: Carillion Alawi 188 for 6 in 20 overs (Yousuf Zoher 57, Gurmit Ram 38, Mohsin Javed 28; Kashif Bakkar 3/28, Anshul Jangid 2/32) bt Ibrahim Al Kishri 110 in 14.5 overs (Vishal Vinod Sodhi 22, Aftab Hussain 22; Issam Othman Al Balushi 3/15, Murtaza Ismail 2/23). Points: Carillion Alawi - 2 (6 games, 5 pts), Ibrahim Al Kishri - Nil (7 games, 2 pts).

Majees win In an F Division T20 match, Majees registered a seven-wicket win against Newrest Wacasco.

Electing to bat first, Newrest Wacasco were bundled out for a paltry 91 runs in 18.4 overs. In reply, Majees achieved their target in 13 overs scoring 93 for the loss of three wickets. Mohsin Zaidi

OC to organise knockout events draw on Wednesdy MUSCAT: Oman Cricket will conduct the draw ceremony of the 2014-15 knockout tournaments after a meeting with the managers and captains of the participating teams at Al Mirani Hall of Al Falaj Hotel on Wednesday. The meeting will commence at 6.30 p.m.

In a press statement issued on Monday, the Oman Cricket said ‘it is imperative for the managers and captains to the attend meeting and understand the playing conditions as well as witness the draw for the tournaments’.

The Senior Cup will comprise of teams from Oman Cricket’s B to D Division leagues, while teams from E to G Divisions will be grouped in the Intermediate Cup and the Junior Cup will consist of teams from H and

Abbas remained unbeaten on 38.

Despite the defeat, Newrest Wacasco claimed the runners-up position in the F Division.

Brief scores: Newrest Wacasco 91 in 18.4 overs (Naveen Kumar 3/23, Abdul

J Divisions. The matches are scheduled to start on March 26.

Confirmed teams so far: Senior Cup: Renaissance, Hassan Juma Backer, OCT Seeb, OCT Al Amerat, Enhance Eagles, Indian Social Club, PDORC, Sinha, Fairtrade and Arrow Overseas.

Intermediate Cup: OCT Al Hail A, MARH, Sarco, Attic Outdoors, OCT Mabella, OUA Travel, Times of Oman, Ibrahim Al Kishri, Majees, Orange Mart, Atkins, Huawei, Oman Engineering, Kings Travel, Landscape Architecture, Teejan Furnishing Beatrice and Professional Trading.

Junior Cup: OCT Al Hail B, OCT Al Nahdha, Ahli Bank, Abu Maather, Prime Trading, Al Fairuz Trading, Douglas OHI, Al Ansari, Khalsa United, NBO B, Bank Muscat, Starcare, RAHRC, Trust Oilfield Services, Mustafa Sultan Enterprises and ISC Kutchi Wing.

Ghani Al Balushi 2/7, Mohsin Hassan 2/24, Adnan Mehboob 2/26) lost to Majees 93 for 3 in 13 overs (Mohsin Zaidi Abbas 38 n.o., Abdul Ghani Al Balushi 23). Points: Majees - 2 (8 games, 8 pts), Newrest Wacasco - Nil (8 games, 10 pts).

THIRD EDITION

Inter-bank tourney from March 21 MUSCAT: The third inter-bank cricket tournament will be organised from March 21.

According to the organisers, this year’s event will be a threeteam affair with Ahli Bank, Bank Muscat and Bank Dhofar vying for top honours in the Twenty20 tournament.

This year the matches will be played on a double leg round robin league format, at the end of which the team with maximum will be declared the champions.

Ahli Bank are the defending champions.

The matches will be played at Oman Cricket approved grounds

as per the international rules with the experienced umpires officiating the matches.

Besides the trophies for the champions and runners-up teams, there will also be attractive prizes for man of the series, man of the match and best batsman, bowler and fielder.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

TOMORROW’S MATCH (1ST QUARTERFINAL) SOUTH AFRICA V SRI LANKA (7:30AM OMAN TIME)

C O M M E N TA RY

The real show starts now

T

Ageless Dilshan is guiding light Dilshan, who is

Centuries set ton of records in World Cup

famous for his ‘Dilscoop’, a shot he plays by going down on one knee to hit the bowler over the wicketkeeper’s head, mixes power with bat speed

MUMBAI: The pressure will be on former captain Tillakaratne Dilshan to continue to play a pivotal role for Sri Lanka when he loses his prolific batting partner after the World Cup. Kumar Sangakkara, the second highest run-getter in One-day Internationals behind Sachin Tendulkar, will retire from the 50over format after the tournament leaving a huge hole in Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.

Opening batsman Dilshan and number three Sangakkara added 210 runs against Bangladesh, 130 versus co-hosts Australia and 195 against minnows Scotland and are the second most successful pair in ODIs with 20 hundred-run stands between them.

Sangakkara’s solid batting technique is in sharp contrast to the more dashing, innovative Dilshan.

The contrasting styles only swelling the problems for an opposition captain, who also has to contend with the left-right combination when setting a field against them.

Dilshan, who is famous for his ‘Dilscoop’, a shot he plays by going down on one knee to hit the bowler over the wicketkeeper’s head, mixes power with bat speed.

He can smack boundaries with minimum footwork, as Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson found out to his cost when the Sri Lankan hit him for six fours in an over.

While the 37-year-old Sangakkara leads the table of run-

ADELAIDE: The opening round of the World Cup witnessed 35 centuries compared to just six in the entire 1975 tournament, seemingly proving once and for all that one-day cricket is a batsman’s game. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara heads the list of century makers, smashing four consecutive hundreds to become the first batsman in all One-day Internationals to score four in a row.

The 37-year-old left-hander is in the form of his life, scoring 105 not out against Bangladesh, 117 not out versus England, 104 against Australia and 124 in the game with Scotland. Surprisingly it was nonTest side Afghanistan who got the better of him, dismissing the veteran for seven while Sangakkara managed just 39 in the first game against New Zealand.

“It’s one of the rarest things you can see, him playing four (hundreds) in a row. I’m lucky to be here to watch all four innings,” said Sri Lanka chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya on Monday.

Sangakkara’s team-mate Tillakaratne Dilshan, India’s Shikhar Dhawan, Zimba-

getters at the ongoing World Cup with four consecutive centuries, Dilshan is not too far behind with two hundreds and a fifty and is fourth on the list.

And with Mahela Jayawardene also set to retire from all formats after the World Cup, Dilshan knows he will be the guiding light for Sri Lanka’s young batsmen going forward.

“My ambition is to continue playing ODI and T20 cricket,” Dilshan said during the early weeks of the World Cup. “After the World Cup I will have to discuss with my captain and

TOP ON LIST: Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara.

bwe’s Brendan Taylor and Bangladesh batsman Mohammed Mahmudullah have all notched two hundreds in the current tournament which kicks off its quarterfinals from Wednesday.

Of the 35 hundreds in the 42 matches in the group stage, Sri Lanka had eight while South Africa had five, India saw four and the West Indies and Australia, three each.

Batsmen from Bangladesh had two (both by Mahmudullah) so did eliminated England, Ireland and Zimbabwe (both by Taylor).

New Zealand, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and Scotland all one century each.

England’s Dennis Amiss

the team management what my future role in the team will be.

“If they think that I have a role to play I will continue to represent my country. With my present form and fitness I guess I can easily play for another two-three years, even till the next World Cup in 2019.”

At 38, Dilshan still remains one of Sri Lanka’s best fielders and is also a very useful off-spinner.

The absence of Sangakkara and Jayawardene in the team after the World Cup will also mean that he will be the only go-to man for young captain Angelo Mathews.

Dilshan, also a former skipper,

was the first batsman to score a World Cup hundred in the inaugural event held in England in 1975.

There were just six centuries in that first tournament.

But bowlers dominated the second edition of the World Cup — also held in England — when only two hundreds were scored, both by eventual winners the West Indies.

Gordon Greenidge hit a century against India in the group phase before master blaster Viv Richards sealed the title for the West Indies with 138 not out in the final against England at Lord’s.

The 1983 event — also held in England — saw eight hundreds while the next edition, in 1987 in the sub-continent, had 11.

The number went down to eight in 1992 when Australia and New Zealand co-hosted the event for the first time.

In 2003 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya, 21 hundreds were scored while four years later in the Caribbean, the figure dropped slightly to 20. The 2011 World Cup saw 24 hundreds in all on the flat pitches of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. - AFP

gave up playing tests two years back to make room for younger players in the side and will not hesitate doing it again in other formats when he feels the time is right.

“I will do the same in the other two formats also if I think I am not good enough to be in the side,” he said. “I haven’t taken that decision yet because two key players are retiring from ODI cricket and I believe my experience will be valuable to the captain and the team in the two formats. We have problems with openers. If I can help them fill that void using my experience I will quit.” - Reuters

he knockouts are upon us and the real World Cup starts now. All this while, teams could fiddle with their line ups, change the batting order, shuffle their bowlers around knowing that there was another game tomorrow or next week.

They now know there is no game ahead if they lose.

They will be on the first available flight back home if they lose, so they have to get everything right, from the final playing eleven, to who bats where, to who bowls to which batsman with what sort of field placement.

There won’t be too many days in between the matches now either as they were in the qualifying stage.

Any injuries or niggles to important players will have to be treated on an emergency basis to get that player fit and firing on all cylinders for nothing less will do. It’s the World Cup after all and it comes every four years.

South Africa take on Sri Lanka in the first quarterfinal at the Sydney Cricket Ground. They have a star cast that knows that this could well be their last World Cup, and they will want to erase the memories of earlier failures where they were labelled ‘chokers’.

It’s a title they do not like, they positively hate it, and the only way they can get rid of it is by winning the cup this time around.

Nothing short of that will erase it or delete it from the cricketing vocabulary when future discussions take place about the South African team’s chances in an ICC tournament.

They have won four games with ease and they have lost to two major cricketing nations, India and Pakistan in the group stage. Both those games were lost while they were batting second.

In fact, if one looks at the history of South African cricket since its return to international cricket, and especially in the World Cup, it is while chasing targets, even if they are small as in the last World Cup against New Zealand, that the South Africans are seen to panic if they don’t get off to a good start.

Sri Lanka will thus want to bat first, and in the kind of form that Dilshan and Sangakkara are in, they will expect to put up a good total even though they will be confronting Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and company.

That game should set the tone for the other quarterfinals.

India take on neighbours Bangladesh who have batted quite superbly in this edition of the tournament.

Like India, Bangladesh also have quality spinners, and if the pitch breaks up a bit then the team batting second will not find it easy.

India’s concerns are mainly with their batting, with only Dhawan, Kohli, Raina and Dhoni being consistent.

The Bangladesh batsmen play spin comfortably, so the new ball with Shami and Yadav will be a crucial part of the game.

Mohit Sharma has been the best first change bowler in the tournament by far with the clever mixing of speeds.

India will have the edge as they have finished on a high winning all their matches in the group and they will want to keep the winning rhythm going. — PMG

C3

C4

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

‘Unbelievable’ Sangakkara hailed Sri Lanka great Sanath Jayasuriya has said he would love Kumar Sangakkara to go back on his decision to quit One-day Internationals after the World Cup after witnessing his “unbelievable” batting feats

SYDNEY: The Islanders head into their quarterfinal against South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday with Sangakkara in sensational form after becoming the first batsman to score hundreds in four successive ODI matches.

Since being dismissed for seven by Afghanistan in a World Cup group match in Dunedin last month, the 37-year-old left-hander has made scores of 105 not out against Bangladesh, 117 not out against England, 104 against Australia and 124 against Scotland.

“Unbelievable,” said Jayasuriya, now Sri Lanka’s chairman of selectors, when asked about his former team-mate during a training session at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.

“It’s one of the rarest things you can see, him playing four (hundreds) in a row. I’m lucky to be here to watch all four innings.

“I’m very happy and what I want, as chairman of selectors, is for him to continue his form right throughout the World Cup. I know he’s a great player for Sri Lanka and he also wants to continue his form.”

Sanath Jayasuriya, a key member of the Sri Lanka side that won the 1996 World Cup, said age was not yet a barrier to Kumar Sangakkara continuing in whiteball cricket.

“He’s (still) playing Test cricket but definitely I would love him to continue for a few years. It’s all in his hands.”

MOBBED BY THE MEDIA: Sanath Jayasuriya, former cricketer and Chairman of the Sri Lankan selection committee, speaks to the media during a training session at the Syd-

ney Cricket Ground. –AFP

‘Form of his life’ Jayasuriya, asked if there was a secret to wicket-keeper/batsman’s Sangakkara’s success, added: “Since he came into the side in 2000 he has been working really hard, his keeping, his batting and he wants to improve his game every day.

“That’s what he’s doing even when he’s playing his last one-day series. He’s mentally a very strong guy and he wants to do well all the time.”

South Africa coach Russell Domingo admitted his side had a challenge to contain Sangakkara.

“He’s in the form of his life, he’s got four hundreds and you’ve got to think that there’s a lower score just around the corner,” Domingo said at the SCG on Monday.

“We’ve got some plans and some things we think we need to execute against him and we’ve discussed that quite a bit.”

Veteran left-hander and opener Sanath Jayasuriya certainly gave opposition coaches plenty of headaches, having revolutionised the art of opening a one-day innings with his blistering approach at the top of the order during the 1996 World Cup.

But with that aggressive style now commonplace the 45-yearold said the game had changed greatly since his heyday.

“I think it’s different now.

Things have changed -- the way of thinking, the rules, the advantage (balance) between bowlers and batsmen has changed in the last 15 years. 1996 was completely different — then it was four in the ring, now it’s five in the ring. We have powerplays at different times.

“It’s good for both sides, bowlers and batters, but always challenging. It’s a good way of playing cricket.”

However, Jayasuriya did see similarities between Sri Lanka’s 1996 side and the current team.

“The similarities are that we had Arjuna (Ranatunga) and Aravinda (de Silva)in the middle order and this team has Kumar and Mahela (Jayawardene) and Angelo Mathews. We had Asanka Gurusinha too.

“We got the license to play our natural game at the top (of the order) and we had a very good batting line-up in the middle.

“It’s similar now, we’ve got two good openers and three solid batsmen in the middle.” - AFP

Herath likely to be fit to face Proteas SYDNEY: Sri Lanka’s frontline spinner Rangana Herath is recovering well and looks likely to face South Africa in Wednesday’s World Cup quarterfinal at Sydney Cricket Ground, chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya said on Monday.

Herath, 36, split the webbing between two fingers on his bowling hand trying to take a return chance off Jos Buttler in a thumping defeat of England on March 1.

The left-armer missed the last two pool matches against Australia and Scotland but the stitches have been removed from the wound and he will be given until training on Tuesday to prove his fitness.

“Rangana is recovering fast and I hope he will be alright,” Jayasuriya told reporters beside the nets at the SCG. “The stitches have been

RECOVERING: Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath.

taken off and he’ll be ready for the match. That’s what I’m thinking, it will depend on today and tomorrow, probably tomorrow.”

The Sri Lankans have been bedevilled by injury problems at this World Cup but allrounder Angelo Matthews has

recovered from an Achilles issue and will lead the side on Wednesday.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna was brought into the squad, effectively as a stand-in for Rangana, and took 1-77 in the loss to Australia last week at the SCG, a ground which has a tradition of providing some turn for spinners.

Rangana has taken three wickets at a cost of 49 runs in his previous two ODI matches at the SCG but Jayasuriya said spin bowling would not necessarily be crucial to Sri Lanka’s chances of reaching the semifinals for the fourth straight World Cup. “We have fast bowlers, we have spinners, we don’t have any concrete plans, we’ll just stick to the basics,” he said. - Reuters

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

C5

The ‘Starc’ difference in Aussie campaign The 25-year-old left-armer currently leads the wickets tally at the tournament with 16 scalps at the end of the pool phase, one ahead of a clutch of bowlers with 15, but with an eye-popping average of 8.50

I’ve been working on different plans, whether that be in training or in a game, and it’s nice to see them coming off Mitchell Starc

MELBOURNE: Publicly labelled “soft” by former test bowler Shane Warne only a few months ago, paceman Mitchell Starc has come of age at the cricket World Cup and could prove key to Australia’s hopes of winning a fifth trophy.

The 25-year-old left-armer currently leads the wickets tally at the tournament with 16 scalps at the end of the pool phase, one ahead of a clutch of bowlers with 15, but with an eye-popping average of 8.50. Once known as the “lesser Mitchell”, Starc has put Australia’s most feared strike bowler Mitchell Johnson firmly in the shade, the fellow left-armer taking a modest nine wickets at an average of 22.66.

“The ball’s coming out nicely.

I can’t complain. It’s coming out consistently well, but more importantly we’re winning games,” Starc said in comments published by The Australian newspaper. “That’s all that matters.

“I’ve been working on different plans, whether that be in training or in a game, and it’s nice to see them coming off.”

Starc’s form at cricket’s global showpiece has elevated him to the most lethal wicket-taker in the one-day game. The Adelaide Oval has one of Australia’s slowest pitches, particularly since its redevelopment as a venue for Australian Rules football matches, but Starc’s pace, bounce and variation could prove a handful for Pakistan when the teams clash in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Starc has set the tone for Australia’s campaign, capturing the team’s first World Cup wicket in the opener against England when a flustered Moeen Ali tried to pull a short ball only to be beaten for pace and caught at mid-on.

He all but bowled out New Zealand with a six-wicket haul that dragged his team into the match after they were skittled for 151 in Auckland and appeared ripe for humiliation. His ability to swing the ball both ways and into righthanded batsmen has prompted comparisons with Pakistan great Wasim Akram.

Soft effort Straight-shooter George Bailey, who led Australia against England before making way for regular captain Michael Clarke, said Starc was “more feared” as a ‘death bowler’ in the final overs than either of South Africa pace duo Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

Only a few months ago, however, Starc was making headlines after outspoken pundit Warne remarked that he looked “a bit soft” when struggling for line and length on a baking, hot day during a test match against India in Brisbane.

For a sporting country that values toughness above all qualities in elite sport, there are fewer criticisms more scathing than the

16 scalps at the end of the pool phase, one ahead of a clutch of bowlers with 15, but with an eye-popping average of 8.50

‘S-word’ and Warne was moved to clarify his comment after a subsequent media storm.

Competing with a bull-pen of fast bowlers for the third seamer spot behind Johnson and Ryan Harris, Starc has struggled to cement his place in tests, being picked for one match then tossed out on a number of occasions. His 15 matches have yielded 50 wickets at a modest average of 35.44.

He was dropped after the “soft” effort in Brisbane, but returned for the final test against India in Sydney and took five wickets for the match. Before the test he said he wasn’t “losing sleep” over Warne’s criticism.

But in a neat piece of symmetry, his first wicket in the Sydney match -- having India opener Murali Vijay nicking behind -- happened with Warne behind the microphone for the host broadcaster.

Warne praised the bowler and has since jokingly claimed credit for his brilliant form. Starc has since let his work on the pitch do the talking. ‘Soft’ won’t be the first word thrown around when Pakistan’s brain trust convene to prepare for Friday’s match. — Reuters

C6

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

Asia quartet defy convention The belief that Asian cricketers struggle on the hard, bouncy wickets Down Under was thrown out of the window as India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh moved ahead from the group stages SMOOTH PROGRESS: Team India have won all the six matches which was a vast improvement on what

sain and young Taskin Ahmed led the turnaround for the Tigers, and skipper Mashrafe Mortaza promises more from his side.

“We are hungry for success and I am confident we can reach new heights,” said Mortaza, whose team sent India crashing from the first stage of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Mortaza said his biggest challenge was to check the growing excitement in the team over making the knock-out rounds for the first time and the prospect of playing before some 90,000 spectators at the MCG. “Everyone is excited about the game but as a professional unit we must focus on the task ahead,” he said. “It’s a chance to show the world that we are among the top teams.”

was witnessed during the dismal tour Down Under. – AFP

ADELAIDE: Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand may be the teams to beat, but the striking feature of this World Cup is Asia’s four Test nations defying conventional wisdom to make the quarterfinals.

The belief that Asian cricketers struggle on the hard, bouncy wickets Down Under was thrown out of the window as India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh moved ahead from the group stages.

Three more wins will see a team crowned the 2015 champions — just like Pakistan did when the

World Cup was last held in Australia and New Zealand in 1992 — and another victory for Asia cannot be ruled out.

“There is no reason why an Asian side can’t win this time,” legendary Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram, who was part of the 1992 winning team, told AFP. “They have played well and deserve to go through. In a knock-out situation, past form will really not count. Everything depends on how you play on that day.”

Defending champions India bounced back from a dismal tour of Australia prior to the World Cup to record six straight wins in the league, which surprised many, but not team director Ravi Shastri.

“I’m not one bit surprised,” the former all-rounder told the Wisden India website. “What we are looking forward to now is to carry on the good work. Not think too far ahead, but keep the momentum going.”

India’s quarterfinal opponents at the iconic Melbourne Cricket

Ground on Thursday will be Bangladesh, the surprise team of the tournament who knocked England out in the league.

Bangladesh went through almost the entire last year without a win in Test or one-day cricket, but the tactical acumen of their Sri Lankan coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and fast bowling adviser Heath Streak has paid dividends.

Two consecutive centuries by Mohammed Mahmudullah and incisive fast bowling by Rubel Hos-

Semifinal guarantee The India-Bangladesh match means that at least one Asian team will be guaranteed a place in the semi-finals, but Sri Lanka and Pakistan will also be strong contenders for the last four.

Sri Lanka, who take on the powerful but inconsistent South Africa in Wednesday’s first quarter-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground, have the prolific Kumar Sangakkara in their ranks.

The 37-year-old left-hander, playing one-day cricket for the last time, has already hammered

an unprecedented four consecutive centuries and tops the batting charts with 496 runs.

With the 38-year-old Tillakaratne Dilshan having made 395 runs with two hundreds, it promises to be an enthralling contest between Sri Lanka’s in-form batsmen and the Proteas’ attack led by Dale Steyn.

Coach Marvan Atapattu is confident that Sri Lanka, the 1996 champions who lost in the finals in both the last two editions, are equipped to deal with the pressures of a knock-out game.

“Over the last few years in big tournament matches, I’ve seen people raise their game and raise the whole team,” he said.

“These guys can do it again.

When it comes to pulling together and working towards a common goal, we’re among the best.”

Pakistan, described by South African coach Russell Domingo as “predictably unpredictable”, lived up to that reputation by bouncing back from two defeats to win four in a row.

And as they prepare to tackle mighty Australia at the Adelaide Oval on Friday, skipper Misbah-ul Haq was convinced his team can win the tournament and repeat the feat of their 1992 predecessors.

“Of course we can win the World Cup,” Misbah said after knocking Ireland out of the race. “We have the momentum.” - AFP

H I G H L I G H T S S O FA R

Left-arm forward SOME 23 years after Wasim Akram lit up the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, this tournament has seen a clutch of left-arm fast bowlers following in the Pakistan great’s footsteps, with batsmen exposed to an angle of delivery many of them don’t face that often. Australia’s Mitchell Starc has so far taken 16 wickets at just 8.50 apiece, with New Zealand’s Trent Boult not far behind with 15 at just a shade more than 15 each. Meanwhile Pakistan fielded a trio of left-arm quicks — Mohammed Irfan, Rahat Ali and Wahab Riaz — in their tournament-changing win over South Africa.

Attack to win CRICKET tactics are a little bit like flared trousers — everything comes back at least once. Amidst all the blazing hitting, what this World Cup has shown is that captains prepared to back their bowlers with attacking fields — Australia’s Michael Clarke and New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum being two examples — have the greatest chance of success.

India peak at right time INDIA had a wretched tour of Australia in the lead-up to the defence of their title but, as they showed in winning the 2011 World Cup on home soil and the 2013 Champions Trophy in England, MS Dhoni’s men — and the captain himself — have an admirable ability to raise their game when there’s a major prize at stake.

Associates on the rise IT is a measure of how things have changed that Ireland’s victory over the West Indies was no longer regarded as a shock.

Meanwhile Afghanistan, UAE and Scotland all had their moments too, adding to the vibrancy of a tournament that otherwise would just be a slightly expanded version of the Champions Trophy.

C7

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

THE ROUTE TO QUARTERFINALS COLOUR KEY

DID QUALIFY DIDN’T QUALIFY

A GROUP

Score Points gained per match

FEBRUARY

1 S

2 M

3 4 5 T W T

6 F

7 S

8 S

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 M T W T F S S

TOTAL TOTAL POINTS POINTS

231

123

151

260

111

0

0

0

0

2

4

2

2

2

2

0

2

152

275

101

342

303

125

18 W

19 T

QF 1 7:30am

20 F

QF 3 QF 2 7:30am 7:30am

21 S QF4 5:00am

2 0

186

309

0

0

2

2

188

184

142

AUSTRALIA

0

1

2

1

146

With 12 points each, New Zealand and India had perfect campaigns, qualifying them as leaders of their respective groups

312

288 376

Abandoned due to rain

NEW ZEALAND

QUARTERFINALS

MARCH

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

ENGLAND

SRI LANKA

The top four teams from each group will meet in quarterfinals. This graphic shows how each team advanced.. Each of the group comprised of seven teams.

Only the 4 teams with most number of points qualified to the quarterfinals from each group. Teams earned two points for win and one point for no result.

The points gained in each match are represented by the thickness of the lines.

233

332

0

2

2

0

331

240

2 0

0

7

2

12

290

312 417

2 0 142

SCOTLAND

236

133

2

2

9

0

0

8

232

130

BANGLADESH

2

0

0

0

0

162

210

318

215

177

104

185

2

0

2

2

0

2

0

0

277

307

102

182

279

241

2 0

195

202

0

300

0

2

2

285

0

0

2

0

2

0

2

224

210

408

2

341

0

2

6

237

222

175

8

2

8

0

6

176

411

151

286

0

INDIA

339

278

INDIA

Feel free to make your predictions

Scotland and UAE had the worst campaigns

SOUTH AFRICA

ZIMBABWE

0

WEST INDIES

2

NEW ZEALAND

2

PAKISTAN

2

AUSTRALIA

363

BANGLADESH

322

SOUTH AFRICA

B GROUP

211

SRI LANKA

AFGHANISTAN

267

PAKISTAN

260 339

372

2

WEST INDIES

2

2

0

0

West Indies qualified to the quarterfinals and Ireland did not. Both garnered six points each, but West Indies had a higher run rate (-0.053) than Ireland (-0.933).

259

210

0 289

IRELAND

UAE Source: International Cricket Council

304

310

235

331

288

0

2

2

2

2

12

2

0

0

0

0

2

307

160

215

326

287 Graphics

C8

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

Mahmudullah finds form at perfect time for Tigers At the end of the pool phase, he was the fifth highest run-scorer from all countries with 344 runs. His average of 86 was the third best

MELBOURNE: It’s been a long time coming but Mohammad Mahmudullah is finally fulfilling his promise as a match-winning batsman. For both him and his country Bangladesh, the long wait is paying off at the perfect time.

Mahmudullah was first picked to play for Bangladesh in 2007.

Just 20 at the time, he was earmarked as a star in the making, but it was a false dawn.

He had his moments. In January 2010, he made an unbeaten 96 against India then a month later he scored his maiden test century against New Zealand, batting at

IN FORM: Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah makes a heart as he celebrates scoring a century against New Zealand. – Reuters

number eight. In 2012, he played the leading role when Bangladesh beat the West Indies in a ODI series for the first time and he was tipped to become his country’s next captain.

But his form deserted him and he has been in an out of the team in the years since before fighting his way back for the World Cup. Now 29, Mahmudullah has produced his best when it really mat-

ters. Last week, he finally scored his first ODI hundred, a brilliant 103 against England which sent Bangladesh through to the World Cup quarterfinals and the English home.

Four days later, he scored his second ODI century, an even better 128 not out against a potent New Zealand attack.

His form throughout the whole World Cup has been great. Before his back-to-back hundreds,

he scored 62 against Scotland, 28 against Sri Lanka and 23 against Afghanistan.

At the end of the pool phase, he was the fifth highest run-scorer from all countries with 344 runs.

His average of 86 was the third best.

“He’s been terrific throughout this tournament,” said Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan. “Hopefully he’ll continue his performance in the quarter-final match.”

A handy bowler, Mahmudullah has also bagged one wicket in the World Cup but it’s his form with the bat that has been the key to his team’s progress.

Now his biggest test will come on Thursday when Bangladesh face defending champions India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Before this year, no batsman had ever scored centuries in three successive World Cup matches but Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara has made four in a row, giving Mahmudullah’s team mates real hope his long wait to deliver will reap any more benefits.

“His job is not finished yet,” said Shakib. “As a professional team we’ll look for him to score another hundred.

“If Sangakkara can score four hundred in a row, why not Mahmudullah?” - Reuters

Umpires keep English flag flying at the World Cup SYDNEY: England may have bowed out of the World Cup but they had plenty of representation among the list of match officials announced on Monday for this week’s quarterfinals. Umpires Richard Illingworth, a member of the England side that lost to Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup final in Melbourne, Ian Gould (England’s wicketkeeper at the 1983 World Cup), Richard Kettleborough and Nigel Llong will all have roles in the last eight. Meanwhile, former England batsman Chris Broad, whose son Stuart was in England’s World Cup squad, will be the match referee for the fourth quarterfinal between New Zealand and the West Indies in Wellington on Saturday.

Australia’s leading officials also had quarterfinal posts, with umpires Rod Tucker, Bruce Oxenford, Steve Davis and former Test batsman turned match referee David Boon all involved.

Officials for the semifinals and March 29 final in Melbourne will be announced in due course.

World Cup quarterfinal officials: March 18: Sri Lanka v South Africa (SCG) Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS), Nigel Llong (ENG) TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG) Match referee: David Boon (AUS) March 19: Bangladesh v India (MCG) Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG), Aleem Dar (PAK) TV umpire: Steve Davis (AUS) Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI) March 20: Australia v Pakistan, Adelaide Oval Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA), Kumar Dharmasena SRI) TV umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG) Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI) March 21: New Zealand v West Indies, Wellington Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG), Bruce Oxenford (AUS) TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS) Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG). - AFP

NEW FOUND HOPE

‘Last resort’ Sarfraz solves Pakistan’s opening problem ADELAIDE: It was Pakistan’s last roll of the dice that saw them throw Sarfraz Ahmed into the role of opener at the World Cup and the gamble looks to be paying off.

With their opening partnerships producing a total of 22 runs in four matches, Pakistan brought Sarfraz in to partner Ahmed Shehzad against South Africa on March 7 in act of desperation.

The pair put up 30 runs for the wicket but that figure, while more than the previous four partnerships combined, would have been higher had Shehzad not fallen cheaply as Sarfraz went on to score 49. On Sunday, Sarfraz put on an unbeaten 101, while opening partner Shehzad made 63 for a stand of 120 as Pakistan crushed Ireland in a seven-wicket win that sealed the 1992 champions’ place in the quarterfinals.

It was Pakistan’s first century of the tournament and one they hope signals an end to the problems at

opening which dogged them even before the start of the tournament.

A week before the World Cup, Pakistan lost regular opener Mohammad Hafeez to a calf muscle injury and had to fly in Nasir Jamshed as a late replacement.

They plucked Younis Khan out of the middle order and thrust him into the opener’s role against India, but that gamble backfired spectacularly in a 76-run defeat by their arch-rivals.

Shehzad partnered the woefully out-of-form Jamshed in the next three matches before Pakistan decided to gamble on Sarfraz, whose form coming into the World Cup was not very flattering either.

“We tried him when we came here in New Zealand ... in these conditions he was not up to the mark,” Pakistan captain Misbahul-Haq said after the win against Ireland. “He was not getting runs somewhere. He was just finding it difficult, even in the nets.”

However, Jamshed’s poor form prompted them to try Sarfraz at the top, admitted Misbah.

Former captain Inzamam-ulHaq saw traces of batting great Javed Miandad in the 27-yearold’s knock. “Sarfraz’s elevation to the opener’s slot in the last two matches gave Pakistan’s middleorder enough cushion,” Inzamam wrote in his column.

“Sarfraz reminds me Javed Miandad’s art of rotating the strike.

Whenever batsmen takes singles and twos, it not only disturbs and frustrates the bowlers but disallows them to explore the weak areas of the batsmen. And that’s what exactly Sarfraz did on Sunday.”

Irfan doubtful Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Irfan is doubtful for the World Cup quarter-final against hosts Australia on Friday after suffering a recurrence of a hip injury.

The Pakistan cricket Board said

on Monday that Irfan had gone for MRI scans in Adelaide after experiencing pain his right hip.

“Late Monday afternoon, Irfan underwent an MRI scan. According to Team Pakistan physiotherapist Brad Robinson, the detailed report from the radiologists would be available on Tuesday,” the PCB statement said. “A decision will then be taken on his availability for the forthcoming quarterfinal against Australia,” Robinson said.

A board official told Reuters that initial reports on Irfan were not encouraging.

The rangy Irfan has been Pakistan’s most dangerous bowler in the World Cup. Irfan, 32, has largely been confined to playing smaller versions due to injury problems and has made just four Test appearances compared to 45 ODIs and nine T20 matches.

He has taken 65 ODI wickets and played a leading role in Pakistan’s World Cup comeback. - Reuters LOOKING BACK

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

Aussie press rewind to boost fielding ADELAIDE: Australia are stepping back in time in an effort to maximise their chances of a fifth World Cup title by dusting off old videos of fielding master classes. The team’s fielding coach, Greg Blewett, believes sharpness in the field will be key in Friday’s quarterfinal against Pakistan at Adelaide Oval.

“Over the last month or so we’ve shown a fair bit of footage of some really good Australian fielders who have gone before these guys,” Blewett said.

“It’s about them hopefully starting to replicate a bit of what guys like Andrew Symonds, Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden (achieved).

“Trying to get them to force a bit of their own legacy. The other thing is trying to create a bit of competition amongst the guys at training.”

Improving Australia’s performance in the field has been high on the agenda since coach Darren Lehmann labelled it “shoddy at best” after a handful of chances went down in the Boxing Day Test against India.

Lehmann reckoned that the World Cup would probably be won by the best fielding side.

“The three best fielding sides are South Africa, New Zealand and us,” said Blewett, who played 46 Tests and 32 ODIs in his career. - AFP

C

LIFE & STYLE

SECTION

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

IS TECHNOLOGY

SPOILING

YOUR

OVER THE PAST 20-PLUS YEARS, I’ve developed an unhealthy relationship with my workout gadgets. It started with a Walkman, then escalated to a jumpy Discman, just about every version of the iPod and finally an iPhone with music synced to the Nike+ app. As songs blasted through my headphones, I pushed myself for the inspirational mile-marker callouts and drove myself harder to hear Olympic stars like Sanya Richard Ross congratulate me: “Great job getting out there!” I compared my weekly pace charts, devised playlists that would motivate me on hills (yes, they almost always included Born to Run) and faithfully analysed the digital record of my achievements.

Then my app crashed. At first I was upset, but in my frantic efforts to fix the problem, I came face-to-face with an uncomfortable truth: Data and music had become a crutch. Did I really need them to get through my workout — to make it count? The only way to find out was to get rid of my devices. No music, no apps, no watch. I’d run the same 5K route and check only the kitchen clock when I left and when I returned. At the gym, I’d leave the headphones at home and turn off the data screen. And the rest

of my weekly workouts would include outdoor swims and yoga. In other words, the unplugged workout.

Given the array of fitness technology now available to help make exercise more entertaining, efficient and informative — smartphone apps, activity trackers, tricked-out watches like the new Apple Watch, which gives you “credit” for the simple act of standing up from your chair and moving — some people might question the value of going retro. (What’s next for me, eating like a cavewoman?) But also I wonder: Have we all gotten a bit too dependent on tech feedback?

Perhaps, says research psychologist Larry Rosen. “Workout technology can be valuable,” says Rosen, author of the book iDisorder: Understanding our Obsession With Technology and Overcoming Its Hold on Us, but if you are constantly checking your stats, “then that is going to create anxiety — and that’s the last thing you want to do when exercising.”

Exercise is supposed to produce endorphins and dopamine, chemicals that make you feel good, not anxiety neurotransmitters like cortisol. “Why would you want to be stressed when you are trying to do something that is supposed to be good for you?” he asks.

WORKOUT?

Even more potentially damaging, says Rosen, a professor at California State University at Dominguez Hills, is the social media component of some apps — posting your run on Facebook, for example, and relying on your friends to cheer for you virtually. Making your personal workout public sets you up for disappointment, he says: “What if you posted your run and nobody liked it? Does that mean you got nothing out of it?”.

Working out wired can also pose safety hazards. Wearing headphones decreases your awareness of traffic, dogs and other potential dangers. Even taking your eyes off the road to check your watch means you’re not paying attention to the present, and that increases risk.

Those little app rewards “might also tempt people to push too hard when they should be listening to their body and not their iPhone,” says Jo Zimmerman, a trainer and instructor of kinesiology at the University of Maryland. Exercise tech, she says “is a double-edged sword.

For some people, technology is the exact reason to get off the couch and for others it’s what makes them too competitive.”

Even running guru Hal Higdon, who has worked with developers to create training apps, says that while technology

can help the goal-oriented or first-time runner, it can also “destroy our workouts, taking us out of our bodies.” When he was researching the effects of running on the body for his book Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide, he says he used a heart monitor for feedback on his runs near Lake Michigan in Indiana. When the book was done, however, he “cast away” the device, he said, “because I would rather focus on the beauty of the park and listen to the lapping of waves on the shore.” Others prefer the sound of a companion’s voice. Deborah Brooks, the chapter leader of Moms Run This Town in McLean, Virginia, says that “when we run together as a group I enjoy the company of friends and don’t feel like I need music to push me.”

Brian Beary, a journalist in Washington, says that he gave up running with music four years ago and now typically uses only a stopwatch (with a phone in his pocket for emergencies). Last month, he says, “I reached a goal I set myself around the time I stopped running with gadgets: running a marathon in under three hours.”

As for me, I’m not breaking any personal records yet, but I am discovering the less tangible benefits of exercise.

-Nora Krug /The Washington Post

C10

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

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

BORN today, you are, like a great many Pisces natives, at risk of being considered a know-it-all for the very simple reason that you do, indeed, know a great deal. More than that, you are often too willing to share that knowledge in an indiscriminate manner. The key, of course, is to learn to size people up quickly to determine if they are of the type to react favourably to your display of knowledge and acumen, or if they will be in any way threatened by it. It is the perceived threat, whether real or not, that rubs people the wrong way more often than not. Still, you would not have it any other way; you prefer to be in the know, and you spend a great deal of your time trying to expand your knowledge.

What is important, of course, is that you never let either your intellectual knowledge or your practical know-how lie dormant. It’s essential that you use the power of your brain to develop your natural talents to their fullest. That way, you can achieve much and fulfil your potential, both personally and professionally.

Also born on this date are: Rob Lowe, actor; Kurt Russell, actor; Gary Sinise, actor; Nat King Cole, singer; Patrick Duffy, actor; Vicki Lewis, actress; Billy Corgan, singer-songwriter; Mia Hamm, soccer player; Bobby Jones, golfer; John Sebastian, singersongwriter.

W E AT H E R

C

WORLD

Max 28 Min 21 Max 11 Min -2

Max 26 Min 13

Max 28 Min 19 Max 3 Min -7

Max 26 Min 18

Max 5 Min -2

Max 30 Min 17

Max 31 Min 20

Max 32 Min 18

Max 30 Min 19

Max 31 Min 18

[Feb. 19-March 20] Max 29 Min 22

Max 24 Min 16

—www.met.gov.om

Max 32 Min 20 Max 24 Min 21

Min

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

32 25 30 24 25 27

23 22 21 17 21 17

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

14 25 13 14 9 23 32 15 24 9 26 33 13 16 27 32 18 4

8 10 2 4 -5 7 24 3 20 3 15 23 9 7 18 22 10 -4

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] You may be blissfully unaware that others are trying rather desperately to get in touch with you right now. Be available when you can.

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] It’s now or never, and you’ve known this deadline would soon be upon you. You should be able to muster the courage you need.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20] Focus on those things that are most familiar to you, as they will give you some comfort in moments of unusual stress.

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] Once you get started, you’re not likely to stop until you have checked off every item on your to-do list. Or is there still one more?

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] Only you know the right answer to the question most people around you are asking. Are you ready and willing to share it?

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

[AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] Your usual mode of communication may fail you for a time. Your choice is simple: Stay out of touch, or try something new.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] You’re going to have to communicate with others to be sure that everything is in place before you start a new and important project.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] You’ll be carrying the majority of the load throughout the day, be it physical, mental or emotional. Others can trust only you.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] Your reaction when all is said and done is likely to be priceless. Others will surely appreciate that you’ve taking things so seriously.

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] You’re gravitating slowly toward those who share more than mere outlook. Indeed, your work will soon be almost entirely in sync.

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18] What you thought would be a group effort proves to be nothing of the kind, and you’re left holding the bag.

Avoid resentment!

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

VIRGO

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow) High tide Low tide

6:49pm 11:51am

6.16pm 6.14am 6:18am 12:45am

Sultanate coasts with maximum wave height of 1.25 metres.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during rain.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Partly cloudy skies over northern parts of the Sultanate with chance of isolated rain. Chance of convective clouds developments over Al Hajar mountains and adjoining areas with chance of thundershowers. 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.

Max

OMAN

ARIES

12.20pm 3.45pm 6.21pm 7.31pm 5.00am

AIRLINES

lear to partly cloudy skies over northern parts of the Sultanate with chance of isolated rain and mainly clear skies over the rest of the Sultanate with chance of convective clouds development and thundershowers over Al Hajar mountain and adjoining areas during afternoon may associate with hail and fresh winds.

EXPECTED WINDS: Wind will be northerly to northeasterly light to moderate along Oman Sea coast while wind will be southeasterly light to moderate.

SEA STATE: Moderate along Musandam and Oman coasts with maximum wave height of 2 metres and slight along the rest of the

PISCES You may find yourself behaving in a more self-conscious manner than usual. The reason will soon be clear — and should soon pass.

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

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

TUESDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

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

WEDNESDAY ETA

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

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

WY636 WY406 WY682 WY676 WY648 WY816 WY910 WY916 PK229 TK776 QR1132 EK866 GF560 EY384 FZ041 WY114 WY658 4H562 WY638 WY902 WY686 WY144 WY674 WY668 WY644 WY132 WY602 WY202 WY432 WY102 NL768 FZ043 G9114 WY342 WY242 WY236 WY226 EK862 WY252 WY282 IX443 QR1128 EY382 IX549 9W530 WY3922 WY604 WY918 G9841 GF562 WY372 FZ037 WY384 IX337 WY904 PA450 WY3302 WY818 WY606 WY324 WY906 WY920 WY632 FZ045 WY348 WY3304 WY656 WY216 WY204 WY292 WY246 WY610 WY264 WY274 WY232 QR1126 WY664 EK864 GF564 WY822 G9116 WY254 WY646 FZ047 WY338 WY614 WY848 WY124 AI977 WY386 KL441 AI973 WY624 6.00E+81 9W534 WY312 FZ049 AI907 WY914 QR1134 GF566 BA073 EY388 WY414 WY908 AI985 WY662 LX242 9W540 LH618 WY612 WY654 WY928 WY696

ABU DHABI 0005 CAIRO 0005 RIYADH 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 SALALAH 0030 SALALAH 0125 LAHORE 0215 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0255 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0610 BAHRAIN 0640 JEDDAH 0645 ABU DHABI 0650 SALALAH 0655 RIYADH 0700 MALPENSA 0720 JEDDAH 0730 DOHA 0735 KUWAIT 0735 PARIS 0800 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 TEHRAN 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 LAHORE 0830 DUBAI 0850 SHARJAH 0915 LAHORE 0920 DELHI 0920 HYDERABAD 0920 COCHIN 0930 DUBAI 0940 MADRAS 0940 BANGALORE 1000 COCHIN 1010 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1020 TRIVANDRUM 1035 DUQUM OMAN 1035 DUBAI 1110 KHASAB 1115 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120 BAHRAIN 1130 COLOMBO 1140 DUBAI 1200 MALE 1205 CALICUT 1210 SALALAH 1215 LAHORE 1215 MUKHAIZNA 1230 BANGKOK 1305 DUBAI 1330 KARACHI 1355 SALALAH 1445 KHASAB 1445 ABU DHABI 1530 DUBAI 1555 ISLAM ABBAD 1625 MUKHAIZNA 1630 BAHRAIN 1630 TRIVANDRUM 1705 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DELHI 1730 DUBAI 1730 LUCKNOW 1735 JAIPUR 1740 HYDERABAD 1740 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1750 BAHRAIN 1810 KUALA LUMPUR 1910 SHARJAH 1915 MADRAS 1920 KUWAIT 1925 DUBAI 1945 KATHMANDU 2010 DUBAI 2030 JAKARTA 2055 MUNICH 2105 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 MALE 2110 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 DELHI 2125 DUBAI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 COCHIN 2140 CHITTAGONG 2140 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 SALALAH 2205 DOHA 2210 BAHRAIN 2240 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 AMMAN 2255 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 SALALAH 2345 DAMMAM 2350

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

FLT NO

DEPARTURES TO

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

AI986 LX243 BA072 9W539 LH619 WY685 WY251 WY201 WY225 WY235 WY601 WY341 WY281 WY431 WY241 WY643 WY821 WY657 WY637 WY123 WY371 WY667 WY383 WY901 WY847 PK230 TK777 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY3921 GF561 4H562 WY903 WY603 WY3301 WY917 WY215 WY263 WY323 WY291 WY347 NL769 FZ044 WY385 WY245 WY231 WY843 G9115 WY815 WY273 WY905 WY605 WY203 WY253 WY337 EK863 WY311 EY383 IX554 QR1129 IX442 9W533 WY919 WY655 G9842 GF563 WY631 WY3303 IX350 PA451 FZ038 WY663 WY113 WY101 WY153 WY645 WY927 WY143 WY609 WY405 WY413 WY675 FZ046 WY613 WY913 WY623 QR1127 WY681 WY907 GF565 WY647 WY661 EK865 WY695 WY653 G9117 WY909 WY611 FZ048 WY635 WY915 AI978 FZ050 KL442 WY817 WY411 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 WY677 QR1135 GF567 WY673 EY381

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 COCHIN 0125 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 LAHORE 0150 BANGALORE 0150 TEHRAN 0155 DELHI 0155 KUWAIT 0200 KUALA LUMPUR 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 ABU DHABI 0205 MUNICH 0210 COLOMBO 0210 DOHA 0225 MALE 0235 SALALAH 0240 JAKARTA 0245 LAHORE 0315 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0350 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 DUQUM OMAN 0740 BAHRAIN 0745 DACCA 0745 SALALAH 0800 DUBAI 0800 MUKHAIZNA 0800 KHASAB 0815 TRIVANDRUM 0845 LUCKNOW 0920 KARACHI 0920 CALICUT 0920 ISLAM ABBAD 0920 LAHORE 0930 DUBAI 0935 MALE 0940 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 MANILA 1000 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 JAIPUR 1030 SALALAH 1030 DUBAI 1030 BOMBAY 1030 MADRAS 1040 KATHMANDU 1040 DUBAI 1055 CHITTAGONG 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 TRIVANDRUM 1110 DOHA 1115 COCHIN 1115 COCHIN 1135 KHASAB 1145 BAHRAIN 1210 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210 BAHRAIN 1215 ABU DHABI 1220 MUKHAIZNA 1300 CALICUT 1310 LAHORE 1315 DUBAI 1315 DOHA 1330 FRANKFURT 1400 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 ZURICH 1405 KUWAIT 1405 SALALAH 1415 MALPENSA 1415 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 AMMAN 1455 JEDDAH 1630 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 SALALAH 1800 DUBAI 1820 DOHA 1845 RIYADH 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 KUWAIT 1900 DOHA 1900 DUBAI 1905 DAMMAM 1910 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 2005 SALALAH 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2040 ABU DHABI 2040 SALALAH 2110 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 DUBAI 2225 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 BANGKOK 2235 AMMAN 2240 TRIVANDRUM 2240 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 MEDINA 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2350

ETD

ETA

ETD

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 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

Rules are not without exception

SUDOKU

4 9 1 5 4 2 2 8 3 5

8

4 3 7 6 5

5

8 1 6

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area.

— Seven Galaxies

9 6

2 4 3

9 7 1 3

7 1 2 8 6

7

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

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

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

47 49 50 51 52 53 54 55

peninsula Hung around Enamelled metal Mi. above sea level Marmalade chunk Important decades Hairy insect Overly inquisitive Door ding

DOWN 1 Mr. Lugosi of old horror flicks 2 What the hen did 3 Made the most of 4 Night flight (hyph.)

5 Wedding keepsake 6 Off-road vehicle 7 — Khan 8 Swayed gently 9 Pulpit 10 Not loose 11 Short note 17 Ad spiel 19 German article 22 “— -Man Fever” 23 Machine part 24 52, to Livy 25 “Pulp Fiction”

26 27 28 29 31 34 35 36 37

name Aug. and Feb. Mensa stats Feel remorse Lend a hand Philosopher — -tzu Big gulp Up-to-date NFC gridder Slackened off

39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 48

Healthy-looking Spill the beans Peeve Poker stake Cravings Split Comedian — King Twig shelter Sugarloaf locale

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 Get fuzzy 5 Open just a little 9 PIN prompter 12 Facilitate 13 Engineering toy 14 — West of Hollywood 15 Perjured 16 Surfer, to some (2 wds.)

18 Made sense (2 wds.)

20 Temple city of Japan 21 Candied goody 22 Kind of talk 23 Hints 26 Dessert wine 30 Prepare for firing 31 — cit. (footnote abbr.)

32 On the — vive 33 Swamp gases 36 Formed a foundation for 38 Pursue a lady 39 Cause a blister 40 Uniform trim 43 Cancun’s

MARY GRACE March 17

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

Previous puzzle Solution

A.C. BENSON, an English author who was the 28th Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, and whose father was the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1882 to 1896, said, “Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene.”

In yesterday’s deal, declarer needed to finesse in clubs three times through his right-hand opponent. But since he had no other dummy entry left, that required, on the first round, leading the lowest club in the dummy that could win the trick.

That is a reliable rule, but when a double finesse (two finesses in the same suit) is involved, a different approach might be needed. In this deal, West starts the defence against four spades with the club king and another club. After South ruffs at trick two, how should he continue?

South’s jump to game is reasonable, given the big trump fit.

Declarer has five potential losers: two hearts, two diamonds and one club. He has only eight top tricks: seven spades and one heart. So, to make his contract, South needs to find East with at least one heart honour and the diamond ace. But that might require leading three times from the dummy: to take two heart finesses and to lead toward the diamond king. With only two trump entries, care is required.

Declarer should cash his spade king, lead a spade to dummy’s queen and play a low heart to his jack, not run the 10 or nine.

West wins and leads the club queen. South ruffs, crosses to dummy’s spade ace, and runs the heart 10. When that wins, declarer can play a diamond toward his king to get home.

— By Phillip Alder

WITH LOVE

BORN LOSER

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

KIDSPOT

H E A LT H C A P S U L E

C12

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

EXTRA Significant weight reduction cuts asthma attack risk greatly

SUBSTANTIAL weight loss through procedures such as bariatric surgery can significantly reduce the risk of asthma attacks - also called exacerbations - in obese patients with asthma, new research has found. “We found that in obese patients with asthma, the risk of emergency department visits and

hospitalisations for asthma exacerbations decreased by half in the two years after bariatric surgery,” said the lead author of the study Kohei Hasegawa from Massachusetts General Hospital.

For the first time it was found that significant weight cut can reduce serious asthma-linked events.

“Although previous studies of nonsurgical weight loss interventions failed to show consistent results regarding asthma risks, our result strongly suggests that the kind of significant weight loss that often results from bariatric surgery can reduce adverse asthma events. Bariatric surgery is a costly procedure that carries its own risk factors that may offset the benefits regarding the risk of asthma exacerbation for some patients,” he added.

“To decrease asthma-related adverse events in the millions of obese individuals with asthma, we probably will need to develop safe, effective non-surgical approaches to achieve major weight loss,” he said. The study appeared online in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. -IANS

Chanel wants you to dress like a bistro waiter this fall

D

esigners are known to draw inspiration from an endless array of high-brow sources; among their favourites are independent films and the visual arts. But recently designer Karl Lagerfeld found sparks of creativity in the mundane but beloved realm of the French bistro.

Plain white waiters’ aprons were transformed into dreamy ruffled skirts. The mosaic tile floors, often scuffed from decades of wear, were reflected in the tiny square jewels that made skirts look like something out of a fairy tale. And the elaborate medallion fringe on a coat called to mind the handfuls of coins often left scattered on a table as a tip.

The result was a collection that said as much about his creative capacity as it did about how our culture is evolving.

Lagerfeld has taken to building elaborate sets to help tell the story of his collections for Chanel. He has recreated entire Paris streetscapes, supermarkets and art galleries. For fall 2015, he transformed the vast ground floor of the Grand Palais into the Brasserie Gabrielle. It was far more than just a facade of balsa wood and foam core.

A professional reservation podium was positioned at the entrance; a working bar had waiters serving croissants and glasses of champagne, and reserved tables covered in white linen tablecloths awaited their guests.

It was the models who ultimately settled in at the two-tops and four-tops after promenading

Lagerfeld is at his best when he’s working strictly in the Chanel vernacular, taking the venerable house’s classic shapes and references and weaving them into our popular culture in ways that display them in a new light around the runway. Their clothes were beautifully tailored and exquisitely embellished. One could imagine these blazers, twin sets and tweed dresses on stylish ladies on their way to lunch, dinner or a gala supper.

There was nothing edgy or hipster about this collection. Instead, it celebrated a kind of social interaction that is becoming rare: the leisurely meal during which friends lean in, gossip and laugh. No cell phones glow on the table. No one is itching to Instagram the meal. Lagerfeld is at his best when he’s working strictly in the Chanel vernacular, taking the venerable house’s classic shapes and references and weaving them into our popular culture in ways that display them in a new light.

He doesn’t only zero in on the ar-

chitecture of the bistro. Certainly, there is an obvious beauty in those structural elements and it comes through in the collection.

But he also turns his attention to the waiters who scurry about in their black jackets and white aprons. They aren’t just passing through, biding time until they land their first acting job or their music career finally takes off.

This is what they do, and their attire speaks of tradition, continuity and dignity just as surely as architecture does.

As Lagerfeld manipulates their uniform, he blurs the line between workman basics and high society’s favourite uniform: the tuxedo. They represent opposite ends of the demographic spectrum, but in his deconstruction and reconstruction of them, one is reminded that they aren’t so far apart after all.

By the end of the show, all the models have settled into a table or booth. They chat and sip orange juice as waiters attend to their needs. Indeed, the audience might have witnessed the fastest, most efficient service by any waiters in all of Paris.

Lagerfeld emerged from backstage to take his bows. The guests rose to leave, but not before swiping awake their iPhone cameras and surrounding the models at their tables. The crowd pressed forward. And that sense of friendship and intimacy that Lagerfeld had conjured with stage craft disappeared into a reality of life lived on stage, in Tweets and yet still eerily detached. -Robin Givhan/The Washington Post

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T U E S DAY, M A R C H 1 7, 2 0 1 5

SECTION

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

RENT

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D7

D2

T U E S D AY, M A R C H 1 7, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

FOR RENT

OFFICES FOR RENT Premium offices to let a very good location on the main road very close to Zakher Mall, Al Khawiar. Business Center has offices with sizes of 50m2, 110m2, 180m2, 207m2, 230m2, 437m2.

Showroom also available at Business Center, Area 500m2 with central A/c.

Offices with Central Air-conditions, Security System with CCTV cameras, and Security presence in the building.

Contact: 97377355 / 97307476, Email id: aaleem@ggcoman.com

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 150 sqm office in Ghubra main road prime location already glass partition done. Office with pantry & 2 washrooms. Contact 9378235 / 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 2 BHK flat & 100 sqm office & 60 sqm shop for rent in Ghala brand new building. 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 2 bed room, 3 toilets 120 sq. mtr fully furnished parking near Star Cinema 450/- OMR / monthly.

Contact 91778735 Available industrial open land 25,000 m2 and 450m2 of 2 Nos, covered ware house in Al Rumais and two shutter shops 70 m2 each in Mabellah, near Oman oil petrol pump station and MAC Donalad. Contact 99318152 Email ahastco@gmail.com 1BHK available Ghubra near Al Maha INT Hotel. Contact 99269751 Spacious 2BR flat in MBD. Contact 99713489 2BHK at Honda road Ruwi.

Contact 99224748 / 99332297 New Building in Mutrah, 2 B/D room Flat + Setting Room,3 Baths+ Kitchen with split unit Ac’s. Behind Khimiji’s main office/opposite to Oman House Call 99419712

2 BHK commercial & residential flat at Honda road. Contact 98087644 / 99795241 Villa sharing rooms at Al Khuwair.

Contact 94638876 Shop in Wadi Kabir & Azaiba.

Contact 99024730 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 2BHK & 3BHK in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99024730 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 2BHK Al Khuwair 350/- .

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

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 Foklift 7,5,3 Ton with driver – 99424338 200 Sqr mtrs office for Rent in CBD. Contact 99792181 1, 2 & 3 BHK in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181 2 BHK flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181 Store or Labour camp in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99792181 Available furnished Office in Al-Khuwair near Centerpoint.

Contact 92870771 Villa Bosher behind Dolfeen near Muscat Hospital 5BHK hall living room with split a/c for family only 650/- R.O . Contact 92479515 New flat Al Athaiba behind Al Meera market, 4BHK hall, Kitchen, 5 bathrooms for family only first floor villa 550/-R.O .Contact 92479515

Villas & flats. Contact 92144045 3BHK Wattaya. Contact 92144045

1BHK with A/C Ghubra R.O 275/-.

Contact 92144045

2 BHK Mumtaz. Contact 92144045

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

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

Bachelor villa at Ansab.

Contact 98458542

Villa in Mawallah rent, 2 bedroom, 2 bath room, 1 sitting room & kitchen with parking. Contact 99595866

1BHK new bldg with A/C curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact 99061408 / 99024039

Independent rooms in Qurum / Al Hail. Contact 95529970

Flats & shops for rent at MBD, Wadi Kabir, AL Khoud & villa at Azaiba.

Contact 93994401/02/03

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 Commercial /Non - commercial double story villa for rent in Al Khuwair suitable for offices.

Contact 95526871 Show room with sales counter attached with store and racks location near Wadi Kabir old Round about.

Contact 99474197 / 95403957 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

1 bedroom attached toilet in Al Khuwair bachelors/ family R.O 140/-. Contact 95154331

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 Deluxe 1 bedroom flat, ideal for office / residence at Qurum near PDO. Contact: 97721313 / 95070421 1BHK near Oman house behind Khimji, HO. Contact 95865686 Room for rent Honda road. Contact 92540125/ 97605342/ 94053366 85 SQM shops in Ruwi only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499 Spacious 2 BHK flats in Ruwi MBD area only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499 Flats shops and store for rent in Ruwi, Honda road, Rex Road. Contact 95902218/ 92433127 / 97293708

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 Prim location, nice finishing villa for RENT. 2 big bedrooms . Main large sitting room. Small maid room. Kitchen and 3 bathrooms.

At Alkhuwair. near Holiday Inn & Oman Club. 99426662, PDC only.

For families & college girls.

Industrial Land in Misfah.

Contact 93009999 Beautiful office space available in Ruwi MBD area only on 2/- OMR per sqm. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499 Deluxe 3 bedroom apartment for rent in Mumtaz area for more information. Contact 99336263 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 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

T U E S DAY, M A R C H 1 7, 2 0 1 5

D3

DAILY GUIDE

M.V. FOR SALE

AVAILABLE

AVAILABLE

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

Established Restaurant for rent with sponsorship. Contact 97628242

FOR RENT 1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880 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 Flat Wadi AL Kabeer, 2BHK, sitting room, 3 bathroom balcony split /AC 300/- R.O Contact 99324402

BUYING/SELLING

WANTED 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

FOR SALE

Al.Khuwair studio behind platinum hotel rent 130/-R.O PDC. Contact 99879939

Flats and shops. Contact 93009999

Villa Al Khuwair, 8 bedroom, 7 bathroom, 3kittchen. 950/-.

Contact 99358589/ 95121126/95570288 Flat Wadi AL Kabeer, 2BHK, sitting room, 3 bathroom balcony split /AC 300/- R.O Contact 99324402 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

Fully furnished office 46 sqr mtrs near Markaz Al Bahja.

Contact 99607788 Double burner Shawarma machine at Ruwi for sale. Contact 95395378 / 91374871 Dental clinic for sale in Seeb area.

Contact 96903341 Shop for sale near Al Maha Hotel Ghubra, area 68.40 sqm with 2 shutters, single shop also available.

Contact 96642007 / 98867936 Building material shop for sale in Al Hail. Contact 98003111 Shop at good location in Darsait.

Contact 98523634 Shop for sale near Al Hail petrol pump. Contact 93314300 / 93937185 Ready mix concrete for sale.

Contact 99054673

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.

FOR SALE

Car for sale Toyota Yaris 1.3, 2008 model 90000 km, hatchback.

Contact 99354340

22KV Generator – 99424338 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 New Panasonic 500 Ansi lumens dip projector pt –D 5000.

Contact: Hari 92138468 Shop for sale Honda road.

Contact 94053366 / 97605342

AL Khuwair behind platinum hotel 4 BHK, 3bathrrom, sitting dinning split AC. Contact 99879939

1000 sq mtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for Ware house workshop.

Contact 24700120 / 925

Nissan Sunny 2012 model 71000 km, automatic, 1600cc white, price R.O 2750/-. Contact 98523634

Looking for purchase of Used Portable Compressor (350 CFM, 7 Bar Pressure) powered with Diesel run Generator.

Kindly Contact 99014686 or operation@khancogroup.com

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 Coffee shop for sale a well running coffee shop for at Wadi Kabir Sanaya.

Contact 94159356/91039293 Well furnished with net and phone connection ready to occupy office in prime location in AlGhubra South on Sultan Qaboos Road, kindly contact 93441134 Food counter for sale new bainmary with glass cover suitable for food Court and restaurant 2 pcs.

Contact 99656863 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 Commercial registration with excellent name Grade A for business software for sale.

Contact 92959251

FOR SALE 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 5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 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

Single room attached bathroom with kitchen near Riyam park Muscat RO 70/-. Contact 95094028

Anowar Hossain Shamsul Hoque has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. 85595575. Finder please handover to ROP

Furnished room with bath at Al Khuwair. Contact 99224185 Furnished room for small family / EXE. Bachelor at Rex Road (Kannada, Telugu, Tamil). Contact 92873832 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

Dental Clinic with license for sale in Sohar. Contact 92816015

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

Wanted a 2 bedroom flat in around Ruwi area. Gsm 99761216

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

LOST

Sharing family accommodation in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057

ACC. WANTED

Toyota Camry white 2011 km -51000 R.O 4800/-.

Contact 99561562

ACC. AVAILABLE

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

Shop for sale at Ruwi.

Contact 99103077

Dodge Nitro 4.0 ltr engine 2007 model 130000 kms, red colour, registration valid for one year. RO.2700/-.

Contact - 91251966

Room for SRI LANKAN Executive at Al Khuwair.TEL 96536307

Sharing accommodation available for working lady or small family near Ruwi Church. Contact 99318980 Contd on pg 6

Sheraz Mushtaq has lost Pakistani Passport No. CG 0843871.

Finder please handover to ROP Mdesr Kalille has lost Pakistani Passport No. WY 4111651. Finder please handover to ROP

CHANGE OF NAME I Nishant (holder of Indian passport no. L7395894 ) son of RAM RAKKHA ARORA having permanent residence in WHITE WOOD 84, GROUND FLOOR, MALIBU TOWNE, SOHNA ROAD, GURGAON - 122018, HARYANA, INDIA and presently residing in 62/2, Royal hospital accommodation, Royal hospital bausher , P.O. Box no. 1331, pin -111( complete postal address in oman) intend to change my name from NISHANT (old name) to NISHANT RAM RAKKHA ARORA (new name) for all practical purpose. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, diplomatic quarters, Al Khuwair, P.O. Box no. 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

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

D4

T U E S D AY, M A R C H 1 7, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

TRAVEL/TOURS ARCHITECTURE

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

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

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

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

ADMIN Wanted PRO male Omani with 2-3 years experience and frontline associate male / female for reputed telecom brand retail stores. Apply to career@rechargeoman.om.

Contact 94006462 / 94538465

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 Chef / cook (Muslim) required with at least 3 years experience. Experience in cooking (Arab European and Indian). Please send your CV to email address info@albatnapp.com Contact 99202531 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

ENGI./ELECT./TECH..

Looking for Assistant Workshop Manager, Automobile Engineering with minimum 4 years experience in vehicle modification works.

Contact: 97441935 Local Construction Company looking for Civil Engineer Indian nationality. If interested Email: mohad.amer@hotmail.com or Contact 92817182 Wanted Auto Electrician with ITI or diploma qualification. Interested can send C.V on hilat.tech@gmail.com or contact 98983951 / 98668697 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 Wanted Mechanical Engineers with min. 5 yrs experience. Apply with bio data to hr_oman1@yahoo. com, immediately.

IT DRIVER Wanted one light driver. Indians only should apply.

Contact 95451713

DOMESTIC HELPER

Required IT Technician for computer shop. Send your CV at khalid@rayyancomputer.com

MEDICAL

Full-time housemaid needed for family of 4 in Azaiba.

Contact 95123244

Temporary Pharmacist required in Ibra. Candidates with License & NOC, contact 98883100

Housemaid required for Keralite family Cont 92729883

Urgently require for the Polyclinic in Sur. positions, General practitioner, (GP) Pediatrician, Gynecologist, Orthopedics, Physiotherapist, Lab technician, with MOH license, or without license. ContactGSM, 968 99567864 mail: alrawdahpolyclinic@gmail.com

Wanted full time Keralite housemaid at Al Khuwair.

Contact 93267065 Part time maid at Al Ansab-3.

Contact 98458542

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Wanted urgently Pharmacist and Lab Technician ladies preferred.

Contact 95918538 Email: us to: jobsomanmedical@gmail.com

Wanted Salesman with driving licence and car. Gsm : 98805474 or email id: jobssales2015@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 Wanted female Nurse for Skin clinic in Muscat. Must have MOH license and NOC. Mail to clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com Required Nurse for a reputed clinic in Suwaiq. Contact 26861077 / 99605906 / 92801446 Require GP doctors and Staff Nurse for a medical centre in Mabela. Contact 95200180, amanammc@gmail.com 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

SALES / MARKETING Wanted Sales or Marketing Executive degree or master degree.

Interested can send C.V on hilat.tech@gmail.com or contact 98983951 / 98668697 Wanted experienced Sales Executive for FMCG with valid Omani driving license. Contact 98099914 wasim@alliusie.com

Required Salesman, Tailor, and Barber. Contact 96964767 Looking for Qualified and experienced Sales Executives in industrial and mechanical field items & building materials. Please send your CV to slayhawk@yahoo.com Required promoter for promoting Perfumes in shopping centre please.

Contact 95663682 or send CV atugt15@gmail.com Our company CHABROS LLC is seeking for Indian salesman.

Have an experienced in building materials. Please send CV to chabros@omantel.net.om 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

SECRETARIAL / OFFICE

Sales Executives needed for marble & granite company with minimum one year experience with driving license. Good looking Indians only.

Email: anas@kenzostone.com / nabil@kenzostone.com

Qualified personal Secretary required to work in a private firm.

Please send your resume to majancom@omantel.net.om

Salesman Wanted for outdoor sales of ceramic items and building materials. Should have similar 2 years experience, driving license and NOC. Call 99332547

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

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 CA with 8 years Experience (6 in UAE & Oman) in A/cs ,Finance & Audit ,Contact: :98707434 / casmart007@gmail.com SL Accountant male 5 years experience in Oman up to account finalization, accounting software’s tally etc having Oman driving license & NOC. Contact 95764075 Email: arshaad18@gmail.com Accounts part time works up to finalization, monthly report, balance sheet and finalization works.

Contact 96247295 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 A Fresh ACCA Affiliate, Pakistani male, 24 yrs, open for positions of Accounts, Audit and finance. 94541539 email: wasiqnasir_3@yahoo.com

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 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 Indian male BBM 23 yrs having 2 yrs experience seeking suitable job in accounts, admin, HR, Operation Coordination logistics etc.

Contact 97623267 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.

Contact :99087175 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

T U E S DAY, M A R C H 1 7, 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ENGG. / TECHNICAL

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE 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.

Contact 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 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 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 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

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ADMIN/HR

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

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 female B.Com with excellent communication available for immediate joining full time or part time in HR & Admin coordination. #98460262

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.

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 Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com Indian male- 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

ADVERTISING Indian Male, 28 years, have Omani driving license. NOC available, seeks job. Phone: 96245690

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 BEAUTICIAN 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 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

ADMIN/HR 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

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. Contact +96896467673, cristobabu@gmail.com Keralite Bachelor professional building designer with AutoCAD, 3D Max & Accounts.

Contact 96535497, email : bhaviwky90@gmail.com

DRIVER Light Driver having own visa looking for job as driver.

Contact 92303692 Lady driver available Friday and Saturday with luxurious car in Muscat region and Sohar.

Contact 98294551.

Light driver with car 7 yrs experience. Contact 91553628 / 95667138 Light driver 8 years experience in Oman. Contact 95927422

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 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 Civil Engineer Diploma and AutoCAD having 2 yrs experience in India seeking suitable jobs.

Contact 95476430 Civil Engineer having four and half years experience in building construction, looking for a suitable placement valid D/L available.

Contact 91253392 Store In Charge: Indian male having 6 years experience in Oman seeking suitable position, Now in India Contact: 93211256, India:+91-76114979, krishnamohanap2000@gmail.com 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, having 10 yrs experience in CCTV (AV Technician), fire alarm, EPABX, all types of electrical work seeking suitable placement, presently on visit visa. Contact 97948198 / 99356393 Email: srinivasparipelli@yahoo.com 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

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 driver job. Contact 96756014 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 92791678

Wanted job as Administrative, Assistant, Supervisor 10 yrs exp.

Contact 99014612

Light driver looking for job.

Contact 91376612

MBA Admin CRM exp female Indian.

Contact 92135280

LV Driver- 2 yrs Exp-know English- Contact 95292064

Indian male 24 years, Mechanical Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience in pipeline,16years in oman seeking immediate placement Contact 95775742 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 Elet.Engr 9+ yrs exp Noc available can join immediately.

Contact 99148940 Email: jobluk.om@gmail.com Civil Engineer B Tech, Site Engineer Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa Ph : 91642050 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 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

Project Engineer, civil engineer BSC, Building Construction 5 Years Exp in Oman fluent Arabic, English and good Indian .Contact - 97858589 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 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 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 24 years Indian female diploma in computer science and engineering now on visit visa seek suitable placement. Contact 96314974/99107369 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

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

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

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

Elet Engr (13+yrs exp.) Diploma presently working as Site Engr HV & LV OHL, U/G having NOC & valid Oman D/L . Contact 96274568 / 95129698

Diploma in Architect 2.5 years experience in Oman having driving.

Contact 92967404

Pakistani Female: looking for job as English lecturer, having 5 years teaching experience in Pakistani universities, qualification M. phil English linguistics Contact no 93534255

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

Light driver. Contact 91376612 Light & heavy duty driver JCB, Shovel operator valid GCC license Indian Pakistani looking for job.

Contact 95175192

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 B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, 26 yrs, 4 yrs experience in HVAC/MEP. Contact 94669629, rajeevhpd15@yahoo.com 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 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

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 .

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

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 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, 34 years having 10 yrs experience in information technology looking for openings as project manager/senior business analyst.

Contact 98383246, vishnu.cm@gmail.com 3G , 4G Welding lead man Indian male, 33 years, having 15 years experience in American company, UAE and India, seeking for suitable placement. Contact 92122468 Email: shaji11@gmail.com

D6

T U E S D AY, M A R C H 1 7, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED IT IT Support Engineer Indian male with 6 years experience in system Admin/ IT support seeking suitable placement. Contact 94549589 / 99817516 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 Indian male 25 B.Tech (IT) Engineer 2.5 yrs exp in hardware networking.

Currently on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact – 94359564 Hardware specialist B.Tech M.Tech electronics with 10 years experience seeks suitable opportunities in reputed organizations.

Contact 91289459 Email: shrn.shrf@gmail.com B.Tech IT Professional, Indian Male with 3 yrs of Exp. In System Admin, IT Support, Networking, Installing Active Directory, DHCP, DNS,RAS, configuring maintaining and managing servers, configuring cisco routers, Exp in handling SQL database, With Valid Driving Licence. Contact - 968 98863507 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 Looking for job Tunisian Bachelor with experience 5 years in Network/IT. Cont.:91368102

MEDICAL Staff Nurse working in muscat.

Looking for new opportunity. Release / NOC letter available. #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 Female pharmacist with 3 years experience and MOH license currently in Oman, CONTACT 92455124

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. Contact 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

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Business Development Officer cum Branch Head, young Indian male, MBA, around 5 years experience in reputed multinational company (MNC) looking for suitable position in Suwaiq, Sohar area.Contact 92700670 Email: fardhaan@gmail.com Indian male M.Tech MBA, 24 years experience working as Country Manager seeks employment.

Contact 92279972, NOC available.

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

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Welder, 3G, 6G, TIG, Exp in Fabrication , Gulf Exp Ph : 97103168 Care taker, Gulf Exp knows Hindi, Arabic Ph: 94238840

ACC. AVAILABLE

SALES / MARKETING

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 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

Indian male Executive secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seek suitable placement. Contact : 99514286

Indian male 30 years DME 4 years experience in building material outdoor sales, NOC available with valid Oman D/L. Contact 92447574 Email: shijophilip84@yahoo.in

Well experienced restaurant Manager with Ample knowledge of sales and operations seeking suitable placement Noc available.

Contact 92953199

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

IND M 29 2 yrs exp in dales in Oman seeks suitable placement in back office support, sales, store keeper. NOC available. Contact 91797372 23 years Indian male commerce Graduate on visit seeks suitable placement - 2 years experience in sales /marketing. Contact 91278637 /Muzammil 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 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 male 34 years, having 5 years experience in Saudi as Safety Officer looking for suitable jobs in this field. Contact 94349820 Indian male, with 8 yrs exp in Sales Operations & accounts handling, expert in SAP & ERP applications seeks job. Contact 93345990 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

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Male 28yr age having 6year gulf+ Indian experience in HR field. Looking for suitable placement. Contact:97914340, Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com 30 years Indian male with hotel management degree, 02 years experience in F&B service at five star hotel in Dubai and 05 years in American 6 star cruiseliner as Butler . Currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact 91075704 Senior Accountant Indian Male with 13 Year of Experience (7 years in Oman) in Accounts & Finance having valid Omani Driving License with NOC Available. Looking for suitable job. Contact: 96001918 CIVIL Autocad Draughtsman Looking for part time job. # 95218737 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 MBA fresher, with fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, looking for suitable job. Currently in Oman on visit visa. Mob : +968-93730345

Salesman, building materials, Gulf exp, knows Hindi, Arabic & English.

Contact : 95516807

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

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

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.

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

Civil draughtsman expecting part time job.(civil infrastructure) and BBS. Contact :95914642

MBA with Oman D/L seeking marketing or sales jobs. Contact 94143154 email: rinojnathen008@hmail.com Indian Male, 7 yrs experience in building materials trading having Oman D/L, immediate release available. Contact 98676713

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

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

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 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

Indian male, 14 years Experience in maintenance & Supervisor in hotel ( Electrical, Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) mob : 95 25 36 40

Gubrah furnished room, attached bath dish TV, WIFI, kitchen available for Executive single person, couple.

Contact 99658689

27 years, Indian optometrist , female , 3years experience looking for suitable placement in Muscat. Contact : 92066532 mail: aradhanaarun88@gmail.com

Room in CBD area for non cooking Executive bachelors free WIFI, Advance deposit.

Contact 95934642

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

Room for executive bachelors (no Kitchen) including W/E. 125 RO. Contact 98949724

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

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

Hire Generators, Air conditioners.

Contact 98927220

Part- Time Accountant, well versed with all accounting, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact : 98803439

50 seater bus with PDO specification for rent or lease.

Contact 99839898

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,PRIMAVERA6,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

Running truck wash for rent in Ouhi Sunia Sohar. Serious people can. Contact on 97864747

NRI

Investments, insurance and pension plans from SBI life (State Bank of India group).

Contact 95778431

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

We assist you buy and sell properties anywhere in Kerala (India) Investment and Property Management Service. Landmark avenues please visit www.landmarkind. com Email: info@landmarkind. com Contact +91 9544483335 +91 4816050522

British Beauty Therapist Looking for suitable position Mob: 97175240

Spacious, 2BHK flat for sale at Hebbal Bangalore.

Contact 96263157

T U E S DAY, M A R C H 1 7, 2 0 1 5

D7

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

D8

T U E S D AY, M A R C H 1 7, 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

BUSINESS

Available construction workers, hospital staff with Oman parametric, housemaids Indian, Uganda.

Contact 9629417/98408488 Email: alkubratrading@gmail.com

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

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 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

MATRIMONIAL We are looking for a Muslim Girl for our son interested parents or daughter May. Contact 97664009

Air conditioning split A/C, Ducted split & package A/C, maintenance & installation. Contact 98667326 Cheapest prices all types window, curtains and Blinds.

Contact 99539521 Carpet & sofa shampooing. Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99884591 / 92682970

Tutoring ACCA/CAT subjects, passing exams by expert lectures.

Contact +( 968) 99229700

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.

Tamil Muslim parents looking for boys from good reputed family B.S.C smart, 23 yrs.# 99443236 after 6 pm 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

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

MATRIMONIAL Hindu Ezhava family, settled in Muscat looking for suitable groom working within Oman for their daughter 25 yrs (MBA) working with a reputed company in Muscat.

Contact : 98689663

Cleaning services, carpet & sofa shampooing, marble restoration (grinding) and polishing, pest control, fogging service. Contact 99448057, 95401996 Cheapest Prices, all types window, curtains and blind.

Contact 99539521 Computer service/ AMC/ Networking. Contact 91339882 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 House shifting. Contact 99708138

Keralite Christian RC Boy, Age 28 Years, Inviting Proposals.

Contact: 93657535

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

DRIVING

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

Lady Trainer available for driving classes in Seeb area. Knows Hindi, English, Arabic & Baluchi.

Contact 98869198 *Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability