Times of Oman - February 21, 2016

SUNDAY

February 21, 2016 12 Jumada Al Ula 1437 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

To the students of Sultan Qabooss 0 University, 2000

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ You should treat history with caution and examine its claims carefully. I say to students of history: be critical, go back to the past and think about what things were actually like in those days. We must not just accept everything that hass been written and repeat it in parrot-fashion.

Founded 1975 . Volume 40 No. 308 | 40 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

124 abandoned children in Oman yet to find home Children become homeless when they are abandoned by their parents, or when the parents have died or been sent to jail HASAN ALI SHABAN AL LAWATI RAHUL DAS

hassan@timesofoman.com rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: One hundred and ninety abandoned children managed to find a home in 2015, while 124 children are still living in a child care centre, according to the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD).

“It is very encouraging to see that so many families are interested in adopting these children,” said a spokesperson of Child Affairs Department of the Ministry of Social Development, Oman.

Out of the 124 children who are staying in child care centre, 86 are males and 38 are females.

People abandon their ‘unwanted’ babies to escape punishment and imprisonment. Then there

are cases where parents are dead or serving a prison sentence.

In August 2014, two children were found in the Qurum Natural Park during the Eid holidays.

The two siblings were later taken to the child care centre run by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) in Al Khoud.

“Most of the children are usually abandoned in public places so that they can be easily found like the Qurum case,” said Khalid Al Siyabi, who works for a charitable group that has been funding 65 orphans in Oman.

“Some are left in boxes near mosques or in hospitals. However, there are rare cases where children are abandoned as their parents can’t raise them due to financial crisis,” Al Siyabi said.

He also thinks this year’s aus-

terity and economic hardship will not deter families in adopting these children. Islamic law prohibits having children outside wedlock.

In the country, law states that any child of unknown Omani parents found is eligible to get alternative child care services, and if any of the parents are in jail, the authorities will also temporarily look after the child until the parent is released.

Thorough investigations The authorities conduct thorough investigations before giving these children to Omani families, who can look after them.

At times the families are paid between OMR80 and OMR180 for this. Before handing over any children, the MoSD makes sure that

the family will take care of child.

In fact, people who raise an abandoned baby never tell others that the child was dumped by its parents. They raise the baby normally.

“We know some families who have taken care of an abandoned baby, but have never disclosed the matter to others as it is an ancient social taboo in Oman,” Al Siyabi said.

“Not every person is able to adopt an orphaned child, but everyone has the ability to support, fund and empower them,” Al Siyabi added, who has offered help to a number of orphans, suffering from poverty and negligence.

“Since 2012, we have been funding 65 orphans in Oman by providing OMR35 as monthly pocket money to each of them,” he added.

T R A N S PA R E N T M E C H A N I S M

‘Steps to stabilise oil prices will have full Oman support’ countries to freeze output.

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com

Boasson Hagen bags fifth stage honours

C1

MUSCAT: Oman is committed to supporting initiatives aimed at stabilising crude oil prices if all oil producers agree on a transparent mechanism, a senior official from the Ministry of Oil and Gas said.

“We remain committed to supporting the industry in recovering prices and activities if all producing countries agree to a transparent mechanism for such actions,” said Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas. The official made these comments in the wake of six oil producers agreeing on implementing an output freeze.

Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas.

However, he noted that he is unable to comment on the effectiveness of such a measure since Oman is not party to the discussion among oil producing

Output cut Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, the Sultanate’s Minister for Oil and Gas, in January said the country will be ready to cut 5 to 10 per cent of its total crude oil production this year, if other producers were willing to do so the same to stabilise the oil market.

Last week, leading oil exporters—Saudi Arabia, Russia, Venezuela, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—had agreed to freeze output at January levels in an effort to tackle a growing oversupply and help recover prices from their lowest levels in over a decade. >A6

MORNING MINUTE

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Designing mussar is his passion

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Sameer is the first Omani to be able to obtain the copyrights for designing his own mussars (Omani male headdress), truly the pride of every Omani man. >A2

OMAN

PACDA personnel put out Mabella blaze

2

The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) has managed to put out a fire at a carpentry workshop in Mabella Industrial Area on Saturday. >A3

MARKET

Sebacic acid project coming up in Duqm

3

A joint venture between Omani investors and an Indian entrepreneur is building the world’s biggest plant for Sebacic acid in the Duqm free zone. >B1

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SUNDAY, FEBRUA RY 21, 2016

OMAN

Whenever I go to the artisans, I tell them that I don’t just want a piece of headdress but a Taj Mahal Sameer Al Zadjali, Paradise Muscat mussar shop owner

Mussar-maker extraordinary After designing his first mussar, Sameer Al Zadjali got a copyright for it

Sameer Al Zadjali. – Supplied photo

DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Sameer Al Zadjali is a man with a vision and immense determination, but you probably won’t know that until you hear his very inspiring story.

Sameer is the first Omani ever to have been able to obtain the copyrights to design his own mussars (Omani male headdress), truly the pride of every Omani man. In his late teens, Sameer had practically no clue how to tie a mussar, and it was his brother who normally assisted him in doing that.

When one day his brother refused to help him, Sameer decided that he will be the best at this task one day. His love for mussars slowly grew and then, one day, he decided to experiment with the cloth.

He bought 10 pieces of plain cloth and with some assistance from his mother, marked different spots in a tied-up mussar and when they opened it, Sameer was shocked to learn that a lot of the design gets hidden once the mussar is tied. Sameer decided that he couldn’t let this happen any longer.

In the year 2000, Sameer decided to craft his own mussar and was able to do it with the help of his mother and sister. However, it took him six long years to reach there. Most of that time was spent reading and researching about the cloth, its crafting process and just reading the history of the fabric.

By the end of it all, Sameer was so well informed that he even came to know the first person who had brought the concept of mussars to Oman. However his thirst wasn’t quenched, and his quest for knowledge took him to Kashmir, the home of pashmina.

After designing his first mussar, Sameer, much to the astonishment of friends and colleagues, went to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to get a copyright for it, which he luckily got.

Sameer already had a good rapport with certain people in India, as he was educated in Pune. He visited Kashmir, the home of ‘pashmina’ (the rich material used to make mussars) and went to the place where craftsmen showed him the process of making mussars.

“I saw artisans and weavers in Kashmir who work in severe conditions and are still able to produce some exquisite works. There I met people who have been into this business for generations and it was so inspiring to sit with them, talk to them and watch them work.”

Sameer was delighted, and at the same time, surprised to know that so much effort goes into making a single mussar which sometimes can take up to two or three months.

He then started appreciating the art and his mussars much more.

“I was very surprised to know that the people who make mussars don’t even know how it is worn and what does it actually look like when it is worn by someone. I then tied it in front of them, and they appreciated that and were also happy to know what their efforts look like in their final stage.”

According to Sameer, his mussars are unique, and every piece comes with a how-to-tie description. He plans to bring the craft of mussars to Oman, as mussars are truly an object of pride for the country. “I have been paying monthly visits to Kashmir to give the craftsmen my pieces, materials, designs and colour codes. It is not easy and I have had to work very hard. Whenever I go to the artisans, I tell them that I don’t just want a piece of headdress but a Taj Mahal.”

According to Sameer, every year Oman imports five to seven million mussars, and he wants Oman to start producing them. Sameer’s mussars range from OMR50 to OMR1,500 and he has some very prominent customers buying his pieces. However, he also tries to cater to those with smaller budgets by lowering the cost at times just to make his art easily accessible to Omanis.

Now 36, Sameer has his own mussar shop in Qurum called ‘Paradise Muscat’ and plans to start his own factory very soon, so that he can manufacture mussars in Oman and ensure that Omanis learn the art themselves.

“I want to open my own factory here and have a small museum which explains the crafting process from a to z, and I want students to come and be inspired so that they can learn and know about this pride of Oman in the Sultanate itself.

C O M M E N TA RY

Do Omani banks need to downsize?

SUNDAY BEAT SALEH AL SHAIBANY

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O

man’s financial environment has for many years been dictated by five big financial institutions but they are currently facing a systemic risk of having large liabilities that cannot be sustained.

With the completion of the round up of their balance sheets for 2015, the management teams of the BIG FIVE are now taking a hard look at the dramatic business model changes in 2016 and beyond.

They have many options but at the moment, none of them are attractive enough. Downsizing is one of them. To take a closer look, each of them has too many branches scattered around the country that will start to eat away their profitability. With current large capitals that will be difficult to translate to business growth in the current situation, banks will soon find it challenging to sustain the business models.

These banks have relied too much on debt to finance their lending. That debt depends heavily on wholesale market financing and customer deposits. With the roof of debt starting to show cracks and the floor of lending feeling the weight of the pressure, the

Contrary to popular belief that small banks need to be bailed out through mergers with big banks, such thinking is not justified

local big banks will be forced to go through restructuring. With large assets that have been built over the years not hitting the targeted mark, the financial institutions will need to trim to avoid the financial crunch.

Credit growth will certainly get weaker as both the government and private sector have already started to cut back. This will force banks to draw from their own internal funds but the reserves are too shallow to keep them afloat for long. The managements will hope that the poor credit growth is cyclical and recovery will be swift. Even when the credit demands pick up, it is required to be matched by loan supply for the recovery to start kick in. This economical cycle that will bring back the credit growth is unpredictable and banks cannot just hold on and wait for it happen.

Large enough Shareholders who are used to good returns, will see their earnings eroding while they have to finance large operations that are surplus to the requirements. The question is that are local banks large enough to see them through bad times? Corporate loans have never hit the level of supporting the banks in the past.

It is personal loans and small

businesses that have been keeping these banks afloat for many years. The reasons that their bad loan provisioning has been adequate to absorb the losses it is because Oman has always been a consumer society. However, we now see a shift of consumerism as consumers are adjusting to the economic realities.

In the past, the big banks have simply taken growth for granted by expanding very fast.

The sector that grew too fast in the last decade is property construction. With the current business realities, the real estate activity that has supported the banks for years, is on the verge of decline. The private sector is forced to cut down growth or simply downsize its operations by employing less expatriates. It is no secret that over 70 per cent of the build-to-rent properties are supported by foreign workers.

With less credit demand in construction, consumerism and a freeze in new business ventures, banks will be forced to look at their business risk portfolio.

Reason to be optimistic Smaller banks, contrary to the wide belief, are coping better simply because their operations are conservative. They are good on the balance act of matching supply and demand. The sizes of the operations and business expectations are catalysts to their long-term survival. Again contrary to a popular belief that small banks need to be bailed out by going through mergers with big banks, such thinking is not justified. The reason is that small banks have always been realistic while big ones almost reckless in their expansion plans. Having said that, there is every reason to be optimistic but local big banks need to look deep within themselves and consider a major revamp in operations to stay afloat in the current hard times.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

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M A D A P O S T PA I D

PACDA PERSONNEL PUT OUT MABELLA BLAZE

The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) has managed to put out a fire at a carpentry workshop in Mabella Industrial Area on Saturday. The incident led to damage of property but nobody was injured in the incident. The Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance received a call about the fire and rescue teams were rushed to the spot immediately. The operations in the area continued until yesterday morning.—ONA

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Omantel launches fitness promotion

ROP EFFORT

Man’s body recovered

Times News Service

20,000 quality hotel rooms in Oman by 2020 Oman Tourism Strategy envisages, among other things, the construction of 50,000 hotel rooms of three-stars and above rating during the next 25 years, Ahmed bin Nasser Al Meherzi, Minister of Tourism, said

MUSCAT: By 2020, or the end of the current five-year plan, there will be 20,000 hotel rooms in three to five-star category hotels in Oman and if the tourism sector continues to grow, the Sultanate will achieve this target before 2018, the Tourism Minister said.

“The (Oman Tourism) strategy includes the construction of 50,000 hotel rooms “threestars and above” during the next 25 years, with permits to build budget hotel rooms, but they will not be listed within the strategy,” Ahmed bin Nasser Al Meherzi, Minister of Tourism, said.

“The Oman Tourism Strategy, which has been implemented since the beginning of 2016 after it was approved by the Council of Ministers, focuses on several objectives, the foremost of which

is enhancing domestic tourism, particularly the recreational sector, which the ministry is currently executing,” the minister added.

The minister also pointed out that domestic tourism, its trends and objectives, due to its importance, dominates about 50 per cent by strategy. He added that this requires utilities and installations that meet demand of the Omani tourist who looks for recreational tourism related-installations and services.

Long-term investment Al Meherzi also pointed out that the total investments expected for this sector during the upcoming years exceeds OMR1 billion. He added that there are projects being implemented, others were issued licenses to be established and

other projects are under study.

He further said that among the recreational tourism projects, which were approved, are construction of two water parks in Salalah and another worldclass water park that will be established by one of the pension funds at Al Athaiba in the Governorate of Muscat, in addition to a project for Muscat Municipality, in cooperation with one of the investment companies to establish a world-class recreational city in the Wilayat of Al Seeb, a family recreational project in the Wilayat of Al Musannah stretching over 5 million square metres, and a project to set up a zoo.

Al Meherzi added that the Masirah Island will see the implementation of a tourist project that is aimed at enhancing the tourism sector on the island, as it has good tourism potential. He pointed out that two sites had been presented before an investor for the development of a yacht marina, tourist resort and chalets.

He stressed the necessity of operating a commercial airline route to Masirah Island to facilitate travel to the island and activate tourist and economic development, especially after the remarkable success of the National Ferries Company (NFC) in transporting a number of passengers to and from the island. -ONA

MUSCAT: In a first of its kind promotion in the Sultanate, Omantel joined forces with Fitbit and Horizon Fitness to offer a new and unique way to stay healthy and fit.

The Omantel “Fitness Package” promotion gives current and new Mada postpaid customers a combined bundle of special benefits, including; 1GB of free mobile internet monthly for a year, a Fitbit Flex Band and Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi smart scale, with the added bonus of a year Horizon Gym membership valid for all locations throughout Oman.

Commenting on the unique “Fitness Package” smart bundle from Omantel, Saleh Al Maimani, senior manager, Consumer Product Development noted, “This is a first of its kind bundled fitness promotion launched in Oman, combining the Fitbit Flex smart wearable, the Fitbit Aria smart scale, a year-long gym membership with Horizon Fitness, and a 1GB free mobile internet every month.”

“This innovative ‘Fitness Package’ promotion is part of our new 3.0 digitisation strategy, where Omantel will focus not only on growing its range of products and services but rather on enriching the lives of our customers with new technologies and smart digital services.

The innovative transformative strategy positions Omantel as the digital partner of choice, in the consumer arena and for the public and private sectors, enabling the digital society to flourish and grow across all sectors in Oman,” he added.

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DIFFICULT WORK: The body of a person who died after he fell along

with his vehicle from a mountain in Salalah was recovered. – ONA

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: A Royal Oman Police rescue team has recovered the body of a person who died after he fell along with his vehicle from a mountain in Salalah.

According to a tweet from Pub-

lic Authority of Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) on its official twitter handle, the incident happened in Titam province of Salalah.

The PACDA personnel had to encounter great difficulty during the rescue operation due to hostile terrain.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

OMAN

101,000

was the number of cruise line tourists who visited Oman from the beginning of 2015 until October, according to National Centre of Statistics and Information data

Oman tourism in cruise mode According to ship agents in Oman, until February 14 this year, 129 cruise vessels have visited three different ports in Oman. And 99 more are scheduled to visit until June 6.

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: As the cruise season in Oman has crossed the halfway mark, 215,266 tourists have already visited Oman so far and 165,000 more are scheduled to come until June proving that Oman’s cruise tourism prospects are quite promising.

According to ship agents in Oman, until February 14 this year, 129 cruise vessels had visited three different ports in Oman.

And 99 more are scheduled to visit until June 6.

“Since the current season began in October last year, 75 calls were made in Muscat, 38 in Khasab and 16 in Salalah. And until June, when the current season came to an end, there will be 60 more calls in Muscat, 22 in Khasab and 17 in Salalah,” M C Jose, chief executive officer of Projects and Logistics Group at Khimji Ramdas, told the Times of Oman (TOO).

Anwar Ali Sultan, chairman of Wilhelmsen Towell Co LLC, told TOO that cruise tourism is picking up in Oman at a good pace.

“We are seeing a positive trend and a huge potential for growth too.

Tourists see Oman as the safest place to visit in this region. Moreover, the exotic locations, which highlight Arab culture and heritage are unique to Oman,” Sultan said.

An official from Wilhelmsen said that for the first time Anthem of Seas, one the biggest cruise vessels launched recently, will come to Oman.

“She is the second ship in the Quantum class, which surpasses the earlier Freedom-class ships by over 14,000 gross tonnes (GT), becoming the second largest class of passenger ships after the Royal Caribbean International’s Oasisclass ships on a gross tonnage basis. The cruise ship has capacity for almost 5,000 passengers at a

Big vessels, such as the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth will call Muscat and Salalah this year, which will be a major attraction. According to Jose, cruise tourism in Oman has a huge potential and it should be treated as an important segment of the tourism industry sector time, excluding some 1,600 crew members,” the official added.

Meanwhile, Jose said big vessels, such as the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth will call Muscat and Salalah this year, which will be a major attraction. According to Jose, cruise tourism in Oman has a huge potential and it should be treated as an important segment of the tourism industry sector.

“It can bring in a lot of employment opportunities to nationals and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). A large number of four wheel drives, mini buses and 50-seater buses are required to transport passengers to different tourist spots in Oman. In addition to that, a large number of quali-

fied tour guides with multi-lingual capabilities are also required in Oman,” Jose said.

“SME tour companies can be started by trained nationals. These companies can invest in vehicles with the base volume of tourists from cruise vessels. Once they establish their companies, they can also carter to the steady arrival of inbound tourists,” Jose added.

According to Jose, many tourists come back for a longer stay after their cruise holiday and hence the cruise industry should be treated as an important segment of the market tourism industry.

While talking about the challenges faced by the cruise tourism industry in Oman, Jose said cruise

liners are constructing larger ships, with larger lengths and hence ports will have to be modernised with longer berths and marine equipment to safely handle these ships.

Growing interest “The planned new waterfront facility at Port Sultan Qaboos is a great initiative and will give a boost to the cruise business. Muscat should have at least three berths that are 400 metres. The interest in Khasab is increasing year after year. An International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) compliant port with two berths is desirable. Sur can be an attractive location if a berthing facility is available. A dedi-

cated cruise berth in Salalah is also desirable,” Jose added.

According to Oman’s government, OMR500 million has been set aside to transform the Port Sultan Qaboos into the region’s primary waterfront destination.

The project consists of four zones and the first phase is expected to be complete in 2019, Minister of Transport and Communications Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, said recently.

The first zone of the tourismbased mixed-use project will shape the waterfront’s heart and will consist of a fisherman wharf, a fish souq (market), a five-star marina hotel, a four-star family hotel, and a hotel operated by branded

residential apartments and starter apartments for first time buyers.

Destination shopping, waterside restaurants and cafes, boutiques, offices, entertainment and cultural facilities, as well as super yacht and leisure boat marina will also be featured in the first zone.

Data released by National Centre of Statistics and Information (NCSI) revealed that from the beginning of 2015 until October, 101,000 cruise line tourists had visited Oman.

The top five countries from where cruise line tourists come were from Germany, Italy, the British Virgin Islands, the United Kingdom, and Northern Islands and Spain.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Tweet all about it

Whispers of Serenity Clinic is the first mental health and wellness clinic to be opened in Oman FOR A CAUSE: Clinic’s founder Sayyida Basma Al Said has been recognised for raising awareness on mental health. – Shabin E

MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: To promote mental health in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, the Whispers of Serenity Clinic organised a movie night at the clinic on Thursday.

The clinic is the first mental health and wellness clinic to be opened in Oman.

According to Salwa Ibrahim, the clinic’s manager, the idea for organising such a night was form by the Founder Sayyida Basma Al Said.

“The movie night was organised to promote mental health in a fun, relaxing and chilled-out atmosphere, where our counsellors interacted with the audience and held discussions about the movie and what message it was trying to deliver,” Ibrahim told the Times of Oman.

“This event (movie night) is a first of many to come. We are

OMAN

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Movie night for awareness on mental health

planning to hold it on a monthly basis, each month we touch on a topic related to mental health, along with holding discussions,” she added.

The movie, “Call Me Crazy” was shown on Thursday. It had five stories, with each character portraying a mental disorder.

The first story talked about schizophrenia and the second about bipolar disorder. The third story was interlinked with the first to show the impact of mental health illness on the family as a whole. The fourth story talked about depression and the last one dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder.

According to clinic officials, they adopt a holistic approach to mental well-being, believing that peace of mind comes from mental and physical well-being; they are one and the same.

“Our clinic is devoted to activities that promote mental health wellness and awareness of different issues in mental health. We are active in society via campaigns, workshops and organise events that shed light on mental health issues,” Ibrahim pointed out.

Dedication “Our most notable campaign “You Are Not Alone” is an example of our dedication towards raising awareness in the society,” she added.

“The ‘You Are Not Alone’ campaign has featured prominent figures and personalities from different backgrounds, who have offered to engage in our awareness programme and to show the public and every patient that: You are not alone, we are here to help you.”

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FOURTH CONCERT

Moscow Rachmaninov to perform with Omani artists Times News Service MUSCAT: Fourth concert of Moscow Rachmaninov will be presented by Arabesque International as part of the second season of the Muscat Chamber Music Series on February 24 at the Bosch Center, the American International School Muscat (TAISM).

The concert, which starts at 07:30 pm is free of charge and being held under the patronage of Envarbic Fazelianov, ambassador of Russia to Oman.

“The cellist and the pianist of the Moscow Rachmaninov Trio, along with Russian clarinettist, Sergey Petrov will perform at the concert, which will include compositions from the chamber music repertoire of composers, such as Glinka, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Kovács and others,” Said Ahmed Abouzahra, general manager (GM) of Arabesque International, said.

Omani musicians “As part of the project’s aim, which is to let Omani musicians and the international artists exchange their musical experiences, three musicians from the Oud Hobbyist Association will perform with the Russian artists at the concert.

“This will not only add to the musical experiences and knowledge of the Omani musicians, but will also add to the Russians’ ex-

Moscow Rachmaninov Trio.

perience as they are introduced to Omani culture and music, which will make them go back to their country and talk about their experience,” added Abouzahra.

During the stay of the Trio in Muscat, they will also hold several workshops: on Sunday, February 21 at 12:55 pm at the American British Academy, on Monday, at 9:30 am at the PDO School and at 13:00 pm at the Al Shmoukh International School, while on Tuesday, a workshop will be held at Our Planet School at 10:30 am and another at the Azzan Bin Qais International School at 14:00 pm.

The artists will also hold two master classes for Omani musicians from the Oud Hobbyist Association on February 22 and 23, in preparation for their collective performance on February 24 at TAISM. The Moscow Rachmaninov Trio is a musical ensemble well

known to music admirers all over the world. Nineteen years of joint creative work has brought the musicians the affection of the audience, respect of their colleagues and critical acclaim both in Russia and abroad.

International workshops The Trio musicians regularly conduct major international workshops at such recognised organisations. They also organise an annual international festival for piano trios called “The Rachmaninov Trio and Friends” inviting to Moscow the best piano trios from all over the world.

Sergey Petrov has been a soloist with the Russian Philharmonic orchestra since 2002, and was also the soloist of the Bolshoi Theatre orchestra. In 2005, he won the first prize at the First International Rimsky-Korsakov competition in St Petersburg.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

OMAN ALAWI MEETS ZARIF

Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah and the accompanying delegation visited Tehran on Saturday. Alawi met Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian Foreign Minister and discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in all areas, as well as the matters of common concern. -ONA

I love the Arabic letters; they are beautiful and I am a fan of calligraphy.

What I have tried to do here is to bring together calligraphy and abstract designs to make art pieces which people can appreciate Mohsen Ghareeb, Bahraini artist

Bahraini artist’s work mesmerises visitors The exhibition at Bait Al Zubair brings together an eclectic mix of selected artworks through which the artist tries to push his art boundaries in new directions

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Visitors thronging Bahraini artist Mohsen Ghareeb’s art exhibition titled ‘Another passion’ at Bait Al Zubair, on the opening day, felt enchanted by his craftsmanship and his distinctive calligraphic brush strokes.

SOLO EXHIBITION: Mohsen Ghareeb began his artistic journey with calligraphy, and then moved to sculpture and installation art, which he enjoys equally. – Supplied picture

Mostly using ink and acrylic on canvas, Ghareeb’s artworks received a massive response. This is his first solo exhibition in the country, and the third in the world, after Bahrain and Germany.

Ghareeb admits his love for the Arabic letters and says all of his artworks revolve around them.

“I love the Arabic letters; they are beautiful and I am a fan of

calligraphy. What I have tried to do here is to bring together calligraphy and abstract designs to make art pieces which people can appreciate.”

The exhibition at Bait Al Zubair brings together an eclectic mix of selected artworks through which the artist tries to push his art boundaries in new directions.

An artist by nature, Ghareeb be-

gan his artistic journey with calligraphy, and then moved to sculpture and installation art, which he enjoys equally. He also has experience in using recycled material to create beautiful artworks out of the ordinary.

His paintings are characterised by innovation and creativity, away from the fixed classical forms. Ghareeb focuses on the Arabic characters, inspired by poetry, sermons and Islamic proverbs, and puts them to use in a rich artistic fashion that the visitors love.

In some of his smaller art pieces, Ghareeb has tried to shape the Arabic patterns into objects or animals, an interesting art form to look at. Ghareeb’s artworks are not the generic pieces, made only to adorn the walls , but any place which people want to decorate and adorn.

The exhibition will run at Bait Al Zubair from February 17, 2016 until the beginning of March 2016, and will be open to the public from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday to Thursday, at Bait Al Zubair.

4 0 0 PA R T I C I PA N T S

Paediatric conference begins at SQU Times News Service MUSCAT: As many as 400 participants from countries, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, India, Pakistan, Germany and the United States, are attending a conference based on the theme of, “Controversies in Paediatrics: Pitfalls in management.”

The 19th International Paediatric Conference organised by the Sultan Qaboos University, commenced under the patronage of Dr. Mohammed Saif Al Hosni, undersecretary for Health Affairs at the Ministry of Health.

Prof. Yassir Wali, chairman of the organising committee of the conference said the conference OUTPUT FREEZE

A1 Iran defiant < FROM

However, Iran, the secondbiggest OPEC producer before sanctions were intensified in 2012, said it will not join the league in freezing crude output.

The sanctions, imposed over Iran’s nuclear programme, were lifted last month after an agreement with world powers, allowing Tehran to resume selling oil freely in international markets.

Al Rumhy said Oman’s oil production this year is targeted at around 990,000 barrels per day (bpd). The country’s crude oil production stood at 358.1 million barrels (equivalent to 981,000 bpd), against 344.37 million barrels (equivalent to 943,500 bpd) in the previous year.

is part of the university’s continuous commitment to quality improvement.

Wali further said, “Oman, has a relatively young population, 40 per cent being less than 15 years

of age and has surpassed many developed countries, especially in health care.

State-of-the-art diagnostic tools, excellent therapeutic modalities, opening of new hospitals, upgrading old ones and adding so many young local medical staff have really helped make progress in child health in this country.

“It is well known in the current era that evidence-based guidelines are constantly changing with many controversies in management. The theme of the paediatric conference will be discussed by the best international and regional faculty known in their fields, and they will deliver keynote addresses and lead work-

shops and symposia.” Al Hosni also inaugurated an exhibition of posters on child health research.

In the keynote address, Dr. Hadeel Faras from Al Sabah Hospital, Kuwait, spoke about child development.

“It is important to understand normal development variations and detect any deviations from normal patterns of growth in early life as this may be the first indicator of an underlying organic or cognitive impairment or psychosocial problems. Research has shown that children with growth delays face an increased risk of poor outcomes and early identification is key to maximise child’s improvement potential.”

R O YA L H O S P I TA L

First artificial heart valve transplant Times News Service MUSCAT: National Heart Centre of the Royal Hospital (RH) succeeded for the first time in the Sultanate to implant the EDWARDS artificial heart valve by performing a catheter procedure.

The patient had already undergone a surgery for implanting an artificial valve five years ago.

However, he suffered from valvular cardiomyopathy due to a bacterial infection. He started to experience serious complications such as shortness of breath, immediate fatigue at any effort and weakness in the biological heart functions.

The therapeutic cardiac catheterisation was conducted by a medical team from the RH National Heart Centre, led by Dr. Salim Al Maskri, director of the National Heart Centre and a paediatric cardiac senior consultant, with the collaboration of anaesthetists, cardiac technicians, and

BENEFICIAL: The EDWARDS artificial heart valve was implanted by performing a Catheter procedure. – Supplied photo

the nursing staff. The procedure took around two hours.

Dr. Abdullah Al Farqani, a paediatric cardiac senior consultant, explained the several benefits that this therapeutic Catheter affords to a patient, including avoiding an open-heart surgery, minimised side effects compared to surgical operations, and short-stay admission.

Above all, the patient can enjoy his normal daily activities after only two days of performing the catheterisation.

It should be noted that the Royal Hospital began to use the MELODY artificial heart valve implantation technique in 2012 and recently introduced the EDWARDS technique to cover the cardiac cases.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

A7

REGION CONFLICT

Al Qaeda rebels seize southern Yemen town ADEN: Dozens of Al Qaeda militants took control of the southern Yemeni town of Ahwar on Saturday, residents said, consolidating the group’s control over much of the region.

The coastal city and surrounding district, in Abyan province, is home to more than 30,000 people and is an important geographic link between the major port city of Mukalla to the east and the smaller town of Zinjibar, both of which Al Qaeda seized months ago.

“At dawn this morning the Al Qaeda gunmen clashed with the Popular Resistance forces, killing three of them,” one resident said.”They attacked the sheikh in charge of the area and after he escaped set up street checkpoints and planted their black flag on government buildings.”

Separately, two gunmen riding a motorbike killed one of the most senior commanders in the Popular Resistance, a loose confederation of southern militias opposed to Al Qaeda.

Sheikh Mazen Al Aqrabi was

PALESTINIANS MOURN DURING THE FUNERAL OF YOUTH KILLED BY ISRAELIS Relatives mourn during the funeral of Abed Hamed, a 20-year-old Palestinian man who was shot dead the previous day after reportedly carrying out an attack on Israeli soldiers, on Saturday, in the Occupied West Bank village of Silwad. Three Palestinians were shot dead on Friday, two while carrying out attacks and a third in clashes, the latest in a more than four months of violence. — AFP

killed along with a bodyguard in Yemen’s second-largest city of Aden in the southwest, an eyewitness and a security official said. The gunmen were believed to be from Al Qaeda, according to the official.

Take over port Residents in Aden’s Mansoura neighbourhood also reported heavy explosions on Friday night as gunmen launched shoulderfired rockets in a failed attempt to take over a container port.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a group that claims to be subordinate to the main global militant organisation, has expanded during Yemen’s civil war. Viewed by Western analysts as the most dangerous arm of Al Qaeda, it claimed responsibility for the deadly January 2015 attack in Paris on the French magazine Charlie Hebdo.

Hadi’s Aden-based government has struggled to reverse AQAP’s advance which has reached areas close to the presidential palace. — Reuters

US air strikes on IS kill Serb hostages American air strikes hit Libya’s Sabratha on Friday. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic on Saturday described the deaths as ‘terrible collateral damage’ and said Belgrade had been close to securing their release

BELGRADE/TRIPOLI: Two Serbian Embassy staff members abducted in Libya in November were among nearly 50 people killed on Friday in US air strikes on a suspected IS training camp, Serbia’s prime minister said.

US officials said the site targeted in the strikes in Sabratha, western Libya, was a camp used by up to 60 militants, including Tunisian Noureddine Chouchane, blamed for two attacks on tourists in Tunisia last year in which dozens were killed.

Sladjana Stankovic, a Serbian communications officer, and Jovica Stepic, a driver, were taken hostage on November 8 after their diplomatic convoy, including the ambassador, came under fire near Sabratha, a coastal city.

“It is officially confirmed that the two embassy staff were killed in air raids,” Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic told a news brief-

On Saturday, Libya’s attorney general said one of six wounded survivors told prosecutors those in the building that was hit were “members of IS who came to Libya recently for training and then to carry out terrorist acts in Tunisia”.

IN SHOCK: Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic gestures during a

press conference in Belgrade on Saturday. — AFP/ Stringer

ing in Belgrade. He described the deaths as “terrible collateral damage” and said Serbia had been close to securing their release.

The mayor of Sabratha, Hussein Al Thwadi, said the death toll from Friday’s strikes had risen to 49.

It was the second US air raid in three months against IS in Libya, where the militants have exploited chaos following Muammar Gaddafi’s 2011 downfall to build up a presence on the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Just a house But Sabratha’s mayor said the building was “just a house”, adding: “The house was used for meetings and other acts but not training.”

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said Serbian authorities had been negotiating the release of the two staff and “the kidnappers had a financial interest”.But he said the demands had been “impossible” to meet by either the families or the government.

He said Serbia would send a protest note to Washington for not informing Serbian authorities of the raid.

US officials have said they gave

advance warning of the strikes to Libyan authorities, without specifying who they contacted.

Since 2014 Libya has had two competing governments, one based in Tripoli and the other, which has received international recognition, in the east.

Both sides are supported by loose alliances of former rebels and armed brigades.

A unity government has been nominated under a United Nations-backed plan but has yet to win approval or move to Libya.

Western powers and the United Nations have been trying to reach out to armed factions to provide security for the unity government and tackle the threat from IS militants.

The extremists group took control of Gaddafi’s home town of Sirte last year and has carried out attacks in several other towns and cities. — Reuters

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SUNDAY, FEBRUA RY 21, 2016

INDIA

We will not allow terrorists and criminals to use our open border. In this regard the security agencies of the two countries will intensify cooperation Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

NAT I O NA L H E R A L D C A S E

Sibal asks court to check relevance of Swamy’s documents NEW DELHI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul Gandhi and other accused in the National Herald case on Saturday told a Delhi court that BJP leader Subramanian Swamy should first satisfy it about the relevance of documents which were ordered to be summoned from various ministries in the matter.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Gandhis, told Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen that complainant Swamy will have to show as to how these documents summoned by the court on January 11 were relevant to the case.

Challenged Sibal told the court that the order has been challenged before the high court by Motilal Vora, an accused in the case, and the high court has issued a notice to Swamy on the plea.

The lawyers representing the accused also told the court that these documents should be kept in a sealed cover till the issue is de-

cided by the high court.

Opposing the contentions, Swamy told the court that the documents, which were placed before the magistrate on Saturday, were related to Associated Journal Ltd (AJL) and they were required for the case.

During the hearing, in which media was not allowed, Swamy argued that although the high court has issued a notice on Vora’s plea it had not stayed the order summoning documents from these ministries.

The magistrate, after hearing the submissions, reserved his order on the plea moved by the accused persons for 4pm on Saturday. The court granted bail to co-accused Sam Pitroda, who appeared before it on Saturday, on a personal bond of Rs50,000 and a surety of the like amount.

The Gandhis and other three accused — Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes and Suman Dubey — were on Saturday granted exemption from personal appearance by the

Ministries of Finance, Urban Development and Corporate Affairs, Income Tax Department and other agencies in the case.

The court had on December 19, 2015, granted bail to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes and Suman Dubey, who had appeared before pursuant to the summons issued earlier.

Criminal complaint The case is based on a private criminal complaint lodged by Swamy against them of cheating, conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

The Supreme Court had last week granted exemption to Sonia Gandhi from personal appearance in the trial court and also expunged some observations of the high court but refused to interfere with criminal proceedings before the lower court.

The apex court, while allowing the plea of Gandhis, had also said it would be open to the magistrate at any stage to seek their personal

HEARING: Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice Presi-

dent Rahul Gandhi leave the Patiala House Courts after a hearing in National Herald Case in New Delhi, recently. The apex court on February 12 exempted the Gandhis and others from personal appearances, noting their presence in the trial court would cause more inconvenience than convenience. - PTI file photo

court as per the Supreme Court’s February 12 order.

The magistrate has now fixed the matter for March 21 considering that the petition filed before

the high court is likely to be heard on March 15.

The court had on January 11 allowed Swamy’s plea seeking summoning of documents from the

India, Nepal sign nine MoUs, to enhance bilateral ties SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

ARTICLE, PHOTOS

Prime Minister

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

Narendra Modi said India always wanted peace, stability and prosperity of Nepal and that it would extend all possible help to ensure its allround development

NEW DELHI: Success of Nepal’s new Constitution will depend on “consensus and dialogue” and India was for peace, stability and overall development of the Himalayan nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday after holding extensive talks with his Nepalese counterpart K. P.Sharma Oli. The two leaders deliberated on all aspects of the bilateral relationship, particularly the political situation in Nepal, following which Oli said “misunderstandings” that persisted in the last few months “no longer exist”.

The two sides inked nine MoUs to expand cooperation in a range of areas including in transport and power sectors.

The relationship between the two countries had soured in the wake of agitation by the Indiaorigin Madhesi community, which shares close family and cultural ties with Indians, opposing

PACT SIGNING CEREMONY: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli clap as Helen Acharya, Secretary, Sangeet Natak Academy and Deep Kumar Upadhyay, Ambassador of Nepal exchange documents of MoU between Nepal Academy of Music and Drama and Sangeet Natak Academy at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Saturday. - PTI

Nepal’s Constitution.

“The announcement of the new Constitution in Nepal came after decades of struggle in Nepal. It is a major achievement. I appreciate the contribution of the political leadership and people of Nepal for it. But its success depends on consensus and dialogue. I am confident on the basis of these principles and through political dialogue and by taking all sections together, you (Oli) will be able to resolve all issues relating to the Constitution satisfactorily and take Nepal forward towards the path of development and stability,” Modi said in his media statement, in presence of Oli. The prime minister said India always wanted peace, stability and prosperity of Nepal and that

it would extend all possible help to ensure its all-round development.

On combating terrorism, the prime minister said, “We will not allow terrorists and criminals to use our open border. In this regard the security agencies of the two countries will intensify cooperation.” Oli on his part said India will remain a close friend of Nepal and that the “misunderstandings that persisted between the two countries in the last few months no longer exist.”

Fight extremism Modi said it was clear that “Nepal’s stability is linked to India’s security” and that the two sides agreed to fight growing extremism and terrorism.

The two prime minister also

dedicated 400KV DhalkebarMuzaffarpur transmission line via “tele-inauguration” from Hyderabad House.

India will supply 80 mega watt of power through the line to Nepal now and it will be enhanced to 600 MW in the next two years.

“India’s assistance has always been constructive. Our actions have been in line with the priorities of people of Nepal,” Modi said.

The prime minister said both sides are working on a number of hydro-power projects in Nepal.

He said trade and investment are strong pillars of relations between the two countries and mentioned about the joint initiatives to construct roads in Terai region which he said will boost trade and infrastructure.

“The earthquake hit Nepal, but its pain was felt by every Indian.

Our $1 billion assistance package will take forward our cooperation in this area,” he said.

The Nepalese Prime Minister thanked Modi and people of India for “spontaneous support” in aftermath of earthquake in Nepal last year.

Earlier, Oli was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan where Modi was also present. Before the talks between the prime ministers, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Oli. During the meeting, he conveyed to her that Nepal is and will remain a “reliable” friend of India.

Official sources said Oli told Swaraj that he wants to “move forward in the relationship which is not man-made but entirely natural and civilizational”. Swaraj said the visit will deepen the trust between the two countries.

Swaraj and Oli also discussed reconstruction efforts in Nepal which was hit by a devastating earthquake in April last year, sources said.

“They discussed political issues, reconstruction assistance, SAARC satellite and bilateral cooperation,” the sources said. The Nepali prime minister is accompanied by wife Radhika Shakya, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa, Finance Minister Bishnu Poudyal, Energy Minister Top Bahadur Rayamaji and Home Minister Shakti Basnet among others. - PTI

appearance, as and when required.

Sonia, Rahul, Vora (AICC Treasurer), Fernandes (AICC General Secretary), Dubey and Pitroda were summoned under sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406(criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) read with section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. The trial court had on June 26, 2014 asked them to appear before it on August 7, 2014 but the order was stayed on August 6, 2014 by the Delhi High Court which on December 7, last year vacated the stay by rejecting the plea to quash the complaint and the summons.

On December 15, 2014, the high court had further stayed the summons till final disposal of the petitions.

Along with the Gandhis, five other accused -- Suman Dubey, Moti Lal Vora, Oscar Fernandez, Sam Pitroda and Young India Ltd — had challenged the summons issued to them by trial court on Swamy’s complaint. - PTI I N D E F I N I T E FA S T

Hardik Patel admitted to hospital SURAT: Incarcerated Patel quota stir spearhead Hardik Patel, on a hunger strike since Thursday, has been admitted to a hospital after he complained of weakness and dizziness.

The 22-year-old, who launched his indefinite fast in Lajpore Jail here, was late on Friday night shifted to the prison ward of Civil Hospital where he is fine now, a health official said on Saturday.

“Hardik Patel was brought late last night from Lajpor Jail and admitted to the prison ward of Civil Hospital,” Superintendent of Surat Civil Hospital Mahesh Vadel said.

“He had complained of weakness and dizziness. We conducted various tests on him and he is found to be OK. His treatment is going on in the hospital,” Vadel said.

“On our advice he has started taking water,” he said.

Hardik, lodged in the jail since September in two sedition cases, is leading an agitation demanding reservation for Patels in government jobs and educational institutes under OBC category.

The surprise move of hunger strike by Hardik three days back came at a time when his close aides have expressed willingness to hold talks with Gujarat’s BJP government to resolve the quota issue, which had led to violent protests.

Three of Hardik’s close aides — Ketan Patel, Chirag Patel and Dinesh Bambhaniya —who are also behind bars in sedition case, wrote a letter to Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Wednesday and expressed willingness to hold talks. Since the letter did not have the signature of Hardik, speculation is rife that the youth leader felt betrayed by his own associates and decided to undertake indefinite fast. - PTI

SRINAGAR

Two CRPF personnel killed, 10 injured in militant attack SRINAGAR: Militants attacked a CRPF convoy at Pampore on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Saturday killing two jawans and injuring 10 others before they sneaked into a nearby government building, triggering a stand off.

A possible hostage situation was avoided when Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) and local police managed to evacuate civilians who were holed up inside Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) building located at Pampore, in the outskirts of the Srinagar city.

“We have been successful in evacuating the civilians from the building,” Director General of Indian-administered-Kashmir Police K. Rajendra said. One of those evacuated claimed that they were asked by militants to leave because they did not mean any harm to civilians.

Personnel of the Army, whose elite 15 Corps headquarters is located barely 10km from the en-

EVACUATED: Employees being evacuated by security forces personnel from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute building where militants reportedly took refuge after launching an attack on a CRPF convoy at Sampora Pampore, 16km from Srinagar on Saturday. - PTI

counter site, were rushed to the encounter site to assist the local police and the CRPF. The number of militants, according to the eyewitness accounts, ranges from three to five.

Before storming the EDI campus, militants fired upon a CRPF convoy on Srinagar-Jammu road just outside the campus, officials

said, adding, two para-military personnel lost their lives while another 10 were injured.

Intermittent exchange of fire has been reported from the spot and the security personnel were ensuring a proper cordon and lighting arrangement at the encounter site to prevent the militants from escaping. - PTI

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INDIA

Five killed as Jat agitation turns into unruly violence As Haryana remained on the boil, Army had to use choppers to reach parts of blocked Rohtak district even as several buses, seven railway stations, a police station and some buildings were torched by pro-quota

IN FLAMES: Buses set on fire as the Jat stir for reservation intensifies in Sonipat on Saturday. - PTI

protesters

CHANDIGARH: Violence and arson in the Jat quota stir in Haryana spread to more areas on Saturday with five people being killed in firing by security personnel at Rohtak and Jhajjar districts taking the death toll to six even as he Army staged flag marches in affected pockets.

As Haryana remained on the boil, Army had to use choppers to reach parts of blocked Rohtak district even as several Haryana Roadways buses, seven railway stations, a police station and some buildings were torched by proquota protesters.

As violence spread to more areas, curfew was clamped in five more Haryana towns — the latest one being Jind, Hisar and Hansi on Saturday evening.

Earlier on Saturday, curfew was imposed in Sonipat and Gohana towns of Sonipat district.

Curfew had already been clamped in Rohtak, Bhiwani and Jhajjar

Congress leaders appeal for peace in Haryana NEW DELHI: A host of Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi and former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday appealed for peace in Haryana which remained on the boil as the Jat quota stir unleashed fresh incidents of violence and arson.

“I appeal to people of Haryana to maintain peace and brotherhood. Mutual harmony

towns. The road and rail traffic through Haryana and destined for neighbouring states, including Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Chandigarh remained disrupted with authorities cancelling bus and train services on

and dialogue can alone resolve any issue,” the Congress Vice President said on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Speaking to reporters, Hooda spoke in similar vein but steered clear of questions as to who was responsible for the deteriorating situation.

Appealing to Haryana government to find an early resolution to the crisis, he said some forces were bent on dam-

most routes in the wake of continuing blockades. Five persons were killed while several others sustained bullet injuries in firing opened by security personnel at Rohtak and Jhajjar districts.

“Two persons were brought dead in PGIMS here,” hospital au-

SMOOTH FUNCTIONING

Opposition wants discussion on JNU row in parliament

ALL-PARTY MEETING: Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari with Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, Anand Sharma, Ghulam Nabi Azad and other leaders leave after an all-party meeting ahead of the budget session at Parliament House in New Delhi on Saturday. - PTI

NEW DELHI: The Opposition has demanded a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the situation in universities across the country, including Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the government has agreed to it.

“All parties agreed that the house should work smoothly and important legislations should be passed and the government has agreed that the discussion opposition parties have demanded, whether it is the JNU issue or the farmers’ issue, we will take it up,” Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said .

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the hope that the house would function smoothly. The meeting was called

by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari, who discussed with leaders of various parties the modalities of the functioning of the upper house ahead of the budget session that starts on Tuesday.

The Rajya Sabha chairman called upon the parties to ensure that the house functions smoothly.

“Time has come to assure the public that parliamentary democracy does work and is sensitive to

the needs of the people,” the vice president said.

Leader of the House Arun Jaitley assured that the government was open to discussion on all issues. He said the first part of the budget session should be devoted towards passing urgent bills besides the budget.

Azad, meanwhile, demanded a discussion on the prevailing situation in universities including JNU and the University of Hyderabad.

“The meeting ended with a general sense of agreement that the house should legislate and deliberate on all issues. All leaders present shared the same feeling. The prime minister held that it has been a good meeting and hoped that the session will work,” an official statement said.

Meanwhile, several Delhi University students came out in support of JNU and held a protest on Saturday demanding withdrawal of cases against JNU Students’ Union president Kanhaiya Kumar and others, amidst a counter protest from members of RSS’ students wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.

The students on Saturday gath-

ered near Delhi University’s Arts Faculty under the banner of “Save DU”, which received support of several Leftist student outfits including AISF, AISA and SFI and also members of Delhi University Teachers’ Union.

“We will continue the agitation until they withdraw sedition charges on Kanhaiya Kumar and withdraw cases against other students of JNU. We are here to take the spirit of protest across to every single college and university in the country,” National General Secretary of AISF Vishwajeet Kumar, one of the organising members, said. A PhD student from DU, Aswathy Senani, who was among those participating in the meeting, said that she supported the ongoing agitation.

“I am not affiliated with any political party but I believe that a university should be a space where all sorts of debates and discussions should happen. The way the present government has acted against students by trying to suppress dissenting voices in educational institutions should be opposed, and that is the reason why I decided to come here,” she added. - Agencies

A9

aging the social fabric. “I do not want to speak on politics.

The need of the hour is to bring peace. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi are also keen for peace to return,” he said.

Haryana Congress Legislature Party leader Kiran Chaudhary also spoke in similar vein.

She wanted the state government to open a dialogue with the agitators to calm down the situation. - PTI

thorities in Rohtak said on Saturday. “One patient who was critically injured was operated upon but he has also died,” authorities said.

“One patient was brought dead at Jhajjar civil hospital with bullet injury in his head,” a Jhajjar civil hospital official said over phone,

adding that six patients with firearm injuries were referred to PGIMS. Among the five dead, three were identified as Parveen (Jhajjar), Krishan (Jhajjar) and Nitin (Rohtak). The identity of the fourth is not yet known.

One unidentified person was killed in firing by BSF on Friday in Rohtak after the agitation turned violent.

The Jat stir in Haryana has severely hit the movement of more than 800 trains, and seven stations in the state were set on fire by the agitators.

Jhajjar, Buddha Khed, Julana and Pillu Kheda were among the seven stations which were set afire, a Railway spokesperson said, adding that two track machines were also burnt at Pillu Kheda.

Suspended operations The country’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India suspended operations at its two plants in Gurgaon and Manesar as component supplies have been hit by the agitation of Jats demanding job reservation.

In a new twist to the agitation, there were reports of clashes between Jats and non-Jats with 10 persons being injured at Kalayat in Kaithal district and in Hansi area of Hisar district.

Appealing to protesters to end their stir, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in a statement asked agitators to “return to their homes as the government has accepted their demands”, but did not elaborate “Such incidents create disharmony,” he said here after reviewing the situation with his ministerial colleagues and senior civil and police officers.

But several Jat leaders refused to call off the pro-quota agitation unless the government promulgates an ordinance to include the community in the Other Backward Class category. - PTI

GROWING INTOLERANCE

‘Youth frustrated, disillusioned with system’

FELICITATION: Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi at his felicitation function at Press Club in Kolkata on Saturday. - PTI

KOLKATA: Stating that there was frustration and disillusionment among the youth against the systems world over, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Saturday stressed the need for compassion to deal with them and harness their strength.

On the ongoing row over alleged anti-national sloganeering in Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, he said truth will prevail in the case, which has now reached the court. “(I) strongly see the frustration and disillusionment among the youth against the systems,” Satyarthi said during an event here.

“There was also growing intolerance and violence among the youth. This is not only in India, but happening globally. They (youth) are full of idealism and the youth are looking for better alternatives.

Their strength is not harnessed and channelised.

“There is a lack of compassion to deal with the youth. For this, I am planning to launch a special programme targeting the youth,” Satyarthi, said. Asked for his views on the JNU row on the sidelines of the event, he said, “Truth will prevail in the JNU incident. But, I will not say anything more as the matter is sub-judice.”

He said the central government should make more budgetary allocation for fighting issues relating to child labour and trafficking. - PTI

A10

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

PAKISTAN INSURGENCY

Newly built school blown up by rebels DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Militants blew up part of a newly constructed government school in Pakistan’s South Waziristan region late Friday night, a spokesman for a wing of the Pakistani Taliban said on Saturday, the latest in a string of attacks on educational institutions.

No one was hurt in the blast in Pakistan’s restive tribal belt, but 18 labourers working on the site were abducted, said Azam Tariq, a spokesman for an arm of the Pakistani Taliban known as the “Sajna” group, which claimed responsibility for the attack.

He said the workers were released a short time later.

“We have blown up the school because it was a government installation,” said Tariq, warning the group would continue to attack government targets.

Twenty people were killed and dozens wounded last month when militants launched an attack on Bacha Khan University in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a little more than a year after Taliban gunmen massacred 134 students at a military school in nearby Peshawar.

The Peshawar school attack

ARRESTS OVER ILLEGAL FISHING

Fishermen from India look on from behind the bars of lockup cell at a police station in Karachi, Pakistan, on Saturday.

According to local media, Pakistan maritime authorities detained 88 Indian fishermen in Pakistani waters and took into custody their 16 boats for illegal fishing in the country’s territorial waters, police said on Saturday. — Reuters

was seen as having hardened Pakistan’s resolve to fight militants along its border with Afghanistan. Officials in South Waziristan said the girls’ wing of the school in the Tehsil Tiarza area was damaged in Friday’s blast, as well as some heavy machinery being used for ongoing construction at the site.

Five militants killed In a separate incident in Mohmand tribal area to the north, Pakistani security officials killed five militants during a clash near Mohmand Agency’s administrative headquarters on Saturday.

The militants were planning an attack in the area, a security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A generation of Pakistani militants have used the tribal region to launch attacks on the Pakistani state and US-led forces in Afghanistan.

The Pakistani Taliban are fighting to topple the government. They are loosely allied with the Afghan Taliban who ruled most of Afghanistan until they were overthrown by US-backed military action in 2001. — Reuters

‘Battle for Sharmila to be here’ While opening the Lahore Literary Festival on Saturday, the renowned Indian actor said that it was the first time she had come to Pakistan crossing at Wagah on foot

LAHORE: Renowned Indian actor Sharmila Tagore opened the Lahore Literary Festival on Saturday, in a session titled Safar to a packed marquee at the Avari Hotel.

“It has been a battle for you to be here today,” said Haroon Hameed, CEO Dawn Media, who was in conversation with the actress.

Draped in a striking maroon sari, Sharmila spoke about her life, career and her delight at being in Lahore.

She said that it was the first time she had come to Pakistan crossing at Wagah on foot.

She recalled how she stepped in to the hotel to the sounds of old Indian songs in the background and books from Chughtai, which, she said, were examples of how similar the two countries are.

Talking about her childhood,

Sharmila said she lived in a joint family system.

“Everyone lived in my grandfather’s house”.

She was exposed to a diverse group of characters from a very young age — her uncle was from the Congress party, while her cousin was a communist. The debates around the dinner table were, of course, endless.

Heroines did not smile She said her liberal upbringing in Kolkata also stood at odds with the sense of morality prevalent in Mumbai when she moved there later in her career. “The heroines wore white, sipped coca cola and did not smile,” said Sharmila talking about what was expected of heroines in the city.

It was during this time that Sharmila posed in two-piece swimsuit on the cover of Film Fare (before her movie An Evening in Paris was released) much to the shock of the Indian public at large.

She said at the time she had been naive and it took her time to understand what society was like.

“I got a lot of flak for it,” she said candidly but added that she did not have any regrets.

However, once she came to an understanding of the different sense of morality in Bombay, she made a conscious effort to change her image. “I wanted to be taken seriously,” she said.

Sharmila also discussed her association with director Satyajit Ray, popular for his Bengalis films and introspective subjects. She said he did not value money, and that his films were a work of art.

The romance in Ray’s films reso-

nated with audiences largely because of their “essential humanism”, she added.

She went on to day his work was not about politics and that as a writer and director, he had been more interested in exploring the impact of politics in ordinary people. She said his movies were about everyday ordinary struggles.

“There were no villains and heroes in his movies,” she said.

Sharmila was only 13-yearsold when she worked with a big name like Ray, although at the time she wasn’t aware of the significance of it.

“I worked in a film before I had even watched a film,” she said, referring to an earlier comment where she had said children watching films was frowned upon in their house. She said her father had instantly said yes to Ray’s offer because he knew of his international acclaim.

Sharmila said she felt one of her best works was Devi, directed

by Ray. The film, according to her, dealt growing religious orthodoxy and the emergence of rational thinking. “Ray had to defend the film saying it is not against Hinduism but against orthodoxy,” she said.

Session on feminism Meanwhile, the session titled Feminism in Global politics started with a lifetime achievement award being presented to Mussarat Mirza, a renowned artist, here in Lahore during the Lahore Literary Festival at Avari Hotel.

The session was sponsored by the European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Jean-Francois Cau-

tain who gave the opening address.

He said initially when he had been asked by the organizers to sponsor the session, he was not sure because the EU does not really involve itself in cultural activities.

“I’ve been here today and I understand now why they wanted to me to sponsor it,” he said.

Cautain also spoke about the presence of women in the EU parliament saying that the number of seats reserved for women had increased.

Democratic movement The discussion was opened by Rachel Holmes, a writer, by saying that feminism was the oldest democratic movement in the world.

“You can agree or disagree with it,” she said. She also talked about the feminist movement being nonviolent. “Even the British violent suffragette did not kill anyone even though they used bombs,” she said.

Mona Eltahawy, a Cairo-based feminist and writer talked about her experience during the movement against Hosni Mubarak.

She said it was a false notion that men who are revolutionaries or activists are feminists.

Anita Anand, journalist and author of ‘Sophia: Princess, Suffragette, Revolutionary’, spoke of the historical Suffragette movement.

She talked about Black Friday in 1911 when women were very close to gaining the right to vote but the bill had been cancelled by the then prime minister.

She said women marched towards the parliament and faced violence and sexual assault at the hands of the police. — Express Tribune

ICON: Sharmila also discussed her association with director Satyajit Ray, popular for his Bengali films and introspective subjects. She said he did not value money, and that his films were a work of art. — File photo

WA L L O F K I N D N E S S O N T H A N D I S A R A K

After Karachi, Hyderabad walls also become charitable HYDERABAD: Karachi’s charitable walls have inspired Hyderabad residents to set up two such walls on Friday with plans to set up more in the future.

The Pakistan-US Alumni Association Jamshoro chapter’s director for youth affairs, Huda Bhurgari, and her four-member team set up a Wall of Kindness on Thandi Sarak. The students brought several sets of clothes, books, school bags and shoes to kick-start the donation drive.

“The next thing we plan to do is to sustain the activity for a few days or until citizens take responsibility for this wall,” said Huda, after she informally inaugurated the wall around 3pm on Friday. She succeeded in drawing dozens of benefactors, besides her team, during the first hour of the activity.

Painted with the colours of sky with pastures and a peacock gazing from a tree branch, the wall is drilled with five sets of hooks – enough to hold dozens of clothes.

A footpath under it provides additional space for books, bags, shoes, food and others items.

“We painted the peacock because it contains an element of beauty besides being a traditional bird that also happens to remind people of Tharparkar – a drought stricken district of Sindh where the people live in perpetual need of help,” said Bahadur Qureshi, a team member, who recently graduated from Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences.

He oversaw the painting work which took over five hours to complete.

An adjacent traffic police post, built under a railway bridge in Hussainabad, provides a semblance of security against thieves, though they will be difficult to spot in the middle of beneficiaries. The wall’s location is surrounded by neighbourhoods inhabited mostly by people in need.

Since it is the junction of National Highway, Auto Bahn and Thandi Sarak roads, a large number of

people are expected to pass by.

Qadeer Sahito was one of the passers-by who parked his motorcycle near the wall to see what was happening. “Are they doing the same donation which we recently saw on the television [in news telecast]?” he asked one of the bystanders.

An elderly couple, whose attire made them look like beggars, questioned what items were being distributed. “Can we pick the things that we want?” they asked after they were explained the concept behind the wall.

Mehtab Khaskheli, who appeared to be around 10 years old, ran away with four shirts and tshirts as other children chased after him trying to grab one or more of his shirts. “I will wear them all,” he shouted.

A day earlier, activist and health practitioner Dr Shamim Ansari has set up a wall of kindness on Wadu Wah road in Qasimabad, just over a kilometre away from the other wall. — Express Tribune

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

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Thailand flirts with Russia as US ties cool after 2014 coup BANGKOK: Thailand is pursuing closer ties — and possible arms deals — with Russia, with relations between Thailand and its traditional partner, the United States, cooling in the wake of a May 2014 coup.

Two Thai deputy prime ministers will travel to Russia, just weeks after a visit to Bangkok by the powerful head of Russia’s security council, Nikolai Patrushev.

On the table, officials from both countries say, are wide-ranging talks on trade and security cooperation, as Russia seeks to develop its position as an Asian power.

Most attention has been focused on Thailand’s warming ties with China, including talks on a massive rail project and the possible purchase of $1 billion worth of Chinese-made submarines.

But Russia appears keen to compete for Thailand’s attention.

In the last 18 months, Thai junta leader General Prayuth Chanocha has met three times with H O S P I TA L - B A S E D F R AU D

China jails ‘scalpers’ for scamming patients SHANGHAI: A Chinese court in Beijing has jailed 15 hospital “scalpers” for allegedly scamming unsuspecting patients by posing as medical staff without qualifications, exaggerating positive effects of treatments and then prescribing expensive drugs.

The court in Beijing’s Chaoyang district sentenced the 15 people to jail sentences ranging from 19 months to more than two years, the official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.

The issue of hospital-based fraud flared up in January when a woman in Beijing posted a video denouncing other scalpers for buying up “tickets” often needed to ensure an appointment with a doctor and then inflating the price to re-sell them to patients.

Chinese patients contend with a creaking healthcare system which suffers from a shortage of doctors, snarling queues to see medical workers, and a huge disparity between urban and rural care that drives many patients from villages and the countryside to hospitals in big cities. The Beijing court said on its official microblog that the 15 people had illegally rented consulting rooms at large hospitals and then lured in patients with fake credentials and prescribed them expensive traditional Chinese medicines. - Reuters

Russian Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev, who visited Thailand in April 2015, the Russian ambassador to Thailand, Kirill Barsky, told Reuters.

Prayuth will travel to Russia in May for a meeting between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The big prize of talks — and of most strategic concern to the United States — is in defence. Thailand served as a staging ground for American forces during the Vietnam War, and the Pentagon values its strategic access to the Southeast Asian nation’s airfields and ports. But for a second straight year, the United States scaled back regional military exercises, known as “Cobra Gold”, which Thailand hosted earlier this month.

Thai media have reported that Thailand is seeking to buy dozens of Russian T-90 tanks to replace part of its ageing US-made fleet.

In an interview, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Min-

MAKING A POINT: Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan gestures during an interview at the Defence Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday. - Reuters

ister Prawit Wongsuwan said no decision had been made on the tanks. But US restrictions on the sale of arms to the military-ruled country means Thailand needs to

shop elsewhere for the roughly 50 tanks it needs, he said. “The US won’t sell weaponry to us, and as of late we’ve been on a tight budget and can’t afford them,” Prawit said.

A 2011 deal to buy 49 tanks from Ukraine fell through after only 10 were delivered, he noted.

Thailand is on course to sign an agreement with Russia covering counter-terrorism and is looking to buy Russian hardware, such as helicopters, for disaster response, he said.

“It’s not that we’ve decided to be on good terms with China and Russia and not with the US. We’re equally good to all of them.”

Russia has made it clear that its approach to Thailand is part of a broader push for Asian influence. But this will not necessarily be at the expense of China or the United States, Barsky, ambassador Barsky said. “Russia does not need to prove to anybody that Russia is an Asian power, an Asia-Pacific power, a Euro-Pacific power. This is our destiny as a country which stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific coast,” he said.

Next week’s visit will include talks on 25 separate draft agree-

ments, including on trade, culture, technology and security, he said.

Prawit will meet Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and Trade Minister Denis Manturov for talks on military and technical cooperation, Barksy said. “If Thailand selects Russian tanks, more than welcome, more than welcome.”

Matthew Sussex, a Russia expert at Australian National University, said any deal on tanks “would certainly make Washington sit up and take notice”.

Russia already refuels its nuclear-capable bombers in Vietnam and is probing Southeast Asia for a possible strategic “toehold”, he said. Even if they remain all talk, warming Thai-Russia relations would still worry the United States, Sussex said.

“The fact that the Thai government is starting to say ‘well, you know, what about the Russians?’ sends pretty worrying signs to DC.” - Reuters

Australia in talks with six nations to resettle refugees Australia’s tough immigration policies provide that anyone intercepted while trying to reach the country by boat is sent for processing to camps in Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island

SYDNEY: Australia is in talks with Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, among six nations, to resettle asylum-seekers detained in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific island nation of Nauru, the Sydney Morning Herald said on Saturday.

The number of asylum-seekers trying to reach Australia is small in comparison with those arriving in Europe, but border security is a hot-button political issue in Australia, which is scheduled to

TOUGH IMMIGRATION POLICIES: This file photo shows protesters holding placards and candles to remember Syrian child Aylan Kurdi, who drowned in Turkey creating an international outcry, during a vigil in Sydney. Australia is in talks with Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, among six nations, to resettle asylum-seekers detained in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific island nation of Nauru, the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ said on Saturday. - AFP

hold a national election later in the year. Negotiations with the governments of the three Southeast Asian countries focus on potentially settling 1,459 detainees, many of whom arrived during previous administrations, the newspaper said. Three other countries are also involved in preliminary

stages of talks, it added, but did not identify them.

A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declined to confirm or deny the report.

However, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop cautioned that it was “early days” for the talks, as pressing local issues would influence

the discussions.

“Some of them have domestic issues, like elections,” Bishop said in a statement. The Philippines goes to the polls on May 9 to choose a new president and vice president, among other officials.

Australia’s tough immigration policies provide that anyone in-

tercepted while trying to reach the country by boat is sent for processing to camps in Nauru and Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island. They are never eligible to be resettled in Australia.

Past Australian efforts to resettle asylum seekers elsewhere ran into hurdles.

Last October, Philippine President Benigno Aquino said the country had “no capacity” to permanently relocate asylum seekers, adding that his government was “challenged to meet the needs of its own people right now”.

Australia had offered $150 million spread over five years in exchange for permanent relocation of some refugees.

A deal struck with Cambodia was halted after only four asylum seekers were resettled.

In 2011, the Australian high court ruled invalid a deal with Malaysia, as it was not a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Refugees.

Australia has also received criticism from the United Nations and rights groups for its hardline policy. Since 2012, people on boats trying to reach Australia have been turned back or taken to camps in Nauru, where there have been reports of assaults and systemic child abuse, or Papua New Guinea, where Canberra has set up processing centres. - Reuters

MONTHS OF FIGHTING

Afghanistan troops pull out of strategic Helmand district LASHKAR GAH(Afghanistan): Afghan forces have pulled out of bases in Musa Qala, a strategic district of the southern province of Helmand, after months of heavy fighting with Taliban insurgents, officials said on Saturday.

Helmand, a traditional heartland of the Taliban and one of the world’s biggest centres of opium production, has been threatened for months and the United States recently sent hundreds of soldiers to the province to bolster its defence. The commander of the Afghan army’s 215th corps, Mohammad Moeen Faqir, said troops had been ordered to pull back from Roshan Tower, their main base in Musa Qala, as well as other checkpoints to reinforce Gereshk,

straddling the main Highway One which links Kabul with the south and west.

“Their presence in the area did not mean anything,” he said.

“We will use them in battle with enemies in other parts of Helmand province.”

Fierce fighting has raged in Musa Qala and other parts of Helmand for months and the Taliban overran the district in August last year before they were driven back

by Afghan forces backed by US airstrikes.

Musa Qala itself is a dry and sparsely inhabited district that British and American troops fought hard to control between 2006 and 2008 but its loss could bring further losses elsewhere, in-

cluding Sangin where government forces have been clinging on.

“Now that the government has withdrawn its forces from this district, we will see Kajaki, Gereshk and Sangin collapsing very soon,” said deputy provincial council member Abdul Majid Akhundzada.

The Taliban said in a statement it had captured armoured personnel carriers, bulldozers and other equipment abandoned in Roshan Tower and nine other checkpoints.

The withdrawal prompted speculation among local officials that the government had reached an arrangement with the Taliban but Abdul Jabar Qahraman, presidential envoy for security affairs in Helmand, denied any such pact.

“There wasn’t any deal,” he said.

“We learnt that there was no need to continue the fight in that area.”

No comment was immediately available from the ministry of defence in Kabul.

The outgoing commander of international forces, Gen. John Campbell, recently sent hundreds of American troops to Helmand, where they assist and train Afghan forces but do not fight.

A spokesman for NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Kabul said its aim remained to train, advise and assist and referred questions on Afghan troop movements to the defence ministry. US officials estimate the Taliban dominates or threatens almost a third of the country and has full control over at least four districts. - Reuters

SECURITY CHECK: An Afghan policeman searches commuters at a checkpoint in Helmand province. Afghan forces have pulled out of bases in Musa Qala, Helmand province, after months of heavy fighting with Taliban insurgents. - AFP file photo

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Sohar experiencing accompanied by hailstorm The best thing Pakistan Super League has done is to have returned the smile to Pakistan cricket.

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READERS’ FORUM Canine charity festival fun for any pet lover This refers to the event Canines for a Cause Charity Festival, which was held on Saturday. It was an unforgettable fun day out for the whole family. We were not short of things to see and do with so many dogs to meet. One doesn’t have to be the owner of a purebreed to enjoy a dog show.

These events are fun for all pet lovers. A special thanks to Al Bustan Palace Hotel for hosting the event at their beautiful beachfront landscaped gardens and also to the organisers for a wonderful very well organised event.

— Anu Shaikh, Wadi Kabir Scan this QR code to send letters to the Readers’ Forum, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com).

Mwasalat services for book fair to be very helpful This refers to the report Mwasalat bus trips to ease Muscat book fair gridlock (February 20). Indeed, this is a good gesture by the authorities, as the decision gives a boost to the red fleet. Ever since Mwasalat services were introduced in Muscat, a complete change has been seen in the approach of commuters who depend on public services.

A taxi driver appreciated the government move even though it charges less than taxi fares. The introduction of Mwasalat services for the Muscat International Book Fair would definitely be a comfort to the book lovers.

—Ramachandran Nair, Ruwi

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Harper Lee, who died Friday at 89, always professed herself astounded at the role of her masterpiece in the lives of so many millions of readers.

The story’s images are seared into us. Those who don’t read it in middle school read it in high school. The book is as firmly installed in the popular culture as a novel can be

T

he global oil-price bust has devastated economies across the Middle East and North Africa. Having seen severe price declines in the past, many leaders in the region may be tempted to wait for prices to rise again. But this collapse is different, and governments need new energy and development strategies. Morocco’s drive to become a regional renewable-energy powerhouse offers a real option for economic development in other Arab countries.

Morocco has been investing in large-scale renewable-energy projects for some time; but only now are these investments coming online. Perhaps the most impressive is the gigantic Noor-1 solarenergy compound, located in the Moroccan desert near Ouarzazate. Opened on February 4, Noor-1 uses highly advanced technology to store energy for use at night and on cloudy days.

Considered the largest solar power plant in the world, Noor-1 is expected to produce enough energy for more than a million people, with extra power eventually to be exported to Europe and Africa, according to the World Bank. Given that Morocco imports around 97 per cent of its energy supply, and possesses no oil or natural gas deposits of its own, the government has viewed developing renewable energy as the only way to ensure the country’s continuing economic development. This is an insight others in the region should heed.

The Noor-1 project, covering an area of more than 4.5 square kilometres (1.7 square miles) with 500,000 curved mirrors – some as high as 12 meters – cost around $700 million. But it is intended to be only one part of a huge solar compound extending over 30 square kilometres. Indeed, by 2018, three more plants, Noor-II, Noor-III, and Noor-Midelt will be constructed, using a combination of technologies, including thermosolar and photovoltaic.

The project will generate up to 2,000 megawatts daily by 2020, helping to reduce the development gap between urban and rural areas.

Of course, the project has demanded huge sums in investment. Of the $9 billion project’s financing, some $1 billion has come from a German investment bank, $400 million from the World Bank, and $596 million from the European Investment Bank. The rest of the funding has come

from Morocco’s government as part of its national development strategy.

In the near future, Morocco will also develop a wind programme with a capacity of at least 2,000 MW daily, and a 2,000 MW hydropower project.

These could provide the country with 42 per cent of its total electricity production. This represents an unparalleled proportion of renewable energy at both the regional and the international levels.

Already, the Tarfaya Wind Farm, positioned on Morocco’s Southern Atlantic Coast, is Africa’s biggest. With 131 turbines and a daily capacity of more than 300 MW, Tarfaya will help reduce Morocco’s carbon dioxide emissions by 900,000 tons annually, and cut the country’s annual oil import bill by more than $190 million.

Despite this focus on renewables, Morocco has not gone cold turkey on traditional energy sources. Over the next five years, the authorities will set up the infrastructure needed to make liquefied natural gas (LNG) more accessible to domestic industries. This is a huge endeavour, as it also includes a port with an LNG dock and a 400-kilometre pipeline. This remarkable project will cost another $4.5 billion, all of which will come from the private sector.

With demand for electricity, mostly from the country’s expanding industries, rising by 7 per cent annually, Morocco’s government has long known that it could not sit still. Today, 90 per cent of the Moroccan population is connected to the grid, up dramatically from the 1990s, when that figure stood at just 18 per cent. Over this period, the country’s investments in electrification rose to more than $3 billion annually.

Morocco’s government is convinced that reform and development will confirm its emergence as a regional leader and gateway to Africa. Increased access to renewable energy will mean that all companies will have sufficient power to meet their needs, which is essential to the country’s ability to diversify its economy.

Investors are aware of Morocco’s exceptional geographic position and its political stability in a region all too often held back by uncertainty. The country’s giant solar complex and other investments will help boost the country’s energy independence, reduce costs, and expand access to power. Others in Africa and the Middle East should take note. - Project Syndicate

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES FEBRUARY 2001 Qatabi opens engineer’s forum MUSCAT: Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Qatabi, president of the Majlis Al Shura, opened the Gulf engineer’s forum at Hotel Inter-Continental here yesterday. The three-day forum is being hosted by the Muscat Municipality. Engineering experts from the AGCC countries are taking part in the event. Abdullah bin Abbas bin Ahmed, president of the Muscat Municipality, said in an address, the forum will provide an opportunity to exchange experience and discuss ideas on the engineering profession. The meeting, he said, will also help in improving the quality of engineering and engineers performance in the Gulf. Qatabi also inaugurated an engineering exhibition organized on the sidelines of the forum.

TODAY IN HISTORY INVITATION TO WRITERS We invite our readers to write articles on topics related to Oman. The articles should not exceed 800 words.

Send us your article along with your picture to akhtar@timesofoman.com

PICTOGRAPH TOTAL OF ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION IN OMAN

Gross production, September to November 2015 (Gigawatt per hour) Dhofar

Ash Sharqiya

Sep

Oct

484.2

364.8

294.3

304.1

Nov

267.6 229.7

1878: The world’s first telephone book is issued by the New Haven Connecticut Telephone Company containing the names of its 50 subscribers.

0

1905: The Mukden campaign of the Russo-Japanese War, begins.

1965: El Hajj Malik El Shabazz (Malcom X) is assassinated in front of 400 people.

Source National Centre for Statistics and Information

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

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LANTERN FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS

People walk in an area decorated with lanterns ahead of the Lantern Festival at Yu Yuan Garden in downtown Shanghai, China, on Saturday. — Reuters

Mugabe warns party members over succession HARARE: Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe threatened to discipline ruling party members he accuses of fanning divisions over who will succeed him, reaffirming his authority ahead of his 92nd birthday on Sunday.

In a 30-minute speech broadcast on state-owned ZBC TV late on Friday, Mugabe said he was disturbed by insults among senior officials of the ruling ZANU-PF party, who are divided over who should succeed him.

“We are all being abused, the President, his wife, in a manner that is very disgraceful. It’s a shame,” Mugabe said, flanked by his two vice presidents, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, at his official State House residence. “So, we will definitely take action where we feel action should be taken within the party.

There is need for a whip of discipline now to be shown and to be used,” he said.

Mugabe says ZANU-PF will choose his successor.

But he plans to contest the next election in 2018 aged 94, seeking his last five-year term under a new constitution that would see him through to 99.

His life presidency aspirations are frustrating the feuding factions of ZANU-PF, who have been trying for years to position themselves for a post-Mugabe political era. — Reuters

POLITICAL DISPUTE

UN criticises South Sudan rivals over civilian deaths UNITED NATIONS: South Sudan’s warring government and opposition are killing, abducting and displacing civilians and destroying property despite conciliatory rhetoric by both sides, the United Nations said on Friday.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is due to travel to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, next Thursday to meet with President Salva Kiir.

A political dispute between Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar two years ago sparked a civil war and renewed hostilities between Kiir’s Dinka and Machar’s Nuer people.

More than 10,000 people have been killed. After months of ineffective negotiations and failed ceasefires, both sides agreed in January to share positions in a transitional government, and earlier this month Kiir reappointed Machar to his former post as vice president.

“It cannot be tolerated that leaders make declarations in Juba, while the hostilities and attacks on the civilian population continue and intensify across the country,” said U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic.

He told the UN Security Council that the conflict threatens stability in the entire region.

Villages razed Simonovic said that in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan government forces had systematically razed villages and sexual violence and abuse of children’s rights were rampant.

“During an attack on Koch county, one woman described how soldiers killed her husband, then tied her to a tree and forced her to watch as her daughter was raped by at least 10 soldiers,” Simonovic said. — Reuters

Cameron calls June 23 vote on EU after clinching deal the future of the euro zone - by ripping away its second-largest economy, one of its top two military powers and by far its richest financial centre.

Pro-Europeans warn an exit could also trigger the break-up of the United Kingdom by prompting another Scottish independence vote. The $2.9 trillion British economy would face years of uncertain negotiations over the terms of a divorce.

Opponents of EU membership say Britain would prosper outside what they say is a doomed Germany-dominated bloc that punches way below its weight on the world stage.

After spelling out detail of the deal clinched at an EU summit in Brussels - to his senior ministers, Cameron said he had secured the cabinet’s blessing to recommend to voters that Britain stay in the bloc it joined in 1973

LONDON: Prime Minister David Cameron called a June 23 referendum on membership of the European Union on Saturday as he sought to rally his divided Conservative Party behind a deal which he said would guarantee Britain’s prosperity and security in the bloc.

After spelling out detail of the deal - clinched at an EU summit in Brussels - to his senior ministers, Cameron said he had secured the cabinet’s blessing to recommend to voters that Britain stay in the bloc it joined in 1973.

“I believe that Britain will be safer, stronger and better off by remaining in a reformed European Union,” Cameron said outside his Number 10 Downing Street residence in London.

“Leaving Europe would threaten our economic and our national security,” Cameron said, adding that he would propose to Parliament that the referendum be held

SUCCESS, FOR NOW British Prime Minister David Cameron makes a statement to the media outside 10 Downing Street in London on Saturday. — AFP

REACTION: An arrangement of British newspapers taken in London on Saturday show front page headlines regarding an agreement on reforming Britain’s EU membership. — AFP

on Thursday June 23, in the middle of the Glastonbury music festival and the Euro 2016 soccer championship.

One of Cameron’s closest political allies, Justice Secretary Michael Gove, and five other cabinet members will campaign to leave.

They signed a poster for the Vote Leave out campaign saying “Let’s take back control.”

While the rebellion illustrated the depth of the division over Europe within his ruling Conservative Party, Cameron’s most senior ministers including interior min-

ister Theresa May and finance minister George Osborne backed EU membership.

London Mayor Boris Johnson, who has charmed some voters with a buffoonish persona that masks fierce ambition to succeed Cameron, has yet to make his position clear. A source told Reuters that Johnson might show his hand on Sunday.

The agreement Cameron reached in Brussels granted Britain an explicit exemption from the founding goal of “ever closer union”, offered concessions on the welfare rights of migrant workers and safeguards for the City of London.

Though British voters are split over membership, betting odds have moved further in favour of Britain remaining in the EU after Cameron’s deal, according to bookmaker Ladbrokes.

A British exit from the EU would rock the Union - already shaken by differences over migration and

Pathetic deal “This is a truly pathetic deal,” Nigel Farage, the head of the UK Independence Party said.”Let’s leave the EU, control our borders, run our own country and stop handing 55 million pounds every day to Brussels.”

The issue of Europe has divided the Conservatives for three decades and played a major part in the downfall of Cameron’s two Conservative predecessors, Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

Opinion polls show that a significant number of Britons have yet to make up their mind, though perceptions that the EU has failed to deal with the migrant crisis may be turning some towards a ‘Brexit’.

Bookmaker Ladbrokes said however that betting odds indicated there was now a 69 per cent chance of Britain remaining in the EU with a 31 per cent chance of Britain leaving.

Cameron is due to make a statement to parliament on Monday, triggering the start of the campaign for the referendum.

The cabinet meeting will formalise government support for staying in the EU and Cameron has said ministers will then be free to campaign on whichever side they want. — Reuters

I TA LY

Umberto Eco, author of ‘The Name of the Rose’ dies at 84 ROME: Italian author Umberto Eco, who became famous for the 1980 international blockbuster The Name of the Rose, died on Friday, Italian media reported. He was 84.

La Repubblica newspaper said it had been informed by the family that Eco died late on Friday night at his home in northern Italy.

Eco was virtually unknown out-

side university circles until well into middle age, when he found himself an international celebrity overnight after he published his first novel, an unorthodox detective story set in a medieval monastery.

“He was an extraordinary example of European intellectualism, uniting a unique intelligence of the past with an inexhaustible

capacity to anticipate the future,” Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was quoted as saying by the Italian news agency Ansa.

For the professor from Bologna University, then aged 48, it was a late introduction into the world of international literary fame and one that took many critics by surprise.

“The Name of the Rose, with its

highly detailed description of life in a 14th-century monastery and learned accounts of the philosophical and religious disputes of the time, at face value was hardly a novel to appeal to the average modern reader.

But the book’s popularity lay in a clever plot line, the masterfully evoked atmosphere of fear and gloom brooding over the monas-

tery, and the attractive central figure, unashamedly modelled on the famous detective Sherlock Holmes.

Literary prizes Name of the Rose was translated into dozens of languages, sold more than 14 million copies and won several international literary prizes. — Reuters

Umberto Eco

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

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Truce possible if Russia ends air strikes: Syria opposition A source close to peace talks earlier on Saturday told Reuters Syria’s opposition had agreed to a twoto three-week truce

BEIRUT: Syria’s opposition on Saturday said it had agreed to the “possibility” of a temporary truce, provided there were guarantees Damascus’s allies including Russia would cease fire, sieges were lifted and aid deliveries allowed country-wide.

Russian air strikes began last September and turned the tide in Syria’s five-year civil war in Bashar Al Assad’s favour, to the frustration of the United States and its allies who have supported rebels trying to topple the president. Attempts to negotiate a truce in recent months have failed. A source close to peace talks earlier on Saturday told Reu-

CIVIL WAR: Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDS) are transported to the front line of the town of Chaddade in the northeastern Syrian province of Hasaka, on Friday.— AFP

ters Syria’s opposition had agreed to a two- to three-week truce.

The truce would be renewable and supported by all parties except IS, the source said.

It would also be conditional on

the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front no longer being targeted, at least to start with, the source said.

The Nusra Front is considered a terrorist organisation by the UN Security Council and banned.

Asked if the opposition’s insistence on the Nusra Front no longer being targeted was the main stumbling block, he described it as “the elephant in the room”.

“They have to deal with this

very delicately or they are going to end up with a civil war in Idlib on their hands,” the source said.

The latest round of talks at the United Nations in Geneva is being jointly chaired by Russia and the United States.

On Saturday, various Syrian opposition factions “expressed agreement on the possibility of reaching a temporary truce deal, to be reached through international mediation,” a statement from the High Negotiations Committee said. A halt to Russian bombardments did not look immediately likely.

The spokesman for Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Peskov, said: “Russia is sticking to its consistent policy of rendering assistance and aid to the armed forces of Syria in their offensive actions against terrorists and against terrorist organisations.”

The High Negotiations Committee, which joins various armed groups and Syria’s exiled political opposition, said the UN must guarantee “holding Russia and Iran and sectarian militias... to a halt to fighting”.

All sides should cease fire simultaneously and the government should release prisoners, it added. — Reuters

EXTREMIST INSURGENCIES

Valls pledges more military support for Sahel region OUAGADOUGOU: French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Saturday pledged greater military assistance to the former French colony of Burkina Faso and other countries in the Sahel region in the face of a growing extremist insurgency.

French troops stepped in to help Burkina Faso during an attack by militants from Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb on a hotel in its capital, Ouagadougou, last month that killed 30 people.

“We must strengthen our cooperation on intelligence and the training of security and other armed forces,” Valls told reporters in Ouagadougou after a meeting with President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, who took office in December after winning the presidential election in November.

Valls said assistance would come in the form of help for a security body known as the G5 Sahel comprising Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso, as well as support for the United Nations peace keeping force in Mali.

Valls was in Burkina Faso as part of a three-day tour with Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian that incorporated a visit to Mali, which experienced a similar hotel attack in November. — Reuters

30-YEAR-OLD RULE EXTENDED

CONTROVERSY: Ugandan soldiers patrol a street in Kampala, Uganda on Saturday. — Reuters

Opponents cry foul as Museveni wins Uganda poll KAMPALA: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni extended his 30-year rule on Saturday, winning an election that international observers said lacked transparency and his main opponent, under house arrest, denounced as a sham.

One of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, Museveni won 60.8 per cent of the vote, while main opposition candidate Kizza Besigye secured 35.4 per cent, according to the electoral commission.

“We have just witnessed what must be the most fraudulent electoral process in Uganda,” Besigye said in a statement, calling for an independent audit of the results.

Besigye, who had been detained three times this week, said he had been placed under house arrest. A Reuters reporter saw his home encircled by police in riot gear and media were barred from approaching it. The United States on Friday urged Museveni to stop the security services harassing his opponents.

Another of Museveni’s rivals, former prime minister Amama Mbabazi, had also been put under house arrest, according to his spokeswoman.

Museveni, 71, has presided over strong economic growth but is accused at home and abroad of repression of dissent and failing to tackle rampant corruption in the nation of 37 million people.

Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement party said the veteran leader’s victory showed that “opponents failed to offer any alternative apart from empty promises”.

The EU observer mission said it had been conducted in an intimidating atmosphere, while Commonwealth observers said the poll “fell short of meeting some key democratic benchmarks”.

Eduard Kukan, chief observer for the EU mission, told reporters

Yoweri Museveni won 60.8 per cent of the vote, while main opposition candidate Kizza Besigye secured 35.4 per cent, according to the electoral commission

in Kampala the poll had been undermined by a “lack of transparency and independence” at the Ugandan electoral commission.

“State actors created an intimidating atmosphere for both voters and candidates,” he added.

Besigye urged the international community to denounce the poll win by Museveni, who has won favour with the West by sending Ugandan troops to Somalia to battle extreamist militants with ties to Al Qaeda.

“Please reject the temptation to ratify this sham election,” said Besigye, who was Museveni’s personal doctor in the 1980s.

US Secretary of State John Kerry called Museveni on Friday to voice concern over Besigye’s detention, the harassment of opposition figures and the shutdown of social media such as Facebook and Twitter on election day. “(Kerry) urged President Museveni to rein in the police and security forces, noting that such action calls into question Uganda’s commitment to a transparent and credible election process free from intimidation,” the US State Department said on Friday.

— Reuters

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

A1 5

WORLD Nationwide curfew in Fiji as powerful cyclone nears hammering outlying islands in nearby Tonga last week, Cyclone Winston reintensified and began to track west towards Suva, the capital of Fiji, packing winds of 230km per hour

HIT HARD: In this photograph supplied by Kris Parsad @Angry_Kpra on Saturday, residents shop at a market as they prepare for Cyclone Winston in the Fijian town of Nausori. Fiji was struck by its most powerful ever cyclone, according to reports, as the island nation battened down the hatches with a blanket curfew and mass evacuations. — AFP/ KRIS PARSAD/@Angry_Kpra

The government issued a list of 758 evacuation centres across the nation of just under 900,000 people on Facebook.

effect across the country today from 6pm,” it added.

It issued a list of 758 evacuation centres across the nation of just under 900,000 people.

As Fiji’s weather service warned people in the east to “expect very destructive hurricaneforce winds,” Suva resident Alice Clements said the power had

G L O B A L PA R T I C I PAT I O N

3,000 couples marry in mass event in South Korean city GAPYEONG (SOUTH KOREA): About 3,000 couples from 62 countries tied the knot in South Korea on Saturday, in a mass wedding ceremony conducted by the Unification Church founded by the late Reverend Sun Myung Moon.

A further 12,000 couples

US, Apple ratchet up rhetoric over encryption WASHINGTON: The US Department of Justice filed a motion on Friday seeking to compel Apple Inc to comply with a judge’s order to unlock the encrypted iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino shooters, portraying the tech giant’s refusal as a “marketing strategy.”

In response, a senior Apple executive, speaking with reporters on condition of anonymity, characterised the Justice Department’s filing as an effort to argue its case in the media before the company has a chance to respond.

After twice

SUVA: Fiji declared a nationwide curfew on Saturday, as airlines suspended flights and the prime minister warned people to seek refuge from a cyclone that could prove to be the Pacific island nation’s most powerful on record.

After twice hammering outlying islands in nearby Tonga last week, Cyclone Winston re-intensified and began to track west towards Suva, the capital of Fiji, packing winds of 230km per hour (143 mph), with gusts of up to 325 kph (202 mph).

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama urged Fijians to prepare themselves for a “terrible event”, Australian broadcaster ABC reported.

“We cannot afford to be complacent,” it quoted the prime minister as saying. “And I am especially concerned that some people in urban areas do not appear to have heeded the warnings about the seriousness of the threat.”

A nationwide curfew has been imposed, the government said on social media website Facebook.

“A total public curfew will take

SAN BERNARDINO SHOOTER

worldwide participated in the ceremony via the Internet, said Ryu Kyeung-seuk, president of the South Korean headquarters of the church.

Moon, who died in 2012, had presided over mass weddings since the early 1960s. His widow, Hak Ja Han Moon, officiated at

Saturday’s ceremony, which was witnessed by about 22,000 followers gathered at the CheongShim Peace World Centre in Gapyeong, about 75 km northeast of Seoul. The couples included 1,000 who were newly wed and about 2,000 who were already married. — Reuters

failed just after 5:00 pm and she expected water supplies to be hit next.

Flying palm trees “I have palm trees flying all around me at the moment,” Clements, an official with a UN agency, told Reuters.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Winston was following a path that might spare Suva the full force of its winds, rated as category 5, the highest ranking on the hur-

ricane wind scale. “The cyclone has tracked further north than expected over the past 24 hours,” the UN agency said. Airlines Virgin and Jetstar suspended flights into and out of Fiji’s international airport at Nadi, while the national carrier suspended all flights.

— Reuters

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

Showdown The back and forth escalated a showdown between the Obama administration and Silicon Valley over security and privacy that ignited earlier this week.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking the tech company’s help to access shooter Syed Rizwan Farook’s phone by disabling some of its passcode protections.

The company so far has pushed back and on Thursday won three extra days to respond to the order.

Another senior Apple executive said Congress is the right place for a debate over encryption, not a courtroom.

Legal request The executive said Apple was stunned that such a legal request had come from the US government rather than a country with weaker traditions of protecting privacy and civil liberties.

The motion to compel Apple to comply did not carry specific penalties for the company, and the Justice Department declined to comment on what recourse it was willing to seek.

In the order, prosecutors acknowledged that the latest filing was “not legally necessary” since Apple had not yet responded to the initial order. — Reuters

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

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PHILIPPINES

HOLIDAY RUSH

Vehicles drive at reduced speed on the A43 highway near Chambéry, southeastern France, on Saturday, towards ski resorts during a crossover of people going to or coming from the ski stations during the school holidays. - AFP

$450 million approved for anti-poverty programme MANILA: The World Bank on Saturday approved $450 million of funding for the Philippines’ flagship anti-poverty programme, which will provide basic healthcare and education to millions of families until 2019.

The financing, under the bank’s Social Welfare Development and Reform Project II, will cover about 7 per cent of the total cost of implementing what is known as the conditional cash transfer (CCT) programme.

Manila has allocated about 62.7 billion peso ($1.32 billion) from its 2016 budget for the scheme, which is expanding this year to cover 4.6 million households.

Commitment “The World Bank is steadfast in its commitment and support for the CCT because we believe it contributes to reducing extreme poverty and inequality,” said Cecilia Vales, the World Bank’s acting country director for the

Philippines. A quarter of the Philippines’ 100 million people live below the poverty line.

The Philippines’ CCT program me has grown into one of the largest and best-targeted social safety net programs in the world, with 82 per cent of the benefits going to the bottom 40 per cent of the population, according to the World Bank.

Recent studies show that the programme has reduced total poverty and food poverty among beneficiaries by as much as 6.7 per centage points. At the national level, the programme is estimated to have reduced both total poverty and food poverty by up to 1.4 percentage points in 2013.

Globally, more than 1.9 billion people in 136 low- and middleincome countries benefit from social safety net programs such as CCT, according to a World Bank report, The State of Social Safety Nets 2015.

India, Brazil and Mexico have the largest programmes. - Reuters

Democrat Sanders looks to prove minority appeal in Nevada caucus Public opinion polling has been scarce in Nevada, where Latinos and AfricanAmericans made up nearly one-third of the Democratic electorate in 2008 and are expected to

EXERCISING FRANCHISE: Voters sign in to cast their ballots for the

account for more

Republican primary at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina. Today’s vote is traditionally known as the ‘First in the South’ primary. - AFP

this time

LAS VEGAS/CHARLESTON (US): Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders will test his appeal with minority voters in Nevada on Saturday, looking to puncture rival Hillary Clinton’s argument that he is a one-note candidate whose support is limited to mostly white states.

After routing Clinton in New

Hampshire and finishing a strong second in Iowa, states with nearly all-white populations, Nevada’s Democratic caucuses give Sanders his first chance to prove he can win over black and Hispanic voters and compete nationally as the race moves to states with more diverse populations.

Republicans in South Carolina also vote on Saturday in the state-by-state contest to pick

nominees for the November 8 election, with opinion polls showing front-runner Donald Trump trying to solidify his spot at the top of the pack and rivals Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio fighting for a second-place finish.

Behind them, Republican candidates Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Ben Carson could be vying in South Carolina to keep their campaigns alive before the presiden-

tial race rapidly picks up steam in March when dozens of states hold nominating contests.

The long day of voting begins in South Carolina, where polls open for Republicans at 7am EST and close at 7pm EST. Nevada’s Democratic caucuses will begin at 2 p.m. EST, with results expected to begin rolling in a few hours later.

Public opinion polling has been scarce in Nevada, where Latinos and African-Americans made up nearly one-third of the Democratic electorate in 2008 and are expected to account for more this time.

A few recent surveys show a tight race, however. Clinton’s campaign has argued she would assert control of the Democratic race once it moved to more diverse states with black and Hispanic populations who have traditionally backed Clinton and have been slow to warm to Sanders.

But a Sanders win in Nevada would shatter that perception, fuelling new questions about Clinton’s strength in a campaign that was once considered a cakewalk for her. It would also raise the stakes for the next contest, in South Carolina on February 27.

A Clinton win, however, would halt the momentum Sanders has generated from his 22-point defeat of Clinton in New Hampshire and position her to begin rolling up wins and delegates in South Carolina and on “Super Tuesday” on March 1.

Both campaigns aggressively courted Hispanics in Nevada, bulking up Latino and bilingual staff members, locating offices in Hispanic neighbourhoods, launching bilingual phone banks and Spanish-language caucus training, and inviting Hispanic celebrities to help spread the word.

“We have to build a culturally

competent campaign,” said Jorge Neri, Clinton’s Nevada organising director. For Clinton, that cultural competence sometimes could be found in small details — like the fact that “house party” does not translate well in Spanish.

The Clinton campaign used the word “cafecito” instead to describe a potluck type event where people gather and talk politics.

The Clinton campaign also built a strong text message list, reflecting the fact many Latinos primarily or only access the Internet by their phones. The Sanders campaign also targeted Latinos.

At a phone bank event on Wednesday, volunteers chatted in Spanish and English to persuade them to turn out for Sanders.

Mexican-American actor and television personality Marco Antonio Regil made calls for Sanders.

“Bernie, he gets me,” he said, in-between phone conversations.

“We have gone so much to the right that we need someone who brings us a little bit to the left.”

Sanders, a US senator from Vermont, is a self-described democratic socialist who has criticised Clinton’s ties to Wall Street and generated enthusiasm among young voters with his call for breaking up the big banks and reducing income inequality. - Reuters P O L I T I C A L S TA N D O F F

South Korea isle alarmed

by North artillery SEOUL: North Korea fired several artillery rounds into the sea near a disputed maritime border with South Korea on Saturday, causing alarm among residents on a nearby island in the South, but the shells did not fly across the border, the South’s military said.

The two Koreas are in a tense political standoff after the North’s nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch on February 7. South Korea and the United States say they were grave violations of UN Security Council resolutions.

The allies are expected to begin large-scale annual military drills in early March, which the North calls preparations for war and routinely vows retaliation over. Saturday’s firing, heard from the island of Baengnyeong, was probably aimed in a northwestern direction from the North’s shore as part of an exercise, a South Korean defence ministry official said by telephone, asking not to be named.

The South’s office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said there were several rounds of artillery fire, revising a comment by the ministry official that there had been a single shot, and there were no other unusual movements by the North’s military. - Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

MARKE

M A N U FA C T U R I N G F I R M S

Oman’s industrial sector posts growth in financial results MUSCAT: Omani industry managed to achieve reasonable growth in financial results last year, despite competition from outside the country.

Several manufacturing companies reported moderate growth in net earnings in 2015. For instance, Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives Co. managed to control its expenses and post OMR2.6 million in net profits, reflecting a growth of 1.2 per cent in 2015, compared with the previous year. The company said the growth and good financial sheets, along with accumulated profits had forced the company board to recommend an 85 per cent dividend, including a 50 per cent stock dividend and a 35 per cent cash dividend, which is equal to OMR0.350 per share.

The company also pointed out that it operates in a very competitive atmosphere, as the 12 oil factories operating in the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC) countries are exempted from custom duties in the Sultanate.

Moreover, the GCC countries are considered a hub for the export of vegetable oil and fats.

The Oman Cables Industry (SAOG) said it has performed well despite the challenges posed by the tough competition in the market and copper prices declining by 17 per cent in 2015. The company said it even managed to increase its sales and net profits.

The financial statements of the company point out that the group’s net profits stood at OMR21.3 million last year, compared with OMR19.8 million in 2014. The company affirmed that it is committed to quality, which is one of the reasons behind its success as it enhances the confidence of its local and foreign customers.

For example, Oman Optic Fibre Cables believes that the future outlook for its optic fibre cables in the global markets is more positive than in the Middle F O RU M I N K U WA I T

Ithraa to attend major trade fair MUSCAT: Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa) will take part on Sunday at Kuwait first International Trade Fair.

The event will be opened by Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jabir Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait. The one-week fair is organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the State of Kuwait.

The Ithraa participation comes within the framework of continuing its efforts to target promising markets for the Omani non-oil products, finding opportunities for the local partners, benefiting from such fairs to explore broader trade and investment opportunities, exchanging benefits and familiarising with the major regional and international companies and institutions representing various sectors. As many as 20 Arab and foreign countries will take part along with several government agencies, local and international companies and owners of world trademarks in various sectors. — ONA

East markets as some oil and gas projects have been shelved due to low oil and gas prices. The company said market conditions have pushed it to appoint distributors in Africa and Europe to enhance its status at the market.

During 2015, the company managed to increase its operational profits to OMR1.9 million, compared with OMR1.6 million in 2014. The net profits of the company last year stood at OMR1.6 million, compared with OMR7.8 million in 2014, including OMR7.3 million in revenues from insurance claims. If this item is excluded, the company’s profit growth in 2015 will be good.

National Pharmaceutical Industries Co. (NPI) said the GCC market is very big for the pharmaceutical industrial companies in the region, and therefore there are great opportunities for the sale of pharmaceutical products in the Sultanate and countries of the region’s markets.

Last year, the company’s sales grew by 600,000 to OMR10.6 million. The company said the increase in sales came mainly from the export markets, which increased the company profits, despite an increase in operational costs. The company’s net profits grew by 15 per cent to hit OMR1.053 million.

Meanwhile, Omani Packaging Co. managed to withstand the competition and maintain its competitive position in the local market. The company also managed to boost its export share, which resulted in a 10 per cent increase in sales.

The company added that it is now seeking to continue growing and maintaining its share in the market. It has thus revised its marketing policy from time to time to boost its share in different sectors. The company will gradually reduce its costs to reach better profit margins. Its net profits stood at OMR959,000 in 2015, up from OMR270,000 in 2014. — ONA

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Sebacic acid project coming up in Duqm With a capital expenditure of $62.7 million, an OmanIndia joint venture, is building the world’s biggest Sebacic acid project in Duqm.

Work on this stateof-the-art exportoriented project has already begun last month DUQM FREE ZONE: For the first phase of the Duqm project, the total castor seed requirement will be around 100,000 tonnes per annum. — Times file picture

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A joint venture (JV) between Omani investors and an Indian entrepreneur is building the world’s biggest plant for Sebacic acid in the Duqm free zone.

Work on the state-of-the-art export-oriented project with a capital expenditure of $62.7 million had already started last month.

Sebacic acid, which is used for making high performance engine oil and lubricants, adhesives, engine coolants, bio-degradable packaging, sub-sea pipe/cable coatings, aerospace polymers, anti-corrosion applications and bio-plastics, is manufactured from castor oil (vegetable oil).

“The project has the capacity to produce 30,000 tonnes of Sebacic acid per annum. We have already started construction and it will take one-and-a-half years to complete the project,” Pradeepkumar B Nair, chief executive officer

Sheikh Hilal bin Khalid Al Maawali. — Supplied picture

(CEO) of Sebacic Oman SAOC, told the Times of Oman.

“This is the first project to manufacture Sebacic acid in the entire Mena (Middle East and North Africa) region.”

Project promoters The project is being promoted by Sheikh Hilal bin Khalid Al Maawali (chairman); Nair (CEO) and Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali (director).

Nair noted that the entire pro-

duction will be exported to Europe, the US, China and Japan.

The company has already acquired 40 hectares of land and an adjacent coastline of 640 metres.

He further said that Sebacic acid is used for producing bio-degradable packaging for replacing cancer causing plastics. “Food packages for children in the United States and Europe are being produced with bio-degradable plastics.”

Demand for Sebacic acid is growing due to a ban on plastics in packaging food products for children in several developed countries and increasing aerospace applications. The Castor oil derivatives market is worth $15 billion per annum and major demand is coming from the United States, Europe and Japan.

Sebacic acid is manufactured from castor oil, which is already grown in Oman. However, the company plans to import castor oil from India. As much as 70 per cent of world’s castor oil is produced

in the Indian state of Gujarat. The castor plant grows on any soil and is found in Oman growing naturally. “We are discussing with the Ministry of Agriculture to promote contract farming in Oman. This will help Omani farmers,” noted Nair. The castor plant withstands dry seasons and heavy rains.

For the first phase of the Duqm project, the total castor seed requirement will be around 100,000 tonnes per annum. Nair said he has a similar plant in India’s Gujarat state and his company has been exporting Sebacic acid to several countries globally.

Elaborating on the advantages of building the plant in Duqm, Nair said the tax-free incentives of the Oman government in Duqm and good port connectivity are the advantages considered before locating the project there.

The proposed liquid jetty is also an advantage. “It is going to be the next trans-shipment hub for the entire Gulf region.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

MARKET Petrol production in Oman declines by 13% in January Oman’s petrol production was 6.07 million barrels in January this year, according to the latest data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information

MUSCAT: Oman’s petrol production fell by 12.9 per cent to 6.07 million barrels in January this year, compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information .

The Sultanate produced 389,700 barrels of regular (90) petrol in January, logging a significant 74.3 per cent rise over the output in the same month last year, which stood at 223,500 barrels. At the same time, super (95) petrol production plummeted 17.5 per cent to 1.46 million barrels from 1.77 million barrels in 2015.

Last year’s aggregate output by Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) of regular and super petrol stood at 2.02 million bbl and 23.34 million barrels respectively. Regular

petrol accounted for just 2 per cent of Orpic’s total petroleum products output, while super petrol had a share of 28 per cent.

Meanwhile, there was a marked increase of 11.3 per cent in the production of jet fuel (aviation fuel) in January, which surged to 436,400 barrels from 392,100 barrels in the same month last year.

Gas oil output too recorded a fall of 8.3 per cent to 1.62 million bbl compared to 1.77 million barrels last year.

Fuel oil Fuel oil fell 81.4 per cent to hit 29,000 barrels from 156,000 bbl last year; while LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) output fell 46 per cent to 152,300 barrels as against 282,300 barrels produced in January 2015.

OUTPUT PLUMMETS: The Sultanate produced 389,700 barrels of regular petrol in January as against

223,500 bbl in the same period last year. Super petrol production plummeted 17.5 per cent to 1.46 million bbl from 1.77 million bbl in 2015. – File photo

The long residual declined 13.2 per cent to 1.5 million barrels from 1.72 million barrels, while Propylene production recorded a steep fall of 90.1 per cent at 19,800

bbl as against 201,000 in 2015.

In contrast, the Sultanate’s improved its SR Naphtha output by 31.3 per cent to reach 419,600 barrels from 319,500 barrels in Jan-

uary 2015. Other products showed a fall in output of 73.1 per cent during the month to stand at 31,7 00 barrels, compared to 117,900 in the same period in 2015. — ONA

2016

Brazil relaxes fiscal goal as investor fears mount BRASILIA: Brazil’s government said on Friday it will cut its key fiscal target to a deficit from a surplus this year if tax revenue continues to fall, in a move that increased market doubts about leftist President Dilma Rousseff’s commitment to austerity.

Rousseff’s government, under pressure from investors and the business community to cut spending amid a deep recession, will be able to run a deficit of 1 per cent of gross domestic product before interest debt payments under the new target.

The government had targeted a primary surplus, or excess revenue prior to interest debt payments, of 0.5 per cent of GDP. The change came after it announced a 2016 budget cut of 23.4 billion reais ($5.82 billion), lower than the 70 billion reais seen last year. Congress must approve the new fiscal target.

To ease a market backlash, newly appointed Finance Minister Nelson Barbosa also unveiled plans to limit public spending growth by setting annual expenditure ceilings and automatic cuts in wages, new hires and tax benefits.

Brazil is running an overall deficit of over 10 per cent of GDP. - Reuters

STOCK MARKET

EROSION OF WEALTH: In a further blow, a stock index “circuit breaker” introduced in January to limit stock market losses was deactivated after four days of use because it was blamed for exacerbating a sharp selloff. – Bloomberg News

Market crash prompts China to replace stocks regulator SHANGHAI: China has removed the head of its securities regulator following a turbulent period in the country’s stock markets, appointing a top state banking executive as his replacement, as leaders move to restore confidence in the economy.

The announcement on the official Xinhua news agency on Saturday follows a string of assurances from senior leaders following the Lunar New Year holiday that China will underpin its slowing economy and steady its wobbly currency.

Xinhua said Xiao Gang, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) since 2013, had been succeeded

by Liu Shiyu, chairman of the Agricultural Bank of China (AgBank) and a former deputy governor of the central bank.

“Xiao’s departure is not a surprise following the recent stock disaster. This is a role vulnerable to public criticism because most Chinese retail investors are destined to lose money in such a market,” said Zhang Kaihua, a fund manager of Nanjing-based hedge fund Huyang Investment.

The CSRC or Agricultural Bank of China could not immediately reach for comment.

Xiao and the CSRC came under fire as China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets slumped as much as 40 per cent in just a few months last summer.

Circuit breaker In a further blow, a stock index “circuit breaker” introduced in January to limit stock market losses was deactivated after four days of use because it was blamed for exacerbating a sharp selloff.

Online media nicknamed Xiao “Mr Circuit Breaker”.

Reuters reported in January that Xiao, 57, had offered to resign following the “circuit-breaker” failure. The CSRC said at the time the information did not conform to the facts.

The gyrations in China’s stock markets, an unexpected devaluation of the yuan in August and sharp falls in currency reserves rattled global markets, raising concerns about the health of the economy and Beijing’s ability to steer the country through both a protracted slowdown in growth and a shift away from manufacturing towards services.

Economic growth slipped last year to 6.9 per cent, stellar

by Western standards, but the weakest pace for China in more

than two decades.

Ahead of two high-profile events for China — a meeting in Shanghai next week of G20 financial leaders and the annual gathering of China’s legislature in March — officials have announced various measures to support the economy, including funds for infrastructure projects and increased financial support to struggling industry.

China’s Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng said in an interview with state television on Friday that he was confident that the country’s trade conditions would stabilise and improve in 2016.

Uncertainty ahead Investors and analysts said the new chief Liu, 54, a trained economist, would bring in new policies and strategies, but it remained to be seen what direction he would take. “Liu has a lot of experience in the financial sector, but there will be some policy uncertainty in the short term as it will take at least six months for the former banker to get used to his new role,” fund manager Zhang said.

Liu spent most of his career at the People’s Bank of China, rising to deputy governor and holding that post from 2006. - Reuters

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

B3

MARKET Oman’s gross domestic product drops 14% in nine months of 2015 Oil sector GDP substantially declined by 38.5 per cent while the non-oil sector witnessed a modest growth of 4.7 per cent in the first nine months of 2015

MUSCAT: Oman’s gross domestic product (GDP) at market price fell by 14.2 per cent in the first nine months of 2015, compared to the same period of previous year, mainly on account of plunging crude oil prices in the global markets.

The oil sector GDP substantially declined by 38.5 per cent while the non-oil sector witnessed a modest growth of 4.7 per cent, mainly emanating from the services sector notably under transport and communication, hotels and restaurants and real estate services.

Industrial sectors, such as construction, electricity and water supply and mining and quarrying also registered growth.

The Sultanate’s fiscal balance also turned from surplus to deficit during the period, in the wake of the significant and persistent drop in crude oil prices. Inflation continued its downward trend with the average CPI for the Sultanate at a mere 0.06 per cent during 2015 over the previous year.

On the external front, the recent trend in merchandise trade indicates that the current account balance for the first three quarters in 2015 would undergo a major adjustment from surplus to deficit.

However, the growth of monetary aggregates in the Sultanate continued its rising pattern despite the decline in crude oil prices. Going forth, however the pace of growth in banking aggregates is expected to show some decline.

The total assets of conventional commercial banks increased by 13.6 per cent to OMR8.2 billion in December 2015 from OMR24.8

DEFICIT: The Sultanate’s fiscal balance also turned from surplus to deficit during the period, in the wake of the significant and persistent drop in crude oil prices. – Times file

billion a year ago. Of the total assets, credit disbursement accounted for 65 per cent and increased by 8.4 per cent as at the end of December 2015 to OMR18.3 billion.

Credit to the private sector increased by 10.2 per cent to reach OMR16.2 billion as at the end of December 2015. Of the total credit to the private sector as at end December 2015, the share of the nonfinancial corporate sector stood at 46.3 per cent, closely followed by the household sector (mainly under personal loans) at 45.4 per cent, financial corporations at 5.7 per cent and other sectors the remaining 2.6 per cent.

Banks’ investments Commercial banks’ overall investments in securities increased by 4.6 per cent to OMR3 billion as at the end of December 2015 from OMR2.9 billion a year ago.

Investment in Government Development Bonds increased by 47 per cent over the year to OMR829.2 million at the end of

December 2015. Banks also invested OMR464.2 million in Government Treasury Bills as at the end of December 2015.

Commercial banks’ investments in foreign securities stood at OMR920 million in December 2015, registering an increase of 29.8 per cent over the year. Aggregate deposits held with conventional banks registered an increase of 3.4 per cent to OMR7.9 billion in December 2015 from OMR17.3 billion a year ago.

Government deposits with conventional banks marginally declined by 3.4 per cent to OMR4.8 billion. Deposits of public enterprises increased by 8 per cent to OMR1 billion during the same period. Private sector deposits, which constituted 66.4 per cent of total deposits with conventional banks, increased by 6.1 per cent to OMR11.9 billion in December 2015 from OMR11.2 billion a year ago.

Sector-wise, the share of households was 50 per cent of the total private sector deposit base, fol-

lowed by nonfinancial corporations at 28.8 per cent, financial corporations at 18.5 per cent and other sectors at 2.7 per cent. Islamic banking entities provided financing to the extent of OMR1.78 billion as at the end of December 2015 when compared to OMR1 billion a year ago.

Total deposits held with Islamic banks and windows also registered a significant increase to OMR1.54 billion in December 2015 from OMR0.7 billion outstanding as at the end of December 2014. The total assets of Islamic banks and windows combined, amounted to OMR2.3 billion as at the end of December 2015 which constituted about 7.5 per cent of the banking system assets.

The combined balance sheet of conventional and Islamic banks (other depository corporations) taken together, provides a complete overview of the financial intermediation taking place in the banking system in the Sultanate.

The total outstanding credit

I N T E R N E T C O M PA N Y

Yahoo selling its core business CALIFORNIA: Yahoo officially launched the sale of its core business on Friday, a move seen as a positive step for frustrated investors but not enough to keep an activist hedge fund from pursuing a proxy fight against the struggling Internet company.

Yahoo shares jumped after the company announced its board has formed a committee of independent directors to explore strategic alternatives, and that it has hired investment banks and a law firm to run the process.

The launch of the auction process, a move activist hedge fund Starboard Value and other shareholders have pushed since late last year, showed the company was moving another step closer to selling its core business, which includes search, mail and news sites, rather than spin it off as previously planned.

The move follows more than three years of effort by CEO Marissa Mayer to turn around Yahoo by focusing on mobile apps and trying to boost advertising revenue..Yahoo had acknowl-

A STEP CLOSER: The launch of the auction process showed the

company was moving another step closer to selling its core business, which includes search, mail and news sites, rather than spin it off as previously planned. – Bloomberg News.

edged during its earnings last month that it was open to exploring options for its core business.

Despite the launch, Starboard’s founder Jeffrey Smith is not backing down, and will continue his pursuit of nominating a group of directors for the Yahoo board, people familiar with the matter said.

Smith stated in a letter to the board on Jan. 6 that if the board is unwilling to accept the need for significant change, “then an

SECOND TERM

IMF chief re-elected WASHINGTON: Christian Lagarde, who steered the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through some troubled times including the European financial crisis, has been re-appointed as its managing director for a second five-year term after an uncontested election.

The executive board of the IMF on Friday selected 60-yearold Lagarde to serve as IMF managing director for a second five-year term starting on July 5, 2016, IMF said in a statement.

The board’s decision was taken by consensus.

Lagarde said that G20 finance ministers and central bank governors should focus on global economic spillovers from their policy decisions when they meet in Shanghai next week.

“The G20 I think, is going to have to focus on spillovers, on spillbacks and on the combination of various policies in play at the moment,” Lagarde told reporters after her re-election on Friday. - Agencies

election contest may very well be needed so that shareholders can replace a majority of the Board with directors who will represent their best interests.”

Annual meeting Even though the board is showing that it’s now willing to accept that need, Smith is still going to nominate a slate of directors to ensure that the sales process is handled properly, people familiar with the

matter said.

The window for a shareholder to nominate a director or group of directors to the Yahoo board begins on February 25 and ends on March 26, with the annual meeting expected to be held in May, according to the company’s proxy statement. “It seems pretty clear that the only reason this is happening even is because of the threat of the proxy fight,” Pivotal Research analyst Brian Wieser said. Starboard, which owns about 0.75 per cent of Yahoo, declined to comment.

Yahoo’s attempt to sell its core business comes after shelving previous plans to spin off its stake in ecommerce giant Alibaba Group. “Separating our Alibaba stake from Yahoo’s operating business is essential to maximizing value for our shareholders,” Mayer said on Friday.

Yahoo’s committee of independent directors has engaged Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and PJT Partners as financial advisers, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore as legal adviser. - Reuters

extended by the other depository corporations stood at OMR20.1 billion as at the end of December 2015, a rise of 12 per cent over the level witnessed a year ago.

Total deposits also registered a significant growth of 8 per cent to OMR19.4 billion as at the end of December 2015.

Increase in currency As at the end of December 2015, narrow money stock (M1) when measured on year-on-year basis, grew by 11.7 per cent to OMR5.4 billion. This rise was a result of increase in currency with the public by 17.4 per cent coupled with increase in rial Omani designated demand deposits by 9.8 per cent.

Quasi-money (savings and time deposits in Omani rials, certificates of deposit issued by commercial banks, margin deposits and foreign currency denominated deposits) witnessed a growth of 9.1 per cent during the period.

Broad money supply M2 (that is M1 plus quasi-money) stood

at OMR15.1 billion at the end of December 2015, an increase from OMR13.8 billion a year ago, registering an increase of 10 per cent during the period.

In respect of domestic interest rate structure of conventional banks, both deposit and lending rates softened during this period.

The weighted average interest rate on Omani rials deposits declined from 0.986 per cent in December 2014 to 0.936 per cent in December 2015 while the weighted average in Omani rials lending rate decreased from 5.080 per cent to 4.762 per cent during the same period.

The overnight rial Omani domestic inter-bank lending rate firmed up to 0.189 per cent in December 2015 from 0.125 per cent a year ago. — ONA

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

B4

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

FEATURE

Modestly raising the minimum wage salary

Increasing state payroll taxes Provide paid leave and paid sick days

Create more jobs “Banning the box” that is used to screen out job applicants with criminal records

End poverty Creating stronger incentives for workers

Reform the criminal justice system

Subsidising wages for low income workers and the hard to employ

PUTTING AN END TO US POVERTY A working group convened by the (conservative) American Enterprise Institute and the (liberal) Brookings Institution has just produced an excellent report on poverty. Its recommendations don't take a weak-willed average. They combine the strongest parts of what Democrats and Republicans in Congress think on this issue.

T

he main casualty of Washington’s endless partisan squabbling is a pragmatic approach to policy — meaning one that prefers results to noise. Ideological warriors of left and right say centrism of this kind is mere cover for cynical deal-making, splitting the difference and substituting platitudes for principles. They’re wrong, and proof is at hand.

A working group convened by the (conservative) American Enterprise Institute and the (liberal) Brookings Institution has just produced an excellent report on poverty.

Its recommendations don’t take a weak-willed average. They combine the strongest parts of what Democrats and Republicans in Congress think on this issue.

Crucially, the group began by accepting three general truths that often derail debate before it begins: Able-bodied adults should work, two committed parents are better than one, and schools must

do more to prepare students for careers. In each of those areas, the group managed to reach consensus on policy.

To encourage work, the group endorses some traditionally liberal ideas: modestly raising the minimum wage, increasing state payroll taxes to fund paid medical and family leave, offering child-support debt forgiveness for fathers who work, “banning the box” that is used to screen out job applicants with criminal records, and subsidising wages for lowincome workers and the hard-toemploy. Traditional conservative ideas also won support: creating stronger incentives for workers not to claim disability benefits, tying housing benefits and food stamps to work, and expanding “workfare” programs for those unable to find jobs.

Incidentally, one of these recommendations — increasing the value of the earned income tax credit for single adults — has been backed by both President Barack

Obama and House Speaker Paul Ryan. That’s great. The question is why the entire program hasn’t been backed by both.

On education, the group’s approach was no less catholic: It called for increasing and improving pre-K and early learning opportunities, as liberals want, and expanding school choice and teacher evaluations, as conservatives want.

The group wants more focus on “social-emotional learning” — standards of behaviour that are essential to workplace success.

It calls for expanding career and technical-education opportunities by encouraging community colleges to offer more employmentoriented classes and businesses to offer more apprenticeships.

Even on policy toward the family, where disputes over values can get heated, the group was able to agree. It called for expanding programmes that offer counseling and birth control to young men and women, child-rearing guidance to low-income parents, and

employment opportunities and parenting support to fathers.

The group also backs a monumental endeavour: changing cultural norms around single parenthood, recognising that children raised in single-parent families are far more likely to end up in poverty and prison than those raised in a home with married parents.

Up to now, government efforts to promote marriage haven’t amounted to much, but the group notes correctly that campaigns to change public opinion on smoking and other health issues have worked. Given the stakes for children, it’s worth a try.

Taken in isolation, each of these policies is likely to arouse opposition from one party or the other.

Bundled together, they form a package that both sides can support. This new report, excellent in its own right, makes an even larger point. The most effective way to make policy is not from the left or the right, but from the radical centre.

— Bloomberg News

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

ROUND-UP

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B5

Audi Middle East helps ambitious Omani boy get closer to his dream Audi extended the challenge of lighting up a football pitch and surprised the 13-year-old Zakaria by building a new football field to practise his favourite game with his friends

MUSCAT: In the latest round of the ‘Audi Challenges Arabia’ campaign, a fan had challenged Audi Middle East to light up a football pitch with Audi’s Matrix LED headlight technology, a challenge Audi couldn’t refuse.

‘Audi Challenges Arabia’ With the help of 22 Audi Q7’s, Audi Middle East has helped an ambitious Omani boy towards reaching his dream. As a first and exclusive for the Middle East region, Audi

line’ challenge.

The second challenge was the ‘Audi Elevation challenge’, where an Audi RS 7 raced the elevator of the tallest building in the world - Burj Al Khalifa.

More than 4,000 challenges have been submitted since the start of the Audi Challenges Arabia campaign.

The third successful challenge to be made into reality came from an Audi fan, who submitted the request to light up

Middle East has launched a once in a lifetime opportunity. With their ‘Audi Challenges Arabia’ initiative they asked fans to nominate an Audi challenge that would become a reality for them, says a press release.

This is the third challenge to be delivered by Audi Middle East since initiating the ‘Audi Challenges Arabia’ campaign in the region.

The first challenge took place during August 2015 at the Dubai Autodrome with the ‘Audi R8 adrena-

a football pitch. Audi Middle East accepted the challenge, but also helped a 13-year-old Omani boy take a step forward towards his dream to become a professional football player.

Zakaria Daoud, who lives in a remote village, located in the mountains of Oman, with no proper paved roads, dreams of becoming a professional football player, yet the village lacks any facilities such as a football pitch where he can develop his talent and play regularly with his friends.

Audi Middle East extended the challenge of lighting up a football pitch and surprised the child by building a new football field for Zakaria to practise his favourite game with his friends. Neighbouring villages will also benefit from the new pitch.

With the help of 22 new Audi Q7’s, the pitch was built in the mountainous area of Al Rustaq governorate, which is located 1,500 metres above sea level and can only be reached by a 40 kilometre rocky offroad route.

The second part of the challenge was completed with the help of Audi Q7’s Matrix LED technology, which completely illuminated the football pitch and surprised the village children with their new pitch.

OU T G O I N G B AT C H

COMAIR CODE-SHARE AGREEMENT

Qatar Airways expands operations in Africa DOHA: Qatar Airways announced a new code-share agreement with Comair, a franchise of British Airways, that will add three new African destinations to the Qatar Airways route map, and provide additional flight options to travellers in Cape Town and Durban.

Comair, which this year celebrates its 70th year of operations, is based in South Africa and is an affiliate member of the one world alliance through its Licence Agreement with British Airways, says a press release.

Effective February 23, Qatar Airways will place its code on flights that have British Airways livery, operated by its franchise Comair,

from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, Harare, Victoria Falls, and Port Elizabeth. Qatar Airways will also place its code on flights operated by Comair from Cape Town to Durban and Port Elizabeth.

Comair has hub operations in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, South Africa, easily connecting on to Qatar Airways-operated flights to Doha and beyond to more than 150 destinations.

Akbar Al Baker, group chief executive of Qatar Airways said: “Africa is on the move, and travellers deserve better itineraries for their travel needs. Expanding our network with Comair was a natural progression of our investment

in Africa and our desire to make it easier to visit this exciting part of the world, and for the families, businesses and organisations based here to connect globally.

With this agreement, more than 150 destinations in the Qatar Airways network now connect easily to these business, adventure travel and cultural capitals.”

Erik Venter, Comair’s chief executive officer, said: “We are delighted to be adding Qatar Airways to our growing list of strategic airline partnerships and we are excited about exploring additional opportunities to expand the relationship. This, in addition to our acquisition of a new Boeing

737-800, is testament to our confidence in the regional leisure and business tourism sector.

“We look forward to welcoming Qatar Airways’ customers on board our flights.”

This partnership complements the recent expansion of Qatar Airways operations into South Africa. In December, Qatar Airways started four-times-weekly service to Durban and increased service from 10 weekly flights to Johannesburg to 14. Qatar Airways offers non-stop flights to Doha, where travellers connect easily and comfortably to destinations across six continents from the airline’s hub at Hamad International Airport.

SUPPORT

Napco to sponsor Oman’s top runner Sami Al Saidi

Napco has decided to sponsor Sami Al Saidi for the year 2016 and cover all financial expenses related to his participation in marathons MUSCAT: In line with its corporate social responsibility (CSR), National Aluminium Products Company (Napco), one of the leading extruders of aluminium profiles in the GCC, has announced its sponsorship for Sami Al Saidi, a top Omani runner and the winner of the fifth edition of the Muscat Marathon.

The company will extend financial support to Al Saidi which

includes entry fees to events, accommodation, food and running kit. The sponsorship agreement is until December 2016, says a press release.

Sami Al Saidi is Oman’s prominent runner who has finished many notable races in the last few years. Recently, he was declared the overall winner and the winner of the men’s event at the Muscat Marathon, where he finished the

full marathon in 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 20 seconds.

“Napco has decided to sponsor Sami Al Saidi for the year 2016 and cover all financial expenses related to his participation in marathons.

He is an incredible sportsman with tremendous strength, stamina and will power – all of which reflect our company’s own brand value.

Our sponsorship reinforces our commitment to motivate and nur-

Robert Holtkamp CEO, Napco

ture local talents to showcase their skills and capabilities in sporting events. It is a matter of great pride for Napco and we wish Sami continued success,” said Robert Holtkamp, CEO, Napco.

IS Darsait organises graduation ceremony MUSCAT: Indian School Darsait (ISD) organised graduation ceremony for their outgoing batch of Class XII students recently.

The programme began with a ceremonial procession. The students along with teachers and the dignitaries including chief guest, guest of honour and principal entered the auditorium marching to their assigned seats. The students in their graduation gowns added a colourful ambience to the function.

Alexander Gee Varghese, vice principal (Senior Section), accorded a cordial welcome to one and all and expressed his elation over the presence of the chief guest, Dr Amsa Parambil, vice president and head of the Academic Subcommittee of SMC, the guest of honour, Biju Samuel, convener SMC, principal, members of SMC, staff, parents and students, says a press release.

Class teachers, Premela Issac (XII A), Susan Anil (XII B), Ekta Gautam (XII C) and Vincent Mathew (XII D) introduced their classes to the audience and read out a brief profile of each and every student. Representing the classes Ambika Jayasankar (XII A), Divya Elizabeth Mammen (XII B), Joel John (XII C) Aiswarya P. (XII D) shared their nostalgic reminiscences of their days spent at ISD. They took this opportunity as a matter of honour and privilege to express their heartfelt gratitude to the SMC, principal, administrators and their beloved teachers for their constant support provided to their educational endeavour at school. They also reiterated to

practice the values and principles that they had imbibed over the years. Joshua Albert, head boy and Priya Kumari, head girl expressed their sincere gratitude to the school and teachers in their emotional speeches.

Amsa, in his valedictory address, spoke about the preparedness that students should have to face the new challenges of the world. He also urged the students to develop the right attitude to search for the invisible in the form of knowledge, skills and values by going beyond the external appearances. Amsa emphasised, “Attitudes and thoughts guide us in this world. Challenges could be obstacles or stepping stones and it depends on our attitude how we perceive it. Success and achievements are like the visible tip of an iceberg and the invisible hidden part of the iceberg is hard work, pain, failures and persistence.”

He exhorted them to take up the pain of persistent hard work and discipline in order to elude the enduring pain of regret and disappointment in the long run.

He concluded his speech by commending the teachers for the excellent work they had been doing in providing knowledge, skill, values, attitudes and good thoughts to the children of ISD. The students were conferred with certificates of course completion and mementos and awards of special recognition for their outstanding performance

by Amsa. Besides, students were honoured with certificates for cent percent attendance by Biju.

B6

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

ROUND-UP Infiniti range now comes with attractive benefits InďŹ nitiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ rst of its kind promotion for this year includes high-end services and packages

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TEAM BUILDING

I N D I A N S C H O O L M U S C AT

International conference on inclusive education to be held on February 23 MUSCAT:Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; (., Ĺ&#x2014; ),Ĺ&#x2014; * # &Ĺ&#x2014; / .#)(Ĺ&#x2014; ÄĄ Ĺ&#x2014; ĢÄ&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; a multidisciplinary setup that caters to multiple disabilities and actively involves in inclusive education, is located in Indian School Muscat (ISM), functioning under the aegis of the Board of Directors. Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; &.Ĺ&#x2014; ." Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; .)Ĺ&#x2014; create a platform to debate, discuss and deliberate on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;inclusive educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Therefore a one day international conference is being organised on February ßýĹ&#x2014; 3Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; .Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014;- 3-Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; press release.

The presenters, both national and international, would be those who have made positive contributions to inclusive education in their countries. The sessions are in the forms of lectures, presentations, and exhibition focusing on special education, intervention methods, various therapeutic methods, innovative strategies, best practices followed in schools and community which will be delivered in English.

The conference will cover the )&&)1#(!Ĺ&#x2014;-* #Ă° Ĺ&#x2014;.)*# -Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; " Ĺ&#x2014; #'*),. ( Ĺ&#x2014; ) Ĺ&#x2014; #( &/-#0 Ĺ&#x2014; education Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; , (#(!Ä&#x17E;# (.#Ă° .#)(Ä&#x17E;Ĺ&#x2014; early intervention Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; (.# 3#(!Ĺ&#x2014; - (-),3Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; havioural issues in classroom Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ,(#(!Ĺ&#x2014; #Ăś /&.# -Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; "#(!Ĺ&#x2014; -., . !# -Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; classroom modiďŹ cations (IEP peer buddy / shadow ) Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; '*& ' (. .#)(Ĺ&#x2014;) Ĺ&#x2014;#( &/-#)(Ĺ&#x2014; in a school in India and Oman - strategies, role of top management, teachers, special educators, counsellors Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; #, .#0 -Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; )'') tions for children with special needs Inclusive education simply means making education accessible to persons with disabilities.

It is about embracing the idea that diversity is the reality and therefore each child is a unique

learner. This process must incorporate fundamental change in the way a school community supports and addresses the individual needs of each child. As such, inclusive education is an effort to make sure all learners including children with disabilities access school along with other children and receive â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;specially designed support and instructionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which they need to succeed as learners and to achieve the required competence and skills.

Inclusive education can be beneďŹ cial to all students in a class, not just students with special needs. Research has shown positive effects for children with disabilities in areas such as reaching individualised education programme goal, improving communication and social skills, increasing positive peer interactions, many educational outcomes, and post school adjustments. Positive effects on children without disabilities include the development of positive attitudes and perceptions of persons with disabilities and the enhancement of social status with non-disabled peers.

According to the Unesco, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inclusive schools must recognise and respond to the diverse needs of their students, accommodating both different styles and rates of learning and ensuring quality education to all through appropriate curricula, organisational arrangements, teaching strategies, resource use and partnerships with their communities.

There should be a continuum of support and services to match the continuum of special needs encountered in every schoolâ&#x20AC;?.

The journey to becoming an inclusive school may be long and challenging at times, but ultimately this journey can strengthen a school community and beneďŹ t all children.

RECOGNITION

Anode Plant emerges winner Pak envoy awards noted local poets of SAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ďŹ rst football tourney Times News Service

MUSCAT: Sohar Aluminiumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (SA) ďŹ rst football tournament concluded recently, after two months and 34 exciting matches.

Anode Plant claimed the title after a competitive ďŹ nal match that ended with a score of 1-0 against Human Resources Development department. This match followed a third and fourth place match between Reduction 1 and Reduction 2 teams. Reduction 2 won the match with a 2-0 score. Said &Ĺ&#x2014; -)/ #Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; ,)1( Ĺ&#x2014; the winners at the end of the ďŹ nal

match, says a press release.

The tournament that witnessed a high level of team spirit and camaraderie by the players saw 12 teams participating and were divided into two groups. Sohar Aluminiumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive committee kicked off the tournament in December 2015 in a special match with members of the management team.

The tournament that was open for SAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employees and contractors aimed at engaging the employees and contractors in team-building activities as well as motivating

them to participate in sports and health oriented events. It also helped in promoting the adoption of healthy and active lifestyle among the participants. The tournament saw a good attendance by employees who came to cheer their colleagues.

Sohar Aluminium ďŹ rmly believes that people are its number one priority and thus has a number of events and initiatives planned throughout the year focusing on its employees, their families and the wider community.

MUSCAT: Prominent local Urdu poets and writers Murawwat Ahmed and Qamar Riaz were awarded appreciation letters by the Embassy of Pakistan for their efforts to promote Pakistani art, literature and culture in Oman. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your sincere efforts in promoting Pakistani art and culture are wholeheartedly appreciated and recognised. During my tenure of posting, you organised more than 12 such literary events where internationally recognised poets, writers and scholars visited Oman and shared their views and thoughts,â&#x20AC;? wrote Syed Ayaz Hussain, Pakistan Ambassador to Oman, who left the country last week after completing his tenure here spanning over two years from 2014 to 2016, in the certiďŹ cate given to the two poets in his )Ăś Ĺ&#x2014;& -.Ĺ&#x2014;1 %Ä&#x201E; Both Murawwat and Qamar played a leading role in organising a record number of events in a short span of time from the platforms of Alpha Events Oman ( Ĺ&#x2014; %#-. (Ĺ&#x2014; ) # &Ĺ&#x2014; &/ Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014; #.erary Wing, which was headed

by Murawwat while Qamar was its general secretary. The poets thanked the ambassador for the recognition. They also thanked Ĺ&#x2014; " #,' (Ĺ&#x2014; # (Ĺ&#x2014; )" '' Ĺ&#x2014; Munir and his team and Fahad Awais Munir, MD, Alpha Events, for their support.

Murawwat, project manager at Alpha Events Oman, and Qamar,

an engineer by profession work#(!Ĺ&#x2014;1#."Ĺ&#x2014; ./, &Ĺ&#x2014; .)( -Ĺ&#x2014; )Ä&#x201E;Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;, puted Omani company, are widely acknowledged for their poetry in local literary circle. Qamar Riaz is frequently invited to international Mushairahs in other countries too, representing Oman at big literary events held recently in UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Pakistan. He also had the honour of participat-

ing in a Mushairah hosted recently by Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain at President House in Islamabad. Qamar was widely appreciated for initiating â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Muscat Urdu Adab Awardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the International Mushairah held here #(Ĺ&#x2014; (/ ,3Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; ! ( ,3Ĺ&#x2014; %#-. (#Ĺ&#x2014; poet Anwar Masood was the ďŹ rst recipient of this award which is likely to be an annual feature now.

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Lulu Group opens sixth hypermarket in Kuwait As always Lulu provides the widest range of quality and value-for-money products all under one roof

KUWAIT: Middle East retail major Lulu Group has further expanded its presence in the State of Kuwait by opening its latest hypermarket in Egaila in the Ahmadi Governorate.

The new hypermarket, which is also 6th in Kuwait was officially inaugurated by Dr Abdullah S. Al Owaisi, undersecretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the presence of Sheikh Malek Al Hamoud Al Malek Al Sahab and Sunil Jain, Indian ambassador to Kuwait, and several high-ranking

officials from various government departments and representatives from local business communities, says a press release.

Located at Sama Mall in South Kuwait, the new 150,000-sq-ft Lulu hypermarket will serve the residents of Egaila and its surrounding areas with a one-stop shopping destination for the growing city dwellers, which include nationals and expatriate community. As always Lulu

hypermarket provides the widest range of quality and valuefor-money products all under one roof.

The product mix in Lulu Egaila will also include a wide selection of premium UK and US goods, including special products airflown for freshness. The outlet has also introduced inaugural offers and deals for a range of products at attractive prices.

Speaking after the inaugura-

tion, Yusuff Ali M. A., chairman of Lulu, said “Kuwait has always been a preferred destination for us because of its stable political environment and promising market. We thank His Highness the Emir Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and the people of this country for encouraging us in all our expansion strategies and efforts in Kuwait.”

The group has also plans to open four new hypermarkets in various regions of the country in the next two years in a phased manner.

Regardless of the challenges arising from the volatile oil prices, Yussuf Ali expressed optimism on the economic outlook of the country. “We’re very optimistic based on the circumstances in general.

The impact of fluctuating oil prices is not going to distract us from the long-term goals of our business in Kuwait.”

Other important attendees at the inauguration were: Saifee Rupawala, Lulu Group CEO, Ashraf Ali M. A. executive director, Mohamed Haris, Kuwait regional director, and other top officials.

PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES

Dubai Police honours Malabar Gold DUBAI: Dubai Police honoured Malabar Gold & Diamonds in recognition of its active and outstanding participation in various CSR activities in the region.

Shamlal Ahamed M. P., managing director - International Operations, received the memento from Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Supreme Committee for the protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in the presence of Expert Major-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina – Commander in Chief of Dubai Police and other dignitaries, says a press release.

While handing over the memento, Mansour Al Maktoum expressed his appreciation for the group’s involvement in philanthropic activities.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds was honoured during the openMYHASSAD

ahlibank picks daily winners MUSCAT: ahlibank announced the names of the MyHassad daily prize draw winners.

Issam El Mallah from Al Khuwair branch, Abdullah Nasser Saif Al Harthi from Aveneus branch, Nasser Hamood Nasser Al Rushaidi from Barka branch, Omer Fahad Loubani from Salalah branch, Mohamed Al Sayyid & Nadiya Zaki from Al Khuwair branch, were the lucky winners of OMR1,000 each for the week, says a press release.

MyHassad savings account continues to successfully satisfy the existing customers and attract new ones.

MyHassad Saving Scheme was introduced in July 2008 as an extension of the bank’s tradition of product innovation. Opening MyHassad Saving account is simple and easy.

Customers need only to open their MyHassad account with OMR100 for their chance to win OMR1,000 in the next working day’s draw hence their chance to “open today and win tomorrow” continues.

ing ceremony of the forum ‘Best Practices and Innovations in the protection of people with disabilities’ which was conducted in collaboration with Rashid Centre for the Disabled, which kicked off under the patronage of Mansour Al Maktoum.

The forum was aimed to take advantage of best practices and innovations in the field of pro-

tection of persons with disabilities and for the development of government services provided to them. The forum was held on the sidelines of an exhibition in which companies offer latest innovations, practices and experiences specialised in the development of technologies for disabilities.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the largest jewellery retail-

B7

ers sets a wonderful example for corporate philanthropy through various charity programs in India, Middle East and Far East.

The group, which currently has over 145 showrooms undertakes several welfare activities in the areas of their operations by associating with like-minded organisations and associations to carry out various welfare activities in the respective region.

CSR activities are a fundamental part of Malabar Group’s culture and the charity projects of Malabar Gold & Diamonds have touched the lives of thousands of people across the world.

The group supports many philanthropic activities and is always ready to take initiatives to help the deprived section in the society. The organisation ensures that a percentage of its net profit is used for CSR activities every year.

B LU E B E R RY P O M E G R A NAT E M I N U T E M A I D

McDonald’s adds new juice to drinks’ menu MUSCAT: McDonald’s Oman, Al Daud Restaurants, introduced the blueberry pomegranate Minute Maid juice to its drinks menu.

Simply made from high quality blueberries and pomegranates, the limited time juice is available now in all stores until stock lasts, says a press release.

Ali K. Daud, development licensee and president of McDonald’s Oman, commented: “The new blueberry pomegranate juice brings a refreshing new flavour to our juice offerings at McDonald’s Oman. Rich in antioxidants, and made of the highest quality of fruits, the juice offers a great taste to start the day off and can be enjoyed either on its own or with any item on our breakfast menu. Cus-

tomers can also enjoy it throughout the day and if they would want to, can ask our crew to substitute their value meal orders drink with the blueberry pomegranate juice.”

ACHIEVEMENT

ISG alumnus wins prestigious Hans Messer Award 2015 MUSCAT: Royce Lanson Pinto, an Indian School Ghubra (ISG) alumnus and a graduate of the master’s programme High Integrity Systems, from the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences was awarded the prestigious Hans Messer Award 2015 for his Master Thesis on ‘Secure Instant Messaging’ by the Frankfurt Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) recently.

This prestigious award was conferred on him in recognition of his outstanding thesis and coursework, says a press release.

Royce Pinto who holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and Computer Science from the Atria Institute of Technology, Bangalore (2010), is currently residing at Mannheim, Germany working for SAP SE. The prize is awarded in honour of longtime IHK - president and president Dr Hans Messer.

Pinto developed a new encryption option for short message

services (instant messaging [IM] applications) and tested this on a new short message service of the SAP. The technology developed by Pinto software which tested with the IM service – SAP Wire, offers an uncomplicated user access with maximum security of communications.

This indeed is a great achievement for Royce Pinto who has brought honour and pride to his Alma Mater by making a mark on the global platform. He definitely has much more to achieve in the years to come with his exceptional brilliance and unparalleled success.

B8

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

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Bank Muscat honours employees for achieving business growth objectives The management team led by AbdulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive, felicitated the employees at the Nojoom award ceremony held at the bank’s head office

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, honoured employees of the retail banking department for achieving business

growth objectives in 2015.

The management team led by AbdulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive, felicitated the employees at the Nojoom award ceremony held at the bank’s head office, says a press release.

Issa said: “Bank Muscat is proud to celebrate the valuable contributions of its employees who contributed to providing an

unrivalled experience to retail customers in 2015 with the right mix of traditional and electronic channels. Against the backdrop of the challenging economic situation, the business growth reflects the sincere and focused efforts by employees across the network of branches in Oman. We congratulate all Najoom award winners for achieving outstanding results and

REMARKABLE

serving as role-models, which is critical to sustain the bank’s operations and market leadership.”

Bank Muscat offers complete range of retail banking products and services and enjoys over 35 per cent market leadership in credit and deposits. The bank has a high level of commitment towards its people and encourages them to take ownership and re-

sponsibility and contribute to the growth of the organisation.

Over the years, Bank Muscat has adopted innovative strategies to motivate employees to achieve optimum performance in tandem with market challenges. The bank has adopted various strategies to groom Omani employees and enhance their level of knowledge and skills on the different business

functions of the bank. As a result, Bank Muscat has the most talented banking staff in the country with a vast knowledge in functional and leadership competencies.

Bank Muscat believes investment in youth will yield sustainable benefits to the financial sector in Oman. For people looking for a fulfilling career, Bank Muscat is the employer of choice.

D I S T R I B U T I O N PA R T N E R S

FRiENDi partners with SALE

Al Kamil Power celebrates milestone achievement in health and safety MUSCAT: Al Kamil Power Company, part of global energy leader ENGIE, the owner of the independent power plant at Al Kamil in the Al Sharqiyah region of Oman, recently celebrated a milestone achievement in the company’s long and successful journey.

The team completed 4,500 days without Lost Time Incidents, which translates to approximately 12.3 years of safe and highly productive work, right from the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of the plant, says a press release.

The milestone was celebrated with an event that brought together all stakeholders who have contributed positively to the success, and was well attended by their representatives including Qais Al Zakwani, CEO – Authority for Electricity Regulation, Oman (AER); Yaqoub Al Kiyumi, COO and Abdullah Al Sawafi, Project manager – Oman Power & Water Procurement Co (OPWP); Jurgen Devyt, deputy chairman – Al Kamil Power Co. (AKPC), and Mike Maudsley, chairman of Al Kamil Construction & Services (AKCS), the O&M company that is responsible for the plant’s operation and maintenance and Umesh Shee, the plant manager.

Speaking on the remarkable success of the plant and the achievement, Yaqoub Harbi Salim Al Harthi, CEO – Al Kamil Power said, “This is a moment of pride for all the employees and stakeholders of Al Kamil Power and AKCS. There are very few power plants around the world that could achieve a similar milestone, and Al Kamil Power and AKCS have set a new benchmark in the industry in Oman with this significant achievement. This is a demonstration of the commitment of all the

stakeholders toward health and safety and comes as recognition for all the hard work that was done during the early years of the plant’s commercial operation.”

Congratulating the management and staff of AKPC and AKCS on the achievement, Jurgen Devyt, deputy chairman, AKPC said: “Al Kamil Power has established industry leadership with this remarkable achievement. Being part of global energy leader ENGIE, the company follows very high standards when it comes to health and safety at the power plant and in every aspect of its operations.

Performing without LTI from the COD is not just an achievement for the company, but for all stakeholders involved with Al Kamil Power, and the company’s founding investors ENGIE. We thank them for their support.”

Mission statement Elaborating further on the commitment of the company and the future, Yaqoub added, “The occasion gave us the opportunity to re-pledge our commitment towards Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) and to make Al Kamil a rewarding place to work.

To meet and exceed the world’s best practices in HSE is part of our mission statement, and we are fully committed to continue our efforts in this direction. We will continuously strive to improve HSE awareness among our people, contractors and business partners and empower them with the right tools to keep the record up and celebrate many such milestones in the future.”

Commenting on the accomplishment, Qais Al-Zakwani, CEO – Authority for Electricity Regulation, Oman (AER) said, “12 years

without any accidents is a great achievement and congratulations to the teams at Al Kamil Power.

This achievement together with a similar feat that I have recently witnessed in Manah reinforce our belief that achieving this milestone or even greater ones is possible when the right efforts and commitment are applied. I would like to address all stakeholders at Al Kamil, Al Manah at AER, OPWP and the entire sector as ‘colleagues’, as it is one team and all of us should work towards the shared goal of a good, safe working environment.”

Speaking on behalf of the OPWP, Yaqoub Al Kiyumi said, “This is a remarkable achievement and illustrates the efforts and the determination of everybody in the company on ensuring that a zero harm work environment is created and practised. A right mindset is the essential barrier on preventing incidents. The belief that tasks can and should be executed without causing harm to anyone is the starting point on the safety journey, of course without falling into the trap of complacency. I wish the company, its workers and its contractors a continuous safe journey and I look forward to witness an even bigger achievement. “ “One of the factors that led to this great achievement is the team work and exchange of ideas, experiences, best practices and synergies among the ENGIE plants in the region and worldwide. Many congratulations to the plant team, maintaining the robust procedures and systems. I am confident that the plant will continue the greater record in health and safety, Mike Maudsley, chairman of Al Kamil Construction & Services (AKCS) the O&M noted.

MUSCAT: Ever since its launch in 2009, FRiENDi mobile, Oman’s 3rd biggest mobile service provider, has been continuously working towards keeping customers happy with great products and services.

The company’s partnership with its major recharge distributor, SALE International, since 2010 has not only ensured excellent distribution of the product but also easy access of recharge for FRiENDi mobile customers living even in the remotest parts of the Sultanate, says a press release.

SALE International is a telecom distributor focusing on electronic recharge vouchers.

With branches in every major city of the Sultanate, the company covers majority of Oman’s population with FRiENDi recharge servicing merchants efficiently and effectively. FRiENDi mobile customers can recharge their prepaid lines in around 7,000 outlets in Oman out of which more than 2,500 outlets sell electronic recharge vouchers serviced by SALE International.

With the advent of electronic recharge vouchers, FRiENDi mo-

bile customers have benefited by avoiding the hassle of scratching the physical recharge cards. Additionally, the merchants minimise the risk of running out of stock of physical cards since electronic recharge can be replenished remotely. Hypermarkets such as Carrefour and Lulu have adopted the concept of electronic recharge vouchers in order to ensure that customers can consistently find recharge available on one hand, and to ensure better stock monitoring, reporting and control on the other.

“At FRiENDi mobile, we appreciate the kind of service that

SALE International has extended to us. We have indeed benefited from their expertise and will continue to nurture this business relationship we share with them to reach out to more customers,” said Alex Bennett, CEO, FRiENDi mobile.

According to Mohamad El Ansari, general manager, SALE International Oman, “As pioneers in telecom distribution and digitisation, we are happy to be associated with FRiENDi mobile whose customer-centric approach has made them a wellestablished brand among expats and locals in Oman.

PROMOTION

Chance for Nissan Sentra customers to watch 2016 ICC Cricket World T20 live MUSCAT: As preparations for ‘World Twenty20’ is in full swing and the countdown to a much awaited tournament begins, Nissan, the official global partner for ‘World Twenty20 2016’ recently announced an interesting lineup of initiatives for cricket fans across the country to celebrate the thrill and action of cricket.

As part of the celebration campaign; Nissan will embark on an exciting consumer engagement initiative till March 15, 2016.

As a dynamic automotive brand, Nissan is known to associate globally with diverse sport activities. Here in Oman, Nissan’s ongoing campaign showcases exclusive benefits on the 2016 Sentra along with an exciting raffle draw. Nine lucky winners will get a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to watch the World Twenty20 semi-finals or final, says a press release.

Speaking on the campaign, a senior SBA spokesperson, said: “We are extremely proud to be the official global partners of this year’s ‘Cricket World Twenty20 2016’. At Nissan we understand the passion of the Asian audience for cricket and want to keep the excitement around the Nissan brand alive by engaging with our customers at every point. In our ongoing campaign, all that customers have to do is purchase the 2016 Sentra. Not only will they receive unlimited benefits but also chances to watch a Twenty20 semi-final or final match live in India. It doesn’t stop there; each winner gets to take along a friend who will also receive an all-expense paid trip from our end.”

“Nissan has always taken the lead in celebrating new and

emerging customer engagement platforms; from cricket to movies to music, the brand has successfully created memorable campaigns and experiences for customers across the region,” he added.

Offer highlights The first five lucky winners of the raffle draw scheduled to be held on March 20 will win match tickets, travel vouchers for two to watch the World Twenty20 finals. Alternatively the next four winners selected from the draw will also win match tickets, travel vouchers for two to watch one of the World Twenty20 semi-finals held in India. Each winner gets a chance to take along a friend who too will receive match tickets and travel vouchers.

The travel vouchers can be used for booking the economy return flight tickets, one night hotel stay, visa, food and logistics expenses only and can be used

for the trip to watch their respective Twenty20 match. The travel vouchers can be redeemed at BCD Travel office only.

Bigger cashback Customers can now enjoy cashback of OMR1,000 with the Nissan Sentra. Nissan also assures Sentra customers free registration, six years’ unlimited mileage extended warranty, easy financing options, a loan term up to eight years with attractive interest rates and periodic maintenance service only up to two years/20,000km whichever is earlier (offer includes only on the new service intervals of 10,000km). The offer is applicable on private registrations or personal vehicles only.

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

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Boasson Hagen bags fifth stage top honours at Tour of Oman The Norwegian managed to remain in the group of favourites that only just caught the breakaway riders with two kilometres to go, and powered to the line, claiming his second stage success of this 2016 edition SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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MUSCAT: After losing his overall leader’s Red Jersey to Vincenzo Nibali during Friday’s stage to Jabal Al Akhdhar, Edvald Boasson Hagen hit back in style.

On Day 5 of the Tour of Oman, the Norwegian managed to remain in the group of favourites that only just caught the breakaway riders with two kilometres to go, and powered to the line, claiming his second stage success of this 2016 edition.

Already victorious of stage 2 at Quriyat, Boasson Hagen this time beat Greg Van Avermaet and Marco Canola to the line in front of the Ministry of Tourism. Well established in the front group, Nibali keeps the overall lead and still has a 15 second advantage over Bardet with one day to go.

What better place than Yiti, just by the sea for the start of stage 5 of the Tour of Oman. The conditions were indeed magnificent and the landscape stunning for the start of the race, especially after Friday’s demanding stage to Jabal Al Akhdhar. But after enjoying the splen-

SECOND SUCCESS: Norwegian rider Edvald Boasson Hagen celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 5th stage of the 2016 Tour of Oman between Yiti and Muscat on Saturday. – JUN ESTRADA/Times of Oman

did scenery, the pack of 138 riders would have to take on a short (119.5kms) but extremely tough course all the way to the Ministry of Tourism.

Indeed after taking off at 12.34 a.m., the first few kilometres would be viciously hard. On the roller-coaster ride just after km 0, Jacques Janse Van Rensburg (DDD) managed to take off early.

The South African was then caught by two other men at km 14: Hugo Houle (ALM) and Pieter Weening (ROP). And the gap increased dramatically over a pack led by team Astana of new race leader, Vincenzo Nibali.

At the first intermediate sprint of the day (km 29), won by Janse Van Rensburg ahead of Houle and Weening, the gap was of 5’10’’. It then reached 5’50’’ at the top of the first climb of the day (Al Jissah, km 33) where Janse Van Rensburg was again first, and even a maximum of 6’15’’ at the top of the second climb (km 40) again won by the virtual leader of the event, Janse Van Rensburg (5’19’’ adrift in the morning’s GC).

But from then on teams Astana and Lampre-Merida started chasing. At the top of the first of three climbs up Bousher Al Amerat (km 76.5), Janse again captured the

most points while the pack moved closer at 4’18.

The penultimate climb of the day would be a tough one for Houle dropped by his breakaway companions. Despite several attacks from Janse Van Rensburg, Weening managed to stay put and both men reached the top of the fourth climb (km 91) with a 2’ lead over Houle and 3’38’’ over the pack. While Houle was caught, that advantage dropped down to 1’13 at the second bonus sprint (fifth climb, km 106) again claimed by Janse.

Meanwhile, just over twenty men remained in the red jersey group including all the race favourites.

With 13 kms to go, it was still looking good for the front two. Struggling against the wind, the leaders did however see the leaders move closer. With 10 kms to go, their lead had dropped to a worrying 38”.

Despite collaborating perfectly, there wasn’t much the front riders could do against the chasing pack. With just over 2 kms to go, they were eventually caught. A group of around 30 men remained together all the way to the final straight. Well led out by his three Dimension Data team mates, Edvald Boasson Hagen powered to the line, claiming his second stage success of this edition, his third in

Oman. The Norwegian beats Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) and Marco Canola (UHC) to the line.

Comfortably settled in the front group, Vincenzo Nibali (AST), 12th of the day, keeps command of the GC and will wear the red jersey for the final stage on Sunday from The Wave, Muscat to the Muttrah Corniche. Thanks to his second stage success, Boasson Hagen leads the points classification while Brendan Canty (DPC) remains the best young rider. Capturing a total of 21 points today at both sprints and mountain climbs, Jacques Janse Van Rensburg captures the Most Aggressive rider’s jersey.

ASIA CUP CRICKET

Dawlat dashes Oman’s hopes of second successive victory MUSCAT: Fine batting performances of opening batsman Zeeshan Maqsood and Adnan Ilyas and excellent bowling shows by Bilal Khan and Munis Ansari went in vain as Oman suffered defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in the ongoing Asia Cup qualifiers in Bangladesh on Saturday.

According to information received here, Oman after setting up a challenging total of 165 for four in 20 overs had the Afghans on the ropes but the experienced Dawlat Zadran blew away the Sultanate squad’s hopes of second successive victory with two mighty sixes off the final over bowled by left-arm spinner Ajay Lalcheta. Thanks to Dawlat’s daring onslaught, Afghanistan achieved their target with three balls to spare scoring 168 for seven in 19.3 overs.

The Afghans are now back in contention for the lone berth available in the Asia Cup and to join the elite teams of the continent hosts Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Afghanistan and Oman as well as the United Arab Emirates, who upset the Afghans on Friday, are now two points each though the latter had played a match less.

The UAE are scheduled to play their second match against Hong Kong on Sunday. The qualifying stage concludes on Monday when Afghanistan play Hong Kong and Oman take on the UAE. Oman, who opened their qualifying campaign with a thrilling victory over Hong Kong on Friday, won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat first against Afghanistan.

The Sultanate squad, who are coached by Sri Lankan great Duleep Mendis, were given a good

SCOREBOARD

Zeeshan Masood

Adnan Ilyas

Bilal Khan

Mehran Khan

Special website to wish Oman team good luck

Shiv Gupta

start by hard-hitting Zeeshan Maqsood (52) and his fellow opener Jatinder Singh (23). The two put on 72 runs.

Later Adnan Ilyas made a quick 54 while Aamir Kaleem (13) and Mehran Khan (12 not out) added

MUSCAT: A city based IT expert and cricket enthusiast with the help Omani IT talent has launched a special website to wish the Sultanate’s cricket team in the ongoing Asia Cup qualifiers and the forthcoming ICC World T20 qualifiers.

The website, www.goodluckteamoman.com, launched by Shiv Gupta, CEO of Cirkle IT, is specially dedicated to Oman national cricket team and to wish them all success in the Asia Cup

valuable runs to take Oman’s total to 165 runs.

For Afghanistan, Gulbadin Naib claimed two wickets while Dawlat and Amir Hamza took one each.

Oman then pushed the Afghans on the back-foot as Bilal Khan struck

qualifiers and the forthcoming ICC World T20 qualifiers.

“This is a website developed by our Omani IT team and it is an effort to invite to people of Oman to wish good luck for the team,” Shiv Gupta said.

“Oman are playing against tough teams in Asia Cup qualifying round and they are going to play even more difficult teams in the World T20. That is not an easy task but this (success) can be possible with their

early to have Mohammad Shahzad (4) caught in the deep by Adnan Ilays with just five runs on the board.

Noor Ali Zadran then steadied the ship with a quick-fire 63 and in the company of skipper Asghar Stanikzai (34) put on 54 in just

commitment and people’s good luck,” he added.

“The website went live today (Saturday). We will update it every hour during the match days and we also have live facebook link update, where all likes and comments will automatically published. We will select best comments and publish them to main site,” he said while adding: “We will try to give prizes at some stage to get more people involved and wish the team all the best”.

4.4 overs for the second wicket.

But pacer Mehran Khan brought Oman back into the game dismissing Stanikzai, Karim Sadiq and Mohammad Nabi in quick succession.

However, Najibullah Zadran scored 23 runs off 21 balls to help in

OMAN Zeeshan Maqsood st Shahzad b Hamza 52 Jatinder Singh c K. Sadiq b G. Naib 23 Adnan Ilyas c N. Zadran b G. Naib 54 Aamir Kaleem c R. Khan b D. Zadran 13 Mehran Khan (not out) 12 Amir Ali (not out) 1 Extras (lb-1, w-2, nb-7) 10 Total (4 wkts; 20 overs) 165 Fall of wickets: 1-72, 2-104, 3-143, 4-164.

Bowling: Dawlat Zadran 4-0-27-1 (nb-1, w-1); Karim Sadiq 2-0-18-0; Gulbadin Naib 4-0-24-2 (nb-1); Mohammad Nabi 4-0-30-0; Amir Hamza 2-0-29-1 (nb-1, w-1); Rashid Khan 4-0-36-0.

AFGHANISTAN M. Shahzad c Adnan Ilyas b Bilal Khan 4 Noor Ali Zadran lbw Bilal Khan 63 A. Stanikzai c Bilal b Mehran Khan 34 K. Sadiq c Adnan Ilyas b Mehran Khan 0 M. Nabi c Wategaonkar b Mehran Khan 11 Najibullah Zadran lbw Bilal Khan 23 Gulbadin Naib (not out) 4 S. Shenwari c Adnan Ilyas b Lalcheta 12 Dawlat Zadran (not out) 12 Extras (lb-2, w-3) 5 Total (7 wkts; 19.3 overs) 168 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-59, 3-60, 4-81, 5-140, 6-141, 7-156.

Bowling: Bilal Khan 4-0-33-3 (w-2); A. Lalcheta 3.3-0-43-1; Mehran Khan 4-018-3; Munis Ansari 4-0-40-0 (w-1); Aamir Kaleem 3-0-21-0; Amir Ali 1-0-11-0.

the recovery. Still the Afghans were far from the victory as Bilal Khan claimed the wickts of Najibullah and Noor Ali in the 17th over.

With 21 required in last two overs, Samiullah Shenwari hit two successive fours to ease the pressure and then, with 10 needed off the final over, it was left for the coolheaded Dawlat complete the formalities with those massive sixes.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

SPORTS

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McCullum scores fastest century in his final Test SCOREBOARD

New Zealand 1st innings M. Guptill c Burns b Pattinson 18 T. Latham c Smith b Bird 4 K. Williamson c Smith b M. Marsh 7 H. Nicholls lbw Hazlewood 7 B. McCullum c Lyon b Pattinson 145 C. Anderson c Voges b Lyon 72 B. Watling c Burns b Bird 58 T. Southee c Hazlewood b Lyon 5 M. Henry c Khawaja b Lyon 21 N. Wagner c Nevill b Hazlewood 10 T. Boult (not out) 14 Extras (lb-2, nb-2, w-5) 9 Total (all out, 65.4 overs) 370 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-23, 3-32, 4-74, 5-253, 6-266, 7-273, 8-297, 9-333.

Bowling: J. Hazlewood 18-5-98-2; J. Pattinson 15-2-81-2 (nb-1, w-1); J. Bird 14.4-4-66- 2; M. Marsh 8-1-62-1 (nb-1); N. Lyon 10-0-61-3.

Australia 1st innings D. Warner c Guptill b Boult 12 J. Burns (not out) 27 U. Khawaja (not out) 18 Extras: 0 Total (1 wkt, 20 overs) 57 Fall of wicket: 1-25.

Bowling: T. Southee 7-1-21-0; T. Boult 6-1-18-1; M. Henry 6-2-18-0; C. Anderson 1-1-0-0.

Umpires: Richard Kettleborough, Ranmore Martinesz.

TV umpire: Richard Illingworth.

Match referee: Chris Broad

McCullum, 34, who is playing his 101st and final Test, struck the ball with brutal brilliance to reach his 12th century from 54 deliveries on the opening day of the second Test against Australia at Hagley Oval

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum broke the world record for the fastest Test century held jointly by his idol Viv Richards on Saturday without ever being aware he was about to make cricket history.

McCullum, 34, who is playing his 101st and final Test, struck the ball with brutal brilliance to reach his 12th century from 54 deliveries on the opening day of the second Test against Australia at Hagley Oval.

West Indian Richards set the previous record of 56 balls against England in Antigua in 1986 and the mark was then equalled by Pakistan’s Misbah-ul Haq against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.

“I had no idea,” McCullum told a news conference after scoring 145 in New Zealand’s 370 all out after they had been reduced to 32 for three in the 20th over on a lively pitch. “I was trying to hit every ball for four or six. Viv was my idol growing up so it’s nice to be able to go past him on this occasion.

“But he was a cracking player, he was an incredible cricketer. I’m almost a little bit of embarrassed to go past him, to be honest.”

McCullum said he knew it was probably going to be his day when he had an “almighty filthy slog” at his second ball which flew over the slips cordon for four.

After scoring 39, he then en-

be out there. You may as well play with a little more freedom.”

BRENDON MCCULLUM

145

runs from 79 balls 21 fours, 6 sixes

joyed a huge slice of luck when he sliced James Pattinson to Mitchell Marsh who took a brilliant, one-handed catch diving to his right in the gully.

Umpire Richard Kettleborough requested a replay which showed Pattinson had bowled a no-ball.

“I thought it was four as soon as I hit it,” McCullum said. “They do

push the front line a little bit. It was quite a nice reprieve. It probably loosens you up a little bit as well, it just relaxes you a little bit more. You know you’re probably not meant to

Guard of honour McCullum, was greeted by a guard of honour formed by the Australians when he went out to bat with his team already in deep trouble but needing to win to square the two-Test series.

He attacked from the start to reach 82 from 48 balls when Josh Hazlewood came in to bowl.

The first two balls were short, preventing him from scoring. The third was hit over fine-leg for six, the next two went for four and the final delivery was sliced over cover for another boundary to give McCullum the record, which was greeted by a standing ovation from the capacity crowd of 8,000.

“When you are confronted with wickets like that, you know you are going to have to be pretty aggressive,” McCullum concluded.

“I think we got quite a bit of luck today.” - Reuters

FOOTBALL

FIFA rejects demand for transparent voting booths at election ZURICH: FIFA has rejected a demand from a presidential candidate to use transparent voting booths at next week’s election to ensure delegates do not photograph their ballot papers when they choose the head of soccer’s world ruling body.

The request came from Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who said he would take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), sport’s highest tribunal.

Prince Ali wanted to ensure that transparent booths were used at the Feb. 26 election “to safeguard the full transparency of the electoral proceedings”, he said in a statement released by his Frenchbased lawyer.

FIFA’s 209 member national associations (FAs) each hold one vote at the election where Prince Ali is among five candidates standing to replace outgoing President Sepp Blatter, who is banned for eight years amid a graft scandal that has shaken soccer’s global governing body. Under FIFA statutes, voting is secret.

The statement said Domenico Scala, head of FIFA’s electoral committee, had admitted to Prince Ali in correspondence that the voters could produce evidence of their vote by using a mobile phone.

Scala rejected transparent booths, however, and said members would be reminded that voting is secret and told to hand over mobile phones and cameras before doing so.

“He (Scala) has said it is enough just to tell them they must not do so, and has rejected Prince Ali’s request to use transparent voting booths,” the statement said, adding that there was an “absence of any dedicated system to detect potential violations of this rule.”

Jerome Champagne, another presidential candidate, said this week that FAs were under pressure to vote for certain candidates and some had been asked to provide evidence of their vote.

Prince Ali has also said that FAs face reprisals if they fail to tow certain political lines: “Development projects mysteriously stall; tournament hosting bids are suddenly compromised or withdrawn; national teams start to mysteriously face less favourable fixtures.” - Reuters

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

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SPORTS ICAO planning to invite Anand for tour of Oman and an exhibition tie If everything works to ICAO’s plans, Indian chess legend Anand will visit Oman in May this year

A. SESHAGIRI RAO

raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: With the main objective of promoting chess in the Sultanate and to ‘encourage and inspire’ the talented children to continue to play the game they are passionate about, the International Chess Academy of Oman (ICAO) is planning to invite Indian legend Viswanathan Anand to Oman.

The ICAO, which has been in the forefront of promoting the game of 64 squares, has already got in touch with Anand and according to Academy’s manager and chief coach Ismael Karim, if everything works per the plan the seven-time world champion will visit Oman in May this year.

Revealing the details of ICAO’s ambitious plans, Ismael Karim told Time Sport, the idea is to invite Viswanathan Anand for a brief tour during which he will play a simultaneous exhibition match as well as deliver lectures.

“It has been our endeavour to promote chess in Oman and we have found success with our promotional events in the past,” Ismael Karim said.

“The visit of Garry Kasparov in 2014 had a great impact,” he said of former Russian world champion’s private visit to the Sultanate.

During his stay, Kasparov stressed the need for formation of an official Oman chess governing body, which ultimately led to the

AGREED IN PRINCIPLE: Viswanathan Anand

Ministry of Sports Affairs forming the Oman Chess Committee just two months later.

“It (Kasparov’s visit) also led to creating awareness among chess players, both Omanis and expatriates. And we at the International Chess Academy of Oman did our best to train and educate the players though our training programmes.”

Ismael Karim, who also served as the coach of Oman national team and guided them during their debut outing at Chess Olympiad in Norway in 2014, said: “Now you see a lot of Omani players, both men and women, coming forward to play chess. In fact, they are going out on their own, spending from their own pockets to take part in the international tournaments.”

“Now our main objective in inviting Vishy Anand is to take the game to the next level, that is to create more awareness and attract more and more players, both Omanis and expats, to chess.”

“We first got in touch with Vishy back in November (2015) with our plans. He has readily agreed for our proposal. But he has given us a deadline to work and make all arrangements before finalising the tour,” he revealed.

“We have to work out everything... the sponsors and our exact plans for the event, by the end of March. If everything works to our plan, Vishy will be here from May 2,” he added.

Exhibition game Giving details of the proposed plans for Anand’s visit, Ismael Karim said: “As I said the main objective is to promote chess. During his visit, Vishy will be playing an exhibition match simultaneously with the selected players.

“The opponents for that match will be selected both from Omani and expat chess players. We will also be visiting local schools to conduct selection trials and take

the best from those schools. And of course, there will be Omani players and our own academy players,” he said.

Speaking about the other plans, he said: “The other plan is to have Vishy deliver a lecture at our academy and obviously that lecture will be aimed at encouraging the kids to continue with their passion of playing chess and realise their ambitions.”

“We want to create strong players in Oman. Hopefully his (Anand’s) presence and his words of advice will encourage kids and parents as well,” he added.

Referring to Anand’s home state of Tamil Nadu, where chess has been made compulsory in some schools, he said: “We will soon be visiting the local schools and interacting with the principals as well as other higher officials, to talk about our programmes and the visit of Vishy.”

“If it works out, Vishy will also be talking to the school officials and if possible visit the schools as well.

We want him to stress the need to encourage children to play chess,” he said while speaking about how ‘Vishy has been helping a lot of children... with his advice and with his guidance on getting the sponsors for deserving players’.

Asked about whether the academy is confident of getting the right sponsors and then getting the final nod from Anand, he said: “We are very optimistic of getting the sponsors. He is a big player and very popular throughout the world both for his achievements and for his good nature. I am sure the sponsors will only be willing to support this event.”

“And about Vishy giving the final nod, it is as good as done. He had conducted training camps in the past, including a summer training camps in the United States. And I am sure he will be only looking forward for his first trip to Oman. But for that to happen we have to work hard and make proper arrangements,” he added.

ISC TENNIS

Abdullah to square off against Younis in U-18 summit clash MUSCAT: Oman’s top two players will clash in the grand final of the ISC/Muscat Pharmacy Open Junior Tennis Tournament organised by the Indian Social Club (SIC) Oman when Abdullah Al Barwani will take on Younis Al Rawahi in the finals of the boys under-18 singles.

Curtains will come down on the tournament on Sunday evening when top seed Abdullah Al Barwani and second seed Younis Al Rawani will lock horns in the last final of the tournament. Abdullah Advanced to the summit clash after registering a convincing 6-1, 6-1 victory over compatriot Zaka-

Abdullah Al Barwani and Younis Al Rawahi have also entered the final of the junior doubles final where they will face second seeds Subash Pillai and Yash Tanna riya Al Suleimani in the semifinal.

Younis Al Rawahi used all possible tactics to intimidate third seed Subash Pillai in the second semifinal before securing a 6-0, 6-3 victory and the right to play Abdullah in the final.

Subash paid dearly for his inability to convert as many as three

break points in the first set. Younis put in a good percentage of first serves and often attacked the net and forced Subash into errors.

Subash broke Younis in the fourth game of the second set. Younis broke back and went all out to win the next four games for a place in the final. Abdullah Al Barwani

and Younis Al Rawahi have also entered the final of the junior doubles final. In the semifinal, the top seeded Omani duo overcame the team of Tim Rutherford and Zakariya Al Suleimani 6-2, 6-4 in an thrilling semifinal.

They will take on the second seeded duo of Subash Pillai and Yash Tanna who downed Hassan Haider and Avigyan Bhattacharya 6-0, 6-0 in the second semifinal.

Tennis enthusiasts are invited to witness Oman’s top players in action this evening. The final starts at 7.00 pm and will be followed by the prize distribution ceremony.

Our plan is to have Vishy (Anand) here in Oman to promote chess. During his proposed visit he will play an exhibition match and deliver lectures. We are trying to involve both Omanis and expatriate players as well as the schools in Oman Ismael Karim

ICAO chief coach

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

SPORTS

Reading shock West Brom, Hull hold Arsenal to draw

LA LIGA

Suarez, Neymar strike again in narrow Barca win

Second-tier Sstrugglers Reading shocked Premier League West Bromwich Albion 3-1 and Watford saw off Leeds United 1-0

LONDON: Holders Arsenal’s 14-match winning run in the FA Cup ground to a halt in a dreary 0-0 draw at home to Championship leaders Hull City in the fifth round at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The first of eight ties spread over three days was less than gripping as Hull hung on for a replay both sides could do without as they chase their respective priorities.

There were goals elsewhere, though, as second-tier strugglers Reading shocked Premier League West Bromwich Albion 3-1 and Watford saw off Leeds United 1-0.

With one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 first leg at home to Barcelona, Arsenal made nine changes from the side that beat Premier League leaders Leicester City last week.

But even when manager Arsene Wenger, in charge of his 100th FA Cup tie for the club, threw on the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud the Gunners could find no way past Hull’s inspired keeper Eldin Jakupovic.

GREAT SAVE: Reading’s Omani goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi saves a shot on goal during their FA Cup fifth

MADRID: Goals from the prolific duo of Luis Suarez and Neymar earned Barcelona a tight 2-1 win at Las Palmas on Saturday to propel them nine points clear at the top of La Liga.

The league’s leading marksman Suarez opened the scoring after six minutes, meeting Jordi Alba’s cross at the far post to net his 12th goal in seven matches in all competitions and take his Liga tally to 25. Las Palmas equalised four minutes later when striker Willian Jose beat the offside trap to latch on to Jonathan Viera’s brilliant backheeled pass and steer the ball past Claudio Bravo.

Neymar restored Barca’s lead in the 39th minute when Lionel Messi’s shot was parried by goal-

keeper Javi Varas and the Brazilian netted the rebound. Suarez, after scoring his 41st goal of the season in all competitions, had a good chance to increase Barca’s lead early in the second half but Varas made a brilliant stop.

Las Palmas almost equalised on the hour when Bravo saved a shot from Viera and Willian Jose put the rebound into the side netting. Barcelona gradually took more control in the second half after a very even first 45 minutes but still suffered from the home side’s counter-attacks.

Substitute Sergio Araujo, a former Barcelona B player and Argentina junior international, squandered three chances for Las Palmas near the end. - Reuters

round match against West Bromwich Albion at Madejski Stadium in Reading on Saturday. – AFP

The Gunners will now need to survive a replay to keep alive their hopes of becoming the first club to win the Cup three times in succession in the modern era.

“The goalkeeper did well of course, but we had maybe 70 per cent possession and more than 20 shots on goal, and we didn’t score,” Wenger, taking charge of his 100th game in the FA Cup told reporters.

“The replay is not especially good news but Hull defended very well. Between that and going out, we choose the replay.”

Great saves The closest Arsenal came to breaking the deadlock was Joel Campbell’s 54th minute free-

kick that was tipped against the post by Jakupovic who also made great saves from Theo Walcott and Sanchez.

Hull, beaten by Arsenal in the 2014 FA Cup final after leading 2-0 inside the opening 10 minutes, rarely threatened, although David Meyler wasted their best chance when he shot into the side-netting.

The visitors made 10 alterations to their lineup from last week’s draw with Brighton and Hove Albion but manager Steve Bruce defended his selection which included a place for 16-year-old Josh Tymon.

“It’s not like I sent out a team of kids,” Bruce, whose priority is to get Hull back into the top flight, said.

“We made 10 changes and we

rode our luck a bit, but the team deserved it for the spirit and effort they gave.”

Reading have slid down to 15th in the Championship having won only once in the league this year, but goals from Paul McShane, Michael Hector and Lucas Piazon sent them through to the quarterfinals at West Brom’s expense.

Captain Darren Fletcher put West Brom ahead but McShane and Hector headed in Oliver Norwood crosses before Piazon struck in stoppage time.

Premier League Watford avoided an upset against former winners Leeds when Scott Wootton’s own goal proved decisive at Vicarage Road. - Reuters

SHARP SHOOTING: Barcelona’s Neymar shoots past Las Palmas’

goalkeeper Raul Lizoain Cruz during their la Liga match at the Gran Canaria in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Saturday. – AFP

OMAN CRICKET

MDC Enhance defeat ISC MUSCAT: MDC Enhance defeated Indian Social Club (ISC) by 46 runs in a Khimji Ramdas-sponsored A Division cricket match.

MDC Enhance, batting first, scored 277 runs for the loss of just two wickets in 30 overs. In reply, ISC managed to score 231 runs losing five wickets in 30 overs.

Easy for Sayarti In an E Division match, Sayarti defeated Ibrahim Al Kisri. Batting first, Sayarti scored 214 runs in 20 overs with good batting performance by Rizwan Rupasigne (70) and Sunil Kumar (60). Ibrahim Al Kisri could only manage 162 for seven in their quote of 20 overs.

Brief scores : MDC Enhance 277 for 2 in 30 overs (Mohd. Khalid Latif 130, Pranav Mehta 94) bt ISC 231 for 5 in 30 overs (Amandeep Singh 90 n.o., Mahek Asher 67 ; Wasim Ali 2/36).

Points : MDC Enhance 2, ISC - 0.

Brief scores: Sayarti 214 for 9 in 20 overs (RuwanRupasigne 70, Sunil Kumar 69; Muslim Alam 3/25, M. Wasim 3/35) bt Ibrahim Al Kisri 162 for 7 in 20 overs (Mohammed Wasim 38, Afzal Mirza 30). Points: Sayarti 3, Ibrahim Al Kisri – 0.

Bisiya beat Powertech In an Al Ansari Group of Companies-sponsored B Division match, Bisiya defeated Powertech by 43 runs. Batting first, Bisiya scored 166 all out in 20 overs and then restricted Powertech to 123.

Brief scores: Bisiya 166 in 20 overs (M. Nadeem 65, Ishan Ullah 30; Imran Irshad 3/24) bt Powertech 123 for 9 in 20 overs (Nishad K 37).

Points: Bisiya– 3 ;Powertech – 0.

Attic Outdoors win In an Enhance -sponsored D Di-

MDC ENHANCE HEROES: Pranav Mehta and Khalid Latif.

vision match, Attic Outdoors recorded a three-wicket win over Landscape Architecture. Batting first, Landscape Architecture put on 181 for seven in 20 overs. Prasad Peruli scored 103 runs. In reply, Attic Outdoors scored 185 for sev-

en in 18.5 overs. GhurfanAnjum remained not out on 59.

Brief scores: Landscape 181 for 7 in 20overs (Prasad Peruli 103) lost to Attic Outdoors 185 for 7 in 18.5 overs (Ghurfan Anjum 59 n.o). Points: Attic Outdoors - 2, Land Scape – 0.

MARH down Al Fairuz In another E Division match, Moosa Abdul Rehman Hassan (MARH) defeated Al Fairuz by 32 runs. Batting first, MARH scored 204 for eight in 20 overs and then bowled out Al Fairuz for 172 in 19.4 overs.

Brief scores: MARH 204 for 8 in 20 overs (Khalid Moosa 67, Sarath S 43) bt Al Fairuz 172 in 19.4 overs (Manikandan 43, Satham Hussain 37, Prokash 33; Libin Raju 3/37). Points: MARH -2, Al Fairuz – 0.

C

SECTION

LIFESTYLE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

Health WWWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

YOUR

CRYSTAL (name changed), an 8year-old girl frequently complained of tiredness after coming back from school or after playing even for a short while. She would often dose off to sleep for hours and feel sluggish and weak on waking up. Crystal’s mother often complained about her frequent moodswings and this continued for a while till Crystal had a fall in school.

It was a minor cut on her knees which did not heal for weeks. A blood test detected her of having Type 1 diabetes, or what we know as juvenile diabetes.

Crystal is not the only one. Type 1 diabetes, that is affecting millions of children worldwide, is a lifelong condition found in children but with the right support and proper medical intervention it can be managed.

Highlighting this growing problem Dr Muneer, senior diabetologist at Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre, says that diabetes is a chronic disease that affects almost every system of our body if not well controlled from the time of diagnosis.

“Previously, it was thought children can get only Type 1 diabetes that needs lifelong insulin treatment. But there are other types of diabetes that affects children; starting from newborn baby,” he tells.

As per the International Diabetes Federation statistics, in 2015 overall there were 415 million people have diabetes, which means 10 per cent of world’s population has diabetes. This figure will rise to 642 million in 2040.

Alarmingly, almost half of the adults with diabetes are undiagnosed and more than half a million children are

CHILD

suffering from Type 1 diabetes and the percentage of Type 2 diabetes, especially in obese children have also increased tremendously.

Talking about the symptoms of diabtes in children, Dr Muneer tells that a child of 10 years or younger if suddenly starts passing urine frequently, is frequently thirsty, or losing weight, should be immediately investigated to rule out diabetes.

“Sometimes it is mistaken to be a simple urinary tract infection and is treated accordingly but in significant number of cases the child ends up in the hospital with Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) as a first presentation of Type-1 diabetes. Along with earlier symptoms, abdominal pain and vomiting also are key symptoms of DKA,” he tells.

In children, diagnosis of the type of diabetes is very important. If a child is diagnosed to have diabetes before the age of 6 months then it is Type 1 unlikely. It is due to a single gene defect that might be temporary or permanent neonatal diabetes or some other rare genetic syndromes. “Unlike Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 is not inherited from family.

It is an autoimmune disease,” informs the doctor.

Further he tells that many causative factors are responsible for Type 1 diabetes due to its genetic heterogeneity. “The disease initiates in genetically susceptible persons after being triggered by environmental agents. So genetic markers must be present from birth, whereas immune markers develop after the initiation of autoimmunity,” he adds.

AND

Type 1 diabetes that is affecting millions of children worldwide, is a lifelong condition but with the right support and proper medical intervention, it can be managed.

Story Swati Dasgupta

Sometime, diabetes is diagnosed in a family without any history of Type 1 but it is 15 times more common in siblings with Type 1 than in general population. “Siblings have an average risk of 6 per cent. In offspring, the risk is 2-3 per cent in case of affected mother and 6-7 per cent in case of affected father,” he adds.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), ‘Type 1 diabetes (sometimes called insulin-dependent, juvenile or childhood-onset diabetes) occurs when the pancreas do not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. The cause is not known, but it is thought to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors’.

Many countries are documenting higher numbers of newly diagnosed cases of Type 1 diabetes, particularly in younger children.

Interestingly, some disease patterns among children resemble infectious disease epidemics.

Type 1 diabetes can affect vital organs of a child’s body including the heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys and it is important to keep the child’s blood sugar level normal. In the long run if Type 1 diabetes is not controlled then several complications arise which include cardiovascular problems, nerve and kidney damage, retinopathy which can lead to blindness, and other conditions like osteoporosis and skin disorder.

Once diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, it is mandatory to visit the doctor on a regular basis. A child’s cholesterol levels, thyroid function, liver function

DIABETES

and kidney function must be checked periodically. Also it is essential to encourage healthy eating and regular physical activity.

Type 2 diabetes, also called noninsulin-dependent or adult-onset diabetes, occurs when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

Often preventable, it can result from excess body weight and physical inactivity, and sometimes, a genetic predisposition.

Recently, Type 2 diabetes has increasingly been reported in children and adolescents, so much so that in some parts of the world, Type 2 diabetes has become the main type of diabetes in children. The global rise of childhood obesity and physical inactivity is widely believed to play a crucial role. Healthy eating and lifestyle habits are a strong defence against the disease.

Diabetes in children is an important health concern, same like that in adults. To prevent the complications of diabetes, both healthcare providers and parents must work hand in hand to get optimum results. Diabetesstructured education is an essential tool for children along with healthy diet and regular exercise to keep ideal body weight. With right support and medical guidance your child can remain healthy for years to come.

—swati@timesofoman.com Dr Muneer is a senior diabetologist at Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre, Azaiba, Muscat Email: drmuneer@drmohans.com

C6

SUNDAY, FEBRUA RY 21, 2016

FIND-IT-ALL

PRAYER TIMINGS

@SOHAR

@MGM

@RUWI

Fitoor (Romance / Drama) –12 + Cast: Aditya Roy Kapur, , Katrina Kaif 9.45PM SUR Dead Pool (Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi) (12+) Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin 5:00, 7:10, 11:30 PM. Criminal Activities (Crime | Drama) (TBC) Cast: John Travolta, Michael Pitt, Dan Steven 4:45, 8:30 PM. Neerja (Biographical) (PG12) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Sabana Azmi 9:15 PM Mansoon Mangoes (Mal) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Fahadh Fasil, Vijay Raaz, Vinay Forrt.

10:30 PM. El Americano - 3D (Animation) (TBC) Cast: Isla Fisher, Anson Mount, Gillian Jacobs.

6:30 PM.

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Dead Pool (Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi) 12+ Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin 3:00, 7:15, 9:30 & 11:45PM Hail, Caesar! (Comedy | Mystery) 12+ Cast: Josh Brolin, George Clooney 7:15PM Criminal Activities (Crime| Drama) 12+ Cast: Michael Pitt, Dan Stevens 3:00, 7:30, 9:30 & 11:45PM El Americano - 3D (Animation| Action) PG Cast: Edward James Olmos, Rico Rodriguez 3:30 & 5:30PM Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (Action) 18+ Cast: Lily James, Sam Riley, Jack Huston 5:00 & 11:30PM The Finest Hour - 3D (Action) PG12 Cast: Christopher Whitelaw, Caleb Casey 5:00 & 9:30PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Dead Pool – 2D (12+) Action | Adventure Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin 2:45, 9:00, 11:30PM Gold Class – 3:30, 8:45, 11:00PM Criminal Activities – 2D (TBC) Crime| Drama | Thriller | Cast: Michael Pitt, Dan Stevens 12:30, 9:45, 11:45PM Gold Class – 6:30PM Padre De Familia – 2D (12+) Tagalog| Thriller | Cast: Nora Aunor,Coco Martin, Julia Montes 5:15PM Hail, Caesar! – 2D (12+) Comedy | Mystery | Cast: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, 7:45PM El Americano – 3D (TBC) Animation Voice over: Edward James Olmos, Rico Rodriguez.

2:00, 7:00PM

Miruthan– 2D (Action/Romance) (15+) Cast: Jayam Ravi, Lakshmi Menon, Kali Venkat 7:15PM

Screen 2 Love Shhuda (Romance / Drama) –12 + Cast : Girish Kumar, Tisca Chopra 3.45, 9.45PM

Theeb + Ave Maria – 2D (TBC) Documentary Cast: Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat, Hussein Salameh Al-Sweilhiyeen 5:45 PM

Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip 2D (Animation) (PG) Cast: Jason Lee, Jesica Ahlberg 12:00, 4:00PM Theeb + Ave Maria – 2D (TBC) Documentary Cast: Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat, Hussein Salameh Al-Sweilhiyeen 5:45PM

Black Track-2D (Drama, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Michael Pitt, Dan Stevens 5:15, 11:30PM Neerja-2D (Biographical)(PG12) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Sabana Azmi 3:30, 6:30, 9:00PM El Americano-3D (Animation, Action) (PG) 2:30, 5:45PM

PANORAMA MALL Dead Pool (Action, Adventure)(MX4D)(12+) Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin 3.30, 6.30, 8.30, 10.45PM The Finest Hours-3D (Action, Drama) (PG12)-VIP LOUNGE Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 7:00, 9:15PM Dead Pool-2D (Action, Adventure) (12+) Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin 4:30, 9:45, 11:45PM Dead Pool-2D (Action) (12+)-VIP LOUNGE 3:30, 6:30, 8:45, 11:00PM Criminal Activities-2D (Crime, Drama) (12+) Cast: Michael Pitt, Dan Stevens 3:00, 7:45, 11:15PM

AZAIBA Dead Pool (2D) (Action|Sci-Fi) (12+) Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin 4:30, 7:15, 11:45 PM Fitoor (2D) (Romance| Drama) (12+) Cast: Aditya Roy Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Tabu 3:00, 9:15 PM Ghayal Once Again (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra, Om Puri 3:30, 6:30PM Neerja (2D) (Biographical) (PG12) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azami 2:45, 5:15, 7:30, 10:00, 11:30PM Ishq Forever (2D) (Romance) (TBC) Cast: Denzil Smith, Ruhi Singh 6:30, 11:15PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Destination

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Quriyat Sur Jaalan

16:30 18:00 19:30

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Sur Sur

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

Daily Daily

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

Daily Daily

Marmul

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

07:00

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om Pavaada (Mal) (Drama\Comedy) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran & Miya George 3:30, 9:30PM Cinema Main, 6.30PM Cinema 2 Miruthan (Tamil) (Act\Romance) Cast: Jayam Ravi & Lakshmi Menon 3:30 & 9:30 PM Cinema -2, 6.30PM Cinema Main Monsoon Mangoes (Mal) (Com) Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Vinay Forrt & Iswaya Menon 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45 PM Cinema - 3 Neerja (Hindi) (Act\ Drama) Cast: Sonam Kapoor , Uday Chopra & Shabana Azmi 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45PM Cinema -4 NEXT CHANCE: ACTION HERO BIJU

Programmes are subject to change

WITH LOVE

0

Minimum

0

VIJAITHA BABY February 20, 2003

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

75-35% Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 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 lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

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 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

06:00 06:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100)

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

10:25

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

07:00

STAR CINEMA

SALALAH El Americano (3D) (PG) (Animation| Action) 5:00PM El Americano (2D) (PG) (Animation| Action ) 11:15AM Dead Pool (2D) (12+) (Action | Adventure) Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin 11:30AM, 2:00, 6:45, 9:00, 11:45PM Hail, Caesar (2D) (12+) (Comedy | Mystery) Cast: Josh Brolin, George Clooney 5:15PM Criminal Activities (2D) (12+) (Crime) 11:45AM, 1:15, 9:50, 11:15PM Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (2D) (18+) Cast: Lily James, Sam Riley, Jack Huston 3:15, 11:45PM Neerja (2D) (PG12) (Hindi | Biographical) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Sabana Azmi 2:30,9:15PM Mansoon Mangoes (2D) (PG) (Malayalam) Cast: Fahadah Fasil, Vijay Raaz, Vinay Forrt 7:15PM Fitoor (2D) (12+) (Hindi | Romantic| Drama) Cast: Aditya Roy Kapoor / Katrina Kaif / Tabu 4:15PM Miruthan (2D) (TBC) (Tamil) (Action) Cast Jayam Ravi, Lakshmi Menon, 7:00PM

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

27 16

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com Criminal Activities: (Crime / Drama / Thriller) Cast: Michael Pitt, Dan Stevens 4.00, 8.00, 10.00. & 11.55PM CP No: 331 (12+) Hail, Caesar! : (Comedy / Mystery) Cast: Josh Brolin, George Clooney 4.30, 6.00 & 11.55PM CP No: 332 (12+) Neerja: (Hindi / Biography / Drama) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi 2.00, 7.00. & 9.30PM CP No: 333 (PG12) Navy Seals: The Battle of New Orleans (Action / Horror): 2.00PM CP No : 322 (15+)

BURAIMI Dead Pool (Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi) (12+) Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Moreno Baccarin 3:30, 9:15, 11:30PM. Criminal Activities (Crime | Drama) (TBC) Cast: John Travolta, Michael Pitt, Dan Steven 5:15,7:30,9:30PM. Neerja ( Biographical ) ( PG12 ) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Sabana Azmi 3:15, 7:15, 11:15PM. Mansoon Mangoes (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Fahadh Fasil, Vijay Raaz, Vinay Forrt.

9:00PM. El Americano - 3D (Animation) (TBC) 3:30, 5.30PM. Backtrack (Drama, Thriller) 15+ Cast: Adrien Brody, Sam Neill, Robin McLeavy 5:35, 7:00, 11:45PM.

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

RUWI Screen 1 Neerja (Action / Biography) –PG12 Cast : Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi 3.30, 6.30, 9.30PM Screen 2 Love Shhuda (Romance / Drama) –12 + Cast : Girish Kumar, Tisca Chopra 3.45, 9.45PM Sanam Re (Romance / Drama) –12 + Cast: Pulkit Samrat, Yami Gautam 6.45PM Screen 3 Ghayal Once Again (Action) –PG12 Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra, Om Puri 3.45, 6.45PM

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

Miruthan (2D) (Action | Romance) (TBC) Cast: Jayam Ravi, Lakshmi Menon, Kali Venkat 9:05PM Mansoon Mangoes (2D) (Action) (PG) Cast: Fahadah Fasil, Vijay Raaz, Vinay Forrt 9:00PM El Americano (3D) (Animation) (TBC) Voice over: Edward James Olmos 2:30, 5:25PM

SOHAR Dead Pool– 2D (Action/Sc-Fi) (12+) Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin 2:30, 7:00, 9:30, 11:45PM Criminal Activities - 2D (Crime) (12+) Cast: Michael Pitt, Dan Stevens 2:45, 9:45PM Hail, Caesar– 2D (Comedy/Mystery) (12+) Cast: Josh Brolin, George Clooney 5:00PM Backtrack – 2D (Drama/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Adrien Brody, Sam Neill, Robin McLeay 4:30, 11:30PM El Americano – 3D (Animation/Action) (PG) Cast: Edward James Olmos, Rico Rodriguez 4:30, 11:30PM The Finest Hour – 3D (Action/Drama) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 11:30PM The Finest Hour – 2D (Action/Drama) (PG12) 6:30PM Pride & Prejudice & Zombies – 2D (18+) Cast: Lily James, Sam Riley, Jack Huston 5:00, 11:45PM Fitoor – 2D (Romantic/Drama) (12+) Cast: Aditya Roy Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Tabu 7:15PM Neerja– 2D (Biographical) (PG12) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Sabana Azmi 2:45, 9:15PM

BAHJA CINEMA

Miruthan– 2D (Action/Romance) (15+) Cast: Jayam Ravi, Lakshmi Menon, Kali Venkat 7:15PM Mansoon Mangoes – 2D (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Fahadah Fasil, Vijay Raaz, Vinay Forrt 8:45PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36)

17:30

12.26pm 3.43pm 6.10pm 7.21pm 5.20am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

CINEMA SCHEDULE

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

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 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 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 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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE FA M I LY A D V I C E

The Excruciating Pain of Gout

ASK DR. GERRY Frequent Mood Swings

I am 45 years old woman and working for a private ďŹ rm. I stay here with my family. From the past few months I have been noticing that I have frequent mood swings. One moment Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m really happy and then the next minute Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m crying for no reasons at all. I even imagine people talking ill about me behind my back and I brood over it so much that it spoils my mood for the entire day. What could be the problem?

out affects a growing number of people worldwide with chronic inďŹ&#x201A;ammatory arthritis.

Originally less common than it is now, the lifestyle of the modern world combined with the availability of foods that contribute to gout has led to more people having the disease. Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; #( #0# / &Ĺ&#x2014; " -Ĺ&#x2014; !)/.Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; ."#-Ĺ&#x2014; means that they typically suffer from chronic arthritis brought about by the accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints. These crystals are formed within the body because of high levels of uric acid in the blood, which is in turn caused by several factors, which include genetic predisposition, food intake, and lifestyle.

Arthritis attacks brought on by gout can vary in intensity, but is often chronic, lasting for days at a

time. Without treatment, this can lead to constant pain, and eventually permanent damage that the body cannot recover from.

There are a number of ways to treat gout, though the most common method is to deal with the current arthritis attack. Pain relief is possible through the use of a variety of anti-inďŹ&#x201A;ammatory medications and painkillers; should the person with gout choose, there are also more natural methods and gout remedies that can relieve the pain and lessen inďŹ&#x201A;ammation. "# " 0 ,Ĺ&#x2014; -* #Ă° Ĺ&#x2014; !)/.Ĺ&#x2014; , 'edy is used to deal with the gouty arthritis, the next step to treatment is to deal with the height ( Ĺ&#x2014; & 0 &-Ĺ&#x2014; ) Ĺ&#x2014; /,# Ĺ&#x2014; # Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; %#(!Ĺ&#x2014; sure the levels of uric acid are more normal is vital, in order to prevent future arthritic attacks. (Ĺ&#x2014;-)' Ĺ&#x2014; - -Ĺ&#x2014; )(0 (.#)( &Ĺ&#x2014;' #cine may prescribe medication

It is best to avoid meat, seafood, and many plant foods such as spinach and beans. The focus should be on eating healthier nutrients.

to allow the uric acid levels to go down sooner, though this method is only prescribed for more extreme cases. Aside from medication, there are also natural gout remedies that are able to help reduce the levels of uric acid in the blood. These can be used in conjunction with the previously

HOME REMEDIES

Fatigue

Everyone feels tired after physical exertion or long periods of hard work. A good nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep usually solves the problem, but sometimes fatigue seems to drag on for days, and can interfere with our daily activities. The most obvious cause is difficulty in sleeping, but you may also feel tired if you are stressed, or a bit depressed.

An unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are common contributory factors.

What you can do Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;3)/Ĺ&#x2014; &Ĺ&#x2014;.#, Ĺ&#x2014; &&Ĺ&#x2014;." Ĺ&#x2014;.#' Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; try the following adjustments to help you get your energy back. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; .Ĺ&#x2014; ()/!"Ĺ&#x2014;-& *Ĺ&#x2014; "Ĺ&#x2014;(#!".Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t postpone your sleep for weekends. Follow a regular sleep pattern. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; 0 ,Ĺ&#x2014;'#--Ĺ&#x2014; , % -.Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; ( &/ Ĺ&#x2014; fresh vegetables, fruit, cereals, whole-grain bread and pasta, and brown rice in your diet.

Cut down on fatty foods, such as cheese and red meat, and on sugar and salt. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ,3Ĺ&#x2014;.)Ĺ&#x2014;-* ( Ĺ&#x2014;.#' Ĺ&#x2014; "Ĺ&#x2014; 3Ĺ&#x2014;#(Ĺ&#x2014; fresh air. Exercise regularly, particularly if you have a sedentary job. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; % Ĺ&#x2014;.#' Ĺ&#x2014; ),Ĺ&#x2014;& #-/, Ĺ&#x2014; .#0#ties. Try some deep breath-

ing and muscle relaxation exercises. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ,3Ĺ&#x2014;*)1 ,Ĺ&#x2014;( **#(!Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;3)/Ĺ&#x2014;Ă°( Ĺ&#x2014; yourself nodding off during the day or you feel drowsy while driving, a brief nap may help you function better. An ideal nap lasts about 10â&#x20AC;&#x201C;15 minutes, but even a 5-minute nap will leave you brighter and sharper afterward. Sleeping for more than 15 minutes helps, but you may feel groggy afterward. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; )(Ä&#x201C;.Ĺ&#x2014;( *Ĺ&#x2014;& . Ĺ&#x2014;#(Ĺ&#x2014;." Ĺ&#x2014; 3Ĺ&#x2014;),Ĺ&#x2014; &&Ĺ&#x2014; asleep in front of the TV in the evening, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use naps to catch up on sleep if you are having difficulty sleeping. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; )(-/&.Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; ) .),Ĺ&#x2014;# Ĺ&#x2014;3)/Ĺ&#x2014;-.#&&Ĺ&#x2014; feel tired after following the above points. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;lifestyle@timesofoman.com

While itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to consult a medical practitioner for oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ailment, it is also important to empower oneself with the right information. Every week we will discuss about some common conditions and ways to deal with it before we see a doctor.

mentioned changes to diet and lifestyle that are recommended to people with gout.

The traditional treatment focuses on losing those extra pounds and cutting out foods foods high in purines, a protein that breaks down into uric acid inside your body. So it is best to avoid meat, seafood, alcohol and many plant foods such as spinach and beans. The focus should be on eating healthier nutrients. So cut back on calories and on saturated fats found in foods like dairy products. Eat unsaturated fats )/( Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; #(Ĺ&#x2014; Ă°-"Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; *)/&.,3Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; (/.-Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; * nut butter, avocados, and olive and canola oils. Choose the right carbs ( Ĺ&#x2014; .Ĺ&#x2014; ,/#.-Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014;0 ! . & -Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; .Ĺ&#x2014;#-Ĺ&#x2014; also important to drink water in *& (.3Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;3)/Ĺ&#x2014;-/ĂŽ ,Ĺ&#x2014; ,)'Ĺ&#x2014;!)/.Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; drink water only when you are thirsty, you may not be drinking enough.-ArticleCity

You ask an important question that a lot of women have asked me )0 ,Ĺ&#x2014;." Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;3 ,-Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; " .Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014;" ** (#(!Ĺ&#x2014;.)Ĺ&#x2014;' Ä&#x17D;Ĺ&#x2014; "3Ĺ&#x2014; (Ä&#x201C;.Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; )(.,)&Ĺ&#x2014;'3Ĺ&#x2014; ')) Ä&#x17D;Ĺ&#x2014; &&Ĺ&#x2014;." Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; (-1 ,Ĺ&#x2014;#-Ĺ&#x2014;#.Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014;().Ĺ&#x2014; )/.Ĺ&#x2014;3)/,Ĺ&#x2014; )(.,)&Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; .Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014;().Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;-#!(Ĺ&#x2014; ) Ĺ&#x2014;* ,-)( &Ĺ&#x2014;1 %( --Ĺ&#x2014;),Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;." .Ĺ&#x2014;3)/Ä&#x201C;, Ĺ&#x2014;!)#(!Ĺ&#x2014; , 43Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; .Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014; )/.Ĺ&#x2014;3)/,Ĺ&#x2014; #)&ogy. These appear to be perimenopausal mood swings with swings between happiness and sadness, with increased sensitivity and increased anger. These are the result of ďŹ&#x201A;uctuating ovarian hormones during the transition to menopause. Women with severe premenstrual symptoms in their younger years are more prone to severe mood swings during menopause. Women who have had clinical de*, --#)(Ĺ&#x2014; , Ĺ&#x2014;'), Ĺ&#x2014;*,)( Ĺ&#x2014;.)Ĺ&#x2014;, & *- Ĺ&#x2014; /,#(!Ĺ&#x2014;' ()* /- Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; .Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014;, (! Ĺ&#x2014; from mild blues to severe clinical depression.

Remember help is available. Exercise and doing activities you enjoy can help you feel better. Postpone important decisions because generally negative decisions are made during the mood swings. Clinical depression needs you to meet a psychiatrist who could help you get the symptoms under control. -Dr. G

Dr Gerry Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Costa has an MD in psychiatry and a special interest in the areas of anxiety, depression, addiction, and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s psychiatry. He has practised as a specialised psychiatrist at Badr Al Samaa hospital in Ruwi for the last 9 years.

Dr Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Costa offers advice and professional insights to the readers of Times of Oman. Send your questions to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

C8

SUNDAY, FEBRUA RY 21, 2016

LIFESTYLE

10 Benefits of Coffee You will be surprised to know that

1

Protects Against Diabetes

apart from giving us the much

Evidences show that coffee has a protective effect against diabetes. In other words, coffee may reduce risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. For every cup of coffee you drink a day, you reduce your chance of getting diabetes by seven per cent. Researchers at Harvard studied 100,000 people for about 20 years and found that people who increased their coffee intake by over one cup per day had an 11 per cent lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

needed energy in the morning, there are several other benefits of drinking coffee. Laden with antioxidants, coffee helps preventing certain diseases. Time to wake up and smell the coffee.

2

3

4

5

6

7

Staves Off Stroke Earlier research suggested that coffee increases the risk of heart disease, by raising blood pressure and cholesterol. But recent study defy’s that old theory and says that “moderate”coffee drinking — three to five cups a day — could prevent the arteries from getting clogged, and stave off strokes and heart attacks.

May Increase Lifespan According to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine increased coffee consumption is associated with longer life. Although no one knows the exact reason, experts believe it could be due to the protective effect against Type 2 Diabetes, Parkinson’s, and depression.

8

Boosts your Brainpower Caffeine is a cognitive stimulant that actually boosts brain functioning and improves short-term memory. The caffeine in coffee blocks a brain chemical called adenosine, which prompts feelings of drowsiness. It keeps you alert if you're feeling sluggish but avoid it before bedtime so it doesn't interfere with your sleep.

Have Anti-Cancer Properties Regular coffee drinking lower rates of certain cancers, including liver cancer, breast, colon, endometrial, prostate and rectal cancers. According to a study by the Harvard Medical School, women who drink three or more cups of coffee a day are much less likely to develop skin cancer than those who don’t.

Combats Depression New research sheds light on how caffeine may alleviates stress, and stress-induced conditions, such as depression. A study found that those who drink four or more cups of coffee were about 10 per cent less likely to be depressed than those don’t drink cofee. It is said coffee acts as a mild antidepressant as it aids in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.

9

Cuts Gallstone Disease Risk Coffee drinkers are less likely to suffer symptomatic gallstone disease, say Harvard researchers, possibly because coffee alters the cholesterol content of the bile produced by the liver. It was found that men who drank two to three cups of coffee per day had about 30 to 40 per cent reduction in risk of gallstone disease.

Protects Against Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, drinking a few cups of coffee a day could lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by as much as 25 per cent. Coffee drinkers who have 3 to 5 cups daily are also 65 per cent less likely to develop dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Helps in Weight Loss If you want to speed up your metabolism and fat-burning, then trust the caffeine in coffee, which helps lower our risk of obesity. Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, which sends direct signals to the fat cells to tell them to break down fat.

10

Helps Fight Cavities Black coffee when had in moderation helps in reduction of tooth decay, thanks to the tannins found in coffee.

Experiments have shown that these polyphenolic compounds may reduce the formation of cavity-causing plaque. Brazilian scientists have found that a certain type of coffee bean has an anti-bacterial property.

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M S U N DAY, F E B R UA RY 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

SECTION

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

RENT

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VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D7

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S U N DAY, F E B R UA RY 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

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

FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

Luxury flat for rent in Bareeq Al Shatti building Spacious 2 BHK with sea view, split A/Cs, fixed wardrobes, kitchen appliance.

Near Opera Gallery.

Rent RO.900/- negotiable.

Contact - 94084335 / 96920789

FLATS FOR RENT 1 BHK and 2BHK Flats with Split ACs Opp. to MOD Near Lulu Darsait Shop Ruwi Rex Road.

Contact: 95443207

Shops for rent in Al Amerat on the main road (express) opposite to Mosque and a supermarket Al Ehsan. Contact: 96434269

We have 2BHK office, flats for rent in Ghobrah, Azaiba, Ghala Al Khuwair prime location. Contact: 93782735/99208033

2 BHK flat for rent Darsait near Muscat Pharmacy, ISM. Contact: 95158570

We have 1BHK, 2 BHK Flats in Mabela 7 new building. Contact: 93782735 /99208033

1BHK Flat with spilt A/C near star cinema 210/-. Contact: 99358589/95570288 /97079146

One / two B/R , RES / Comm flat near Bank Muscat Bausher directly from owner. Contact: 92158031

Flat in Wadi Al Kabir 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 family hall, kitchen & 3 bathrooms. Contact: 99277787

Sharing room rent near City Centre Seeb. Contact: 99037669

Wadi Kabir new building 2 bedrooms rent. Contact: 99313274

1.2 BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/- , 300/-.

Contact: 92144045 /97799175

Single rooms with kitchen available at Ruwi. Contact: 91214897/98049288

2BHK AL Khuwair R.O 350/-.

Contact 92144045/97799175

For rent in Misfah near Oman cement 600sqm shed.

Contact: 96177220 2 BHK flat behind Nesto hypermarket with split A/C R.O 220/.

Contact 91642157/97653524 2BHK Darsait R.O 300/-.

Contact: 92144045/7799175 1BHK Wadi Kabeer R.O 210/-.

Contact: 92144045/97799175 2 Bedroom centrally air conditioned flat in CBD Prime location.

Contact: 24714625/91173997

2BHK Ghobrah R.O 325/-.

Contact: 92144045/97799175 2BHK Commercial AL Khuwair R.O 350/-. Contact: 92144045/97799175 5 BHK villa Qurum R.O 700/-.

Contact 92144045/97799175 1& 2 BHK M.B.D commercial.

Contact: 92144045/97799175 Studio Darsait R.O 130/-.

Contact: 92144045/97799175 1BHK Darsait I.S.D R.O 225/-.

Contact: 92144045/97799175

2BHK /3 BHK OPP Star Cinema.

Contact: 92926199

Flat for rent south Al Mabela.

Contact: 95331177/95230355 Flats, 3 Rooms & AC, kitchen, hall, in Al Mabela South, rent RO. 250/Contact - 99377290 We have staff accommodation for rent in Bousher 30 to 40 people can stay commercial building. Contact: 93782735 /99208033

Modern and spacious 4 bedroom twin villa for rent in Azaiba north behind Nov 18st with detached maids room. Contact 99317349

Flat, 1 bedroom, kitchen, toilet in AL Khuwair family bachelors R.O 160/-. Contact: 95154331

One large BHK in Al Khuwair near Ibis hotel with A/C. Contact: 95124975

One flat with split unit A/CS, two bedroom, sitting room and kitchen Al-Ghobrah south, stadium side, RO.315/- Contact - 99310551 (Said)

Ghobrah. Big bedroom, bathroom, huge terrace. Non-cooking Indian female/male - Manager/Sr. Exec.

Vegetarian non-drinkers only.

Contact 99283938

Al Ansab on main road, 8 rooms, 8 toilets, kitchen & store room.

Contact Owner: 96354553

Ware house for rent in Ghala 300sqmt. Contact: 99010741 /96007885

Shop (rent 250/ 400) commercial / Residential building 1& 2 bed flat (flat rent 350+ 250) available in Wadi Kabir (Near Lulu) one bed flat 200/- Wadi Al Kabir (near Toyota.

Contact: 92325212 /99451168 2 BHK flat near Indian School Wadi Kabir behind Sana for rent.

Contact: 92120539 Flat for rent, 3 bedroom, 2 bath room, living room, 1 kitchen & store 240/- R.O at Darsait.

Contact: 92328142 Luxury villa of 5 BHK in Al Khuwair 33 RO.650/- Contact – 91776665

CONTACT :

93202733 2 Bedrooms, kitchen, toilet, car park R.O 200/- & 1 bedroom, kitchen, toilet R.O 140 in Al Khuwair. Contact: 95154331 Villa for rent 4 room, hall, 3 toilet (upstairs) R.O 350/- at Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99382008 1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair. # 95154331 House in Amerat near to Makah hypermarket with 3 room+ 5 toilet+ hall+ living room+ kitchen. Contact 98885055/ 92744168 2 bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality.

Contact: 92584715/ 24700120 1000sqmtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc.

Contact 24700120 /92584715 Villa 2bedroom, 1 sitting room, small hall, Kitchen & 2 bathroom behind Sultan center south Mawalah 300/- O.R. Contact: 92757673 /99388138

S U N DAY, F E B R UA RY 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT

WAREHOUSE AVAILABLE

FOR RENT IN BALADIA SANAYAH AMIRAT

INDUSTRIAL LAND FOR RENT (BARKA)

Please contact: G.S.M

1100 SQ MTR free industrial land for all purpose is available with compound and furnished office in Barka Contact:

99417229/92621039

24707088, 98283896

FOR RENT

INDUSTRIAL LAND FOR RENT (BARKA)

(Floor area 600sqmtrs and mezzanine of 500sqmtrs) 1100sqmts fully cover warehouse Θ ƐƚĂī ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƟ ŽŶƐ

RUWI : Ware House - 630 M2 SPACIOUS -2 B H K FLATS &1BHK

CBD: SHOWROOM & OFFICEMezz.floor

Contact : 24 70 30 60 Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278 Flats for rent at Mawaleh near Omantel main office opposite Lulu bandar comprises 3 rooms, 2 toilets and one kitchen OMR 250/- Per month. Contact: 93131497 or 99203435 Villa is composed of 5 bedrooms and sitting toilets and 5 living room, kitchen and Seeb (North Al Hail). Contact: 91130875 For Rent near ONTC Bus stop Ruwi.

Contact: 99475052/99502708 Shop for rent near Al Nahdha Hospital. #97380548 / 99680499 1/2/3 bedrooms flats at Al Hail including utilities bills 92817777 2 Bed room flat for rent in AL Azaiba, well maintained, split A/Cs 300/- PM. Contact : 92447365 1B/R apartment executive fully furnished at AL Khuwair 33 & 5 B/R villa unfurnished at Madinat Al Ilam & 5 B/R villa furnished at Madinat Al Ilam. Contact: Atlas Real Estate & rent a car LLC 24834 888/99249069/92888376/94617 563 Email: info@alshahiintl.com Flats for rent in Ruwi Mumtaz area 2 bedroom. Contact: 91409667/24291500 Flat for rent in Al Hail south 2 bedroom. Contact: 91409667/24291500 Commercial office at prime location in Azaiba for rent. 171sq. mtr. Contact: - 91398925 2 clean & spacious flats with A/C, first flat is behind City center Al Seeb consist of 2 bedroom and living room second flat is in Al Khoud 3 consist of 1 bedroom and living room. Contact: 93366421

1100 SQ MTR free industrial land for all purpose is available with compound and furnished office in Barka Contact:

BUILDING MATERIAL SHOP FOR SALE Running shop with paint machine for sale in kadra Ͳ

WƌŝŵĞ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ ŐŽŽĚ ĚĂŝůLJ ƐĂůĞƐ 260 Square meters Warehouse facility ^ƚĂī ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƟ ŽŶ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ƉĂƌƟ ĞƐ ŵĂLJ ĐĂůů 9322 3382 or mail to cs@mpesllc.com

FOR SALE CAT Excavator with Bucket Model: 330D, Year: 2007 (Finance Available) Contact:

99654205, 99338410

24707088, 98283896 FOR SALE

For rent 1 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33, 5 B/R Villa – Unfurnished @ Madinat Al Ilam 5 B/R Villa – } Furnished @ Madinat Al Ilam Please Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC24834888/ 99249069 / 92888376/94617563 / Email: info@alshahiintl.com

Dental clinic for sale in Seeb.

Contact: 96404090 Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter. Photos can be sent 95865457 Beauty Saloon for sale in Al Amerat interested party contact: 97028867/95878812

2 BHK Flats for rent, Muttrah near Oman house S/ AC. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 New flats for rent at Darsait near to ministry of sports, Mumtaz area the flats include 1 living room, 2 Bedroom, kitchen, 3 toilets every room with split A/C & high Quality finishing, rent per flat is R.O 340/-.

Interested candidates please Contact: 00968- 92225523 1 & 2 BHK Ruwi C.B.D. Contact: 99024730 1& 2 BHK flats for rent at Hamriya Wadi Adai, Al Khoud, Mabela & shop at Al Khoud & land line Contact: 24834644 GSM 93994401/02/03 3 lines 3 BHK flat near Darsait ID medical. RO 420/- Contact – 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 96571151 1BHK flat near Star Cinema 220/Contact 99358589 /95570288 Flats two bed room for rent in Al Khuwair. Contact: 96571151

FOR RENT Commercial flats of 3 & 2 BHK in Al Ghobra North 18 Nov street RO.650/- & 450/Contact 91776665 600 M2 showroom or office in Bousher in front of Dolphin complex. RO.3.5 per m2.

Contact 91776665 Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Brand new 4 BHK villa in Al Fai compound Al Khoud. RO.475/Contact – 91776665 Villa of 3 BHK and sitting area in Al Ghobra North. RO.525/Contact – 91776665 Luxury and brand new semi furnished 2 BHK flat in Remalbowsher. RO.550/- Contact – 91776665

Building material shop behind Honda Road Abu Zaki show room.

Contact: 97006687 /94079401 Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair. Contact 92881849 / What`s up No 97290565 Heidelberg Offset 52x 74cm – 20 1/2 x 29 1/8 single Color – SORM printing machine in good condition. Contact: 99369880 Restaurant for Sale - A running Pakistani restaurant ideally located at Saham for sale - for details call 99417418 Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery. Contact 99328430 HD Scaffoldings, Shuttering Jacks, Wooden Planks, Shuttering wood assorted, Tower hoist (lift), Concrete Mixer, Bending Machine, Steel Fabrication Machinery (Searing/Cutting, lathe & Welding) including tools for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278

Spacious 1 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with all split A/C’s and parking.

RO.300/-Contact – 91776665

Special Dental Center for sale.

2 Dentist room, dental lab, full brand instruments with external public pharmacy in Muscat.

Contact no. 99019144

Flats in Darsait.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

Fire rated portacabins and steel caravans. ContacT: 94058574

Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. Contact: 9405178997201688

Flats in WadiKabir.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud. Contact 9405178997201688

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact: - 9405178997201688

A well Established Indian restaurant with all necessary equipments well qualified staff furnished party hall (capacity 150) is up for immediate sale at MBD area.

Contact: 92978956

Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. Contact: 9405178997201688 Duplex villa in Qurum 29.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

ACC. AVAILABLE Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for executive bachelor opposite OC centre Ruwi.

Call: 92273779 In Al Khuwair 2 rooms, toilet, available for Indian family or working woman. Rent R.O 150/- per month only. Please Contact: 97884967 Single room at Walja, opposite MBD area SPAR available for executive bachelors inclusive of electricity and water for OMR 110/-. #98958586 Flats 3 bedroom available at Ghobrah near Indian School. #99236718 Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir 9304 9849 Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested please Contact: 92680041 Mr. Altaf

FOR SALE Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278

BUYING Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090 Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299

WANTED Required Sub –Contractors, we have projects. Contact - 92926630 IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area.

Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up.

Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

LOST Monir Hussen has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. C0470356.

Finder please handover to ROP.

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

D4

S U N DAY, F E B R UA RY 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT URGENTLY REQUIRED LIGHT DUTY DRIVER

URGENTLY REQUIRED

Mobile Technician (keralites only)

;KŵĂŶŝ EĂƟ ŽŶĂůͿ͗ ŐĞ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ďĞ ϯϬ ƚŽ ϰϬ LJĞĂƌƐ͕ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ďĞ ĐĂƉĂďůĞ ŽĨ ĚƌŝǀŝŶŐ WŝĐŬƵƉ ĂŶĚ ϯ ƚŽŶ ǀĞŚŝĐůĞ ĂŶĚ ŚĂǀŝŶŐ ŐŽŽĚ ŬŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞ ŽĨ Ăůů ĂƌĞĂ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ͘ Interested candidates may send in their CVs to Fax # 24600217 or email on:

Contact: 91577519/99737812 Wanted female GP, female Gynecologist, female Staff Nurse, female X- Ray Technician With MOH license for Al Saadi Specialized Medical Centre in Musanna.

Contact -91262604 Email: chillapalli76@gmail.com

FMCG is looking for a

SALES SUPERVISOR - Bachelor ‘s degree on the same field - 5 Years experience in the (FMCG) field.

- Minimum Age 30 to 40 years - Speaks English and Arabic - Driving license Ready to directly of work Send your CV to Email : receptionist@mescooman.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

zeeshan@starslightllc.com

REQUIRED PROJECT MANAGER FŽƌ ĂŶ /ŶĨƌĂͬ ůĚŐ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚ ŝŶ Duqm/Oman 'ƌĂĚƵĂƚĞ ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌ ǁŝƚŚ 20+ years experience preferably in Oman/ GCC with valid D/L and transferable visa, computer literate.

Send CV to Email :

omanproject2011@gmail.com

Experienced CEO required

Kindly send your emails :issa@nibras.om, kevin@nibras.om

Indian female (25) M.com Finance, 3 yrs, exp in accounts / finance seeks suitable position in corporate finance / Banking / consulting purchase coordination / Admin now in family visa. Contact: 96953705 Email: prapullasuvarna@gamil.com Accounts finance Indian male 35 years B.com MBA (F) 7 years experience tally ERP9 valid Oman D/L family visa.

Contact: 93257426/95230114 Email: sibigeorgep@gmail.com

ĨŽƌ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ ũŽŝŶŝŶŐ͘ Candidates with MOH license and NOC ŽŶůLJ ŶĞĞĚ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůLJ͘ Ʃ ƌĂĐƟ ǀĞ ƐĂůĂƌLJ ƉĂĐŬĂŐĞ Žī ĞƌĞĚ ƚŽ ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞƐ ǁŚŽ ĐĂŶ ũŽŝŶ ƵƐ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞůLJ͘

SALES / MARKETING

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

Send in your resume to

athirababylon@gmail.com. athira@babylon-om.com, info@babylon-om.com.

Needs Sales Executives for oil trading co. With Oman driving license. Office contact 24467177 E mail: fakhar@bestlubes.com A Well reputed Media Company looking for professional marketing ladies with experience, visa available. Send CV to job08080@gmail.com or Contact: 98563312

ADMIN Required urgently a Legal Consultant/ Lawyer for reputed law firm in Sohar, Muscat. Candidates should have 5-7 years experience as a Legal Consultant/ Lawyer with good knowledge of Computer & should be fluent in English both written & spoken.

Email C V to shejaanil66@gmail. com or Contact 99153620 between 8am to 1pm & 2pm to 5.30 pm on Sunday to Thursday

QHSSE ADVISOR - International Oilfield Services Company requires a NEBOSH qualified QHSSE Advisor (Omani National) to ensure continual improvement in our Muscat base. Main duties to include Journey Management, supporting implementation of policies and procedures, mentoring staff, training coordination, reporting, audit & inspection and risk assessment. Submit CV to me-job@interwell.com

CATERING Looking for Indian or Bangladeshi cook and Porata, Chapatti, maker for restaurant at Misfah.

Contact: 95212017 Wanted experienced continental cook for reputed family in Qurum.

Contact: 99466062

DRIVER Wanted experienced English speaking Indian driver for reputed family in Qurum.

Contact: 99466062 Urgently required heavy duty driver for trailer. Contact: Krishnan 99310859 or 24449345

DRAUGHTSMAN MEP DRAFTMEN Required with 4 to 5 Years Oman Experience. Mail your CV @ trustllc@yahoo.com

DOMESTIC HELP Required Cleaners & office boys.

Contact 24707833

EDUCATION A well – known private school is in need of Laboratory Assistant, Biology, Chemistry and Computer Teachers.

Contact: 96910649 Email: staffing.oman@gmail.com

Part Time Accounting, Accounts Finalization as per IFRS, Audit Preparation, Project Report, Training for Accountants, Internal Audit, Accounting System for New Companies, Contact: 96975454, email:ibfc.gcc@gmail.com

Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa.

Immediately available. #92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com

'ĞŶĞƌĂů WƌĂĐƟ Ɵ ŽŶĞƌƐ͕ EƵƌƐĞƐ͕ X-Ray Technician & Lab Technician

Audit Assistants.

Email: aoabmuscat@gmail.com

MBA Finance Indian lady 23 yrs currently on visit visa family resident Oman seeking opportunity for career enhancement in suitable firms ready to join immediately.

Contact: 99872664 /92651331

Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687

Omani Based Group of companies Running a midsized successful holding organization With multi discipline of fields is looking for an active CEO with minimum of ten years Experience who has a global Business outlook, he should have strong leadership, and be able to give clear direction and guidance to the management team.

Leading Medical Services company in Oman is looking for

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Experienced Graduates/MBAs with pleasing personality, excellent communication skills and own car for sales & marketing with leading media enterprise. jobs@interacoman.com

ENGINEER Décor Company looking for an Engineer or Technician decorated with experience. Contact: 95342240 & send CV to Email: venice.decoration@gmail.com Senior Factory Control Room Operator Required for a Manufacturing Company in Oman. Candidate should possess a Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with minimum 5 years of experience.

Candidates who have experience in Oman are preferred. Kindly forward relevant resumes to info.companyoman@yahoo.com

MANAGER/SUPERVI. Required Construction Forman Oman Driving License required, 2+ years’ Experience 93246786 Urgently wanted the following staff for reputed Aluminium Company in Ghala Sales Manager & Factory Foreman. Please contact – 96404166 / mail CV to – mansoormohd2011@gmail.com

MEDICAL Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq.

Contact 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com Wanted lady Doctor with MOH license – A clinic at Ghala for morning shift. Contact : 99374541 Required General Practitioner doctor to open branches in Oman.

Contact 98116480 Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq.

Contact 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Need master cutter, tailor for tailor shop. Contact: 99825211

MISCELLANEOUS Urgently required Sales executives (2 Nos) & Graphic designer for signage/ print media with minimum 1 to 2 years experience.

Please email your CV to – info.kkllc@gmail.com Contact - 91275555 Reputed company in Muscat invites application for the following vacancies Admin Omani, good communication skill in English & Sales graduate, valid Oman driving license. Kindly send CV at Email: infooman@orchidinternational.ae Building Material Salesman & Electrician cum plumber & C.CT.V Technician & maintenance work super us or with D.L. Contact 99383044 Local man power required for one year for construction.

Contact 99340205 Email: omaniantrad@gmail.com One of the leading Business Groups in Oman is looking for Secretary- male / Secretary – Female / Accountant / Driver with valid Omani license & Laborer (loading & unloading). Interested candidates may apply to muscat.supply@gmail.com Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred.

Contact 99273774/99202278

SALES / MARKETING Urgently required Marketing Executive with driving license for sales of furniture. Contact: 97164554 / 99452755 Email: aliasgar.tarwadi@yahoo. com Required male / female Marketing person for man power Supply Company with minimum 3 years experience with valid GCC / Oman driving license.

Contact: 97158893 / 94148972.

Kindly send CV at Email: rastllcmuscat@gmail.com

A Leading trading group is looking for Sales executives / Outdoor sales Co-coordinator having experience in construction equipment / Building materials with driving license & Release / NOC. Email CV to alhajoil@omantel.net.om or fax: 24701683 Urgently Required Steel Fabricated Products Salesman with an experience in steel fabrication, MUST have Oman driving license, and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com Building material company looking for a Marketer with experience. Contact: 95342240 & send CV to Email: venice.decoration@gmail.com

OFFICE/SECRE. Required executive secretary male or female English perfect Microsoft office perfect research skills filling organizations. Send CV to info@bustanrealestate.com We are looking for Experienced Omani Receptionists for our organization Ayaan Healthcare centre. Contact - 93676708 Email: jooprakash.mba@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE A dynamic professional, female, MBA, 8 yrs MNC exp in purchase,secretary,sales coordination, office assistant, logistics, petty cash, stock, dispatch, project management, documentation, residing in oman with valid NOC from current company, looking for suitable job, ready to join immediately. Contact- phone:-94157662 Email: shiji4123@gmail.com, Indian male M.com with 7 years of experience in running own business , seeking for job currently on visit visa. Contact : 91089088 CA with 16 years experience in finance / audit, seeking suitable senior position and available for immediate joining. Contact: 96320588 MBA in finance having 3 years experience in India looking for job as accountant. Cashier or store keeping living in Oman in visit visa. Contact: 99181193 Internal Auditor Presently in Oman & having 2 years of Gulf experience and 7+ experience in accounts & Auditing with valid GCC driving license looking for an opportunity in Oman,Qatar,UAE. Contact +968 99356707 Indian male 7 years Oman exp, Tally ERP 9, Accounting, Inventory Controller/Asset Supervisor & IT Supports seeking suitable job. NOC available. B.Com, PGDCA, location Sohar, having Oman D/L, #98317698.

Email: sukuanilkumar@gmail.com Indian male 25 B.Com (graduate) 2 years experience as accountant in country club India with ERP oracle r12, tally knowledge. On visit visa immediately available.

Email: shabi.hyd@gmail.com Contact- 9042-1161 Egyptian sr. Accountant / chief accountant / accounts manager with more than 10 years experience in construction have Oman valid driver license on transfer visa. Contact: 96131088

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Indian female accountant 8 years exp in Oman. Contact: 93726921

Indian female 25 yrs, MBA HR & Marketing, with one and half years experience as accountant and 6 months experience in teaching, now on a visit visa, seeking suitable position. Contact: 99624044, mail: np.neethu1@gmail.com.

Indian male 5 yrs experience in data entry & accounting assistance seeks suitable placement NOC available. Content: 94452346 Email: subishkuruvilla5@gmail.com

Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement.

Contact : 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com Young 24, ACCA affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business, seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or audit With valid driving license.

Contact - 92430152, Email - rau_dey@yahoo.com

Indian male accountant B.com, M.com with 7 years experience including gulf on tourist visa.

Contact: 91651695 Email: danishpa2005@gmail.com Accounting Services for small/ medium Businesses. Accounting from Data Entry to preparation of P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash flow and complete reports for auditing Contact: 99679247 Indian Male Accountant 10yrs Exp. in OMAN Retail & Furniture Co. (Release Available) GSM.92564955

Indian female accountant having more than 8 years of experience in Oman. Can handle accounts independently up to finalization. Good knowledge of tally ERP9 and MS Office seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 91229415 Indian male MBA (F) with 6 years of experience as accountant proficiency in A/C software like tally, focus, Sap (FICO) seeking suitable placement. Contact: 98665219 Email: abdulhameed1527@gmail.com Jordanian, Senior accountant, 15 yrs experience in Oman finance & accountant. Contact: 92881223 Indian male M.Com with 10 years of experience in Finance/accounting, analysis, can do finalization independently seeks suitable positions.

Contact 92839679 (can join immediately- local release available) Indian male 30 B.com, 6 yrs accounts exp in East Africa & 1year exp in Oman NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. #94613626 Email: sharis.shaheer@gmail.com Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization, on Monthly basis finalization and consulting works.

Contact: 96247295 Part time up to finalization.

Contact: 91126314 Indian male accountant with 7 years experience in Oman seeking for suitable placement NOC available. Contact: 95578150 Whatsapp BBM graduate with 3 years experience looking for job in finance / Admin / retail currently on visit visa. Contact: 98993590 Email: mohammedasitucm@gmail.com Accounting Assistant, BBA M.Com, tally, peach tree, can work on current visa ph: 98269281 Indian male, B.Com with 6 years experience as an Accountant, looking for suitable placement.

Mob: 93903458 , Email : Akkandyrijesh@gmail.com 22 years experience in Oman for accountants seeks suitable placement. Contact: 99615920 Indian male bachelor degree finance 3.5 years experience in Oman handling cargo operation and accounts Oman driving license holder seeking job in logistics account. Contac: 95137665 Email: shajeer002@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, finance, banking, L/C, import, export & finalization seeks placement. NOC Available.

Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to finalization. Currently employed in Oman. Having D/L & NOC. Mob: 94122464, Email: cammk13@gmail.com

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement. #90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

Finance / Project/ Program Manager Professional

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

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ADMIN DRIVER Indian male 32 yrs with 9 yrs experience in MIS & Administration good knowledge of MS .Office currently on visit visa looking for suitable position.

Contact 99815835 Email: rinumohan.842@gmail.com A Female Postgraduate with over 5 years of working experience in HR/Business Development/ Banking/Admin/Coordinative/ Secretarial duties seeks a suitable placement.

Contact 99357522/92800281 26/Pakistani Male/MBA-HR having 2 years of experience in HR with MN Insurance Company and banking industry is currently in OMAN on VISIT VISA & looking for a suitable job in HR, ADMIN or FINANCE. Email ahmadraja010@gmail.com GSM 91716268/93228785 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O , Clerk helper supervisor Admin supervisor , H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license looking for H.R position or P.R.O license . Looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288 Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position.Contact: 90196235 Indian male MBA 33yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking full time suitable placement in Administration/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics.

Holding valid D/L. Contact 99054786 Indian male MBA- UK 18 yrs Gulf exp in Administration/ HR & Public relationship. Fluent in Arabic/ English with D/L. Looking for suitable position. Contact - 99897280 Indian female, Masters in HR, having 4 + years Oman experience in media management and HR, looking for openings in HR, Education, Admin, Corporate communications. Contact 98252030 BBA Mare administration officer with admin, Accounts purchase experience valid Noc. Contact: 91329571

Wanted driver. Contact: 91025698 Pakistani light driver looking for job with 5 years experience.

Contact: 92617293 Looking job for driving with car.

Contact: 90436094 Looking for job car driver.

Contact: 98388947 Light driver need job knows Arabic & Hindi. Contact: 95145988 Job for driving. Contact: 98982410

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Interior Designer 3 years experience, AutoCAD 2D & 3D Max & Photoshop.

Contact number: 99025312 Interior Designer 4 years experience design and supervision skills (3D Max, AutoCAD Photoshop.

Contact: 95246737 Email: yassalnajjar@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer male 26 yrs, with 4 yrs of experience in manufacturing oil & gas retail, brand promoting, marketing, logistics having valid Omani D/L seeking for a suitable placement. Contact: 97098676 Email: ja237le@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Mechanical Engineer (male) with 2 years experience in project & production field seeking suitable jobs now on visit visa. Contact: 94823009/94223483 Email: jisso.joseph@outlook.com

CATERING Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

DOMESTIC HELP Indian House maid looking for part time full time job perfect in baby care, mother care, cooking, cleaning etc. Contact 93675855 Housemaid (overseas) Indian family looking for job.

Contact 99531802

DRIVER Bangladeshi male light vehicle driver looking for job.

Contact: 95601163 Pakistani male 38 years with 10 year experience in driving Omani license (littlie).Contact: 93084806 Can with driving 3 years experience per time job. Contact: 92041902 Needed light driver job urgently.

Contact: 94085449 Light driver with car.

Contact: 96379697

Structural Engineer, 8 yrs experienced in flat slab, post tensioned & slab-beam multi story building design & supervision with driving license. Contact: 98256860 Civil Engineer having 7 years experience in construction field, looking job in suite international company with Oman driving license. Contact: 91800277 Young Electrical and Electronics Engineer Indian B.Tech male 24 seeking job presently in Oman having one year experience in design and estimation of Ht and Lt Projects. Contact: 968 94851525 Email: rabeehbinrahman@gmail. com Electrical Engineer 4.5 years experience oil & gas water projects & subseries. Contact: 99525856 Mechanical Engineer 7 years experience 4 years in pipe line projects NOC is available.

Contact: 91117089 Indian male 23 years B.E in mechanical fresher and have CSWIP certification on visit visa seeking employment foe mechanical jobs as entry level. Contact 98422072 Email Id: j-joel92@yahoo.com

Looking for truck visa.

Contact: 94087276

Mechtronics Engineer, Indian male 2 yrs exp in industrial automation & maintenance, seeking suitable job. Presently on visiting visa. Contact – 97315735 / jithinm717@gmail.com

Looking for driving job.

Contact: 98255214

Omani HSE supervisor. Email: jeebal3000@gmail.com

3 years driver experience in Muscat Oman, language known: English, Hindi Arabic & Bengali.

Contact: 97462781

Sudanese Civil engineer - 4 years experience – 98093544

Looking for job driver K.S.A 7 years & Oman 5 years education H.S.C. Contact: 93940319

Driver with car 2015 model, speak British English.

Contact: 94039796

27 years male diploma in Civil Eng having 6 years Oman experience valid driving license seeking suitable placement. Contact: 98809638 /98666735

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Indian male senior electrical engineer 10yrs experience in all kinds of LV, HV works residential commercial infrastructure looking for a suitable position. Contact: 93676607 Indian male Electrical Engineer, 7 years experience, valid GCC driving license, NOC available looking for suitable job. Contact: 96137008 Email: joshuaruarkfernandez@gmail. com B.SC civil Engineer, road construction field with 13 years experience in Oman. Contact: 92200485 Indian Electronics Engineer female 24 M.Tech 9Communication) Engineer and signal processing) with C,C ++ & matlab programming skills 7 1 year exp in teaching. Seeking suitable jobs, now on visit visa.

Contact – 91310557/ Email: aswanimidhun12@gmail.com Electrical diploma Engineer with 1.5 years experience in AutoCAD designing for LV constructions and diesel generator maintenance looking actively for job in Oman.

Contact: 92171858/90595609 Email: nelsondas213@gmail.com Indian male – B.Tech -8 yrs exp in Mfg (operations /material) seek suitable placement urgently NOC & Oman D/L available Contact 99462068 / Email: vale_jazib@yahoo.com Indian male, 22 Chemical Engineer residing in Oman looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92379181 Electrical Engineer with 18 years exp in UAE. Contact: 98148034 Email: shassalih66@gmail.com Civil Engineer with Oman experience and having driving license.

Contact - 91102892 Civil Engineer B.E 12 years experience with valid Oman driving license NOC available.

Contact: 93843448 Civil Engineer B.E (Indian) having total experience 14 years in building construction NOC available.

Contact 92971284 Email: mkamran1508@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B-Tech) 2 year Indian experience Contact 90493674 emailinayathhussainshaik@gmail.com Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (4 years exp) (3 years HVAC 10 months Piping Engineer) job visa Indian Muslim (27). Contact: 90486758 Email: afsalhyder@gmail.com Chemical Engineer Sudanese male 29 yrs. Master degree in chemical engineering , Experience 1 yrs and 2 months OSHA Course ,HACCP Course , look for suitable job in Oman. Contact 96533430

Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) with QA / QC piping Engineering (ASNT) level 2 (UT, RT, MPT, LRT) with experience QC Inspector in a expansion project of a refinery. Currently on visiting working for suitable job.

Contact: 00968 97697944 Email: arskpo7@gmail.com Project Engineer (Civil) Indian Male 11 years in Building Construction.

Visa release & D/L available.

Contact: 93836362/94605415, mathan.civil04@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) with 2 and half years experience Indian male 24 years in visit visa. Contact: 96620482 / + 919605423272 Email: bijumonps@gmail.com Civil Engineer 6 years experience, 4 years in Oman, driving license available. Contact number 92553263 Telecom Engineer, Indian, M.Tech (Communication System) 2 years exp O& M of Ericsson BSC, RNC equipments seeking suitable job, presently on visit visa.

Contact: 968 93615443 Email: shabnaspk@gmail.com Process Engineer Chemical Engineer, MBA certified in supply chain (MGT) 6 years experiences in operation. Contact: +968 94690325 Email: phahad.hashim@gmail.com Indian male Electrical Engineer with MBA (Mktg) having 4 and half years experience in technical commercial and marketing fields with valid GCC D/L, NOC available seeking placement. Contact: + 968 96547828 Email: deva0234@gmail.com Civil diploma Engineer cum quantity survey male 6 years experience in Oman valid Oman D/L. Contact: 93747759 Email: jaleelvanimalkp@gmail.com Indian female civil engineer B.Tech having 3 years experience sound knowledge of software, REVIT STAD PRO structural detailing currently on family visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95345591 Mechanical Engineer with 3 Yrs experience in international Oil & Gas company looking for job Contacts: Tel: 90164236 Email: mustafaoshi-62@hotmail.com Indian Electrical Engineer Btech, female 24 seeking job, presently in oman having 2 year experience in design and estimation of Ht &Lt projects. Contact 968 97436557, Mail id : sibinanoop1@gmail.com Diploma in Mechanical Eng piping system in AutoCAD work, 21+ years experience with Driving license. Contact: 95267113 Email: rkakkaryil@gmail.com Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement. Contact:- 95042656 Civil Engineer (BE) having total 5 years experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available Contact# 94450270

Indian male 26 yrs have 6 yrs exp in technical assistant in tyre production, visit visa at Ruwi.

Contact: 92600859

Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97667113

Iraqi Architect with 10 years of experience in Engineering designs and Construction Supervising professional in 3Ds Max, AutoCAD Photoshop. Contact: 96011716

Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im

Indian female (22) BE Computer Science & pursuing MBA in symbiosis, looking for a job in HR & IT with 2 years experience in IT field.

Contact: 92649477 / 96043223

7 Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the field of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598

Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975518 Bachelor Civil Engineer 6 Years in Oman experience Valid Driving License seeks suitable placement Phone 97619722 Email – golamrob@yahoo.com Indian female, 31 yrs, 7 yrs experienced as AutoCAD civil draftsman (2 yrs experience in Oman) currently in Oman seeks suitable.

Contact 96789441 Email: simi5304@gmail.com

Sudanese Telecom Engineer, 5 years experience, 3 years in Oman PMP certificate.

Contact: 93391008 Email: momen.awadallam@gmail.com Mechanical Eng. Diploma 31 years experience (22 Oman) Steel fabrication, steel furniture, Powder coating, Production and Planning.

Machine shop, looking for Managerial position in Sohar.

Contact 99314899 MEP Engineer 5 years exp in Gulf driving license NOC. Contact 97838220

IT

Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact – 96789711

AutoCAD draftsman experience 2 years.

Contact: 93738335 /95809393 Email: mammoosing@gmail.com

HSE Engineer B.Tech (safety & fire) M. Sc 8 years experience Indian 31 years presently occupied on notice period available with clean NOC, holds Oman driving license & owns car. Contact: 94616721 Email: aibelg19@gmail.com

Indian female 28 years, MCA, B.com, 3 years experience in the field of computer hardware, ERP software and windows networking where planning, implementing and troubleshooting with multiple platform of OS Microsoft XP /7/8 on visit visa. Contact: 95089170 Email: anjuretnakar@gmail.com

B.Sc Civil Engineer, 27 yrs Oman experience as Project Manager, Structure Engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC / LOCAL transfer available. Contact: 99349578 Email: farooqatm@hotmail.com Procurement Engineer (27 years single male with Oman Driving License) having 7 years experience (UAE 2, Oman 3) with expertise in MEP, Water, Electromechanical, Instrumentation seeking suitable placements. Contact 95852033, mail: hemal1988@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact: 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com Electrical Testing Engineer (B.Tech) having 7 yrs Gulf experience expertise in testing precommissioning commissioning of electrical systems, currently on visit visa seeks suitable job in Muscat.

Contact: 90188231 Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/COO/CEO/Business Head.

(NOC available) Contact: 96059470 Indian male hotel management graduate above 12 yrs experience in hospitality looking placement GCC driving license and release available. Contact: 94525463

IT Indian male 3 years experience in IT as Linux Administrator and 1 year experience in Amazon EC2 cloud at Wipro technologies looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 92889678 Email: amalpathikal@gmail.com Male 24 from, India B.SC Computer science with 2 years of networking and IT help desk support experience and a Cisco certified, came to Oman on visit seeking a suitable placement. Contact: 96910605 Diploma holder in computer hardware and networking with more than 9 years experience and with driving license seeking suitable placement. Contact: 95249087 BCA Indian male one years experience system Admin IT support MCITP CCNA looking for suitable job currently on visit visa.

Contact: 94821943 Email: basithmck0@gmail.com Indian male 27 yrs master in computer applications currently in Muscat with Oman driving license seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 93191800 Email: vijilraj60@gmail.com Indian Male, IT System Engineer having 4 yrs of experience in system administration.CCNA,MCSE, Linux. Looking for suitable job.

Contact :91272867 Indian male 25 years BSC (C.S) with basic hardware and software knowledge seeks suitable placement now on visit visa.

Contact: 92319677 Email: ismabsc@gmail.com

Indian female, B.Tech graduate, with one and half years experience as ‘web developer’ interested in web development and has experience working in HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript and Photoshop.

Contact : 9592 7075, e-mail id: mariarosejacob90@gmail.com

LOGISTICS Indian Male, 36 years, over 16 years’ Stores, Logistics and Import Export experience with US based MNC, seeks suitable placement.

Mob: 9822 6568

MISCELLANEOUS Indian female 29 yrs LLB, 6 yrs experience in Litigation Legal Counsel.

Looking for full time jobs.

Contact 96079342 Bangladeshi male, University M.Com, Working as an Accountant & Administrator in Oman; searching better job. Phone: 94864966 Email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com A Filipina lady having experience in call center, airline booking and reservations, secretarial and real estate is now looking for a job in any fields. Contact: 93839304 Indian female on visit MBA (International Business- Marketing & Logistics), BE (Computers & Science Engg.) Trained in SAP-BI/ BW with 1 year experience seeking for job Contact: 90228586 Email:fathimasha16@gmail.com Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement.

Gsm 98805474

MEDICAL Indian male Orthodontist & female BDS Prometric dataflow completed looking suitable post.

Contact 90377433 Male GP Doctor with NOC 6 yrs experience in Oman for perm/locum job. Contact : 97746074 Indian Bsc Female Nurse with 6.5 years exp, 4 years in KSA. Passed Oman Pro Metric with 69%, completed data flow. Presently in Muscat in visit visa looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 94744900, 94742834, jincyalphonese@gmail.com An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact 96436517 /97396088

MANAGER Indian male 40 yrs degree and diploma in logistics , having 16 yrs experience 6 yrs GCC , including Oman in storekeeping and material management seeking suitable placement NOC available.

Contact: 98966849 Egyptian male finance manager 7 years experience release available. Contact: 95539923 MBA (marketing) with 17 years experience in freight forwarding/ logistics industry in GCC & Oman.

Presently working as branch manager in Muscat. Looking for a suitable position. Release and NOC available. Contact: 99856331 Indian male, with experience in operations management, information security, purchase & stores mgmt, hold UAE driving license, on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact 91904541 Email: naushers@yahoo.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments & transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact: :- 92385033

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED MANAGER MBA with 18 years of experience in Procurement, 2 years in Sohar, Oman driving license with vehicle, looking for suitable position.M:94047501, ahmed16071974@gmail.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualified to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash management of the company & marketing projects & investments& tenders & real estate. Contact 92385033

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Indian male 25 years experience as secretary controller looking for a job Noc available.

Contact: 92906042 Email: prakashpv1959@gmail.com Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Call: 95244761

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING 15 years of working experience in Business development in Oman & UAE & UK , marketing plans and strategies & importing fire woks for festivals & preparing government tenders , Operations and logistics , importing and international business trading , CNC engineering & industrial areas , I have dual nationality ( I can travel abroad easily without needing visa, for finalizing business trading NOC available.

Contact: 94123939

Indian Male, Structural Engineer seeking for a job in Structural design field. Having 6 yrs experience in Design field. Residing in Muscat. syam036@gmail.com, GSM 91176187

Indian male UK- MBA (International Business) having 2 years UK exp with full UK D/L, now on visiting visa. Seeking suitable jobs.

Contact – 96446013 / mmmidhun777@gmail.com

Indian male with three years of experience in IT as system administrator seeking for IT administration job placements. Presently in Muscat on visit visa.

Contact: 90664136, email: szuheabikram@yahoo.com

MBA Indian male 4 years experience sales & marketing seeking suitable opportunities.

Contact: 96931719 Sales Engineer (M.Eng) Canada five + years Oman market experience with leading brands with D/L. Contact: 93985140 Email: jbom628@gmail.com Male 26 BBA studied in Oman 3 yrs exp in MNC and now on visit.

Contact: 98180071 Email: nikhildasin@gmail.com Indian male with 27 years of rich experience in sales/ marketing in Oman with driving license and proficiency in Arabic language, seeks suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact: 96725458 Email: ranisadhu@yahoo.com

Indian male 31 years with over 10 years sales & marketing experience seeking suitable placement NOC & Oman D/L available in addition have proficiency in Arabic language.

Contact: 95760969

MBA graduate having 6 years exp in Sales & Marketing, 4 years with PEPSI, India, having international driving license permit seeks suitable placement. Contact : 95308167, Email : samir.pag@gmail.com

Indian male 35 yrs MBA having 11 yrs experience in G.C.C including Oman in sales and marketing of industrial products, heavy EQPT, & construction machinery of having valid Oman driving license NOC available. Contact: 97296248 /91483978

Indian male pluming sanitary ware & building materials experience in outdoor sales (9 years) experience with D/L UAE valid visit visa. Contact: 98723456

Indian male (31 yrs) sales supervisor, total 9 yrs gulf exp, 4 yrs in Oman with valid GCC D/L with NOC, release & transferable visa.

Contact: 94014327 Email: praveankotian188@gmail.com Indian male MBA marketing 3 yrs exp with D/L available.

Contact: 98904200 Email: haris.hameedali@gmail.com Indian Male 34 yrs, having 5 yrs FMCG experience as sales executive and sales supervisor with valid GCC driving License Contact- 92536979 Sudanese B.S.C Business administration experience 8 years sales management purchases H.R marketing. Contact: 96112453 Indian male with Oman driving license & NOC looking for Sales & marketing / purchase job fluent English. Contact: 94742666 Male 38 yrs Graduate 07 years experience indoor / outdoor electronic field with D/License & NOC available (as per new rule).

Contact: 92453375 Indian male, MBA Marketing having 2.5 years Sales experience immediately looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91415145, Email: shariqs88@gmail.com B.Com male 2 yrs experience in sales Computer knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98371144 email: nabilnazar22@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Sri Lankan lady experienced in key accounts, Market Demand planning & Communications, Brand/Sales in multinationals seeks placement in Muscat.

Contact 98250829 Indian sales marketing professional highly experienced in business development in ME India and Africa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97897611 Indian male, Graduate, experienced Sales person (FMCG) with valid UAE driving license, on visit seeks suitable position. Contact 92419491 / 94881950, Email : pranilpp76@gmail.com

TECHNICIAN /MECH. Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license call Ph:+968 99450811 Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com

MISCELLANEOUS Accountant. Having 6 years experience in accounts in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat (NOC Available) GSM. 00968-97010584, Email usman7678@yahoo.com Iraqi civil Engineer with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq, U.A.E. and Oman) looking for a job, (N.O.C.) is available.

Contact No. 95626218 Email- amin.sarim007@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer (Indian Male, 24 Years) with three years experience, looking for suitable job. Currently on visit visa, ready to join immediately. # 92175441, Email: ihabeeb24@gmail.com

Iraqi Civil Engineer with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C.) is available. Contact No. 96561306 iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Indian Female, 24 MA Eng. Litr with 2 yrs experience in teaching & 14 months in Administration cum Secretary, Currently on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact: 92613704/99260702 Email:rohinis2010@gmail.com Indian male AUTO CAD Draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience, seeking for part time job.#- 99070584 / email: remluvp@gmail.com Diploma (Electrical Engineering) from Government polytechnic.

Age 27 years, 6 years Experience in troubleshooting and managing and Technical in substation as a Electrical Engineer. Seek suitable placement. Contact - 92995899, MBA (F), B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for full or part time job. Presently on family visit visa. Contact: - 96259171. Email: bhumicapandya@gmail.com BS in Civil Engineering Experience: 3 Year (Road Projects) Omani license: 9 Years.

Contact: 97427701 Email: hassanrvc1989@gmail.com Indian Male, total 8+years gulf experience in Document Controller / Coordinator / Secretary. Looking suitable position. Local release available. CONTACT: 94524259 EMAIL: madhuppnair@yahoo.com Mechanical Engineer (Indian Male, 24 Years) with three years experience, looking for suitable job.

Currently on visit visa, ready to join immediately. Contact 92175441, Email: ihabeeb24@gmail.com Indian female, holds LLB & Masters in business administration(MBA),2 yrs oman experience as HR & Admin, seeks suitable placement in jobs @ SOHAR. Contact: 96541959 IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/ networking/server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532.

Indian male 23 years Diploma in Mechatronic having 3years experience in production and maintenance department looking for suitable placement #+919597008904 (sachin.valappil92@gmail.com) Indian Male, 26 years, with 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in Dubai, looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. # 90182494

Indian male 26, on vist visa, 2+ yrs of experience with UAE D/L, IATA-FIATA,BBA looking for any suitable job. Contact 91324567 Indian Male ,MBA Finance & Marketing 28 yrs,6+ Exp, with oman D/L & NOC, Hospital Pharma ,Herbal ,FMCG, F&B Marketing ,construction A/c & sales , 93379044 Diploma in civil engineering having an experience 26years (22years in Oman) experience in Estimator / quantity surveyor looking for a suitable placement.

Willing to join immediately Contact: 96328687.

Indian female, B.Tech graduate, with one and half years experience as ‘web developer’ interested in web development and has experience working in HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript and Photoshop.

Contact 9592 7075, e-mail id: mariarosejacob90@gmail.com 33 year old Filipina with experience in Teleperformance, Manila call centre ,now working as Waitress in Qatar seeking suitable post.

Contact 99022484 Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Store keeper in Muscat; searching better job.

Phone:91997605, email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/COMPUTER/WEBSITE

IELTS PREPARATION Target Band 8.0

Classes for Spoken English TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / SAT Excellent Guidance and Coaching Satisfaction Guaranteed EAGLES INSTITUTE 92325542 | 93657915 | 93657917 | Email: engominst@gmail.com

9 yrs exp Site Engineer in Civil & Shade Structure. 2d, 3d draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job. #90139903 Bangladeshi Male, University M.Com, Working as an administrator in Oman; searching better job.

Phone:94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Sales coordinator cum Store keeper in Muscat; searching better job. Phone:91997605. E mail: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com Assistant Manager – Planning (B.Tech EEE): Indian Male, over 10 years( 7+ Yrs in Oman & UAE) of experience in Project Planning & Scheduling, Liaison & Coordination, Budgeting and Client Interaction. Seeking a suitable Job in Muscat. Contact – 00971503529608, Email Id: saravananbe44@gmail.com Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/networking/server, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/ Network/Server support.

Contact 92607532 Indian Male, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” , looking for suitable placement. Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. Contact: 90182494, manojmallya999@gmail.com Indian female 25 yrs, MBA HR & Marketing, with one and half years experience as accountant and 6 months experience in teaching, now on a visit visa, seeking suitable position. Contact: 99624044, mail: np.neethu1@gmail.com.

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

MBA (F), B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for full or part time job. presently on family visit visa. Contact :- 96259171. Email:bhumicapandya@gmail.com Indian Male, 27 Years, MBA Finance pursuing, BCA, 6 years working in Airline Cargo Operations, Airline Passenger Ticket Auditing domain, looking for a suitable placement, currently on visit. email: jeevamal89@gmail. com, Phone:- 91713489 Assistant Manager – Planning (B.Tech EEE): Indian Male, over 10 years( 7+ Yrs in Oman & UAE) of experience in Project Planning & Scheduling, Liaison & Coordination, Budgeting and Client Interaction. Seeking a suitable Job in Muscat. Contact – 00971503529608, Email Id: saravananbe44@gmail.com

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. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. CONTACT 98294551

MATRIMONIAL Sunni Muslim girl, Mumbai origin, 24yrs BCA graduate from Oman, homely with good religious value, seeking alliance of age max 29 from Muslim Sunni Mumbai origin family, well settled in Oman or Middle East.

Contact: 94150040 Indian male Roman Catholic 40yrs divorcee working in Muscat. Seeks suitable alliance from widow/ divorcee/ single.Contact: 96059801.

55 years widower looking life partner Mangalore widows only.

Contact: 99014325

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steambath, obesity, spondylitis. Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 97397320 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).Contact:24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www. siddhayur.com Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at AL Khuwair. Contact: 24478618 / 97263637 / 93309131

S U N DAY, F E B R UA RY 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

TOURS

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

MANPOWER

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

RENT A CAR

MV SALE Chevrolet Ebica 2006 manual good condition register 4.8.2016 550/-R.O. Contact: 92802299 Volvo FHIZ 1997 with 1 year’s insurance flatbed tailors up to.

Contact: 99454425 Hyundai Tucson model 2011 No.2 and CC 2.4 light green colour prices 3800/- R.O . Contact: 99376544

DRIVING

2008 2ltr VW Passat, good condition, 115k km, 99659946, RO 2800

NRI Land for sale 40 cents NH 47 roadside opposite Pankaj theatre alleppy town. Contact: 968- 99075495 Email: mathewneena@gmail.com Land for sale 13 cents peroorkada Trivandrum 12L per cent and 22 cents eroor Kochi.

Contact: 96892973928 Email: pmnayar1810@yahoo.com

NRI Flat for sale Kerala Thiruvananthapuram 3 bed room Flat in cyber Palm (SFS)Area 1860sqf, Flat in cyber gate way Area 1159,Cont no +91 99-95-674657

TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 92015894

From Mabela to Mawaleh for school student. Contact: 92757673 Transportation. Contact: 96248040

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. Contact 99839898

Transportation. Contact :98505294 Transportation in Muscat.

Contact: 96004045

Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

D8

S U N DAY, F E B R UA RY 2 1 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

DĂƌďůĞ Ɵ ůĞƐ ŐƌŝŶĚŝŶŐ Θ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ͕ DŽƐĂŝĐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ŐƌŝŶĚŝŶŐ Θ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ͕ ĐĂƌƉĞƚ ƐŚĂŵƉŽŽŝŶŐ͕ ƐŽĨĂ ƐŚĂŵƉŽŽŝŶŐ͕ ƉĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů ƚƌĞĂƚŵĞŶƚ Θ ŐĞŶĞƌĂů ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽĨ ǀŝůůĂ Θ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ džƉƌĞƐƐ ƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ͘

Contact 98480070 / 94134784

SERVICES tĞ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ůĞĂŶĞƌƐ͕ Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ General cleaning etc. ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> Contact : 94277020 LEGAL SERVICE Ŷ /ŶĚŝĂŶ ůĂǁLJĞƌ WƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ Ăůů ůĞŐĂů ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ŝŶ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŵĂƩ ĞƌƐ͘ LĂďŽƵƌ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ͕ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ ĂŐƌĞĞŵĞŶƚƐ͕ >> ĨŽƌŵĂƟ ŽŶ͕ ůĞŐĂů ŚĞůƉ ĨŽƌ ƐƚĂƌƟ ŶŐ new business in Oman, Civil, criminal cases,.service issues. /ďƌĂŚŝŵ ů DĂƐƐĂůŚŝ͘ůĞŐĂů ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂŶĐLJ SĂƌĂĨƵĚŚĞĞŶ͕ LLB, MBA, LĞŐĂů Advisor Muscat. GSM: 97351649

Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. # 93769089 / 95323517 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Cad drafting architecture MEP design MEP BIM – REVIT. Contact: 91233975

Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064

FURNITURE SHIFTING Maintenance, Dismantling, Packing, Shifting & Fixing furniture with expert technicians.

Split A/C servicing R.O 10 only.

Contact: 94217681 / 99210141

Contact: 99041337 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble.# 24793614/ 99314807 Marble Crystallization & Grinding, Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 99344723 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013 A/C maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing. # 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Building maintenance.

Contact: 96173326

House shifting. Contact: 99708138

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130

Pest Control Treatments Ocean Center L.L.C. # 99344723 Cleaning & Carpet Shampooing Ocean Center L.L.C. # 99344723

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