Times of Oman - May 21, 2015

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Oman keeping an eye on Arabian Sea low pressure

FOUR CITIZENS KILLED IN IZKI CAR CRASH Four citizens, including an eight-year-old child, were killed in a collision between two cars in Izki on Wednesday morning, a reliable source at Izki Hospital said.

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REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Low pressure in the Arabian Sea is being monitored

by Oman’s meteorological department, but so far there is no sign of a tropical depression, said an official.

“We are monitoring the developments. So far, there is nothing concrete to announce to the public,” said the official.

Global weather forums have forecast chances of a tropical depression forming in the Arabian Sea which is likely to head towards Salalah coast.

However, an official from Salalah Port quoted weather charts showing the depression is not strong enough. “According to the weather charts it will weaken and is likely to hit Socotra Island in Yemen,” said the official.

Grieving father’s beach safety plea to parents ROP says that life jackets a must for children at beach

On the day he learned his little girl Marwa, 3, had drowned, her

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Mid-day break for workers from June

for all amid his grief

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FAHAD AL GHADANI

The mid-day break for all those who work outdoors will begin in June and end in August, announced the Ministry of Manpower. >A3

INDIA

India’s crackdown on black money

Times News Service

father had a message

DEEP SORROW: The distraught father after the recovery of the body.

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: “I could have been swimming with her and stayed close to her, or I could have stopped her from swimming,” said an inconsolable Ahmed Abdullah Al Balushi, the 30-year-old father.

“I hope this never happens to anybody. It is very hard to lose a

loved one in front of your eyes. I still cannot imagine that my little Marwa is gone, and I will never see her again,” said Ahmed Abdullah.

The body of three-year-old Marwa Al Balushi was recovered from the sea on Wednesday morning, four days after she was swept away

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Giving a fresh thrust to their crackdown on black money, Indian tax authorities have decided to cut down on lengthy paperwork. >A9

MARKET

Oman to build new solar pilot projects

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Four solar power projects as pilot ventures have been proposed by Raeco to efficiently utilise renewable energy. >B1

UK scholarship to be re-launched in Sultanate

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by the waves while playing on the Shinas beach.

Marwa had been playing on a tube boat along with her brother and sister on the beach at 6.30pm on Sunday when a wave swept her away, even as her father and two siblings watched horrified. >A6

MUSCAT: Most drowning accidents occur as parents do not monitor their children who are playing on the beach, an official from the Royal Oman Police (ROP) Coast Guard said.

“There have been cases involving a large number of children on the beach where controlling them becomes difficult,” said a statement by the ROP. He also said that not wearing life jackets was also

an issue with children when they go swimming.

The ROP advised parents to ensure that children wear life jackets at all times when swimming in the sea or pools. >A6

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OMAN

ACCIDENT

Four nationals die in Izki car collision FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Four Omanis, including an eight-year-old child, were killed in a head-on collision between two cars in Izki on Wednesday, said a reliable source at the Izki Hospital.

The source said that the acci-

dent took place in Izki wilayat between 8:30 a.m. and 9.00 a.m. .

“Three victims and three bodies were transferred to the Izki Hospital, while one injured person and a body were sent to the Nizwa Hospital,” said the source.

He added that the three injured persons who were admitted in Izki Hospital were given first-aid and

keeping in mind the occupational health and safety of workers, the Ministry of Manpower said. It is applicable to workers exposed to high temperatures between 12.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: The mid-day break for all those who work outdoors will begin in June and end in August, announced the Ministry of Manpower.

“The break has been announced keeping in mind the occupational health and safety of workers,” said the announcement. The directive is applicable especially to construction workers exposed to high temperatures between 12.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m.

The directive is in accordance with Article 16 of the regulatory measures on occupational health and safety in facilities governed by the Omani Labour Law issued by the Ministerial Decision 286/2008. Every year, workers who toil outdoors are provided relaxation of a mid-day break for three months starting from June.

Proper shelter However, as the temperature was crossing 40° Celsius in many places, trade union leaders, construction company owners, medics and embassy officials had called for an early announcement of the mid-day break.

Saud Salmi, chairman of the Petroleum Development Oman

(PDO) trade union and chairman of oil and gas sector unions, had said that the companies should also provide a proper shelter for the workers to rest.

Jaison Mathai, an expatriate in Muscat, said that it is not just the break an organisation should give, but it should go a step further and provide workers with a proper shelter where they can rest and enough water to avoid dehydration.

‘Take initiative’ Beena Shibu Mathew, another expatriate in Muscat, said that social clubs and charity groups should take the initiative to provide temporary sunshades, water and snacks to workers toiling in the heat.

Article 118 of the Labour Law states that companies which violate the law would be penalised either with fines ranging between OMR100 and OMR500, or a jail term not exceeding a year, or both, and that repeated violations would lead to the doubling of the penalty.

In 2014, during the mid-day break, the ministry had inspected 700 facilities and fined 172 of them for violating the law, while in 2013, the ministry fined close to 35 companies.

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transferred to Nizwa Hospital.

“There were all students in one car which dashed against the oncoming vehicle. One woman was also reportedly killed in the accident,” said sources in Izki.

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has urged motorists to maintain speed limits and adhere to the traffic laws.

The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) records show that 278 people were injured in road accidents during the month of January this year.

Of these, 207 were Omanis including 143 males and 64 females, and 71 expatriates including 49 males and 22 females.

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TH UR S DAY, MAY 2 1, 2 015 Having Senkiene join our growing network of international representatives is an exciting development. Her expertise will certainly boost Ithraa’s efforts in helping Omani companies secure a stronger foothold in the growing Baltic markets.

Nasima Al Balushi, Ithraa’s director general of export development

OMAN

Chevening Scholarships to be relaunched in Oman

N C S I D ATA

Number of expat workers in Oman rises to 1.6 million SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY READ

The UK programme

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will be launched in

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partnership with a number of British businesses active

Friendship between Oman and the UK is more than just a friendship between two governments, said Ambassador Jonathan Wilks

in the Sultanate

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: British government’s global scholarship programme, known as Chevening Scholarships, will be re-launched for Oman, according to Jonathan Wilks, the British ambassador to the Sultanate.

The programme will be launched in partnership with a number of British businesses active in the Sultanate, Wilks said at a reception held at his residence on Tuesday, celebrating the uniquely close friendship between the two countries on the 45th anniversary of the Omani Renaissance.

Chevening Scholarships, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and partner organisations, are awarded to outstanding established or emerging leaders to pursue one-year Master’s degrees in any subject and at any of the United Kingdom’s leading universities.

The programme ran in Oman from 1983 until 2010 when it was

GLOBAL PROGRAMME: Chevening Scholarships, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and partner organisations, are awarded to outstanding, established or emerging leaders to pursue one-year Master’s degrees in any subject at any of the UK’s leading universities. – Photos and video Shabin E

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no longer available in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

“The value of this programme in building links between future leaders in UK and Oman is well known. I am delighted that it will once again play an important part in strengthening relations between our two countries.

In particular I want to thank BAE Systems for pioneering this re-launch through their gener-

ous sponsorship. And we look forward to the participation of other British business sponsors in this exciting new initiative,” the ambassador said.

Matt Foster, general manager for BAE Systems in Oman, said, “Having supported Chevening Scholarships in Malaysia, we felt that the programme would be perfect for Oman so following our recommendations, we are pleased that the British ambassador is making it a reality.”

By sponsoring Chevening Scholarships, BAE Systems will play a key role in ensuring that Oman’s future leaders have the right skills and experience to be

able to take the country to the next level, Foster said. He added, “From our Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics (STEM) schools programmes through to sponsoring students through their Masters degrees, we are committed to inspiring and educating a new generation of leaders in Oman.”

The guests attending the event received a celebration brochure highlighting the contributions of a wide range of British companies and organisations to Oman’s national development, ranging from investment in human capital, diversifying the economy, technology transfers, sport and cul-

tural exchange. Wilks said that the friendship between Oman and the UK is more than just a friendship between two governments.

“It is between two peoples. It is based on loyalty and commitment and delivers benefits for both countries’ security, prosperity and influence. I hope this event will in a small way help to highlight the continued importance of this remarkable partnership now and in the years to come,” he noted.

The event was sponsored by the Omani British Friendship Association, the Anglo-Omani Society, Babcock, BAE Systems, BP, Carillion, HSBC, Shell and InterContinental Hotels Group.

MUSCAT: The total number of expatriate workers in the Sultanate reached 1,604,158 at the end of last April, registering an increase of 0.6 per cent compared to the figures registered last March, which was 1,594,464 expatriate workers. The statistics showed that the private sector alone employed more than 1.2 million expatriate workers.

The latest statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) indicated that the number of male expatriate workers reached 1,416,162 while the number of female workers reached 187,996.

Private sector The largest number of expatriate workforce is working in the private sector — reaching 1,294,490 including 30,281 female workers and 1,264,209 male workers.

The numbers constituted a 0.6 per cent increase compared to the figures recorded last March.

Family They were followed by the workers in the family sector (the workers at the families and individuals at their own expense), who reached 249,301, most of them females comprising 136,673 workers compared to 112,628 workers recorded last March, with an increase rate of 0.6 per cent.

COMMERCE

Ithraa appoints trade representative for Lithuania Times News Service MUSCAT: Ithraa, the government organisation responsible for attracting inward investment and developing Oman’s non-oil exports, on Wednesday announced the appointment of Boleta Senkiene as its authorised trade and investment representative in Lithuania.

Ithraa has agreements with 25 authorised trade and investment representatives covering 22 countries. Representatives are local professionals, knowledgeable about the business, social and economic environments in their territories.

They play an important role in

providing Ithraa with market intelligence and offering advice on qualified buyers, agents, distributors and overseas partners. They also lend help with in-country logistical support for Omani organisations attending international B2B sessions and trade shows.

“Having Senkiene join our growing network of international representatives is an exciting development. Her expertise will certainly boost Ithraa’s efforts in helping Omani companies secure a stronger foothold in the growing Baltic markets,” remarked Nasima Al Balushi, Ithraa’s director general of export development.

Lithuania is currently among the fastest growing economies in

My appointment will hopefully help Ithraa develop Oman’s growing international market presence Boleta Senkiene Ithraa’s trade representative in Lithuania the European Union (EU) and is gaining momentum from its Eurozone membership and recent strong economic performance.

“There are opportunities for Omani exporters particularly in

the areas of energy, infrastructure, transport, plastics, food and drink and technology. We are fully committed to opening new markets for Omani businesses in Europe, which we know will sustain and

create local jobs and prosperity,” pointed out Al Balushi.

Commenting from Vilnius on her appointment, Senkiene said, “I believe the new position opens up even more exciting possibilities

for trade and investment co-operation between Oman and Lithuania. The commercial potential is definitely there, we just need to work on bringing our two business communities closer together. My appointment will hopefully help Ithraa develop Oman’s growing international market presence in Lithuania and the Baltic States.”

Founded in 1996, Ithraa is a government-run, ISO and investor in a people certified inward investment and export promotion agency.

They provide a range of support services and information to help domestic and international investors set up units in Oman, and export too.

INVESTMENT

Canadian investor of Intercontinental Hotel Golf Resort excited with project Times News Service MUSCAT: Investors are very excited about the new hotel Intercontinental Hotel Golf Resort and Spa which is being constucted at Muscat Hills.

“We are pleased to be one of the partners in the Intercontinental Hotel Golf Resort and Spa at Muscat Hills, and we believe this project will be the first of several we will undertake in Oman,” said Glenn Squires, Chief Executive Officer and one of the principals of Pacrim Hospitality.

Squires, a former global chairman for the Intercontinental Hotel Owners Association, also said that Oman is one of the most exciting new tourism destinations in the world and they see huge potential within the Sultanate.

Unique property “We are currently considering additional projects. The Intercontinental Hotel Resort and Spa at Muscat Hills will be a unique property for Oman and the combination of an urban resort, golf facility and business hotel within the borders of the Muscat Hills planned community is an exceptional property and experience,” he said.

The hotel is set to open its doors in September 2018 and is likely to create 300 to 350 jobs in Oman.

The engineering, procurement

EAGERLY AWAITED: The hotel is set to open its doors in September 2018 and is likely to create 300 to 350 jobs in Oman. The contract will be given in the last quarter of this year. – Supplied photo

and construction (EPC) contract will be given in the last quarter of this year and the construction work for the hotel will be completed in 24 months.

The hotel will feature about 250 guest rooms, leisure facilities with swimming pools and spa facilities with “hammam,” gymnasium and treatment rooms, and restaurants, ballroom and fully equipped meeting facilities and enhanced business services.

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OMAN

I hope to achieve what I want like high marks, obtaining good English, and the main thing is making my parents proud of me. It will be an experience Mohammed Arif Al Yafii, Takatuf Scholar

Takatuf scholar wishes to improve education in Oman skills. He said that being from Dhofar, he also appreciated the opportunity to meet students from the rest of Oman, who impressed him with their English levels and focus on education.

“I also managed to know how people in Oman think. I found it really good to interact with them and work as a team,” he said.

Following the summer programme Mohammed and the other Takatuf Scholars spent a year completing personal assignments on their own time, juggling them with their regular school work.

Balancing his time was a challenge, Mohammed admitted.

The grade 11 student has just been awarded a Takatuf scholarship to study for two years at the United World College Maastricht boarding school in the Netherlands WINDS OF CHANGE: Mohammed Arif Al Yafii, who is from Salalah, has just finished the year-long Takatuf Scholars enrichment programme in Oman. –Supplied picture

SARAH MACDONALD

sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Mohammed Arif Al Yafii may only be 17 but the Takatuf Scholar already has big plans for the future, such as contributing to the development of education in Oman.

Mohammed, who is from Salalah, has just finished the year-long Takatuf Scholars enrichment program here in Oman. The grade 11

student has just been awarded a Takatuf scholarship to study for two years at the United World College Maastricht boarding school in the Netherlands where he’ll get an International Baccalaureate diploma.

“I hope to achieve what I want like high marks, obtaining good English, and the main thing is making my parents proud of me.

It will be an experience,” Mohammed told Times of Oman, adding that other than visiting the UAE, it will be his first time travelling abroad.

Being a Takatuf scholar has changed the way Mohammed looks at education. He said the summer programme last year taught him a lot about team work, ITC, critical thinking and communication

Hobbies Mohammed, whose hobbies include football and photography, said the skills he has gained will help him when he goes abroad to study, both in boarding school and later at an international university.

“There will be many new challenges that require critical thinking and of course the higher level of ITC,” he explained.

Now Mohammed is looking forward to the next phase of his education, studying in the Netherlands at a school with students from 90 different countries. He hopes to learn a lot more than

academic knowledge while he’s studying there. “You’ll meet new cultures, new people, and you have to cope with them all, regardless of their nationalities or religions,” he said.

Mohammed is also keen on studying the IB curriculum.

He said he expects it to be much more challenging than his studies in Salalah, where everything is taught in Arabic, but he knows will give him a much better chance at being accepted at the best international universities, where he hopes to study chemical engineering.

Following his time studying abroad, both at boarding school and then for university, Mohammed plans on returning to Oman where he hopes to contribute positively to the education system.

He said especially in Salalah many students aren’t very motivated to study or interested in education. He said that students should want to go to school and enjoy their classes, rather than feel like it’s a chore, and he hopes he can be a part of the change.

“If you ask me about the future of Oman, I would like to contribute in enhancing the educational level, because I think it’s kind of poor.

We can change the mentality of the students,” he said.

AERIAL DRONE IMAGES RELEASED

MUSCAT: Oman’s landmark business events hub, the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), slated to open in 2016, released its latest 3D structures and aerial drone images at a press conference in IMEX Frankfurt 2015.

“Our collaboration with the Oman Ministry of Tourism at IMEX over the last four years, and this most recent one in particular, has showcased the Sultanate as a formidable international events destination and intellectual knowledge hub, with the OCEC as its driving force and catalyst,” explained McCartney.

Oman’s current meetings and conventions industry offer, ahead

Aerial drone image of the centre.

of the opening of the OCEC, was recently endorsed when it was ranked, for the first time, in the top 80 countries worldwide, by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), one of the most pre-eminent organisations for global meetings.

Citizen held with heroin Times News Service MUSCAT: A citizen was arrested while trying to smuggle narcotics through the Wajaja border post, a Royal Oman Police (ROP) official said.

The arrest was made by the Directorate General of Combatting Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances.

He was found possessing large quantities of heroin.

SAFETY TIPS

at A1 Safety beach < FROM

“They go to the beach but do not take the necessary precautions. They also do not bother to find out the weather conditions which results in some people unknowingly swimming in dangerous conditions. Children also face the danger of drowning when some jump from a high position into a body of water which causes them to break their necks, spines or even become unconscious,” said the statement.

They should also stop children from swimming in stagnant bodies of water since the depth is difficult to determine.

SHINAS ACCIDENT

Convention centre to boost growth Times News Service

SHINAS

The attraction of Oman as a business events destination has also been underpinned by the latest statistics from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report, placing the Sultanate at an impressive 9th out of 141 countries worldwide under the security and safety criteria.

Sharing the statistics at an IMEX media conference, the OCEC GM said: “The most recent WTTC report on Oman, and indeed the many international accolades the Sultanate has received in the last year, is a positive affirmation of Oman’s tourism strategy. Striving to become a pioneer in business events in the region, the OCEC is enormously proud to be a major force in the momentum of the industry.”

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Awareness

A1 campaign

Her father did jump into the sea to rescue her but had to abandon the attempt as he did not know swimming and would have also drowned.

“This is the word of someone who watched his little daughter being swept away and could do nothing to save her. Do not leave anything unchecked which could result in an accident. I have learnt a big lesson, and I do not want anybody else to go experience it,” said the distraught father.

“Nobody can stop destiny, but at least I could have taken a chance to save her from the waves. I still cannot reconcile myself to what has happened to my little girl,” he said.

A reliable source at the PACDA, said that most of the drowning incidents happen in summer.

“From next month, we are starting our summer awareness programme and the subject of precautions against drowning is part of the programme,” said the source.

He explained that the PACDA does whatever it can to spread awareness in different languages at public places.

Future plan The officer said that they had no plans to assign life guards on public beaches at present, but it could be looked at in the future. The authority is equipped with proper tools and boats to engage in rescue operations, he explained.

“The PACDA points are alerted at any time, but our job begins only after we get a report of a drowning. Therefore, the main job here is for parents who should monitor their children on public beaches,” said the officer and added that if parents did not know swimming they needed to be extra careful and alert.

The PACDA’s records show that there were 129 cases of drowning in 2014 as compared to 277 in 2013, an almost 50 per cent drop last year as compared to 2013.

He explained that in 2014, there were 86 drowning incidents in wadis, 17 in the sea, one in a falaj, and two in fountains, apart from 10 in wells, 5 in dams, 6 in sewage water and two in swamps.

Clarification Meanwhile, the Muscat Municipality clarified that their job was only to monitor the cleanliness and look into parking issues at beaches.

“We do not interfere in matters of security,” said a reliable source at the municipality and added that they were more involved in monitoring public services than looking into the safety aspect.

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TH UR S DAY, MAY 2 1, 2 015

REGION

Government forces backed by militias have meanwhile been building up at a base near Ramadi in preparation for a counterattack to retake the city, where IS forces have taken over tanks and artillery and large amounts of ammunition abandoned by fleeing Iraqi forces.

Demand for rebel pullback before UN-convened talks We will not attend if there is no implementation, at least part of it. If there is no withdrawal from Aden at least, or Taez, said Yemeni foreign minister

RIYADH/SANAA: Yemen’s government in exile wants rebels to pull back from seized territory before it agrees to join UN-convened talks in Geneva on May 28, the foreign minister said on Wednesday.

“We are not going unless there is something on the ground,” Riyadh Yassin said by telephone.

He said the government had not been invited officially to the meeting, which UN chief Ban Ki-moon called to “restore momentum to-

HOME COMING: Relatives of Yemenis, who were stranded in Egypt, hug each other as they disembark from their plane after returning home, at Sanaa international airport on Wednesday. – Reuters

wards a Yemeni-led political transition process” after weeks of war in which about 1,850 people have died. But even if it is invited, Yassin said the government will not attend without some implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 as a sign of “goodwill”.

“We will not attend if there is no implementation, at least part of

it. If there is no withdrawal from Aden at least, or Taez,” Yassin said. The Houthis have occupied large parts of the country, including the capital Sanaa, since late last year.

Their southward push forced President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and his government to flee to Riyadh and prompted a Saudi-

led coalition in March to begin air strikes against the Houthis.

“If we go now, it will be a prize for Houthi rebels,” Yassin said.

At a conference of Yemeni political factions that ended in Riyadh on Tuesday, Hadi said “dialogue is the only way to take Yemen out of its deadlock”.

But he made clear that any talks

with the rebels must be held under Resolution 2216.

The Houthis, whose stronghold is in northern Yemen, have long complained of marginalisation.

They boycotted the Riyadh meeting and it remained unclear if they would join the Geneva talks.

Meanwhile, Saudi-led warplanes intensified their air strikes against the rebels in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Wednesday, fuelling panic as political efforts to end a war that has displaced half a million people foundered.

After a five-day humanitarian ceasefire expired at the weekend, the Saudi-led coalition resumed bombing several cities including the capital, accusing the rebels of having violated the truce.

Witnesses in rebel-held Sanaa described Wednesday’s bombing as the most violent so far, prompting residents to flee.

Loud explosions ripped through Sanaa until the early hours as warplanes targeted rebel-held arms depots for a second straight night, residents said.

“Sanaa witnessed during the night the most violent raids since the start of the bombing” by coalition warplanes, said Saleh Moqbel, one resident of the capital’s Old City. — AFP

B A R D O AT TA C K

Italy arrests Tunisia museum attack suspect ROME: Italian police said on Wednesday they had arrested a Moroccan suspected of taking part in the March attack on the Bardo National Museum in Tunis in which 21 foreign tourists were killed.

Abdel Majid Touil, 22, was arrested on an international warrant

by Italy’s anti-terrorism DIGOS police in the northern town of Gaggiano, officers told a press conference. Touil, who is wanted for premeditated murder, kidnapping and terrorism, was detained on Monday evening. He was living with his mother, a carer, and two older brothers in the town near Milan.

The Bardo attack on March 18 killed 22 people, including a Tunisian policeman and tourists from Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Colombia, Australia, Britain, Belgium, Poland and Russia.

Gunned down Tourists getting off buses outside the museum were gunned down by two black-clad gunmen with automatic weapons, who then took hostages inside the building.

Many people were shot in the back as they tried to escape. After rampaging through the museum for several hours, the two gunmen were killed in an assault by security forces. — AFP

INSURGNECY

Iraqi forces, militias repulse IS militants attack near Ramadi BAGHDAD: Iraqi forces said they fought off an overnight attack by IS group militants near the city of Ramadi, which the insurgents overran at the weekend in the most significant setback for the government in a year.

IS is seeking to consolidate its gains in the vast desert province of Anbar, of which Ramadi is capital, where only pockets of territory remain under government control.

The IS advance has exposed the

shortcomings of Iraq’s army and the limitations of US air strikes.

Government forces backed by militias have meanwhile been building up at a base near Ramadi in preparation for a counterattack to retake the city, where IS forces have taken over tanks and artillery and large amounts of ammunition abandoned by fleeing Iraqi forces.

The Anbar police chief, Kadhum Al Fahdawi, said reinforcements were arriving as Iraqi forces dug

in. The US-led coalition staged 25 air strikes against IS in Iraq and Syria since early on Tuesday.

There was however no indication that the counterattack on Ramadi was imminent.

Ramadi was IS’s biggest success since it captured the northern city of Mosul last year and declared itself a caliphate. While it has been forced to give ground in Tikrit, Saddam Hussein’s home town, and in the Syrian city of Kobane, the

group still controls large areas of Iraq and Syria.

Fears There are fears in Washington and elsewhere that the fighting in Iraq will become a polarising clash between majority and minority communities as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi becomes increasingly dependent on the militias to step in where the Iraqi military has failed.

IS militants attacked government forces in the town of Husaiba Al Sharqiya, about halfway between Ramadi and the Habbaniya military base where militias have assembled, police and pro-government forces said. “IS attacked us around midnight after a wave of mortar shelling on our positions,” Amir Al Fahdawi, a leader of the pro-government tribal force in the area, told Reuters on Wednesday.

“This time they came from an-

other direction in an attempt to launch a surprise attack, but we were vigilant and, after around four hours of fighting, we aborted their offensive,” he added.

The Habbaniya base is midway between Ramadi and Fallujah, which has been under IS control for more than a year and is 50km (30 miles) from Baghdad. IS appears to be trying to join up Ramadi and Fallujah by taking territory in between. — Reuters

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INDIA

TA I N T E D M O N E Y S TA S H E D A B R O A D

M A D H YA P R A D E S H

Black money trail: India to go for ‘face-to-face’ Three killed, nine injured engagement with counterparts in tax havens in bus-truck collision NEW DELHI: Giving a fresh thrust to their crackdown on black money, Indian tax authorities have decided to cut down on lengthy paperwork and go for face-to-face engagement with their counterparts in tax havens and other nations to quicken the pace of recovery of tainted money stashed abroad.

The Finance Ministry, after due consultations with the SIT on black money and various financial probe agencies, has decided that a team of senior officials will hold bilateral meetings with foreign jurisdictions either in India or at the locations of their counterparts to

thrash out issues quickly.

“The step is aimed to cut down on the time taken in paper-based documentation and communication in cases of illegal funds stashed abroad. A team of senior officials drawn from the Ministry and its various field formations will hold meetings and put across requests related to probe in these cases right on the discussion table. The required sanctions in this regard have been obtained from the government,” a senior Finance Ministry official said.

The face-to-face engagements are aimed at understanding the problems faced by authorities

CASTING THEIR FRANCHISE

EC ready with legal framework to allow proxy, e voting for NRIs NEW DELHI: Overseas Indians may have moved a step closer to casting their franchise in Indian elections by proxy or e ballot as the Election Commission has come out with a legal framework for it.

An expert committee in the Election Commission working on the issue has forwarded the legal framework to the Law Ministry to amend electoral laws to allow overseas Indians use proxy voting and e ballot facility.

“We have framed the law and it is with the Law Ministry. We understand it is under active consideration. Which means it is in fairly advanced (stage),” Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi told PTI in an interview.

He said data shows that only 10 to 12,000 Non Resident Indians (NRIs) have voted because they don’t want to spend dollars to come back to vote.”Many come, but many of them don’t come,” he said.

While NRIs are free to cast their votes in constituencies they are registered, as per the proposal they would also be allowed to use the option of proxy, which as of now

is only available to service personnel. Another option would be to use postal ballot delivered to them by electronic means to cast their vote.

“From the day the nomination process ends till the day of the voting we have 14 days. In this we have to print the postal ballot and send it, and the voter has to return it. To cut this time, the committee recommended sending it by electronic means,” Zaidi said.

Law Ministry sources said the voters will be provided with a ‘one time password’ to download the ballot paper.

They will have to fill it up and post it to the election authorities.

“A suggestion made it that the voter can post the ballot to the nearest Indian mission or consulate. It will be then the duty of the mission to send it to either the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi or Election Commission through diplomatic bag. The authorities in India can send the ballot to the concerned returning officer,” explained a senior Law Ministry official. - PTI

abroad in parting with information related to black money and solve those at the earliest.

“Bilateral discussions, including through conference calls and faceto-face meetings with the competent authorities of our treaty partners which now include well known tax havens and offshore financial centres such as British Virgin Islands, Jersey, UAE and Singapore are being planned and the cooperation in this regard will be deepened in future.

“These bilateral meetings will help India in making targeted and specific requests for information and to understand the problems,

if any, which prevent them in providing the information, and to examine how the same can be addressed,” according to a note prepared by the Central Board of Direct Taxes accessed by PTI. Three such meetings have already taken place and about halfa-dozen more are lined up this year, including one with the EU. As part of the measures to combat the black money menace, investigators have also received a new dossier on tax-related business information on about a dozen entities whose names were reported by an international group of investigative journalists . - PTI

SEHORE: Three people, including a minor girl, were killed and nine others injured on Wednesday when their bus collided with a truck on Indore-Bhopal road in Madhya Pradesh, police said.

The accident occurred early on Wednesday morning when the Indore-bound bus collided with a

large truck near Amlaha toll booth killing three persons on the spot, Additional Superintendent of Police A. P. Singh said.

The deceased have been identified as Santosh Rao (80), Charu (15) and Ria (25). The injured passengers were admitted in Sehore district hospital, the ASP said. - PTI

TH UR S DAY, MAY 2 1, 2 015

A 10

FIND-IT-ALL

PRAYER TIMINGS

W E AT H E R

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

12.08pm 3.30pm 6.49pm 8.08pm 3.58am

LISTINGS

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334 Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666 Muscat Pharmacy Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635 Atlas Pharmacy Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat Region Al Hashar, Ruwi1 24 Hr Br. Tel. 24537080 Muscat, Al Sarooj. Tel: 24695536 Belqees, Al Khoudh (OIB) Tel. 24535398 Belqees, Ma’abelah. Tel: 24454624 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah.

Tel. 23291635

MAINLY clear skies over most of the Sultanate becoming partly cloudy over governorate of Dhofar and southeastern coast and chance of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches over governorates of south Al-Sharqiya and along the coastal areas of the southeastern coast.

EXPECTED WIND: Along the coastal areas of Oman Sea wind will be northeasterly light to moderate during day becoming variable light at night and the rest of the Sultanate wind will be southerly to southeasterly light to moderate and fresh along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea. SEA STATE: Slight to moderate along the Oman coast with a maximum wave height of 1.5 metres.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog patches.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Partly cloudy skies over the governorate of Dhofar and southeastern coast with chances of isolated rain. Chances of convective clouds development and rain with occasional thundershowers over Al-Hajar mountains during afternoon.

HOSPITALS 1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274 Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052 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 Hamdan Hospital: 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128,

OMAN Max 39 Min 26

Max 38 Min 30

Ruwi Hotel: 24704244 Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200 Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772 Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666 The Chedi Muscat: 24524400 The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570

MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000 ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603 Directorate General of Customs: 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries: 24510228 Public Relations Admin: 24560099

MUSEUMS Bait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fish market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pm Natural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm Thursday: 9am to 1pm Museum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, SatWed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday - 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946 Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707 Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Oman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Bait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscat museum@baitalzubairmuseum.com Open from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.

National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Sohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pm Muscat Gate Museum: At Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

ACCOMMODATION Al Bahjah Hotel: 24424400 Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171 Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400 Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949 Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385 Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311 Al Qurum Resort: 24605945 Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979 Beach Hotel: 24696601 Bowshar Hotel: 24491105 Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121 Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660 Crystal Suites: 24826100 Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300 Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234 Haffa House Hotel: 24707207 Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123 InterContinental Muscat: 24680000 Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900 Marina Hotel: 24711711 Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565 Mina Hotel: 24711828 Muttrah Hotel: 24798401 Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199 Oman Dive Centre: 24824240 Park Inn: 24507888 Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070 Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777 Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399 Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443

Max 41 Min 29 L O N G D I S TA N C E B U S T I M I N G S ( O M A N N AT I O N A L T R A N S P O R T C O M PA N Y S A O C ) * S U B J E C T T O C H A N G E

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

Max 41 Min 26

Max 41 Min 28

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Time Time 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 15:00 Sur 18:00 15:00 Jaalan 19:30

Max 41 Min 29

Max 39 Min 26

AUSTRIA: A car drives on a snow covered street on a cold spring

day in the western Austrian village of Steinach am Brenner. - Reuters

Max 32 Min 28 —www.met.gov.om

WORLD

Max 18 Min 13 Max 19 Min 10

Max 44 Min 24 Max 23 Min 14

Max 19 Min 14

Max 28 Min 15

Max 36 Min 29

Max 34 Min 28

Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh Athens Baghdad Barbados Beijing Berlin Boston Brussels Buenos Aires Cairo Chicago Colombo Copenhagen Dublin Frankfurt Harare Hong Kong Istanbul Jerusalem Johannesburg

Max

Min

40 39 39 45 38 43 27 44 29 32 17 20 18 25 33 21 30 14 17 18 26 27 20 26 22

25 24 26 29 26 28 17 22 26 17 8 9 7 19 15 9 28 7 12 7 8 24 15 13 8

Kuala Lumpur Lisbon London Madrid Manila Mexico City Miami Moscow New Delhi New York Oslo Panama Paris Perth Prague Rio de Janeiro Santiago Seoul Singapore Stockholm Sydney Taipei Tokyo Toronto Vienna

Max

Min

31 27 19 22 34 27 31 23 44 18 17 31 19 19 20 30 21 25 30 17 19 22 25 16 17

25 15 10 8 28 14 24 14 24 13 7 25 8 10 7 23 7 12 28 7 14 21 16 7 12

TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 06:30 Sohar 06:30 Buraimi 08:00 Buraimi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Buraimi 16.00 Sohar 16.00 Buraimi

08:50 11:00 14:30 15:45 17:40 18.35 20:20

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO SINAW (Route 52) 17:30 Sinaw

20:50

To Yanqul (Route 54) 14:30 Nizwa 14:30 Yanqul

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily 05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily 05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 07:00 Sohar 07:00 Ruwi 13:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 17:00 Ruwi

08:55 11:40 20:20 14:55 17:40 19:20 22:15

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

Daily

TO SINAW (Route 52) 07:00 Ruwi

10:25

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54) 06:00 Nizwa 06:00 Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 08:00 Nizwa 08:00 Al Araqi

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 15:40 Nizwa 15:40 Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 07:30 Sur 14:30 Sur

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 06:00 Ruwi 14:30 Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62) 06:30 Fahud 06:30 Yibal

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62) 12:30 Fahud 12:30 Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100) 07:00 Salalah 20:00 10:00 Marmul 20:30 10:00 Salalah 23:30 19:00 Salalah 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100) 07:00 Ruwi 19:50 10:00 Marmul 13:15 10:00 Ruwi 22:30 19:00 Ruwi 07:30

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102) 15:00 Salalah 07:00

Daily

16:50

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102) 15:00 Dubai 07:00 EVENTS

The Future Landscape And Public Realm Oman, organised by the Advanced Conferences & Meetings FZ-LLC will take place from 25th May to the 26th May 2015 in Muscat, Oman Muscat International Jewellery Exhibition, Oman International Exhibition Centre , Muscat, Oman , 26-30 May 2015 Global PR Trends Summit, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Muscat, Oman, 31 May-01 Jun 2015 Food & Hospitality Oman, Oman International Exhibition

Centre, Muscat, Oman, 07-09 Sep 2015 The Home Show - Oman is a 3 day event being held from 27th October to the 29th October 2015 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre in Muscat, Oman.

Iran Solo Country Exhibition 2015 - (6 - 10 Jan ’15) International Travel and Hospitality show, 14-16 Dec 2015 Muscat, OIEC.

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 06:00 Sohar 06:00 Dubai 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Dubai 15:00 Sohar 15:00 Dubai

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily 07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily LISTINGS 07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 07:30 Sohar 07:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 15:30 Sohar 15:30 Ruwi

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 16:00 Sharjah 16:30 Daily 16.00 Fujairah 18.15 Daily 16.00 Ruwi 23.00 Daily

LISTINGS

CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA Mad Max Fury Road (Act)(2D) 12+ Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron 9:30 & 11:45pm Piku (Comedy, Drama)(PG) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan. 4:40 pm Poltergeist (Horror, Thriller) (2D/15+) Cast: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kennedi Clements. 2:45 pm Poltergeist (3D/15+) Cast: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kennedi Clements. 9:40 & 11:30 pm Spooks The Greater Good (Action, Drama) (12+) Cast: Kit Harington, Tuppence Middleton, Jennifer Ehle. 2:00 & 11:45 pm Danny Collins (Comedy, Drama) (12+) Cast: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner. 7:20 pm Tomorrowland (Action, Adventure) (PG) Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie 03:00 pm /04:15 pm /06:45 pm /09:15 pm Omar (Arabic) (Drama, Thriller) 12+ Cast: Adam Bakri, Leem Lubany, Eyad Hourani. 5:30 pm Tanu Weds Manu Returns (Comedy, Romance) (TBC) Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Madhavan, Eijaz Khan 07:00 pm

Avengers Age Of Ultron (3D) PG12 Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo. 3:00pm Mad Max Fury Road (2D) 12+ Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult. 12:45 & 7:00pm Poltergeist (3D) 15+ Cast: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt,

Kennedi Clements.

12:45 pm & 11:45 pm Gold Class: 11:15 pm Poltergeist (2D) 15+ Cast: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kennedi Clements. 12:45 pm Tomorrowland (2D) PG Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie.

10:15 am, 02:30, 09:15 & 11:45 pm Gold Class: 02:00 & 08:50 pm.

Robosapien: Rebooted (2D) PG Cast: Kim Coates, Penelope Ann Miller, Bobby Coleman. 11:00 am Spooks The Greater Good (2D) 12+ Cast: Car Kit Harington, Tuppence Middleton, Jennifer Ehle. 5:00 pm Danny Collins (2D) 12+ Cast: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner. 7:15 PM. Gold Class: 04:20 PM Tanu Weds Manu Returns(H) (2D) Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Madhavan, Eijaz Khan. 9:15 PM Gold Class: 06:20 PM Omar (2D) 12+ Cast: Adam Bakri, Leem Lubany 05:30 PM

SCREEN 1 Tanu Weds Manu Returns (Rom/Dr) – TBC Cast: Kangana Ranaut, R. Madhavan 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 11:30PM SCREEN 2 Gabbar - Hindi (Action/Drama) – PG Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor, 3:30 & 11:45 PM Piku (Drama/Comedy) – PG Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan, 6:15PM Bhaskar the Rascal (Malyalam)(Com ) – PG Cast: Mammootty, Nayantara 8:45PM SCREEN 3 Piku (Drama / Comedy) – PG Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone,

Irrfan Khan 3:30 & 9:00PM Gabbar - Hindi (Action/Drama) – PG Cast: Akshay Kumar, Shruti K. Haasan, Kareena Kapoor 6:15 PM Bhaskar the Rascal (Malyalam) (Comedy/Drama ) – PG Cast: Mammootty, Nayantara 11:45PM

Mad Max: Fury Road - 3d (12+) Action, Adventure, Thriller Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult 07:00, 09:20, 11:45 PM Piku - 2D (PG) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan 04:45 PM Spooks: The Greater Good - 2D (12+) Action | Drama | Thriller Cast: Kit Harington, Tuppence Middleton, Jennifer Ehle 05:00, 09:15, 11:45 PM Danny Collins - 2D (12+) Com |Drama Cast: Al Pacino, Jennifer Garner 02:30, 05:15 PM Robosapien: Rebooted - 2D (12+) Adventure |Drama | Family Cast: Kim Coates, Penelope Ann Miller, Bobby Coleman 03:30 PM Poltergeist - 2D (15+) Horror | Thriller Cast: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kennedi Clements 02:15 & 04:30 PM Poltergeist - 3D (15+) Horror | Thriller Cast: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kennedi Clements 09:45 & 11:30 PM Bhaskar the Rascal - 2D (M)(PG12) Comedy Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara, Isha Talwar, 6:15 PM Tomorrowland - 2D (PG) Act |Adv |

Cast : George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie 02:30, 07:15, 09:05 & 11:30 PM Demonte Colony - 2D (T) (TBC) Horror Cast: Arulnithi 7:00 PM

Spooks: The Greater Good - 2D (12+) Action, Drama, Thriller Cast: Kit Harington, Tuppence Middleton, Jennifer Ehle. 3:00, 09:30, 11:40PM Mad Max: Fury Road – 3D (12+) Action, Adventure, Thriller Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult. 4:30, 09:30 PM Danny Collins – 2D (12+) Com, DramaCast: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner. 2:45, 05:00 PM Robosapien: Rebooted – 2D (PG) Adventure, Drama, Family Cast: Kim Coates, Penelope Ann Miller, Bobby Coleman. 2:45, 04:15 PM Poltergeist - 3D (15+) Horror, Thriller Cast: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, Kennedi Clements. 7:50, 11:50 PM Tomorrowland - 2D (PG) Act Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie. 7:00, 09:30, 11:45 PM Bhaskar the Rascal - 2D (PG12) Comedy Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara, Isha Talwar. 6:45 PM Demonte Colony - 2D (TBC) Horror 05:45 PM

Mad Max: Fury Road (3D) (Act ) (12+) Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron 02:45, 09:30 PM Spooks: The Greater Good (Act) (12+) Cast: Kit Harington, Tuppence Middleton, 07:05 PM Poltergeist (3D) (Horror |Thriller) (15+)

Cast: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, 05:00, 11:45 PM Tomorrowland (Act | Adv) (PG) Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson 04:45, 11:30 PM Tanu Weds Manu Returns (Hindi) (Comedy | Romance) (TBC) Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Madhavan, Eijaz Khan, 02:15, 09:05 PM Bhaskar the Rascal (Mal) (Com) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara, 06:45 PM

Mad Max Fury Road (Action) Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult 1:45, 7:30 & 9:45pm. CP NO: 1273 (12+) Spooks:The Greater Good ( Action/ Drama/Thriller ) Cast: Kit Harintion,Elyes Gabel,Jennifer Ehle 4:00, 8:00, 10:00 & 11:55pm CP No: 1343 (12+) Danny Collins (Comedy/Drama ) Cast: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner 2:00 & 6:00pm CP NO: 1346 (12+) Offender (Thriller) Cast: Joe Cole, English Frank, Kimberly Nixon 3:45 & 11:55pm. CP No: 1344 (18+) Captain Masr (Arabic) (Comedy) Cast: Mohamed Emam, Edward Bayoumi Fouad 5:45pm. CP No: 1345 (PG)

Spooks: The Greater Good (2D) (12+) (Action, Drama,Thriller) Film Information - 24540856 / Advance Booking - 24540855 Cast: Kit Harington, Tuppence Middleton, Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com Jennifer Ehle. 11:00 AM/5:00PM Danny Collins (2D) (12+) (Com, Music) Cast: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner. 1:00/4:45 pm Robosapiens: Rebooted (2D)(PG) (Adventure, Drama, Family) Cast: Kim Coates, Penelope Ann Miller 11:00 am/1:30 pm Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Offender (2D) (18+) (Thriller) Cast: Joe Cole, English Frank,3:30PM Bhaskar The Raskal (Mal) (Rom/Com) Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara & Isha Poltergeist (2D) (15+) (Horror, Thriller) Talwar Cast: Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, 6:30 & 10:00 pm at Cinema Main Kennedi Clements. 3:00 pm 3:45pm at Cinema -3 Poltergeist (3D) (15+) (Horror, Thriller) 36 “Vayadhinile (Tamil) (Family/Drama) 7:15/11:30 pm Cast: Jyothika, Rahman & Abhirami 3:30, Tomorrowland (2D) (PG) (Act) 6:30 & 9:30 pm At Cinema -2, 9:45 pm at Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson Cinema -3 11:15 am/2:45/7:00/9:20/11:45 pm Lion (Telugu) (Act/Rom) Mad Max: Fury Road (3D) (12+) (Act) Cast: Balakrishna, Trisha Krishnan, Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Radhika Apte & Prakash Raj 12:30/5:00/9:00/11:45 pm 3:00 pm at Cinema Main/ 6:45 pm at Bhaskar the Rascal (2D) (PG12) (Co) Cinema -3 Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara, 9:00 pm Oru Vadakka Selfie (Mal) (Com\Drama) Demonte Colony (2D) (TBC) Cast: Navin Pauly, Manjima & Vineeth (Tamil/Horror) Sreenivasam 3:45 pm Cinema -4 6: 45pm Piku (Hindi) (Drama\Com) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan , Deepika Padukone & Irfan Khan 6:45 & 9:45 Pm Cinema -4 Next Change: Demonte Colony (Tamil)

STARS CINEMA

For More Information 24789032, 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

T HURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

A11

PAKISTAN

‘Fake degree probe to take 10-15 days’ We will not seal the Karachi office but our team will stay here for 24 hours till the inquiry is complete, Federal Investigation Agency’s deputy director Kamran Attaullah said

A Federal Investigation Agency team at the company’s Karachi head office copied data from the two main servers which operate all of its activities worldwide

KARACHI: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials and a team of their cyber-crime wing arrived at the Axact Karachi office on Wednesday morning to investigate the equipment in the premises, Express News reported.

Just a day after 45 Axact em-

ployees were from their offices following a raid by the FIA, on Wednesday all electronic devices which were confiscated were sent to forensic labs for further investigation, earlier during the day.

The FIA team at Axact’s Karachi head office copied data from the

CRACKDOWN

Prayer leader jailed for 5 years for hate speech LAHORE: A court in Pakistan has jailed a prayer leader for five years for inciting hate against a rival sect, officials said Wednesday.

Maulana Abubakar a prayer leader of the majority sect was arrested in February in Kasur district, Punjab, some 50 kilometres (31 miles) south of Lahore, for making a speech against a rival minority sect, a prosecutor said.

“The judge of an anti-terrorism court on Tuesday sentenced the prayer leader to serve five years in prison for [giving a] hate speech,” the prosecutor said on condition of anonymity.

The official said that under Pakistan’s National Action Plan against terrorism, authorities have arrested many prayer leaders and courts have sent them to prison over hate speech charges.

The official said he could not give the number of convictions as data was still being compiled about the cases.

Shaikh Saeed Ahmed, a Lahore district prosecutor, confirmed the conviction and sentence awarded to Abubakar.

Sectarian violence has claimed thousands of lives in the country over the past decade.

In the latest bloodshed, 44 members of the Ismaili minority sect were massacred in the southern city Karachi last week,

The National Action Plan against terrorism, which involved registration of seminaries and crackdown on hate speech, was announced in the wake of a Taliban massacre that killed 154 people, mostly schoolchildren, in December last year in the first attack claimed by the IS group in the country.

The National Action Plan against terrorism, which involved the outlawing of militant groups, registration of seminaries and crackdown on hate speech, was announced in the wake of a Taliban massacre that killed 154 people, mostly schoolchildren, in December.

Pakistan also lifted a six-year moratorium on the death penalty and announced the establishment of military courts in the case of terrorist offences. — AFP

INSURGENCY

Taliban kill senior police officer PESHAWAR: Taliban insurgents on Wednesday gunned down a senior counter-terrorism policeman as he was taking his daughter to school in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar, police said.

Bahadur Khan, a senior official in the Department of Counter Terrorism, was shot Wednesday morning and died of his injuries in the afternoon, said Nasir Durrani, police chief in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said the officer was on his way to drop his daughter off at school when two attackers on a motorbike opened fire.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the killing.

The officer’s funeral was attended by provincial governor Mehtab Ahmed Khan and Durrani as well as other senior provincial police officials.

Durrani told mourners the murder was a reprisal for operations by the anti-terror department against the Taliban. — AFP

two main servers which operate all of the software company’s activities worldwide.

Further, it was reported that they also gathered data on Axact’s

business deals and transactions.

Addressing the media during the ongoing investigation, FIA deputy director Kamran Attaullah said, “We will not seal the office but our

team will stay here for 24 hours till the inquiry is complete.”

Attaullah said they were investigating four departments of the software company.

“It can take up to 10 to 15 days to collect data,” he added. Claiming the inquiry is in its early stages and the results of the forensic tests have not yet been released.

“If there is evidence then we will register a case and start inquiry, till we don’t have anything on record we cannot say anything,” the FIA deputy director added.

Further, he clarified Axact’s CEO Shoaib Shaikh was yet to record his statement. The Federal Board of Revenue has asked FIA for Axact’s records to probe into the company’s alleged tax evasions.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Revenue Board has sent a notice to Axact to submit tax records within seven days, according to a spokesperson of the board. — Express Tribune

A12

TIMES O F O MAN

TH UR S DAY, MAY 2 1, 2 015

COMMEN ARY ISO 9001:2008

Certified Company

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

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orget the Pentagon’s assertion that the fall of Ramadi, barely 70 miles from Baghdad and capital of Anbar province, was a mere blip in the course of the war against Isis. The operation was the militant group’s biggest victory in a year and has dispelled the notion, fondly put about by some, that Isis is on the run. It has also dispelled any illusion that the official Iraqi army is a fighting force capable of defending its country. What victories have been achieved against Isis have been mainly thanks to the militias, backed by the Kurdish Peshmerga. The recapture of Mosul, the largest Iraqi city held by Isis, looks further away than ever. President Barack Obama says his goal is to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the self-styled caliphate. If anything, the caliphate appears to have had a significant military upgrade, judging from reports of the quantity of US-made equipment captured from the fleeing Iraqi government forces. Not least, this setback has weakened the position of Haider Al Abadi, the more inclusive Prime Minister who was strongly backed by Washington after the divisive policies of his predecessor, Nouri Al Maliki.

Eight years ago, as the war after the US invasion of 2003 was winding down, Anbar played a vital part in stabilising Iraq, as its tribal leaders turned on the militants. George W Bush’s troop surge consolidated that process. Thereafter, however, Maliki’s policies steadily alienated a major section of the population from the government in Baghdad. Now those militias who last month led the recapture of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein’s old stronghold, are re-gathering near Ramadi in preparation for a similar, but perhaps even bloodier, assault.

They will work with official Iraqi troops and in co-ordination, it is to be presumed, with increased US air strikes. But it is anything but clear whether the militias will ultimately answer to Baghdad or not. Either way though, Washington will find itself once again in tacit alliance against a common foe with its long-time strategic adversary.

Inevitably, the pressure on the President to step in more decisively is growing. Yet the last thing most Americans want is for the US to become involved in another full-scale war in the Middle East. However, the arguments for increased American involvement in this new Iraq war are hard to resist. Should Obama have kept US forces in Iraq after 2011? With the benefit of hindsight, the answer is surely yes. But there are ways to reverse course short of a land war: more air strikes and special operations and stepped-up cyber warfare.

A melancholy phrase echoes down the years. “If you break it, you own it,” Colin Powell, then Secretary of State, warned President Bush before the 2003 invasion. Iraq was duly broken, and remains broken.

In a moral sense, the US still owns it. - The Independent

THE INDEPENDENT

Ramadi’s fall underlines failure of US policy in Iraq

COMMENTARY

Staying the course in Europe’s east CARL BILDT

Lahore fire tragedy

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ime and again, we come across tragic headlines owing to dilapidated systems and lack of will power on the part of authorities to fix these systems. Tragically, six siblings as young as one year of age lost their lives in Lahore over the past weekend all due to negligence by respective local fire brigades. Similarly, only a couple of weeks ago, there were reports of a fire at a Karachi factory, also owing to poorly implemented fire combatting systems. The glaring issue of lack of preparedness of local fire departments makes a mockery of the very role of an emergency response crew. It has been reported that the fire engine in Lahore first had to be filled with water via a tanker before being equipped to battle the fire.

It is important to note here that authorities are responsible for implementing fire safety regulations, which normally include regular checks to ensure equipment is up to date and this is all placed in a written record. It seems that this did not happen here. Ideally, local authorities should be involved in creating a fire safety plan for every municipality and provide information to residents about who to call and what to do in case of fire. Commercial establishments should be made to draw escape routes in case of fire and carry out drills while households should be encouraged to do the same.

At this point, we do not need an authority figure making recommendations for sprinklers to be installed in buildings or for fire departments to ensure their trucks contain adequate water. What is needed is the implementation of regular checks and the levying of fines on fire departments if they do not complete regular checks to ascertain their systems are up to date. There is certainly a lack of a safety culture in our country and potentially controllable fires turn into tragedies due to neglect of fire safety measures and poorly equipped fire departments. While the government has formed an inquiry committee, it should have ensured that all emergency systems were installed in the first place. If it values human life in our tragedy-prone country, it must do this now. - The Express Tribune

Drowning incident fills our hearts with sadness This refers to the news story, A father’s anguish for girl swept to sea (May 20). This is a very sad news. It reminds me of a drowning incident many years ago when a brother and sister lost their four children on the same evening at Qurum Beach. It was such a horrifying experience. I have not yet forgotten that sad incident.

Francis Anthony Muscat

There should be life guards at the beaches This refers to the news story, A father’s anguish for girl swept to sea (May 20). I am sure this unfortunate incident could have been avoided if life guards were posted the beach. I have always

felt the absence of this vital element on the beaches in Oman and I take special care when I go to the beaches with my children.

People drowning at the beaches is neither new nor rare, but not frequent. However, in a country where people frequent to the beaches we don’t have life guards, which is a must.

Jane Joseph Muscat

Water shortage a frequent problem in Al Khuwair This refers to the news story, Water supply situation in Muscat is ‘critical’, says top-level official (May 20). Well, there is nothing new in what has been stated. Ever since we shifted to Al Khuwair we have been experiencing paucity of water. In fact, not a month passes in a year

Soon after Yanukovych decided to flee to Russia, Putin’s ‘little green men’ began to appear openly in Crimea, while Russian Buk anti-aircraft missiles and Russian battalion battle groups appeared in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region not long after

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s the European Union’s leaders gather in Riga for a summit with the six members of the EU’s “Eastern Partnership,” many recall the dramatic meeting in Vilnius of November 2013. It was there that Ukraine’s thenpresident, Viktor Yanukovych, under heavy Russian pressure, refused to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement that had been negotiated from 2007 to 2012.

Of course, when Yanukovych returned home, he had to face thousands of protesters in Kyiv’s Maidan (Independence Square). Determined to hold him to his promise to sign the EU agreement and not take Ukraine into a customs union with Russia, the protesters mobilised the country. Yanukovych, failing to crush them with his security forces, simply fled. Russia’s behaviour in Ukraine since then has made the Eastern Partnership more important than ever.

The Eastern Partnership was launched in 2009 on the initiative of Poland and Sweden, where I was the foreign minister at the time. The aim was to respond to the desire of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine for some of the instruments of integration that had helped transform the Central European and Baltic countries into the democracies – and now EU members – that they are today.

The Eastern Partnership was also seen as a way to balance the EU’s “Russia first” approach.

Enormous resources had been invested in the relationship with Russia, but very little had gone into helping the countries in the neighbourhood that the EU and Russia share – including the most important of these neighbours, Ukraine.

Until 2013, the EU’s Eastern Partnership seemed to raise no concerns in the Kremlin. It was never brought up at any of the numerous high-level bilateral meetings, nor at any meeting in which I participated. The Kremlin probably regarded it as irrelevant.

That changed after Vladimir Putin returned to Russia’s presidency in 2012. His main geopolitical project was now the creation of the Eurasian Union, which he knew could not succeed without forcing Ukraine off of its EU path and into his embrace. While the EU’s vision of “wider Europe” relies on soft power, economic integration, and longterm institution building, Putin’s “wider Russia” policy depends on intimidation and violence. The EU pursues long-term geo-economics, whereas the Kremlin plays short-term hardball geopolitics. That is why, soon after Yanukovych decided to flee to Russia, Putin’s “little green men” began to appear openly in Crimea, while Russian Buk anti-aircraft missiles and Russian battalion battle

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Trust thyself only, and another shall not betray thee THOMAS FULLER

groups appeared in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region not long after. In annexing Crimea and stoking separatist violence in Donbas, the Kremlin’s aim has clearly been to destabilise Ukraine in order to bring it under Russia’s thumb. Indeed, the very notion of an independent Ukrainian state is openly questioned by Russia’s leaders, Putin included.

In Riga, the EU’s leaders will reaffirm the socalled deep and comprehensive free-trade agreements concluded with Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. The most important signal will be the EU’s pledge that these agreements will take effect.

Despite massive propaganda, intense economic pressure, and overt military aggression, the EU can and will stay the course in its Eastern Partnership and its offers to its neighbours.

Clearly, no one in Europe should underestimate the challenges ahead. When I left the Vilnius meeting in 2013, I could certainly see storm clouds gathering, but I did not know that Putin was prepared to unleash so much aggression and turmoil. Now we in Europe have every reason to prepare for the long-term effort needed to help our neighbours along their chosen paths.

But this will require a greater European commitment, both politically and economically, than we have seen thus far. Ukraine has been misgoverned for decades, and it will have to pass through a valley of reform-induced tears before it starts to reap the benefits of association and integration with the EU. Unfortunately, it is far easier for Russia to fuel short-term volatility than it is for Europe to help build long-term stability. But to allow the Kremlin and its proxies to succeed would not only undermine the Eastern Partnership countries; it might jeopardise peace in Europe itself.

After all, the appetite grows with eating, which might well apply to the Kremlin’s “wider Russia” strategy. At some point, the risk of an open confrontation between Nato and Russia could grow.

Even China, as it poses as Russia’s friend and patron, should consider the consequences for itself of such a risk.

Such a clash must be prevented. By confirming the Eastern Partnership agreements, the EU’s leaders will demonstrate that they are not prepared to acquiesce in a new Yalta-style division of the continent that would deprive these countries of their right to choose their own destiny.

The Riga meeting is unlikely to produce any headline-grabbing new initiatives. But none is needed. With everything from massive disinformation to tanks and soldiers thrown against the Eastern Partnership since 2013, just staying the course is a powerful sign of success. And, in the interest of long-term stability across Europe, that should be welcomed – even in Putin’s nationalistically aroused Russia. - Project Syndicate

when the supply is not interrupted. May be, the problem has now only aggravated.

Andrea Permejo Mercado Muscat

Summer seems to be particularly harsher This year the summer seems to be particularly harsh in the country. It is unreasonably warm this time — something usually associated with the middle of June. We knew that the summer would be warmer than usual this year and the portents were there since the middle of April. In fact, summer started as early as late March this year in Oman and is unusually warm probably because of the El Nino effects.

P.R.Rajan Ruwi

Chennai did not get a start against Mumbai Indians The defeat Chennai Super Kings suffered against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday — bowing out of the IPL tournament this year —was very unfortunate.

The target of 188 was not too steep and was achievable had the top order batsmen clicked.

And that is precisely what did not happen. Chennai simply did not get a start and succumbed rather meekly to some inspired bowling from the Mumbai bowlers. The day was not in favour of the super kings of Chennai.

The manner in which Mumbai Indians played they looked like prospective champions this year.

As I wish the best to the Mumbai team I would love to see a good contest in the final.

Ashok Panicker Seeb

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

T I M E S OF OMAN

T HURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015

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PERSPEC IVE Dear Ziaul Haq, we are still paying the price in Pakistan R

espected Sir, It has been almost 27 years since your death. The flesh and dismantled bones placed in your grave would have turned to dust by now. Many governments were formed since your death. Many dictators have ruled us after you. Your rival’s daughter embraced shahadat (martyrdom) — as they say.

A war even broke out in our neighbourhood.

Can you guess who the predator was and who the target? That smile on your face will quickly disappear when I inform you that I am referring to America invading Afghanistan. Yes sir, the same Afghanistan that was once the ally of America.

We are wholeheartedly paying the price for the decisions you made for the betterment of my beloved nation, Mard-e-Haq. The seed of extremism, commonly attributed to you, has turned into a lush tree with its branches spread over several acres. Many people of your nation tried to uproot the seedling and many are trying to cut it down now, but their efforts are bearing no fruit. I know what you are thinking — they cannot cut it down no matter how hard they try. Despite having the latest technology and advancement in weapons, they are unable to uproot your own creation. I remember a young fellow once inquiring why the leaves of your tree are not green and have a deep crimson shade present in them.

I told him to keep quiet and never to question anything that is done for the benefit of our national interest. I also asked him to read his history textbook and to learn it by heart. It is more sacred than truth and more relaxing than a cup of hot tea.

You would feel good to know that we in Pakistan are still going through the process of ridding your country from the ethnic differences, cultural rituals, art, intellectuals and from everyone

KAINAT AZHAR

Every child that opens his eyes in this nation is familiar with the sounds of a bomb blast and rifle shots. He also recognises the faint odour of the infidel’s blood and his words instantly

who dares to open his tied-up tongue; cleaning it with the thin red liquor present in every mortal’s body. Every child that opens his eyes in this nation is familiar with the sounds of a bomb blast and rifle shots. He also recognises the faint odour of the infidel’s blood and his words instantly.

The radicalised fighters in your pack and the Americans produced are working their hearts out to make this part of Earth the ‘Land of Pure’ again. But sir, I am very sorry to inform you that there are still some people who support music and promote books and art. Though those brainless people don’t listen to anyone, your friends have asked them to quit their sinful acts time and time again.

I can see that you are getting sad. Don’t worry, sir. I told you, we are on the road of washing away the stains of our society. We will cut them from the root soon.

Be it the murder of Sabeen and Waheedur Rehman, be it the Army Public School or people persecuted for the blasphemy law, be it the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or its many offshoots, be it the Peshawar church attack or the attack on Ismailis in Karachi, be it the multiple bomb blasts in imambargahs of a different sect of our faith all over the country or the innocent blood spilled due to terrorism, at some level, we owe all of this to you and your ideologies.

There is only one request that I want to make: please don’t haunt my country anymore. We already have enough problems.

The kids get scared when they see your soul roaming around. Your soul will get tired of wandering around and gazing at the same vista of gore and tears everywhere.

So take rest in your grave and leave the dirty work to your friends.

We in Pakistan are wounded to the core.

- The Express Tribune

Give him the treatment he deserves most

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hen my belief in the capacity of powerful institutions to exercise basic good sense simply overflows, I read Ministry of Defence press releases to keep myself in check. Indeed, few things can trim my faith in the human intellect like the supercilious ramblings of some nameless, faceless “MoD spokesperson.”

While the full facts of the case are cloudy, this was certainly true of the Royal Navy’s bitter sounding suggestion that Able Seaman William McNeilly was only a “very junior sailor” expressing, “subjective and unsubstantiated personal views” when he brought to the public’s attention his professional concerns over what he felt were severe security and safety risks on British nuclear subs.

While his claims are yet to receive the full and public inquiry they deserve, we do know that ad hominem has become the automatic response by the state to those who expose the truth these days.

If it isn’t pulling rank as in the case of McNeilly, the questions will be about the individual’s mental state or whether or not they hold some deranged or simmering grievance.

Besides those options there is always the preposterous framing by the media of an issue of straight forward bean-spilling or resistance to dangerous institutional stupidity using the lame “Hero or Traitor?” or “Hero or Coward?” templates. Expect all these to come soon in the case of McNeilly.

JOE GLENTON

While facts are yet to come to light fully, we do know that NcNeilly, who after a brief period of absence without leave has handed himself in as promised, is a highly trained, highly paid engineer trusted by the Royal Navy to operate on an advanced WMD-carrying submarine.

Junior or not, safety is a central part of his job - as it is of any submariner’s role. His investigation — if the Senior Service can bear to read it — even logs the extensive training they themselves gave him to that precise end.

Unless the Navy are saying their own teaching methods and personnel are inadequate, that same training goes a long way to substantiating his view and, let us be frank, it seems unlikely McNeilly wrote an 18 page report on the potential for a nuclear disaster, all the while knowing he could face prison, on a passing whim.

As a veteran I can attest that the average matelot, like the low-ranked soldier, is a practical woman or man and is far less subject to delusions of command than his or her superiors. Commanders who, we should recall, can count Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya among their more recent shining achievements.

The fact that NcNeilly’s view is one from the bottom up - from the coalface of our bloated, sagging nuclear program - does not diminish the strength of his arguments: it is far more likely to multiply them.

Further, there is nothing in his 18-page report which suggests he wrote it in a fugue or fit of im-

maturity. Most criticisms so far extend to his grammar and occasional rambling, though there are good clear reasons he did not file his report to a sub-editor.

My first impression is that this is a man trying to improve the world, not break ranks over a personal opinion. If his investigation exudes anything at all it seems to be a commitment to the public good, which makes him worth any 10 corporate journalists in my book.

His investigation, titled The Secret Nuclear Threat, also shows that McNeilly knows what he risks and that he feels he must take a stand anyway. His claims have also since been backed by another former sailor who worked on nuclear submarines.

Why, some will ask, did he run? His full rationale is unclear at this time, but I suspect we need look no further than the treatment meted out to other defence and security whistle-blowers: Manning, Snowden, Vananu, Kiriakou and so on.

Given the vile treatment truthtellers receive, especially when it comes to exposing the excesses of the military and intelligence services, who can blame such a person for wanting a few more gasps of free air before their trials truly begin.

After all, unless you are named General David Petraeus and therefore pretty much guaranteed a free pass if you leak damaging military secrets, exposing the West’s military-security complex from within has become the great apostasy of our time.

Chemotherapy for the planet JOE NOCERA

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hat’s the best way to reduce the chances of climate change wreaking havoc on Earth? The most obvious answer — one we’ve known for years now — is to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we’re pumping into the atmosphere. This can be done, for instance, by putting a price on carbon and thus create powerful market incentives for industries to lower their carbon footprint.

Or by moving to renewable energy sources. Or by changing people’s behaviour so that our collective actions radically reduce the amount of fossil fuel the world needs to power itself. Despite this knowledge, however, few policies have been put in place to spur any of that. In the United States, the effective price of carbon, as Gernot Wagner and Martin Weitzman point out in their new book, “Climate Shock” is “about zero” (aside from California).

Fossil fuels remain the world’s default energy source, and — despite the impressive growth of global solar capacity over the last decade — that’s likely to be the case for decades to come.

A carbon tax on the worst emitters has gotten nowhere.

So maybe we need to start thinking about coming at the climate-change problem from a different direction. Instead of hoping that humans will start reducing their carbon use, maybe it’s time to at least consider using technology to keep climate change at bay.

The deliberate use of technology to manipulate the environment — usually in the context of fighting climate change — is called geoengineering. One method is carbon capture, traditionally conceived as a process that sucks up carbon from the air and buries it in the ground.

A second is called solar radiation management, which uses techniques like shooting sulfate particles into the stratosphere in order to reflect or divert solar radiation back into space.

This very effect was illustrated after the volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991.

Spewing 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide in the air, the volcano caused global temperatures to fall, temporarily, by about 0.5 degrees Celsius, according to Wagner and Weitzman.

Somewhat to my surprise, a good portion of Wagner’s and Weitzman’s book is devoted to the subject of geoengineering, especially solar radiation management, which they describe as relatively inexpensive and technologically feasible, with a serious bang for the buck.

The reason I was surprised is that the authors have solid environmental credentials — Weitzman is an environmental economist at Harvard, and Wagner is a senior economist at the Environmental Defense Fund — and many environmental groups object to the very idea of geoengineering.

They even object to research into the subject, viewing the desire to manipulate nature as immoral. Ben Schreiber of Friends of the Earth, an advocacy group, recently described discussions about geoengineering as a “dangerous distraction.”

Schreiber was reacting to two reports by a National Academy of Sciences panel that came out just a week before “Climate Shock.” The reports concluded that, while “climate intervention is no substitute for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions,” the politics around carbon reduction have been so fractious that the day could well come when geoengineering was needed as part of a “portfolio” of responses to global warming. It urged further study for both methods, and, in particular, called for the establishment of a research program to examine the possible risks of solar radiation management.

Wagner and Weitzman do not deny the potential risks; indeed, they write quite cautiously about geoengineering. Wagner told me that it should be thought of as a last resort — something the world could turn to if it had to. He described it as a kind of “chemotherapy for the planet” — something you hope you don’t have to use, but you are ready to use if the need arises. And that requires doing research now to prepare for the future.

David Keith, a scientist who is perhaps the foremost proponent of geoengineering, told me that he believes that solar radiation management should be used even if decent carbon policies became law.

“It has substantial benefits,” he said. “That would be true whether we were cutting emissions or not.”

But he also acknowledged that more research is needed.

“If you put sulfur into the atmosphere, will there be a risk of ozone loss?” he said, as an example of the kind of risk that needed to be studied.

There is another kind of risk, of course: the risk that if people thought a technological solution were available to “solve” climate change, it would make it even less likely that they would collectively agree to do what is needed to be done to reduce carbon emissions. It is yet another reason that many environmentalists object to geoengineering. Still, if disaster is truly approaching, wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry?

- The New York Times News Service

- The Independent

Greek bailout deal possible “within week”

TODAY IN HISTORY

Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis has said that he expects an agreement with bailout creditors within the next week, which would save the cash-strapped country from fast-approaching bankruptcy Greek debt repayments due in 2015 € billion International Monetary Fund

European Central Bank / other European banks

Treasury bill holders Jun 12: €3.9bn 4

Jul 20: €3.5bn

Jun 19 €1.9bn

Total repayments due in 2015

Aug 14: €1.4bn

€26.5 billion

Aug 20: €3.2bn 3 Jul 10 €2.0bn

Sep 4 €1.7bn

Oct 9 €1.4bn Nov 6 €1.4bn

2 Sep 16 €0.6bn

Dec 16 €0.6bn

1

0

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jun 30: Greek rescue package ends. Final €7.2bn tranche currently frozen

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Graphic News /

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

996

Sixteen year old Otto III is crowned the Roman Emperor

1471

King Henry VI is killed in the Tower of London. Edward IV takes the throne.

1506

Christopher Columbus dies.

OMAN-SYRIA SIGNS MoU

MUSCAT: The Sultanate and Syria have signed a memorandum of understanding in the sector of youth and sports. The memorandum was signed during a meeting here yesterday co-chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Marhoon Al Ma’amari, president of the General Organisation for Youth, Sports and Cultural Activities (Goysca); and Dr Nuri Barakat, chief of the Syrian Sports General Union. The memo is viewed as signaling a new drive in bilateral ties between the Sultanate and Syria in the field of youth and sports.

Meanwhile, the Syrian delegation toured the Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum accompanied by Brigadier Yousuf bin Khalfan Al Busaidi, head of the military protocol. The guest was briefed on the exhibits and manuscripts depicting the armed forces progress under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the supreme commander of the armed forces.

1620 Present-day Martha’s Vineyard is first sighted by Captain Bartholomew Gosnold.

1940

British forces attack German General Rommel’s 7th Panzer Division at Arras, slowing his blitzkrieg of France.

1941

The first US ship, the S.S. Robin Moor, is sunk by a U-boat.

HISTORYNET.COM Graphics

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WORLD

The Sri Lankan government has brought forward the deadline for starting the probe after saying earlier this month it would be up and running by September when the UN rights council next meets in Geneva

Can arm long-range missiles with nuclear warheads: Pyongyang North Korea also denounced remarks made in Seoul by US Secretary of reached the stage where the highest accuracy rate is guaranteed, not only for short- and mediumrange missiles but long-range missiles as well,” the NDC said.

State John Kerry, and cancelled an invitation to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

SEOUL: North Korea ramped up its nuclear threats on Wednesday, boasting of its ability to deliver miniaturised warheads on highprecision long range rockets — a claim denied by the United States.

At the same time, the North denounced “reckless” remarks made in Seoul this week by US Secretary of State John Kerry, and cancelled an invitation to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to visit a joint industrial zone on its side of

TECH BOOST: This video grab taken from North Korean TV on March 20, 2013 shows a Self-Propelled Suface to Air Missile during North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s overseeing of a live fire military drill using drones and cruise missile interceptors. — AFP/HO/ NORTH KOREAN TV

the border with South Korea.

Pyongyang has been flexing its advancing military muscle of late, most recently announcing it had successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

On Wednesday its powerful National Defence Commission

(NDC) claimed that the country’s nuclear arsenal was already highly developed.

“It has been a long time since we began miniaturising and diversifying our means of nuclear strike,” the commission said in a statement carried by the North’s official KCNA news agency. “We have also

Claim rejected Washington rejected the nuclear claim. “Our assessment of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities has not changed. We do not think that they have that capacity” to miniaturise weapons, a US National Security Council spokesman told AFP. But the spokesman agreed Pyongyang was “working on developing a number of long-range missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, that could eventually threaten our allies and the homeland”.

Reducing the size of a nuclear warhead to the point where it can fit on a missile would be a major leap forward in establishing a genuine deterrent, and Pyongyang has

claimed progress with miniaturisation before.

In January the South Korean Defence Ministry said it believed the North’s ability to miniaturise a nuclear device had reached a “significant” level.

The top US homeland security commander, Admiral William Gortney, said last month the North was already capable of mounting a warhead on a missile.

But other senior officials in both countries have questioned such assessments, and independent analysts on Wednesday stressed that the North’s claims were often overblown.

“There are differences between their statements and their actual operational reality,” Daniel Pinkston, a Seoul-based senior researcher of the International Crisis Group, told AFP. “Some of it is bluster or exaggeration and maybe for internal

audiences, and some of it is probably also for external audiences in an effort to test and to see if they can use systems for blackmail or coercion,” he said.

Cho Han-Bum, an analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said Pyongyang was “too cash-strapped” to perfect such intricate technology as miniaturising a warhead.

“I find the claim hard to believe,” he said.

Submerged barge Experts have voiced similar doubts over the recent SLBM test, suggesting it was probably not submarine-launched at all, but likely fired from a submerged barge.

And it was probably an “ejection test” in which the missile is launched underwater, breaks the surface and then falls back after a few seconds of partial fuel burn.

But scepticism over the North’s claims for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile capability are heavily outweighed by genuine concern at the expansion of both programmes.

A recent report by US researchers warned that North Korea could, in a worst-case scenario, possess 100 nuclear bombs arms by 2020. — AFP

NATO AIR-POLICING MISSION A Norwegian Air Force F-16 fighter, right, and an Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter patrol over the Baltics during a NATO air policing mission from Zokniai air base near Siauliai, Lithuania, on Wednesday. — Reuters

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Sri Lanka to begin probe into war crimes in June COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said on Wednesday a local investigation into allegations of war crimes committed during the island’s separatist conflict would begin

by June, vowing to prosecute anyone found guilty.

Sirisena said he welcomed any guidance from the UN Human Rights Council on setting up the probe, amid international pressure for the island to account for alleged atrocities committed during the war which ended in 2009.

“We will start the work of the local mechanism by next month.

This will be in line with our own laws,” Sirisena told reporters.

“If anyone is to be found guilty by the investigation we will take action according to our own law,” he said.

The government has brought forward the deadline for starting the probe after saying earlier this month it would be up and running by September when the UN rights council next meets in Geneva.

During a visit to the island this month, US Secretary of State John Kerry urged the government to ensure accountability for war-time atrocities and work towards ethnic reconciliation.

If anyone is to be found guilty by the investigation we will take action according to our own law Maithripala Sirisena Sri lankan President

Demands of Tamils Kerry echoed longstanding demands of ethnic minority Tamils to investigate cases of thousands who went missing or were killed towards the end of the conflict, which claimed some 100,000 lives between 1972 and 2009.

At the ballot box in January,

President Maithripala Sirisena unseated long-time strongman Mahinda Rajapakse who drew international condemnation over his refusal to probe alleged military abuses. — AFP

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Oman to build four new solar pilot projects These four pilot projects are planned in different parts of the country — one each in Ibri, Sharqiya, Mudhaibi and Dhofar, said a senior official of Rural Areas

– Bloomberg file picture

Electricity Company

A E JAMES businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Four solar power projects as pilot ventures have been proposed by Rural Areas Electricity Company (Raeco) in a move to efficiently utilise renewable energy, which will reduce use of fossil fuels.

These four pilot projects are planned in different parts of the country — one each in Ibri (2,000 kilowatt), Sharqiya (2,000 kilowatt), Mudhaibi (2,000 kilowatt) and Dhofar (500 kilowatt).

Presenting a paper on ‘future of renewable energy in Oman’ at the Oman Energy and Water Conference here on Wednesday, Khaleel al Mandhari, head of renewable energy at Raeco, said renewable energy projects have several ad-

vantages, including reduction in use of fossil fuel, energy supply security and reduction in pollution. Since Oman gets sun light round-the-year, the country is in a better position to tap solar energy.

“Raeco is using a lot of diesel for its power plants,” he added.

The company, which has 35 diesel-fired power plants and six desalination plants, has a customer base of 30,904 customers spread across different parts of the country, including Dhofar, Musandam and Al Wusta regions.

Referring to anoter proposed wind project in Masirah, he said it will have a capacity to generate 1,600kW power. “It is in discussion stage.”

Talking about the progress of a major 50 megawatt wind farm project in Harweel in Dhofar region, he said the project is expected to generate power in the second quarter of 2017. Raeco has

signed agreements with Oman government and Abu Dhabi’s Masdar to develop the project, which is coming up at 60 kms away from Thumrait in Dhofar.

The project will help prove the feasibility of wind technology for Oman and address energy sustainability issues.

“The idea is to connect the wind farm with 132kv overhead lines of Oman Electricity and Transmission Company.”

The contribution of renewable energy in total energy production is negligible in Oman and if the solar project becomes successful, there will be focus on setting up more and more solar energy projects in the coming years. It is feasible to set up solar power projects, than depending on dieselbased power due to the high price of oil in international markets.

Raeco has a customer base of 30,904 customers.

B2

TH UR S DAY, MAY 2 1, 2 015

MARKET ‘Oman to maintain spending’ GDP growth Government can comfortably finance deficits in the near term thanks to its sovereign wealth fund, strong credit standing, and low debt levels, update

by National Bank of Kuwait shows

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman is likely to avoid deep cuts in spending as the real gross domestic product (GDP) grows by four per cent in 2015 before moderating to 3.7 per cent in 2016, despite a sizeable fiscal deficit this year and the next due to decline in oil prices, according to a report.

The government can comfortably finance deficits in the near term thanks to its sovereign wealth fund, strong credit standing, and low debt levels, the latest Economic Update by the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) reveals.

Real GDP will be driven by a strong non-oil performance, the update said, noting that with lower oil prices highlighting the need to diversify the economy, authorities are keen to go ahead with heir ambitious projects pipeline.

As a result, project spending is expected to remain at high levels, which is seen supporting nonoil growth in the near term. The recent decision to scrap a crude oil production cap and push for a steady rise in oil output will also see growth in the oil sector pick up slightly.

Oman’s non-oil growth is ex-

8

Real GDP

(% year-on-year)

Oil GDP

Non-oil GDP

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................6,407.43 ...............6,387.40 ...................6,405.64 ...................6,385.23..................20.41 ...................0.32 Financial Index .....................................7,832.01 ............... 7,810.68 ....................7,825.86 ....................7,815.47..................10.39 ................... 0.13 Industrial Index ....................................8,331.09 .............. 8,298.27 ....................8,329.61 ...................8,298.50.................. 31.11 ................... 0.37 Services Index ...................................... 3,454.03 .............. 3,445.82 ...................3,454.02 ...................3,445.82....................8.20 ...................0.24 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................986.06 ..................982.78 .......................985.89 ...................... 983.22....................2.67 ...................0.27 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 8,364,754.................... 2,703,907 .....................675 ............... 14,803,529,774 ................ 15 ......................12 .................... 21 .........................48

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 ISIN ..................................................SECURITY NAME ...............................................................................................VOLUME ..............TURNOVER...................TRADES ...........OPEN PRICE............. HIGH....................LOW...............CLOSE PR. ..........PREV. CLOSE..........DIFF (RO) .................DIFF %......................LAST PR...............LAST BID.....................LAST OFFER .................MARKET CAP ........PAR VALUE

7

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

6

OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ..................20,996 ...............2,394........................3 ............0.114 ........... 0.114............0.114 ............0.114 ............. 0.110............ 0.004............. 3.636 ................0.114 .............. 0.114................... 0.115 .................. 22,800,000 ........0.100

5

OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ............................................35,200 ............ 12,430..................... 10 ........... 0.350 ........... 0.358 ...........0.350........... 0.354 .............0.346 ........... 0.008............. 2.312 ................0.358..............0.356...................0.358................... 21,666,313 .........0.100

4

OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .............................................................65,141 .............34,771......................16 ........... 0.530 ...........0.534 ...........0.530........... 0.534 .............0.522 ............0.012 .............2.299 ................0.534..............0.534...................0.572..................176,686,027 ........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 657,451 ..........229,988..................... 26 ........... 0.348 ...........0.350 ...........0.348........... 0.350 .............0.344 ........... 0.006............. 1.744 ................0.350..............0.350...................0.354...................98,733,059 .........0.100

3

OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................25,643 ............ 40,388........................5 ............1.575 ........... 1.575............1.575 ............1.575 ............. 1.550.............0.025 ..............1.613.................1.575 ............. 0.000...................1.575 ..................315,000,000 .......0.100

2

OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER.............................................................. 12,780 ...............4,431........................4 ........... 0.342 ...........0.348 ...........0.342........... 0.346 .............0.342 ........... 0.004............. 1.170.................0.348..............0.348...................0.358...................76,469,460 .........0.100

1

OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 889,688 ......... 165,480..................... 33 ............0.187 ........... 0.187 ...........0.185 ........... 0.186 .............0.184 ........... 0.002............. 1.087 ................0.186 .............. 0.185...................0.187..................268,107,840........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 305,866 ............39,798......................11 ............0.130 ........... 0.131............0.130........... 0.130 .............0.129.............0.001 ............. 0.775 ................0.131 ..............0.130...................0.132...................40,399,442.........0.100

0

OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 256,692 ...........49,044..................... 23 ............0.191 ........... 0.192 ...........0.191 ............0.191 .............0.190 ............0.001 ............. 0.526 ................0.192 ..............0.192...................0.000 .................128,903,499........0.100

-1

OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 141,298............ 27,084......................17 ............0.192 ........... 0.192 ...........0.191 ........... 0.192 ............. 0.191 .............0.001 ............. 0.524 ................0.192 ..............0.192...................0.193.................. 137,166,017 ........0.100

2011 2012 2013f 2014f 2015f 2016f

OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ..............................................................13,981 ...............5,554........................6 ........... 0.404...........0.404 ...........0.396........... 0.398 .............0.396 ........... 0.002............. 0.505 ................0.396..............0.394...................0.396...................19,900,000.........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................10,000 ............ 24,100........................2 ............2.410 ........... 2.410 ...........2.410........... 2.410 .............2.400 ............0.010 ............. 0.417 ................2.410..............2.410...................2.450 .................230,051,840........1.000

Source: NCSI, NKB estimates

Graphics

pected to remain healthy over the next two years, though it will moderate slightly to around six per cent. An ambitious diversification plan will help sustain the upbeat pace in the non-oil economy. Oman’s non-oil growth will be primarily driven by its ambition to develop its logistics and tourism sectors and reduce dependence on hydrocarbon revenues.

The government expects to invest OMR3.2 billion in 2015, of which OMR1.7 billion will be geared towards non-oil projects. Although slightly less than 2014’s spending as weaker revenue prospects may streamline investments, it is in line with past expenditures and reaffirms the government’s commitment to implementing its stated development plans.

Current and future government projects intend to capitalise on Oman’s topography and geographic location, targeting downstream oil sectors, transportation, and tourism sectors. Unlike its GCC neighbours, the construction sector does not show prominence due to the country’s still nascent private sector, the report said.

Rapid population growth in recent years driven in large part by strong demand for expat labour has provided support to the real estate sector. The population has grown by 48 per cent since 2010 to 4.1 million in 2014.

OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 983,897 ......... 531,478..................... 66 ........... 0.540 ...........0.542 ...........0.538........... 0.540 .............0.538 ........... 0.002............. 0.372 ................0.538..............0.538...................0.540 ...............1,237,584,202 ......0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS .............. 23,000 ............... 7,038........................6 ........... 0.306 ...........0.306 ...........0.306........... 0.306 .............0.306 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.306............. 0.304...................0.312...................10,272,864 .........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ..................................... 4,106 ............... 1,314........................2 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.320............0.318 ............. 0.318............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.320..............0.302...................0.320 ................ 426,345,860 .......0.100 OM0000001509............DHOFAR INT.DEV.AND INV. HOLD.........................1,012 ..................492........................1 ........... 0.486 ...........0.486 ...........0.486........... 0.484 .............0.484 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.486..............0.484...................0.500 ................. 119,257,600 ........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN ........................................................ 3,587 ...................517........................1 ............0.144 ........... 0.144 ...........0.144........... 0.144 .............0.144 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.144.............. 0.141...................0.144................. 288,045,042 .......0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 709,200 ......... 165,958......................31 ........... 0.234 ........... 0.235 ...........0.231 ........... 0.234 .............0.234 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.231 ..............0.231...................0.233...................46,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 1,237,294 ........ 95,223..................... 69 ........... 0.078 ........... 0.078 ...........0.075........... 0.077 .............0.077 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.077..............0.076...................0.077................... 15,950,657 .........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................... 3,896 ................1,621........................2 ............0.416 ........... 0.416 ...........0.416 ............0.416 ............. 0.416............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.416 ..............0.414...................0.416..................123,224,892........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ........................................................................ 4,127 ...................891........................1 ............0.216 ........... 0.216 ...........0.216 ........... 0.216 .............0.216............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.216 ..............0.213...................0.216..................307,807,807........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ............... 4,100 .................. 550........................2 ............0.137 ........... 0.137 ...........0.134............0.136 ............. 0.136............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.134 ..............0.134...................0.136...................12,240,000.........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ................................................................ 2,053 .................. 567........................1 ........... 0.276 ........... 0.276 ...........0.276........... 0.276 .............0.276 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.276..............0.274...................0.276..................426,345,079 .......0.100 OM0000002804 ...........ASAFFA FOODS ................................................................7,584 ...............6,522........................1 ........... 0.860 ...........0.860 ...........0.860........... 0.860 .............0.860 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.860............. 0.000...................0.860 ................ 103,200,000 .......0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 267,607 .........446,129..................... 46 ............1.665 ........... 1.670 ...........1.665 ............1.665 ............. 1.665............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.665 .............. 1.655...................1.665 ................1,248,750,000 ......0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 160,684 ........... 20,826.....................24 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.128........... 0.130 .............0.130............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.128 ..............0.128...................0.129................... 37,697,483 .........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ........................................................2,158 ...................861........................5 ........... 0.394 ...........0.400 ...........0.394........... 0.400 .............0.400 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.400..............0.396...................0.402 ................. 24,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ......................................................................80,633 ............ 37,004........................3 ........... 0.456 ...........0.460 ...........0.456........... 0.458 .............0.460 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.435 ...............0.460..............0.460...................0.462 ................. 169,651,123 ........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 577,390 .........448,163..................... 75 ............0.784 ........... 0.784 ...........0.776 ............0.776 .............0.780 ...........-0.004 ............-0.513................0.776 ..............0.772...................0.776..................505,132,722........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............10,000 .............. 2,220........................1 ........... 0.222...........0.222 ...........0.222 .......... 0.222 .............0.224 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.893 ...............0.222............. 0.222...................0.224 ...................4,662,000..........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 288,417 ........... 70,385..................... 35 ........... 0.245 ...........0.246 ...........0.241........... 0.244 .............0.247 ...........-0.003 ............-1.215................0.244 ............ 0.242...................0.244 ..................31,842,000.........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................39,702 ............ 20,862..................... 32 ........... 0.528 ...........0.530 ...........0.522........... 0.526 .............0.534 ...........-0.008 ........... -1.498................0.530..............0.530...................0.534................... 27,615,000 .........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................15,000 ............... 1,955........................3 ............0.131 ........... 0.131............0.130........... 0.130 .............0.132............-0.002 ............-1.515 ................0.130 ..............0.126...................0.130....................3,900,000..........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 503,881 ............57,501......................31 ............0.116 ........... 0.116............0.113 ............0.114 ............. 0.116 ............-0.002 ............-1.724................0.113 ...............0.113................... 0.114 ................... 13,893,750 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES .......................... 50,000 ...............6,910........................3 ............0.140 ........... 0.140 ...........0.137 ............0.138 ............. 0.141............-0.003 ........... -2.128 ...............0.137 .............. 0.135...................0.139.................... 8,120,364 ..........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL...............................................13,000 ................1,141........................4 ........... 0.087 ...........0.088 ...........0.087........... 0.088 .............0.090 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.222 ...............0.088..............0.088...................0.089...................15,400,000.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 7,427,064 ...2,561,588...................601 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......36........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ..............................12,000 ...............1,430........................3 ............0.117 ........... 0.121............ 0.117 ............0.119 ............. 0.116 ............ 0.003............. 2.586 ................0.121 .............. 0.118................... 0.121 ...................11,900,000 .........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 170,000 .............. 9,174..................... 10 ........... 0.054 ...........0.054 ...........0.053........... 0.054 .............0.053 ............0.001 ............. 1.887 ................0.053..............0.053...................0.054 ...................6,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001301 ............DHOFAR CATTLE FEED ................................................. 500 .....................91........................1 ............0.181 ........... 0.181............0.181 ............0.181 ............. 0.181............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.181 .............. 0.181................... 0.191 ...................13,937,000 .........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 257,011 ...............9,995........................8 ........... 0.039 ...........0.040 ...........0.038........... 0.039 .............0.039 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.040 .............0.039...................0.040 ................... 3,315,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001608............OMAN PACKAGING ......................................................5,000 ............... 1,170........................1 ........... 0.234 ...........0.234 ...........0.234........... 0.234 .............0.234 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.234..............0.234...................0.257.................... 7,589,991 ..........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING....................................55,029 ...............5,503........................6 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.101 ....................7,520,800 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ..................................................................96,684 ............... 7,263......................12 ............0.075 ........... 0.076 ...........0.075........... 0.075 .............0.075 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.075..............0.075...................0.076..................112,500,000........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ............................................... 181,000............ 90,503......................17 ........... 0.500 ...........0.502 ...........0.500........... 0.500 .............0.502 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.398 ...............0.502..............0.500...................0.502 ..................78,750,000 .........0.100 OM0000001285 ............NATIONAL MINERAL WATER ...............................37,600 ...............2,883........................5 ........... 0.080 ...........0.080 ...........0.075........... 0.077 .............0.080 ...........-0.003 ........... -3.750................0.075..............0.075...................0.078....................2,079,234 ..........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING .....................................13,000 ...............2,898........................3 ........... 0.234 ...........0.234 ...........0.220 .......... 0.223 .............0.244 ...........-0.021 ........... -8.607 ...............0.232..............0.230...................0.245 ...................1,338,000 ..........1.000 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 827,824 ......... 130,910..................... 66 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......10........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...................... 104,152.............10,832........................5 ............0.104 ........... 0.104 ...........0.104........... 0.104 .............0.104 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.104..............0.104...................0.108...................31,485,908 .........0.100 OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ..............................................5,714 .................. 577........................3 ............0.101 ........... 0.101............0.101 ............0.101 ............. 0.101............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.101 .............. 0.101...................0.110 ...................32,283,910 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 109,866 ............11,409........................8 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

MSM REVIEW

Muscat bourse edges up again MUSCAT: Oman’s benchmark index - MSM30 Index - closed at 6,405.64 points, up by 0.32 per cent. The MSM Shariah Index was up by 0.27 per cent to close at 985.89 points.

Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Today’s top gainer was Global Financial Investment, up by 3.64 per cent, while Oman Textile Holding, down by 8.61

per cent, was the top loser for the day. As many as 675 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR2.70 million with more than 8.36 million shares changing hands.

Out of 48 traded securities, 15 advanced, 12 declined and 21 remained unchanged.

GCC and Arab investors were net buyers for OMR244,000 fol-

lowed by foreign investors for OMR55,000 while Omani investors switched to net sellers for OMR299,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 7825.86 points, up by 0.13 per cent. Global Financial Investment, Oman Takaful , Bank Sohar and United Finance increased by 3.64 per cent, 2.59 per cent, 1.09 per cent and 0.78 per cent, respectively. - United Securities

T HURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015

B3

MARKET Italy seeks to broaden ties with Sultanate The other fields of interest for bilateral collaboration are water treatment and waste management sectors as well as sanitary equipment, said an official Luca Carpintieri. — Supplied picture

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Italy is seeking greater co-operation with Oman in a wide range of areas including infrastructure, industrial co-operation, tourism, renewable energy and water treatment to boost commercial ties and bilateral trade, which currently stands at around OMR200 million, said an Italian official.

Italian companies are already involved in a number of infrastructure projects in Oman, but Luca Carpintieri from the Embassy of Italy in Muscat believes that Italian companies have a lot more to contribute to the Sultanate’s plans for developing roads, railways and ports.

“Other fields of interest for bilateral collaboration are in water treatment and waste management sectors as well as sanitary equipment,” Carpintieri, deputy head of mission and head of the commercial office at the embassy, told the Times of Oman.

He also noted that Italy possesses cutting-edge technologies and systems in the field of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind energy, which it is keen to offer to Oman.

Italian companies According to Carpintieri, the Italian presence has more than tripled over the last two years and there are now more than 40 Italian companies operating permanently in the country through partnership and joint-ventures with Omani companies and more firms are being registered to enter the market.

While the field of major infrastructure works is a key area of partnership, the Italian companies and professionals are providing products and services in a wide range of areas, including building industrial plants, telecommunication, photovoltaic energy and tourism, in addition to exports and imports, culture, art and the food industry, he said.

Carpintieri added that the agreement to avoid double taxation signed in 1998 has been a driving factor behind the Italian presence in Oman, which is well established also with some prestigious brands in the automotive industry, such as Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat, Iveco Astra, Piaggio and Aprilia’s motorcycles as well as Magneti Marelli.

Duqm is also an area of focus for Italian companies and that is why the southern European country hosted a delegation from the Special Economic Zone Au-

thority of Duqm in September 2014 that introduced the existing opportunities to Italian companies, he said.

Made in Italy products In addition, Italy sees great potential for the Made in Italy products in the fields of furnishing, food, design, architecture and fashion (textiles, clothing, shoes, jewellery, glassware and accessories) as well as communication, said the official.

He added that Oman is participating in Milano Expo 2015, held under the theme of ‘feeding the planet, energy for life’ this year.

Asked about the volume of bilateral trade, Carpintieri said that according to Eurostat, the European Commission database, it reached around OMR200 million in 2014. “Over the last five years the Italy-Oman trade has steadily grown in value with an increase of about 59 per cent from 2009 to 2013,” he said. The data shows that Italy exported goods worth around OMR182 million to Oman in 2014, he said, adding, “To this figure, an almost equal amount should be added as exports that transit for the marketplace in Dubai with Oman as final destination.”

In 2014, Italy’s imports from the Sultanate reached about OMR16 million.

Carpintieri said that Omani companies can take advantage of Italy’s strategic position at the crossroads of Europe and the Mediterranean.

“We also see great potential for increasing co-operation between small and medium enterprise (SMEs) in Italy and Oman. SMEs are very important for Oman, while Italy is known all over the world for its specialised manufacturing districts with highly innovative technological content,” he noted.

He added that several Memoranda of Understanding are actually in force with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) to expand business opportunities between the two countries and a number of official visits to Italy and Oman have taken place in this context.

“The Italian Embassy in Muscat is actively engaged in promoting the commercial ties between Italy and Oman not only by supporting the Italian and Omani companies but also by promoting the Italian language and encouraging young Omanis to study in Italian universities and specialised institutions such as those for design, food and music,” said Carpintieri.

C O M M E N TA RY

Looking at the roots of oil price fundamentals HAMID HAMIRANI*

T

he average year-to-date Oman Crude price is around $55. And since April 16, 2015, the Oman Crude has been trading over $60 per barrel.

The current forward price projections derived from the trading activities of futures is $64.75 for 2015 and $71.64 for 2016.

Oman Crude usually trades at a discount of between $2 and $3 to Brent. So, looking at the Bloomberg latest consensus forecast and current forwards, the price for Oman Crude should be around $57 for 2015 and $68 for 2016, except for any geopolitical surprises. The oil price certainly has recovered from the lows of $43 for Oman Crude in January 2015. This was incidentally an assertion I have been making since January 2015 in a number of presentations I made locally and internationally.

Oil price going forward shall be dominated by a CAP of around $70 per barrel by the US Shale producers which are in several 1000s ranging from small to large operators and a Collar of around $45 determined by Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) dominated by Saudi Arabia being the largest producer.

Recent events The above assertion is supported by recent events where EOG Resources the biggest US Shale oil producer and also a very conservative company announced that it is willing to increase drilling at a price of $65 for West Texas Intermediate (WTI).

At the same time, Saudis have boasted their current production second month in running to the highest in the last three decades. Saudi increased its daily crude output by 13,700 barrels in April to an average of 10.308 million.

Bloomberg recently reported quoting three separate anony-

Oil price going forward shall be dominated by a cap of around $70 per barrel by the US Shale producers which are in several 1000s ranging from small to large operators and a collar of around $45 determined by Opec dominated by Saudi Arabia

mous sources which were present at the discussions between Saudi Oil Minister and some of the large non Opec members: Russia, Brazil and Mexico that Opec is not planning to reduce production at the forthcoming June 5 meeting.

Supply-demand dynamics Looking at the demand supply dynamics from the most recent announcements by OPEC and EIA in the last two days: World oil demand will probably rise 1.18 million barrels a day to 92.5 million, Opec said.

That’s about 10,000 barrels a day higher than was forecast in April.

Last year’s consumption total was revised 40,000 barrels a day higher.

The EIA reduced its 2015 forecast for US oil production recently in its monthly ShortTerm Energy Outlook. Output will reach 9.19 million barrels a day in 2015, down 40,000 barrels from last month’s estimate of 9.23 million.

Output from US shale formations is set to decline in June to a five-month low of 5.56 million barrels a day, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said.

Energy company debts Looking at the cost of financing for the independent US Shale producers the assertions made in my earlier presentation back in January 2015 remains as High Yield Energy Spreads have continued to tighten over

$300M PERPETUAL BONDS

BankDhofar bond issue closes Times News Service MUSCAT: BankDhofar announced that its AT1 perpetual bonds worth $300 million have been issued successfully, according to a filing to the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) on Wednesday.

The bank added that pricing is set at a 6.85 per cent coupon and allocation has been made.

BankDhofar, the second larg-

est bank in the Sultanate by total assets, said on May 12 that it has mandated the UAE’s National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and Standard Chartered Bank as joint global coordinators and has appointed Emirates NBD Capital, NBAD and Standard Chartered Bank as joint lead managers to arrange its series of fixed income investor meetings in Asia in which a dollar-denominated bond issue.

SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

PDO hosts forum for SMEs Times News Service MUSCAT: A workshop was held by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) on Wednesday, giving Omani small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a better understanding of how to do business with the company.

The seminar was aimed at encouraging local vendors to bid for future contracts by explaining PDO’s technical contractual requirements, tendering and contracting processes, business ethics and health, safety and environment requirements.

It also focused on the importance of training and Omanisation among SMEs to support PDO’s efforts to generate employ-

ment opportunities for Omanis.

Around 30 representatives from SMEs and Local Community Contractors (LCCs), from companies owned by local communities or individuals that live in PDO’s concession area, attended the event at the company’s Mina Al Fahal headquarters in Muscat. Many of those invited had unsuccessfully bid for PDO work in the past.

Abla Al Riyami, In-Country Value director at PDO, said, “This is the first workshop of its kind that aims at addressing the main reasons for Omani SMEs in failing PDO’s technical bids evaluation. It is meant to raise awareness on our particular tendering requirements and stipulations.”

the last few weeks, with overall energy sector spreads now trading at 611bps, E&P spreads at 688bps, and servicers at 682bps, versus the HY Index at 477bps.

As part of the Q1 2015 Fed Senior Loan Officer Survey, special questions were asked to banks that provide financing to firms involved in the oil and natural gas sectors.

As many as 60 per cent of banks expect loan quality to deteriorate, while the remainder expect loan quality to remain stable. Virtually no banks expected an improvement in loan quality…

It is clear from the above that the recent rally in oil prices is insufficient for lower-quality energy firms who have most of 2016 production un-hedged.

US dollar impact Contrary to a consensus view that US dollar is likely to strengthen, I am beginning to form a view that we may see some weakening of US dollar.

My view is supported by the considerable weak US gross domestic product (GDP) growth of only 0.2 per cent in the first quarter. Most of the drag on the GDP weakness was from fall in exports and capital formation.

Exports were affected by a strong dollar and capital formation was down due to cut in spending by shale producers.

With quantitative easing (QE) well in swing in Europe and Japan the leading macroeconomic indicators are looking promising in both Europe and Japan

and is likely to be supportive for weakening in US dollar which in turn should provide support for the commodity prices, including oil prices.

Oil price rally US inventory build-up still remains high compared to historical average and the recent surge in the bond yield due to inflationary fear evident by the increase in spread between long and short-term treasuries of major economies like Germany and US. Any increase in the bond yield will be negative for the Global GDP growth as it would filter into eventual rise in cost of corporate bonds i.e, cost of capital for the businesses.

Conclusion As I write this paper on May 14, 2015, Brent is trading at $67.24, Oman Crude closed on Tuesday at $64.60 inspired by both OPEC projections of increase in demand and EIA assertion on US production to decline.

The paper has demonstrated clearly that the recent moves made by US shale players that they will start drilling at WTI $60s levels for WTI and Saudi has shown its determination to continue to produce.

I am therefore more convinced of the assertions I made way back in early Jan 2015 that Brent should trade between a cap of $70 and a collar of $45 per barrel. This assertion is supported by current forward prices and Bloomberg latest consensus forecast for Brent.

Therefore, Oman Crude is likely to average between $55 to $60 in 2015 and between $62 and $68 in 2016 except for any geopolitical surprises. *The author is an economist and a visiting scholar at the Stanford University’s Global Project Centre. He is currently working as senior economist at the Ministry of Finance, Oman. The views expressed in the article are of the author and not of the Ministry of Finance.”

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FEATURE

SAMSUNG TABLETS MADE SPY-PROOF

BlackBerry spy-proofs Samsung tablets with IBM software

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lackBerry Ltd. introduced a modified Samsung Electronics Co. tablet computer that lets government and corporate users access consumer applications such as YouTube and WhatsApp while keeping confidential work-related information away from spies and crooks.

The 2,250-euro ($2,360) SecuTABLET will be available by the third quarter, Hans-Christoph Quelle, head of BlackBerry’s Secusmart unit, said in an interview. More than 10,000 units will be shipped annually in Germany alone by next year, with a higher number sold by International Business Machines Corp., which is handling sales to companies worldwide, he said.

The SecuTABLET combines Samsung Electronics Co.’s Tab S 10.5 with Secusmart’s microSD card and IBM software to wrap applications that hold sensitive data into a virtual container where they can’t be harmed by malware. Germany’s computer- security watchdog is evaluating the device for classified government communication and will probably give its approval before the end of the year, Quelle said.

“For many of the tasks that officials and executives need to carry out, a phone just isn’t enough -- they want a tablet,” Quelle said at the CeBIT technology conference in Hanover, Germany. “The most important thing is that we combine security with usability. We don’t want to take the fun things away from people.”

BlackBerry acquired Secusmart last year in an effort to win more business from customers demanding rigorous data security. The Waterloo, Ontario-based company, which sold few of its own 2011 Playbook tablets, is shifting from making hardware to building security components and software into competitors’ devices as the frequency of cyber attacks mounts.

Clinton’s E-mails The tablet integrates BlackBerry’s technology with one of its main competitors in the mobile-device market. When IBM and Apple Inc. signed a deal to collaborate on mobile business applications last July, BlackBerry’s stock dropped 12 per cent.

The tension between maintaining personal privacy while still letting employers secure phones has been in the spotlight recently with former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a single device and a home-based server for both her government work and private communications.

A poll by IBM showed that 63 per cent of all officials need access to specific software such as for finances and controlling on their mobile devices. However, many government officials and executives have resisted the use of so-called crypto phones as they tend to limit what users can do with them.

For instance, making a secure call requires both sides to have the necessary technology installed, and many programmes aren’t allowed to run on them because they may pose a point of entry for viruses or snooping software. The devices also tend to be more expensive than off-the-shelf phones.

Merkel’s BlackBerry Secusmart tries to make its devices safe and useful at the same time by installing a small chipcard, which encrypts voice and data and cannot be corrupted by malware targeting the operating system.

The company has shipped BlackBerry 10 devices modified in such a way to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and members of her government.

Samsung has begun emphasising its enterprise products as it lost its lead in the smartphone market to Apple in the fourth quarter. Its Galaxy S6 phone will ship with the Knox software, which combines improved user authentication and encryption to protect the device from attacks.

“We do recognise that people actually have a personal life and a business life,” said Lee Epting, head of Samsung’s European corporate-customer business. “We need to be able to easily transfer between those two worlds.” – Bloomberg News

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ROUND-UP

Bahwan IT’s seminar stresses need for secured data centre The seminar focused on the three pillars of data centre viz., the application, database and files, and the various methods to protect them

MUSCAT: Bahwan IT, one of the flagship companies of Suhail Bahwan group, recently conducted a seminar on ‘Three Pillars of Data Centre Security’ in association with Imperva, a US based data

centre security solutions provider.

The seminar emphasised the need to have secured data centre without compromising the performance and focused on the three pillars of data centre viz., the application, database and files, and the various methods to protect them, says a press release.

The seminar was attended by many high level dignitaries from ministries and other public sectors in government, education, enterprise organisations and other clients, who were impressed to see the barriers to cloud adoption coming down with new workloads taking shape. The session was very

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interactive with a lot of interesting queries raised by clients.

Technical aspects Terry Ray, Chief Product Strategist and Shailesh Nanda, Senior System Engineer of Imperva elaborated on the technical aspects of data centre security solutions of-

A L M U M AYA Z S AV I N G S C H E M E

fered by the company. The seminar sessions covered a broad range of topics in depth with the speakers sharing their real world experiences and lessons learned.

Imperva is a recognised leader in web applications and Bahwan IT is Imperva’s only authorised partner in Oman.

NEW FRAGRANCE

Versace’s new perfume for women launched MUSCAT: Eros Pour Femme, Versace’s new fragrance for women, has been launched in Oman at a ceremony held recently here.

The fragrance, which was originally launched in Italy last year, is an alchemy of tempting, bright and feminine notes. It’s a refined accord of lemon and jasmine, exalted by sensual and smooth woods, says a press release.

“Eros Pour Femme is the ultimate in power and seduction from Versace, from the captivating fragrance to the elegance of the bottle and the stunning campaign by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott starring Lara Stone,” said Donatella Versace, vice-president of Versace Group as well as its chief designer, in the release.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Bank Sohar picks monthly draw winners MUSCAT: Under the patronage of Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan Al Shukaili, Wali of Ibra, Bank Sohar recently conducted its third monthly draw under the Al Mumayaz Saving Scheme with a prize amount totalling OMR55,000 distributed among 10 lucky winners. The draw, which was held as part of a VIP client gathering in Ibra, witnessed five Bank Sohar customers win OMR10,000 each and five minor account holders win OMR1,000 each, says a press release.

The VIP client gathering and the OMR55,000 monthly draws were held recently at the Al Mawada Hall in Ibra.

Representing Bank Sohar at the event were R. Narasimhan, DGM and Head of Retail Banking, Salim Khamis Al Maskeri, Senior AGM of Branches, Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, AGM and Head of Marketing and Publicity, Redha Al Lawatia, Head of Liabilities and Amour Al Habsi, Ibra Chief Branch Manager, together with other senior members of the bank and branch managers, who welcomed the chief guest and the bank’s VIP customers from the area.

The event commenced with Mazin Al Raisi conveying Acting CEO’s message to the gathering which covered the main aspects of the bank’s performance as well as the laurels received by the bank in the year 2014 and 2015 so far. This was followed by a performance by the talented students of Al Rawdha

School in Ibra. The Guest of Honour, Saqr Al Shukaili, then presented the Al Rawdha School performers with a token of appreciation and honoured them. Bank Sohar then invited on stage the Omani Association for Elderly FriendsNorth Al Sharqiya branch providing them the opportunity to shine light on the association’s various initiatives and activities.

A comprehensive overview of the features of the 2015 savings scheme as well as presentation on various Retail products was then delivered by Redha Al Lawatia, highlighting the main enhancements of the new scheme and other value added advantages.

Commenting on the occasion, Narasimhan said: “We have always placed great emphasis on building strong relationship with our customers, and as a result have grown to become one of the most promi-

nent banks within the country in just eight short years. Such gatherings further facilitate our customer focused approach by providing us with an opportunity to directly interact with our customers and obtain their valuable feedback.

“We place great importance on such feedback as it helps strengthen our client relationships in all regions of the country as well as helps us in evolving our products and services to meet customer needs and aspirations.”

Following the highlights on the scheme, Saqr Al Shukaili then selected the winners of the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme monthly draws which saw Abdullah Sulaiman Al Sharji, from Al Azaiba Branch; A. S. Al Ghassani, from Salalah Branch; Khalfan Nasser Salim, from Privilege Banking Branch; Mohammed Khamis, from the Al Buraimi

Branch; and S. A. Al Nahari, from Salalah Branch, win the monthly grand prize of OMR10,000 each; while five lucky minors; R. M. Al Wahaibi from Al Qurum Branch; Hoor Al Saidi from Al Khaboura Branch; Nasser Al Dhahli from MBD Branch; Farah Fahad Al Raisi from Al Zaiba Branch; and Dima Al Farsi from Sohar Branch won OMR1,000 each.

“Customer satisfaction, financial planning and instilling the habit of saving were always considered as core objectives when developing the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme. As a result, we designed the scheme to encourage customers in order to achieve their savings goals by incentivising them to save for the future. With this year’s scheme, we are promoting the habit of saving by offering customers a revamped prize structure encompassing a wider pool of prizes; totalling over 1,100 winners,” commented Narasimhan. “I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our monthly winners and encourage others to continue saving and wish them best of luck in all our upcoming draws in the rest of the year 2015.”

The event concluded by handing over a special token of appreciation to Saqr Al Shukaili followed by a gala dinner. The event provided a great platform for the senior management and staff for a oneto-one interaction with customers and proved to be a great success.

BankDhofar provides professional guidance for senior college students MUSCAT: Further cementing its social involvement and proactive approach to serve the community, BankDhofar has launched a training programme that is specially tailored for senior college students.

The programme, which kicked off last week at the College of Banking and Financial Studies with the participation of 25 graduating students, comes as part of BankDhofar’s Learning and Development Department’s efforts to provide professional guidance to jobseekers and fresh graduates, and to give them a comprehensive understanding of the local and global job market in the banking and financial area, says a press release.

The training programme is administered by Usama Al Farsi, Training and Department manager at BankDhofar, and it

is conducted in an interactive learner-focused style where participants are asked to prepare and construct the summary of their academic and work history to suit their future career plans.

Usama Al Farsi said: “BankDhofar is the first bank in the Sultanate to launch such initiative and we are looking forward to spread our outreach and conduct similar sessions in other colleges and higher education institutions across the Sultanate to maximise the benefits of the programme.”

The in-house-tailored programme covers the essentials of job hunting, such as workplace basic skills, preparing documents and credentials, aspects of different work environments, career path and professional development, links between academia and practice, etc.

BACHELOR IN ISLAMIC FINANCE

HELPING HANDS Staff and students of Jeel Al Nahda Private School distributed drinking water at several labour camps in the capital area as part of the institution’s charitable activities, which, according to its officials, are likely to continue in the coming months. — Supplied photos

CBFS partners with Malaysian university MUSCAT: College of Banking and Financial Studies (CBFS) has entered into a partnership with University Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) for the validation of the College’s Bachelor Degree in Islamic Finance. USIM is a public university known for its contribution to Islamic Finance education.

The official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at USIM, Kuala Lumpur on May 18. Ali bin Hamdan Al Balushi, the Assistant Dean for corporate support represented the college at the ceremony. The ceremony was attended by Dr Khamis Al-Balushi, Cultural Attaché at the Sultanate’s Embassy in Malaysia, says a press release.

On the occasion, Al Balushi said, “CBFS is proud to be playing its role and taking a proactive approach in catering the demand for specialised personnel in Islamic finance. Since the formal adoption of Islamic finance by the Sultan-

ate, the college has been actively involved in providing both training and academic programmes in Islamic Finance. CBFS is the first in Oman to deliver BSc Degree in Islamic Finance, and in-house degree programme, meeting global standards. Consequently, CBFS is becoming the first choice for Islamic finance training and education in Oman.”

The dean of the college, Dr Ahmed Mohsin Al Ghassani, stated, “Collaboration with a prominent entity like USIM is a firm step towards further strengthening CBFS’s role in providing Islamic finance academic and training programmes. The college envisions to become a hub of Islamic finance education in Oman and the region.

To ensure the quality of our services, the college is crafting multiple international collaborations and associations to promote Islamic finance including Islamic banking and Islamic insurance solutions.”

STELLAR PERFORMANCE Students from different schools in Oman put up a special dance performance at an event held recently. India has a thousand year old tradition of classical dance and the dancers presented intricate pieces in different styles of dance. — Supplied photos

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TH UR S DAY, MAY 2 1, 2 015

ROUND-UP Sea Pearls opens store at Oman Avenues Mall

D E D I C AT E D S T R AT E G I E S

Sohar Aluminium supports career fairs across Oman The new store is all set to offer patrons a luxurious experience showcasing a brand portfolio representing the latest and most desirable jewellery collection across a variety of categories

MUSCAT: Sea Pearls Gold and Diamond Jewellery successfully opened their new store at the much hyped about Oman Avenues Mall amidst select media guests and invitees earlier this week.

Her Highness Sayyida Basma Al Said, a trained psychotherapist

and founder of Whispers of Serenity Clinic, inaugurated the store which is strategically located inside the ‘Silk Route’ at the Oman Avenues Mall. The new store of Sea Pearls Gold and Diamond Jewellery is all set to offer patrons a luxurious experience showcasing a brand portfolio representing the latest and most desirable jewellery collection across a variety of categories, says a press release.

“This is a momentous occasion for us to be part of one of Oman’s largest malls so far. We recognise Oman as a location that offers a dynamic and innovative jewellery selection to patrons and hence we look forward to adding to the success of our iconic stores,” said P. A. Riyas, GM of Sea Pearls Gold and Diamond Jewellery.

The brand Sea Pearls has been known for the combination of precious and innovative materials and distinctive designs, for glamorous and exciting styles that fuses classic and contemporary.

“Our creations are appreciated for their bold, sophisticated and unmistakable style in which me-

ticulous attention to quality and innovative design combine to create a timeless elegance. We have taken care to bring our exclusive and unique selection of designs at the newly opened store. By bringing diamond set in gold collections from renowned contemporary designers and new collections crafted especially for this new store, we are fulfilling the needs of a market based on the feedback from our loyal customers for the past two decades,” added Riyas.

The Oman Avenues Mall is spread out over a sprawling 105,000 sqm land and built over 5 levels. The mall is located in one of the most sought after neighbourhoods in the Sultanate of Oman and has been long considered as having the highest density of consumers from various social strata.

“As luxury pioneers in the region we have ensured that Sea Pearls Gold and Diamond Jewellery stores will encapsulate a world class retail experience including a contemporary store ambience and excellence in customer service. Our team will be

instrumental in offering customers a shopping experience like no other,” he explained.

Today, the brand has become one of the leading fashion jewellery brands in Oman, which is patronised by the women belonging to almost all the segments of society. It epitomises the expression of love and affection in a woman’s life.

Sea Pearls specialises in gold, diamond, pearl and precious stones, and caters to the most discerning clientele. The modern and innovative Italian, Turkish, Bahraini, Omani and Indian designs have ensured that Sea Pearls continues to be the most respectable brands in the jewellery segment of Oman.

With showrooms spread across Ruwi High Street, Sur Old Souq, Jaalan Bani Bu Ali near government hospital, Sohar Souq, Safeer Mall in Sohar and Al Salam Street, Salalah, the company continues its expansion drive.

At Sea Pearls, passion and distinctive style is found in each of the designers and craftsmen, who collaborate each day to create the most fabulous jewellery in the world.

MUSCAT: An employer of choice and an avid proponent of Omanisation, Sohar Aluminium (SA) participated in various career fairs held across Oman this year. Career fairs provide a platform for Omani nationals with qualifications in diverse fields of expertise to meet directly with recruiters and hiring managers as well as seek out various training and career opportunities.

SA is fully committed to the vision of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said regarding Omanisation of the country’s workforce.

The company has established dedicated strategies and policies, to ensure that Omani nationals are developed to take on challenging roles with increased responsibilities within the organisation, says a press release.

Highlighting SA participation in the career fairs, Faisal Al Belushi, SA’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) Manager, said, “We are committed to providing opportunities for talented Omani nationals to work and develop their career with the company. Fairs like these help us to better network with students, understand their needs and of-

fer our expertise and insight of what the industry requires in the coming years. This helps us prepare future generations in Oman to plan their education specialisation according to the industry needs.”

The HRA team of Sohar Aluminium actively interacted with students and graduates at career fairs in Sohar University, Al Rustaq College of Applied Sciences and the Omanisation Career Fair 2015 at Oman International Exhibition Centre.

The SA representatives answered queries on SA’s recruitment strategy while providing advice to students on being successful in the corporate world highlighting aspects of work ethics and professionalism.

SA’s participation in the careers fairs is an integral part of the company’s HR initiatives to bolster its Omanisation efforts.

It was an early business decision

by SA’s board of directors to offer proper training to its entire workforce whereby SA found this a great opportunity to recruit, train and develop Omanis in order to operate, maintain, supervise and then manage the plant.

L AT E S T A D D I T I O N

Samsung unveils GCC customised washing machine

We are very excited to announce the availability of the WA 6700 in Oman an innovative product which addresses consumers’ needs in the most effective way MUSCAT: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global home appliance innovator, has unveiled one of its premium home appliances products, the WA 6700 washing machine range, at a retailer conference in Sultanate of Oman.

Samsung’s new innovation in topload washing machine caters to homes in the region by simplifying the tedious tasks of pre-treatment and pre-wash with its revolutionary Activ Dual Wash feature, says a press release.

“We pride ourselves on a detailed understanding of regional consumer needs; and an ability to

respond to that need with technology-led innovations brought to market at light speed; The new WA 6700 washing machine range, optimised to meet the needs and requirements of consumers in the region, brings ease and comfort to every GCC household,” said Mohammed Gharaibeh, general manager, Digital Appliances, at Samsung Gulf Electronics.

Ajay Ganti, CEO, Al Seeb Technical Est. (Sarco) said, “It is very important for our consumers to purchase home appliances that will offer tangible benefits to their everyday lives. Samsung’s latest

addition in home appliances, the new top loading washing machine, serves exactly this purpose. We are very excited to announce the availability of the WA 6700 in Oman an innovative product which addresses consumers’ needs in the most effective way.”

To aid consumers who pre-wash clothing and then lumber over to a washer with wet clothes, Samsung equipped its new machine with Activ Dual Wash, a water jet and gentle scrubbing surface built right into the machine. Thanks to the Activ Dual Wash, users can pre-treat tough stains, such

as heavily soiled sports uniforms or hand wash items like delicate sweaters, and easily pour the water right into the machine.

The WA6700 is also the first Samsung Top loader with Magic Dispenser technology. Consumers have even greater peace of mind with the magic dispenser, a powerful water vortex that instantly dissolves detergent inside the dispenser and spreads it evenly onto the laundry.

The result is less residue on clothes and no mess in the detergent compartment. Meanwhile the wobble technology pulsates

Ajay Ganti CEO, Al Seeb Technical Est.

to prevent clothes from tangling, while creating a powerful vertical motion that keeps clothes outstandingly clean, as the Magic Filter captures lint and particles that conventional washers leave on clothes.

In line with Samsung’s home appliances, the WA6700 comes with an intuitive interface and is easy

to use and operate. The slanted control panel sits at the back of the machine, so that users never have to lean over a bulky control panel to load their clothes and they can always rest assured that the LED screen is safe from water splashes. The panel includes clearly defined cycles and programmable options, as well.

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ROUND-UP

New LG Super UHD TVs elevate viewing standards in Sultanate LG’s new premium Super Ultra HD TVs provide a total immersion experience, while adding a subtle touch of sophistication and a host of convenienceenhancing smart functions

MUSCAT: LG Electronics (LG) has launched the first of its 2015 premium Ultra HD TV series in Oman. Coming from 49 to 65-inch screen sizes (model UF950T and UF851T) the new additions are part of LG’s Super UHD TV lineup — a premium tier of the company’s Ultra HD TV, featuring its colour super technology.

The launch event was hosted in partnership with long-term distributor OTE Group, says a press release.

“With our efforts to provide a stunning viewing experience, we strongly believe that the launch of the Super UHD TV series will reinforce LG’s brand in Oman as a leader in life-like picture quality, elegant design and convenient smart features,”said D.Y. Kim, president of

LG Electronics Gulf FZE. “We are also furthering our advancement in cutting-edge, premium technologies and convenience-enhancing products across all our business units. This is our way of ensuring that LG remains in a very favourable position as a regional electronics market leader,” he added.

Anil Dua, managing director of OTE Group of Companies, said, “We are committed to providing our customers with the most innovative technology available today. By strategically partnering with LG Electronics, a pioneering electronics brand, we have ensured that our customers gain access to the latest products. We are excited about the launch of the LG Super UHD TV series and are certain it will be a favourite in

K I T E - F LY I N G F E S T I VA L

Omani households.”

LG’s new premium Super Ultra HD TVs provide a total immersion experience, while adding a subtle touch of sophistication and a host of convenience-enhancing smart functions. With its premium display technologies and smart features captured in an elegant design, LG’s Super UHD TVs take the viewing experience to a whole new level.

LG’s UF950T boasts picture quality features such as LG’s Color Prime technology, Ultra Luminance, a 4K in-plane switching (IPS) panel and a prime mastering engine to offera truly premium, cinema-like experience. LG’s Colour Prime technology magnifies the range of colors that can be displayed onscreen. Ultra Luminance technology continuously analyses

the brightest and darkest parts of the displayed content in order to improve the extended expression range of brightness with higher peaks and enhanced contrast ratio.

Equipped with LG’s 4K IPS panel, the TV renders detailed images at extremely wide viewing angles.

In addition, the UF950T looks great even when not in use, as it was designed to be compact and beautiful with its almost razor thin, 8.5mm (8.5mm is for 65 inch model) Ultra Slim, a superb cinema screen design with an ultrathin bezel, plus is supported by the auditorium stand, which perfectly complements the overall look and enhances the sound output.

On the sound front, LG teamed up with premium audio manufacturer Harman/Kardon to give the Super UHD TVs a deep and rich

sound system that incorporates 4.2 Ch. 60W speakers and Ultra Surround system. Not only does the UF950T TV look and sound great, but it also runs on LG’s web OS 2.0 Smart TV user interface, which offers faster switching, new quick settings, additional content searches without interruption, improved booting and loading times.

LG’s Super UHD TV series will be available in all leading stores in Oman from today. This includes the exciting introduction of a new display finish in the form of LG’s UF851T, which will be available in a novel chic rose gold finish, along with LG’s popular silver and black display finishes.

OTE Group is the exclusive distributor of LG range of electronics and home appliances and airconditioners in Oman and offers

By strategically partnering with LG Electronics, a pioneering electronics brand, we have ensured that our customers gain access to the latest products. We are excited about the launch of the LG Super UHD TV series and are certain it will be a favourite in Omani households Anil Dua Managing director of OTE Group of Companies

excellent aftersales care in order to increase the customer convenience. With a nationwide network of showrooms and service facilities, OTE Group ensures that LG customers are never far from getting high quality after-sales service.

RECOGNITION

PSC to host Basant Omani SME wins prestigious award Festival tomorrow MUSCAT: Pakistan Social Club (PSC) Oman will be organising one of its most popular annual events — ‘Basant’, the kite-flying festival — tomorrow at Al Sawadi Beach.

Scheduled to start at 2.30pm, the festival is expected to attract thousands of people, including families, to enjoy this fun-filled event that combines food and kite-flying, says a press release.

Chairman shares his views for the upcoming event ‘Basant Mela organised Pakistan Social Club.

“People of Pakistan celebrate this highly popular and colourful kite-flying festival all over the country, especially in Lahore, solely for the sheer joy and fun it provides. People from all over the world come to Lahore to celebrate Basant and be part of this lifetime experience,” said Mian Muhammad Munir, PSC chairman.

The PSC has been holding the Basant Festival since 2001. Last year the festival attracted over 10,000 kite-flying enthusiasts to Al Sawadi Beach.

“This time we are expecting an even bigger crowd. Many dignitaries are likely to be present to witness the festivities at Basant Mela 2015,” stated Munir.

“Basant is extremely popular in Lahore where I have personally seen thousands of people from all over the world flying in to join the fun with their friends and family. Having witnessed this spirit of celebration in other parts of Pakistan too, we brought this festival to Oman many years back,” said A. H. Raja, PSC vice-chairman.

Pakistan Social Club claims to

HELSINKI: Insight Information Security, an Omani SME specialised in providing information security products, has been selected as the best regional partner for F-Secure, a global information security products provider based in Finland.

The winning of this award was announced last week in Helsinki in a ceremony that was attended by a large number of F-Secure partners from Europe and the Middle East, says a press release.

“We are proud as an Omani SME to be recognised and win this prestigious international award which coincides with the announcement of F-Secure products as the winner

of the best “Anti-virus protection” award from AV-Test, a leading international and independent service provider in IT security and anti-virus research firm for the fourth

consecutive year outperforming other global competitors,” said Mohsin Al Salmi, executive director at Insight Information Security.

“F-Secure products are con-

sidered the best in their category since 1988 and enjoy global reputation due to their unmatched performance in protecting computers and mobile devices. FSecure products have a very good presence in the region in general and the Sultanate in particular through Insight Information technology, the distribution partner of F-Secure in the Sultanate of Oman” Insight Technical Director furthered.

Insight Information Security is 100% Omani SME established by fully dedicated Omani entrepreneurs in 2003 and specializes in information security solutions.

AWA R E N E S S C A M PA I G N

be the pioneer of this wind sport in Oman. Noting that Oman is the best place in the whole of Middle East for kite-flying due to its long beaches and favourable weather conditions, the PSC has been holding this festival for more than a decade, providing great fun to various communities in Oman.

PSC creates some of that magic every year by organising Basant Festival in Oman by putting together an irresistible combination of music, food and, of course, kite-flying. It has planned a special weekend for the fun-loving people of Oman, particularly the huge Pakistani community in the Sultanate.

“We invite all those who love kite-flying, music and fun to Al Sawadi Beach on Friday. The event will start at 2pm and will probably last till late night. Come join us in celebrating one of the most popular festivals in Oman,” added Munir.

Kerala Wing conducts seminar on road safety MUSCAT: With the target of attaining ‘Goal-Zero’ – a synonym for achieving zero road traffic accident involving a child — Indian Social Club Muscat Kerala Wing recently organized a seminar on road safety at Indian Social Club hall Darsait.

The programme was held in two parts with separate and dedicated presentation suites for adults and children. The lecture for adults was focused on real crash videos and solutions to avoid them while the children’s suite was with animation and graphic videos appropriate for the respective age group, says a press release.

Interactive session The programme was organised with technical collaboration from

Oman Road Safety Association and its CEO Shima Al Lawati herself led the session. Interactive a session with lasted more than two and half hours were enriched by the involvement, opinions and elucidations from audience.

Key presentation The key presentation was sliced into individual segments such as seat belts, child safety, speed management, mobile phones and dealing with fatigue while on roads each lasting about 30 minutes.

The presenter underscored the requirements of being vigilant of the surroundings at all times while behind wheels, attentive to vehicle condition, never use mobile phone as it causes distraction and abide by the speed limits.

“Most of the traffic accidents created irreversible damage to one’s lives and psychological trauma it builds is enormous and beyond repair, she said.

With the first seminar, Kerala Wing launches a campaign on road safety on which a number of sessions of similar nature will be presented in every single school.

There are about 19 Indian schools in Oman and the potential risk it possesses on safety administration is of high magnitude.

Acknowledgement The programme was inaugurated by Wilson George, chairman of Board of Directors of Indian Schools, who acknowledged the growing problem of road safety of children and emphasised the

need. He pointed out that about 45,000 children are on the road in Oman every single day as part of their commutation to and from schools under the purview of Indian School Board.

As such, Board of Directors is ready to go to any length to ensure the safety of children and praised the initiatives undertaken by some of the school management committees to this end.

Kerala Wing’s founder convener P. M. Jabir awarded a memento to the presenter as a token of appreciation on the function which Kerala Wing’s convener Rejilal Kokkadan presided over. Women’s Wing convener Girija Prasad proposed the vote of thanks. The schedule of the next session will be announced shortly, the organisers said.

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Ooredoo claims Best Call Centre Service award The prestigious award recognises Ooredoo’s role as an innovator in customer experience, with the company consistently meeting customers’ needs

MUSCAT: Ooredoo’s Contact Centre recently won the Best Call Centre Service Assurance award at the annual Middle East Call Centre Awards, fighting off strong competition from all over the region.

The prestigious award recognises Ooredoo’s role as an innovator in customer experience, with the company consistently meet-

ing customers’ needs. Kaab Al Kharusi, Process & Quality Section Head, represented Ooredoo at a gala event in Dubai where he received the award. Call centres from around the region attended the ceremony and participated in the awards, says a press release.

“This award underlines our commitment to consistently engage customers, using the latest

technology to meet their needs and deliver inspiring customer service. From our Omni-channel to the digitalisation of Ooredoo’s services, we are constantly assessing new ways to reach our users and achieve customer satisfaction,” said Amaal Al Lawati, director at Ooredoo.

“I would like to thank all those that made winning this award possible. The constant vigilance, care, and training of our family has enabled us to connect with customers on a human level and improve the Ooredoo experience in every way.”

Organised by Insights, the Middle East Call Centre Awards has become the undisputed regional benchmark for remote customer interaction success.

Not only is it widely acclaimed as the most comprehensive, rigorous and strategy-aligned contest of its type in the world but the process of preparing a submission is proven to enhance outcomes and performance in areas such as customer data analysis, process reassessment and re-development, and employee teamwork.

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HIGH PROFILE EVENT

OER Business Summit 2015 to discuss ‘Life at $50 per barrel’ MUSCAT: From corporate boardrooms to dinner tables, the plummeting price of oil is a topic of animated discussion. Oil prices have dropped by over 55 per cent over the past six to eight months, and there is no dearth of heated exchanges on how to live the new normal with cheaper oil and how to realign the business strategies to counter the price decline.

Want to get insights into where the economy is headed in 2015 and beyond, as well as on how the government is positioned to sustain its infrastructure and social spending?

Come May 26, at OER Business Summit 2015, Oman’s corporate leaders and influential policy makers will discuss the opportunities and challenges for the national economy and the choices before the government and the direction of the private sector in the light of the falling oil prices, at Grand Hyatt Muscat, says a press release.

Organised by Oman Economic Review (OER), the national economic summit will comprise two panel discussions titled ‘Life at $50 per barrel’ and ‘Infrastructure Development — The Way Ahead’ and various paper presentations by economists and industry experts.

Nima Abu Wardeh, the present-

er of the BBC World News weekly financial programme Middle East Business Report, will moderate the panel discussions. Over 250 movers and shakers from Oman’s corporate sector are expected to attend the event.

Partners Bank Sohar and Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) are the strategic partners of the event.

Infinity is the associate partner while Sharq Sohar Steel Group and Worley Parsons are the support partners. Times of Oman and Al Shabiba are the media partners while Bloomberg Business Week-Middle East is the knowledge partner.

“Over the last six years, OER has hosted several national economic debates and business forums on issues of national importance generating tremendous excitement in the corporate world of the country. This year’s event has evolved into an integrated business summit exploring the way forward for various businesses and the Omani economy in general. Carrying the theme ‘Life at $50 per barrel’, the Summit’s discussions are expected to be dominated by the numerous socio-economic challenges facing the country. The summit brings Oman’s businesses face-to-face

with the global, regional and national macroeconomic trends and will offer deeper insights from the upper echelons of Omani policy making and captains of the industry,” said Alpana Roy, executive vice president, United Media Services, the publisher of OER. Optimistic view Oil prices have declined by roughly 55 percent since early September after OPEC opted not to cut production in November. The decline is expected to significantly erode fiscal positions across the region and even if oil prices partially recover, fiscal balances could improve over time while remaining in deficit in most countries. The fall in oil prices is also expected to throw up challenges for the private sector in Oman.

With lot of uncertainties in the oil prices and the expected delays in the project expenditure, several companies in Oman have taken a cautious optimistic view and forecasted a moderate growth for itself in the year 2015.

OER Business Summit 2015 will deliberate on these challenges and how they can be negotiated. A cross section of business leaders will bring to the table their wisdom, which will prove to be an invaluable guide for attendees at the summit.

SAFE DRIVE

Higer school bus comes with ABS MUSCAT: The Higer Star school bus from one of the fastest developing bus manufacturers in China, Higer Bus Company, is the only school bus in Oman to have an anti-lock braking system (ABS).

The ABS allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to maintain tractive contact with the road surface according to driver inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and

avoiding uncontrolled skidding, says a press release.

“Road safety is the most important concern for all parents and all schools in our country. With ABS and host of other advanced safety features, we can assure them that Higer school bus is the best option for their children,” says a senior spokesperson of Towell Auto Centre, the sole distributors of Higer range in Oman.

Through their keen focus on ‘Safety and Service’, Higer buses have been winning the trust of customers since their launch in 1998. Reliable and safe, Higer finds favour with both drivers and passengers because of their driver-friendly and passengercomfort features.

Higer also contributes a great deal to the modernisation of the Chinese automotive industry.

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S

It’s Bangalore versus Chennai in Ranchi SCOREBOARD

In reply to Royal Challengers Bangalore’s formidable 180 for 4, the Rajasthan Royals were bundled out for a paltry 109 in 19 overs

PUNE: An all-round performance propelled Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to an emphatic 71 run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) eliminator as the latter crashed out of the tournament here on Wednesday.

In reply to RCB’s formidable 180 for 4, the Royals were bundled out for a paltry 109 in 19 overs.

RCB now play Chennai Super Kings in the qualifier 2, with the winner facing Mumbai Indians at the Eden Gardens in the May 24 final. Ajinkya Rahane ploughed a lonely furrow for the Royals with a 39-ball 42, as none of the other batsmen came up with any notable contribution, as Sreenath Aravind, Harshal Patel, David Wiese and Yuzvendra Chahal picked up two wickets each for RCB. Rajasthan were jolted early in their innings as inform batting allrounder Shane Watson (10) got

ECSTATIC: Virat Kohli, jumps on to D. Wiese as others join in after Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Rajasthan Royals to earn a chance of meeting Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 2. – PTI

out cheaply followed by the talented youngster Sanju Samson (5) who edged it to the keeper off a Harshal Patel delivery. They could only manage to reach 40/2 in the powerplay as the willowers found it quite difficult playing the shots on the two paced strip.

Skipper Steve Smith (12), however, tried to anchor the innings but just as the Australian was getting into the groove, he lofted one straight down the throat of AB de Villiers at sweeper cover.

At the end of 10 overs, Rajasthan were reeling at 68 for 3. The wick-

ets kept on tumbling as the Royals felt the scoreboard pressure with the asking rate going up after every dot ball. Rahane perished in the deep while Australian allrounder James Faulkner (4) was out caught and bowled by Sreenath Aravind after he managed to squeeze one up in the air off his boots.

From 55 for 3 in 8.1 overs, the Royals collpased to 95 for 8 in the 16th over, as the innings never got going. Earlier in the day, de Villiers top scored for RCB with a 38-ball 66, while Mandeep with his unbeaten knock of 54 from 34 balls

CHESS

Pouya held, Atousa extends lead Times News Service MUSCAT: Iran’s Pouya Idani settled for a draw with compatriot and fellow Grandmaster Ehsan Ghaem Maghami in the men’s competition while Women’s Grandmaster Atousa Pourkashiyan, also of Iran, made it four wins from four games at the ongoing Asian Zonal Chess Championships (Zone 3.1) 2015 for men and women at the City Seasons Hotel here on Wednesday.

The nine-round competition sees one player from each category qualify for the Chess World Cup to be organised later this year.

Wednesday’s draw helped Pouya Idani to take his tally in the 14-strong men’s field to 3.5 points.

But he will be not speeing easy as there are as many as three players in hot pursuit, just half a point behind, including Ehsan.

The other two being Yemeni International Master (IM) Basheer Al Qudaimi and IM Husein Aziz Nezad of IM. Basheer earned his third point in four outings when he defeated Syrian IM Basher Iyti while Husein earned his with a win over Ahmed Abdulsattar Abdulwahab of Iraq.

“Pouya has half a point lead now.

But anything can happen, especially in a nine-round competition.

It all depends on how he plays in the next rounds and how others do,” Ismael Karim of International Chess Academy of Oman said.

FOCUSSED: Women participants in action on fourth day.

Meanwhile, Pouria Darini, Iran’s another Grandmaster, defeated Maher Ayyad of Bahrain to take his points tally to 2.5.

In other matches, Palestine’s Attallah Tamra defeated Khalid Hasem of Kuwait, Ibrahim Chahrour overcame Oman’s Amin Al Ansi and Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Al Masrhi accounted for Mohammed Salim Al Maamari of Oman.

Speaking about disappointing day, Karim, who is also the coach of the Sultanate squad, said: “We have to be fair to both Mohammed and Amin.

Mohammed had forfieted his last match and he is definitely not at his best today. Amin was on level terms with Ibrahim till the end. Our players lack experience of playing at this level.”

In the 10-player women’s competition, Atousa had to battle against Maria Al Balushi before overcoming the Omani girls in 53 moves. While Atousa sits comfortably on top with four points, fellow Iranian Mitra Hejazipour and Qatar Grandmaster Chen Zhu took their tally to three points each.

Mitra defeated another Omani girl Wafia AL Ghafri and Chen Zu won against Kuwait’s Suad Alkanderi. In other games, Palestine’s Abeer Ali defeated UAE’s Yara Faqeeh and Iraq’s Iman Hasan Mohammed Al Rufaye beat Syria’s Afamia Mir Mahmoud.

There will be two sessions on Thursday when the players will be playing two rounds of matches.

Standings: Men (after 4th round): Pouya Idani (Iran) 3.5 pts, Ehsan Ghaem Maghami (Iran) 3 pts, Basher Al Qudaimi (Yemen) 3 pt, Husein Aziz Nezad (Qatar) 3 pt, Pouria Darini (Iran) 2.5 pts, Ahmed Abdulsattar Abdulwahab (Iraq) 2 pts, Basher Iyti (Syr) 2 pts, Maher Ayyad (Bahrain) 2 pts, Attallah Tamra (Palestine) 2 pts, Ibrahim Chahrour (Lebanon) 2 pts, Abdulrahman Al Masrhi (Saudi Arabia) 1, Khalid Hashem (Kuwait) 1 pt and Amin Al Ansi (Oman) 1 pt.

Women (after 4th round): Atousa Pourkashiya (Iran) 4 pts, Mitra Hejazipour (Iran) 3 pts, Chen Zhu (Qatar) 3 pts, Abeer Ali (UAE) 2.5 pts, Afamia Mir Mahmoud (Syr) 2 pts, Yara Faqueeh (Palestine) 2 pts, Iman Hasan Mohammed Al Rufaye (Iraq) 1.5 pt, Wafia Al Ghafri (Oman) 1 and Mariya Al Balushi (Oman) 1 pt.

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE C. Gayle b Kulkarni 27 V. Kohli c & b Kulkarni 12 AB de Villiers run out (Binny/Faulkner) 66 Mandeep not out 54 D. Karthik c Rahane b Morris 8 S. Khan not out 1 Extras (b-4, lb-3, w-5) 12 Total (4 wickets; 20 overs) 180 Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-46, 3-159, 4-177 Bowling: C. Morris 4-0-42-1; J. Faulkner 4-0-42-0; D. Kulkarni 4-0-28-2; S. Watson 4-0- 32-0; Ankit Sharma 3-0-28-0; S. Binny 1-0-1-0 RAJASTHAN ROYALS A. Rahane c de Villiers b Chahal 42 S. Watson c Karthik b Aravind 10 S. Samson c Karthik b Patel 5 S. Smith c de Villiers b Wiese 12 K. Nair Karthik b Patel 12 D. Hooda c Starc b Wiese 11 J. Faulkner c & b Aravind 4 S. Binny run out (Chahal/Karthik) 0 C. Morris c Chahal b Starc 0 Ankit Sharma not out 7 D. Kulkarni b Chahal 3 Extras (w-3) 3 Total (all out; 19 overs) 109 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-33, 3-55, 4-79, 5-87, 6-92, 7-92, 8-95, 9-99, 10-109 Bowling: M. Starc 4-0-22-1; S. Aravind 4-0-20-2; H. Patel 3-0-15-2; D. Wiese 4-032-2; Y. Chahal 4-0-20-2 Man of the match: AB de Villiers

was the other major contributor as the duo put together a 113-run partnership. Choosing to bat on a two paced wicket, RCB were off to a steady start as both openers Chris Gayle (27) and Virat Kohli cautiously negotiated the bowlers who kept hurling at an impeccable line and length. — IANS

A NEW BEGINNING FOR ME, SAYS HARBHAJAN SINGH It’s hard to be in the wilderness for more than two years but Harbhajan Singh was always “very confident” of once again donning the Indian jersey and termed his latest comeback a “fresh beginning”. >C2

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE

Harbhajan’s twin strike turned the game: Fleming MUMBAI: Chennai Super Kings’ head coach Stephen Fleming says Harbhajan Singh’s two wickets off successive balls tilted the scales in favour of Mumbai Indians, who won by 25 runs in the first qualifier, to enter the final of IPL-8.

Fleming said the target of 188 looked achievable till Harbhajan got the two big wickets of Suresh Raina and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“We were going okay (during the run-chase), but the game changed with those two balls from Harbhajan. Things become difficult if you lose wickets in clumps during a big run chase.

We did that today - losing two big players, key players - Raina and Dhoni. So that was the turning point and yes, 20 (odd) runs was the right differential between the teams today,” Fleming said at the Wankhede Stadium.

Harbhajan first sent back the well-set Raina for 25 by deceiving the left-hander and accepting an easy return catch and then brought the capacity crowd on its feet by trapping Dhoni leg before off the next ball to finish with superb figures of 2 for 26.

The victory also piloted MI into the May 24 final and left Super Kings with the more difficult task of winning an additional game, Qualifier 2, at Ranchi on May 22, to get another shot at their rivals in the title-clash in Kolkata. Fleming referred to the opening stand of 90 by MI’s Lendl Simmons (65) and Parthiv Patel (35) as one of the reasons for his team’s defeat.

“It was a tough loss, tough game. Mumbai are a difficult

GREAT STUFF: Harbhajan exults after scalping Dhoni. – BCCI

team to play at home. We identified that. They played very well. I thought we created some opportunities that did not go our way.

The first six overs were pretty close. We needed to get a couple of early wickets. But they got away with that opening partnership. I think we did pretty well to restrict them to 187 which was a par score.”

The former New Zealand captain also mentioned Kieron Pollard’s five towering sixes during his 17-ball 41 as another key factor. “180-plus was okay. At one stage they looked like getting into the 200s. I think we did very well. With some ounce of luck we could have got a couple of wickets in the first six. That would have changed the complexion of the game. I think the guys did well to hang in there.

“They have got some big hitters, Pollard, obviously, can clear the boundary with ease. It was those sixes which kept them going in between. I thought the bowling was pretty good.” — PTI

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Southee eyes more red ball success Thursday’s match is set to witness the Test return of in-form opener Martin Guptill, who hasn’t played five-day cricket since the 2013 tour

LONDON: New Zealand’s Tim Southee will return to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs on Thursday for the first Test against England at Lord’s.

Two years ago, the swing bowler gained a coveted place on the Lord’s honours board with a match haul of 10 for 108, only for New Zealand to suffer a crushing 170run defeat as they were dismissed for just 68 in their second innings en route to a 2-0 Test series loss.

But Southee was on the winning side in February when his stunning seven-wicket haul set up a crushing victory for the Black Caps over England at Wellington during a World Cup where cohosts New Zealand made it all the way to the final before losing to Australia. Now he is aiming to enjoy more red-ball success in what will be the 100th Test between England and New Zealand. The tourists have won just four of their previous 52 Tests in England.

Since their last visit in 2013, New Zealand have won four and drawn two of their subsequent six Test series but they will go into Thursday’s match with half their

IT’S MINE: England’s captain Alastair Cook and New Zealand’s captain Brendon McCullum hold the Test series trophy. – Reuters

squad, including Southee and dynamic captain Brendon McCullum, having only just arrived in England after stints in the Indian Premier League.

“It’s always nice to come back to a ground where you’ve had success. But you start on zero again on Thursday,” said Southee.

With England’s top order having been exposed during their recent third Test defeat by the West Indies in Barbados, the sacking of coach Peter Moores and the installation of a new management team — all against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding Kevin Pietersen’s ongoing international exile — many pundits have forecast a series win for the tourists in

this two-match contest.

Indeed, New Zealand great Richard Hadlee told Britain’s Daily Telegraph: “I think England are there for the picking.”

Southee was, understandably, more cautious, saying: “They (England) are coming off a Test series (drawn 1-1 in the Caribbean) where some of the guys performed very well. “What happened in the World Cup happened, and I’m sure they’ll learn from that.”

Southee and left-armer Trent Boult have, for several years now, formed a potent pace attack.

But the key to how New Zealand perform in this two-Test series is likely to rest with their top-order batting. Thursday’s match is set to

witness the Test return of in-form opener Martin Guptill, who hasn’t played five-day cricket since the 2013 tour.

But he was the leading run scorer at the World Cup, where his tally included a tournament record 237 not out against the West Indies.

Last month he scored his maiden first-class double century, for English county side Derbyshire and then made 150 in New Zealand’s final warm-up match against Worcestershire last week.

The top of the order has been a problem area for England too, although captain Alastair Cook did end his near two-year wait for his 26th Test hundred in the West Indies.

But while England have re-

mained loyal to Cook, Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth will become the captain’s sixth opening partner in three years should he, as expected, make his Test debut on Thursday following the retirement of Jonathan Trott.

Meanwhile there are fears England’s attack has become over-reliant on James Anderson, now England’s leading Test wicket-taker of all-time, with Stuart Broad, who sparked New Zealand’s collapse at Lord’s two years ago, a bowler of fits and starts.

Uncapped Durham paceman Mark Wood could bolster England’s seam attack at Lord’s, where overhead conditions often favour bowlers at this time of year.

Broad, for his part, was in no doubt about the importance of Thursday’s match ahead of England’s home Ashes series with Australia. “It’s vital to win this series against New Zealand,” said Broad.

“It’s a good opportunity going into the first Test for us to concentrate on the actual cricket, how we are going to up our game, get results and how we are going to up our love for cricket as a country.”

England (from): Alastair Cook (capt), Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wkt), Chris Jordan, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Mark Wood New Zealand (from): Brendon McCullum (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling (wkt), Kane Williamson Umpires: S Ravi (IND), Marais Erasmus (RSA) TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS) Match referee: David Boon (AUS). - AFP

Boycott slams ‘shambolic’ England LONDON: Geoffrey Boycott said the way in which English cricket had been run lately amounted to a “shambles” ahead of this week’s first Test against New Zealand.

“The last six months have been traumatic for England,” wrote Boycott in his column for Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper. “Our cricket has been poor and the administration of our game a shambles,” the former England opener added.

Boycott said it had been a “monumental mistake” to recall Jonathan Trott for all three Tests in the Caribbean only for the batsman to subsequently announce his retirement after a run of low scores and fresh struggles against the short ball.

The 74-year-old former England opener was also unimpressed with the balance of England captain Alastair Cook’s attack against the West Indies. “Going into the Tests in the Caribbean with four seamers on subcontinental style slow, dry, turning pitches was unbelievably stupid,” he said. — AFP

INDIAN SQUAD ANNOUNCED

Harbhajan recalled for Bangladesh Test NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday selected Harbhajan Singh for a one-off Test in Bangladesh next month, ending the veteran offspinner’s two-year absence from the international game.

The 34-year-old, whose 413 wickets in 101 Tests make him the most successful current spinner in the game, last played for India in the Hyderabad Test against Australia in March 2013.

“With several left-handers in the Bangladesh team, we decided to go in with two off-spinners in Harbhajan and (Ravichandran) Ashwin in the Test squad,” chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil told reporters in Mumbai. The selectors named full-strength Test and one-day squads for the short tour, despite media speculation that senior players may be rested after being on the road since October.

Injured seamer Mohammed Shami was the lone omission as the selectors picked the same one-day squad which reached the World Cup semi-finals under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy earlier this year. Virat Kohli, who took over the Test captaincy after Dhoni retired from the longer format during the Australian tour, was reappointed captain for the lone Test match in Fatullah from June 10-14.

The Test will be followed by three One-day Internationals in Dhaka on June 18, 21 and 24.

Test squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Karn Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma.

ODI squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Dhawal Kulkarni. - AFP

‘Feels like a new beginning for me’ NEW DELHI: It’s hard to be in the wilderness for more than two years but Harbhajan Singh was always “very confident” of once again donning the Indian cricket team’s jersey and termed his latest comeback a “fresh beginning” in a career that has spanned over 16 years.

He is getting ready to come out all guns blazing in the oneoff Test in Bangladesh, his first since 2013.

“It feels like a fresh beginning for me. It’s a new innings which I want to start on a confident note and make the best possible use of the chance that I have got,” an elated Harbhajan told PTI in an exclusive interview after he was recalled for the Bangladesh tour.

“I worked hard on my bowling, on the areas that I felt I needed to work on. I had the blessings and good wishes of all those who loved me and were there by my side,” said the 34-year-old, who has 413 wickets from 101 Test matches and is only the third Indian behind Anil Kumble and Kapil Dev. The ‘Turbanator’ earned his recall exactly two years two months and 15 days after he had last played for India against Australia at Hyderabad in March 2013.

“For me, there is nothing more precious than the India jersey. For the past two years, I have been working hard for this day. Not for a single day, nor for a single moment did I have a feeling that I won’t play for India again.

“Yes, there would be team

HAPPY TO BE BACK: Harbhajan Singh. – PTI

selections and I would eagerly wait for it. At the end of the day, it was all about hard work and there are no shortcuts,” said the experienced off-spinner, who has taken 16 wickets for Mumbai Indians in IPL-8.

Did the thought of retirement ever cross his mind as reported in certain sections of the media, the feisty bowler replied, “At this point of time, I am ready to play for another four to five years. I am confident that I could represent India in all formats to the best of my abilities.”

Harbhajan’s bowling has been praised by one and all

during the season and many felt that it has been the best that he has bowled in over the last eight editions of IPL. Asked about it and Harbhajan was quick to retort, “I got 24 wickets in the 2013 edition which Mumbai Indians won and 14 wickets in the last edition apart from 16 in this edition. Was I bowling badly in 2013 when I got 24 wickets in IPL? I don’t see it like that. If people feel that I am bowling at my best in IPL this season, I accept it with all humility.

I have constantly worked on my bowling and believe that I have evolved as a bowler.” - PTI

O F F B E AT

Amateur succumbs to unique no-ball dismissal LONDON: An amateur cricketer from England is believed to be the first batsman to have been given out for handling a no-ball, British newspaper The Times reported on Wednesday.

Bryn Darbyshire, 35, was batting for Lymington in Hampshire, southern England when the bowl-

er overstepped the crease and the umpire declared a no-ball.

In attempting a shot, Darbyshire only clipped the ball, but when he then picked it up and threw it to a fielder, the fielding team appealed and he was given out.

According to Law 33 of rule-

making body the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) Laws of Cricket, Darbyshire should have asked a fielder for permission to handle the ball.

While a batsman cannot be bowled, caught or given leg before wicket on a no-ball, he can be dismissed for handling the ball, hit-

ting the ball twice, obstructing the field or being run out. Mark Williams, the MCC’s laws of cricket adviser, told The Times that it was possibly the first time that a player had fallen victim to clause 16 of Law 24 (No-ball). Darbyshire’s side went on to lose the match by 58 runs. - AFP

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Constantine names Indian probables for World Cup qualifiers NEW DELHI: National coach Stephen Constantine announced his preliminary squad of 38 probables for India’s forthcoming back to back 2018 World Cup Preliminary Joint Qualification matches against Oman and Guam respectively.

The list of 38 would be trimmed to 26 post completion of the ongoing edition of the I-League.

The selected 26 players along with the support staff would be reporting to the camp in Bangalore on June 3 with the practice kicking off from the following day, from June 4.

India play their first match at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on June 11 while the next match against Guam will be played in Guam on June 16.

India have been clubbed in Group D along with Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Guam.

Constantine felt the Qualifiers provide India an opportunity to rub shoulders with the best.

“We are on the platform where we wanted to be. We are now competing against the best teams in Asia and it’s the stage for the best teams to compete against each other,” Constantine said.

“We have selected a group of Players that have impressed for their respective Clubs in the last two-three months. The list would be brought down to 26 for the preparatory Camp.”

Probables: Goalkeepers: Subrata Paul (Salgaocar SC), Arindam Bhattacharya (Kalyani Bharat FC), Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Stabaek FC), Sanjiban Ghosh (Mumbai FC).

India have been clubbed in Group D along with Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Guam

Pakistan’s Aamir fired up after ‘tough’ fix ban Mohmmed Aamir said he is aiming for a gradual return to international cricket, but only after regaining

Defenders: Rino Anto, Lalchhuanmawia (both Bengaluru FC), Reagan Singh, Lalhmangaihsanga (both Royal Wahingdoh FC), Pritam Kotal, Dhanachandra Singh (McDowell Mohun Bagan), Robert Lalthlamuana, Arnab Mondal, Gurwinder Singh (all Kingfisher East Bengal), Sandesh Jhingan (Sporting Clube de Goa), Augustin Fernandes (Salgaocar SC), Aiborlang Khongjee (Shillong Lajong FC). Midfielders: Cavin Lobo, Md. Rafique (Kingfisher East Bengal), Eugenson Lyngdoh, CK Vineeth (both Bengaluru FC), Godwin Franco, Jackichand Singh, Saityasen Singh (all Royal Wahingdoh FC), Sehnaj Singh (McDowell Mohun Bagan), Dhanapal Ganesh (Pune FC), Mandar Rao Dessai, Francis Fernandes, Germanpreet Singh (all Dempo SC), Harmanjot Singh Khabra (Kingfisher East Bengal), Rowlin Borges, Bikash Jairu (both Sporting Clube de Goa). Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Robin Singh (Both Bengaluru FC), Holicharan Narzary (Dempo SC), Jeje Lalpekhlua (McDowell Mohun Bagan), Thongkhosien Haokip (Pune FC), Sumit Passi (Sporting Clube de Goa), Lalchhawnkima (Royal Wahingdoh FC). — PTI

his full rhythm

SYDNEY: Pakistan’s Mohammed Aamir admits he almost gave up cricket after being hit with a fiveyear ban for spot-fixing, but the paceman is now fired up to take wickets and repair his reputation.

The left-arm quick, along with new-ball partner Mohammed Asif and then-captain Salman Butt, was banned for delivering pre-arranged no-balls in return for money during the Lord’s Test against England in 2010.

The International Cricket Council relaxed his penalty in January after the Pakistan Cricket Board requested he be allowed to play domestic cricket before the ban officially expires in September.

“I must admit I have been given a new life,” Aamer said on the Cricket Australia website Wednesday.

“I will try my best to avail this opportunity. I am ready to put in the hard yards to serve Pakistan.”

Since the ban was relaxed Aamir has been playing in the Patron’s

GRADUAL COMEBACK: In this file photograph taken on April 12, 2015, Pakistani pacer Mohammed Aamir leaves the grounds during Pakistan’s Grade-II tournament in Karachi. – AFP

Trophy in Pakistan, which is one level below first-class, and has been taking wickets.

His manager Syed Noman Nazir told the website teams were trying to lure him to play in Australia’s Big Bash League, but Aamer’s

“preference will be to feature in Pakistan’s first-class tournament starting this September”.

Aamir said he is aiming for a gradual return to international cricket, but only after regaining his full rhythm.

There have been suggestions he is focusing on a place in the Pakistan Test side for a potential series to be played against India in the UAE in December.

“I am extremely pleased to see the crowd and fans supporting me after the comeback. It really is huge force of motivation for me,” he said.

“They have lot of expectations from me. Now it is my responsibility to not let them down.”

During his long hiatus, Aamir admitted that he thought about giving up cricket but his coach Asif Bajwa convinced him to stay focused on the game.

“I don’t have words to explain how tough last four years were for me. It is not easy when your bread and butter is stopped and you have no other income,” he said.

“I was in a situation that I wasn’t even allowed to touch a ball. It was really difficult.

“To be honest, yes, there were a few moments when I had lost hope, when I couldn’t see anything coming my way.”

Now he is in the groove again, Aamir said his immediate task was to improve his fitness and retrieve his reputation -- but he admitted not everyone would be happy to see him back.

“No doubt I will have detractors,” he said. “Everyone has own way of thinking. As a cricketer my job is to perform on the field.”

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

FOOTBALL

Fifa chief’s Mideast peace bid fails RAMALLAH: Fifa President Sepp Blatter saw his Mideast peace-making mission crumble on Wednesday after the Palestinians vowed to press efforts to have Israel suspended at the upcoming world football congress.

After months of rising tensions over plans by the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) to have its Israeli counterpart expelled from Fifa, Blatter himself flew into the region on Tuesday on a mission to resolve the dispute.

At issue is a Palestinian complaint over Israeli restrictions on the freedom of movement of its players and footballing

officials. The Palestinians are also protesting the existence of five Israeli teams in settlements which are built on land they want for a future state.

Blatter first met in Jerusalem with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who pledged to take a number of steps to ease the situation.

But after talks with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah on Wednesday, it quickly became clear it was not enough, with PFA chief Jibril Rajoub saying they would not take the proposal off the agenda for the upcoming Fifa Congress. — AFP

EXCITING START TO BEST INDIAN CUP The Best Indian Cup cricket tournament got off to an exciting start at the Al Ghubra Power Plant ground with 10 thrilling matches played on the opening day. Results: Dudes of Airmech 113/1 bt Waves XI 102/5; Mct Fighters 122/5 bt Saud Travels 118/5; V’ Stars 86/4 lost to Cheers Xi Mct 87/3; Mangalorians 103/7 bt Asfadayar XI 57/8; Global Money Exchange 72/3 bt FCC 73/5; Rain Riders DLP 60/8 lost to S.S. Friends 66/2; Natonal Gas 101/5 lost to Al Dasser Friends 102/8; Royal Challengers 92/4 lost to Bisya Club 96/8; Al Dasser Friends 43/8 lost to S.S Friends 46/3; BHR Friends 22/6 lost to OEC 27/2. — Supplied photo

AT H L E T I C S

Oliver stars as Gatlin row clouds Beijing BEIJING: America’s David Oliver ran the season’s quickest 110m hurdles of 13.15sec on Wednesday as the Beijing World Challenge was overshadowed by a row involving controversial sprinter Justin Gatlin.

Oliver, three months before he intends to return to the Bird’s Nest stadium to defend his world title, lowered his 13.17 set at the Shanghai Diamond League on Sunday as he again beat Cuba’s Orlando Ortega into second.

Jamaica’s former Olympic champion Veronica CampbellBrown won the women’s 200m in 22.68 and American Marvin Bracy won the men’s 100m in 9.95, in the absence of Gatlin.

The drug-tainted American, who ran the year’s fastest 100m of 9.74 on Friday in Doha, claimed he had been expelled by organisers who believed he was carrying an injury.

But Beijing meet officials said they were “perplexed” by Gatlin after he said he had been treated disrespectfully. “(Gatlin’s manager Renaldo) Nehemiah did not communicate with us before he announced Gatlin’s withdrawal at yesterday’s news conference,” said organising committee deputy director Liu Jie, according to Xinhua news agency.

He added: “And we never got to speak with Gatlin in person.”

Gatlin, who served a four-year

doping ban until 2010, tried to play down the incident, blaming high emotions for his strong comments to media.

“Emotional day. All is fine with Beijing org & me,” he tweeted. “We have a great relationship and I look forward to being there in Aug for worlds & next year for the meet.”

Gatlin had told reporters he wanted to run despite suffering cramps after arriving from Doha, where he ran his world-leading 9.74 — a personal best at the age of 33. The time threw down the gauntlet to Jamaican star Usain Bolt before both men are expected to face each other in Beijing at the world championships in August.

But drug-tainted Gatlin’s performances are deeply contentious, especially after research last year found doping benefits users years after they are declared clean.

Elsewhere in Beijing, Kenya’s Alfred Kipketer won the men’s 800m in 1:45.45, and his fellow countryman Jonathan Muia Ndiku took out the steeplechase.

America’s Mike Hartfield leapt 8.27m to win long jump gold, ahead of compatriot Jeff Henderson and Russian world champion Aleksandr Menkov.

And there was success for hosts China when Wu Shujiao won the women’s 100m hurdles, Xue Changrui claimed the men’s pole vault and Zhang Guowei was the men’s high jump winner. - AFP

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PROMOTING FOOTBALL

Bank Muscat all set to make HM’s Cup final memorable MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the presenting partner of His Majesty’s Cup Football Championship, as part of its commitment to promoting the development of youth and the national game of football, is all set to make the final match of Oman’s prestigious football championship a memorable experience for all in Oman.

According to a press release issued by the bank on Wednesday, a royal battle is on cards as His Majesty’s Cup final will be played between Sur and Al Arouba at Sur Sports Complex on Friday under the patronage of Nasr bin Hamoud bin Ahmed Al Kindy, SecretaryGeneral at the Royal Court Affairs.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 7.15 p.m. AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief Executive, along with senior bank officials will witness the exciting final of HM’s Cup. The bank’s lead support as the presenting partner of His Majesty’s Cup has elevated the championship to a new level of excitement. Besides the lead support as the presenting partner of His Majesty’s Cup, the bank will present the ‘man of the match’ award.

Aimed at rewarding football enthusiasts, attractive prizes will also be presented to fans participating in competitions to be held in the stadium before the match.

AbdulRazak Ali Issa said: “Bank

Muscat is delighted to partner with Oman Football Association (OFA) in presenting His Majesty’s Cup. As the nation’s leading financial institution, Bank Muscat aims to support varied sporting activities to motivate and provide the required impetus for the country’s youth to excel in sports and games.

“Bank Muscat wishes good luck to both the two teams participating in the HM’s Cup final to lift the game of football to new highs to make it a unique experience for the people of Oman.”

In keeping with the passion for football in Oman, Bank Muscat seizes every opportunity to promote the national game.

Bank Muscat is a major supporter of the national football team in international tournaments. During the previous editions of Gulf Cup, Bank Muscat led by example being the first private sector institution to announce cash prizes for the national team.

The bank was also the first private sector institution to announce financial support to both the Oman national teams playing in the Asian qualifiers for 2012 Olympics in London and 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

Central to the bank’s corporate social responsibility is the Green Sports initiative launched to promote Oman as a sporting nation in

general and the national game of football in particular.

The Green Sports initiative was launched by the bank in 2012 to lay the foundation at the grass-root level for a sustainable sports infrastructure. In a record time, the bank has achieved notable success in developing green fields in all parts of the Sultanate, thus contributing to realising the sporting dreams of clubs and teams.

Till date in the first three years of the programme, 34 sports clubs have been given support to green their playing fields. The bank remains committed to supporting all deserving clubs and teams to green their playing fields.

AbdulRazak Ali Issa

Ahmad relishing Silverstone return For Ahmad Al Harthy and his

We’re all determined to get the championship back on track at Silverstone, a circuit I always love racing at and one where we have enjoyed good success in the past

British teammates Jonny Adam and Daniel Lloyd the opening round of the campaign in Italy was frustrating to say the least. But the Omani racing star is confident

Ahmad Al Harthy

Silverstone should

Oman Racing Team driver

be a strong event

ALL SET: Ahmad Al Harthy, left, with his teammates Jonny Adam and Daniel Lloyd. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit welcomes the Blancpain Endurance Series this coming weekend where Oman Racing Team driver Ahmad Al Harthy is aiming to secure his first points of the 2015 season after a problematic championship curtain-raiser at Monza last month.

Despite very strong front-running pace from the Muscat racer and British teammates Jonny Adam and Daniel Lloyd during the

opening round of the campaign in Italy, a series of issues impacted the undoubted potential of the No.44 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.

From red flag stoppages in qualifying, which prevented the trio from securing a potential top 10 start in the three-hour race, to an issue with the air jacks in one of the pit-stops which cost the team a big chunk of time, the season-opener was frustrating to say the least.

Now though, especially off the

back of a fantastic second place finish in the latest round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship just over a fortnight ago, Ahmad is confident Silverstone should be a strong event.

“For sure, Monza wasn’t the start to the Blancpain season we wanted but there wasn’t anything any of us did wrong, we were just very unfortunate,” he explained.

“We’re all determined to get the championship back on track at

FOOTBALL

UNIQUE TOURNEY

HCC lift Stroke Y2015 Cup

MUSCAT: Holiday Cricket Club (HCC) defeated Royal Challengers (RC) in an exciting final to lift the title at the Stroke Y2015 Cup cricket tournament organised by Coastal Cricket here recently.

The unique 16-team and six-asix side tournament was played

Silverstone, a circuit I always love racing at and one where we have enjoyed good success in the past.

“It’s going to be very important to score as strongly as we can this weekend, it’s another three hour race so the driving time will be shared pretty evenly between Dan, Jonny and I. “We know we’ve got a good car, the main thing is to qualify in the top 10 and if we do that then we have a great chance.”

on a three-yard ground with the organisers doing away with sixes.

In the final, HCC batted first and scored 59 runs in the stipulated five overs. The RC chased the target well but the match ended in a tie. In the ensuing super over, RC batted first but could score

only two runs. HCC, in reply, scored a four off the very first ball to emerge champions. Mukthar of Shaan Cricketers was declared the best batsman and Giri of HCC took the best bowler award while Nithin of RC was adjudged the player of the tournament.

Xavi to announce Al Sadd deal MADRID: Barcelona midfielder Xavi will announce on Thursday he is leaving the club he joined as an 11-year-old to sign a lucrative three-year deal with Qatari side Al Sadd, his agent told Reuters on Wednesday.

Now 35 and Barca’s appearance record holder and club captain, Xavi is set to follow in the footsteps of former Spain team mate Raul, who played for Al Sadd between 2012-14.

Xavi would also work with Qatar’s Aspire Academy, become an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup to be held in the Gulf state, one of Barca’s main sponsors, and aim to start his coaching qualifications.

He declined to comment on media reports Xavi will earn 10 million euros ($11.1 million) a season. After joining Barca in 1991, Xavi graduated from the club’s academy in 1998 but has had limited playing time this season under Luis Enrique. - Reuters

Ahmad, who is supported by prestigious sponsors Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ooredoo, National Bank of Oman and Al Hashar Group, also heads into round two of the Blancpain Endurance Series season buoyed by two important off-track developments.

Notably, the 33-year-old has been appointed an official brand ambassador for Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa and he was also recently named

‘Sportsman of the Year 2014’ by the Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs during a special ceremony.

Practice for round two of the Blancpain Endurance Series takes place at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit on Saturday, with prequalifying getting underway at 16.30 (UK time).

On Sunday, the qualifying period will start at 09.00 (UK time) with the 180 minute race scheduled to follow at 14.45 (UK time).

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Oman Sail’s GC32 team gears up for inaugural Bullitt Racing Tour Oman Sail launched a brand new campaign named the “Sultanate of Oman” for the inaugural Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour, a five-event European series starting later this month in Austria

MUSCAT: Oman Sail has seized sailing’s hottest challenge with the launch of a brand new campaign named the “Sultanate of Oman” for the inaugural Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour, a five-event European series starting later this month in Austria.

The GC32 is a foiling catamaran regarded as one of the most exciting newcomers on the high performance racing scene and Leigh McMillan, Oman Sail’s champion skipper with two Extreme Sailing Series titles under his belt, will head up a new GC32 crew featuring The Wave, Muscat teammates Nasser Al Mashari from Oman and Britain’s Peter Greenhalgh — the two other crew members will be announced ahead of the first event.

The new campaign, which is backed by Oman’s Ministry of Tourism and co-sponsor EFG Bank Monaco, kicks off in just a week at Lake Traunsee, Austria.

NEW CHALLENGE: Oman Sail’s GC32 team members onboard their new boat. – Supplied photo

Later in June, the GC32 fleet will race around the Isle of Wight as part of the UK event called the Cowes Cup before they head to Kiel in Germany, Fiumicino in Italy and Marseille in France.

These events will dovetail with Oman Sail’s continued Extreme 40 and MOD70 activities that have already contributed to Oman’s high profile across premium tourist markets throughout Singapore, Australia, UK, China, Turkey, Russia, Germany, Italy and France.

Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Tourism of Oman and Chairwoman of Oman Sail, said: “We have seen the benefits of using the sport of sailing in giving Oman exposure as a highend tourist destination. The Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour takes that one step further, as it creates great visibility for Oman in some of our strategic markets, such as the UK, France, Germany and Italy.”

“We have enjoyed a fruitful association with Oman Sail through

SUCCESSFUL SHOW

EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour and are excited to be taking our relationship further,” said George Catsiapis, Managing Director of EFG Bank Monaco. “Our aim is to make EFG the private bank for sailing and we believe this new partnership will help consolidate that position.”

Oman Sail’s CEO David Graham gave the GC32 campaign his full backing and said he looked forward to having the same level of success in this new multihull

class as has previously been enjoyed on the Extreme 40 and the MOD70 circuits.

“Oman Sail has enjoyed considerable success in developing our Omani sailing talent through international competition while also contributing to raising Oman’s profile as a high end tourist destination over the last few years and we are confident the new GC32 campaign will bring the same level of success,” he said.

“We are committed to staying at

the forefront of the sport and this represents a great opportunity to explore new areas and step up the development of our Omani sailors.”

The 10m GC32 can be towed to venues on a trailer and Oman Sail’s team is already planning the route to Austria in time for the start of the Austria Cup on May 27.

Despite the short time frame, McMillan is excited about his team’s prospects and what the campaign means for the future of Omani sailing.

“This is something new and fits in perfectly with everything Oman Sail is trying to achieve,” said Leigh McMillan. “The new series will give us more opportunities to develop our Omani crew mates and extend the reach of Oman tourism into Europe.”

“Our Omani sailors are ambitious and aspirational and want to be competing at the top level of sport and the GC32 fulfils those ambitions.

“The future of the sport quite clearly is in foiling and as sailing technology moves on, we need to move with it or there is a danger we will get left behind.

“We have a lot of work to do before the first event in Austria but we are confident we will pick it up quickly and we will push hard and hopefully be competitive. We have a bunch of talented sailors who learn quickly and that will be to our advantage. We can’t wait to get foiling.”

The GC32 calendar: May 2731: Austria Cup - Lake Traunsee, Austria; June 24-27: Cowes Cup Cowes, UK; July 29-August 2: Kiel, Germany; August 27-30: Rome Cup - Fiumicino, Rome, Italy; September 30: Marseille One Design Marseille, France.

FOOTBALL

Inaugural ‘Oman Fighting Championship’ a big hit MUSCAT: The first ever Oman Fighting Championship (OFC) – ‘The Rise of the Champions’ took place in Muscat recently, the tickets to which were sold out two weeks leading up to the event.

Sanctioned by the World Kickboxing Federation, the event was the first of its kind in Oman and created an exciting platform for local fighters and martial artists to showcase their talents. Officials from the World Kickboxing Federation also attended the event that was held in at the Jungle Restaurant’s banquet hall in Al Qurm to ensure it complied with international standards and provided unbiased judging and refereeing during the event.

The OFC was organised by The Agency Design and Promo Works (Modern Lifestyle Co.), who’s Owner — Reza Mostofi thanked the sponsors — Bank Sohar, City Cinema, The Sultan Centre, My Urban Swagga, MuscArt, the Engine Room, Innovation Group, The Champ Fitness Club and Pasha Projects for their tremendous support and encouragement for the event.

He went on to say: “The support from the sponsors went a long way in making the event successful; we look forward to inviting them to support our future events as well.”

OFC is a newly established initiative launched under The Agency Design & Promo Works (Modern Lifestyle Co.) and is open to all full contact clubs in Oman. The event saw K1 kickboxing and boxing fights; with organisers hoping to add Ju Jitsu, Muay

Thai, Wrestling, Capoeira and full Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to future events.

With seven bouts in total, ‘Rise of the Champions’ saw local martial artists being put to the ultimate test in the ring. The winners of the first installment of the OFC include Hamood Al Tuhami from the Oman Kickboxing Club who won the four round OFC Middleweight Championship Title; Najeeb Al Khalady from the Rolling Gym won the co-main fight; Sulhil Chalapron from 3MAC; Abdullah Al Jabri from Oman Kickboxing Club; Hussain Jahjah from Rev GX; and Ammar Al Balushi from Oman Kickboxing Club.

Former British and World Kickboxing Champion, Jeff Simpson, travelled from the UK for the

event and said: “The atmosphere was electric and it was by far the most organised and most exciting amateur event I have attended in the last 10 years.”

Former World WKBF full contact champion and K1 Max World Champion, Najmeddin the Scorpion, attended from Dubai and said: “This was an excellent debut event for the country and I wish all the best to the organisers and participants. I have no doubt I will seem them soon in Dubai.”

Baqar Haider, President of OFC explained: “We organised the OFC with the vision of launching a platform for all the local fighters and seeing the Oman flag flying high at an international full combat sporting event in the coming years.

“This event would not have been possible without the participation of the martial arts clubs in Oman and the sponsors.

“This was a team effort with fighters putting long training hours in, coaches preparing their fighters for the event and organizers, volunteers and sponsors showing their commitment and dedication to the event and the sport. We are thrilled with how the evening went. The fighters were disciplined and the crowd was entertained to the very last ring of the bell.”

He went on to say: “We are hoping this first event will inspire others to get involved in martial arts and also create a pathway to have the sport formally recognised so that Omani fighters can represent the country in regional and international events in the future.”

ONE-SIDED MATCH: Members of Mercedes-Benz Academy team and Oman Club Under-16 squad pose for a group photo. – Supplied photo

Mercedes-Benz Academy team rout Oman Club under-16 squad MUSCAT: On a very hot and humid Tuesday night the MercedesBenz Academy boys took on Oman Club Under 16’s at their home stadium. The boys needed no motivation for this match and immediately from the kick off it was evident to see the Mercedes-Benz boys were really up for this one.

Straight away they got the ball down and started to play their passing game which caused early problems for the Oman Club boys.

After 10 minutes MercedesBenz were awarded a corner which resulted in their first goal scored with a glancing header by Hussein Abdul Wahid.

It was certainly one way traffic in the first half with the MercedesBenz boys creating several chances. Both Amr Alaa and Wahid missed good chances created by the impressive Ahmed Al Harrasi.

Mercedes-Benz Goalkeeper

Khalid Al Raisi had little to do but reacted quickly to make his only save from the Oman Club forward who was through on goal.

It wasn’t until the 30 minute mark that the next goal came after a good pass from Al Harrasi released Osama Ashraf who skipped pass his marker and fired in goal number two with a crisp shot into bottom corner.

By now the Mercedes-Benz boys were in full flow playing some delightful football and they made it 3-0 just before half time with a goal from Abdullah Al Barwani. The second half started as the first for the Mercedes-Benz Academy boys with Hussein Abdul Wahid scoring his second of the night and making the score 4-0 after being put through on goal by Sultan Al Harthy.

Oman Club did come out in the second half with a bit more purpose and managed to make the

score 4-1 after scoring a free-kick that had been awarded 25 yards from goal.

The goal gave them hope but Mercedes-Benz captain Cameron Sanderson himself scoring direct from a free-kick to make the score 5-1. And five quickly became six with Abdullah Barwani netting his second of the night after some good work by Daniel Campbell and Thamer Almsalmy who was having a great game in central midfield.

The Mercedes-Benz Academy’s seventh and final goal came from Khalid Soubra who tapped the ball into the net after a good interchange of passes between Alexi Gikas , Hussein Noureldin and Almsalmy. Oman Club did manage to get a final consolation goal just before the final whistle to signal the end of the game.

The final score being, Mercedes –Benz Academy 7 Oman Club 2.

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SIGHT & SOUND

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The actress shakes things up in her new movie ‘San Andreas’, which she admits was taxing lexandra Daddario lives in California, so she has lived through a few earthquakes. Nothing major, mind you. “Not even a painting fell off the wall,” the young actress said. “They’ve just been little earthquakes, the ones I’ve experienced, but they’re still scary. You see how strong the little ones are, so I can’t even imagine how something like a 5.0 would feel.”

A 5.0? How about a 9.0? That’s the magnitude of the catastrophic earthquake that strikes the West Coast when the San Andreas Fault ruptures and finally gives way in the new disaster film San Andreas. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot who teams up with his ex-wife (Carla Gugino) in an effort to save their estranged daughter, Blake (Daddario).

Daddario spoke about the May 29 (US) release about her latest movie, The Layover. Although she had made big movies before — most notably Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013) — she found San Andreas a vastly different experience. “I was very interested in working with The Rock,” Daddario said. “I was very interested in going to Australia. I was very interested in doing a disaster movie of this scale. It just sounded like so much fun. I loved the script, I loved the director, Brad Peyton. “So I was in, and I was excited to go on the journey with all the other actors.”

Daddario described Blake as a chip off the old block, or Rock, as it were. She’s tough to begin with, and emerges as a true fighter when the earth starts to rattle and split open.

“Blake has a lot of her dad’s qualities,” Daddario said. “I’m a very strong and intelligent young woman. She’s been taught a lot of things by her father, because he’s in search and rescue, and she uses what she’s learned to get her friends and herself out of the situations they’re put into. It was fun to play somebody who’s that strong and that powerful, in a sense, and can make quick decisions in a difficult situation. “We were talking about my being in real earthquakes,” she continued, “and I’ve always wondered how I’d react in a situation like that, where you don’t know what’s going to happen, if you’re going to live or die. Do we break down? Do we problem-solve? What do we do? It was interesting to go through that process and figure out what Blake would do and how she’d react, how she felt on the inside and what she did on the outside.”

As good a time as Daddario had making San Andreas, she acknowledged that it also was taxing. In addition to the typical running, jumping and green-screen work required for an action movie, she found herself on sets that shifted below her feet, with objects hurtling toward her.

And then there was the water tank. “When we were shooting, we’d have crew members in wet-suits setting up and doing all the things they do, but doing it underwater,” she continued.

“Water would be sucked up and then it’d hit the building, and we’d do that again and again. There was a lot of stunt work, and you had to hold your breath for long periods of time too. “So it was incredibly challenging, but I enjoyed the challenge and it was a great deal of fun, actually, and it will look great on screen.”

Beyond San Andreas, Daddario has a trio of other films on the way. She co-stars in the horror comedy Burying the Ex, in which she plays a woman who falls in love with a guy (Anton Yelchin) whose dead girlfriend (Ashley Greene) rises from the grave. That will open on June 19, to be followed early next year

by The Choice, a romantic drama based on the 2007 novel by Nicholas Sparks. It stars Teresa Palmer and Benjamin Walker, with Daddario as “the other woman.”

Currently she’s shooting The Layover, which Daddario described as a road-trip comedy directed by and co-starring William H. Macy, and also featuring Rob Corddry, Kal Penn and Kate Upton. The film will be released in 2016. “It’s nice to be able to do a lot of different things, like I am at the moment,” she said. “I’ve got a big action movie, a couple of comedies and a romantic movie. I like to show my range. That’s what every actor hopes to get a chance to do.”

Daddario, who is 29, was born and raised in Manhattan. She started acting at 16, and first caught audience’s eyes in 40-plus episodes of All My Children (2002-2003). She’s worked steadily since then, appearing in such shows as Law & Order (2004), The Sopranos (2006), White Collar (2009-2011) and True Detective (2014), as well as the films Hall Pass (2011), Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) and, of course, the Percy Jackson adventures.

Like any actress, Daddario has had her ups and downs and experienced periods of self-doubt. That never goes away, she said, but it’s something that she’s come to understand and accept.

-Ian Spelling/The New York Times News Service

TH UR S DAY, MAY 2 1, 2 015

ETCETERA

AT 91, CHARLES AZNAVOUR HAS NO INTENTION TO RETIRE

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ith 35 albums to his credit, he is the most prolific pop singer of all time. He has sold more than 100 million records, was recently voted entertainer of the century and has a personal fortune estimated at over $80 million.

Who is he? Elvis, John Lennon, Frank Sinatra? In fact he’s a diminutive great-grandfather who is celebrating his 91st birthday while on tour promoting his latest album and says he has absolutely no intention of retiring for a long time yet.

This year, Charles Aznavour, whose songs were banned in France for ten years and was once booed off the Paris stage, celebrates 70 years as a major star and looks as spry and energetic as someone decades younger. “I love my work and that’s what keeps me young,” he says.

He has sung for popes, presidents and royalty, written over 800 songs and is still a permanent delegate at the UN in Geneva for his native Armenia. “There is still a lot do and I’m still planning for the future,” he says.

His biggest hit, She, which sold five million copies, is now back in the charts on a disc of his greatest hits, and other Aznavour classics have been brought back to life by major stars like Elvis Costello, Tom Jones, Bob Dylan and Ray Charles.

At only 5ft 4in tall Charles Aznavour makes up in dynamic energy for what he lacks in stature — Soon he opens in a Paris one-man show singing only in French. “The world knows me as a Frenchman singing English in a funny accent,” he says. Only in France, singing in my own language, can I be myself.”

In fact although born in Paris in 1924, Charles Aznavour’s parents were Armenian. His father, who

ran a restaurant, taught him Russian, Hebrew and Hungarian gypsy songs and Charles was singing professionally in his teens.

It was when he started singing his own songs that he began to get into trouble. “I wrote about real problems, people being unfaithful, sadness and violence,” he says. “My songs were banned as immoral in France for ten years. When I tried to sing them I was warned by the police and booed off the stage.

“It took a long time for people to realise that songs should be about real life if they are to have any value. “What also upset people was that although I wasn’t handsome I had a lot of success with women.

There was a lot of jealousy.”

The most famous and controversial woman in his life was Edith Piaf. They met in 1946 and were together for five years. “We both were brought up in the back

streets and understood about how hard life could be,” he says. “There was an immediate understanding between us. It was more friendship than love.”

After the relationship ended, Aznavour married singer Micheline Rugel but the married failed, and so did his next, to actress Evelyne Plessis.

“She was very ambitious,” he says. “She wanted to be in the jet set but I never wanted that sort of life. She leads the good life now — and I am still paying for it after all these years!”

In 1963 when almost 40, Aznavour had an affair with Liza Minnelli, who was 17. “She was the most important woman in my life up to that point,” he says. “She fell in love with me after seeing my show and hearing my songs. It was very passionate for a short time but I never wanted to marry anyone else in show business and she

had her career to achieve.”

He remembers: “Liza was very insecure and wanted a strong man to look after her. We are still friends and I am still in tough with her. Not having children has been the biggest problem in Liza’s life.”

It was in 1966 that Charles Aznavour met the woman who has given him the love, stability and support that he needed: Swedish model Ulla Thorsel, 25.

They married the following year, with Petula Clark as matron of honour.

“Ulla was right for me because she was the opposite of everyone I knew!” he says. “She is sensible, calm, disciplined and not interested in show business.”

Still happily together, they have three children. “I have changed as a husband since I found the right wife,” he says. “It’s Ulla who keeps me young”.

- Judson Bennett/Tony James Features

T HURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015

ETCETERA

Ben Barnes can understand why people are drawn to forbidden love affairs. He has one in his latest movie ‘Seventh Son’, but insists that nothing like that happens to him in real life

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sks 33-year-old Ben; “Isn’t it always the case that we want what we can’t have? Even at school the girls always want the bad boys. Unfortunately I was the good guy and brought up to be decent, so I was left on the shelf!”

Linked to beauties like Tamsin Egerton and Amanda Seyfried in the past, Ben says that currently he is single. “My mother is a relationship counsellor and I’ve learned a lot from her. Love is something that comes out of mutual trust with your partner and you can’t tell things like that at first glance.

But that doesn’t stop me hoping that one day the right girl for me will come along.”

But professionally, Ben is certainly a winner at the moment. He has played King Caspian in the Chronicles of Narnia for the third time, for a reported $10 million fee — although at first he turned it down. “Once you get typecast in these franchise movies it can be damning,” he told movie bosses.

“Then I saw the script and realised it was far more than just a fantasy blockbuster. As in all C.S Lewis stories there are serious themes. It was also great to get back together with all the mates I made on the first two movies.”

Ben confesses that he based his latest portrayal of Prince Caspian loosely on Britain’s Princes William and Harry.

“They are real people who make decisions about their lives in exceptional circumstances and that’s what Caspian does,” he says. “There are some big battles in this one — swords and action. As a kid you dream of sword-fighting in a fantasy adventure — and I’m doing it for a living!”

The first Narnia movie took over $400 million and made Ben an instant star. He was hailed as Britain’s answer to Johnny Depp and topped a poll as the most handsome newcomer in movies.

He also gets a bit fed up when people think he has enjoyed overnight success.

“They say it must be like winning the lottery but in fact I was singing and appearing in plays from the age of 15.

“At university I spent every summer taking plays up to the Edinburgh Festival and tried my hand at TV presenting and music projects. I even played Russian thugs in Bond movies and have done TV pilot shows which never

came to anything. “I feel that I’ve worked pretty hard to get where I am — although I’ve been incredibly lucky, too.”

But perhaps the most astonishing thing about Ben Barnes is that he hasn’t got a regular girlfriend. “I just don’t seem to have time for a proper relationship at the moment,” he says. “I’m either on a film-set, on a plane to somewhere or trying to catch up on sleep. It’s no life for a young chap, is it?”

Ben grew up in London — his mother’s a psychotherapist and his father a professor of psychiatry — and says he was a quiet boy who was more into music than acting.

In fact he became the lead singer in a boyband which were in the running to represent the UK in the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest.

“I thought it would be fun,” Ben says. “We did a couple of weeks rehearsal and did one performance of one song.

But before they made a decision I had second thoughts and quit the band. “So my pop career lasted all of four and a half minutes!”

Strangely, it was music which guided Ben’s career into acting.”My dad took me to see the Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney and I was a big Queen fan.

“I was always singing and then this company came to my school called the National Youth Music Theatre. I did about six years of plays with them and so that was really my training ground.”

Ben got his professional acting chance in the movie Stardust and controversially left the hit run of The History Boys at London’s National Theatre to take the role of Caspian.

“Because of the way I became Prince Caspian, people think I’m a crazy, ambitious person,” Ben says.” But it’s not that at all. I know just how lucky I am to be able to work at that level.

He also thinks he’s incredibly lucky that he can still have a pretty normal life.

“People usually don’t recognise me. Maybe it’s because I have my hair back or have a beard, or maybe it’s because I’m not that popular!

“People recognise actors they see on TV every week but most people have probably only seen me in one or two movies.” But whether he likes it or not, Ben’s days as an “unknown star” are definitely on the way out.

-John Graham/Tony James Features

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ETCETERA CELEBRITY NEWS

Daniel Craig plays Stormtrooper in ‘Star Wars’

For days, Swift has been tweeting mysterious, scarylooking clues about the video to her 57 million followers

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hat’s the takeaway from Swift’s muchawaited music video for her latest single, Bad Blood, which aired at the top of the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night.

For days, Swift has been tweeting mysterious, scary-looking clues about the video to her 57 million followers, and Internet anticipation reached a fever pitch over the weekend.

The song is widely known to be about Swift’s feud with pop star Katy Perry. In typical Swift fashion, she never mentions Perry by name, but has dropped enough clues in interviews that it’s fairly obvious that the former friends had a falling-out. Even Perry braced herself when word of the song emerged.

However, there’s a deeper meaning of what the whole Bad Blood video frenzy means. If you missed it, the plot is an action movie that starts as Selena Gomez (alter ego “Arsyn”) goes to battle and pushes Swift out of a window. Swift is unscathed as she spends the rest of the video recuperating and training for revenge, with the help of her fellow warriors/pals. The all-female army of supermodels and actresses marches across an aban-

doned city, a huge fire blazing in the background as they go to fight Swift’s enemy once more.

But beneath the sleek actionmovie video production values, Swift sends a rather chilling underlying message about power in Hollywood — In case you didn’t know it before, she truly has become of the most powerful women in show business. So you

shouldn’t even bother to go up against her. Because you will lose.

Why else would she gather a collection of stars across all genres, all ages and all walks of life to come together as she sings a song about an enemy? The video featured quite the range of celebrities — Some of her well-documented best friends, including supermodels Karlie

Kloss, Gigi Hadid, Martha Hunt, Lily Aldridge and Cara Delevingne. There were singers: Selena Gomez, Hayley Williams and Ellie Goulding. There were actresses — Jessica Alba, Hailee Steinfeld, Zendaya Coleman, Lena Dunham and Serayah McNeill. Cindy Crawford was there for some reason. Plus, Swift’s favourite TV stars and cat namesakes, Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU) and Ellen Pompeo (Grey’s Anatomy). The whole song also happened to be a Kendrick Lamar remix.

With her star-studded lineup, Swift is letting everyone know that she has the access, status and power to land a slew of top celebrities who will drop everything to do her a favour — not to mention appear in a video that requires some of them to dress up in leather outfits and throw weapons.

These high-profile names are now really part of Swift’s “chosen ones” squad, which comes with its own financial and career benefits. Also very much implied: These group members will always be on her side and her defenders no matter what. That’s the assumed trade-off of being in Team Swift. It’s a coveted role, but one that comes with the expectation that you will always be Team Swift. If not — well, just see the fiery video inspired by whatever former friend Katy Perry did.

In other words, the Bad Blood video not-so-subtly serves as a warning that she doesn’t take kindly to people who turn against her, and she has some extremely influential people to back her up on that. And if this video teaches us anything, Taylor Swift is not someone who you want to have as an enemy.

-Emily Yahr/The Washington Post

JAMES BOND star Daniel Craig will play a Stormtrooper in Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens. The Skyfall actor’s mystery role in the highly-anticipated blockbuster was accidentally leaked by fellow actor Simon Pegg, who let the secret slip before realising his mistake, reported mirror.co.uk. Speaking to The Sun at the premiere of Man Up, he said: “I wasn’t a Stormtrooper. Daniel Craig, he was a Stormtrooper.” Realising his mistake, he quickly admitted: “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Halliwell is not happy with Mel B, expresses discomfort SINGER Geri Halliwell was “annoyed” that Mel B cancelled on her wedding at such short notice, especially because her daughter Madison was supposed to be a bridesmaid. Halliwell, 42, tied the knot with Christian Horner, 40, at Woburn Abbey Saturday and had made Mel B’s three-year-old daughter Madison a bridesmaid, but found out only hours before that they wouldn’t be able to attend the ceremony, giving her “hardly any notice”, reported femalefirst. co.uk. “Mel called Geri with hardly any notice to say she couldn’t make it. “Geri was annoyed but just rolled her eyes and blamed it on ‘typical Mel’. All the events she’s involved in end up full of drama,” a source said.

Lee Ryan of boyband Blue declares himself bankrupt BRITISH pop star Lee Ryan has declared himself bankrupt while on tour with British boyband Blue and will have all his assets frozen. The 31-year-old, currently on tour with his bandmates Anthony Costa, Duncan James and Simon Webbe, has been forced to admit he’s unable to pay back his debts and will have all his assets frozen, reported mirror.co.uk Ryan may also be interviewed by his Official Receiver, who will judge if he is in a position to repay any of the money that he owes to creditors. He is the last member of the band to have declared himself bankrupt with Costa, James and Webbe all having done so in the past. -IANS

T HURSDAY, MAY 21, 2015

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ETCETERA

LIVING IN THE MOMENT Bill Murray’s world isn’t like many other people’s and that’s alright with him

“I

was in Oakland and got into a cab,” the actor recalled. “I asked the driver, ‘What do you do?’ The driver said, ‘I play the saxophone.’”

Murray was intrigued.

“I said, ‘When do you practice?,’” he continued. “The cabbie said, ‘I drive this cab 14 hours a day, so there isn’t a lot of time to practice.’”

For most people that would have been the end of it, but Murray isn’t like most people. “I found out that his sax was in the trunk,” the actor went on, “so I said, ‘Pull over. I know how to drive a car.’ We even stopped and got barbecue. It was a great night because he was blowing the horn, people are looking at me driving a cab, I’m so relaxed. It was really beautiful.

“I think we’d all do what I did if you were in that moment,” he added. “You see life unfolding, make the connection and try to do it right.”

The 64-year-old Murray has been on something of a career role lately, with acclaimed performances in Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in George Clooney’s The Monuments Men (2014) as an art expert and in St. Vincent (2014) as a crusty old coot who bonds with a young boy who moves in next door.

His latest film is Aloha, written and di-

rected by Cameron Crowe and set to open nationwide on May 29. The movie revolves around Brian Gilcrest (Bradley Cooper), a jaded military contractor who, after some career reverses, returns to his old stamping grounds in Hawaii. There he reconnects with an old love (Rachel McAdams) and falls for the young, hard-charging Air Force officer (Emma Stone) assigned to keep an eye on him.

Murray plays Gilcrest’s boss, a billionaire industrialist named Carson Welch.

Both a visionary and a true eccentric, Welch always is flanked by assistants and even a personal biographer.

A connoisseur of the age’s top directors — he’s worked with everyone from Sydney Pollack and Tim Burton to Sofia Coppola and Jim Jarmusch, and has made seven films with Wes Anderson — Murray relished the chance to work with Crowe.

“It’s great,” he said, sitting for an earlymorning interview at a Beverly Hills hotel, “because I get to work with these really talented younger people and I get to do something different each time.”

It didn’t hurt that Aloha was shot on location in Hawaii.

“The place is magical,” Murray said, “and you feel it from the minute you step off the plane. It’s just beautiful, with the ocean and the soft breezes. It’s an experience.

If I keep living, I will probably play a grasshopper someday.

Hopefully there’s some kid someday who played with grasshoppers as a kid and will write a script about it and cast me

“You don’t go to Hawaii,” he said. “Hawaii comes to you. You don’t have to force it. Just experience it.”

Anderson and Crowe both have said that they grew up with Murray’s early movies and regard him as a comic icon, but Murray prefers to see their seeking

him out in more prosaic terms. “I’m not a mature fellow, but I’m older,” he said. “Working with younger directors, I know I come in handy to be the uncle or older father. They seek me out for these roles.”

What lies ahead?

“If I keep living, I will probably play a grasshopper someday,” Murray joked.

“Hopefully there’s some kid someday who played with grasshoppers as a kid and will write a script about it and cast me.”

Born in Chicago, Murray began his career there with the famed Second City improv-comedy group. He did a stint on Saturday Night Live (1977-1980), then leaped onto the big screen for the broad comedies that Anderson and Crowe grew up with, Caddyshack (1980), Stripes (1981) and Ghostbusters (1984).

Unlike many who get their start as freewheeling comedians, however, Murray has steadily worked to widen his range, proving himself in subtler comedies such as Anderson’s Rushmore (1998), but also in such dramas as Wild Things (1998), Hamlet (2000) and Coppola’s Lost in Translation (2003). He’s one of the few actors who can turn up in practically anything, defying any audience expectations, and usually succeed at it.

He does have his idiosyncrasies, though.

Most notably, he’s notorious for taking

BIO-PIC

a long time to decide whether or not to accept a role.

“When George Clooney told me the story of Monuments Men,” he recalled, “I thought, ‘Gosh, that really sounds like fun.’”

For most actors, that would have been enough to get a signature on the dotted line. For Murray it was only the beginning of a long process. “I actually thought about it for a whole year,” he admitted.

The core of the problem, Murray said, is that he wants to be sure he makes the right choices. Every movie he makes is a few others that he doesn’t make because he’s busy on the first one. His standards are high, and he doesn’t want to guess wrong any more than he can help doing.

“I want to work with great actors,” Murray said. “I want to work with amazing directors who have things covered. I want to leave a project thinking, ‘I’d do it all again tomorrow.’”

At 64, also, he doesn’t have the frantic impatience that characterises most younger actors, who are afraid that their career windows will close if they don’t work constantly.

“Someone once told me the secret of living,” Murray said. “You just have to remind yourself that you can do the very best you can when you’re relaxed.

-Cindy Pearlman/The New York Times News Service

BRIEFS

Fassbender impresses in trailer as Steve Jobs THE SHAME actor stars in the lead alongside Seth Rogen as his right-hand man Steve Wozniak, Jeff Daniels as former Apple CEO John Sculley and Kate Winslet as former Macintosh marketing chief Joanna Hoffman.

Steve Jobs follows the modern day genius’ life and working relationships through three of his biggest product launches, starting with the iMac in 1998.

“The musicians play the instruments, I play the orchestra,” Fassbender says in the minute-long teaser, wearing Jobs’ trademark round glasses but otherwise not looking much like him. “I sat in a garage and invented the future.”

Jobs co-founded Apple in the late Seventies before being forced out in the Eighties, only to return as CEO and launch the hugely successful iPod and iPhone.

He died of pancreatic cancer in 2011, aged just 56. Universal is producing the movie with a script

by The Social Network’s Aaron

Sorkin after Sony Pictures abandoned it following a string of setbacks, revealed during the company’s email system hack.

Last year’s cyber-attack saw Leonardo DiCaprio’s “horrible behaviour” branded “actually despicable” after he pulled out of playing Jobs, while David Fincher also left as director.

Ashton Kutcher previously tackled the role in 2013’s Jobs, which received a disappointing reaction from critics.

Michael Fassbender is a German-Irish actor and producer. His first screen role was in the 2000 TV miniseries Hearts and Bones, followed by the 2001 television miniseries Band of Brothers.

His notable film roles include, Magneto in the superhero films X-Men: First Class (2011) and XMen: Days of Future Past (2014), the android David in the Ridley Scott-directed science fiction movie Prometheus (2012).

-Jess Denham/The Independent

Janet Jackson comes out of hiding, set for world tour SINGER Janet Jackson has promised her fans “new music, new world tour” this year.

The singer, sister of late pop star Michael Jackson, tweeted a video at early Saturday morning, but what could have started as a simple acknowledgment of her birthday quickly turned into a present for her fans.

The video showed footage of the inside of a studio. “I promised you’d hear it from my lips, and now you will,” Janet said in the narration. “This year — new music, new world tour, a new movement.” She has been living such a low-key life since marrying billionaire Wissam Al Mana in 2012 that fans started making mock-up missing posters for the All for You hitmaker.

Salma Hayek gets the best acting advice from daughter ACTRESS Salma Hayek says she gets the advice acting from her seven-year-old daughter Valentina. The actress believes her daughter loves being present on set during filming and is quick to offer her valuable tips. Speaking of filming Tale of Tales in which her character eats a serpent heart, Hayek shared that the youngster was quick to come up with a solution to help her repeatedly bite the prop, which was made of sweets and pasta, without being sick. -IANS

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ETCETERA CELEBRITY NEWS

Leonardo DiCaprio, Paris Hilton in a bidding war ACTOR Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly got into a bidding war with Paris Hilton for a 10,000-pound Chanel handbag at a charity gala here. The Wolf of Wall Street star outbid Hilton and secured the blue Chanel Neoprene flap bag embroidered with flowers at the Heart Fund Gala at the Carlton Hotel (US).

The 40-year-old star “bought the bag for his mom”, Irmelin Indenbirken, after fending off stiff competition from the former reality TV star and two other bidders, reported pagesix.com. “Paris was great. She bid on many things, and Leo did too. Both her and Leo were so active during the entire auction,” an insider told people.com. The star-studded gala raised 5.1 million pounds after a mystery donor pledged five million pounds to the charity. The money will be used to fund a private plane that will visit some of the world’s most remote areas to perform surgeries and screen children for heart disease.

Iggy Azalea sparks chin implant speculation

Billboard Music Awards 2015: What you missed Las Vegas played host to the star-studded Billboard Music Awards on Sunday night, as Taylor Swift swept the board and an impressive line-up of performers took to the stage

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am Smith, One Direction, Pharrell Williams and Meghan Trainor were among the other artists to take home multiple awards, with Kanye West, Mariah Carey and the Empire cast joining the line-up for some memorable performances.

Taylor Swift debuts her ‘Bad Blood’ music video It was most definitely Tay-Tay’s night, with the chart-topper bagging not one, not two, but a massive eight gongs for deep breath Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Billboard Chart Achievement, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Digital Songs Artist and Top Streaming Song (Video).

Then of course, there was the hotly-awaited Bad Blood video premiere, featuring a host of stars from Lena Dunham and Jessica Alba to Selena Gomez and Kendrick Lamar, who added a guest rap just to make it that bit cooler.

THE SECRET

What makes Mick Jagger’s voice strong?

ROLLING STONE frontman Mick Jagger reveals that the secret behind his strong voice is karaoke sessions. During the rockers’ first ever Twitter question and answer session, the 71-year-old shared: “You have to do warm-ups and look after yourself. “I do a month of rehearsing. So every day I have to do a regiment and after a couple of weeks of that I do karaoke — solo karaoke.” Jagger, who named Jay Z as one of his favourite rappers, revealed that the re-release of their classic album Sticky Fingers features a track with Eric Clapton. -IANS

Big moment for the One Direction lads It was a big moment for the One Direction lads on Sunday, as they accepted their first award as a foursome for Top Group. “There’s one more person to share this with and that’s our brother Zayn,” shouted Liam, repping his former bandmate to avoid any awkwardness after those recent Twitter spats with Louis. Unsurprisingly this sent the Directioners into overdrive and a flood of emotional tears soon hit social media.

Sam Smith’s ‘unique’ acceptance speech Poor Sam Smith is recovering from vocal cords surgery in the Big Apple, meaning his missed the chance to pick up his Top Male Artist prize in person. Not wanting to go unnoticed, however, he accepted it via video, using cue cards Love Actually-style to avoid having to speak.

His message included special hellos to Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and Ed Sheeran. Bless.

It was most definitely Taylor Swift’s night, with the charttopper bagging a massive eight gongs for Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Billboard Chart Achievement, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Digital Songs Artist and Top Streaming Song (Video) Ludacris pays tribute to B.B. King Influential blues singer B.B. King did not go unmentioned after he died aged 89 last week. Rapper Ludacris stepped up to pay

tribute to “the king of blues” as a photo of King performing appeared in the background.

Empire cast perform medley of hits The Empire gang celebrated news there will be a second season next year by jumping onstage for an energetic rendition of some of the show’s top hits. We’re talking You’re So Beautiful and Conqueror courtesy of Jussie Smollett and Bryshere “Yazz” Gray, joined by special guest Estelle.

Kanye closes the show in style, gets censored again There were pyrotechnics galore for West’s closing performance of All Day and Black Skinhead but, just like at the Brit Awards in February, many TV viewers were left thinking their tellys were playing up as the rapper was censored for more than a minute. ABC is a swear word free zone and no exceptions were made for Kanye, doctorate or not. -The Independent

SINGER Iggy Azalea might have had a chin implant, a new photograph suggests. On Instagram, Azalea shared an image, which was accompanied with the caption: “Loving my new look”, reported aceshowbiz.com.

The photograph has reportedly shown a marked change in her face. Instead of commenting on Azalea’s newly-dyed pink tips, fans paid more attention to her chin. One fan wrote “Plastic on fleek”, while another agreed, writing “Girl you working that plastic!”. Another fan, meanwhile, commented: “She looks so different, it’s kinda scary actually.”.

Rita wants to work on an album she always wished for RITA ORA wants her forthcoming album to be “timeless”. The Poison singer admitted she felt like she was trying too hard to please everybody else on her debut album Ora and she feels it’s time to start making music for herself. Speaking about making her new album, she said: “I wanted it to have a presence and a meaning. I asked myself, ‘What can I do to make something timeless, something I still want to perform in 10 years.” This could have something to do with Ora relying on her record label Roc Nation, fronted by Jay Z, and being too young to understand the music business when she released her debut work in 2012. “I don’t think I was never in control. My label did no wrong, but they couldn’t know what I wanted. Only I could figure that out,” she said. -IANS

ETHEREAL

Ibeyi: The soul sisters set to stun this year’s festival circuit WITH TWINS Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz, aka Ibeyi who speak about “death” as a subject, our conversation really comes alive.

I’ve just remarked on their lyrics’ refreshing directness on the subject of bereavement — a subject rarely dealt with in pop music.

This prompts a group high-five.

“Thank you!” exclaims LisaKaindé. “That is the best thing you can say to me.” It’s a moment that encapsulates the FrenchCuban soul duo’s mixture of innocence and experience.

Aged 20 years apiece, the sisters have made one of the most remarkably mature debut albums of recent memory, both in its reflective lyrics and inimitable, fully formed sound, which mixes elements of jazz, soul, hip-hop and electronica and sets Lisa-Kaindé’s ethereal lead vocals and lambent piano against Naomi’s hypnotic percussion and assertive beats.

It also switches between English and chanting in Yoruba, the

tongue of the West African tribe that their enslaved ancestors brought to Cuba in the 18th century.

Ibeyi means “twins” in the language. 2015 has already proved quite the year for the pair – signed to XL, the forward-thinking indie label also nowadays known as the home of Adele, they released their debut album in February to widespread acclaim, and have since been on the road in Europe and the United States.

I meet them on the day of their homecoming gig at the Gaité Lyrique arts centre in Paris.

Before our interview, I discover they had to cancel their previous two shows after illness did for Lisa’s throat.

But as they sweep into their dressing room, a bundle of energy, there’s little evidence that touring has been taking its toll — beyond mother and manager Maya’s vain admonition to Lisa-Kaindé to lower her voice so as to preserve it

for later. “I luurrve, I love I love,” says Naomi.

“The more people, the more gangsters are in the crowd, the more she enjoys it,” concurs LisaKaindé. Well, until I mention the famous Glastonbury mud, that is. “Oh noooooo,” Naomi wails.

“She’s a city girl, she’s like ‘oh, my shoes!’” teases Lisa. “Oh don’t be so, ” her sibling begins in protest.

Lisa explains that as children, their parents “didn’t have to encourage us to be different — the first time our mother saw us, she said one was like this,” her head lolling down, “and one was like that,” springing into action again and waving her arms frantically.

What they did share, of course, was a Parisian home filled with musical inspiration: their FrenchVenezuelan mother, Maya, is a singer, while their father was renowned Cuban percussionist Miguel “Anga” Diaz, known for his virtuosic conga playing.

-Hugh Montgomery/The Independent

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T H U R S DAY, M AY 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

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VACANCY

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CARGO

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T H U R S D AY, M AY 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

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

FOR RENT

2 BHK with split A/C in Grand mall. Contact 96708000 1BHK with split A/C in Azaiba 16 Nov Street. Contact 96708000 Spacious 1& 2 BH flats having good finishing A/C kitchen etc, AL Khuwair near Al Zawawi mosque. Contact: 99385076 Flat ( ground floor ) with living room + 2 big room & hall , big kitchen & store , 3 toilet with car parking in Mabela South with new split AC only 240/- R.O. Contact 93295953 Flat for Rent- Contact No 99315515 AL- Khuwair 33/1 3 Bedrooms.

Dining room. Family hall. 3 Bathrooms.

Kitchen with store. Split A/C units.

Restaurant available for rent brand new fully equipped restaurant on Barka- Nakhal-Rustaq Highway , ideal for Pakistani /Indian /Omani Cuisine , available for rent and management excellent opportunity for those who are in restaurant business in Oman /UEA. Only serious and experienced parties need to Contact on: 99337991

2 BHK (with split AC) residential flat at Honda road.

Contact 98087644 / 99795241 5000 sqm prime indusial land in Misfah, Bausher, with 550 sqm of covered warehouse and office space, for rent only. Contact: + 968 – 99264162 1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new flat available at Mabela in front of Modern English School Contact: 96239126 2BHK flat with store room split A/Cs in CBD, Ruwi near QNB. Contact 99603696 3 bedrooms flat for rent near NIT Institute Darsait. Contact 93494098 1BHK flat with split A/C in front of ISM for rent. Contact: 93215939 One bedroom, house for rent Wadi Kabeer. Contact: 92424800 1& 2 BHK at Honda road.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 2 BHK at AL Azaiba, 2 bedrooms, 1 hall & dinning 3 & bath rooms.

Contact: 99224748 / 99425665

Deluxe 2 BHK in Mumtaz area Ruwi Contact 97707007 Furnished spacious single room in a new building with attached bathroom for executive bachelor at South Al Mawaleh (Behind Seeb City Center). Gsm 99221067 Villa 12 rooms and a lounge Council in citrus 11 first line along with Omantel serve as a school or as liaison offices: 91256340 Flats for rent south AL Mabela.

Contact: 95331177/95230355 For rent special price 3 BHK Al Falaj area 270/- , 3BHK South AL Hail 275/Contact: 24707340/95282986 1 Bedroom bachelors, sharing K & T in Al Khuwair R.O 100/-.

Contact 95154331 Flats 2 bedrooms, hall in Mumtaz way no 3352 building no 3774 /3668. Contact 99341138 / 98003444 2 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181

Villa for rent with 4 bedroom at Al Khodh, Rent 600/-RO.#92888115 Showroom for rent 200 m in Al Misfah, Bousher facing the main road. Contact 95202430 New building, residential apartments and offices, in Al Khoud Souq. Contact 95202340 Deluxe 1, 2 BHK flats in Darsait, AL Khuwair 1deal for office & residence. Contact 99369081 /99142314 Independent rooms in Qurum / AL Hail. Contact 95529970 2 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181 2bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Ruwi near boys school.

Contact : 92584715 / 24700120 506 sqm space with mezzanine available for rent in Al Wadi Al Kabir. Suitable for carpentry / auto workshop and /or electrical shop.

Interested parties may Contact 24703981

Flat at Darsait. Contact 99326879 3000 sq mtrs Industrial landß, in Barka Sanaiya, with electricity 400KW, shed, staff accommodation and office. Ready to start any kind of factory. Contact 99384255.

Labor camp available with all facilities at Sohar Falaij (Near Sohar Sea port) - Contact – 92982172 1BHK flat in Wattaya with split units A/C. Contact: 98802343 10 BHK Villa in Al Khuwair 25 for Executive bachelors.

Contact 99792181 1 Villa & 4 big apartments of 3 BHK with big hall & Kitchen Al Khoudh 6. Tel 97600322 alnehang@gmail.com New 3 bedroom flats split AC, attached toilets available behind Kims Oman hospital.

Contact 95225662 Mezzanine floor office space for rent area 200 sq. Contact 97175979 / 99001341

One BHK flat for rent in Ghobra with attach and common bathroom.

For Indian family.

Contact - 92322096 Flat with 2 rooms, toilet & kitchen in second floor in Souk Al Khoud behind bank Al Ahli 200/- R.O .

Contact : 99738881 2 & 3 BHK in Qurum, with split AC, Near PDO Gate 2.

Contact 94057023 7 BHK Flat in Azaiba for Executive Bachelors. Contact 99792181 Villa for rent in Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact 99366624 2BHK flats in Al Khuwair-33 with split AC. Contact: 94057023 Flats for rent in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact : 92800007 3 flats for rent 3 bedrooms include A/C, near the highway (Bowshar Amerat). Contact 97777911 / 95533777

T H U R S DAY, M AY 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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DAILY GUIDE

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

FOR RENT

1st floor flat in Amerat Phase 5, 4 rooms, bathrooms (3), kitchen with A/C for family. Contact 95522405

1BHK flat near star cinema with split A/C 230/- O.R. Contact 99358589/ 97079146/95570288

For rent flat 2 BHK 350/- R.O in North Al Ghubrah.

Contact 97004127

Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569

1 BHK flat in Honda Road (Ruwi).

Contact 99792181 2 & 3 BHK flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 200 Sqr mtrs office space in CBD. Contact 99792181 Furnished flats for rent in Al Buraimi, daily, weekly, monthly.

Contact 97819981 / 93593336 1st floor flat in Amerat Phase 5, 4 rooms, bathrooms (3), kitchen with A/C for family.

Contact 95522405

Labour camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99797422

Subaru Impreza 2008, good conation. Contact: 99453837

Land Cruiser 2012. Contact 99336093

2 BHK & studio flat at Darsait 1SM. Contact 99024730

Toyota Camry Expat driven fully automatic KM 107000.

Contact : 93892126

Peugeot 206-2007 Model, expat driven. Contact 99209285

Apartments for rent Ghubra : near Indian School Ghubra & Al Maha International Hotel (2BHK with 5 split A/C units).Contact 99273774 / 99202278 /94652485

2BHK at Al Azaiba, 2bedrooms, 1 hall & dinning , 3 bathrooms.

Contact : 99224748 / 99425665 Flats shops and store for rent in Ruwi, MBD Honda road.

Contact 97293708 / 92433127

Industrial land for rent in Wadi Kabir 7000 Sq mtrs.

Contact 99354340

For rent flat 3BHK 390/-R.O in North Al Ghubrah. Contact 97004127

Flat for rent 1 & 2 bedroom available behind Zaker Mall Al Khuwair.

Contact - 99530405

2 BHK flat in Rex Road.

Contact 99792181 Studio & 1BHK flat in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454 2 bedroom apartment in Ruwi for rent or sale for information.

Contact: 99360303 1 BHK new bldg with A/C, curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact: 99061408 / 99024039 We have flats for rent in South Al Mabella stage -8 along the highway. Contact 95121222 Room main road, Al Khuwair R.O 110/-. Contact 97799175

Flat for rent, 2 BK near Kuwaiti Mosque, Wadi Kabir. Contact 97007934 / 92629232 Flat for rent 2 BK near Oman House Muttrah. Contact 97007934 / 92629232

FOR SALE

Investors required for a Running hotel in AL Khuwair. #98049288 Used household & office furniture and electronic items.

Contact 99834373, 97102699

FOR SALE

We have flats for sale in south Al Mabella stage -8 along the highway. Contact 95121222 Residential land for sale 21000 sqm, best for housing complex at Al Harm – Barka, opp to Khimji logistic. Contact 99438397

AVAILABLE

60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in Misfah can be changed to Industrial Land. OMR 29 per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Household items for sale, all items are in a very good condition. For more details contact 97287410 3 tents used for six months, PVC type, 850 GSM, water proof and fire resistant (one tent size 11x30meter, two tents size 15x25 meters).

For clarification call 99507508

If require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through whatsapp or call 99376454

558 Sq mtrs residential land in Barka (Al Jenainah) near Lulu and near to school. OMR 32 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Spacious 2 BHK flats in Ruwi MBD area only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499

Shop for sale ladies beauty parlour AL Hassan Company near top up super market AL Wadi Kabir, good Running condition.# 91207003 /96700192

Studio flat Wadi Kabeer 160/-O.R. Contact - 99358589 / 97079146/ 95570288

Required used portacabin 12’ x 40’ without partition 2 Nos, used ablution unit 12 ‘x 30’ -1 no required at Misfah.

Contact: 99340205

BUYING / SELLING

Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat.

Contact 99349526

FOR SALE

1& 2BHK for rent at Wadi Kabir, Hilal Al Sad and Al Khoud areas .

Contact Office: 24834644 Mobile: 93994401/02/03

WANTED

Ghubra near Al Maha hotel & Indian school (2BHK with 5 split ac units). Contact 94652485/ 99273774 / 99202278

Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

Shfandish & tables for sale.

Contact 99368907

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. Contact 97000155 or 92688692

NRI

ACC. AVAILABLE

Restaurant for sale well running with open area and good parking area. 3 new clearance also in Wadi Kabeer near Mars hyper market.

Contact 99656863

For rent 3 industrial land.

Contact 92702891/ 95490842 1/3 BHK Flat Ghubrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880

Chevrolet Lumina 2004, automatic good condition. Contact 98571309

Villa in Al Khuwair and Seeb.

Contact 95250300/ 99119699 / 92125648 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly.

Electricity and boundary wall will be provided. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Labour Camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181

Nissan Sunny 2010.

Contact : 98602323

Port cabin new & refurbished – porta cabin for sale & rent. # 96723468 / 97775501 / 97775502 Coffee shop for sale in North Al Ghubra. Contact 95256009 Shop for sale, at Al-Khoudh 6, suitable for perfume and watches.

Contact 98545994 Used Furniture of Ready made showroom for Sale.contact 24704370, 99798452 (Ashwin) A well equipped running dental clinic in Ruwi for sale.

Contact 93769963 Coffee shop equipment and furniture for sale call 95207741 .

Coffee shop & BBQ running Wadi Kabir, open parking having clearance. Contact: 97161811 3800SQM, industrial land Wadi Kabir near OTE Ruwi good for store.

Contact 92726558 Ice cream & Juices shop in Ruwi good location for sale, 1.5mt fish display machine unused for sale.

Contact: 92150455 2,560 sq mtrs industrial land Wadi Kabir Main Road, First line on way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol station or hotel. OMR 990 Thousand Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

3 floor commercial building in Muttrah behind Police. Generating income of OMR 18 Thousand annually. Neat and well maintained. Built on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops on ground floor and 6 flats. OMR 207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in Misfah, can be changed to Industrial Land. OMR 27 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Shopping center for sale at Bousher by good price 400 m2 with all equipment. Reason for selling part-time. Contact 92916490 5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Bousher: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 2 residential Lands together, one 610 and the other 600 sq mtrs, in Al Haram on way to Barka. OMR 49 Thousand both. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Sharing single room with separate bathroom available for executive bachelor near Grand Hypermarket, Ruwi. Contact 95149047/96567139 Well furnished single room / sharing for Ex .Bachelor at Rex Road.

Contact 92873832 Sharing accommodation for executive bachelor near Sadolin Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99016230 Furnished single rooms available for bachelors at Ruwi.

Contact: 98049288 ACC. OPP, OK center for non- cooking bachelor. Contact - 97900642 after 5 pm Room with attached bath in Mumtaz area. Contact: 99743709 Attached room with kitchen at Azaiba. Contact : 99334770 Sharing accommodation available opposite Mars at Al Ghubra for Executive bachelor or small family sharing, kitchen. Contact 94474351 / 96237050 Executive bachelor room with attached toilet near Al Nahda Hospital, Hamriya. Contact - 96474313 Sharing for non-cooking Executive bachelor in CBD area wi fi free, advance deposit. Contact 95934642 Accommodation available for South Indian family, one bedroom with attached toilet, kitchen, hall in a villa, Al Ghubrah. Contact 99209160 Family room available for rent at Muttrah Souk. Contact 24712088 / 99022790 Single room & AC attached bath at Mumtaz area. Contact 95212017 & 93103337 Sharing acc. Available in Muttrah behind Oman house. Contact 99354340 Sharing family accommodation in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057

46 cents of land kattakada peyad road (malapanan code) near E.M.S academy expecting 1 lakh percent.

Contact: 99016230 2 Bedrooms flat for sale in Cochin.

Contact: 99743709 Flats on distress sale near Goa approx area 1 BHK 720 with , 2 balcony 4 flats , 2 flats ground floor without balcony approx area 620, 2 nos studio 300 sqft at sawant wadi at 2500 per sqr ft.

Contact : +9119320517730/ +919769051996

MATRIMONIAL Alliance invited for a Nair girl 24 yrs, 5ft, 1”, fair, slim, B.Tech graduate reputed family of Ernakulam dist. (Star Thiruvonam Sudhajathakam) financially sound, from parents of B.Tech nair boys from Trissur, Palakkad and Eranakulam dist. .

Contact :00919495924302 email: raveendrandr@yahoo.com Kerala nair boy working with reputed company in Muscat, Star Revathy (Sudhajathakam), age 28, 163 cm. seeking suitable alliance from nair girls.

Contact no 92760901 Indian Muslim brother Muscat alliance for sister 20 yrs BSC, very fair, good looking ,boys respected families from hyderabad & A.P send biodata & pic, Email: mdfazal.ksa@gmail.com, GSM: 91258586.

We are Muslim family seeking alliance for our son interested families. Contact 97664009

LOST Kurian Riya has lost Indian Passport No. L 5956887. Finder please handover to ROP

Junshan kar has lost Indian Passport No. H 1739742. Finder please handover to ROP

Abstar Natooni has lost Indian Passport No. G 6006590. Finder please handover to ROP

Alam Ansari has lost Indian Passport No. J 8788464. Finder please handover to ROP

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T H U R S D AY, M AY 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Male 24, B.com / PGD having 2 years experience in accounts and inventory field. Looking for suitable job, on visit visa. Contact 94129550 Indian male MBA, Finance, 6 years experience in Finance & Accounting spatially in Oil & Gas , Now on visit visa . Contact: 94327063 Email: shabab3939@yahoo.com Part Time Accounting, Accounts Finalization, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Onsite Tally Training, Inventory Management Contact: 96975454, Email: ibfc.gcc@gmail.com

MEDICAL ACCOUNTANT Reputed Construction Company required Draughtsman / Accountant experience in Construction Company with accountancy degree.

Email: jvacancy05@gmail.com Urgently required a Senior Accountant 1 no. at least 5 years experience, 2 sales executive, 2 nos at least 3years experience and having valid Omani driving license interested candidates may email their CVs at findjobs2015@hotmail.com Urgently required female Accountant, should have 3 -5 years experience. Send CV with passport size Photo and expected salary on cv.hrcharity@gmail.com

BEAUTICIAN Beautician required with good experience visa available.

Contact: 95867900

CATERING Shawarma /Arabic/Chinese/ cook & helpers. Contact 95529970

DOMESTIC HELPER Urgent required House maid in Mabela. Visa available.

Contact- 95200180.

DRAFTSMAN Leading Construction company requires MEP Draftsman and Civil Draftsman with 5 to 7 years gulf experience with NOC available. Send your CV to recruitment1947@gmail.com

Medical CARE Centre, Al Seeb, requires Gynecologist, General Practitioners and Medical Lab Technicians. Mail CVsarita_h23@yahoo.com or call 97884856 Urgently required (All female only) Radiographer, Physiotherapist, Echo Technician, EEG technician & Nurses.

Contact: 99374223, 22081700 email: hr@gshoman.com We are looking for a Staff Nurse, who is having 60% or above in prometric exam. Contact : 99235643 /99463609 Email: abuahamedclinic@gmail.com Urgently required Staff Nurse, Pharmacist and endodontist Female Staff nurse, Pharmacist and endodntist with MOH License/ Prometric exam passed with 60% and above.

Contact 24780088, 97374459 Email : karamadental@gmail.com Immediate placement ( with or without MOH) A. Pharmacist 3 nos B. Asst.pharmacist - 2 nos Contact Tel.99338219 , 93240949 Urgently required a female Dentist with a valid MOH license interested candidates may email their CVs at findjobs2015@hotmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Cast Aluminium & Windows Company looking for the skilled and experienced personnel for the following categories: Sales Executive with D/L, professional Accountant, Aluminium fabricator, Cast Aluminium Site worker. Contact: 99654863 / 99197060 or Email your CV/Resume to tdnewgates@gmail.com

MEDICAL SITE FOREMAN Position for a full time home Health Nurse seeking for a dedicated and reliable Staff Nurse or Assistant Nurse to provide total care for an elderly sick patient for immediate interview.

Contact : 99331369 A private clinic in Oman requires a staff nurse (Indian female preferably) salary negotiable interested candidates kindly mail their resumes/ CV with contact details to medicalclinic2015@gmail.com or call 00968-91941373

Required experienced Site Foreman for the construction and Maintenance Company with Oman driving license.

Contact 99378663

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Required Office Assistant 160+25+Acc, Contact 99454425

SALES / MARKETING Situations vacant at a reputed company in Oman for their TLB(Tires, Lubes & Battery) division. 1. Sales Executives. 2. Showroom Executives. 3. Sales Co-ordinators. 4.

Store Keepers. Minimum 3-5 yrs experience in the same field or from the Automotive industry with market exposure, holding valid Omani driving license or GCC. Rush your CV’s to careers@diamondwealth.org Required a Sales Man for a building material showroom in Honda road, salary 150 onward with a graduate degree. Contact: 24831052 Urgently needed Marketing Executive for kitchens, Sales Assistant for kitchens and sanitary ware, Office Assistant ( all male) for a marketing company, graduates with 3 to 5 yrs relevant experience please email CV to yourfutureinoman@ gmail.com Sales Coordinator (Male) required for a reputed company in Oman with D/L, and with good knowledge of MS Office , Please send CV with photo to; saheer@paramountmuscat.com / saheer.pto@gmail.com Requirement counter Sale & Marketing sale for work in building material shop in Saham.

Contact: 99352829 / 99417418 Sales Executive (Male) with D/L for a reputed company in Oman,with 3 yrs experience . Please send CV with photo to; saheer@paramountmuscat.com / saheer.pto@gmail.com Looking for Electrical Salesman with diploma certificate.

Contact 97616265 email: brightsilverllc@gmail.com A leading UPVC window manufacturing company require Sales Executive (Graduate) 3 years minimum experience and Omani D/L. Required candidates with local release only apply. Contact: 99100738 / 94247257. Send CV to info@perfectwindowllc.com A leading Tissue paper & food stuffs company require sales & marketing person with minimum 5 yrs exp. in Oman with good communication skills & valid Oman D/L. candidate with interior market knowledge & experience preferable.

Send CV : allub@alhosnigroup.com, fax : 24451430

Required Sales man - 1 Person Qualification. Gulf Experienced - Minimum 5 Years with Oman Driving Licence Language - English Education:- Any Degree Further Contact :Mr. Abdul Hameed Nashabat - Mobile No: 97414307 and -92807399 amn@yaqeeneng.com Looking for outdoor Salesman for heavy equipment spare parts.

Contact- 93292003.

E mail: mail.om@gulfcenter.co Salesman experienced 5 yrs in Oman, in the field of industrial & oilfield service, garage equipment tools & spares, safety wears & rescue equipments. Please forward your CV to almaadhi.trd@gmail.com

TOURS & TRAVELS Urgently required experienced Travel Agent for a reputed rent a car & tourism co.

Contact: 24701070/77 Email: muscatcaravan@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ACCOUNTANT Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331 Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com Indian male with total 5 year experience (2 years experience in Accountant cum sales co ordinator in a FMCG Company in Oman) in accounts field and NOC available Looking for suitable job Contact 92130188 India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placment. contact 93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in finance/accounts/ auditing. Specialized in accounts payable dept, Oracle app user, proficient in Sap (fico) end user & tally 9.0. lean &six sigma certified trainer on visit visa.

Contact – 91967213 / 99064780

Finance Manager (M.Com. MBA) with start-up skill & group consolidation, Baking,corporate funding, restructuring of finance and accounts with new system and procedure.amritaa.m2002@gmail.com 3 yrs experience, Indian female, 26 years, Masters in Financial Management, B.com, Seeking suitable placement. Contact: 99345132 Email: Sandhya1735@gmail.com MBA (international business) from London, 4 years of UK experience in banking operational, looking for suitable position. Contact 91710075

Indian Female, 34 yrs, B.Com, Knowledge in MS Office & Tally, exp in accounting & admin seek suitable placement 99199710/96744965

Indian male, B.Com Graduate having 10 years exp 6 years in Oman looking for an Accountant job. #93830171 Email: nidbivtl@yahoo.com

Indian female B.com Graduate over 8 years experience in Finance, customer relation, sales coordinator, secretary, Bank Office seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95433987

Indian male M.Com, 5 years experience in finance /HR and Purchase department in Oman companies having valid D/L available to join immediately with NOC. Contact 98363897 Email: prince9496@hotmail.com

Indian male graduate B.com looking for suitable in Account Finance / sales marketing release available with 2 years working experience.

Contact: 94574596 Indian male 2 years experience in account cum sales coordinator NOC available looking for suitable job.

Contact: 91298422/96458189 Bachelor of Banking and Insurance.

Experience: Has 6 months experience in marketing firm1 month internship with wiz craft international on project “Farah ki dawat”Seeking a suitable job in advertising, event, banking firm.

Contact - 99505290 / 96696183 djs007.93@gmail.com An Indian lady Chartered Accountant with five years experience (including article ship) on family visa in Oman looking for a suitable job. Please Contact 9621 0347 / 9943 5346, shincycrajan@gmail.com MFA (Master of finance and accounting), B.com. 6 months experience, looking suitable position in finance and accounts. Contact: 97829315.

Email: muhsin1819@gmail.com

Finance Manager, 16 + years Gulf exp. in accounts , MIS, budgets, strategic planning, cost control, working capital management, seeks job pls call 95379211 e mail :- vijay.564@hotmail.com Indian male, MBA finance, presently working as branch supervisor in a reputed logistics co. For past 10 years with an overall experience of 21 years in finance& logistics, looking for a suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 96567151 Email: girishlalmahadev@yahoo.com Accountant Indian male 10 years experience in Oman looking for a suitable position, up to finalization NOC available can join immediately.

Contact: 94134085 Email: muscatoman95@yahoo.com Sr. Accountant M.com (finance) 15 years experience (2years in Oman with a reputed firm) NOC available.

Contact: 92404608 Email: jin_75@rediffmail.com Sr. Accountant looking for part time job Gsm- 99872940

Indian Female 25 MBA looking for a suitable opening in Accounts.

Contact- 97013375.

Indian B.com graduate doing MBA with NOC is looking for a job in accounts. Contact- 94627418

Accountant: Indian male 10 years experience, 6 years in Oman with Oman driving license, seeking suitable job. Contact 96012973

Chief Accountant Indian male 36 yrs, M.Com, 14 yrs experience at Senior position in leading MEP companies, 9 years in Oman. Available Noc, D/L & ready to join. Contact 98407501

Analyst accountant knowledge & skill excel Advance misreport account & finance administration work document oracle advertising knowledge degree MBA, BBM. Contact 91840109/99783953 Email: mohd.rashid19@gmail.com Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate 1 year exp in Accounts, currently on visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94341848 / Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com Part time Accounts job & finalization work Muscat. Contact: 92917448 Indian male 25 yrs B.com having experience in accounts for 3 yrs currently on visit looking to job.

Contact: 97937868 Email: rehman.naseer999@gmail.com Audit external internal and finance & Admin qualified CA Indian more than 13 years experience in Oman tax banking NOC available.

Contact: 95140332 /98956603

Indian male 22 years B.Com Graduate having the knowledge of Tally ERP9 and Peachtree and with a valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable job. Contact 98504698 Indian male, 30 yrs, MBA having 5 years GCC experience holding valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable job. Contact : 94547511 Email: pnvineeth01@gmail.com Accountant B.Com, MBA (pursuing) Indian male 25 years, 2 years experience in India, seeking better placement on visit visa.

Contact: 97709327 Indian Female 25 MBA looking for a suitable opening in Accounts, Admin/Hr. Contact 97013375 Indian male 25 yrs B.Com PGDBM currently on visit visa, looking for suitable opening in accounts, store and Admin. Contact: 96986349 Email: gafoordawre@gmail.com

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D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

ACCOUNTANT

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Indian male 23 yrs B.Com 1yr experience in Accounts and sales looking for suitable placement on visit visa.

Contact: 96068174 / 98912870

29 Indian male Nurse.B.SC prometric exam passed on a visit. 10 years experience in India & Italy seeks a suitable placement in multinational hospitals & clinics. Contact 96071773 – sanukochiparampil@gmail.com

Indian male 10 years experience in Welding Supervisor NDT Technician, MIG Welding specialist seeking suitable job. Contact 96771841

AUTO CAD/ARCHITECT Draughtsman-Civil: Diploma in Architecture with 3 years experience. Proficient in AutoCAD, Google Sketchup, Photoshop and MS Office.

Email: dilshadmayas@gmail.com Mob: +91 9645124241, 93004426 Female architect (27) 4 years experience seeking for suitable job in Oman experience in Oman, India & UK. Contact: 96146645 Email: anjuovil@gmail.com

ADMIN/HR Indian male 29, MBA (HR & Admin), six years experience in UAE as sales coordinator and office / Administrator valid GCC driving license. Now on visit visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 98466505/93061079 Indian female 24 yr ,MBA in HR and management with one yr exp, ready to join immediately, Contact 97895004, Email: naziyabanu705@gmail.com Indian Female MBA, 3 Years experience in Admin MIS, Family Visa.

Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com Indian female, 28 yrs, experience in Admin / sales coordination / accountant and secretarial.

Knowledge in accountant software, with Oman D/L, looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 96751993 Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 Indian female, 29 yrs, MBA (HR) 4 yrs exp. India & Oman in HR & Admin, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 96759820 Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement. Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com Over 15 years of gulf experience in Admin /HR /Logistics, fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position.

Contact 95824598 Omani national fluent in English looking for suitable placement.

Contact 91908052

CATERING Indian male 38 yrs senior chef de parst pastry & bakery 15yrs experience one of the five star hotels in Oman experience 10 yrs Oman looking job. Contact: 96460519 Email: venagovindhan@yahoo.com

DOMESTIC HELPER Indian, 45 years, Housekeeping working one of five star hotel 10 yrs experience and health club exp also, experience in Oman.

Contact: 99628602 /98693655

DESIGNER Expert in all types of 3D modeling, building layout, walk through & Broucher designing. 3 yrs exp. in Oman & 6 yrs exp. in India seeking for better opportunity.

Contact 91282841

DRIVER Indian male looking for job as driver. Have 08 years experience in Oman. Contact 95256489 Driver light. Contact: 91020999 Driver light 20 exp PDO license.

Contact 99504122 Light driver with 10 yrs experience with car or without car, Pakistani National. Contact 91038352

DRIVER Pakistani male looking for a light vehicle driving job.

Contact: 95149231 Driver looking for job.

Contact 92137431

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian male, B.E ( computer science engineer), MBA (finance), OCA certified, having 5 years of experience in oracle Dba/ oracle apps Dba, seeks a suitable position in the field of IT. Contact: 96212062 email: zubairkhan11@gmail.com Indian male 25 years civil Engineer diploma, 4 years experience for site supervisor seeks suitable placement. Contact 99346121/93127076 Indian Male B.Tech Civil having 17+ years of experience, including 4 years oman experience as a consulting engineer seeking suitable position anywhere in Oman MAIL: subpal60@gmail.com, MOB:91622490 Indian male, Mechanical Engineer, 2 years experience in fabrication & erection of heavy structures as Project Engineer in India, now on visiting visa seek suitable placement. Contact: 91251818 Email: krishnakumarkk9@gmail.com BE Electric & telecom Eng: 4 yrs exp in Oman , exp in AV system design integration & telecom work with D/L , looking for better opportunity field of electronic & telecom.

Contact 97423932 Email: mzeeshanshaikh89@gmail.com

IT

Indian male 24 years, Mechanical Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience in pipeline,16years in oman seeking immediate placement # 95775742

Indian male fresher BCA young and energetic, seeking good opportunites.email: jlaxmimenon@gmail. com, Contact 00919567722270

Indian male B.Tech Mechanical having 4 years experience with QA/ QC & CWSIP looking for suitable position. # 99447106 / 24483297

Indian male 25 yrs B.SC computer science 2 yrs exp in computer hard ware and networking & CCTV work & windows administration currently in Muscat on visit visa.

Contact: 93243372

Omani Mechanical Engineer, has 3 years experience ,has HSE, H2S, Riggers/Banks men Permit, Drawing / cad, SCBA, Safety Leadership and Initial Fire Response Courses. good with computer and English language looking for suitable job. Contact 99224319-98454500 Indian male 22 Mechanical Diploma holder Engg with HVAC certified, having 1 year exp. seeking suitable position. Currently available on visit visa. Contact - 92835952 Civil Engineer Female, 3 yrs experience in structural design, on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 99195433 Electrical Engineer : Indian male 29 years , having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement.

Contact 92789995, Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Sr. Instrumentation Engineer: 8+ years Exp. (Oman 6+ Yrs) OIL & GAS, Sales & Marketing in Automation, Instrumentation, Calibration, BMS & FOC - Project Planning, Erection, Commissioning, O & M. NOC Available Oman D/L G: +968 97296534 M: jaganmohan_ks@yahoo.com

Indian male, 27 yrs B. Tech (Aeronautics) with MBA in airport management /international management, having 2yrs of experience in aerospace field, looking for suitable job, currently on visit visa valid up to 25 June 2015. Contact - 98107797 email - njnikhiljoy@gmail.com

Indian male with ITI certification in Mechanical Drafting with good Experience Looking for good opportunity contact 9194 9181

Indian male 26 yrs mechanical Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com

Sudanese Civil Engineer, 2 yrs experience. Contact 96077482, Email : ebraheemann@gmail.com

Pakistani BSC Electrical Engineer seeking for suitable job.

Contact: 91384864/99326294 Indian male 28 yrs electronics & instrumentation Engineer with 4+ years experience in Industrial automation (SCADA) Seeking suitable job. Contact: 93154156 Sudanese Electrical Engineer, 2 years experience.

Contact: 91211592 Email: aymanhamza1990@gmail.com BE in Textile, MS in Environmental Sciences (Fresh graduate) , Safety officer (02 years of experience) Waste Water Treatment/Industrialsolid Waste management (intern). waste management and disposal.

Environment sustainability Projects/ NGO. on visit visa available on immediate bases till 10 of June. Ahmed uzair khawar, 97042404, email: ahmeduzair1803@outlook.com Indian male specialised in business analysis and project management, 29, B-Tech, MBA is looking for suitable position. Contact Tel 98661709 and 99330419 20 years Experience in Mechanical Process industry as Maintenance Engineer for SPM’s like Cold Rolling Mills, Heat Treatment Furnace, Punching, Edge- Grinding and Packaging Machines seeking suitable position with reputed firm. E-mail: sanjeevareddy138@gmail.com, Contact no: 93912928

House driver /(overseas) looking job with valid GCC D/l.

Contact 99531802

Young Energetic Indian male, 7 years Oman experience in retail wholesale, sales including electronics, building materials with Oman D/L. Contact: 98465550

Heavy & light duty driver valid GCC (overseas) job. Contact 95175192

Auto Electrician with car a/c with medical. Contact 95175192

Light driver looking for job.

Contact : 94208089 (Adman)

Indian male B.Tech Mechanical three years varietal experience in piping Engineering & management of retail mobile phone shops seeking sales engineering job with Oman D/L. Contact 94401234

Heavy Duty Driver looking job & visa. 3 years experience. Release Available. 96238930/92744341

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

BE Mechanical Engineer -NDT level 2, Quality Control (Oil & Gas) . 1 year exp ph: 95908293

2 Years of Experience as Java Software Developer. Looking for the suitable job in IT. Call: 97897616 IT Network and Security Engineer with a master degree, CISCO and Linux red hat certified seeking a suitable job in a good company.

Contact 99818601 Indian male 25, BSE computer with MBA, 3 years experience in IT, in visit visa seeking a suitable post.

Contact: 92364368 Networking technician with driving license, with Noc, having 2 experiences in data & telephone structured cubing EPABX & CCTV installation is looking for suitable jobs.

Contact 96027516 Gulf experienced Software Developer & certified professional in English looking from a Job with vast experience in sales and Management + D/L. Contact 00968 96701312 Email: farhanaslam586@yahoo.com IT Support Engineer Indian male with 6 years experience in system Admin IT support seeks suitable opportunities.

Contact 94549589 / 99817516.

Email: dhaneeh87@gmail.com Indian male, 25 yrs, M.Tech (Computer Science) 3 yrs exp. in networking (MCSE-CCNA) certified currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 91006851 Indian 25 yrs male diploma Computer Engineer 5yrs experience in hardware and networking, looking for another jobs in oman.

Contact- 91082046, Email: renston34@gmail.com

Network / system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job, currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact : 92589502 / 96216397, Email : jeganscareer@gmail.com

Network system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. Currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact: 92589502 Email: careersjegan@gmail.com

Electrician, Plumber, exp in India Gulf (overseas) job. Contact 99531802

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Sudanese Petroleum Engineer, 4 yrs experience looking for job, MC office, C, Exlips. Contact 96039290 Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Electrical Engineer (B.E) : 5 years of experience (4 years in Oman) with valid Omani D/L. NOC available.

GSM: 92260391 Mechanical Engineer (B.E) : Four years of experience (3 years in Oman). NOC available.

Contact :92530471 Indian male, 24 yrs B.Tech (MECH) on visit 1 year experience as PPC Engineer looking for suitable placement. Has, HVAC, AutoCAD and CATIA designing skills. Contact 98925685 Indian male Instrumentation Engineer having 2 years experience in process instruments, seeks suitable placement. Contact 95954385 Indian male I.T.I diesel mechanic experience 4 yrs Qatar (11 yrs in India) seeking for suitable placement carpentry on visiting visa. #91969224 Email: anilk6102@gmail.com Indian female, B.Tech biotechnology with strong computer skills and 2 years experience as associate research analyst (Media Monitoring) in Nasdaq Oman seeking growth oriented jobs. Contact 92044603 /918056169148 or angeline.babithac@gmail.com.

Diploma in electronics & Telecom, Engineering with 5 years experience in Engineering & sales, marketing.

Contact 95932219 Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

Arab female 30 sales marketing business development manager 9 years experience in Oman UK University graduate talented enthusiastic well – groomed MS Office social media expert bilingual Arabic & English having driving license able to join immediately. Contact 96612369 Indian- B.E.-MBA having 25 years Experience. Last 12 years in Oil & Gas Sector in Oman. Business Development /Sales. Looking opening in Oil Gas Trading/Drilling Service Companies as GM/ Country Manager/ Business Development Manager / gmbdm2015oilandgas@gmail.com; Contact -94688594 Indian male, B.Com, with 12yrs exp in construction & building materials purchase/logistics/warehouse, seeks suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 94657319 Indian male, Graduate, with 12yrs solid exp in construction & building materials purchase / logistics/ warehouse seeks suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 94657319 Warehouse In charge or store keeper 26 yrs. Gulf exp 4 yrs in Oman. NOC available. Contact 97657823 / Email:rusaikmzm_2009@yahoo.com Projects/ contracts Manager 31 yrs (26 yrs Oman) experience in management & coordination of multi-million R.O projects of government & private sector, Post Graduate Structural Engineer with structural & QS Background looking for senior position. Contact +00968-91400599

MISCELLANEOUS Graduate 1 yr experience in India, Clerk now in Oman on visit visa.

Contact 92933431, princemathew2813@gmail.com

Dentist Indian male well experienced with M.O.H license and release, looking for immediate placement. Contact: 91237537 Indian female Dentist MOH Oman passed seeking a suitable placement in capital region. Contact– 91377681 hashimsarawat@gmail.com Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian GP Doctor looking for locum / permanent position in the Capital area. Contact 98140024 email:drgpoman@yahoo.com Male Nurse on visit visa looking for a suitable position. Mob#96071526 Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Indian (Kerala) male 37yrs, B.com graduate seeking for suitable employment one year experience.

Preferably as an office assistants.

Contact 96701495 Indian male more than 10 years Gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin (employees visa processes), Secretarial and purchase coordination with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 99709336

SALES / MARKETING

Having 20 years experience in Gulf area for sales, marketing distribution, having Oman D/L looking for suitable work, speaking Arabic & English. Contact: 94639053 Indian male, B.Sc (Mathematics) PGDBM (Marketing) 9 yrs of Oman experience in sales in mid lend management, NOC available. Valid Oman D/L. Contact: 95278838 Email: anup2p4p@yahoo.com Indian male B.com, 5 years experience in shopping center can manage purchase / sales and admin functions valid Oman driving license NOC available. Contact 95459944

TOURS & TRAVELS 25 Indian female B.S.C. Fashion Technology. 5 years experience in textile industry as a merchandiser and good in fashion marketing. Currently available on visit visa, seeking for a suitable job. # 96990368.

Email: simmy.missy@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Sr. Manager, MBA, 18yrs professional exp in Building materials, interiors, tiles, sanitary wares, Gypsum in gulf, seeking job immediately/on visit/ Contact - 93364846 / mgrprofessional@hotmail.com Civil Engineer, Diploma, Male 25, 3 years experience in site, CAD, 3d, MS Project, Seeking job in Oman.

Contact 92875345, jubincivileng@gmail.com

BE computer science 6 years experience software developer and support Engineering exp sales and management Oman D/L, NOC available. Contact: 98097722

Indian female B.ED & BCA looking for a suitable placement in school or admin office, having 5 yrs exp in same field. Contact – 97384206 / rani_sweet786@live.com

Indian male M.B.A graduate having 10 years experience in sales and marketing currently on visit visa seeking suitable job opening. #96065164

Electronics and instrumentation Engineer 28 year Indian male, electrical, electronic, industrial, building & automation exp of 4+ yrs in India.

Contact - 93154156

Indian male 18 yrs FMCG sales experience in UAE is looking for a suitable placement in Oman on visiting. Contact: 91905053 Indian male 30- holding Oman D/Lexp in sales/marketing, seeks suitable placement-Release available.

Contact: 95863373 Indian male Graduate in business management having work experience of 12 years looking for a suitable position. Contact : 93431567 Sales / Marketing Executive 24 years, Indian male having Oman valid license, seeking suitable position, working as a Supervisor of the leading hypermarket in Oman, NOC available.Contact 98060984 / 93089757 Email: rishadkeethadath@gmail.com Indian male looking job in sales or marketing having 2 years experience. Contact 96660936 Male MBA (General) from Cardiff Metropolitan University London) looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 92819301 Email: adicbhat@outlook.com Indian male 31 years, MBA, 7yrs experience in sales & marketing with valid driving license seeking suitable placement.

Contact 98719219.

EMAIL: recruitme1984@gmail.com Indian male 24 years, MBA in Marketing looking for suitable placement currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact: 93507063 Email: zamer_124@yahoo.com Indian 23 years B.Com Graduate, 2 years experience in sales knowledge of tally E.R.P & MS Office.

Contact 93134643 Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermediate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing in Oman. Looking for suitable job.

Contact - 92146864 Indian male MBA 7 years experience in Hospitality industry, operation, sales & marketing looking for suitable vacancy. Contact 92115860 Email vibin.py@gmail.com Indian male 45+ yrs , 20 yrs exp as sales supervisor in India looking for indoor sales /stores /cashier or any suitable placement can speak Hindi , English, Malayalam, Tamil, kannada can join immediately on visit visa.

Contact 93086105/33016546

CCNP Network Professional with 6 years experience having Bachelors degree on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact: 96760618 email: varghese.manthara@gmail.com Indian female with MBA (Finance) on visit visa, seeks immediate placement. Phone: 968-98430089 Indian female, IATA, Bsc, Looking for suitable placement.

Contact-95514305, email idraveendranmala@gmail.com Sudanese male, 31 year old, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer, 5 year experience in different activities. Contact; +96894549609 Male, 30 years Accountant, 1 year Oman experience in accountants, finance. Seeking suitable position in Muscat .Can join immediately, NOC available. Email: lalitbls1@gmail. com Call: 97903175 CCNP Network Professional with 6 years experience having Bachelors degree on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact: 96 76 06 18 Indian male 60 years old have 30 years Muscat experience in all office works with Omani driving license.

Contact: 99024055 Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of MS Office & Tally, 4yrs experience in Accounts &admin dept. looking for good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220 Indian male, total experience is 5 years in Retail industry. Currently supervisor in Sun and sand sports Muscat City centre. Contact : 96994345.

Email : jsp.jsr85@gmail.com More than Ten years of experience in Sales & Marketing, Advertisement and Credit Control and Logistics& Administration. Contact 91076608 / 99322748 MCA IT Professional Indian Female seek placement in Teaching/ Non Teaching field. Presently on visit visa. Contact 9588 7051, Email: ashwininakod@gmail Indian male, Engineer, BE Mechanical, having with 21 years of experience in India and 13 years in Oman, In production, project management, quality control and assurance and MR for ISO and API Standards looking out for a suitable placement in Oman. GSM: 00968 97311616.

E-MAIL: fahazasa@yahoo.com

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

WEBSITE

ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS

BIRTHDAY

WE ARE PROVIDING ACCOUNTING/ AUDITING TAX/ CONSULTING CONTACT: 24 567 251 / 95 498 033

DRIVING

Learn driving with professional only automatic. Contact 94022250

BUSINESS

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Indian male, MBA marketing & finance with B com & diploma in IFRS seeks job.# 99469726 / 99469729 Indian Male 34 years Mechanical Engineer 3 years of Experience seeking suitable placement immediately Contact: 91991435, 93310821

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

Key Account Executive, Indian male, currently working with a reputed FMCG company Oman is looking for a placement asap, NOC will be given. Valid Omani driving license. Total experience in Oman is 12yrs and particularly in Sales is 8 1/2 years. Contact 95589765 Email : agnelfrancis@yahoo.co.in

CLASSES

25 Indian female, B.Sc fashion technologist, 5 years exp in merchandising, familiar with fashion marketing & designing. Currently available on visit visa, seeking for a visual merchandising job. Contact : 96990368, email jumshi@gmail.com Sudanese male BSC Telecommunications Engineer , 4 years experience in telecom field # 97783092, Email: Alrsheed88@hotmail.com Indian male, 28 years, 7 years experience in transporting & heavy equipment renting company. Having Omani driving license seeks suitable positions. Contact 94410485

COMPUTER

Working as Senior Accountant, 4 yrs.exp.in oman, relevant computer skills, Audit, Accounting upto finalization, valid oman driving license, languages known Arabic, Hindi.

NOC available can join immediately.

Tel: (+968) 96339599, E-mail(ahmedmohdkhan@gmail.com) Mechanical Engineer, Indian, (B.E.) on visit visa, seeking suitable post.

Contact :99534733 Email: rajesh92prince@gmail.com Indian male, post graduate, currently in Oman on visit visa. Seeks suitable placement.# 92388346 Male, 19 years of experience in Finance and Administration currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 99720132/ abidrafi33@hotmail.com Sudanese male BSC Telecommunications Engineer, 4 years experience in telecom field.Contact : 97783092, Email: alrsheed88@hotmail.com Civil autocad draughtsman part time work for job mob :96023726 Piping Design Engineer, Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

Software development based on requirements such as: Web development & cloud computing, SAP implementation & services. Android App development networking.

Contact 97423932

Specialist available for explosive growth in term of restructuring all modules of businesses with over 30 years of experience across continents with a decade in Oman.

Contact 96733578 Email : profitoman@gmail.com

We have some companies for rent with the following activities: press publishing & advertising, information consultancy, organizing event management & conference, real estate, landscaping, maintenance etc. # 93946622 / 91408005

A/C maintenance & servicing.

Fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing. Painting & cleaning services & electrical & plumbing. Contact 99447257/97014234/ 24504281

Required business Researcher. contact 99229700 Email: kjaaraimi@hotmail.com

We do building maintenance all kind of works. Contact 99247663

Business Consultant, feasibility study. Contact 99229700

Carpet & sofa cleaning, house cleaning. Contact 99542979 / 98855815

TRANSPORTATION FOR LADIES House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 Pick & Drop any time. # 97014786

Beauty package for vacation for ladies 10/-R.O, 15/-R.O, 20/-R.O. Contact : 99410160

P.R.O services. Contact 99368907 Electric, Plumbing, painting & all kinds of building maintenance.

Contact 93896787 / 97924862

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 House shifting packing.

Contact 99657644/ 98518013 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Carpet & sofa shampooing. Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99884591 / 92682970 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

Air condition maintenance split and window services AC specialist ducted and package type unites.

Contact: 98667326 Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 A/C maintenance split A/C servicing. RO. 10 only. Contact 94217681/ 99210141 House shifting. Contact 99708138 Pest Control Treatments, Termites, Cockroaches, Bedbugs.

Contact Ocean Centre LLC. Contact 99344723 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

T H U R S DAY, M AY 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

TOURS

GOOD NEWS

RENT A CAR

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 / 99117987 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 99077348 Transportation Contact 99159277 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transport to ISWK. Contact 93172589

Taimour Ayurvedic Clinic, Ruwi offers genuine & effective treatment for back pain, paralysis, cervical and lumbar spondylitis, osteoarthritis, joint pains, sinusitis, migraine, allergic problems, varicose vein and all other health related problems. Kerala massage and rejuvenation package available. For details please Contact 92197920/ 24799689

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DAILY GUIDE

Indian, Arabic, Chinese dishes, BuďŹ&#x20AC;et Lunch (On Friday) Indoor & Outdoor, Catering, Party hall available Take Away & Home Delivery

Party booking & sugges ons 99320065, 99341643

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624