Times of Oman - August 23, 2015

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SUNDAY, August 23, 2015 / 8 Dhul Qa’ada 1436 AH

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Do fathers in Sultanate deserve paternity leave?

PARENTAL LEAVE IN MIDDLE EAST (In days)

While some say men

Maternity leave

may misuse paternity benefits, others say it is ‘vital’ for fathers For the first child

Paternity leave

60

Bahrain

62

Iraq

70

Jordan

70

Kuwait

No paternity leave

49

Lebanon

70

Palestine

the mother at the

50*

Oman

time of birth and

50

Qatar

70

Saudi Arabia

1

120

Syria

6

to be able to support

immediately after

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI elham@timesofoman.com

45

UAE

60

Yemen *

Private sector

MUSCAT: While there is a prevailing view in society that maternity leave should be longer, there are differing views about the costs and benefits of introducing paternity leave in Oman.

According to the World Bank, the law in Oman does not ‘mandate paid or unpaid paternity leave’, and the question of whether or not the father of a new baby should be allowed away from work calls for a better understanding of the social fabric.

While it is acknowledged that paternity leave would allow the man to support the mother and bond with the baby, some are of the opinion that it is not necessary and would not completely suit the prevailing culture in Omani society.

Saada Mohammed Al Mamari, from the nutrition department of

Source: International Labour Organisation Graphics

the Ministry of Health, has been calling for longer maternity leave but believes that introducing paternity leave wouldn’t be a good idea. “Men may misuse it and do other activities instead of staying with the mother and helping her,” Al Mamari told the Times of Oman, and added that it is not necessary given the help provided by maids to mothers at home these days.

Hasna Fahim Al Said, co-founder of the Women Organisation, says that Arab fathers are not attracted to paternity leave for several reasons and therefore it has

been deemed unnecessary.

“Firstly, most traditional Arab fathers are pushed to earn an income to support the family while mothers handle babies and all the housework,” she said.

In addition, the culture of Arab men is not supportive of the idea of taking care of babies, she said, noting that another reason is the fact that mothers usually can get support from their relatives.

Susan Flower, president of the Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO), says the issue of paternity leave is multifaceted and the pros and cons should be taken into account.

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

REGION

MARKET

Do consumers get a fair deal in Oman?

Top IS rebel killed in US air strike

OMR520m lost by investors this month

1

2

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Many consumers now feel that they are short changed and powerless as prices are inflated or customers end up paying for something they have not ordered. There is no comprehensive consumer guide to help customers understand their rights or clear cut policies to ensure a fair deal. >A2

The second-in-command of the IS extremist group has been killed in a US air strike in northern Iraq. The National Security Council identified the slain militant as Fadhil Ahmad Al Hayali, also known as Haji Mutaz, and said he was IS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi’s senior deputy.>A7

Local and foreign investors on the MSM have lost a whopping OMR520 million in the last twenty-two days following a severe fall in share values as oil prices touched a sixyear low. The local bourse plummeted 7.14 per cent or 468 points. >B1

SEEB

Four injured in building collapse REJIMON K

MUSCAT: Four people sustained injuries following a building collapse in Seeb on Saturday, civil defence officials tweeted.

“A building under construction collapsed in Seeb in which four people were injured,” Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulances (PACDA) tweeted on its official Twitter handle.

No sleep for the weary

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W O R L D H E A LT H O R G A N I S AT I O N

Oman ranks among lowest in suicide rate in Arab countries ranked second SUICIDE RATE Oman lowest in GCC GDP per capita (thousand dollars) 0 20 40 60 80 100 Suicides per 100,000 inhabitants

25 20

India: 20.9

15 10

Bahrain: 7.3 Qatar: 4.7

5 0

UAE: 3.0 Kuwait: 1.0 Saudi Arabia: 0.3

OMAN: 1.0 Source: WHO

Graphics

TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: While Oman ranks low in the suicide rate among Arab countries, the number of expatriates who kill themselves outnumber the nationals.

In 2014, Oman recorded an annual suicide ratio of 1 per 100,000 people, which makes it 12th lowest among the Middle East and North African (MENA) countries and second lowest in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Syria recorded the lowest ratio among Arabs with 0.4 suicides per 100,000, while Sudan recorded 17.9 suicides per 100,000

among the Arabs.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Oman is ranked among the lowest in the suicide ratio among Arab nations.

Lowest ratios “We have one of the lowest suicide ratios, but most of the recorded cases involve expatriates,” said a source from the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

“You do not find many Omanis choosing that path,” he added.

Among expatriates there are several causes that drive people to the extreme. These include poor living conditions, disputes and homesickness, according to the source. >A6

“I can understand the benefits of paternity leave, especially for expatriate families where a new mother may not have support from an extended family close at hand and needs help from her husband, especially in the first few days with a new baby, if there are any complications during birth.

It is also nice for new fathers to be able to have time to bond with their children, irrespective of nationality,” she said.

However, there is a wider question as to how this might be funded, particularly for Omanis, as they have large families and as

such there would be significant cost implications if employees regularly take paternity leave, added Flower.

“Conversely, in Omani culture, young families often live with their parents and/or other relatives or have extended family members close to hand, so in that respect paternity leave might not be necessary for the wider population,” she noted.

“In addition, there is a separate but related debate about child care arrangements, and I can also see a benefit in a more flexible system with mothers and fathers free to divide a set amount of paid leave between themselves, which could be better for businesses. If women, for example, could hand baby over to her husband rather than rely on child care, she may be encouraged to return to work sooner,” said the president of WGO. Tonia Gray, general manager at Competence HR, says that it is ‘vital’ for fathers to be able to support the mother at the time of birth and immediately after.

“Often, there are other children in the family that need the presence of a parent and if the mother is in hospital then this would possibly fall to the father, depending on whether there are other suitable family members to help. Even if there are, the father’s role is still critical to the mother and baby.

Omani families are very close and there is likely to be an effective support network in place, but this is unlikely in the case for expatriates,” she said. >A6 Three-month maternity leave for women urged >A6

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

SAFETY CONCERNS

Omani visitors shun Thailand travel plans after blast SALEH AL SHAIBANY saleh@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Travel agencies have reported numerous cancellations this month, and in September, from Omani visitors to Thailand due to safety concerns after last week’s bomb blast in Bangkok.

Thousands of people from Oman spend their summer holidays in Thailand every year. The Far East nation also attracts medical tourists as well as business people from the Sultanate throughout the year.

“Out of the 207 people booked to fly out to Bangkok, 146 cancelled their flights after the bomb blast. They did not mind losing the 10 per cent booking charges and preferred to stay at home,” Nitin Shekhar, a travel agent from Capital Travels, told the Times of Oman.

On August 17, a bomb blast at the Erawan Shrine in the heart of Thailand’s capital Bangkok, killed 20 people and injured more than 120. Authorities say they are hunting for a foreigner who planted a backpack under the bench near the shrine and walked away just before the blast.

Some travellers from Oman changed their bookings to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and the Maldives.

“Some 30 per cent of travellers who were due to travel to Bangkok asked for a refund, while over 50 per cent changed their destinations,” said Salam Al Haremi, a booking agent at Majan World Travels. >A6

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 There is no comprehensive consumer guide to help customers understand their rights or clear cut policies to ensure a fair deal.

Sunday Beat

OMAN C O M M E N TA RY

Is enough being done to protect consumer rights?

M

any consumers now feel short changed and powerless as prices are inflated and they feel they end up paying for something they have not ordered.

There is no comprehensive consumer guide to help customers understand their rights or clear cut policies to ensure a fair deal. From street retail to banking and all the way to real estate, consumers are sometimes baffled how business directors justify the exorbitant prices they put in the bill. Greater awareness about consumer rights cannot be emphasized more strongly at a time when pricing flexibility favours sellers and not buyers.

The complaints are endless and obviously the local consumer protection laws are not yet fully equipped to deal with all of the problems. There are also many loopholes traders exploit in greater length at the expense of consumers. Big local brands and now international franchises are jumping into the profitable route to dupe customers. For example, you go to a coffee shop and they add the ‘extras’ which you have not ordered or buy a burger and they include the ‘upsize’ without asking you.

Tenants too are in a great dilemma when it comes to rental costs. Rents go up all the time and landlords get away with it from this loophole.

They are not sure whether they are part of consumerism or outside the realms of its control. Landlords, on their part, feel they cannot be controlled by Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) because they are not in the retail business. Property owners are also unsure of their

SUNDAY BEAT

SALEH AL SHAIBANY

The laws are vague about consumer harassment in a form of unsolicited marketing campaigns bombarded to consumers

rights when they buy a house or an apartment in the Integrated Property Development projects when it comes to maintenance fees. The annual charges go up all the time and are set at exorbitant levels. The confusion is this: “If you don’t get it from a shop” then you are not protected from unfair trading.

Consumer harassment The laws are also vague about consumer harassment in a form of unsolicited marketing campaigns bombarded to consumers. For example, thousands of flyers and brochures that are circulated and delivered to our homes, stuck on the cars’ windshields or commercial text sent to our phones. The social media is

also another tool companies use to pester consumers and even mislead them with their advertisement campaigns.

Companies widely abuse this mode of promotion by being opaque and even confusing with their products. Promotions are misleading and many times you pay more than what has been advertised because of hidden charges. The consumer laws are also vague on service providers such as the telecommunication industry, banking, health and education.

What is needed is a national campaign to advise the rights of customers and constantly encouraged them to lodge instant complaints without barriers and red tape. It should be stark clear that traders can be liable to compensation and hefty fines if they do not deliver what they promise.

What is more, it is not only about the price attached to the product but how traders can justify it in terms of quality and worth. How many times have we seen companies failing to honour the guarantee they offer on the day of purchase on an item that might not perform according to the contract bought for.

For example, an air conditioner that has a 5-year warranty on the compressor or a car whose gear box can be replaced free of charge in three years in case of malfunction.

Top brands in Oman always find a way to wiggle out from their obligations to leave customers feeling cheated.

PACP needs to close all trading loopholes that companies are now exploiting from honouring their business obligations. It also needs to broadly educate the consumers and their rights in all spheres of business not just laws that cover our shopping lists. saleh@timesofoman.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

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WORLD BANK REPORT

TRAFFIC RULES

Oman to diversify economy by boosting fisheries NEW YORK: Oman is trying to diversify its economy beyond oil and as part of that initiative, is working to overhaul its fisheries sector.

The World Bank is working with the country on a plan to revitalise and better manage its fisheries as a step toward boosting livelihood and making the sector ecologically sustainable.

In the past four decades, the Sultanate has grown into a middleincome country, and was ranked first of 130 countries surveyed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in its 2010 Human Development Report in areas including health and education.

Yet the country is overly reliant on oil revenues, and fisheries are not productive as they once were.

The report published by the World Bank said that the Sultanate’s government is committed to transforming the management of its fisheries — one of its lagging, traditional sectors. The sector is again recognised as important to the future of Oman, as wellmanaged fisheries can be a bountiful and renewable resource and

TRADITIONAL WEALTH: A report published by the World Bank says that the Sultanate’s government is committed to transforming the management of its fisheries — one of its traditional sectors.–ONA

contribute to food security of the population. Today, many fishermen live in small villages where most family members work as or with artisanal fishermen. But the ocean’s health is fragile, the fish are migratory, and stocks have been depleted over time.

As a starting point, the Omani government has begun the process

of overhauling the fisheries sector, and has asked the World Bank to help devise a plan to boost the sustainable livelihoods and prosperity of fishing communities.

“The government wants to improve every element of the value chain, from fish harvesting, to packaging and logistics, to marketing,” said World Bank’s sen-

ior environmental specialist, Banu Setlur.

The World Bank has helped lay the groundwork for revitalisation, offering expertise, bringing international good practices and engaging stakeholders on building a shared vision to renew fisheries.

The report added that during a series of workshops in 2014, eve-

ROP parade marks graduation of officers

SECURITY COMMANDERS: The graduation ceremony was attended by Dr Khalifa bin Hamad Al Sa’adi, Governor of Dakhiliyah.– ONA

of the National Security Council at the Royal Court in the presence of Maj Gen Hamad bin Sulaiman Al Hatmi, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Operations.

The graduation ceremony began by performing the military salute to the chief guest. Then, the leader of the parade took per-

mission from the chief guest to inspect the front column of graduates. After that, the graduates marched before the main dais.

Then, the graduates chanted the ROP anthem and proclaimed thrice Long Live His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the Supreme Commander.

The graduation ceremony was

Expat workforce in Oman grows The majority of expatriates were Indians numbering 641,225, comprising 34,726 females and 606,499 males, an increase of 1 per cent LABOUR MARKET: The biggest chunk of the expatriate workforce is employed in the private sector. –File photo

MUSCAT: Total expatriate workforce in the Sultanate reached 1,631,560 at the end of July 2015, an increase of 0.5 per cent, as compared to 1,623,672 last June.

The statistics issued by the National Centre of Statistics and Information (NCSI) indicated that there were 1,442,177 male workers and 189,383 females.

The biggest chunk of the expatriate workforce worked in the private sector with 30,111 females and 1,288,649 males, totalling 1,318,760 by the end of July 2015, a 0.6 per cent increase compared to figures recorded last June.

They were followed by workers in the family sector (workers with families and individuals at their own expense) who totalled 253,334. The majority of these workers were females numbering 138,697 as against 114,637 recorded in June, an increase of 0.2 per cent.

The government sector came third with 59,466 expatriates comprising 38,891 males and

ROP calls for caution as schools open REJIMON K reji@timesofoman.com

TRAINING PROGRAMME

NIZWA: To mark the graduation of the 35th batch of officer cadets and the 64th batch of police recruits, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) held a parade at the Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences in the Wilayat of Nizwa.

The parade was held under the auspices of Maj Gen Ahmed bin Ali Kashoob, Secretary General

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20,575 females, a decrease of 0.2 per cent compared to figures recorded last June.

As for the educational qualifications of expatriates in the Sultanate, 599,831 of the labour workforce, which comprised 532,873 males and 66,958 females, were holders of preparatory school certificates. This category was followed by labourers who could read and write, at 426,816 comprising 49,935 females and 376,881 males.

The indices showed that the percentage of expatriate workers who hold primary school certificates numbering 148,012 increased 0.9 per cent in July as compared to figures in June. They comprised 19,630 females and 128,382 males.

The number of expatriate workers holding secondary school certificates totalled 248,123 comprising 17,204 females and 230,919 males. There were 9,025 females and 43,851 males with diplomas totalling 52,876.

On the other hand, expatriates with university degrees numbered 91,580, comprising 15,565 females and 76,015 males.

Expatriates with higher diplomas decreased 0.7 per cent to reach 4,860. Those with Master’s degrees decreased 0.5 per cent totalling 5,816, while the number of PhD holders also decreased 0.3 per cent to reach 2,748.

On the other hand, the percentage of illiterate workers increased 0.6 per cent to reach 21,538, comprising 2,278 females and 19,260 males.

As for the nationalities, the majority of expatriates were Indians numbering 641,225, comprising 34,726 females and 606,499 males, an increase of 1 per cent.

Bangladeshis registered an increase of 0.3 per cent with 561,301 workers, comprising 28,432 females and 532,869 males. Pakistani workers also increased 0.3 per cent, with 1,166 females and 215,001 males, totalling 216,167.

–ONA

attended by Dr. Khalifa bin Hamad Al Sa’adi, Governor of Dakhiliyah, ROP senior officers, as well as senior officers at the Sultan Armed Forces (SAF), military and security units, commanders of the ROP formations, the Teaching and Training Authority at the Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences and local officials.– ONA

ryone from ministers to fishermen to tribal elders huddled with technical trainers who conducted detailed analyses. “It was the first time in Oman that various stakeholders including fishermen from the seven coastal governorates were involved in decision-making,” said Jamal Al Kibbi, World Bank programme manager .–ONA

MUSCAT: Motorists have been asked by the police to be attentive and careful of the additional traffic in residential and school zones as the schools reopen on Sunday.

“Motorists should follow the traffic rules strictly. As schools are reopening, the roads will be busy. However, for the safety of the children, motorists should follow the traffic rules strictly and cooperate with the police,” Royal Oman Police traffic department tweeted on its official Twitter handle at around 8pm.

Police have also sought cooperation from the school bus drivers, supervisors, school authorities and parents in ensuring safety of the children. “Extra care should be taken while children are boarding and disembarking the bus,” police tweet added.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

OMAN

115

forts and castles in the wilayat of Sumail have added to its growing tourism charm

Young Indian artist holds first solo show

TOURISM SECTOR

The exhibition was held in Ruwi, with special guests Ibrahim Gailani, a Pakistani artist who RICH HERITAGE: Sumail Castle was built almost 380 years ago and

consists of many architectural wonders.–ONA

lives in Muscat, and Sheffy Tattarath, an art teacher in Muscat, attending the event

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MAGICAL COLOURS: Avigyan learned many of his art skills at school, including painting with watercolours, drawing with coloured pencils, and using oil pastels.–Jun Estrada/TIMES OF OMAN

SARAH MACDONALD sarah@timesofoman.com

Forts, castles add to Sumail’s charm SUMAIL: With 115 forts and castles, the wilayat of Sumail is renowned for its oases, castles and forts.

The most important castles are the Sumail Castle, the Al Shahbaa Castle and the Al Dawaa Tower.

Sumail Castle was built almost 380 years ago between the eras of Imam Abdullah bin Mohammed, who became Imam in 1560 and Imam Nasser bin Murshid Al Ya’arubi, who became Imam in 1624.

The castle has many external walls, in addition to the façade and the gate, which has many defensive components, such as the arrow launch sites that were used for its defence.

The castle consists of many architectural wonders, the most important of which is the Wali House (a two-storey building), which was built completely of “Sarooj” and gravel. It has two entrances, the first one is opposite the mosque and the Sable or “Majlis” and the other leads to a yard that has several rooms which were dedicated for other purposes.

There is also a three-room build-

ing behind the Wali House, in addition to another building directly beside the Wali House.

The castle has three storerooms for storing Omani dates, in addition to rooms for soldiers, a kitchen and water wells that have been engraved in the rock to avoid leakage.

The castle has eight round, semi-round and square towers that are distributed between the castle’s walls.

The castle has many historical buildings, such as the soldiers’ barracks and a small building west of the barracks. There are also two rectangular buildings, one of which is believed to be a jail.

Many cultural events are organised in the yard of the castle, as is the case with Al Shahbaa Castle in Nizwa Wilayat.

In response to the Royal Directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the castle, which is spread over more than 10,000 square metres, has been restored by using the local building materials, Omani ‘Sarooj’ and gravel.

Mud and fronds were also used in the restoration process.–ONA

MUSCAT: He’s just 13 years old but Avigyan Bhattacharya has already had his first solo art exhibition in which he showcased an impressive collection of paintings.

The young artist’s exhibition was held Saturday evening at Al Maasa Hall in Ruwi, with special guests Ibrahim Gailani, a Pakistani artist who lives in Muscat, and Sheffy Tattarath, an art teacher here in Muscat. Avigyan shared a variety of paintings including landscapes, abstracts, Hindu gods, and portraits, including one of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

“I thought it would be something good to give in the exhibition as a major attraction. His Majesty is a great personality for me. He’s like an ideal for me. The developments and all he has done in Oman is a wonderful thing,” Avigyan said of the royal portrait.

Avigyan learned many of his art skills at school, including painting with watercolours, drawing with coloured pencils, and using oil pastels.

He has also taken painting lessons from Muscat-based artist Aparna Shere and now focuses primarily on acrylic and oil painting, oil being a medium he particularly enjoys because of the smooth application of the paint.

He is also the youngest artist who participates in the Paragon Arts events at The Wave Muscat, where artists gather once a month to hear from a special guest artist

and paint together in public.

“I like painting a lot. I paint maximum during the weekends.

I don’t sleep much so I can paint late night,” said Avigyan, who spends hour upon hour at home painting, sometimes till 11:30pm on weeknights, too.

He is inspired by Oman’s landscapes and his vivid imagination, which often takes over as he begins to paint, even when he is working from a photograph.

“I always use my imagination because I’m not that good at copying. I try to copy and then I think of something else so that gives me another idea for it,” he explained.

One painting that began as a simple image of Radha Krishna, who represents the feminine and masculine aspects of God in Hin-

duism, soon became a vibrant abstract work with ribbons and flames of colours filling the canvas around the male and female figures. Avigyan began painting it based on an image of Radha Krishna he’d found but soon let his imagination take over.

Inspiring Oman Avigyan also loves painting landscapes and finds the scenes around Oman very inspiring. Until now he has based his scenes of Oman on images he’s found on the internet but hopes to start taking his own photographs and working from them, too, so the work would be 100 percent his own.

Though he was born in Calcutta, he has lived in Oman for nearly seven years and has been

drawing and painting since he got here. When he’s not painting he also loves playing tennis, a sport for which he has won several trophies, and reading. He is also a good student, getting a Merit Award in 2013 at Indian School Muscat.

Though he’s a well-rounded young student who hopes to study medicine in university, his commitment and passion for the arts are especially strong, and Avigyan hopes one day he can share his talents with others. “After I grow, after I get a job, I want to help those poor children who have a passion for arts but don’t have the materials or don’t have their parents’ (support). I will try my best to teach them and give them their materials,” he said.

UNIVERSITY PROJECT

‘Young Explorer’ programme a boost for academics, skills Times News Service MUSCAT: It was a programme aimed at providing a good learning environment to students to help improve their academic knowledge on one hand and refine their skills on the other hand.

Sultan Qaboos University and German University of Technology in Oman (GUTech) hosted student participants of the summer programme, ‘Young Explorer 2015’, related to the Oman University project. The programme targeted 220 outstanding students in mathematics at grade nine in the public schools.

The programme is marked by the diverse kinds of knowledge it imparts.

In addition to the morning academic programme which included lessons in English language, IT and mathematics, there was an evening programme which contained several applied scientific activities, cultural, recreational and sports events and trips.

To ensure that the programme is of the highest quality, both universities have set up teams of instructors and qualified specialists who have been selected carefully to implement the programme and supervise it. Further, they provided logistical services and required facilities such as classrooms, computer labs and gyms.

STUDENT CREATIVITY: The ‘Young Explorer’ programme involved several applied scientific activities, cultural, recreational and sports events and trips.– Supplied photo

Business group internship The Qurum Business Group (QBG) celebrated the graduation of its first batch of talented interns from the 2015 edition of the company’s in-depth internship programme.

The students, hailing from different parts of Oman and currently attending the Sultan Qaboos University’s (SQU) College of Economics and Political Science, gained a wealth of knowledge from working in different divisions of the group during an eight-week course designed to familiarise them with the work-

place environment and learn hands-on skills from the company’s team of professionals.

Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Hosni, vice chairman and group managing director of QBG, said, “As an organisation deeply rooted in Oman, we at QBG see it as our duty to support the growth of tomorrow’s national workforce by developing the youth of today.

The internship programme is part of our long-term strategy to train students to provide them with the competence and valuable insight they will need to be successful in the future.”

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H O S P I TA L I T Y E X H I B I T I O N

Global brands to participate in food show MUSCAT: Focus will be on food industry and marketing, and hotel service affairs, as the 10th Food and Hospitality Exhibition kicks off on September 7. The three-day exhibition will be organised at Oman International Exhibition Centre.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition will be held under the patronage of Said bin Saleh Al Kiyoumi, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The exhibition, which will involve about 300 international trademarks will provide a suitable environment for these companies to expand their activities in the Omani market. Domestic enterprises will also benefit from their experience, besides providing opportunities to the Omani businessmen to meet businessmen from around the world.

The exhibition, which will be organised by Oman Expo, National Hospitality Institute and Oman Chefs Society (OCS), is a good chance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Sultanate to strike new trade partnerships and acquire local representation of the international brands.

Last year the exhibition witnessed the participation of more than 4,000 specialists in hospitality and food sectors. Different types of food equipment and hotel services were also showcased.-ONA

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OMAN

Multi-country live surgery highlights latest techniques stitutes to develop the idea of medical conferences,” said Dr Al Dhahab, senior consultant gastroenterologist and head of endoscopy unit at Royal Hospital, who is also the chairman of Oman Gastroenterology Society.

The conference, held in association with India’s Kread Foundation, provided a platform to learn and ask questions from surgeons performing the operations

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A multi-country live surgery medical conference, conducted by Lama Polyclinic on Thursday, updated doctors in Oman on the latest techniques and developments in the field of gastroenterology.

The conference, held in association with India’s non-profit Kread Foundation, provided a platform

TECH CONNECTIVITY: The interactive conference, titled ‘Basic and Advanced Techniques in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy’, was transmitted live in several countries at same time –Jun Estrada/TIMES OF OMAN

for members of the medical community to learn and ask questions from world-renowned Indian speakers and surgeons performing the operations.

The interactive conference, entitled ‘Basic and Advanced Techniques in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy’ was transmitted live in several other countries at the

same time, namely Kuwait, Nepal, and Uzbekistan, in addition to Turkmenistan and Armenia.

In the last two years, Kread Foundation has completed more than 260 CME (continuing medical education) workshops and has educated more than 35,000 doctors along with its technological partner WatchWitz Technologies

Private Limited.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Dr Hisham Al Dhahab, the guest of honour, said that participation in medical conferences is ‘crucial’ for doctors and this kind of initiatives can bring education closer to them while helping them avoid travel costs and save time.

“I encourage all health in-

Gastroenterologists Redha Juma Al Saleh, managing director of Lama Polyclinic, one of the oldest clinics in the Sultanate, said that the purpose of the conference was to update gastroenterologists, surgeons and internal medicine doctors in Oman on the latest developments in the medical field.

Medical experts from the Sultan Qaboos University, Royal Hospital and some private health institutes attended the event, said Al Saleh.

It was a day-long conference held from 9am to 4pm so doctors could attend the event according to their preferred schedule, he added.

He also stated that the next conference will be about cardiology and is scheduled to be held in early September.

Commenting on Lama Polyclinic’s plan to expand and transform into a hospital, Al Saleh said that the project is expected to start by the end of the year.

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

USA honours general supervisor of Oman-Qaboos website Times News Service

MEDIA REACH: Hamoud Al Azri during his meeting with the Media Advisor to the Sacramento Government.–Supplied photo

WASHINGTON: In support of the work and dedication of Hamoud Al Azri, general supervisor of Oman-Qaboos, a website that showcases the remarkable achievements of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 25 languages, Al Azri was selected to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Programme organised by the US State Department with active support from the US embassy in the Sultanate.

The International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) is the US State Department’s premier professional exchange programme. Through short-term visits to the United States of America

ACADEMICS

SQU admits 3,325 students through e-station ‘Meelad’ Times News Service MUSCAT: Through its electronic admission station ‘Meelad’, the Deanship of Admissions and Registration at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) is in the process of completing the admission and registration formalities of as many as 3,325 students belonging to its 30th batch of undergraduate students for the academic year 2015-2016.

On completing the admission formalities, the students will be sent to various undergraduate programmes offered by the nine colleges at the university. SQU is in the process of completing aptitude tests for those students who seek admission to degree courses in physical education, art education, and music and musicology majors.

Dr Mohammed Hamed Al Saadi, assistant dean for undergraduate admissions and technical support at the Deanship of Admissions and Registration, said that through the virtual station ‘Meelad’ (URL: http://adm. squ.edu.om) the new group of students can update their data and complete the admission and registration procedures.

“They do not have to come to the university to complete the admission process. Apart from the virtual station, the university also provides a hotline to answer to any questions from students and their parents about the admission and registration processes. Once the registration process is completed, the students will receive text messages (SMS) stating that the process was successfully completed. The message will also contain the student ID number,” said Al Saadi.

Ahmed Hassan Al Bahrani,

TECH FACILITIES: SQU is in the process of completing the registration formalities of as many as 3,325 students of its 30th batch of undergraduate students.

director of undergraduate admissions and transfers at the Deanship said that the new registration website fulfils all the requirements of students.

“The virtual e-station ‘Meelad’ provides the programme for the induction week, information about the colleges and services centres, a short film on the e-admission system, as well as a hotline that receives inquiries on completing the admission procedure electronically.

“Till now, as many as 2600 students have completed their registration formalities through the e-admission station and this reflects the acceptance of new system. The Deanship will provide ID cards to admitted students before the commencement of the induction week. This new admissions system helps the students and their parents to save time, effort and eliminates the need to come to the university to complete admission procedures,” said Al Bahrani.

Dr Al Saadi said that the SQU

will receive new students on campus at the Grand Hall for the induction programme from August 23 to September 6, during which several meetings will be set, including meetings with the Deanship of Admissions and Registrations, the Deanship of Student Affairs, the Foundation Programme Administration and other units such as the Independent learning Centre, students’ clinic, student counselling centre, the main library, the blood bank, the Centre for Career Guidance and the Centre for Information Systems.

The placement tests in Mathematics, English and Information Technology for the new batch of students will be held from August 26 to 30. Moreover, the vice chancellor, the deputy vice chancellors, and the deans will meet the students during the orientation programme. The vice chancellor will address the 30th batch of new students at the university’s amphitheatre at 7:30pm on September 6.

(USA), current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience the US first-hand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts.

The intensive programme, lasting over three weeks, is designed to reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the USA. Titled ‘Social Media: Creatively Connecting Communities’, the programme focussed on how Americans use social media platforms for digital engagement, public advocacy and civic involvement. Participants explored how businesses, advocacy organisations, non-profit organisations, government agencies, and universities have adopted social media

strategies to reach and interact with their target audiences.

“It was great pleasure to be selected for this professional programme,” said Al Azri, who recently returned to Oman.

“It was extremely well organised by the State Department, and I was very lucky to visit six of the biggest cities in the US such as Washington DC, New York, Raleigh, and Sacramento, along with San Francisco and Minneapolis.

At the beginning of his visit Al Azri went to the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Centre (SQCC) in Washington, which is dedicated to educating the peoples of the US and Oman about the breadth and richness of their two cultures. He met with organisations that cre-

ate, finance and market digital content, and studied how groups leverage new digital tools to create and support their message and empower their ‘followers’ to act as agents of change.

“I gained experience in skills to integrate new media campaign tactics into our work. I also had an opportunity to examine US commitment to the issue of Internet freedom and the free exchange of ideas.

“Additionally, I was given opportunities to meet social media experts, filmmakers, and bloggers, in addition to activists and journalists. I was delighted to visit the offices of Google and Facebook during my visit to San Francisco,” said Al Azri.

A6

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015 There are many working mothers who want more time off to spend with their new-borns, and they are hoping that maternity leave is increased to 60 days Hasna Fahim Al Said, Co-founder of the Women Organisation

OMAN S E C O N D T O P D E S T I NAT I O N

95,000 people from A1 Oman travelled to Thailand in 2014 < FROM

According to statistics, more than 95,000 people from Oman travelled to Thailand in 2014, 9 per cent more than in the previous year. Thailand was the second top destination for Omani travellers after the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia, last year.

Said Al Jahdhami, one of the tourists who cancelled his flight to Bangkok and chose to fly to Kuala Lumpur instead, said he did so as he was concerned for the safety of his family.

“I was due to travel to Thailand on August 30 with my family for ten days, but I have asked the travel agent to cancel our tickets and issue new ones to Kuala Lumpur. I cannot take the risk. The bombing is still fresh in my mind,” explained Al Jahdhami.

However, travel experts say booking cancellations will not have a significant impact on the number of Omani tourists travelling to Thailand in the near future.

“It is late in the year and thousands have already been to Thailand so far this year. The number of tourists travelling to Thailand may not be the same in 2016, but the drop in numbers will not be significant. Those who normally head for Bangkok may well opt for

other destinations in the Far East as an alternative but only in the short-term,” Roland Bhatnagar, a tourism expert, told the Times of Oman.

Meanwhile the Royal Thai Government has reaffirmed that all tourist security and assistance are in place.

Security beefed up Security has been tightened across the country to ensure the public safety, particularly at destinations and venues popular with tourists or densely populated, as well as at international airports and on public transport systems, including the mass transit systems – BTS Skytrain and MRT services, and bus and rail services.

The number of officers on foot patrol has also been increased at tourist locations and important venues. Extra security, including more road checkpoints and strict checks, are also in place, according to an official statement.

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

Three-month maternity leave for women urged Currently, women working in the

Mothers should be entitled to ‘at least three months of leave’ after childbirth and one-hour breast-feeding break is also a must for mothers

private sector are entitled to 50 days of maternity leave, while those in the government sector get 60 days leave

Saada Mohammed Al Mamari Nutrition department, Ministry of Health

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Maternity leave period in Oman should be of at least three months, says the women’s community in Oman, as the draft of new labour law has proposed increasing the leave to 60 days.

At present, women working in the private sector are entitled to 50 days of maternity leave, while those in the government sector get 60.

An official from the General Federation for Oman Trade Unions recently said that apart from an increase in maternity leave, the new law would allow working woman to take an hour off in a day for breast-feeding. A nursery at the workplace is also among the proposals.

Saada Mohammed Al Mamari, from the nutrition department of the Ministry of Health, has been calling for longer maternity leave, and says that mothers should be entitled to ‘at least three months of leave’ after childbirth.

Also, a one-hour breast-feeding break is a must for mothers, she told the Times of Oman.

Amendments Hasna Fahim Al Said, co-founder of the Women Organisation, says that the Omani law allows 50 days of maternity leave with full salary payment, only three times during the employment.

“There are many working mothers who want more time off to spend with their new-borns, and they are hoping that maternity leave is increased to 60 days.

Some mothers prefer 90 days,” she said, adding that amendments to the law would be welcome.

According to her, it was a great step forward when the law was amended several years ago and maternity leave was increased from 40 days to 50.

She said that changes may happen if the country’s economy is strong enough to provide such support for working mothers as the number of working mothers has increased in both the private and public sectors.

One-hour break In addition, the co-founder of the Women Organisation noted that she supports a one-hour break for breast-feeding.

Tonia Gray, general manager at Competence HR, says that studies show that three months is the minimum time that a mother should be at home to ensure her own health and the health and development of her baby.

“Studies show that there are developmental and behavioural issues related to shorter periods of time spent on maternity

leave which impact negatively throughout the child’s development years. They also show increased sickness with babies whose mothers return before the three-month period. Even more importantly, infant deaths decrease by 20 per cent, according to studies published in the Economic Journal in 2005, when mothers remain at home beyond this period,” she said.

European statistics She explained that these studies are based on European statistics where records have been kept since the 19th century monitoring the trends related to childbirth and leave and surveys in the United States.

“Of course these statistics may not apply to Oman, but I have not seen any research here in this regard. However, speaking from personal experience, I believe that returning to work in under three months is extremely difficult and absolutely exhausting,” said the general manager at Competence HR. Funding Susan Flower, president of the Women’s Guild in Oman (WGO), believes that the issue of funding and potential cost to businesses

should be taken into consideration when speaking about the length of maternity leave, particularly as Omani women may have many babies.

“Mothers should be given a minimum of six months off work if they wish to take it, with no loss of employment rights etc., perhaps with a qualifying period in between each birth to avoid companies regularly having to pay out for long periods of maternity leave,” she said.

Sharing the United Kingdom (UK) experience, Flower said that companies should have the option to offer longer leave at their discretion.

“In the UK, an employee may have up to one year of maternity leave (subject to having been employed for a minimum period to qualify). A statutory maternity allowance should be payable during the period of maternity leave,” she added.

Other countries Al Raisi, a mother of two, says that a minimum of three months of maternity leave is ‘definitely necessary’ and authorities should even consider increasing it further, following the example of countries which provide commendable support to working mothers.

NEED FOR BONDING

LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING BEFORE SCHOOL OPENING After a three-month-long break, schools are reopening on Sunday. Parents and children were seen searching for school items at stores in souqs. ‘The business was good this time. Trends are changing. Children love innovative designs,’ a shop owner in Muttrah Souq said. — Purushothaman K

< FROM

Paternity

A1 leave vital Paternity leave is not just important for the father to bond with his new son or daughter but to support the mother who will probably be exhausted and will need all the support she can get, said Gray, and added that personally she thinks a period of paid paternity leave is essential to support the family unit during this time.

Ahmed Al Muqbali, an Omani national who is a father of three, says that introducing paternity leave can help promote the culture of men helping their wives throughout motherhood and would make fathers more responsible. “Paid paternity leave can also be a great support for families who cannot afford to hire housemaids,” he said.

Expatriate families Alauddin Shah, an Indian expatriate, says that non-Omanis should also be entitled to paternity leave if a law is introduced because most expatriate families are far away from their close relatives and can use the opportunity to support the mother and the new-born.

WHO REPORT

< FROM

A1 2,000 Arabs attempt suicide annually “Omani suicides are mostly linked to social and communal differences as well as financial difficulties,” said the ROP source.

“The most common method of suicide in Oman is by throwing oneself off a high place or by hanging. Most of the time it is by hanging,” said the source.

In 2014, an Omani girl in her 20s from Musanaah committed suicide by hanging herself after being tormented for a failed relationship. She hanged herself from a fan in her room using her own scarf.

The average age of suicide victims in the Sultanate ranges between 25 and 45 years old.

There were 599 suicide cases in Oman between 2000 and 2010, according to data from the ROP forensic department.

A local, not wishing to be identified, recalled the incident of his friend’s relative.

“My friend’s cousin was going through a rough time. He was going through a drug withdrawal phase and the pain he suffered sent him into deep depression.

Eventually, he could not handle

the pain and hanged himself,” he said. Some 75 per cent of suicides occur in low or middle income countries and communities, according to the WHO. Ingestion of pesticides, hanging and firearms, are among the most common methods used to commit suicide.

According to statistics gained by the WHO, 2,000 people attempt suicide annually from Arab nations and 1 in 20 attempts are successful.

Three thousand Egyptians below the age of 40 annually attempt suicide while three Algerians

commit suicide every day. There are 1,108 recorded suicides mostly among youths and adolescents, especially females. Some 41 per cent of Syrian youths in Lebanon thought of committing suicide .

Between 2009 and 2013, Morocco recorded 2,894 failed and successful suicide attempts.

More than 800,000 people commit suicide every year, and many more attempted it to make it the second most leading cause of death for people between the ages of 15 and 29 globally in 2012, according to the WHO.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

80%

of Yemen’s population of 26 million are in desperate need of aid, and more than a million have been driven from their homes in the nearly five-month war, said UN aid chief Stephen O’Brien

A7

REGION

IRAQ

US air strike kills ‘IS number two’, says White House WASHINGTON: The secondin-command of the IS extremist group has been killed in a US air strike in northern Iraq, the White House said on Friday.

The National Security Council identified the slain militant as Fadhil Ahmad Al Hayali, also known as Haji Mutaz, and said he was IS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi’s senior deputy.

This is not the first time that US officials have announced Hayali’s death. In December, US defence officials, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, said he was one of several senior figures killed in coalition strikes, giving another of his pseudonyms, Abu Muslim Al Turkmani.

But US forces now say they were able to kill him, along with an IS “media operative” known as Abu Abdullah, on August 18 in a strike on a vehicle near the city of Mosul.

The White House described Hayali as a member of the IS’s ruling council, and “a primary coordinator for moving large amounts of

weapons, explosives, vehicles and people between Iraq and Syria”.

“He supported ISIL operations in both countries and was in charge of ISIL operations in Iraq, where he was instrumental in planning operations over the past two years, including the ISIL offensive in Mosul in the month of June 2014,” it said, using another name for the IS group.

Like many senior Iraqi extremists, before joining the IS group, Hayali had been a member of Al Qaeda’s Iraqi faction.

He was reportedly a former Iraqi officer from the era of Saddam Hussein. IS militants launched a devastating offensive in Iraq in June 2014.

Beginning in Mosul, the country’s second city and capital of Nineveh province, they swept security forces aside and eventually overran around a third of the country. A parliamentary inquiry said this week that Iraqi officials had disastrously mismanaged the Mosul crisis, ignoring ample

DESTRUCTION: An image published by the media branch of the IS group in the Damascus province (Welayat Dimashq) on Friday, allegedly shows IS extremists using a bulldozer to destroy the ancient monastery of Mar Elian in the central Syrian town of Al Qaryatain, which lies at the crossroads between IS territory in the eastern countryside of Homs and areas further west in the Qalamun area.

Al Qaryatain, which IS extremists seized earlier this month, had a pre-war population of 18,000, including Muslims and Syriac Catholics and Orthodox Christians. -AFP

‘Fighting, air strikes kill dozens in Yemen’s Taez’ Rima Kamal, Red Cross spokeswoman in Yemen, said the violence on Friday had killed 80 people by late evening

SANAA: Dozens of people, mostly civilians, have been killed in fighting and air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition in Yemen’s rebel-held third city Taez, seen as the gateway to recapturing the capital.

Backed by the coalition, loyalists to exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi have recently made sweeping advances against the rebels known as Houthis.

They retook the southern port and second city Aden last month, and have seized four additional southern provinces in their advance towards Taez, some 330 kilometres south of Sanaa.

Rima Kamal, spokeswoman in Yemen for the International Committee of the Red Cross, said the violence on Friday had killed 80 people by late evening, adding that it was unknown if people in the city were “dead or alive under the rubble”. “My colleague was told that by noon yesterday, there were 50 killed; in the evening it went up to 80.

These are figures we are receiving from various sides,” she told AFP. Doctors Without Borders said on Friday that 65 civilians had been killed and several hurt in bombing runs in Taez’s Salah

neighbourhood. The rebel-controlled Saba news agency said the raids had killed 63 civilians and wounded 50.

Intensifying clashes The two sides have fought over Taez for months, but clashes there began intensifying in mid-August as the loyalists pushed north after consolidating their gains in the south. Heavy fighting that began on Sunday killed more than 80 fighters from both sides people in 24 hours, military sources said.

Kamal said Saturday that “civilians are suffering on multiple fronts. There was an overwhelming number of civilians killed yesterday.” She said shelling and clashes were ongoing Saturday, with residents saying fighting around a presidential palace in Taez had killed three civilians.

Intelligence headquarters In Aden, meanwhile, a bomb destroyed the secret police headquarters early Saturday, resi-

ARMAMENT

Iran unveils new short range ballistic missile Fateh 313 TEHRAN: Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani unveiled the country’s latest domestically produced surface to surface missile on Saturday, saying such weapons are necessary for defence in the Middle East.

The Fateh (Winner) 313 ballistic missile has a 500-kilometre (300 miles) range and features more advanced sensors and technology, according to Sepah News, the website of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards.

It was rolled out little more than a month after Iran and world powers concluded a deal that requires Iran to curb key parts of its nuclear programme in exchange for a lifting of economic sanctions. The missile was displayed as part of Defence Industry Day, an annual event that showcases Iran’s hardware.

“A weak country incapable of confronting and defending against the military power of its neighbours and enemies cannot claim to seek peace,” the president said in a televised speech, citing the need for diplomacy and military efforts to stand side by side. “Iran’s strategy is based on defence and deterrence. The first line is diplomats and the second line is generals. Diplomats should be backed by generals. If they fail, it is the generals’ turn to come forward.”

Several versions of the Fateh missile have been produced in the past few years. The 313 model has been successfully tested and is scheduled for mass production, the Sepah News report said. Iran’s ballistic missile programme was a contentious issue in the talks that led to the nuclear deal in Vienna on July 14.

To ensure a lifting of sanctions

HOME-GROWN: A handout picture released by the official website of Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani shows him, second left, and Defence Minister Hossein Dehghan, centre, during the Defence Industry Day ceremony to unveil the country’s latest surface-tosurface Fateh 313 missile on Saturday in Tehran. -AFP

Iran must implement changes to its atomic activities and guarantee they are for energy and medical purposes. Iran has always denied seeking a nuclear bomb.

However critics of the nuclear deal in Tehran said that a recent UN resolution regarding missiles, albeit a non-binding measure, placed unacceptable curbs on Iran’s military capabilities.

The latest UN Security Council resolution adopting the nuclear agreement bars Iran from owning missiles “designed to carry nuclear warheads”.

It also stipulates that transfer to Iran of ballistic missile technology during the next eight years will be subject to the approval of the council. The US has said it

would veto such requests.

Meanwhile, a Reuters report from Dubai said that Iran recently shot down an unknown surveillance drone on its western border, the state news agency said on Saturday. “After spotting the drone, our air defence system missiles shot it down,” Farzad Fereidooni, commander of Anti-aircraft system in Kermanshah province was quoted as saying by IRNA. “We have given warning to 12 unknown flights last year and they have left Iran’s air space.” He did not mention which country the shot-down drone belonged to. Iran has brought down U.S. surveillance and what it claims to be Israeli drones in recent years.

-Reuters

dents said, in an attack one official blamed on Al Qaeda. The fourstorey building in the Tawahi neighbourhood collapsed under the force of the blast, which was heard across the city.

The official blamed the attack, which caused no casualties, on Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

He claimed AQAP militants had entered the city just two weeks after it was retaken from rebels on July 17.

AQAP, which the United States says is the global extremist network’s most dangerous branch, has taken advantage of months of violence and chaos in Yemen to make territorial gains, overrunning the port of Mukalla, capital of the eastern Hadramawt province, in April.

Elsewhere, a Saudi Apache helicopter crashed, and its two pilots were killed, as it patrolled in the Jazan region on the border with Yemen, the coalition said Saturday.

On Friday night, the Houthis said they had shot down an

Apache in the same area. Yemen has been wracked by conflict since March, when the Saudi-led coalition launched air strikes against the rebels as they advanced on and eventually took Aden after seizing the capital in September. The war has killed nearly 4,500 people, many of them civilians, according to the United Nations.

UN aid chief Stephen O’Brien said he was concerned the air strikes could have a severe impact on an already dire humanitarian situation. Some 80 percent of the population of 26 million are in desperate need of aid, and more than a million have been driven from their homes in the nearly five-month war.

On Friday, a freighter docked in Aden, the first to reach the city since war came to the city in March. It was carrying 350 containers of products ordered by local businesses. Other ships are expected to arrive in coming days.-AFP

warnings of an impending attack.

Officials said earlier this month that more than 2,000 people had been executed in and around the city since the extremists took it over, accused by the militants of “promoting ideas that distort Islam.” Their names were posted on a list compiled by IS along with an order for health ministry staff to deliver death certificates.

The names included policemen, former army officers, local officials, journalists, doctors and rights activists. The Iraqi army, which the United States spent billions of dollars to train and equip, performed dismally in the early days of the IS offensive.

Baghdad’s forces have since regained significant ground north of the capital from IS, but Mosul remains under extremist control, as does much of western Iraq.

The group also holds significant territory inside Syria, and has drawn in thousands of foreign recruits, including from Europe and the United States. -AFP EGYPT

Sixth life term for Mohamed Badie SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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

CAIRO: Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie and several other prominent hardliners were sentenced to life in prison on Saturday for murder and inciting violence, judicial sources said, part of an ongoing crackdown on the outlawed group.

Badie has faced numerous trials and has accumulated two death sentences and five sentences to life in prison in separate cases, which still may be appealed. Saturday’s sentencing related to an attack on a police station in the city of Port Said in 2013 in which five people were killed.

Senior Brotherhood leader Mohamed El Beltagy, hardliner cleric Safwat Hegazy, and 16 others were also sentenced to life in prison and 68 others acquitted. Another 76 people were given life sentences in absentia. -Reuters

A8

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

INDIA Pakistan calls off talks over Hurriyat meeting a non-starter was evident in the last two days in view of the acrimonious exchanges between the two sides but the last straw appeared to be Sushma Swaraj’s virtual ultimatum to Pakistan to give a clear commitment by midnight that it would not go ahead separatists

ISLAMABAD: Ending the suspense, Pakistan on Saturday night called off the India-Pakistan NSA-level talks, hours after India made it clear that discussions on Kashmir and a meeting with separatists will not be acceptable.

“Pakistan reiterates that the scheduled NSA level talks cannot be held on the basis of the preconditions set by India,” a statement by the Pakistani Foreign Office said. Pakistan’s announcement brought to an end the battle of attrition as to who would blink first.

Virtual ultimatum That the talks was a non-starter was evident in the last two days in view of the acrimonious exchanges between the two sides but the last straw appeared to be External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s virtual ultimatum to Pakistan to give a clear commitment by midnight that it would not go ahead with meeting the separatists.

“There will be no talks,” Swaraj declared when asked what would happen if Pakistan did not accept the position outlined by her on separatists and Kashmir though she maintained these were not pre-conditions.

The minister was reacting to Pakistan National Security Ad-

Dawood Ibrahim is permanent resident of Pakistan: Rajnath LUCKNOW/NEW DELHI: Terror mastermind Dawood Ibrahim is permanently living in Pakistan though he may be changing locations in that country, Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday.

“Such people keep changing their location...but he is permanently living in Pakistan,” Singh told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

His remarks came as media published a purported recent photograph of the underworld don claiming that Indian intelligence agencies have evidence that the terrorist and his family were living in Karachi.

Asked about the picture, Singh replied that he would not say anything without verifying it “I don’t want to comment on any news,” he said.

Dawood Ibrahim has nine residences in Pakistan, including one bought near the house of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, two years ago, and has three Pakistani passports which he frequently uses to travel.

That the talks was

with meeting the

TERROR MASTERMIND

MAKING HER POINT: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj gestures as she arrives to address a news conference in New Delhi on Saturday. - PTI

viser Sartaj Aziz’s remarks earlier in the day that he was willing to come to India for talks without any pre-conditions.

Aziz’s talks with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval on terrorrelated issues was scheduled to have taken place in Delhi on Monday. What became a red rag for New Delhi was the invitation by the Pakistan High Commission to Hurriyat leaders to meet Aziz ahead of the first-ever NSA-level talks, which was agreed upon in Ufa in Russia in July during the meeting between the two prime ministers — Narendra Modi and Nawaz Sharif.

India was also upset over Pakistan including Kashmir as part of the agenda for the NSA talks that was mainly scheduled to discuss terror. The Foreign Office statement said Pakistan has “carefully analysed” the contents of the press conference of Swaraj.

“We have come to the conclusion that the proposed NSA level talks between the two countries would not serve any purpose, if conducted on the basis of the two conditions laid down by the minister,” it said.

Statement Referring to Swaraj’s statement, it said that while she accepts that, to ensure durable peace between the two countries, there is a need

to discuss all outstanding issues, she then unilaterally restricts the agenda to only two items: creating an atmosphere free from terrorism and tranquillity on the Line of Control (LoC).

“Considering that many terror ‘incidents’ blamed initially by India on Pakistan eventually turned out to be fake, it is not improbable that India can delay the Resumed Dialogue indefinitely by concocting one or two incidents and keeping the LoC hot.

“It is equally important to recall that terrorism was always a part of the eight point composite dialogue and it was always discussed simultaneously with other issues between the Interior Secretaries.

It is not reasonable for India to now assume the right to decide unilaterally that from now onwards, other issues will be discussed after terrorism has been discussed and eliminated.”

The statement noted that the main purpose of any dialogue between India and Pakistan is to reduce tensions and restore trust as a first step towards normalisation.

“If the only purpose of NSA level talks is to discuss terrorism, then instead of improving the prospects for peace it will only intensify the blame game and further vitiate the atmosphere.

“That is why Pakistan had suggested that apart from discus-

sion on terrorism related issues, the two sides should also discuss modalities and if possible a time schedule, for discussions on all outstanding issues including Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek, in keeping with the understanding of the Ufa statement,” Pakistan said this is the only way to improve the prospects for peace between the two countries.

“The External Affairs Ministry’s attempt to draw a distinction between preambular and operative paragraphs in the Ufa statement appears to be an afterthought to justify a position that is counterproductive in terms of the ultimate objective of reducing tensions and improving trust.”

Practice As regards the second pre-condition regarding meeting with Hurriyat leaders, the statement said it has been pointed out repeatedly that it has been a long-standing practice that whenever Pakistani leaders visited India during the past twenty years, they have been meeting Hurriyat leaders.

“It would be inappropriate for India to now impose the condition of changing this longstanding practice. Pakistan, therefore, reiterates that the scheduled NSA level talks cannot be held on the basis of the preconditions set by India,” it added. - PTI

Dossier According to a dossier prepared

by India to be handed over to Pakistan, there are nine places where Dawood Ibrahim, who is known to frequently change his locations, stays in Pakistan.

The new residence Dawood bought is located at Shireen Jinah Colony near Ziauddin Hospital, Cliffton, Karachi.

“This accommodation was purchased in September, 2013 and is located near the hospital where medical treatment could be provided to Dawood whenever required. This place is close to the residence of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, son of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto,” the dossier reads.

Apart from this house, the other places where he regularly frequents are: Moin Palace, near Abdullah Shah Gazi Dargah, Cliffton, Karachi, 6A Khyabar Tanzeem, Phase V, Defence Housing area, Karachi, located on Bhoubhan Hill, around 20km from Islamabad on IslamabadMuree Road, P 6/2, street no.22, House no. 29, Maragalla Road, Islamabad, 17 C. P. Bazar Society, Block 7-8, Amir Khan Road, Karachi, 30th street in Phase 6 extension of DHA in Karachi, 8th floor of Mohran Square near Pardesi House 3, Tawar area, Cliffton, Karachi and a palatial bunglow in the hilly area of Nooriabad, Karachi.

According to the dossier, Da-

Dawood Ibrahim is wanted in India for the 1993 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in which 257 people were killed and nearly a thousand injured.

He is also accused of masterminding other terror attacks and of money laundering and extortion

wood has three Pakistani passports — first one issued in Rawalpindi (No.G-866537), second in Karachi (No. C-267185) and a third one which was also issued in Karachi (No. KC-285901).

Dawood’s wife Mahajabeen holds a Pakistani passport No. J-589103, son Moeen’s Pakistani passport No. J-588518 and daughter Mehrukh’s passport No. J-563473.

Mehrukh is married to former Pakistani cricketer Javed Miandad’s son Junaid. Dawood daughter Mehreen’s another Pakistani Passport No. is J-563439.

Dawood’s brother Anees and Mustaqim too have Pakistani passports with the Nos. H 144394 and KA-713357 respectively.

The dossier says that Dawood was declared a global terrorist by the US State Department on October 16, 2003 and he was included in the UN list as an associate of Al Qaeda on November 3, 2003 under the UNSC resolution no. 1267 Accused “Pakistan has failed to issue a red corner notice and take action as per UN notice against Dawood,” the dossier says.

Dawood Ibrahim is wanted in India for the 1993 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in which 257 people were killed and nearly a thousand injured.

He is also accused of masterminding other terror attacks and of money laundering and extortion. There is an Interpol red corner notice against Dawood for his role in the 1993 blasts. - PTI

S TA N D A L O N E V I S I T

Swaraj’s Egypt visit to provide an opportunity to boost bilateral ties CAIRO: The two-day visit of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Egypt will provide an opportunity to review bilateral relations between the two nations and will also promote various aspects of mutual interest, including fighting terrorism, India’s Ambassador to Egypt has said.

“The visit of the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is the first to Egypt. She is coming for a standalone visit in view of the very close relations that we have had over a very long period of time and our desire and commitment is to take this relationship to a higher level to build a new partnership,” Ambassador Sanjay Bhattacharyya said in an interview.

Ambassador Bhattacharyya said the upcoming visit of the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to Cairo will provide an opportunity to review the entire gamut of the bilateral and multilateral relations and to exchange views with the Egyptian leadership covering whole range of issues of mutual interest.

The External Affairs Minister will be on a two-day visit to Egypt from Monday which is expected to help bilateral ties gain traction.

During her visit, she will call on Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, hold bilateral talks with her counterpart Sameh Shoukry and meet Nabil El Araby, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, besides other leaders.

India and Egypt are both developing countries.

And just as we shared our experience in the past we will continue to do so Sanjay Bhattacharyya Indian ambassador to Egypt

Bhattacharyya said both countries have very similar situations and are committing to sharing their experiences.

“India and Egypt are both developing countries. And just as we shared our experience in the past we will continue to do so,” Bhattacharyya said.

“India and Egypt have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations since long ago. There are many aspects in which we can extend and promote our cooperation,” he said.

“In the fields of politics and

security we can combine our discussions and coordination to fight terrorism which is a challenge that we all face across the world.

Terrorism is not something that is related to ideology or religion and it must be fought at all costs,” Bhattacharyya said.

The Ambassador also added that there are many opportunities for India and Egypt particularly in the economic engagement.

“We believe that we already have a very strong economic engagement in terms of bilateral trade and investment. But we can actually reach a much greater potential. This will be our objective,” he said.

India is the sixth largest trading partner of Egypt — the second largest export destination.

Trade between India and Egypt during the last financial year (April 2014 - March 2015) has been recorded at $4.76 billion.

India’s imports from Egypt were worth $1.74 billion during 2014-15.

There has been diversification in the export basket of Egyptian products to India.

Indian exports to Egypt during 2014-15 have been recorded at $3.02 billion.

“We believe that as Egypt expands its economy and increases its engagement in the region, Africa and Europe, India can be strong part in that,” Bhattacharyya said.

- PTI

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INDIA

Raja alleges ‘hidden agenda’ behind new case filed by CBI agenda and politics behind it.

Therefore I have written a letter to the investigating officer, CBI Chennai, today revealing all the details,” he said.

Noting that the affidavit declared by him when he contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls from the Nilgiris constituency was still available on the Internet, Raja said, “whoever wants to see those details can download it from the Internet. The question is whether I have assets more than the assets declared in it.”

Five years after registering a case in 2G scam against the former minister, the agency has lodged a fresh case against him for amassing disproportionate assets worth Rs27.92 crore

CHENNAI: Former Indian Telecom Minister A Raja on Saturday said there “seemed” a “hidden agenda and politics” behind CBI lodging a fresh disproportionate assets case against him.

Five years after registering a case in the 2G Spectrum allocation scam against Raja, the agency had lodged a fresh case against him on August 19 for allegedly

BRIEFING: Former telecom minister A. Raja addresses media

persons at his party office in Chennai on Saturday. - PTI

amassing disproportionate assets worth Rs27.92 crore during the 11-year period between 1999 and 2010.

Raja said “... CBI Investigating Officer Vijay Priyadarshini accepted in a Court on November 13, 2013 that there was no disproportionate assets after investigating my income and the income of my family members and relatives.”

He alleged that the Chennai unit of the CBI had filed an FIR now stating that the properties of the late Sadhiq Basha-owned

Green House Promoters Limited belonged to him. Basha, an alleged associate of Raja, had committed suicide in 2011.

“CBI Delhi unit says there is no culpability in the Green House Promoters Ltd. Whereas Chennai CBI says that all the properties accumulated by the Green House Promoters is my property,” Raja told reporters here.

“There is not only inconsistency on the part of CBI, Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate officials, it seems there is a hidden

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‘Political vendetta’ DMK chief Karunanidhi had alleged that the case had been filed out of “political vendetta.”

“Continuously, steps smacking of political vendetta are being taken against DMK men who were ministers in the UPA government,” Karunanidhi had said, indicating his support for not only Raja but also for his grand-nephew Dayanidhi Maran who, too, is facing CBI action.

Meanwhile, a special court had on Thursday fixed October 8 for hearing remaining final arguments in a 2G scam-related money laundering case in which former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and

17 others are facing trial.

Special CBI Judge O. P. Saini, who was scheduled to hear the final arguments on Thursday, deferred it for the next date as the court was busy hearing arguments in the additional spectrum case.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) had earlier told the court that Rs 200 crore as “illegal gratification” was transferred to DMK-run Kalaignar TV by DB group firm through a “circuitous route” in return for grant of 2G spectrum to Swan Telecom by Raja.

The prosecutor had claimed that the money was transferred back to DB group firm by Kalaignar TV once Raja was about to be called for questioning by CBI in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation case.

ED had alleged that Raja had “illegally” granted 2G spectrum licences to ineligible firms for which Rs 200 crore was transferred to Kalaignar TV. It had alleged that a conspiracy was hatched by Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi, DMK supremo M. Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal and other accused and Rs 200 crore was the “proceed of crime”.

Raja, Kanimozhi, Dayalu Ammal and 16 others, including nine firms, are facing trial in the case.- PTI

FLAGSHIP SCHEME

List of 100 smart cities to be out

by September 1 HYDERABAD: The Government is set to announce by September 1 the names of urban centres that would figure on the list of 100 smart cities, a flagship scheme of the Modi administration.

“By September 1, the list of 100 cities will be announced officially.

It is almost ready,” Union Minister of Urban Development and Housing M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Saturday.

“Initially, only 20 cities will be taken up on priority. These 20 cities will be selected on certain parameters, which have already been communicated to the 100 cities.

“Not only 100 cities, those guidelines had been sent to other aspirant cities also,” he said.

Naidu was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of ‘National Conclave on Smart Technologies’ organised by Smart Cities Council India. Explaining further, he said the competition among cities will be in terms of providing better amenities to citizens and administration, including accountability and transparency,based on which ranking would be provided.

He said the implementation of the mission will be done by a Special Purpose Vehicle. The SPV will plan, appraise, approve, release funds, implement, manage, operate, monitor and evaluate the Smart City development projects. - PTI

PROPOSAL

E-tickets for tourists visiting Taj Mahal at night soon AGRA: Tourists visiting the Taj Mahal at night would soon be able to buy tickets online till 3pm of the day of their visit, instead of booking in advance.

A proposal in this matter has already been cleared and an order would soon be issued, Union Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma told news persons here.

Currently tickets need to be purchased manually in advance, ASI officials said adding night view is allowed between 8:30pm to 00:30 am and the duration of visit is 30 minutes. The night viewing facility is available for five nights, two before and two after the full the moon night.

Arrangements were also being made to allow night time visitors’

entry to the 17th century monument through the western gate in the compound, the minister said.

Presently tourists for night viewing are permitted entry from the eastern gate, which creates problem for the locals, whose movements gets restricted.

Efforts are also being made to develop infrastructure at Mehtab Bagh opposite to the Taj Mahal, so that tourists can see the Taj Mahal at night according to their convenience, tourism ministry sources said.

“A large number of tourists are denied from seeing the Taj Mahal after sunset for various reasons including security concerns,” said K. C. Jain, president of the Agra Development Foundation, an NGO trying

to promote tourism in the city.

“If the facilities are developed at Mehtab Bagh, the visitors would benefit and there would be an additional attraction in the city,” he said.

Meanwhile, a 60-kg British-era copper chandelier at the main entrance of 17th century Taj Mahal crashed down recently, prompting the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to initiate a probe into the matter.

The six-feet high and four-feet wide chandelier, gifted by Lord Curzon and installed at the Royal Gate of Taj Mahal in 1905, fell down on Wednesday, sources said.

A probe under ASI’s superintending archaeologist Bhuvan Vikram has been initiated into

the matter, they said. Though there was no official word as to what caused the chandelier to fall, the sources said it probably came down due to “aging and wear and tear”.

“Luckily, there was no one around or else it would have resulted in a major tragedy,” a tourist guide Ved Gautam said.

On Thursday, Agra ASI chief Bhuvan Vikram Singh had said that the decision to fix the chandelier would be taken only after carefully examining its structure and its present state.

Meanwhile, some tourist guides have accused the ASI officials of “gross negligence” and questioned their expertise in handling the MAJESTIC: Night viewing facility at Taj Mahal is available for five monument’s artifacts. -PTI nights, two before and two after the full moon night. - AFP file photo

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

PAKISTAN Three held in raid for ‘role’ in minister’s assassination The suspects, identified as Qari Imdadullah, Qari Irshad and Shaukat, were arrested from the Madrassa Haqqania Madina in Islamabad on information provided by intelligence agencies, the police sources informed

ISLAMABAD: Law-enforcement agencies raided a seminary late Thursday night and took three men into custody for their alleged role in facilitating the assassination of Punjab Home Minister Colonel Shuja Khanzada, police sources said.

The suspects, identified as Qari Imdadullah, Qari Irshad and Shaukat, were arrested from the Madrassa Haqqania Madina in Sector F-8/3 of Islamabad on information provided by intelligence agencies, the police sources informed.

The joint raid of Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department and Pakistan Rangers was carried out around midnight.

The suspects were subsequently taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation, it was learnt.

Officials of the Islamabad Police did not confirm the raid on record saying they were completely unaware about it.

However, the administrator of the seminary, Qari Ahsanullah Hazarvi, said the raiding authorities were accompanied by the Margalla police Station House Officer (SHO).

Hazarvi claimed Imdadullah

ANGER: Activists of Civil Society Network hold a banner against the murder of a Pakistani provincial minister following a suicide attack in Shadi Khan village, during a protest in Lahore on August 16, 2015.— AFP file photo

was his son, Irshad a teacher at the seminary while the teenager Shaukat was a guest.

He said Shaukat had come to collect the belongings of his brother — a former student — and stayed at the seminary as it was raining. “Shaukat is a teenager and doesn’t even have an identity card,” he said.

Unable to trace Hazarvi said the authorities did not say on what charges they apprehended the men, adding he was unable to trace them in any of the city’s police stations.

He clarified that all students were enrolled at the seminary after proper scrutiny and have no relation with any sectarian or banned outfit. “We are affiliated with the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl and have informed the party leadership about the incident,” he said.

TRIBUNAL’S VERDICT

Rigging not mentioned Meanwhile, Sadiq’s son Ali Ayaz Sadiq said that there was no mention of “rigging” in the tribunal’s report. He hinted that his father may appeal the verdict in Supreme Court.

Sadiq’s lawyer too contended that contrary to what Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan was claiming, the verdict did not rule that rigging took place in NA-122.

Imran had challenged National

“The administrator of the seminary is the rightful owner of the land in the authority’s record. But it remains a question if the CDA violated the city’s master plan and other municipal by-laws governing the city by allotting land out of a greenbelt on Zia’s request,” the official added.

Subject to demolition He shared that the seminary administration constructed additional structures in adjoining areas over time, much beyond permissible limits. “In the CDA record the additional constructions are illegal and subject to demolition,” he said.

There are as many as 329 seminaries in rural and urban areas of the capital, according to a recent police survey carried out in collaboration with the CDA and Islamabad Capital Territory Ad-

ministration as part of the National Action Plan.

Of the total seminaries, 160 are illegally constructed as they have encroached on state or private land and are not registered with any government department.

The survey stated that some 31,796 students are enrolled at these seminaries. Of them, 17,419 belong to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while 14,377 hail from other parts of the country.

Earlier, there was a suggestion within the Ministry of Interior that the administrations of seminaries in Islamabad would be restricted to only enroll students from the twin cities.

However, the suggestion received severe criticism from religious parties and was dubbed “unconstitutional” and against the “fundamental right to education.”

— Express Tribune

4 labourers working on Turbat road kidnapped QUETTA: At least four labourers of Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) were kidnapped along with their vehicle in Dasht area of Turbat district on Friday.

According to the Balochistan Levies official Mohmood Ahmed, a vehicle carrying the FWO labourers was on its way from Turbat city to Mirani dam when unknown armed men stopped the vehicle in Dasht area at gunpoint and abducted them with along with their vehicle.

“The labourers were working on the Gwadar-Kashgar route in Turbat,” sources said.

The labourers were identified as Yahyah Khan and Jumma Khan, residents of Quetta, while other two were identified as Gull Khan and Bakht Khan of Wazir Khan. All four were working with contractor Agha Gull.

Till the filing of this report, no group had claimed the responsibility for the kidnapping.

Three bullet riddled bodies were found in different parts of the province on Friday.

In first incident, two bullet riddled bodies were found in Rehman Kahol area of Chaman district of Killa Abdullah.

According to police, some passers by spotted the bodies and informed the police. Soon after receiving the information the police rushed to the spot soon after the information and cordoned off the area while bodies were shifted to the Civil Hospital, Chaman.

The deceased were shot in the head and chest, said hospital sources adding that bodies had not been identified yet. However, sources said both of the deceased look Afghan national from their appearance.

Meanwhile, another bullet riddled body was found in Killi Dehba area of provincial capital.

Police said they were informed after locals spotted the body. The body was shifted to Civil Hospital Quetta where he was identified as 26-year-old Jumma Khan.

The cause of the murder could not be ascertained so far.

Separate cases have been registered against the unknown persons and investigations are underway. — Express Tribune

SUPREME COURT DIRECTIVE

Speaker Sadiq’s election deemed null and void LAHORE: After hours of delay, an election tribunal finally announced its verdict on Saturday, approving chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) claims that systematic rigging had taken place in the National Assembly’s NA-122 seat and Punjab Assembly’s PP-147 seat constituencies and announced a re-election.

The tribunal’s judge, Kazim Malik termed the result of both – National Assembly constituency NA-122 Lahore and Punjab Assembly constituency PP-147 Lahore – as null and void and ordered the Election Commission to hold re-polling.

Later on, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that he accepts the tribunal’s judgment, adding that the tribunal had put the blame on election machinery.

“I respect the judgment and accept it but due to our reservations we will go to the Supreme Court,” he said.

He also said that the judgment was not about victory or defeat as he had also won the election in 2002.

Sadiq further said that Muttahida Qaumi Movement leaders’ resignations will now be taken by the Deputy Speaker Assembly after the tribunal judgment.

Margalla SHO Malik Bashir rejected Hazarvi’s claim saying he was not present at the time of the raid. Bashir abstained from identifying the suspects as well as their alleged link with the Attock attack.

The seminary raided by the law-enforcement agencies is one of the few in Islamabad for which land was allotted by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on “special” directions of late General Ziaul Haq in the mid-80’s, said a senior CDA official, who declined to be named.

The seminary is located at a greenbelt between Ismail Zabeeh Road and Faisal Avenue, close to Shah Faisal mosque.

According to CDA’s Master Plan, greenbelts are protected green patches and any construction on them is “strictly prohibited and liable to be demolished”.

B A L O C H I S TA N

I respect the judgment and accept it but due to our reservations we will go to the Supreme Court, said Ayaz Sadiq

Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq’s victory from the constituency in the 2013 general elections.

Earlier, security around the Election Commission office was tightened and roads towards the commission sealed. Entry of any unauthorised person was also prohibited.

Sadiq had defeated Imran in the NA-122 constituency after which a complaint was filed in the Election Commission, alleging massive rigging in favour of Sadiq.

Several PTI and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers were injured in a clash with the police outside the Election Commission office as they waited for the result to be announced.

According to reports, party workers became violent and removed the barriers set up by the police outside the main entrance to the office.

PTI leader Naeemul Haque said they will hold the province’s administration and police responsible in case of any untoward incident outside the tribunal’s building.

“Such inadequate arrangements have been made to counter the situation and maintain law and order,” he said. — Express Tribune

Commission to probe human trafficking ISLAMABAD: The top court has formed a commission to visit Torkham and Chaman borders and submit report reviewing the overall situation. The process of immigration as well as reasons of human trafficking will be reviewed.

The Supreme Court, headed by chief justice Jawwad S. Khawaja while hearing case regarding the human trafficking had observed that the commission is headed

by Additional Attorney General Waqar Ahmad Rana.

He also noted that other members are Federal Investigation Agency’s law director, Jafar Shah, Additional Advocate General Kyber Pakhtunkhwa Umar Farooq, Assistant Attorney General Balochistan and a representative of customs department.

The commission will visit sites of both borders and examine the security situation and immigration process. The commission is asked to submit report along with photos on September 1.

The bench has observed that the facts show that there is a contradiction in the government’s statements and actions regarding fight against terrorism.

During the hearing, Shah told the bench that people visit Afghanistan without visa immigration, adding that FIA has no authority on Torkham border.

A member of the bench Justice Faez Isa remarked that due to weak monitoring system, anyone can illegally cross the Torkham border.

Who also questioned whether the government was aware that terrorists are continuously crossing that border easily. The judge observed that it is a matter of surprise that the immigration laws are inactive at Torkham border. He added that biometric system was enforced on that border but intentionally it has been out of order.

Justice Isa also said that if the situation will remain the same

PEOPLE SMUGGLING: Afghan refugees travel on a truck as they cross the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Torkham on May 20, 2012. A senior FIA official has said the most wanted human traffickers have illegally sent around 13,201 Pakistani nationals through various routes. — AFP file photo

then the war on terror would not be a success as people are crossing borders easily.

The bench observed that there is no record of people, who enter in Pakistan’s territory, adding that a number of Somalis are illegally residing in Islamabad.

The court said that the government is not serious regarding the repatriation of hundreds of Pakistanis. They are languishing in foreign jails, adding that most of them lost their lives.

A senior FIA official has said the most wanted human traffickers have illegally sent around 13,201 Pakistani nationals through various routes.

It has already been reported that with an alarming rise in human trafficking, Pakistan may devolve to the ‘Tier-3 List’. This is a group of 23 countries that face various sanctions due to

their failure to comply with the minimum standards to prevent human smuggling.

If this happens Pakistan will be the first South Asian country to be put on the list.

In June, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Akbar Khan Hoti informed the Senate Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control, “If Pakistan fails to improve its performance to curb human trafficking [this year], it would be degraded to ‘Tier-3’ with possibility of new sanctions,” “The country may face aid cut, travel restrictions – there is a possibility of sanctions that could only be waived by the US president,” he added He said the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2014 issued by the US Department of State revealed that the number of most-

wanted human traffickers in Pakistan has jumped from 78 to 95.

The country is currently on ‘Tier2 Watch List’.

“The FIA, being the focal agency, has taken up the issue of human trafficking with the provinces. This includes cases of bonded labour, slavery, prostitution, domestic servitude and child labour, which need major improvement on drastic grounds,” he said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, FIA’s former DG Zafarullah Khan said Pakistan needs to review its laws to tighten noose around most wanted human traffickers.

“The Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance 2002 and other related laws of the FIA need to be upgraded. This would be helpful to scan all routes leading towards borders of other countries,” he said. — Express Tribune

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ASIA

EXTREMISM

Three NATO contractors among 12 dead in Kabul attack KABUL: At least 12 people including three NATO contractors were killed Saturday when a suicide car bomber struck a foreign forces convoy, officials said, underlining the precarious security situation in the Afghan capital.

The Taliban denied responsibility for the blast, which struck outside a civilian hospital in Kabul following a wave of fatal bombings earlier this month that rattled the city. The piercing explosion in a residential neighbourhood reverberated around Kabul and left a trail of devastation, including twisted wreckage of burning vehicles with officials seen piling up bloodied bodies in a police pickup truck.

A foreigner was among 12 people killed in the blast, with 66 others -- including women and children -- wounded, health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar said on Twitter. He did not give the nationality of the foreigner.

Senior health official Sayed Kabir Amiri confirmed that toll from the attack, which comes as Taliban insurgents escalate their anW O R L D WA R T W O L E G A C Y

Japan protests Medvedev visit to disputed Pacific island TOKYO/ITURUP: Japan on Saturday lodged a protest over Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s visit to one of four disputed Pacific islands which have strained ties between the two countries since the end of World War Two. The decades-old argument over the territory, claimed by both states, could set back Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s efforts to court resource-rich Russia and keep the door open to dialogue, despite the Ukraine crisis.

The islands are known in Russia as the Southern Kuriles and referred to as the Northern Territories in Japan. Russia seized them in the last days of World War Two and the dispute has kept the two countries from signing a formal peace treaty since. After Medvedev visited Iturup island on Saturday, senior Japanese foreign ministry official Hajime Hayashi lodged the protest with the Russian ambassador to Japan, Evgeny Afanasiev, by telephone, the ministry said.

Trip to be delayed Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida will delay a visit to Russia, the Nikkei business daily said, but did not elaborate. Japan had been hoping for a visit this year by Russian President Vladimir Putin for summit talks with Abe, Kyodo news agency said. While on the island, Medvedev said Japan’s attitude would not stop more such visits. “Our position is simple: We want to be friends with Japan, Japan is our neighbour. We have a good attitude towards Japan, but this shouldn’t be linked in any way with the Kurile islands, which are part of the Russian Federation,” he said. “Therefore we have made visits, we are visiting and we will make visits to the Kuriles.”

Medvedev emphasised economic development plans for a region potentially rich in oil and gas and invited foreign investors. -Reuters

Saturday’s blast comes amid heightened security in Kabul after a wave of bombings earlier this month that killed more than 50 people and wounded hundreds, prompting fury from President Ashraf Ghani who blamed Pakistan for failing to rein in Taliban insurgents. The surge in lethal attacks has left the war-scarred city on edge. Tempers flared at the scene of Saturday’s bombing, with a young Afghan man fighting back tears as he screamed: “Why are they killing us?”

The Taliban are stepping up their summer offensive, launched in late April, amid a bitter leadership dispute following the announcement of the death of longtime leader Mullah Omar. Mullah Akhtar Mansour, Omar’s longtime trusted deputy, was named as the new Taliban chief in late July in an acrimonious power transition.

Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al Zawahiri recently pledged his group’s allegiance to Mansour, in a move which could bolster his accession amid the growing infighting within the Afghan militant movement. -AFP

nual summer offensive against the US-backed Afghan government.

“One Resolute Support (NATO) contracted civilian was killed in the attack and two others died of wounds as a result of the attack,” NATO said in a statement.

A NATO spokeswoman told AFP that the contractors were not Afghan nationals, but did not specify their nationalities.

US-led NATO forces ended their combat mission in Afghanistan in December last year, although a 13,000-strong residual force remains for training and counter-terrorism operations.

Taliban denial Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the group was not behind the attack, which prompted the heavily-fortified US embassy, located a few kilometres (miles) away in the centre of Kabul, to sound its emergency sirens and a “duck and cover” alarm warning.

The insurgents are known to distance themselves from attacks that result in a large number of civilian casualties.

Typhoon Goni leaves 10 dead in Philippines Nine people died in Mountain Province and Benguet in the northern highlands after their houses were buried in rocks and mud and one man was killed in TYPHOON TROUBLE: Residents wade across floodwaters caused

by Typhoon Goni in Bacnotan, La Union, in northern Philippines on Saturday. -Reuters

nearby Ilocos Norte province

MANILA: Ten people were killed while thousands fled to higher ground as powerful typhoon Goni brought torrential rains to the northern Philippines, triggering landslides and floods, officials said on Saturday.

Nine people died in Mountain Province and Benguet in the northern highlands after their houses were buried in rocks and mud. A man was killed in nearby Ilocos Norte province after he was hit by a falling tree, the national disaster council said in a report. Three people were reported missing in flooded areas while seven others were injured. Close to 13,000 people had been evacuated by nightfall, the report said.

Typhoon Goni was 130 kilometres northeast of the Batanes island chain on Saturday evening, with winds of up to 185kph (115mph), according to the state weather bureau.

In the northern province of Abra, two straight days of heavy rains caused a major river to overflow, governor Eustaquio Bersamin said. “The Abra river has turned into an ocean,” Bersamin told DZMM radio. “The rains were much stronger than we expected,” he said. Thirteen domestic flights were cancelled on Saturday, the disaster council said.

The storm is the ninth out of an average of 20 that hit the Philippines each year and is now heading to Taiwan, the weather bureau said. Taiwan has evacuated people from outlying islands and troops are on standby for disaster relief as it takes precautions against heavy rains expected this weekend.

Tourists evacuated While the chance of Goni making landfall in Taiwan has diminished, the typhoon will bring heavy rains to most of the island Saturday and Sunday, with moun-

M I L I TA N C Y

Thai police probing new footage in search for Bangkok blast clues BANGKOK: Thai police on Saturday said they were investigating new security camera footage showing a man dropping a package into a canal as the hunt for those behind Monday’s deadly Bangkok bomb blast entered its fifth day without arrests.

CCTV video widely circulated by local media Saturday showed a man in a blue T-shirt kicking the package off a footbridge in the same spot where a device exploded on Tuesday without injuries.

That second blast intensified anxiety in an already rattled city, following Monday’s bomb attack on a religious shrine in Bangkok’s commercial heart that cut down 20 people and wounded scores more. Authorities have not ruled

LOOKING FOR CLUES: NATO soldiers work at the site of a car bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan on Saturday. A car bomb outside a Kabul hospital killed at least 12 people and caused widespread casualties among Afghan civilians, although it appeared to have targeted a vehicle carrying foreign citizens, witnesses and security sources said. -Reuters

out a link between the two explosions. The shrine bomb killed mostly ethnic Chinese tourists from across Asia, and has left police scrambling to find the assailants. Police are convinced that the attack was planned and coordinated by a network and insist that their investigation is making progress despite days of unclear and sometimes conflicting statements.

National police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri confirmed that the new footage was being examined to decide whether the man dropping the package into the water near Saphan Thaksin pier was a suspect.

“We have to verify the information,” he said adding the situation

was “still confusing”. The unverified footage is time-stamped just a few minutes after Monday’s blast, which struck at 18.55pm (1155 GMT).

Man in the blue It shows the man in the blue Tshirt carrying something heavy in a plastic bag. He goes to the side of a footbridge, places the bag down and then uses his mobile phone.

Around a minute later he pushes the bag into the canal with his foot, kicking up a visible splash of water. The following day, shortly after 1:00 pm on Tuesday, an explosion went off in the canal, which is near a popular tourist pier, sending people scurrying for cover but causing no injuries. -AFP

tainous areas in eastern Hualien and Yilan counties expected to see torrential downpours.

Areas at risk Areas at risk included the hot spring town of Wulai that was devastated by Typhoon Soudelor just two weeks ago. The popular tourist destination is still struggling to repair roads damaged by mudslides and the town remains cut off from regular water and power supplies. Wulai residents piled large sandbags along the river to prevent flooding from the expected rains and local officials said may evacuate residents from at-risk areas. At least 1,700 tourists have already been evacuated from Taiwan’s outlying Green and Orchid islands.

Offices and schools have been closed there since Friday. Some ferry services and domestic flights have been cancelled, but international flights have yet to be affected. -AFP

S TA N D O F F

North, South Korea officials meet in bid to end tension SEOUL: Top aides to the leaders of North and South Korea held talks at the Panmunjom truce village straddling their border late on Saturday, raising hopes for an end to a standoff that put the rivals on the brink of armed conflict.

The meeting at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) village, known for its sky-blue huts and grimfaced soldiers, began soon after the deadline for North Korea’s previously set ultimatum demanding that the South halt its loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts along the border or face military action.

That deadline passed without any reported incidents. The negotiations continued after roughly three hours, according to the South’s Unification Ministry.

An exchange of artillery fire on Thursday prompted calls for calm from the United Nations, the United States and the North’s lone major ally, China. South Korea’s military remained on high alert despite the announced talks, a defence official said.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s national security adviser and her unification minister met with Hwang Pyong So, the

top military aide to the North’s leader Kim Jong Un, and Kim Yang Gon, a veteran official in inter-Korean affairs.

“The South and the North agreed to hold contact related to the ongoing situation in SouthNorth relations,” Kim Kyouhyun, the presidential Blue House’s deputy national security adviser, said earlier in a televised briefing. Pyongyang made an initial proposal on Friday for a meeting, and Seoul made a revised proposal on Saturday seeking Hwang’s attendance, Kim said.

The North’s KCNA news agency also announced the meeting, referring to the South as the Republic of Korea, a rare formal recognition of its rival state, in sharp contrast to the bellicose rhetoric in recent days.

“They need to come up with some sort of an agreement where both sides have saved face. That would be the trick,” said James Kim, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul.

“North Korea will probably demand that the broadcasts be cut, and they may even come to an impasse on that issue.” -Reuters

DIFFUSING TENSION: South Korean president’s national security adviser, Kim Kwan-Jin, right, shakes hands with the North Korean military’s top political officer Hwang Pyong-So. -AFP

A12

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FRANCIS WILKINSON «

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Millennium benchmark for Sultanate’s growth

Photo: Saleh Al Shaibany

S

ince the beginning of 2015, there has been a lot of talk about the first set of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), given that their time frame officially comes to an end this year. The MDGs were established by the United Nations at the beginning of the millennium, an important move to set benchmarks for all nations in an increasingly global context.

The media has been inundated with articles, debates and opinions which weigh out the results of these goals. As Omanis, I believe we need to measure the progress of our nation and society against these global benchmarks in order to plan the best way forward.

One very crucial MDG was to achieve primary education, and I am proud to see that between the years 1999 and 2012, enrolment in Oman’s primary schools has increased by an impressive 83 per cent. As of 2013, the net enrolment ratio was 98.4 per cent for boys and 96.8 per cent for girls, according to statistics published by UNICEF. Although we have made great strides in this area, in the coming years we must work still harder to bring this number up to a 100 per cent, as every child is entitled to a decent primary education, at the very least. Building on this goal, we must also work to grow the net enrolment ratio for secondary school, which is slightly lower at 93.9 per cent for boys and 93.6 per cent for girls as of 2013.

With regard to addressing the MDG concerning gender equality and women’s empowerment, the Sultanate of Oman has advanced well. We have evolved to increase women’s participation in both civil society and business, decreasing the gender gap over time and offering equal career opportunities, in both the government and private sectors. Formal legislation is in place today that protects women and enhances their opportunities, including the Civil Service Law for government employees and the Labor Law for the private sector. Now that we have such supportive systems and growing awareness about the importance of women’s empowerment, I anticipate that we will improve on our strengths in the recent future to further increase gender equality in Oman.

In reducing child morality, Oman has played an exemplary role, and is currently listed in UNESCO’s Education for All Global Monitoring

Report 2015 among Arab countries where child mortality has dropped by over 50 per cent.

Oman’s maternal mortality rates decreased by a remarkable 38 per cent between 2002 and 2008, according to the Oman Medical Journal.

Healthcare as a whole has registered significant improvement in Oman, in addition to reduced child mortality rates and enhanced maternal health standards. The Ministry of Health has encouraged private sector hospitals to upgrade, as well as stepup the establishment of hospitals throughout the country, thereby enabling residents with easy access to facilities and information.

Ensuring environmental stability was an important MDG, and with the establishment of the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) in 2004, we have put in place an organisation dedicated to this critical area. The ESO has worked actively to promote conservation and awareness about the environment across all sectors of our society.

Some creditable achievements by ESO include Project Shajar - dedicated to conserving Oman’s plant life and maintaining biodiversity, and the ‘no to plastic bags’ campaign that was launched across a chain of supermarkets back in 2008.

I see great opportunity here for Omani citizens to engage more closely with the ESO and determine how they can contribute to a healthy and sustainable environment. We are certain to see more initiatives in future that deliver tangible improvements and increased sustainability.

Indeed, Oman has a lot of work to do overall towards the next phase of development, although we are already witnessing marked progress across key areas. Given our accomplishments in the key areas that were defined by the United Nations at the turn of the millennium, it is reasonable to believe that we are moving ahead in the right direction. The MDGs are an effective benchmark and I recommend all Omanis use them as a reference point within their respective industries and contexts. A new development agenda has been announced in 2015, and I am certain it will play a defining role in shaping our future.

The author is the Chairman of National Bank of Oman and an International Advisor to the Brookings Instituition. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman.

READERS’ FORUM The success of this surgery a big hope for patients Congratulations to the Omani medical team at the Royal Hospital in Muscat for successfully performing the surgery to implant a device in the left atrial appendage of a heart patient, last week. I read that the new catheter procedure avoids open-heart surgery and the patient can lead a normal life just two days after the surgery. The success of this surgery is big hope for patients. — Rana Banori, Sur

Malala’s laurels will continue to inspire girls all across the world

Scan this QR code to send letters to the Readers’ Forum, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi).

Happy to read that Malala Yousafzai, the teenage education rights campaigner who came to Britain after the Pakistani Taliban tried to kill her, has scored high marks in national school exams. Malala’s achievement proves that where there is a will there is a way. Let Malala achieve more laurels and inspire girls worldwide to fight the odds and prove their mettle.

— Allison Stone, Muscat

Anti-immigrant sentiment is roiling the Republican presidential primary, with most candidates taking aggressive stands against illegal immigration and Donald Trump now raising the ante with a plan for stark limits on legal entry, as well bit.ly/goponusimmigration

FROM OUR ARCHIVES AUGUST 2000 Modernisation of industrial estates on anvil: PEIE MUSCAT: The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) mulls expansion, renovation and modernisation of some industrial estates. Mohammed bin Juma’a Al Ghylani, secretary general of the PEIE’s board of directors, said agreements have been made with consultancy firms to make the necessary designs and conduct studies in some of the existing estates.

TODAY IN HISTORY

India-Iran ties improve further

India’s decision to remove Iran from the list of countries in the restricted visa category is another indication of New Delhi’s resolve to reinvigorate its engagement with the country. The move will not only liberalise the visa approval process for Iranian citizens but also deepen partnership with Iran. Ties with Iran are vital for India’s economic and strategic interests.

India has to seize the momentum provided by the nuclear deal to step up energy trade with Iran.

— Zoya Butt, Muttrah

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PICTOGRAPH

OMANIS WORKING IN PRIVATE SECTOR As of July 2015

Female

Governorate

Male

24,490

Muscat

47,102

3,981

Dhofar

8,334

159

Musandam

941

737

Al Buraimi

2,730

3,149

Ad Dakhiliyah

20,686

9,749

Al Batinah

48,551

3,686

Sharqiyah

20,727

1,069

Ad Dhahirah

8,036

100

Al Wusta

1,080

278

Unknown

763

47,398

TOTAL

158,950

1794 France surrenders the island of Corsica to the British.

1944: The Dumbarton Oaks conference, which lays the foundation for the establishment of the United Nations, is held in Washington, D.C. 1968: Soviet forces invade Czechoslovakia because of the country’s experiments with a more liberal government.

1989: Voyager 2 begins a flyby of planet Neptune.

206,348 Source: National Centre for Statistics & Information

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

A13

SPECIAL

Some 80 per cent of the low-lying city was engulfed by filthy water that rose as high as 20 feet (six meters) after poorlymaintained levees burst. Tens of thousands of people were trapped when the city became a sweltering swamp

Recalling New Orleans horror: When buildings shook like speeding trains More than 1,800 people were killed after Katrina ravaged the US Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005.

Most of the deaths were in New Orleans SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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

CHICAGO: Ten years ago, my New Orleans hotel shook like a speeding freight train.

Hurricane Katrina’s deadly winds tore up roofs, yanked trees from the ground, and pushed towering walls of seawater miles past the coast.

I am still haunted by what I saw as the Big Easy collapsed into chaos. A dead man lay slumped in a chair outside the New Orleans convention centre, his elderly body covered in a yellow blanket.

A sea of hungry and thirsty people sat nearby, their faces sunken in defeat and despair as they waited day after day for help to arrive.

An exhausted mother limped barefoot across a metal bridge as she clutched her five-day-old baby and told me of a frantic escape across a plank and through a neighbour’s window as the floodwaters swallowed her home.

A squad of heavily-armed soldiers — who had been given shootto-kill orders — marched into the glow of our headlights as we drove through the pitch-black French Quarter. More than 1,800 people were killed after Katrina ravaged the US Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005. Most of the dead were in New Orleans.

Some 80 per cent of the low-lying city was engulfed by filthy water that rose as high as 20 feet (six meters) after poorly-maintained levees burst. Tens of thousands of people were trapped when the city became a sweltering swamp.

Supply trucks didn’t arrive with food and fresh water until the fifth day. Those five days felt like five years.

Rooftops barely visible Freelance photographer James Nielsen and I slipped out of our hotel not long after the eye of the storm passed on the morning of August 29, a Monday -- bracing ourselves against buildings as we looked for signs of damage amid the pounding rain and powerful wind.

The older parts of New Orleans — the French Quarter, Garden District and central business district — escaped the worst of Katrina’s wrath because they were built on higher ground.

So it took a few hours for us to understand how bad things were.

My heart sank when we pulled up behind an ambulance parked on a freeway overpass and I realized the triangles poking out of the water were rooftops.

We watched a boat pull up to a

FLOODED: A street in the northern part of New Orleans still lies under water, three weeks after hurricane Katrina hit the city in this picture taken on September 19, 2005. Ten years ago, Hurricane Katrina swept buildings off their foundations and deluged nearly all of New Orleans with floodwaters which rose so fast some people drowned in their homes. Those who made it to their rooftops or the relative safety of dry land waited days to be rescued as the Big Easy descended into chaos. Today, colourful homes on stilts have replaced many of the rotting hulks left behind after the low-lying coastal city in the southern United States was finally drained. - AFP file photo

LONG WAIT: A file picture taken on September 2, 2005, as Hurricane Katrina refugees wait to be

evacuated while a helicopter brings National Guard troops. - AFP file photo

nearly submerged house where an elderly man needed help getting out through his window.

We woke Tuesday to find that the water had risen even higher after a canal was breached.

Nielsen and I followed a military convoy to a bridge leading into the flooded Lower Ninth Ward, where I met the young mother and a woman who saw her husband get swept away by the storm surge as they tried to reach shelter.

We saw some looting in the French Quarter, but the mood remained relatively festive that day.

I found a restaurant that was serving warm beer and hot gumbo: the power was out, but the gas stove was still working and they wanted to cook up all their food before it spoiled. I spoke to residents with barbecues who were doing the same that night.

The mood darkened on Wednesday. People grateful to be rescued from their flooded homes had found themselves dumped at the

downtown convention center with no food, water, medical attention or functioning toilets.

Despair, desperation, fear A fire broke out in a looted shoe store on flooded Canal Street.

Hotels were kicking out their guests. Frightened, thirsty people fled rumours — mostly false — of mayhem and violence and camped out on the freeways under a punishingly hot sun.

A shell-shocked intensive care nurse told me how medical evacuation helicopters carrying babies were grounded by the sound of gunfire. Thursday was a nightmare.

I spent the morning talking to refugees on the freeway who kept asking me how the US government could send help across the world but could not manage to take care of its own citizens.

Then I waded through the foul floodwaters to check on the evacuation of the Superdome, a sports

arena used as an emergency shelter where 26,000 people had been trapped with scant supplies.

The stench of urine and feces was unbearable.

People were so desperate for help that babies were being passed forward over the throngs pressing up against the barricades to get out.

I wept at that memory this week and still cannot believe I saw it happen in America.

On Friday, a tough-looking sheriff ’s deputy broke down into tears as he told me of inmates who drowned in their cells or got caught in razor wire after trying to jump out of the flooded prison.

He could not understand why the deputies and their families were left behind to spend Thursday night on a freeway after the prisoners were evacuated.

While we were talking, a helicopter landed nearby.

Help had finally reached him. I stayed another week as the mili-

RESCUED: This September 1, 2005 file photo shows a baby carried above the crowd as people wait to leave the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. - AFP file photo

tary managed to restore order and evacuate all but the most stubborn residents.

Life-changing experience I have returned to New Orleans many times to report on its recovery from Katrina and then on the impact of the BP oil spill.

I even managed to learn to love the Big Easy.

But those first five days changed me. I was a cub reporter when my

editors sent me to cover Katrina.

I lost my faith in government and am still angry about the people who suffered or died because of the botched response.

I found my faith in humanity deepened by the countless acts of selfless bravery and kindness that I witnessed — like the man who spent days ferrying his neighbors out of the flood zone and wouldn’t waste a minute to talk to a reporter.

I never learned his name. - AFP

REFUGEES: New Orleans area residents, seeking refuge from oncoming Hurricane Katrina, as they wait

for officials to let them into the Superdome, which has been set up as an emergency shelter, in New Orleans, Louisiana in this photo taken on August 28, 2005. Ten years ago. Hurricane Katrina’s deadly winds tore up roofs, yanked trees from the ground, and pushed towering walls of seawater miles past the coast. People are still haunted by what they saw as the Big Easy collapsed into chaos. - AFP file photo

INUNDATED: Flood submerged New Orleans is viewed eights days after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in this picture taken on September 6, 2005. - AFP file photo

A 14

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AMPHIBIAN VEHICLES People drive amphibian vehicles at the start of the 9th Maritime Vehicle Meeting on Saturday at the technical museum at the former Russian airport Puetnitz near Ribnitz-Dammgarten, eastern Germany. — AFP/DPA/JENS BTTNER

PKK rebels urged to halt violence I STA N B U L / D I YA R B A K I R (TURKEY): The leader of Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish political party on Saturday called on Kurdish militants to halt a month of violence against the security forces “without if or buts”.

The comments were the clearest call yet from Selahattin Demirtas — the charismatic young leader of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) — for the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to agree an unconditional ceasefire.

“The PKK has to stop its armed attacks and bombings in the towns and the mountains without ifs or buts,” the Dogan news agency quoted Demirtas, 42, as saying in a speech in the western city of Izmir.

“There is no alternative for us,” said Demirtas.

Deaths must be stopped ““More deaths of Kurds, Turks, soldiers, guerillas and police must be stopped.” The government accuses the HDP of being the PKK’s political wing but Demirtas has repeatedly insisted that there is distance between the two organisations.

UK AIR SHOW

Seven killed as jet crashes into cars LONDON: A jet aircraft ploughed into several cars on a road near an airshow in southern England on Saturday, killing seven people, police said.

The Hawker Hunter fighter jet crashed onto the A27 road, close to an airport in Shoreham where the airshow was taking place, near the city of Brighton.

One person was being treated for life-threatening injuries and a further 14 people were being treated for minor injuries, police said in a statement.

Video footage posted online showed the plane in the process of executing an acrobatic loop before it hit the ground, causing an explosion which appeared to engulf some cars on a road.

“He’d gone up into a loop and as he was coming out of the loop I just thought, you’re too low, you’re too low, pull up,” the BBC quoted an eyewitness, Stephen Jones, as saying. “And he flew straight into the ground either on or very close to the A27, which runs past the airport.”

Media reports said the pilot of the plane was pulled from burning wreckage.

The crash happened at around 1:20 pm (1220 GMT).

The Hawker Hunter is a singleseater jet which was developed by Britain in the 1950s.

Seven people were killed when two planes practising for an air show collided in Slovakia on Thursday. A US Army parachutist died after he was involved in a mid-air collision with another parachutist at a Chicago air show last Saturday. — Reuters

It is unclear if Demirtas’ call for an end to violence will have any impact on the PKK, whose leader Abdullah Ocalan is serving a life sentence on a Turkish prison island.

With Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan now planning to call snap polls for November 1, the HDP is mindful of not putting off its non-Kurdish secular supporters who opted for the party in inconclusive June 7 polls.

The HDP then easily broke though the 10 per cent threshold needed to win seats in the parliament largely thanks to its success in expanding its support base.

The PKK has been staging daily attacks against the Turkish armed forces as the military keeps up air raids and operations against the group’s strongholds in southeast Turkey as well as northern Iraq.

Meanwhile, Kurdish militants armed with rocket launchers and assault rifles killed a Turkish army captain in an attack on a military outpost in the southeast late on Friday, the latest in clashes which have brought a peace process to the brink of collapse. — Agencies

Syria’s Zaina awarded for ‘courageous journalism’ The 30-year-old Zaina Erhaim is also the Syria project coordinator for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, an international organisation that supports journalists in countries undergoing conflict, crisis or transition

Zaina Erhaim, living in war-torn Aleppo, has trained about 100 citizen reporters from inside Syria, approximately a third of them women, in print and TV journalism

WASHINGTON: A Syrian-based journalist who has trained citizen reporters in the war-ravaged country has been named the recipient of the 2015 Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism, organisers said on Saturday.

The prize from Reporters Without Borders and Agence FrancePresse was awarded to Zaina Erhaim, who lives and works in Aleppo, Syria.

Over the last two years, Erhaim has trained about 100 citizen reporters from inside Syria, approximately a third of them women, in print and TV journalism, and helped establish new, independent newspapers and magazines in the country.

The 30-year-old Erhaim is also

HONOUR: Undated photo obtained from the PM Award organisation shows Zaina Erhaim. Erhaim, a Syrian-based journalist who has trained citizen reporters in the war-ravaged country has been named the recipient of the Peter Mackler Award, organisers said on Saturday. — AFP/PM AWARD-HO

the Syria project coordinator for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), an international organization that supports journalists in countries undergoing conflict, crisis or transition.

Force multiplier The work of some of her students has been published in major international news outlets. “Zaina Erhaim is a force multiplier of journalistic values in a country

torn by violence and irrationality,” said Camille Mackler, the Peter Mackler Award’s project director.

“We salute her courage, upholding professional ethics and bringing them to the service of those left to write history.” David Millikin, AFP’s director for North America, said Erhaim “embodies the ideals which the Peter Mackler Award was created to honour.”

He added that Erhaim “has done extraordinary work both in

training local residents and journalists who have become nearly the only first-hand source of news on the Syrian conflict and in supporting Syrian women living under siege.”

With the award, “we pay tribute to the courage of those in Syria who fight for the freedom of information,” added Delphine Halgand, director of Reporters Without Borders USA. The media rights group noted that Syria has been

the deadliest country for journalists since 2011.

“Facing harsh oppression, Erhaim is an outstanding journalist and journalism teacher,” Halgand said.

The award, named for the late Agence France-Presse journalist Peter Mackler, will be presented at a ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington on October 22.

The prize was created in 2008 to honor the memory of Mackler, who died of a heart attack that year at the age of 58. — AFP

UNPRECEDENTED INFLUX

Refugees break past police line into Macedonia GEVGELIJA (MACEDONIA): Hundreds of refugees broke through barbed wire fencing bordering Macedonia despite a heavy police presence Saturday in another dramatic chapter of Europe’s escalating migrant crisis.

And in Italy, rescuers scrambled to save up to 3,000 migrants from waters off Libya after the coastguard was deluged Saturday with SOS calls from 18 different overcrowded boats.

On the Macedonian border, police hurled stun grenades and used batons in a failed bid to stop the refugees from breaking through.

At least four people were lightly injured in the incident, an AFP correspondent reported.

Police appeared to regain control of the situation in about 30 minutes, stopping the flow of people with a dozen stun grenades.

Those who managed to cross into Macedonia rushed to the town of Gevgelija and sought taxis or other transportation toward Serbia on their way through the Balkans to the European Union border.

MIGRANT CRISIS: Macedonian police stand guard in front of migrants close to the border crossing between Greece and Macedonia, near the village of Idomeni, Greece, Saturday. — Reuters

Earlier Saturday hundreds of refugees seeking to reach western Europe arrived at the Greek-Macedonian border joining around 2,000 others who

have been stranded there since Thursday after being stopped by Macedonian police.

The refugees and migrants, who spent the night sleeping out in the

open despite heavy rain and chilly overnight temperatures, were allowed by the police in groups of about a dozen to enter the country, but that was not fast enough for exhausted people stuck for days in this no-man’s land, without proper shelter, food and water.

Meanwhile, the Italian coastguard Saturday coordinated a massive rescue operation at sea for an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people. At least seven boats - six Italian and one from Norway were involved in the operation to get the migrants safely off 14 overcrowded rubber dinghies and four other vessels.

More than 104,000 migrants from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia have landed at Italy’s southern ports so far this year after being rescued in the Mediterranean. Italian police said they had arrested six Egyptian nationals on suspicion of people smuggling following the rescue of a stricken boat on Wednesday.

Testimony from the 432 migrants on board suggest the vessel

had been packed with more than 10 times the number of people it was designed for, with many of the passengers, including a number of women and children, locked below deck. They had each paid the traffickers 2,000 euros for the passage from Egypt to Italy, according to statements given to police.

As the humanitarian crisis worsens, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has voiced concern over the deteriorating situation on the Macedonian border.

Not to close border Macedonian Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki assured UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres “that the border will not be closed in the future,” an agency statement said. It called on the European Union to “step up support for countries affected” by the movement of refugees and migrants in southeastern Europe.

Figures from the UNHCR show thousands of desperate people, most of them from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, have been pour-

ing into Greece on a weekly basis with the aim of travelling through Macedonia and Serbia to reach the European Union.

Some 42,000 people, including more than 7,000 children, have entered Macedonia since mid-June, the government in Skopje said.

Those stranded in makeshift camps inside the no-man’s land between Macedonia and Greece voiced feelings of desperation as some wandered through piles of rubbish, gazing towards the Macedonian border.

Overnight police had doubled the barbed wire fence at the border, while some refugees pleaded with them, shouting “Help us!” “It rained and many people couldn’t protect themselves.

One mother lost her daughter and was calling for her all through the night,” said Samer Moin, a 49-year-old doctor from Syria who crossed from Turkey to the Greek island of Halki, before managing to reach the Macedonian border.

“I’ve been here for days. I want go to Norway,” he said. — AFP

A 16

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

WORLD

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TA X O N O M I C A L I NJ U S T I C E

New monkey species emerges from Peru forest canopy shadows PARIS: For nearly a century the carcass of a small, reddish-brown monkey from South America gathered dust in a windowless backroom of the American Natural History Museum in New York City.

Like a morgue corpse in a drawer with the wrong toe tag, it was a victim of mistaken identity. No one realised during all those years that it was, in fact, a specimen of an unknown species.

That taxonomical injustice will be rectified at the end of this month when the newly-minted Latin name of the overlooked monkey -- rediscovered in 2013 during a jungle expedition through central Peru mounted by a Dutch primatologist -- is officially published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

To wit, Primate Conservation, a reference in the field. Then and only then, according to the rules of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, will Callicebus urubambensis, named for the river along which it lives, finally exist in the annals of biology.

The discovery of new primates,

Jan Vermeer, a member of that group and the man whose five-year quest brought C. urubambensis out from the forest canopy shadows.

EXOTIC SPECIES: An illustration obtained on Friday shows a Callicebus urubambensis or Urubamba brown titi monkey. -AFP

especially monkeys, is a pretty big deal. Excluding prosimians (those tiny tree huggers with freakily human-like fingers and saucers for eyes), only 21 new species have been identified since 2000, ac-

cording to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), whose Primate Specialist Group is the ultimate authority on these questions.

“Several of those are titis,” said

Mate for life The name titi is informally applied to 30-odd types of monkeys falling under the genus Callicebus, all of them indigenous to the South American jungle. Smaller than a domestic cat, titis mainly eat fruit, mate for life, and are known to adopt the infants of other couples when survival is at stake. Males generally take charge of raising the young, handing them off to females for nursing.

Vermeer, who is also the zoological director of a wildlife park in France, long suspected that there were additional species in the jungles of south central Peru apart from C. brunneus, named for its darker brown colour, and another monkey called Toppin’s Titi.

As part of his search for new species, Vermeer paid a visit to the American Natural History Museum in order to peruse the mon-

keys in its collection. One that was labelled as a C. brunneus caught his eye. “When I saw the specimen at the museum in New York in 2008, I began to have doubts,” he told AFP. “It didn’t quite look like what I expected.” Improbably, he launched his search on the Web. “The Internet is full of pictures of titi monkeys, often posted by tourists that have been in the jungle and who want to share their experience with the world,” he said.

When he noticed some from the region in question were also slightly reddish, like the one in the museum, he knew what he had to do.

His first expedition in 2009 -undertaken with a group of young Peruvian conservationists from

the NGO Proyecto Mono Tocon -was more for reconnaissance.

When Vermeer returned again in 2013 with Julio Tello-Alvarado, the NGO’s head of research, they spent several weeks before hitting pay dirt. “As soon as we crossed to the western side of the Urubamba River, we almost immediately discovered the new species of titi monkey,” Vermeer recalls.

A lucky encounter with a hunter who had just bagged one of these mystery monkeys allowed the scientists to confirm their hunch: they had, indeed, found a new species. C. urubambensis is probably not endangered, though the IUCN has not had time to make an assessment. -AFP

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If he was telling the truth ‘he is a 26-year-old

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

man of Moroccan nationality identified by the Spanish authorities to French intelligence services in February 2014 because of his connections to a radical movement’, said France’s interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve

PARIS/MADRID: A gunman overpowered by passengers on a train in France is known to European authorities as a suspected extremist militant if the identity he has given is correct, France’s interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve said on Saturday.

Two people were wounded in the struggle to subdue the Kalashnikov-toting attacker aboard the high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris on Friday. Two U.S. servicemen, one of whom suffered knife wounds, were among the passengers who stopped the gunman.

Cazeneuve said the man’s identity was not confirmed, but if he was telling the truth “he is a 26-year-old man of Moroccan na-

tionality identified by the Spanish authorities to French intelligence services in February 2014 because of his connections to a radical movement”. The man Spanish authorities had under surveillance left Spain for France in 2014, travelled to Syria, and then back to France, a Spanish counter-terrorism source said on Saturday.

In Spain, he lived in the southern port of Algeciras and appeared to have stayed in the country for about a year, the source said.

Cazeneuve did not mention any visit to Syria or France, only naming Spain and Belgium as the suspected militant’s places of residence, this year and last.

He said inquiries in collabora-

tion with other European authorities “should establish precisely the activities and travels of this terrorist”. French newspaper Le Voix du Nord said the suspect may have had connections to a group involved in a suspected extremist shooting in Belgium in January.

The Belgian government confirmed an inquiry but would not comment further. French authorities have been on high alert since January, when 17 people were killed in shootings by exteremist militants in and around Paris.

The attacker was armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle and an automatic pistol, both with accompanying ammunition clips.

He also had a box cutter knife.

Cazeneuve said the struggle started when a Frenchman on his way to the toilet tried to stop the man entering a carriage. The wounded U.S. serviceman, airman Spencer Stone of Lajes Air Base, Azores, was expected to be treated at a specialist hospital for people with hand injuries in the northern French city of Lille.

-Reuters

UNUSUAL EVENT

US probes mass die-off of 30 whales SEATTLE: US marine biologists have started probe into the mass die-off of 30 whales found washed ashore along Alaska’s southern coast this summer, nearly three times the region’s average for this time of year, a federal official said on Friday.

Since May 2015, the carcasses of 11 fin whales, 14 humpback whales, one gray whale, and four other whales of indeterminate species turned up along the western Gulf of Alaska, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA called it “an unusual mortality event” on Thursday, triggering a formal agency inquiry into the strandings that will bring together federal and local experts one team.

“While we do not yet know the cause of these strandings, our investigations will give us important information on the health of whales and the ecosystems where they live,” said Teri Rowles, a NOAA marine mammal health and stranding response coordinator.

A hypothesis for the cause of the deaths, NOAA fisheries spokeswoman Julie Speegle said, is they may be linked to a toxic algae bloom in the Pacific Ocean along the U.S. West Coast leading to the closure of shellfish harvests in Washington state, Oregon and California. -Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM S U N DAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

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Investors on local bourse lose OMR520 million this month STOCK MARKET FALL (Billion rials) July 30

Market capitalisation 7,000

of listed stocks,

6,558 6,090

6,000

excluding bonds, on

MSM 30 Index

5,000

the bourse dipped by

4,000

OMR519.55 million

3,000

— from OMR13.742

2,000

-7.14%

Market capitalisation

1,000

billion on July 30 to

-3.78% 0

OMR13.223 billion

13.7

Source: Muscat Securities Market

on Thursday

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Local and foreign investors on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) have lost a whopping OMR520 million in the last twenty-two days following a severe fall in share values as oil prices touched a six year low.

The local bourse plummeted 7.14 per cent or 468 points since the beginning of the month to close at 6,089.87 on Thursday, from as high as 6,558.18 points on July 30.

As a result, the market capitalisation (value of shares of all companies) of listed stocks, excluding bonds, on the bourse dipped

by OMR519.55 million — from OMR13.742 billion on July 30 to OMR13.223 billion on Thursday.

The reasons are not far to seek.

Crude oil prices in the interna-

August 20

LOSING CONFIDENCE: Most investors are losing confidence, resulting in dumping of shares across the board, and there is hardly any sign of an immediate recovery across the region. — Times file picture

tional market plummeted in the last couple of weeks, significantly impacting the government’s ability to meet development expenditure since 79 per cent of budget revenue comes from hydrocarbon resources.

Oman’s budget deficit for the first half of this year surged to OMR1,918.5 million, against a surplus of OMR250 million for the same period of 2014, mainly due to a plunge in oil prices.

Most of the Middle East markets plummeted last week in the aftermath of plunge in crude oil

prices, with panic selling gripping the Saudi bourse.

About $50 billion of market capitalisation has been eroded in Saudi Arabia so far this month as investors dumped stocks.

“The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets, including Oman, started falling with oil prices showing a sluggish trend. Regional markets and subsequently global markets started the decline,” Kanaga Sundar, head of research at Gulf Baader Capital Markets, told the Times of Oman.

“There was an outflow of funds

from GCC and Oman markets as well since foreign institutional investors started selling their stakes,” he added.

Institutional investors “Foreign institutional investors were net sellers during the period of market decline,” added S Suresh Kumar, head of research at Al Maha Financial Services.

Most investors are losing confidence, resulting in dumping of shares across the board, and there is hardly any sign of an immediate recovery across the region.

“We are going to see a volatile period in the coming months due to prevailing low oil prices,” said Sundar, adding, “The macro-economic challenges for regional economies will remain, which, in turn, will reflect in the market performance as well,” he further added.

Suresh Kumar said that oil price is near its bottom and there could be a growth in demand.

Crude oil (WTI), which is at $39.58 a barrel, must have lost approximately 20 per cent since the fall in prices started.

13.2

Graphics

Referring to the soaring budget deficit, Sundar said Oman government would be able to manage deficit with borrowed money and by transferring funds from reserves this year.

However, in the long run, the government will have to prioritise expenditure, besides coming up with long-term programme for deficit financing. “Budget for all Gulf Cooperation Council countries will be critical next year.”

Opportunity for investors Sundar also said that the global economy is likely to witness another round of economic slowdown, which will also impact the region. As share prices have touched a recent low, market analysts see it as an opportunity for value investors.

However, investors may divert their investment to real estate market in view of the uncertainty in equity market.

B2

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

MARKET Bank Muscat offers repayment holiday on baituna home finance First of its kind, limited period offer, grants customers an option to buy their dream homes and start repayment after six months

Times News Service MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of its commitment to facilitate a home for every family, has launched an attractive baituna home finance offer granting customers an option to buy their dream home and start repayment after six months.

The first-of-its-kind, limited period offer from the bank, is available for purchasing ready homes and apartments across

Oman. The add-on benefits include free home contents insurance worth OMR13,500. baituna facilitates access to prime residential projects in Oman as all leading property developers are associated with the bank. The attractive features of baituna home finance include low interest rates with maximum loan tenure up to 25 years for Omani customers. The low interest rate facilitates the best home finance deals in Oman. Citizens and residents can avail easy and conveni-

Said Al Badai, DGM (Branches) of Bank Muscat. – Supplied photo

ent credit approval across the bank’s 140 branches and dedicated baituna centres in the Sultanate.

Said Al Badai, DGM (Branches), said: “Bank Muscat is proud to launch the baituna home finance

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

offer with repayment holiday for six months which paves the way for one of the best finance options in Oman for prospective home buyers. The real estate sector is a major component of the national

economy and Bank Muscat is committed to extending all possible support to achieve the objective of a ‘home for every family’, especially youth.”

Insurance coverage “baituna home finance is aimed at offering citizens and residents easy access to mortgage finance, thereby contributing to revitalisation of the real estate sector and enhancing its role in the national economy. The attractive home finance will give a boost to the real estate sector and benefit citizens across Oman to fulfill their dream homes,” he added. baituna home finance offers convenient mortgage plans to suit everyone’s needs with simplified documentation, flexible repayment options, insurance coverage and processing across the bank’s extensive network of branches and dedicated centres.

Omani and GCC nationals can avail baituna finance for purchase and construction of new homes as well as land for residential use while expatriate customers can avail mortgage finance for properties in integrated tourism complex. The bank also undertakes refinancing of housing finance.

The baituna tie-up with leading property developers include The Wave Muscat, Al Argan, Bader Al Qurum, Bader Al Hamra, The Links, Dar Al Zain, Zain Properties, Yassmin Complex Taameer, Muscat Hills, National Mass, Vintage Modern, Evening Homes, Omani Homes, Palm Residence, Bait Yousif, Arabian Properties, Al Nujoom and Al Firdous.

Offering finance for a gamut of requirements, Bank Muscat fulfills the needs of people. Notable is the attractive short-term personal finance available at one of the lowest rates starting from 3.5 per cent.

C O R P O R AT E

Airbnb signs up 1,000 firms for business travel SAN FRANCISCO: Airbnb has said more than 1,000 companies have joined its new programme allowing business travellers to use the peer-to-peer-lodging service.

The San Francisco-based start-up shaking up the hospitality industry said it signed up 500 companies to its ‘Airbnb for Business’ programme within 24 hours of launch on July 20.

Now, more than 1,000 firms from at least 35 countries have integrated the programme into their corporate travel plans, it said.

“The corporate community’s response to our Business Travel program has been staggering and confirms our findings that business travellers increasingly want

to redefine the business trip,” said Marc McCabe, who heads the programme.

“The average business travel stay on Airbnb is 6.8 days, which shows how customers are looking for a mix of business and leisure, and often adding a weekend to explore a new destination.”

Among the companies joining the programme are online storage firm Box, which now allows employees to use Airbnb accommodations, available in more than 190 countries.

Facebook, Google, Salesforce and Eventbrite are also using Airbnb for corporate travel.

Airbnb allows people to rent a room or an entire home. - AFP

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

B3

MARKET MERGER

Ministry okays Ominvest and ONIC merger MUSCAT: Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday approved the merger between Oman International Development and Investment Company (Ominvest) and Oman National Investment Corporation (ONIC) Holding, according to a stock market filing.

As a result, ONIC has been de-registered from the records of the commercial registry of the ministry and its shares will be suspended from trading on the Muscat Securities Market.

As per the merger term, ONIC shareholders received 1.052 shares of Ominvest shares for every share held. - Times News Service W E B P O R TA L

Ministry speeds

up efforts for electronic transformation Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry is hastening to develop its complete electronic transformation through ‘The Invest Easy’ (One Stop Shop) web portal in order to rapidly execute all the business transactions and provide a higher level of accuracy in information exchange between the concerned bodies.

This mechanism helps the concerned officials take decisions based on high-quality data, handle the issue of the multiple registers for individuals and put an end to the clandestine trade. At the end of this government project, the electronic transactions will have covered all the procedures carried out by the Investor Service Department. This will have a great effect on improving the service level.

High-standard services Ali bin Sulaiman Al Hawsani, head of the database department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said the ministry, through ‘Invest Easy’ online portal, seeks to provide high-standard services to citizens, businessmen, investors and future businesses to complete their official dealings with the government. This comes in line with the Sultanate’s movement to become a competitive state that enjoys diversified and attractive investment climate and moves away from paper dealings to electronic services distinguished with speed, ease and transparency.

“Since the portal was launched, we noticed that the number of investors and visitors of the Investor Service Department has declined.” Al Hawsani said while the electronic dealings have notably increased,” Al Hawsani said.

Electricity sector gearing up to meet growing future needs Demand for energy in Oman, currently rising by 10 per cent per annum, is expected to grow by 11 per cent in 2020

MUSCAT: Electricity sector is expected to witness certain new developments that will help meet the growing demand for energy, currently rising by 10 per cent per annum and expected to grow by 11 per cent in 2020.

Oman Power and Water Procurement (OPWP) announced early this year that it intends to introduce new arrangements in the future for energy and water through independent producers.

These arrangements include introduction of energy market in 2017 when the existing long-term contracts, signed in the past with power plants, expire. The new system will be operational and will run in parallel to the existing system of long-term power procurement agreements.

The new arrangements also include a more flexible approach in concluding power purchase pacts on the part of the OPWP and will be aimed at enhancing competition among the existing and new plants.

The Sultanate’s electricity pro-

HIGH DEMAND: Oman Power and Water Procurement Company expects that the demand for electricity from the main grid during the peak hour will increase from 5,886 MW in 2015 to about 9,133 MW in 2020, an average annual growth of 11 per cent. – File photo

duction grew by 9.6 per cent in 2014 to hit 28,700 GW/H, compared to 26,200 GW/H in 2013.

The OPWP expects that the demand for electricity from the main grid during the peak hour will increase from 5,886 MW in 2015 to about 9,133 MW in 2020, an average annual growth of 11 per cent.

The power plants in the Sultanate currently produce 7,594 MW, after the operation of Sur Power Plant in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate early this year with a capacity of 2,000 MW. The main grid, which covers the northern parts of the Sultanate, has 11 power plants or power and water plants that produce together 7,200 MW. There are two more grids, name-

ly Salalah Electricity Grid in Dhofar Governorate and Rural Areas Electricity Company (RAEC) grid.

Power plants While the agreement with Al Kamil Power, which operates Al Kamil Power Plant with a capacity of 282 MW, will expire in 2017, the agreements with Al Ghubra Power and Water Desalination Plant in Muscat Governorate and Barka “1” Power Plant will expire in 2018.

As per the information, a new independent power plant that will produce between 2,850 MW to 3,150 MW will be set up in two phases: the first in 2017 to produce 960 MW–1160 MW and the second phase in 2019 to produce the

remaining capacity. Oman is also considering the construction of a new power plant in the wilayat of Duqm to meet the needs of the heavy industries projects that will be set up at Sezad.

In the field of renewable energy, the Sultanate started in 2014 the commercial operation of the first solar power plant in the wilayat of Al Mazyounnah in Dhofar Governorate, which produces 1,667 KW/H per day.

In July 2015, the Sultanate signed a contract to set up the biggest solar plant in the world that will produce 1,021 MW. The plant is a joint venture between Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and GlassPoint Solar Company.

Work is also underway at the wind power plant in Harweel in the wilayat of Shaleem abd Halaniyat islands to produce 50 MW. After completion of the construction work, the project will be managed by the RAEC. Studies point out that the sun rises over the Sultanate 342 days a year on an average. The Sultanate consumes 5,500 MW per year.

The solar energy can produce double this amount of power. — ONA

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B4

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

MARKET US banks have moved billions in trades beyond regulator’s reach trades overseas. By December of 2014, certain US swaps markets had seen 95 per cent of their trading volume disappear in less than two years.

Missing transactions reflected an effort

'The shadows that do you in'

by some of the largest US banks — including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley — to get around new regulations on derivatives enacted in the wake of the financial crisis

NEW YORK: This spring, traders and analysts working deep in the global swaps markets began picking up peculiar readings: Hundreds of billions of dollars of trades by US banks had seemingly vanished.

“We saw strange things in the data,” said Chris Barnes, a former swaps trader now with ClarusFT, a London-based data firm.

The vanishing of the trades was little noted outside a circle of specialists.

But the implications were big.

The missing transactions reflected an effort by some of the largest US banks — including Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, and Morgan Stanley — to get around new regulations on derivatives enacted in the wake of the financial crisis, say current and former financial regulators.

The trades hadn’t really disappeared. Instead, the major banks had tweaked a few key words in swaps contracts and shifted some other trades to affiliates in London, where regulations are far more lenient.

Those affiliates remain largely

MAKING A POINT: Mary Schapiro, chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, left, and Gary Gensler, chairman of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), prepare to testify at a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. — Bloomberg file picture

outside the jurisdiction of US regulators, thanks to a loophole in swaps rules that banks successfully won from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in 2013.

Lobbying blitz The products affected by that loophole include some of the most widely traded financial derivatives in the world — such as interest rate swaps, where a bank takes a fee for exchanging a variable-rate interest payment for a fixed rate with a client, and credit default swaps, a sort of insurance where one party, often a bank, agrees to pay another party in the event of a bond default.

For large investors, the products are an important tool to hedge risk.

But in times of crisis, they can turn toxic. In 2008, some of these instruments helped topple major financial institutions, crashing the US economy and leading to government bailouts.

After the crisis, Congress and regulators sought to rein in this risk, and the banks fought back.

From 2010 to 2013, when the CFTC was drafting new rules, representatives of the five largest

These are the shadows that do you in during a crisis, when there is almost always that link back to the core money centre banks at home Simon Johnson Adviser, FDIC

US banks met with the regulator more than 300 times, according to CFTC records.

Goldman Sachs attended at least 160 of those meetings. “Consistent rules around the world are better for investors and markets,” said Andrew Williams, a spokesman for Goldman Sachs.”That is what we advocated for then and continue to do so now.”

Many of the CFTC employees who were lobbied in these meetings went on to work for banks.

Between 2010 and 2013, there were 50 CFTC staffers who met with the top five US banks 10 or more times. Of those 50 staffers, at least 25 now work for the big five or other top swaps-dealing banks, or for law firms and lobbyists representing these banks.

The lobbying blitz helped win a ruling from the CFTC that left US banks’ overseas operations largely outside the jurisdiction of US regulators. After that rule passed, US banks simply shipped more

While many swaps trades are now booked abroad, some people in the markets believe the risk remains firmly on US shores.

They say the big American banks are still on the hook for swaps they’re parking offshore with subsidiaries.

This worries some regulators, who fear that Washington, in turn, will be on the hook for another bailout if these “too big to fail” banks are hit by a fresh shock — such as a rash of defaults in a recession. “These are the shadows that do you in during a crisis, when there is almost always that link back to the core money centre banks at home,” said Simon Johnson, an adviser to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which regulates government insured banks, and a former chief economist at the IMF. To be sure, some post-crisis regulations have reduced certain kinds of risktaking by major institutions, regulators and lawmakers say. Certain CFTC rules still apply to US banks’ operations abroad, such as requirements that swaps trades be reported to a central data centre.

Other regulators, such as the Federal Reserve, have jurisdiction over US banks’ global operations. Still, the banks’ victory on the swaps loophole leaves a concentrated knot of risk at the heart of the financial system. The US derivatives market has shrunk but remains large, with outstanding contracts worth $220 trillion at face value. And the top five top banks account for 92 per cent of that. In late 2010, the CFTC began drafting new rules regulating derivatives markets as mandated by Congress in the landmark DoddFrank Wall Street Reform Act. Lawmakers were doing an about-face: In 2000, Congress had passed a law barring the regulation of derivatives.

The notional value of derivatives holdings on banks’ balance sheets had ballooned from $88 trillion globally in 1999 to $672 trillion in 2008, when the financial crisis hit. Those barely regulated

products, including certain types of swaps, brought many giant financial institutions to their knees.

The Dodd-Frank Act required better reporting and record keeping to keep tabs on risk, and it implemented trading rules aimed at minimizing the chance that a collapsing bank would bring down others. The most commonly used swaps were required to be traded on an electronic exchange open to all buyers and sellers, much like the stock market is today.

The rules would make it easier for new competitors to enter the swaps-dealing market, worth an estimated $40 billion to $60 billion a year to the 16 large global banks that dominate the market.

Fees would fall — and most important to regulators worried about another meltdown, risk would be dispersed among more institutions.

In 2009, President Barack Obama tapped Gary Gensler, then 51 years old, to chair the CFTC. Liberals grumbled about Gensler’s résumé.The son of a cigarette and pinball-machine salesman in working class Baltimore, Gensler, at 30, had become the youngest banker ever to make partner at Goldman Sachs.

Among other jobs, he oversaw the bank’s derivatives trading in Asia. Later, as an undersecretary of the Treasury, Gensler helped push through the 2000 law that had banned regulation of derivatives markets.

Inside knowledge But he had an insider’s knowledge.

At Goldman, he had seen how US banks took advantage of differences in regulations in different countries.

London, for example, increased its appeal as a global finance hub, in part, by touting its “light touch” regulation to woo banks.

That practice — known as regulatory arbitrage — had a history of landing the economy in trouble.

AIG, a Connecticut-based insurance giant, buckled in 2008 under trades made by its office in London.

US taxpayers footed the bill with a $182 billion bailout. Gensler often told people how, at the Treasury, he was stuck with the task of briefing then-Secretary Robert Rubin about Long-Term Capital Management in 1998. — Reuters

US STOCKS

Emerging market worries prompt steep share sell-off NEW YORK: Steep selloff that pushed down the benchmark Standard & Poor’s 500 index five per cent over three days may say more about the outlook for emerging markets than US companies in the fourth quarter, fund managers and analysts say.

China’s economic slowdown, recessions in Latin American countries such as Brazil and Chile, and a breakdown in commodity prices — combined with a thinly-traded market as many investors become more focused on tide charts than trading terminals — are prompting traders to overlook improving US economic data, said Alan Gayle, portfolio manager at RidgeWorth Investments. “There’s a great deal of nervousness around the weakness in China, and that’s overshadowing the fact that the US economy is sound and the European Union economy is firming,” he said. Sales of existing US homes rose in July to their highest level since 2007.

US auto sales, meanwhile, are on track for their best year in a decade. Attention will return to those domestic metrics as the Federal Reserve begins its annual meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, next week. Investors will be looking for any signs that the central bank is increasingly worried about global issues or whether it is going ahead with what had been a widely-expected interest rate hike in September. The Fed has said its decision to raise rates will depend on data such as an improving jobs market and housing market. Should the Fed signal that it plans to raise rates, investor sentiment towards the United States and emerging markets may further diverge.

CLOSE WATCH: Investors will be looking for any signs that the central bank is increasingly worried about global issues or whether it is going ahead with what had been a widely-expected interest rate hike in September. - Bloomberg file picture

Minutes released on Wednesday of the central bank’s most recent meeting revealed Fed officials were concerned about “recent decreases in oil prices and the possibility of adverse spillovers from slower economic growth in China,” a detail which helped spark the selling.

At the same time, North Korea put its troops on war footing on Friday after South Korea rejected an ultimatum to halt anti-Pyongyang broadcasts. The prospect of war, or signs of more global worries, could further dampen US stocks in the week ahead.

The slowdown in China and other emerging markets such as Brazil is hurting commodityrelated companies, but it is not enough to affect either 2015 or 2016 earnings estimates for the S&P 500 as a whole, said Gina Martin Adams, equity strategist at Wells Fargo.

Second-quarter earnings rose 0.1 per cent from a year earlier, an

improvement from the expected decline of 3.4 per cent.

Low energy costs should benefit consumer discretionary companies, which Martin Adams expects to grow earnings by 12 per cent for the year, up from her previous forecast of eight per cent.

Mutual fund managers are also making bets on US companies that get the majority of their revenues from the domestic market.

The average large-cap fund is overweight in US-focused companies, including JPMorgan Chase, railroad Union Pacific Corp, American Express, and Comcast, according to research

by Goldman Sachs.

Martin Adams estimates the S&P 500 will reach 2,222 over the next 12 months, an 11 per cent gain from the 1,997 the index reached on midday Friday, after commodity prices bottom and earnings improve. “The direction of the market is ultimately higher,” she further added. — Reuters

B6

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

ROUND-UP Nissan unveils exciting seasonal offers on its wide range of sedans hanced by features like intelligent key push start button, ABS, EBD, BA, Vehicle dynamic control with Traction control system and xenon lights. Lastly, it comes with striking front and rear parking sensors and 6 SRS air bags.

In an effort to make Nissan vehicles affordable and accessible to all, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles has taken up this unique initiative

MUSCAT: Nissan from the house of Suhail Bahwan Automobiles introduces brand new seasonal offers on sedan models until October 16. Their exclusive vehicle promotions are enticing and oneof-a-kind promising unlimited benefits to valued patrons.

Nissan has a heritage of showcasing some of the most amazing benefits for its customers by introducing unique offers on its prestigious line up of vehicles.

In an effort to make Nissan vehicles affordable and accessible to all, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles has taken up this unique initiative, says a press release.

What’s on offer?

Auto enthusiasts can now avail exciting benefits on Nissan’s sedan range of vehicles as their seasonal offers include cash gift upto OMR1,000, free service for two years or 20,000km (periodic maintenance only), free registration, six years unlimited mileage warranty and easy and convenient financing options. Flexible EMI’s can also be tailor made for any individual requirement from in-house Auto Finance team.

Interactive social media Customers can also get unlim-

ited access to Nissan’s prestigious vehicle line up at the comfort of their homes or offices. Simply visit Nissan Oman’s Facebook page i.e http://www.facebook.com/Sbanissanoman or send an SMS to get updated information on any of the vehicles from the house of Nissan.

Product line-up The Nissan sedan range provides customers with a comprehensive product line-up and an opportunity to choose from. Nissan Oman’s world-class service facilities, equipped with state-of-theart diagnostic tools and trained manpower enable them to fulfil the promise of ultimate ownership experience towards their valued customers.

Nissan Micra The Nissan Micra1.5 litre engine aims to attract a wider audience with its contemporary good looks, eye-catching exterior colour range, spacious and fashionable interior, in addition to a powerful high performance engine and a range of other options to make city driving easier. The new keyless entry feature makes the Micra an appealing choice for its customers.

Key features of the new Micra include a characterful, sleek exterior design, eye-catching exterior colour range, user-friendly equipment and interior designed with convenience in mind, highly-versatile interior seat/stowage configurations, efficient, largest-in-class

1.5-litre engine, nimble handling with best-in-class turning circle – ideal for city driving, high levels of safety equipment including dual airbags, ABS, EBD & Brake Assist.

The new Micra with trim level ‘SV’ is available in Oman.

Nissan Sunny The Nissan Sunny SL Grade comes with a unique feature like the NissanConnect that uses hands-free technology, smartphone, and the Nissan’s display screen to help customers stay in touch with the outside world from inside their vehicle. It’s loaded with features and compatibility with a growing list of apps that allows customers play music, keep tabs on social network, and navigate any city like a local.

With the NissanConnect Apps, the car becomes a smartphone’s best friend. Music, information and the apps that keep car owners connected to the world all work together seamlessly through the audio system. And it keeps on getting better; the app alerts the owner with updates to the latest version, and the basic app package is free for the first three years.

Nissan Tiida The Nissan Tiida has won ‘Best Hatchback of the year’ in the ‘Middle East Car of the Year’ awards, bringing another prestigious trophy to the Japanese automaker’s bulging showcase. With dynamic styling looksand class-leading spa-

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

ciousness, the second generation of the Middle East’s best-selling compact hatchback has everything to build on the Tiida nameplate’s established success.

Nissan Sentra The Nissan Sentra focuses on class-above design standards inside and out. Automatic dual-zone climate control system with rear passenger air vents, navigation system, rearview camera, intelligent key and Push engine start, and leather seats on selected models are just some of the features Sentra introduces to the segment.

The models also come with exclusive LED headlights that make it a notch superior than the other models in its segment. However, all models benefit from the standard fitment of soft interior trims, and a wide range of safety equipment including dual airbags, ABS (anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake- force Distribution), and BA (Brake Assist).

Nissan Altima The Nissan Altima, which breaks new ground for the mid-size sedan segment is hands-down the most engaging vehicle in its class. And if you’ve never driven an Altima before, get ready to have your notion of a mid-size sedan redefined.

The Altima’s many new features, perhaps the one that stands out most is its ‘class above’ appeal.

The Altima’s exterior design starts with its wide, aggressive stance

and dramatic front end styling.

This technology allows owners to lock and unlock the door just by pressing the ‘Request Switch’ on the door while just simply carrying the key. Drivers can also open and close the trunk, and can start the engine without having to insert the key, making departure seamless. By cutting out the trouble of putting in the key, there is no need to search for the key inside a bag or pocket. It also eliminates the fear of accidentally shutting the key inside the vehicle or trunk.

Nissan Maxima The Nissan Maxima is a great fusion between a sedan and the soul of a sports car. And this combination of sports sedan styling along with ample comfort and luxury that the Maxima provides has made it a favourite among the youngsters in the Sultanate.

The breakthrough exterior design of the Maxima imparts a feeling of powerful driving motion which combines an aggressive stance and the powerful 3.5L, V6 engine with 290 HP/64000 RPM Xtronic CVT transmission. The new Nissan Maxima delivers quick acceleration and lasting euphoria with Paddle shifter, Cruise control and Bluetooth technology for a better driving experience. Taking into consideration the driver’s comfort, the vehicles comes with auto A/C with dual zone climate control, stylish sunroof and 19” alloy wheels. The vehicle is en-

A decade of promise Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is largely committed to supporting Nissan’s growth in the Sultanate through major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services in Oman. With a national network of more than 19 showrooms, 22 service centres and 35 spare parts outlets, SBA has further built upon its legacy of trust, excellent customer service and providing value for money to each of its customers.

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

Their showrooms are strategically located all across the country in Muscat, Sohar, Sur, Salalah, Shinas, Samail, Ibra, Ibri, Nizwa, Buraimi, Barka, Bahla, Jalan Bani Bu Ali, Seeb, Mabelah, Sinaw and Bidaya. This goes to show that Nissan Oman has been successfully growing in operations and is consistently spreading its network throughout the Sultanate of Oman.

Reliability of Nissan cars For every customer purchasing a Nissan vehicle, it is the beginning of a fulfilling experience as Nissan’s top class after sales service makes sure every customer is happy and satisfied. Nissan’s after sales service provider for all Nissan cars in Oman ensures customers get the advantage of factory trained expertise and genuine Nissan replacement parts always.

Customers can expect reliability and assistance, which will help retain Nissan’s performance and resale value for years to come.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

alizz Islamic inks financial Riyada’s Entrepreneurship agreement with MedcoEnergi Award team holds workshop MUSCAT: alizz Islamic bank signed a strategic financial agreement with Medco (Oman), subsidiary of PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk (MedcoEnergi), a leading Indonesian energy company, with focus on exploration and production of oil and gas.

The bank provided MedcoEnergi a guarantee under the Islamic finance principle of kafalah, favouring Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) for the Karim Small Field Project. alizz Islamic bank is the first Islamic bank to not only issue a sharia compliant guarantee for Medco favouring PDO but to also extend Islamic banking facilities to Medco throughout their history, says a press release.

The signing ceremony at Grand Hyatt Muscat held recently, was attended by Salaam Al Shaksy, CEO of alizz Islamic bank and Lukman Ahmad Mahfoedz, president director and CEO of PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk. The signing ceremony was also attended by Ehab Hashish, DGM-Head of Wholesale Banking of alizz Islamic bank and Faiz Shahab, director of International E&P Operation and New Venture of MedcoEnergi, alongside senior officials from PDO, Intaj, Biyaq Oil and Oman Oil Company Exploration & Production.

Commenting on the bank’s

support for a key segment of the Sultanate’s economy, Salaam Al Shaksy, CEO of alizz Islamic bank, said: “The Sultanate’s oil and gas industry continues to play a vital role as a key driver of the country’s economic development.

“Through our superior Sharia compliant financial solutions, industry insight, cutting edge technology and commitment to pro-active customer service, alizz Islamic bank is well positioned to finance the energy sector in the country. We are looking forward to working with MedcoEnergi and contributing to their success.”

Lukman cited, “We are very pleased with this agreement, that was done in relatively short time,

as it demonstrates our continuous commitment in enhancing InCountry Value for Oman. We look forward to working together with alizz Islamic bank, not only for KSF but also for other opportunity in the future. alizz Islamic bank offers a comprehensive suite of sharia compliant corporate solutions in various sectors and industries to meet the requirements for both short and long term banking businesses.

The bank provides guarantees based on the Islamic principles of Kafalah, including tender bonds, performance bonds, advance payment bonds, payment / financial guarantees, retention guarantees, and shipping guarantees.

MUSCAT: The organising committee of the Entrepreneurship Award 2015 recently held a workshop on the second edition of the Entrepreneurship Award at Hormuz Grand Hotel, Muscat.

The workshop was attended by senior representatives of public and private sector organisations, says a press release.

The Entrepreneurship Award is an annual event managed by Riyada, the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises.

The workshop discussed the new developments in the award and how the organising committee benefited from the feedback it received from last year’s edition.

In addition, main and sub categories of the award which cover both individuals and public and private institutions were explained to the participants.

The workshop was delivered

by Fahad Al Harthi and Abeer Abdullah, members of the organising committee.

During the workshop, the presenters explained the assessment processes and the value they bring to all participants and not only the winners.

“The assessment tools are of high standards and credibility as they are based on the European excellence standards.” Fahad said.

“The participating institutions

under the category of supporting organisations for instance, will be given a comprehensive evaluation of their activities; the strengths, weakness, and areas for improvement, which is an exercise that organisations usually pay good deals of money to do while they get it here as part of the assessment process of their applications for the award,” Abeer explained.

Earlier two workshops were organised on the award in Sohar and Buraimi as part of the regional awareness campaign.

The workshops were delivered

by Badriya Al Hinai, the award’s manager, and Abeer Abdullah.

In her presentation, Badriya said: “One of the greatest benefits participants get from the award is its comprehensive and professional assessment activity. The participants are given access to in depth findings and analysis of their activities that will help them develop their performance.”

“Through it is different activities, the award develops the capacities and skills of the Omani entrepreneurs,” added Al Hinai.

The workshop also highlighted the registration processes and how the applicants should fill the forms and submit the required documents though the award’s website www.theaward.om.

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Oman’s much awaited career, higher education expo EduTraC on Oct. 12 The three-day event will offer a strategic awareness opportunity to higher education and training providers to strengthen their presence in Oman’s vibrant education market

MUSCAT: Following the success of the first edition held in September 2014 the second edition of EduTraC Oman will be held from October 12-14 at Oman International Exhibition Centre.

The three-day event will take place under the patronage of Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of Civil Services and Ministry of Manpower, says a press release.

As Oman’s investments on higher education and training continue to grow, EduTraC Oman will provide a direct gateway and an ideal platform for leading local and foreign universities and training institutions to network with students, parents and working executives interested in education and training at all levels.

The expo will offer a strategic awareness opportunity to higher education and training providers to strengthen their presence in

Oman’s vibrant education market.

The expo will also feature a pavilion for job seekers to meet HR personnel from different industry sectors, associations, government organisations and private sector companies who will promote the available on-the-job training and

job vacancies for prospective candidates. A dedicated pavilion for banking and finance institutions will provide an excellent opportunity to job seekers interested in hunting job opportunities in banking and finance sector and young entrepreneurs in obtaining financ-

R OA D S A F E T Y I N I T I AT I V E

ing information to start their new business as well as for the needs of their existing business.

Commenting on the upcoming expo Said Amur Al Rahbi, director of Qualifications, Equivalence and Recognition at Ministry of Higher Education, said, “EduTraC Oman has established as the benchmark event and the Ministry of Higher Education is delighted to organise the second edition under its patronage. EduTraC Oman, a much anticipated education exhibition will gather professionals from the global education domain and representatives from reputed universities under one roof opening doors of opportunity for students wanting to study in local and international universities.”

Salim Omar Al Hashmi, chairman, Al Nimr Expo acknowledged his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Higher Ed-

ucation, Ministry of Civil Services and Ministry of Manpower to come forward and support this important event. He also expressed his gratitude to the supporters and sponsors at EduTraC Oman. More than 150 organisations including universities, colleges, training institutions and companies from different countries are participating, he concluded.

EduTraC Oman is organised by Al Nimr International Exhibition Organisers – Sultanate’s leading organiser in the exhibitions and conferences industry. The threeday event will be open for visitors from Monday October 12 from 10am to 1pm and 4:30pm to 9pm until Wednesday October 14. A series of lectures, presentations and workshops will be organised on the sidelines of the exhibition at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.

R E N O VAT I O N

Costa Coffee at Shatti now wears a fresh, modern look

‘Tell A Friend’ campaign celebrates success at Salalah Tourism Festival SALALAH: Organisers of the nationwide ‘Tell A Friend’ road safety campaign spearheaded by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) engaged with almost 1,000 visitors at the Salalah Tourism Festival.

Over a six-day period, around 150 members of the public visited the campaign stand each day to learn more about staying safe on Oman’s roads. The stand offered a mixed programme targeting all age groups which included live discussions, competitions and short plays, says a press release.

On average, 100 people each day also tried out a seatbelt convincer machine which simulates

the impact of a slow-speed traffic accident, and campaign volunteers gave away free child car seats to a number of parents attending the event.

Strong interest Munira Al Balushi, coordinator, Tell A Friend Campaign, said: “We were delighted with the strong interest in road safety shown by visitors to our stand at Salalah.

‘Tell A Friend’ is all about engaging hearts and minds so people can learn more about driving their cars in a safe, respectful manner, maintaining their vehicles properly and ensuring motorists and

I TA L I A N R E S TAU R A N T

Trattoria pasta festival to tantalise your taste buds MUSCAT: Trattoria, an Italian Restaurant located at Al Assalah Towers in Ghubra, Muscat will be conducting ‘Pasta Festival’ from August 25 to September 5.

A new short and crisp menu has been made especially for this festival which is being organised in-house comprising the following categories: chicken, meat, vegetable, cheese and seafood, says a press release.

“Altogether, there are more than 12 varieties of pasta which are favourite and popular among the customers in addition to the special pastas that will be served to all the guests during this festival. These pastas will be served right from the pan on to your table. Our Italian Chefs have com-

bined the finest pasta with simple but special sauces to tantalise your taste buds.

It will be a family, friendly and affordable event,” stated Lawrence D’sa, general manager of Four Seasons Tourism.

passengers behave responsibly, by wearing seatbelts, for example – and then raising awareness by passing on what they have learned. It is clear from our engagement with the public that momentum is growing behind the campaign and that people want to do more to make sure Oman’s roads become safer and reduce the terrible casualty toll.”

The five-year ‘Tell A Friend’ campaign was officially launched

by PDO in Muscat in January 2013 with the aim of lowering the number of road accidents in the Sultanate. It targets important areas of road safety such as re-

sponsible driving, speed management, vehicle safety, proper seat belt usage and fatigue and has used a multi-media approach, including television, cinema, radio, newspapers, Facebook and Twitter to get its message across to all generations.

The ‘Tell A Friend’ campaign roadshow has travelled all over the country including to Ibri, Nizwa, Khasab, Shaleem and Al Jazir.

At Salalah, PDO also erected a mobile Planetarium next to the ‘Tell A Friend’ stand which attracted more than 1,200 visitors to almost 40 shows.

MUSCAT: London’s favourite coffee shop welcomes you back to its new and improved store at Shatti.

Costa Coffee at Shatti now presents a more modern and fresh look with its new store design.

In an independent survey of 5,000 people published in December 2014 by Allegra Strategies, 50 per cent of Londoners voted Costa their favourite coffee shop brand, says a press release.

A team of professional baristas is behind the counter to prepare and serve your choice of handcrafted coffee hot or shaken with ice, all created by using Costa’s

famous Mocha Italia coffee blend.

Now you can also create your own cupful of indulgence. Costa has launched the all-new Frostino — the indulgent, cool and creamy iced blended drink you can design to fit your mood, with a range of delicious toppings and extras.

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Top Indian builders at Home Fair The two-day expo, starting on Sept. 4, is presented by HDFC, India’s largest home loan bank

MUSCAT: India’s top and reputed builders will be participating in this year’s India Home Fair, which will be held here at Al Falaj Hotel from September 4. The two-day exhibition is presented by HDFC,

India’s largest home loan bank, says a press release.

“For the benefit of Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in the Sultanate, we have roped in all the major builders from various states in India. They will be showcasing their projects which are already completed and those projects which are in the pipeline.

“Besides, the presence of HDFC as the lead supporter also ensures customers the benefits of hasslefree home loan facilities. The participation by major builders with their projects spread over different states ensures a pan-India presence at the exhibition.

“While selecting the builders, we had taken special care so that only those developers who have

a reputed name in the market are allowed to participate in this exhibition,” said Abhimanyu Kukreja, Oman Country head of HDFC. Some of the major builders who will take part in the annual exhibition at Al Falaj Hotel include Godrej Properties, Tata Homes,

Hiranandani, Kalpataru, Brigade Group, Puravankara, Shoba, Omkar, Crescent Calicut, Fortuna, to name a few. Another attraction of this year’s exhibition is the presence of all the major builders from Kerala state, who have projects in all the major cities like Kochi and

Trivandrum, Calicut, Kottayam in the state.

Established in 1990, Godrej Properties is the first real estate company in India to have ISO certification. With projects spread all over the country, the company’s upcoming development covers over 8 million square metres.

Shoba Developers, which is a house-hold name, is also participating in the India Home Fair Exhibition. With over 35 years of operational experience, Shoba Developers made a sea change to the real estate sector in India.

Another major real estate developer participating in this year’s fair is Hiranandani, which has pioneered newer technologies, bold design and precision engineering

to create landmark residential townships and commercial complexes. Hiranandani has got the AA ratings by Crisil, the highest ever rating given to any real estate company in India.

Kalpataru is another builder which is showcasing its projects at India Home Fair. Some of its projects include in Mmubai include Kalpataru Aura, Kalpataru Avana, Kalpataru Crest, Kalpataru Inspire, Kalpataru Pinnacle, Kalpataru Radiance and Primus Court.

Kerala’s well-known real estate major Crescent Group is also taking part in the exhibition. The group has projects such as Crescent Zinnia, Crescent Tulip, Platinum Crescent, and Crescent Aster at the property event in Muscat.

S AV I N G S S C H E M E

ahlibank picks MyHassad daily winners MUSCAT: ahlibank has announced the names of the MyHassad daily prize draw winners.

Mohammed Abdulla Mohammed Al Kindi from Nizwa branch, Ahmed Abdulla Salim Al Balushi from Barka branch, Salim Said Al Bakhet Fadhil from Salalah branch, Amal Yousuf Ahmed Al Raisi from Main Branch and Mohammed Khamis Fadhil Al Fazari from Sohar branch were the lucky

winners of OMR 1,000 each for the week, says a press release.

MyHassad savings account continues to successfully satisfy the existing customers and attract new ones.

MyHassad Saving Scheme was introduced in July 2008 as an extension of the bank’s tradition of product innovation. Opening MyHassad Saving account is simple and easy.

Customers need only to open their MyHassad account with OMR100 for their chance to win OMR1,000 in the next working day’s draw hence their chance to “open today and win tomorrow” continues. Further enhancements in March 2009 allows customers to participate in the OMR10,000 monthly draw, by maintaining a minimum OMR250 during the month.

C A R N I VA L

OAB conducts 1st regional draw at Salalah Festival SALALAH: Oman Arab Bank (OAB), the main sponsor for the Salalah Tourism Festival 2015, conducted its first regional draw, along with its segment draws for children and females recently, in the theatre site at the Salalah Tourism Festival in the presence of customers, general public, OAB senior management and staff.

The exciting and fun-filled evening was well attended by over 500 guests. The vibrant and entertaining venue attracted large crowds to join and enjoy OAB’s carnival activities at the Salalah festival, says a press release.

The main highlight of the evening was the OAB Hassad first regional draw of OMR20,000 for one lucky customer. Five female winners receiving OMR1,000 each and 10 child account holders receiving OMR500 each were also among the lucky winners that evening.

All guests eagerly waited to witness the draw proceedings, which declared the lucky winner of OMR20,000 among the other segments.

The Hassad Carnival showcased an integrated entertainment programme that included a live traditional band, Asian act, magic show, football talent performance along with several diverse competitions for children and adults alike.

Numerous gifts were given at the event, which were well received by the guests along with cash prizes for the children that participated in the event’s competitions and games. Ten cash prizes of OMR50 each were given to the winners of the competition to help them start their future savings with Hassad savings account at OAB. Speaking on the occasion of the first regional draw conducted at the Salalah Tourism Festival, Hanaa bint Fahd Al Hinai, assistant general manager, head of Wealth Management, Liabilities & Bancassurance, said: “OAB takes pride in organising exciting

OAB takes pride in organising exciting events for the community, as the bank believes it is very important to provide opportunities for customers to meet and interact in a casual and fun atmosphere Hanaa Al Hinai Assistant general manager, head of Wealth Management, Liabilities & Bancassurance

events for the community, as the bank believes it is very important to provide opportunities for customers to meet and interact in a casual and fun atmosphere. OAB carnivals deliver to our customers and the public the perfect fun and entertaining evening out with family and friends.”

The event was held in the presence of Hanaa and Ahmad bin Amer Al Kharusi, head of Branches along with OAB Dhofar regional and branch managers, in addition to Oman Arab Bank staff and general public at the Salalah tourism Festival.

OAB is a leading bank in Oman where it owns a wide network of branches consisting of 67 branches and 120 ATMs and CDMs spread over the various provinces of the Sultanate.

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HAMILTON SECURES POLE LE WITH FLAWLESS LAP Double world champion Lewis Hamilton on clinched the Formula One pole trophy at ith a the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday with ing flawless lap to take top slot on the starting grid for the 10th time in 11 races. >C4

Farah makes history as sprint rivals Bolt, Gatlin flex muscles Farah’s victory was his sixth consecutive global track distance title, an unprecedented feat that saw him better the likes of Ethiopian legends Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie

BEIJING: Mo Farah made history defending his 10,000m title at the World Athletic Championships on Saturday as sprint arch-rivals Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin flexed their muscles to advance easily to semifinals of the 100m.

Farah’s victory was his sixth consecutive global track distance title, an unprecedented feat that saw him better the likes of Ethiopian legends Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie.

“It’s nice to be known as someone who has won the most medals for my country,” Farah said. “It’s great to make history.”

The 32-year-old, who clocked 27 minutes and 01.13 seconds for gold ahead of Kenyans Geoffrey Kamworor (27:01.76) and Paul Tanui (27.02.83), will have a chance to make it seven global titles in the 5,000m, scheduled for next Saturday. Farah, known for his blistering last-lap pace, made his move with 500m to go, moving slickly to the front and peeling away.

Although tracked by the fast-finishing Kamworor and Tanui, the Londoner held on for victory that made up for his Bird’s Nest outing at the 2008 Olympics, when he failed to qualify and suffered what he described as the “biggest disappointment” in his career.

The comprehensive win will also help Farah bury some headlines he made for all the wrong reasons in recent months, with his renowned American coach Alberto Salazar accused of violating several anti-doping rules.

WHOOPS AND BOOS: Usain Bolt, top, and his rival Justin Gatlin were greeted in contrasting styles by fans durig 100m heats on Saturday. – Agencies

IN ELITE COMPANY: Britain’s Mo Farah celebrates after winning the men’s 10,000m race at at the World Athletic Championships at the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium in Beijing on Saturday. – AFP

Salazar has strenuously denied all the accusations against him and Farah, who was not accused of any wrongdoing, has vowed to stick by his coach unless any allegations are proven.

“It hasn’t been an easy year, but it’s nice to get the team started well,” acknowledged Farah.

Sailed into semis Sprint rivals Bolt and Gatlin sailed into the semifinals of the men’s 100 metres.

Boos rang round a packed Bird’s Nest when Gatlin, who has served two doping bans, was introduced to the crowd over the loudspeaker.

But the 33-year-old American roared home in the fastest qualifying time of 9.83 seconds while defending champion Bolt, greeted with whoops at the stadium in which he took the world by storm at the 2008 Olympics, cruised home

in a very comfortable 9.96 seconds.

The semifinals and final are scheduled for Sunday and Bolt was under no illusion what was in store.

“I know tomorrow, just watching the guys and how fast they’re running, the semifinals are going to be pretty fast,” said the towering Jamaican, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Friday.

“I know Gatlin was running very easy but that is how it is. I’m not worried, I want to get faster in the semifinal and get something more in the final.”

Gatlin, who has clocked the quickest time in the world this year of 9.74, added: “I’m not going to lie. When it gets to the finals I’m going to go out there and execute my race and see what happens.”

Such has been Bolt’s complete dominance of sprinting since 2008 that astonishingly the only time he has failed to land a major title

BARAKAT RECORDS SEASON’S BEST BUT FAILS TO QUALIFY Omani sprint ace Barakat Al Harthi achieved his season’s best time but failed to advance from the 100m Heats at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Beijing on Saturday.

Running in Heat 4, Barakat clocked 10.24 seconds for his season’s best time but finished fifth in the heat, from which Trayvon Bromell (9.91) of U.S., Chijindu Ujah (10.05) of Great Britain and Julian Reus (10.14) of Germany qualified for the semifinals. Earlier in the day, Barakat was quick of the blocks while taking part in the preliminary round and won the race in 10.31 seconds to make it to the first round heats. — Reuters

was when he was disqualified for a false start in the 100m in Daegu four years ago.

With allegations of widespread doping engulfing athletics, his showdown with the sport’s pantomime villain Gatlin is being viewed by some as a symbolic struggle of light versus dark.

Asked about Bolt shutting his race down at around 60 metres and coasting to the finish, Gatlin shrugged: “You look at Bolt, he did the same thing in 2012 (at the London Olympics). He ran kind of slow in the first round, picked up in the semis and crushed it in the final.”

German, Eritrean gold The first of the three golds on offer went the way of unheralded Eritrean teenager Ghirmay Ghebreslassie, who stormed to a shock victory in the men’s marathon.

In hot, clear conditions, Uganda’s defending champion Stephen Kiprotich could only finish sixth as 19-year-old Ghebreslassie took the lead on the 36km mark and saw off pressure from Ethiopian Yemane Tsegay for a memorable win in two hour, 12 minutes and 27 seconds.

“This is my first gold medal in my first marathon championship,” said the Eritrean, winning his country’s first-ever gold and crowned the youngest ever world marathon winner in just his fourth race.

In the absence of New Zealand’s four-time world champion Valerie Adams, Germany’s Christina Schwanitz claimed victory in the women’s shot put, a best of 20.37 metres trumping early leader and home hope Gong Lijiao.

The Chinese thrower sealed silver this time around with 20.30m, American Michelle Carter taking bronze (19.76). - AFP

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‘Invincibles’ opener Morris dies aged 93

KEY WICKET: Australia’s Steve Smith, second right, celebrates after dismissing England captain Alastair Cook at The Oval on Saturday. – Reuters

Smith ends Cook stay, Australia eye victory SCOREBOARD

England captain Alastair Cook made a brave 85 before falling to Steve Smith shortly before the close and the touring side, 129 runs ahead, need four more wickets to end the

Australia 1st innings: 481 England 1st innings: A. Lyth c Starc b Siddle 19 A. Cook b Lyon 22 I. Bell b Siddle 10 J. Root c Nevill b Marsh 6 J. Bairstow c Lyon b Johnson 13 B. Stokes c Nevill b Marsh 15 J. Buttler b Lyon 1 M. Ali c Nevill b Johnson 30 S. Broad c Voges b Marsh 0 M. Wood c Starc b Johnson 24 S. Finn not out 0 Extras (b-1, lb-7, nb-1) 9 Total (all out, 48.4 overs) 149 Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-46, 3-60, 4-64, 5-83, 6-84, 7-92, 8-92, 9-149.

Bowling: Starc 8-3-18-0; Johnson 8.4-4-21-

3; Lyon 10-2-40-2; Siddle 13-5-32-2; Marsh 9-2-30-3 (nb-1).

England 2nd innings (following-on) A. Lyth c Clarke b Siddle 10 A. Cook c Voges b Smith 85 I. Bell c Clarke b Marsh 13 J. Root c Starc b Johnson 11 J. Bairstow c Voges b Lyon 26 B. Stokes c Clarke b Lyon 0 J. Buttler not out 33 M. Wood not out 0 Extras (b-5, lb-14, w-5, nb-1) 25 Total (6 wkts, 79 overs) 203 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-62, 3-99, 4-140, 5-140, 6-199.

Bowling: Johnson 13-2-51-1; Starc 14-4-320 (nb-1); Lyon 25-5-52-2; Siddle 16-10-14-1; Marsh 10-4-28-1 (w-5); Smith 1-0-7-1.

series on a high after relinquishing the urn

LONDON: Australia reduced England to 203 for six to move to the brink of a consolation victory on the third day of the final Ashes Test at The Oval on Saturday.

England captain Alastair Cook made a brave 85 before falling to Steve Smith shortly before the close and the touring side, 129 runs ahead, need four more wickets to end the series on a high after relinquishing the urn. England,

following on 332 runs behind, lost Adam Lyth (10), Ian Bell (13) and Joe Root (11) cheaply in warm sunshine in south London.

Jonny Bairstow made 26 but he and Ben Stokes (0) fell in the same over from spinner Nathan Lyon to leave Australia on course to win inside three days.

Cook, however, had other ideas and he and Jos Buttler added 59 to give the hosts an outside chance of saving the match with rain forecast over the next two days.

Just 15 runs short of his first century of the series, Cook pushed tentatively forward to part-time

leg-spinner Smith and Voges pouched the catch at short leg to end the England captain’s fivehour stay at the crease.

Fire-up Aussies Australia’s fired-up pace attack had ripped through England’s top order. Lyth was caught by Michael Clarke at second slip off Peter Siddle, continuing a wretched run of form for the England opener who will surely be dropped after failing to pass fifty in the series.

Bell never looked comfortable before fending a snorting delivery from Mitchell Marsh to captain Clarke.

Root also struggled to cope with Australia’s pace attack and hooked a short ball from Mitchell Johnson to Mitchell Starc at long leg.

Cook took 27 balls to score his first run and batted with watchful intent, determined to avoid a repeat of the collapse England suffered on Friday when they lost seven wickets in the evening session.

He was quick to punish the rare bad balls, however, and hit nine fours on the way to a half century off 119 deliveries. Bairstow rode his luck in a stand of 41 with Cook but he was deceived by a ball from Lyon which bounced awkwardly and was well caught at the second attempt by Voges at short leg.

Stokes survived only four deliveries before tamely edging Lyon to Clarke at slip.

Buttler was 33 not out at the close with Mark Wood on nought.

Earlier, Moeen Ali and Wood extended their ninth-wicket partnership in England’s first innings to 57 with a flurry of boundaries in the morning. Wood struck six fours in his 24 before he attempted to pull Johnson and spooned a catch to Starc at mid-on.

Moeen, England’s top scorer with 30, edged Johnson’s next delivery to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill to end the innings on 149 and Clarke, playing his final Test, had no hesitation in enforcing the follow-on. England lead the series 3-1. - Reuters

SYDNEY: Arthur Morris, one of Australia’s finest opening batsmen and a key member of Don Bradman’s ‘Invincibles’ side, has died aged 93.

Left-hander Morris scored 3,533 runs in 46 Tests at an average of 46.48 and was named in Australia’s team of the century in 2000. It was the 1948 tour of England where Morris had his crowning moment, scoring the most runs as the “Invincibles” went unbeaten throughout.

The 196 he scored at The Oval, in the fifth and final Test of the Ashes series, was famously overshadowed by Bradman’s second ball duck in his farewell innings.

True great Morris was at the non-striker’s end when leg-spinner Eric Hollies bowled the Australian great, who needed only four runs to finish with a career batting average of 100.

“We have sadly lost a cherished link with our past,” Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards said in a media release on Saturday.

“Arthur Morris was a great man and one of the true greats of Australian cricket who until now had been a treasured connection to an

extraordinary era of the game.

“When Australia’s best openers are discussed his name will always be one of the first mentioned.”

Morris was the oldest of the two surviving members of the ‘Invincibles’. Neil Harvey, 86, another brilliant left-handed batsman, is the only remaining player from that tour squad.

Twin centuries Born in Sydney’s renowned beachside suburb of Bondi, Morris was the first batsman to score centuries in both innings of his first class debut as an 18-year-old for New South Wales.

His international career was stalled by the outbreak of World War Two but after the resumption of cricket in 1946, he made his Test debut against England in Brisbane and would score his first century in the third match of the series in Melbourne.

That breakthrough was followed by twin centuries in the next match in Adelaide. Morris, who captained Australia twice, would finish with 12 tons in his career, including an imperious 206 against England in the Adelaide test of the 1951 series. - Reuters

FOR DISSENT

Sri Lanka’s batsman Thirimanne fined COLOMBO: Sri Lankan batsman Lahiru Thirimanne was on Saturday fined 30 percent of his match fees for showing dissent after being given out in the second Test against India in Colombo.

The left-hander, who made 62, stood his ground for a “prolonged period of time before leaving shaking his head after being adjudged caught behind off Ishant Sharma” on the third day, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.

“Thirimanne was found to have breached article 2.1.5 of the Code of Conduct which relates to showing dissent at an umpire’s

decision during an international match,” the ICC said.

Thirimanne admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by ICC match referee Andy Pycroft, the ICC added.

The exact amount of the fine was not disclosed since players’ match fees are not made public.

Thirimanne added 127 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Angelo Mathews, before his dismissal triggered a collapse in which Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets for 65 runs. Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test match in Galle by 63 runs. - AFP

OMAN BLANK BAHRAIN TO ENTER SEMIFINALS OF GCC U-17 TOURNEY The Sultanate’s junior team blanked Bahrain in their second and final Group A match of the ongoing GCC Under-17 Football Championship in Doha on Saturday. The Omanis, who began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Kuwait on Thursday, defeated Bahrain 2-0 to top the group. Yacoub Al Sabahi-coached Omanis scored a goal in each half in their dominant victory over Bahrain. Nazi Al Gilani opened Oman’s account as early as 11th minute before Sanad Al Araimi put the match beyond Bahrain’s reach with a 70th minute strike. Bahrain are scheduled to complete their group engagements with a match against Kuwait on Monday. The championship semifinals are slated for August 27. The tournament concludes on August 28. — OFA

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

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SPORTS C O M M E N TA RY

India will have to live up to it’s intent of playing aggressively

India fight back after Mathews hits fine ton

I

ndia have given themselves a good chance of levelling the series by taking a healthy lead over the Lankans and with two more days play left they could win the Test match.

The pitch is still playing well and does not have the turn or the variable bounce that the pitch at Galle had, so it won’t be easy but pressure is known to make even experienced players do silly things and that is what the Indians will be hoping to get the Lankans to do.

Of course its important for them to bat well in the second innings too and score enough runs so that Kohli is able to declare and also give his bowlers enough time to bowl Sri Lanka out in the second innings.

The pitch seemed to have more of a bounce than on the first day when perhaps the moisture under the surface had made it slower and lower. Ishant was getting the ball to thud into keeper Saha’s gloves and even Binny bowling around the 125 kph speed was getting the ball to carry nicely to the keeper whenever the ball was a fuller length.

The pre-lunch session belonged to the Lankans and especially their skipper Angleo Mathews whose aggressive batting kept the scoreboard moving nicely.

That gave Thirimanne the confidence to take his time to settle down and play himself in and get a half century.

The second new ball was the undoing of Thirimanne as he went for a flashy drive off Ishant and was caught behind. Ishant then produced a snorter that had the first Test centurion Dinesh Chandimal taking evasive action and followed that up with the perfect delivery that left him ever so slightly and the resultant edge was taken on the second attempt by Rahul.

Amit Mishra then joined the party and cleaned up the tail capturing four wickets in the bargain. Angelo

SCOREBOARD

India 1st innings: 393 Sri Lanka 1st innings D. Karunaratne lbw Yadav 1 K. Silva c Ashwin b Mishra 51 K. Sangakkara c Rahane b Ashwin 32 L. Thirimanne c Saha b I. Sharma 62 A. Mathews c Vijay b Binny 102 D. Chandimal c Rahul b I. Sharma 11 J. Mubarak b Mishra 22 D. Prasad c Rahane b Mishra 5 R. Herath lbw Ashwin 1 T. Kaushal st Saha b Mishra 6 D. Chameera not out 0 Extras (b-2, lb-6, nb-5) 13 Total (all out, 108 overs) 306 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-75, 3-114, 4-241, 5-259, 6-284, 7-289, 8-300, 9-306.

Bowling: I. Sharma 21-3-68-2 (nb-4), Yadav 19-5-67-1, Binny 18-4-44-1 (nb-1), Ashwin 29-3-76-2, Mishra 21-3-43-4.

India 2nd innings M. Vijay not out 39 L. Rahul b Prasad 2 A. Rahane not out 28 Extras (w-1) 1 Total (1 wikt, 29.2 overs) 70 Fall of wicket: 1-3.

Bowling: Prasad 4-0-12-1, Herath 11.2-323-0, Chameera 4-0-14-0 (w-1), Mathews 2-1-1-0, Kaushal 8-0-20-0.

Mathews hit a glorious 102 to lift

Its important for them to bat well in the second innings too and score enough runs so that Kohli is able to declare and also give his bowlers enough time to bowl Sri Lanka out

Mathews’ superb innings was ended when Binny got the ball to move away and then asked the question of the umpire if he had overstepped the bowling mark which had deprived him off the wicket of Silva on the second day.

Fortunately he hadn’t this time around so his first wicket in Test cricket was that of the Sri Lankan skipper. It also came at a time when it was needed else the Lankan skipper could have taken his team closer to the Indian total.

India lost the first innings centurion Rahul early but Vijay and Rahane have batted well without taking too many risks. They will have to up the scoring rate if they are hoping to declare after tea time on day four and leave the Lankans around four sessions to survive.

The pitch is still pretty good to bat on so India will have to live up to it’s intent of playing aggressively with the bat to get enough runs for the declaration. - PMG

his team to a strong position before India turned the tables after a barren morning session

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews hit a century before India fought back to assume control of the second Test at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on Saturday.

The tourists, seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Galle, ended Sri Lanka’s first innings at 306 after tea on the third day in reply to their own 393.

India closed the day at 70 for one in their second knock, an overall lead of 157 runs with nine wickets in hand on the slow, wearing pitch that promises to help spinners on the last two days.

Murali Vijay was unbeaten on 39 and Ajinkya Rahane was on 28, the pair having put on 67 runs for the second wicket after Lokesh Rahul was bowled by Dhammika Prasad off the fifth ball.

The duo saw off the last five overs in fading light as play was extended by more than an hour due to a rain interruption after lunch.

Mathews hit a glorious 102 to lift his team to a strong position before India turned the tables after a barren morning session.

Sri Lanka, who started the day at 140 for three, were cruising at 241 for three soon after lunch when India hit back to take the last seven wickets for 65 runs.

The collapse started soon after Mathews notched up his sixth Test century with a reverse-hit boundary against off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra finished with four wickets, while seamer Ishant Sharma and Ashwin claimed two each.

“350 tough to chase” Mishra said any target over 350 will be tough to chase, but added

GLORIOUS CENTURY: Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews celebrates after completing his century during the third day of their second Test match against India at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on Saturday. – AFP

Indian bowlers will need a minimum of 100 overs to bowl Sri Lanka out a second time.

“It has started to spin a bit, but even now the wicket is good for batting because it is still a bit slow,” he said. “It is possible the pitch will be difficult to bat on the last day.

“Anything over 350 is a good target. Already the lead is more than 150, so another 200-250 runs will make it a very good total. You need at least 100 overs to bowl them out.”

Mathews and his overnight partner Lahiru Thirimanne batted through the morning session to put on 127 for the fourth wicket before Sharma claimed two wickets in the space of three overs with the second new ball after the break.

Sharma had left-handed Thirimanne caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha for 62 and then dismissed first Test hero Dinesh Chandimal for 11, caught at second slip by Rahul.

Thirimanne admitted Sri Lanka “threw away” the advantage after a good start, but said the door was not shut for the hosts in the match.

“As the day went on there was some turn for the spinners, but when they took the second new ball we threw away the advantage by losing quick wickets,” he said.

“We knew we had to get a 350plus score in the first innings but we couldn’t do that. It happens in cricket. Hopefully we can get some early wickets tomorrow morning and restrict the Indians.”

All-rounder Stuart Binny, who was added to the touring squad before this match, claimed his first success after going wicketless in three previous Tests when he forced Mathews to edge a catch to the slips.

Mathews, one of modern cricket’s leading all-rounders, followed his fine spell of two for 24 in 15 overs of steady medium-pace bowling during India’s innings with a century that was studded with 12 boundaries. Sri Lanka, who went to tea at 298-7, lost their last three wickets for the addition of eight runs, with Mishra taking two of those wickets. - AFP

BOXING

Mary Kom determined to win gold at Rio Olympics MUMBAI: Five-time World boxing champion M.C. Mary Kom claims she is physically and mentally determined to win gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, fulfilling the expectations of her country.

Mary Kom, the only Indian boxer to have a bio-pic made on her, also said after her retirement post the Olympics, she wants to invest her experience in training talented youths to create boxers like herself.

Mary Kom, who bagged a bronze in the flyweight (51kg category at the 2012 London Olympics, has already announced her decision to quit after the Rio mega event.

“I am back to my normal shape and ready physically and mentally.

I am determined to clinch gold this time and this way I will fulfill the expectation of millions of people,” Mary Kom told in an interview.

“I want to invest my experience to the budding and talented youth and create more Mary Kom and champions for the country,” the Manipuri said.

The 32-year-old is currently training in Bengaluru to prepare

herself for the 2016 World Championships, the first Olympic qualifying event scheduled to be held next February.

She said the championships will be very tough contest as contestants around the world will fight to qualify for the Olympics.

“This championship will decide our fate to reach Olympic podium.

This will be a qualifying round for all boxers around the world towards the long awaited Rio Olympics 2016. This championship will be very tough mentally, physically and technically. This will remain a big challenge for all,” Mary said.

After winning bronze at London, Mary Kom gave birth to a baby. She returned to training last year after a long gap. She failed to qualify for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in May, but became the first Indian boxer to win gold at the Asian Games last October.

Asked how she stayed fit despite taking regular breaks from training, she said it was because of her determination to return to the ring.

“It is a miracle that after several

I am back to my normal shape and ready physically and mentally Mary Kom Indian boxer

cuts, I still am fit enough to train hard and continue to play this far.

All glory to God, who healed my wounds. It is also partly because of my faith and strong determination not to give up,” Mary Kom said.

She is seeking help from the gov-

ernment and corporate houses to build a full-fledged sports complex to train boxers post her retirement.

“I want to have a full-fledged sports complex with world class facilities, accommodate 50 boys and 50 girls with residential fa-

cilities so that they can fully concentrate on their training apart from other responsibilities and demands,” she said.

“Also provide them a cohesive sports environment with all requirements so as to produce cham-

pions for the country in the world’s arena. For this, I will require support from our people, government and corporate sectors.”

Mary Kom also extended her best wishes to fellow Indian boxer and Olympic middleweight bronze medallist Vijender Singh for turning professional and hoped he would excel in his new endeavour.

Speaking on the launch of India’s first professional boxing body Indian Boxing Council (IBC), she said: “I appreciate the formation; may it bring good to the country and especially to those talented boxers who intend to go pro.”

When asked about the future of boxing in the country, she said updating training procedures and facilities would facilitate the sport.

“Future cannot be told. No doubt, we have loads of potentials in us but how we deal and guide those potentials matter. Competitions are tough now,” she opined.

“We really need to work really hard, update our training procedures, systems, techniques, strategies and facilities.” - IANS

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

SPORTS Happy Hamilton grabs pole with flawless lap Hamilton’s main concern now will be a clean and quick getaway on Sunday, with the champion’s last three races being marred by poor starts

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Double world champion Lewis Hamilton clinched the Formula One pole trophy at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday with a flawless lap to take top slot on the starting grid for the 10th time in 11 races.

The Mercedes driver will have his closest rival and teammate Nico Rosberg, last year’s inaugural pole trophy winner, alongside on the front row.

The Mercedes pair will be determined not to repeat the fiasco of 2014, when Rosberg was on pole and they collided on the second lap.

Hamilton kicked off a controversy after that race by accusing Rosberg of driving into him deliberately.

Rosberg, who had led the championship at the same stage last year, is 21 points behind Hamilton with nine races remaining including Sunday’s. The German had been quickest in Friday practice but Hamilton banged in the quickest laps when it mattered to seize pole with a time of one minute 47.197 seconds and nearly half a second faster.

“I’m really happy today with the performance of the car,” the Briton said after his sixth successive pole and 48th of his increasingly stellar grand prix career. The car’s been feeling great on the circuit... Nico was very close but my last two laps were the best I’ve had all weekend.”

It was the first time since Michael Schumacher’s domination with Ferrari in 2000-01 that a driver has chalked up six poles in a row. Hamilton’s main concern now will be a clean and quick getaway on Sunday, with the champion’s last three races being marred by poor starts.

To add to the uncertainty, the

10TH POLE IN 11 RACES: Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, centre, teammate Nico Rosberg, left, and Williams’ Valtteri Bottas celebrate in the parc ferme after the qualifying session at the Spa-Francorchamps ciruit in Spa ahead of the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday. – AFP

Ecclestone meets Belgian farmers after blockade fears SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone met disgruntled Belgian dairy farmers on Saturday after fears they could blockade the country’s grand prix circuit in a campaign for higher milk prices.

The 84-year-old Briton talked to a farmers’ leader in front of a plastic cow in the fan village at the Spa circuit and then chugged from a litre of milk — jokingly pretending

starting rules have changed since the last race with the onus more on the man behind the wheel now that engineers are no longer allowed to advise the drivers remotely on the grid. A disappointed Rosberg, who suffered an explosive blowout on Friday and recognised Hamilton had been just too quick on Saturday, hoped the new procedures

to faint as he did so. A police spokesman said the farmers had agreed not to stage a more serious protest, such as blocking access roads, in return for being allowed to make a symbolic gesture and meet Ecclestone.

“They wouldn’t block the roads,” Ecclestone told reporters when asked about the threat, also expressing sympathy with the farmers’ grievance. - Reuters

might mix things up.

“With the new start situation, and we’re having to do everything ourselves now, there’s a lot more opportunity tomorrow even at the start,” he said. “On the run down to turn five here it is possible to overtake so my hopes are for sure still alive.”

Finland’s Valtteri Bottas qualified third for Williams and will be

joined on the second row by Force India’s Mexican Sergio Perez due to a five-place grid penalty for Lotus’s Romain Grosjean ahead of him.

Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen failed to make it into the final phase of qualifying, for his team’s 900th race, after his engine died and the car ground to a halt on the track.

The Finn’s German teammate and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel, winner of the previous race in Hungary, qualified ninth but will start eighth thanks to Grosjean’s demotion from fourth.

Australian Daniel Ricciardowill start in fifth place with the Williams of Brazilian Felipe Massa in sixth. Toro Rosso’s Belgian-born Dutch 17-year-old Max Verstappen qualified 15th but will drop down after being penalised for an engine change. McLaren duo Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button will start at the back after collecting a combined 105 place drop — on a grid of just 20 places — due to multiple changes of their Honda engines.

With the rules changed last month so that time penalties could no longer be imposed for untaken grid drops, McLaren took advantage of the situation by carrying out two engine swaps per car to stack up units for use without penalty at future races. - Reuters

THOROUGH PROBE

Pirelli pin Rosberg tyre failure on external cut SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Nico Rosberg’s high-speed blowout in Belgian Grand Prix practice was likely caused by an external cut to the tyre and any structural problem can be ruled out, Formula One supplier Pirelli said on Saturday.

“We have conducted a thorough investigation to find out exactly what happened with Nico’s tyre,” said Pirelli motorsport head Paul Hembery.

“This investigation now excludes any structural integrity issues. Based on the information and data available an external source of damage is the conclusion made.”

Pirelli said they had checked tyres used by other teams as well as Mercedes and also found nothing of any concern.

The Italian company said video footage had showed a tyre problem on the German’s car “consistent with an external cut into the tyre structure”.

Rosberg was fastest in Friday practice but suffered the explosive blowout in the afternoon session as he approached Blanchimont at full throttle.

“That was definitely not fun,” he told reporters after escaping unscathed from the heartstopping incident in which the right rear tyre shredded in seconds.

“Luckily I did not hit the wall. I didn’t feel anything before, there was no warning.

“There will be a big analysis.

I was feeling quick before then, comfortable.”

Mercedes executive director Paddy Lowe told reporters afterwards that “there seemed to be some bits of tyre structure coming out up to a minute before the actual terminal failure of the tyre.”

The tyres were discussed by drivers in a meeting with FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting on Friday evening, with reports suggesting Rosberg’s world champion team mate Lewis Hamilton had raised safety concerns.

Whiting reportedly pointed out that Pirelli, whose contract runs out at the end of 2016, had not experienced any structural failures since a spate in 2013 forced changes to the tyre construction.

High-speed Spa is the longest and one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar. - Reuters

FIND A PEN

No cut-price deal for Monza, says F1 chief SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS: Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has warned Italian Grand Prix organisers there can be no cut-price deal to keep Monza on the calendar after 2016.

“They’ve got a contract, all they’ve got to do is find a pen,” he said at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday. “It’s easy. We had a deal with them two years ago, if they just continue with that it’s all OK. “We are happy to be at Monza, obviously,” continued the 84-year-old Briton. “But we are not doing cut-price things.”

Asked whether he felt the organisers would sign up to the deal on the table, Ecclestone replied: “No idea. Haven’t got a clue.”

He will have further talks with officials at the circuit next month, during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, but the lack of progress

to extending Ferrari’s home race has caused concern within the sport and throughout Italy.

“I don’t think we’ll do another contract, the old one was a disaster for us from the commercial point of view. After 2016, bye bye,” Ecclestone had said last year, ratcheting up the pressure.

“It’s useless to keep on talking. In order to have a grand prix, you need money. If the money is there, the race takes place.”

Monza, the fastest track in F1, has been on the calendar since the championship started in 1950 and is loved by Italians as the ‘Pista Magica’. However while new circuits such as Bahrain, Russia and Abu Dhabi contribute tens of millions of dollars to Ecclestone’s coffers in race hosting fees, Europe’s historic circuits have struggled financially. - Reuters

MLS

It’s war, Gerrard tells Lampard LOS ANGELES: Steven Gerrard warned Frank Lampard to be ready for “war” as the two former Liverpool and Chelsea midfield adversaries prepared to lock horns once more for their Major League Soccer (MLS) sides here on Sunday.

Gerrard’s Los Angeles Galaxy and Lampard’s New York City FC meet in Carson on Sunday in a game being hyped as the most star-studded clash in MLS history, pitting two of the league’s bigspending sides against each other.

The Galaxy’s StubHub Center will be the backdrop for one of the last meetings between Gerrard and Lampard, who regularly featured in the fierce rivalry that developed between Liverpool and Chelsea over the last decade.

Gerrard, who joined the Galaxy in July, played down suggestions that Sunday’s game would be a personal duel with former England midfield partner Lampard, who remains a friend off the pitch.

Promotional posters for Sunday’s game styled the contest as a boxing bout, billing the meeting as “The British Invasion” and

featuring Gerrard and Lampard set against the background of a Union flag.

It’s real The 35-year-old admitted, however, that no quarter would be given against Lampard and his City teammates.

“I’m sure Frank agrees it’s slightly embarrassing to have all the focus on you when it’s Los Angeles Galaxy versus New York,” Gerrard told reporters on Friday.

“It’s about the game and the three points. But we understand it — we’ve played together for so many years. (The rivalry) it’s real.

“When that whistle goes and we’re competing for 90 minutes against each other, it’s war.

“We fight against each other, we always have. When the whistle goes to finish there’s a mutual respect there. We’ve always got on off the pitch regardless of what other people say. So if Frank plays from the beginning or if he comes on we become enemies, and when the game’s over we become friends again.

“I’ve got nothing but respect

and admiration for him as a player. We’re both winners we’re both professional. But he’s coming into town for three points and I want the three points to stay here so that’s where the rivalry begins.”

Gerrard and Lampard have faced each other on 33 occasions, with Lampard winning 15 to 11.

However the 37-year-old has endured a patch start to his MLS career, with injuries restricting his appearances for New York.

Gerrard has steadily settled into California since arriving last month, making five starts and scoring a goal in a thrilling win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the California Clasico on July 17.

The Liverpool legend said he had been taken by surprise at the standard of the MLS, stating the Galaxy would give a good account of themselves if they were playing in English competitions.

“For sure,” said Gerrard. “The level is a lot stronger than what other people suggested when I came. I’ve been really surprised.

We’ve got a very good team here, I’m playing for the champions and they know how to win.” - AFP

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GOLF

Indian milkman’s son chases dream in greener pastures NEW DELHI: Golfing prodigy Shubham Jaglan turned 11 last week but the only son of a milkman from rural India is aloof to the cartoons and toys that usually draw boys of his age.

The winner of back-to-back titles on the world junior golf circuit in the United States last month knows he must make sacrifices to achieve his dreams.

Golf is a rich man’s sport in India and as a kid from a poor family, Shubham started off swinging shabby clubs in the mustard field of his village in the north Indian state of Haryana.

“He had to make a lot of sacrifice to chase that dream and he is happy to make that sacrifice, which is the best things about him,” coach Nonita Lal Qureshi said.

“His day is very structured, he hardly gets to do what boys his age do but he has a passion for golf and he is doing it happily.”

on the rooftop and practise his bunker shots there, while his father Jagpal cleared the area behind their house to carve out a threehole course for his son. Jagpal also got his son a computer.

I won two but missed the third in the U.S. Kids World Championship Shubham Jaglan Indian golf prodigy

The passion can be seen in his results. “I won two but missed the third in the U.S. Kids World Championship where I came sixth,” Shubham said by telephone. “I

want to win all three next year.”

The pristine American courses hosting the elite junior tournaments are a far cry from Shubham’s beginnings.

When a golf academy opened near his home in India, it seemed a godsend to the family but the facility shut down in three months.

Shubham would pile up sands

Bold move “I started watching top golfers on YouTube,” Shubham said. “Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Louis Oosthuizen...I’d try their swing and see if it works for me.”

His name featured regularly enough in local tournaments to interest the Golf Foundation, run by former Asian Games gold medallist Amit Luthra.

Promised free education and free practice at the Delhi Golf Club, the Jaglans, a family boasting a number of elite wrestlers, sold off dairy cattle and moved to Delhi to help their son pursue his dream. It was a bold move by

The Wave, Muscat on top in Russia, Oman Air find form St Petersburg is regarded one of the most difficult venues on the Extreme Sailing Series circuit, but The Wave, Muscat were reeled off a string of impressive results

MUSCAT: The Wave, Muscat fought their way to the top of the leaderboard with five podium places from seven races while Oman Air hit form late in the day to claim two more on Day two of the Extreme Sailing Series in St Petersburg, Russia.

The River Neva in St Petersburg lived up to its reputation for asking stiff questions of the Extreme 40 crews and the opening two days of racing can be characterised by the light winds and strong current combining to upset the best laid plans.

Regarded as one of the most difficult venues on the Extreme Sailing Series circuit, St Petersburg has delivered the customary wind-against-tide challenge for the fleet with a strong current taking any punch out of a shifty 10knot breeze. But Leigh McMillan and his team on The Wave, Muscat were, by their own admission, feeling more relaxed and reeled off a string of impressive results.

They posted back-to-back wins

IN THE LEAD: The Wave, Muscat and Oman Air pictured during the Act 6 of the Extreme Sailing Series in St Petersburg. – Supplied photo

then added another for good measure to lift them above Red Bull in the rankings with a five point cushion and two days remaining. According to Nasser Al Mashari, the Omani bowman and a key member of this double championship winning crew, everyone settled in to their roles quickly today and were extra watchful to make sure they stayed on top of the shifts.

“We felt quite relaxed today and it showed in our performance because we were thinking ahead and focussing more on our boat handling,” said Al Mashari, referring to his teammates, Sarah Ayton, Pete Greenhalgh, Ed Smyth, and of course his skipper.

“That was our aim after our de-

brief on Thursday night and everyone worked hard to make it happen. There are still two days to go, so our next aim is to keep up the momentum.”

Skipper McMillan was delighted by today’s scoreline but cautioned against getting overexcited since there are still two days to go and plenty of hard work ahead.

“It was a pretty good day with conditions similar to Thursday and we were successful in putting into practice the things we learned on the first day,” he said. “There was a good tempo among the crew and we had a reasonable handle on the conditions and reacted well to every situation. It was a good all round performance and it felt really good.”

Oman Air made a fiery debut in St Petersburg by winning the opening race of the Act but then the welcome cooled as the testing conditions took their toll, and by the close of racing on Day One, Stevie Morrison’s team were lying in sixth place in a tight fleet – where just eight points separated the third and seventh placed teams.

Day two proved challenging as the Oman Air crew battled adversity in the early races, suffering technical issues with the boat and incurring a couple of penalties from the umpires, but they fought back and scored two second places in the last three races which earned the crew high praise from skipper Stevie Morrison.

“It was a frustrating day for us but for the guys to come back at the end to post those results was a real testimony to their patience and teamwork.

“We all stayed calm through the difficulties and managed to finish the day well.

“When we are good, we are very good, and when the chips are down, there is a very strong team bond. When things are happening fast, our communication loops get a bit blurred so we have to work on that.

“We are on the right track as those two back to back second place finishes showed and we will be looking to build on that over the next two days.”

a family still struggling to adjust to city life but Shubham’s singleminded devotion has been reassuring, even if it means long spells away from home.

“I don’t miss family. I talk to them every day, sometimes twice a day,” said Shubham. “I know I will be back after a month or two.”

Jagpal’s phone has not stopped ringing since his son’s recent success but coach Qureshi sounded a warning for the budding golfer.

“In the two-and-half years since moving to Delhi, he has blossomed but we must remember that he is very young.

“It is very early days in his career and we must not lose sight of what he needs to do.

“He has shown all the promise to be a really good player but many things can go wrong from here. He has just begun a journey and these victories are only milestones that he is on the right track.” - Reuters FOOTBALL

Swiss FIFA inquiry receives more than 100 ‘suspicious activity’ reports ZURICH: Swiss authorities have received more than 100 reports of suspicious financial activity linked to FIFA’s decisions to let Russia and Qatar host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments, the Swiss attorney general’s office said on Saturday.

Switzerland’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is investigating corruption at Zurichbased FIFA and its decisions on who would stage the World Cup. Both Russia and Qatar have previously denied wrongdoing.

“I can confirm that the OAG received so far 103 suspicious financial activity reports regarding the allocation of the Football World Cup 2018 and 2022,” an OAG spokesman said in an email.

In July, the OAG said it had received 81 reports of suspicious financial activity for its investigation. News of the additional reports was first reported by Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger.

On Friday, Reuters exclusively reported that the Swiss investigation had hit some roadblocks, according to U.S. and European sources familiar with the matter.

Leoz ‘under investigation’ Meanwhile, Swiss investigators are probing Nicolas Leoz, a veteran FIFA official in South America, in their widening inquiry into alleged corruption in world football, a Swiss newspaper said on Saturday.

Leoz, an 86-year-old Paraguayan, headed the regional football organisation Conmebol from 1986 to 2013 and was a member of FIFA’s executive committee for 15 years. - Agencies

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Man United held at home, Bournemouth post win Manchester United were let down by both their final ball and their finishing against Newcastle, leaving captain Rooney without a goal in his last 10 club games

LONDON: Manchester United’s winning start to the Premier League season ended on Saturday as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Newcastle United at a sun-soaked Old Trafford.

The hosts, who gave Bastian Schweinsteiger a full debut, dominated the early stages and Wayne Rooney saw a goal ruled out for a tight offside, but Newcastle went close when Aleksandar Mitrovic headed against the bar.

Louis van Gaal’s side laid siege to the Newcastle goal in the second half, Tim Krul saving from substitute Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling heading against the post, but Newcastle debutant Florian Thauvin was inches away from toeing in a late winner at the other end.

“We can be satisfied with the performance, but not with the result. We were unlucky,” said United manager Van Gaal, whose side have scored only two goals in their three league games to date.

“We did not make the right choices in the final third, but we played fantastic as a team. I like these kind of games when we work like this, but not this result.

“The performance was one of the best in my period, but we don’t reward ourselves. There was only one club that wanted to win and that was us.”

United had won their opening two league games 1-0, against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, before beating Club Brugge 3-1 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off in mid-week.

AERIAL DUEL: Newcastle United’s Chancel Mbemba, left, and Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney jump for the ball during their English Premier League match at Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday. – AFP

But they were let down by both their final ball and their finishing against Steve McClaren’s Newcastle, leaving captain Wayne Rooney without a goal in his last 10 club games.

After Rooney had seen his effort disallowed, Krul saved from Memphis Depay, Rooney and Juan Mata, before Mitrovic, making his fully debut, outjumped Matteo Darmian and headed Chancel Mbemba’s cross against the bar.

Van Gaal introduced Michael Carrick, Hernandez and Antonio Valencia in the second half and Krul had to save from Luke Shaw before spreading himself brilliantly to block a close-range effort from Hernandez.

Mahrez rescues Leicester A stoppage-time flurry saw Smalling hit the post and substitute Thauvin narrowly fail to make contact with Papiss Cisse’s low cross, while Carrick’s deflected shot flashed fractionally wide.

United conceded top spot to Leicester City, who moved above them on goal difference after a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham.

Delle Ali headed in a cross from Nacer Chadli to give Spurs an 81st minute lead at the King Power Stadium, but within a minute Riyad Mahrez had cut in from the right and curled home his fourth goal of the season to level.

Callum Wilson plundered a hattrick as promoted Bournemouth

won 4-3 at West Ham United in an incident-packed game to claim a first ever top-flight victory.

Wilson exploited a pair of errors

by Aaron Cresswell to score twice in the opening 28 minutes, only for a Mark Noble penalty and a Cheikhou Kouyate rebound to draw West Ham level early in the second period. But substitute Marc Pugh restored Bournemouth’s lead and Wilson completed his hat-trick from the spot after Carl Jenkinson had been sent off, before Modibo Maiga hit back for West Ham. Debutant Bakary Sako struck in the 87th minute to give Crystal Palace a 2-1 win at home to Villa, who had been in line for a point after a Pape Souare own goal can-

celled out Scott Dann’s header.

Bottom club Sunderland stopped the rot after two straight defeats by drawing 1-1 at home to Swansea City, with Jermain Defoe equalising for the hosts after Bafetimbi Gomis had scored his third goal of the campaign.

Record signing Xherdan Shaqiri created an early goal for Mame Biram Diouf on his Stoke City debut, but his side had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Norwich City due to Russell Martin’s 28th minute equaliser.

In-form Manchester City go in search of a third straight win at Everton on Sunday, while champions Chelsea, beaten 3-1 at City last weekend, travel to West Bromwich Albion. - AFP

FOOTBALL

Report of FIFA probe proof of Blatter sabotage, says Chung MIAMI: FIFA presidential candidate Chung Mong-Joon said on Saturday that a report he was being investigated by the soccer body’s ethics committee was proof that outgoing president Sepp Blatter was trying to interfere in his campaign and should step down.

German newspaper Die Welt reported on Friday that South Korean Chung was facing an investigation into his involvement in a 2010 plan to set up a global football development fund related to South Korea’s bid for the 2022 World Cup. It was the latest in a series of allegations and counter-allegations surrounding candidates in the increasingly heated race to replace Blatter amid the worst crisis in FIFA’s history.

No one was available for comment from soccer’s global governing body which was thrown into turmoil when U.S. prosecutors indicted nine soccer officials and five marketing and broadcasting company executives in May over alleged offences, including fraud, moneylaundering and racketeering.

Chung’s office said on Saturday South Korea had submitted plans for a development fund linked to its bid, as all countries applying to host the world cup were required to do.

The statement from Chung’s spokesman, Lin Byung-Taik, said FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke had assured Chung in 2010 that the development fund was not being investigated.

“This (media report) is yet another clear proof that President Blatter is interfering in the upcoming FIFA presidential election,” he added, without spelling out how he thought Blatter was involved.

“FIFA is engaged in a self-defeating attempt to sabotage Dr. Chung’s candidacy ... President Blatter should stop intervening in the election and resign immediately,” he added.

Current regulations bar FIFA’s Ethics Committee from commenting on any cases. But a FIFA ethics report in November last year said Chung had sent letters relating to South Korean intentions to raise $777 million to build new infrastructure and renovate existing facilities, without alleging any wrongdoing relating to that bid. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

Scandal-hit FIFA cannot be dominated by one ‘confederation’, warns Blatter ULRICHEN: Scandal-hit FIFA can never be dominated by one continent, outgoing president Sepp Blatter said on Saturday.

Without going into details or naming anyone, Blatter said that in the past one continental federation had tried to exert a dominance over the others, using proposed reforms as an attempt to grab the presidency.

“This is the key point which has (taken place) in the past years ... the takeover of one confederation towards the others,” he told a news conference. “But this cannot work in FIFA.” Blatter did not make clear whether that meant it would never happen or that soccer’s governing body would not survive if it did occur.

He then added: “This was a movement, this was a movement to get back the presidency”.

That remark may have referred to proposals drafted by European soccer’s ruling body UEFA in the mid-1990s for a radical reform of FIFA, which at the time was run

Blatter said ‘this was a movement, this was a movement to get back the presidency’

by Brazilian Joao Havelange who had been in charge since 1974.

Amid bitter criticism of Havelange, UEFA produced documents known as Vision 1 and Vision 2 with proposals that included rotating FIFA’s presidency.

Blatter’s comments came amid an increasing rift between FIFA and UEFA. Almost all of Europe’s national associations voted against the Swiss when he was reelected for a fifth term at the FIFA Congress on May 29.

He won the election against Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein with the backing of votes from Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Blatter announced four days later he would step down as the or-

ganisation lurched into the worst crisis in its 111-year history with 14 sports marketing executives and soccer officials, including several from FIFA, were indicted in the U.S. on bribery, money laundering and wire fraud charges.

His successor will be elected at an extraordinary Congress on February 26 and UEFA President Michel Platini, who has become a bitter foe of Blatter, is among the candidates.

European media have been critical of the system where each of FIFA’s 209 national associations hold one vote, meaning that four-time world champions Germany hold the same influence as Liechtenstein, the Cook Islands

and St Lucia. In June, German federation president Wolfgang Niersbach proposed that votes should be weighted, based on “size and sporting relevance of the federations”.

One of Blatter’s achievements as FIFA secretary general and president has been the creation of a match calendar that guarantees a set number of dates for international games each year.

The calendar ended a tug-ofwar between European clubs and South American and African national teams over who got priority when there was a clash of dates.

However, European club managers still complain at having to release players for the biennial African Nations Cup. European clubs scored a victory recently when FIFA abolished an international date for friendlies in August. Blatter was speaking on Saturday at an annual soccer tournament he organises near his ancestral home in an Alpine valley. - Reuters

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LIFESTYLE

SECTION

Health WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

NO SLEEP FOR THE WEARY Sleep deprivation has many causes but just one dangerous result â&#x20AC;&#x201C;a cycle of exhaustion, depression, decreased mental function, and an array of serious long-term health consequences

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LIFESTYLE THE BENEFITS OF A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP Mental Health: Studies have also found that there is a higher incidence of depression, anxiety disorders and problems of low self-esteem among individuals who receive inadequate sleep. Sleep deprivation has a dramatic effect on your mental and emotional wellbeing. Individuals who get an adequate night’s sleep report feelingless stressed and happier than their weary counterpoints, regardless of external factors like income.

I

don’t need to sleep. I can function just fine on three or four hours of rest. You might have heard this increasingly popular refrain from friends or co-workers. Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. Some of us are proud that we don’t “waste time resting”, instead spending our hours working late, keeping a full social calendar, or perhaps both.

But the truth is, we could be doing long-term damage to our health.

While an occasional late night and lack of sleep will cause nothing but temporary fatigue the following day, chronic sleep deprivation greatly increases the risk of numerous lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression.

“Sleep deprivation is a serious problem of our modern society. If it is acute,it lasts for a couple of days and is usually not associated with long-term consequences. Chronic (long-term) sleep deprivation, however, can lead to serious, negative health consequences, both physical and mental.An ongoing sleep problem increases the risk of developing medical conditions such diabetes and hypertension, both of which can have serious complications, reduce quality of life, and, without proper management, lead to reduced life expectancy,” explained Dr Hassan Mirza, a psychiatrist at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and an honorary psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital in London.

While doctors agreed that the amount of sleep required varies from one individual to another, there are some guidelines that apply across the board. “The National Sleep Foundation (USA) recommends 7-8 hours of sleep for an adult, 8-10 hours for teenagers, 10-13 hours for preschool children and 14-17 hours for newborns,” said Dr Shashiraj Eswarappa, an internal medicine consultant and medical superintendent at KIMS Oman Hospital in Muscat.

According to Dr Shashiraj Eswarappa, there are many reasons for sleep deprivation. “These include personal obligations, odd working hours, extreme temperature, and medical problems that may disturb sleep. It is common among some professions such people with shift duties, nurses, doctors, police, and armed forces personnel. In Oman, extreme temperatures, sedentary life style, and obesity are the major causes of sleeplessness.”

External factors that can keep prevent a good night’s rest include, stimulants, pain, breathing problems,menstrual cycle hormones for women,and lifestyle choices like eating large meals, exercising,or watching TV just before bed. Though some of these issues cannot be changed – such as menstrual cycle hormones for women – others can be easily modified.

“There isn’t a quick fix for sleep deprivation. One must seek medical help if poor sleep is a result of a treatable medical or psychological condition. Otherwise, the best management for lack of sleep is cutting the bad sleeping habit.

One of the most crucial elements is establishing a bedtime routine, and “associating the bed with sleep” by fully avoiding watching TV, using Smartphone, and other forms of entertainment while in bed. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by regular exercise, cutting the long daytime naps, and avoiding coffee, cigarettes, and heavy

meals before sleep,” Dr Hassan Mirza said.

To overcome sleep deprivation, you must increase the time you allot for rest as there is no substitute for sufficient sleep. “Catching up on sleep on the weekends is not a good solution. In order to sleep well, we should have good sleep habits or in other words “good sleep hygiene” every night,” said Dr Shashiraj Eswarappa.

Whether sources of sleep deprivation are personal lifestyle choices or a psychological or physiological issue with staying asleep, it is vital to address this problem as you would any other physical ailment, as sleep deficiency poses a very real health hazard. The main side effect of sleep deprivation is excessive daytime sleepiness.

“Sleep deprivation (less than 7 hours of sleep per night) can affect many organs in the body in the long run. The diseases that are linked to sleep deprivation include obesity, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, hypertension, anxiety, mental distress, depressed mood, and alcohol abuse,” said Dr Shashiraj Eswarappa.“Insufficient sleep is associated with obesity, as sleep deprived people tend to have lower levels of leptin, an appetite suppressant hormone, and higher levels of ghrelin, an appetite stimulant.

Sleep deficiency can also affect the performance of the brain leading to slower reactions, impaired memory, and difficulties in keeping concentration. If an individual is sleepless for 20-25 hours, his per-

There isn’t a quick fix for sleep deprivation. One must seek medical help if poor sleep is a result of a treatable medical or psychological condition formance will be affected significantly, to a level comparable to alcohol intoxication. Even the risk of mortality (death) increases by 15% among those who sleep for less than 5 hours daily. Heart attack is the most common cause of death among sleep deprived individuals,” he said.

“From a mental perspective, chronic sleep deprivation leads to grumpiness, irritability, depression, inability to focus and concentrate, and poor memory. For example, someone suffering from lack of sleep may require a much longer time to complete a given task, be forgetful, and struggle toremembering things. This may lead to poor performance in studies or at work and could lead to excessive consumption of coffee and smoking in order to stay focused and alert.

And in children, it is well known to cause behavioral problems and poor focus in the classroom, resulting in academic underachievement,” Dr Hassan Mirza explained.

“A point worthy of note regarding poor sleep is the serious issue of road traffic accidents, as poor sleep increases the likelihood of falling asleep behind the wheel and making mistakes while driving due to lack of focus.”

When it comes to children, it is especially important to cultivate good sleeping habits to give them a strong foundation for a healthy “sleep life” and to guard against these physical and mental issues, which can have an exaggerated effect on youngsters. Be sure children get eight hours of sleep or more, even if it means going to bed earlier than usual. shafeeq@timesofoman.com

Weight Loss: Getting enough sleep isn’t going to magically make you lighter, but a lack of adequate sleep can derail your efforts as it slows down your body metabolism and increases your hunger hormones.

Being well-rested will give you the mental stamina to stay disciplined in your diet and exercise choices, making the weight-loss process much more comfortable and effective.

Better Focus: Lack of sleep can significantly impact your problem solving skills and cognitive function.

A rested person is less likely to be distracted and make poor choices, which will contribute to an increase in overall productivity.

Improved Performance: Lack of sleep can be quite a serious problem for anyone engaged in a high-risk job, such as those working with heavy machinery or transportation, and it’s also critical to athletic performance and functioning as well as motor skillsand mental agility. So get your eight hours to ensure top performance in the office or on the field.

Look Good: Individuals who get enough rest appear healthier and more fit, as exhaustion is reflected physically in everything from your posture to your eyes and skin.

Build Muscle: Exercise promotes muscle growth as the strain that muscles are subjected to causes micro tears and this facilitates muscle growth as part of tissue repair. This repair and thickening or growth of muscles can only occur during sleep as this is when the growth hormones are released. So cutting down on your sleep time to make time for the gym and longer workout sessions might actually be counterproductive, instead reduce time spent on other leisure activities like watching television.

Improved Learning: Adequate sleep is essential for a child’s growth and development. During sleep the brain converts things we learn during the day into knowledge or retrievable memories.

Diabetes Protection: Sleeping more doesn’t actually mean that you’re not going to get diabetes, but inadequate sleep greatly increases the risk of diabetes.

Addiction Problems: Studies have shown that adolescents who get less sleep are more likely to develop alcohol and drug addiction problems, and it is a vicious cycle as, in many cases, the sleep problems are also a result of dependence.Keep a healthy, wellrested mind to help guard against the cycle of substance dependence.

WHEN LIFESTYLE CHANGES AREN’T ENOUGH For some, sleep issues go beyond having too much coffee after dinner or habitual late-night television viewing. If you are concerned that your inability to sleep stems from a deeper physiological or psychological issue, get in touch with one of these sleep specialists for a consultation.

Sleep Study Clinic at KIMS Oman Hospital Ruwi +968 9925 5292 kimsoman.com Fatigue Assessments at Optimal Health Center Al Maha Street, Al Khuwair +968 2448 7886, +968 9448 8580, contact@optimalspinehealth.com optimalspinehealth.com Sleep Disorder Diagnosis Laboratory at Al Hayat Polyclinic Ali Shaihani Complex, Al Ghubra +968 94267068 alhayathospital.com Sleep Clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital SQU, Al Khoudh +968 2414 4708 squh.edu.om

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

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LIFESTYLE BRIEFS

Try

Brain game sharpens focus, reduces anxiety

W hy Here are a few simple, time-tested foods, techniques, and remedies to try, and a bit about why. Have you tried any of these tricks? How did you like them? Do you have a favourite remedy of your own? Tell us about it at lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Eat Cucumber for Fresh Breath Cucumbers have 95 per cent water content which helps keep the body hydrated while eliminating toxins, on top of that, they are very effective in fighting bad breath. Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds and the phyto-chemicals in the cucumber will instantly kill the bacteria responsible for causing bad breath.

NEW YORK: Playing a simple brain game that involves identifying shapes can sharpen your focus and reduce anxiety, new research has found.

Study participants who completed the video gamelike exercise that targets distraction stayed more focused and showed less anxiety, showed the findings that could lead to an everyday solution to ease the effects of distraction.

“Down the line we could roll out an online or mobile game based on this research that specifically targets distraction and helps people stay focused and feel less anxious,“ said lead researcher Jason Moser, associate professor of clinical psychology at Michigan State University in the US.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHUTTERSTOCK

Physical fitness enhances maths skills in children

Use Sandalwood for Skincare Sandalwood paste is a time-tested home remedy for soothing harsh sunburns and the natural oils in sandalwood are great for clearing up the complexion and adding healthy glow. It also has a toning effect, tightening drooping skin tissues for a fresher appearance.

DECODING DOCTOR

Hubert Vaz talks about acid reflux with Dr Mathew Raphael, a Gastroenterologist at Al Hayat International Hospital

Blink Frequently to Relieve Eye Strain Our eyes need regular exercise, like any other part of the body, so when you find yourself straining to focus on your computer screen, try an intentional blinking exercise: time yourself while staring at your computer for 2 minutes, take care to blink only every 30 seconds. Note how strained your eyes feel. Now, continue reading the monitor, and consciously blink every 4-5 seconds. You should feel a positive difference.

NEW YORK: If you want your children to shine in maths, allow them play time as researchers have found that fitness enhances math skills by aiding the development of brain structures that contribute to mathematics achievement. Children who are aerobically fit tend to have significantly thinner grey matter — the outermost layer of brain cells in the cerebrum — associated with better mathematics performance, the findings showed.

“Grey matter thinning is the sculpting of a fully formed, healthy brain. The theory is that the brain is pruning away unnecessary connections and strengthening useful connections,“ said lead researcher Laura Chaddock-Heyman from the University of Illinois in the US. The researchers imaged the children‘s brains using MRI and tested their math, reading and spelling skills.

The team found differences in math skills and cortical brain structure between the higher fit and lower fit children. -IANS

Burning, Churning Stomach Pain EVERYDAY, scores of people suffer from several digestive disorders, some of which subside after a short time, like simple heartburn, while other conditions linger on and need medical attention. Dr Mathew Raphael, Physician and Gastroenterologist, Al Hayat International Hospital, provides answers to some key queries about the most common digestive disorder, acid reflux, popularly known as acidity.

What is acidity or acid reflux?

Acidity is the most common digestive disorder suffered by people all over the world. Acidity is chiefly caused by the presence of helico-

bacter pylori bacteria in the stomach, which increase acid production and present acid levels. This is uncomfortable and can lead to ulcers in the stomach or intestines.

What are the symptoms of acidity?

Patients suffering from acidity usually experience heartburn (a burning sensation in the chest), uneasiness in the stomach, and nausea after eating. Often, these symptoms are accompanied by sour belches and pungent burps.

What causes acidity?

Symptoms of acidity are often no-

ticed after the consumption of oily or spicy food, other acidic foods, or milk. Even the lack of food for long period can cause acidity. Acidity can also be a warning sign of other digestive disorders, depending on the age and health of the patient.

Is it bacteria-induced acidity or just an upset stomach?

There are different tests to check for the presence of the helicobacter pylori bacteria, like the UreaBreath test for general patients.

If the patient has long standing symptoms, they should come in for a check-up, and for serious cases, an endoscopy can be done to check

for ulcers in the stomach.

How can I avoid acid reflux?

The Helicobacter Pylori bacteria responsible for acidity is present all over the world and it can enter the body through the food even if very high standards of hygiene are maintained. As the age of a patient increases, the bacteria can present symptoms of acidity more frequently. However, for some people, judicious use of medication as well as limited alcohol consumption can reduce the incidence of acidity. For common heartburn, avoid trigger foods or take an antacid before your meal.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

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FIND-IT-ALL CINEMA SCHEDULE

PRAYER TIMINGS

@SHATTI

@SOHAR

11:45PM Madura Naranga – 2D (Action) (PG) 7:15PM

@RUWI

SHATTI The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (Action)(12+) Cast : Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer 3:00, 7:15, 9:30, 11:45 pm Fantastic Four (2D)(Action)(PG12) Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, 1:00, 5:15, 11:45 pm Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2D) (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy 4:45, 9:15 pm The Nutcracker Sweet (Animation)(PG) 1:00, 3:00 pm All Is Well (Comedy, Drama)(PG) Cast : Rishi Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin 9:30 pm Sinister 2 (Horror)(15+) Cast : James Ransone, Shannyn Sossamon 1:00, 11:55 pm Welad Risk (Action, Crime)(18+) Cast : Ahmed Ezz, Amr Youssef, Karim Qassem 3:00, 7:15 pm Self/Less (Mystery,Sci fi)(18+) Cast : Ryan Reynolds, Natalie Martinez, Matthew Goode 5:00, 7:15 pm MUSCAT GRAND MALL The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 2D (Action ) (12+) Cast : Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer 10:15AM, 9:45 & 11:55PM Gold Class: 4:15, 9:00 & 11:15PM The Nutcracker Sweet 2D (Animation) (PG) 10:00AM, 1:45 & 3:30PM The Love Affair 2D (Drama, Romance ) (TBC) Cast: Bea Alonzo, Richard Gomez, Eda Nolan 5:15 & 7:30PM All Is Well 2D (Comedy, Drama) (TBC) Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin 12:30 & 7:15PM Fantastic Four 2D (Action, Sci-Fi ) (PG12) Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael Jordan 5:15PM & 9:45PM Gold Class : 12:15 & 2:15PM

10:15AM, 9:45PM & 11:55 PM The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (Action)(12+) Cast : Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer

5:00 , 7:15 PM Self/Less (Mystery,Sci fi)(18+) Cast : Ryan Reynolds, Natalie Martinez, Matthew Goode

6:00 PM Madhura Naranga - 2D (M) (PG) Comedy, Cast : Kunchacko Boban, Biju Menon

7:15, 9:35 PM Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation – 2D 2:00, 11:55 PM (PG12) The Nutcracker Sweet – 2D (PG) Animation 1:00, 4:30 PM Sinister 2 – 2D (15+) Horror Cast - James Ransone, Shannyn Sossamon 2:30, 10:10 PM Waled Rizk– 2D (18+) Crime, Action, Thriller Cast - Ahmed Ezz, Amr Youssef, Karim 6:00 PM Fantastic Four – 2D (PG12) (Action) 12:00, 5:45, 11:55 pm Madhura Naranga – 2D (PG) Comedy, Cast - Kunchacko Boban, Biju Menon 3:00 PM

Inside Out 3D (Animation) (PG) 11:15PM Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation 2D 2:45PM & 11:45PM Gold Class: 6:30PM AZAIBA The Man from U.N.C.L.E. – 2D (12+) ActionCast - Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer 4:30, 6:45, 9:00, 11:15 PM Kick 2 – 2D (PG12) Action, Romance Cast: Ravi Teja, Rakul Preeti singh, Ravi Kishan 12:45, 07:45, 10:30 PM Vaalu – 2D (PG) Action, Comedy, Romance Cast - Hansika Motwani, TR Silambarasan, 12:00 PM Self/Less – 2D (18+) Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller Cast - Ryan Reynolds, Natalie Martinez, Matthew Goode 2:50, 8:00 PM The Love Affair - 2D (…..) Drama, Romance Cast - Bea Alonzo, Richard Gomez, Eda Nolan 5:00 PM All Is Well 2D (….) Comedy, Drama, Romance Cast - Rishi Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin

3.30, 9.30 PM All Is Well (Drama/ Comedy) – PG Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Asin and Supriya Pathak

3.45, 9.45 PM Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Action/Drama ) – PG 6.45 PM SCREEN 3 Karachi To Lahore - Urdu (Comedy) – PG Cast: Shehzad Sheikh, Ayesha Omer 3.45, 9.45 PM Baahubali: The Beginning (Act ) – 12+ 6.45 PM SOHAR Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation - 2D (PG12) Action; 04:20 , 11:55 PM Fantastic Four-2D (PG12) (Action ) 2:30, 5:15, 11:45 PM Brothers - 2D (TBC) Action, Drama 11:30 PM The Man from U.N.C.L.E. - 2D (12+) Action, Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia 3:00, 7:15, 9:30, 11:45 PM Self/less - 2D (18+) Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Natalie Martinez, 2:15, 7:45 PM The Nutcracker Sweet - 2D (PG) Animation Cast: Alicia Silverstone, Edward Asner 2:30, 4:30 PM Sinister 2 - 2D (15+) Horror Cast: James Ransone, Shannyn Sossamon,

RUWI SCREEN 1 All Is Well (Drama/ Comedy) – PG Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Asin and Supriya Pathak 3.30, 9.30 PM Drishyam (Thriller/Drama ) – PG12 6.30 PM SCREEN 2 Brothers (Drama) – 12+ Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Sidharth

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

4:00, 10:00 PM All Is Well - 2D (TBC) Comedy, Drama, Cast : Rishi Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin 9:35 PM Welad Rizk - 2D (Arb) (18+) Action, Crime, Cast: Ahmed Ezz, Amr Youssef, Karim Qassem 5:45 PM Madhura Naranga - 2D (M) (PG) Comedy, Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Biju Menon 6:00 PM Kick 2 - 2D (Telugu) (TBC) Action, Romance 6:45, 8:45 PM BURAIMI The Man from U.N.C.L.E – 2D (Animation) 7:15, 9:30, 11:45PM (12+) Return to Sender – 2D (Thriller) (TBC) Cast: Rosamund Pike, Nick Nolte, 5:30, 10:00PM The Nutcracker Sweet – 2D (Animation) 5:45PM (PG) Fantastic Four -2D (PG12) (Action) 4:30, 7:15PM Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation - 2D 11:30PM (Action) (PG12) All is Well – 2D (Comedy, Romance) (PG) Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin 9:15PM Brothers (Hindi) (Thriller) 2D

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

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

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

40 31 Minimum

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

30-42%

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

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TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Fahud Yibal

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

LISTINGS

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

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

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

Daily

07:00

Daily

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

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

10:45 19:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 14:30

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

B. VISHVESHVAR August 23, 2000 Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/ her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

Madura Naranga (Mal) ( Rom/com ) Cast : Kunchako Boban, Biju Menon & 3-45 pm at Cinema-4; 6-30 & 9:30 pm at Cinema Main Vasuvum Saravananum ( Tamil ) ( Com ) Cast: Arya, Tamanna & Santhanam 3-30 & 9-30 pm at Cinema -2 All Is Well (Hindi ) ( Com/Drama) Cast: Abhishek Bachan, Rishi Kapoor & Asin 6-45 & 9-45 pm at Cinema - 3 Kick 2 ( Telugu ) ( Rom/Act) ( From Friday ) Cast : Ravi Teja & Rakul Preet Singh 3-00 pm At Cinema Main 6-45 & 9-45 at Cinema-4 NEXT CHANGE: Thani Oruvan (Tamil) Loham (Mal) Programmes are subject to change

DHANUSHKA August 23, 2014

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 20:50

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

STAR CINEMA

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation 2D (Action, Adventure, Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy 9.30 pm CP No: 1953 (PG12) Return To Sender ( Thriller ) Cast: Rosamund Pike, Nike Nolte 2.00, 4.00 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2112 ( 12+ ) The Nutcracker Sweet (Animation) Voice Overs: Alicia Silver stone, Edward 2.00 & 6.00 pm CP No: 2119 (PG ) Brothers (Hindi )( Thriller ) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shrof 6.30 pm CP No: 2110 (PG) MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. : (Action /Adventure) Cast: Alicia Vikander, Henry Cavil 4.00, 7.45, 9.45 & 11.55 p.m.

CP NO: 2121 (12+)

WITH LOVE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

SALALAH Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation (2D) 10:15AM, 5:00, 11:30PM (PG12) Fantastic Four (2D)(PG12) (Action) 12:45, 3:45, 9:45PM The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2D)(12+) (Action) 10:15AM, 2:45, 7:30, 9:45, 11:55PM Return to Sender (2D) (12+) (Thriller) Cast: Rosamund Pike, Shiloh Fernandez, Nick Nolte 2:00PM The Nutcracker Sweet (2D)(PG)(Arabic) (Animation) Cast: Alicia Silverstone, Edward Asner, Drake Bell 10:30AM, 3:15PM Pound of Flesh (2D) (15+) (Action/Thriller) Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme, Darren 12:00, 11:35PM All Is Well (2D) (PG) (Comedy/Drama) Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Asin 7:30PM Brothers (2D) (12+) (Action/Drama) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Sidharth M 12:30PM Madhura Naranga (2D) (PG) (Mal) (Comedy) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Biju Menon, Parvathy 4:45PM Kick 2 (2D) (TBC) (Telugu) (Action/Romance) 5:45, 8:35PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

BAHJA CINEMA

SUR The Man From U.N.C.L.E (Action ) (12+) Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, 9:45, 11:55 PM Fantastic Four (Action|Sci - Fi) (PG12) 7:45 PM Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation 6:00 PM (Action) (PG12) Brothers (Hindi) (Thriller) (12+) CP# Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Sidharth 5:00 PM The Nutcracker Sweet ( Animation) (PG) 4:30 PM Madura Naranga (Mal)( Comedy ) (PG) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Biju Menon, Parvathy 10:45 PM All Is Well (Hindi)(Comedy ) (PG) Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor, Asin.

8:30 PM

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68. www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman

Destination

12.15pm 3.42pm 6.39pm 7.53pm 4.27am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

@MGM

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Hamdan Hospital 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

C11

LIFESTYLE FA M I LY A D V I C E

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Sahaja Yoga S ahaja Yoga was founded in 1970 in India

by Dr Nirmala Devi Srivastava to harness the curative power that resides in every human being in order to provide a holistic, long-term treatment for various illnesses. The principle of the practice is based on awakening dormant primordial energy located at the base of the spine for the purpose of healing mind, body, and spirit. The daily ten-minute meditation programme is currently practiced in over 100 countries, including Oman, with clinically tested results.

More of a meditation technique than exercise or traditional therapy, Sahaja Yoga can be per-

formed by anyone of any age, race or religious background at any time of the day, however, early morning is the best time to take up this meditation. One must find a suitable quiet place and sit down with an intention of quietening the mind. Don’t try to focus on any object, rather just let go and surrender to the inner silence. Specific gestures are then performed with the hands placed on the head and other parts of the body to channelise the central energy. A 30-minute meditative session brings on an immediate feeling of wellness.

Research studies have confirmed an improvement in physical, mental, and emotional health, and increased stress management,

which is a good preventative measure against cardiovascular diseases. Other reported benefits have included aiding in the recovery of long-term addictions; improved family and social relationships, enhanced memory, and a greater overall sense of confidence and contentment.

Once you learn the technique from a trained Sahaja Yogi, it can be performed alone as well as in a group, at home with family members, or with community members at a meditation centre.

You can join a free weekly practice here in Muscat to explore the technique for yourself.

ASK DR. GERRY Face Reality Dear Dr. Gerry, I’m having a very tough time with my life. I am in my college and good in studies and my mother has great expectations of me. But 2 years ago I met a boy and fell in love with him. My parents have no liking for him, but I am not able to forget him and constantly get dreams of spending my entire life with him.

That boy himself is in a relationship and, in spite of that, my heart doesn’t accept this and I still believe that one day he will fall in love with me. Recently, I fared badly in my exams, too. I always had dreams that when I grow up I would do the best for my parents but now I only have dreams of spending my life with that boy who has no feelings for me. Please guide me and tell me what is right for me.

— Lily

sahajayogaoman.com +968 9521 6198

Dear Lily, You seem to be having a difficult time. Life is a journey and at different times, different challenges await us. In young adulthood it’s natural to feel attractions towards the opposite sex. However it’s important to realise that our heart can give us a lot of happiness and a lot of pain. Once we give it to someone, that person has a lot of power over us, to brighten our day or bring tears to our eyes. You’re a young person, there’s a long journey waiting.

I would suggest trying to concentrate on your studies should be your first priority because you really don’t want to mess it up. Whatever may come out of your relationship with this boy it’s important to keep your feet on the ground and pay mind to the studies that need to be done and parents that need your love. These are things that you know will be important throughout your life. You need to face reality. The boy is involved with someone else yet you’re hoping that it somehow works out for you? Come out of that fantasy world and focus on the tasks at hand, there’s a big, real world out there that needs conquering.

— Dr Gerry

Photo: Shutterstock.com

Dr Gerry D’Costa has an MD in psychiatry and a special interest in the areas of anxiety, depression, addiction, and children’s psychiatry.

He has practiced as a specialised psychiatrist at Badr Al Samaa hospital in Ruwi for the last 9 years.

Dr D’Costa offers his advice and professional insights to the readers of Times of Oman.

Send your mental health questions to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

FOOD SAFETY

Safe-to-eat -to Spinach Scientists have reported d a new, easyyto-implement ent method to disinfect green n leafy vegetables like spinach too reduce outbreaks of illness. Leafy afy vegetables are washed hed by commercial processes before they head to the grocery store.

“But these methods, which can include water and bleach rinses or irradiation, are not completely effective,” says Nichola Kinsinger from University of California-Riverside.

Scientists have estimated that 99 percent of food-borne illnesses from leafy greens can be

traced back to disinfection issues. issue As a result, the team has developed a differop ent approach en to attacking the bacteria, most nobact tably E. coli, which is the cause of many outbreaks. outbr Using a parallelUsi plate flow flow chamb chamber system that Walker developed, the researchers tested the real-time attachment and detachment of bacteria to the outer layer of spinach leaves.

At low-bleach concentrations, the bacteria fell off the leaves but remained alive.

— IANS

Photo: Shutterstock.com

By Hubert Vaz

C1 2

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2015

LIFESTYLE

AT HOME TUMMY TUCK If you long to have a flat tummy but can’t stand the thought of rigorous gym routines, try adding these simple exercises to your daily routine. Though there is no substitute for cardiovascular training when it comes to shedding pounds, these simple moves will help you strengthen and tighten up your midsection.

Pike and Extend Lie on your back with your legs extended over your hips and your arms extended overhead. Now crunch up and try to reach your hands toward your feet. Lower your arms and legs slowly to the starting position. Repeat 10 times with both feet, then five times alternating between each foot.

Downward-Facing Dog Come down on all fours, then move your knees a little behind your hips. Inhale, tuck your toes and then slowly exhale, straightening your legs and pushing your hips upwards. Stay in this posi-

tion for about three breaths, then come down and sit on your heels.

Repeat 10 times.

ing your legs towards the ceiling.

Return to the starting position and repeat 10 times.

Boat Pose Sit tall on your bed, legs extended and hands at both sides. Then lift your feet off the bed with knees bent and shins parallel to the bed.

Lean backwards but stay on your seat. Place your hands in line with your shoulders and breathe evenly. Stay for 10 seconds, then release legs. Repeat 10 times.

Front Bridge When you find it difficult to pull yourself out of bed, jumpstart your day by lying on your belly, clenching your fists and placing your forearms firmly on the bed. Then raise your body to balance it on your arms and toes in a straight line. Hold yourself in this position, then slowly drop back. Repeat 5 times.

Hula Hoop Spend time playing with a hula hoop for at least 10 minutes, holding the circular motion as long as you can. This not only strengthens your abs, but it also improves overall core strength.

Reverse Curl Lie on your back. Bend your knees, bringing them in to your chest. Lift your legs so that your shins are parallel to the ground.

Your thighs should be at a 90-degree angle to your torso. Repeat 10 to 15 times.

Recline Pull Up Place a long broom handle across the base of two chairs. Lie on your back below the bar with your knees bent.

Then, hold the bar, tighten your abs, and pull your body of the floor, trying to touch your chest to the bar. Hold as long as you can. Repeat 5 times.

Hip Lifts Lie on your back with your arms by your sides, palms facing down, and legs held at 90 degrees. Then lift your hips off the floor using your core muscles, while point-

Toe Dip Lie on your back with knees bent at 90-degrees, arms by your sides.

Press your shoulders against the floor and slide them downwards.

Inhale as you lower your toes toward the ground, then exhale as you return to starting position.

Repeat five times.

Roll Up Lying on your back, extend your arms backwards and keep legs straight down. Inhale, bring your arms overhead, and begin to curl your upper body off the floor.

Then, exhale when halfway up and continue rolling forward to reach your toes. Inhale and lower your body to starting position.

Repeat 10 times.

Torso Twist Sit cross-legged and stretch your arms out in front with your fingertips touching. Breathe in.

Breathe out as you slowly rotate your upper body about 45 degrees to the right. Return to the centre and repeat on your left side. Repeat 10 times.

H E A LT H N O T E S

Workplace anxiety leads to poor job performance High levels of emotional exhaustion that come from workplace anxiety can directly lead to lower job performance, says a study.

The effect of workplace anxiety on job performance is closely connected to the quality of relationships between employees, their bosses and their co-workers, said researchers from the University of Toronto-Scarborough.

To reach this conclusion, professors Julie McCarthy and John Trougakos, along with Bonnie Cheng from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, explored the effects of workplace anxiety among officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a national police service.

They found that anxiety can lead to lower job performance.

“Workplace anxiety is a serious concern not only for employee health and well being, but also for an organisation’s bottom-line,” said Trougakos, an expert on organisational behaviour.

Supervisors and co-workers who are empathetic and provide emotional support by listening to their peers go a long way in fostering a positive work environment.

These kinds of strong interpersonal relations are built on high levels of understanding and trust, which allow individual needs to be met. “Our findings highlight the importance of programmes that allow employees to recover, build resilience and develop strong social support networks in the workplace,” she noted.

The research is published in the forthcoming Journal of Applied Psychology.

Chronic skin disorder triggers depression People with the common skin condition psoriasis may be at increased risk of depression, says a new study.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales which can be itchy for sufferers. The researchers believe that the connection between psoriasis and depression may be linked to the public’s stigmatisation of the disease.

The condition is highly visible on the skin, especially in the summer months when more skin is exposed, and those who are unfamiliar with the disease may react unfavourably to people who have it. “The public should know that psoriasis is not contagious, so there is no need to act differently around psoriasis patients than you would around anyone else,” said Roger Ho, assistant professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine. The researchers studied cases of psoriasis and depression in 12,382 adult patients.

While the researchers initially expected that patients’ likelihood of depression would be linked to the severity of their psoriasis, but his research indicated that this is not the case.

The findings were presented at the American Academy of Dermatology’s ongoing summer academy meeting in New York, US.

Psychopaths will never catch a yawn Yawning is contagious in humans we know that but selfish and manipulative people will not respond to yawning after spotting someone else yawn, an interesting study has revealed.

People with psychopathic characteristics - those with anti-social lifestyle and lacking in empathy are less likely to be affected by “contagious yawning” than those who are empathetic, according to researchers from Texas-based Baylor University.

Yawning after spotting someone else yawn is associated with empathy and bonding. “Catching” yawns happens with many social mammals, among them humans, chimpanzees and dogs. “You may yawn even if you do not have to,” said lead researcher Brian Rundle, doctoral student in psychology and neuroscience.“We all know it and always wonder why. I thought, ‘If it’s true that yawning is related to empathy, I’ll bet that psychopaths yawn a lot less.’ So I put it to the test,” Rundle added. IANS

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M S U N DAY, AU G U S T 2 3, 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

D8

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D2

S U N D AY, AU G U S T 2 3, 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

3BR villa, sitting, dining & hall, Azaiba behind Al Meera H- Market.

Contact: 99259977 / 95033008

Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975

1BHK, Darsait, walking distance to ISM , neat and clean building, ground floor, OMR 260/- per month rent Call IQRAR on 99076557

Flats for rent in Al Khuwair, Al hail, Wadi Kabir, Al Falaj, MBD, and Muttrah. Contact: 99119699 / 95250300 / 24813002

4bedroom villa with 3 maid room, big compound & parking area. Ideal for kindergarten or expat tenants residency. Contact:24566217 / 24564686

Flats shops & stores for rent at Al Amerat. Contact: 96278724

Office & retail space available Alasfoor Plaza, Qurum.

Contact: 24566217 / 24564686 1BHK in Darsait, RO 220.

Contact: 99342661 2BHK in Ghubra South 330 R.O with A/C. Contact: 99342661 2 BHK close to Indian School Kindergarten Wadikabir RO 320.

Contact: 99476728 / 98484415 2 BHK pent-house having very spacious balcony with sea & city view RO 325 and 1BHK RO 240, adjacent to Indian Nursery Darsait.

Contact : 99476728 / 98484415 Nice 1BHK penthouse, 2 bathrooms, big terrace in CBD/MBD, OMR 250.

Should purchase ACs. Contact: 99283938 1bedroom attached toilet, kitchen, family in Al Khuwair RO 140.

Contact: 95154331

3BHK Flats & 6BHK Villa in Azaibah.

Contact : 96775026 250 sq mtrs restaurant for rent in Plaza Hotel, Walja Ruwi.

Contact 99326339 1 BR flat at Darsait, near ISM. Contact 99237971 / 99320633 Flats in Al Khuwair 33 & Wadi Al Kabir. Contact: 92800007 Showroom for rent at prime location, Ruwi. Contact 94151791 Full fledge workshop/warehouse & yard with tools for rent/sales. Also 5 nos. Volvo/ Mercedes/ Man/Putsmiester concrete pump 2004/2005 model for sale. Contact 93681107 / 96051565

2 B/R res./comm. Flat directly from owner near Oman Medical College Bausher. Contact 92158031 Fully furnished 3 BHK accommodation with all spacious rooms in a villa at Darsait near ISD. Contact: 9526 5289 / 9604 8422

1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new flat available at Mabela in front of Modern English School Contact: 96239126

Flat 2bedrooms+majlis in Ghubra.

Contact:99242119

Brand new 2 BHK flats/offices for rent behind Honda Road.

Contact 91165807

4 bedrooms villa with 2 halls, 4 bathrooms in Darsait behind Khimjis mart. Contact: 24700120 / 92584715

1BHK R.O 185 + 2BHK R.O 230 before Medical Darsait, Muttrah House.

Contact: 98748925

Single & double bedroom with toilets at Ghala Industrial area, Coco cola road (for family/ Exec bachelors). Interested parties contact on 92854747

840 sqr mtrs Store & Staff accommodation for Rent in Misfah.

Contact 99792181

5 BHK villa for Rent in Azaiba near Sultan Centre. Contact 99792181

4 bedrooms villa with 2 halls, 4 bathrooms in Darsait, behind Khimji Mart. Contact 92584715 / 24700120

40,000 Sqr mtrs Open Land for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181

Flat for rent in Amerat.

Contact 99209264

Flat for rent 2BR at Wadi Adai.

Contact 94643380

Flat in Al Khuwair 3 rooms + Majlis ground floor. Contact: 99242119

Spacious 2 BR flat in MBD. Contact 99713489

Flat for rent near Al Nahdha Hospital in Hamriya. Contact: 97380548 / 99680499 3 bedroom flat with 3 attached toilets, split A/C, brand Kims Hospital.

Contact: 95225662 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly. It has Electricity and boundary wall. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Readymade office space for rent (100sm) in Bank Melli Iran building, MBA area Ruwi opposite Center Point. Contact: 99011352 A flat for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 2 rooms and sitting room and all the necessary things. Contact:92277419 2BHK with A/Cs Muttrah, near Oman House. Contact: 95915154 3 BHK, 3 bathrooms, 2 balcony, nr. Al Hassan W/Kabir RO 330/-.

Contact :99384640 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact 99366624 3 Bedroom flat with 3 attached toilets, split A/C, brand new available, behind Kims Hospital.

Contact 95225662 2 BHK villa for rent in Azaiba, near Sultan Centre. Contact 99792181

Villa 2 bedrooms + hall + sitting room in Al Hail South R.O 300/Monthly. Contact: 93993354 I BHK Flat -4 Nos at Hamriya – R.O. 200/- . 2 BHK - 2 Nos / 1 BHK- 2 Nos, at Wattayya R/A near the mosque- for Families. Contact 96457757 9 am to 7 Pm. Shop at Azaiba. Contact 99024730 Fully furnished 2 bedroom luxury flat for rent at Ghala for short or long term basis.

Contact 91786526 / 99881653 1 & two bedroom flats available for rent in wadi-kabir (opp: pencil bldg), ideal for company staff / families bulk corporate deal possible.

Contact 97677170 1 BHK, 2 BHK & shop at Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99024730 2 BHK, 3BHK at Qurum.

Contact 99024730 1 BHK Flat in Honda Road (Ruwi).

Contact 99792181

S U N DAY, AU G U S T 2 3, 2 0 1 5

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DAILY GUIDE

MOTOR VEHICLE FOR SALE

FOR SALE Company maintained cars & furniture for sale. Toyota Yaris, 2009 model RO 1800/-, Mazda 6 model 2009 RO 2300/-. Contact 24636655 / 24636666 Toyota Camry 2006, new tyre & new engine, very good condition, location Sohar. Contact 91110270 Jaguar 2004, X-type Expat driven dealer maintained 1,66,000 km, RO 1900, immediate sale.

Contact 99370565 / 97097545 Brand new flat 2 bedrooms with 1 Majlis, 3 bathrooms, kitchen in South Ghubra behind Oman oil RO 350/-. Contact 95367767

Spacious 2BHK Flat with Split A/c’s behind Sultan Center, Azaiba – RO.425/- p.m. Contact: 99824803 / 99849325 2 flats single bedroom available in Wadi Kabir, RO 100/- including Electricity & water. Contact 99441798 5 flats single bedroom available, including Electricity & water RO 75/in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99441798 Shop/ office, near Khimji H.O. Muttrah. Contact 99233116 2 BHK near Khimji H.O. Muttrah.

Contact 99233116 2BK Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Mosque. Contact 97007934 / 92629232

3 bedrooms villa excellent area at Mobilah. Contact 99879872

3 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact 99792181 1 Villa & 3 big Flats of 2/3 BHK with hall, Kitchen & ACs Al Khoudh 6, Close to express way, from owner.

Tel 97600322 Email: alnehang@gmail.com Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122

FOR HIRE Prime mover, 98, 4 wheel on hire.

Contact 95120774 Volvo 12 Ton Truck for monthly rent. Contact: 98713900

FOR SALE

For rent if require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through Whatsapp.

Contact: 99376454

60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in Misfah, can be changed to Industrial Land. OMR 29 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Basement available in MBD, Ruwi.

Contact 99713489

1 &2 BHK flats for rent at Wadi Kabir, Wadi Adai, Hamriya and Al Khoud areas, shop for rent at Wadi Adai Round about. Contact: 24834644, GSM 93994401 /02/03 lines

5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Flat for rent in Wadi Kabir near Indian Primary School 2 B & 1K. Contact 92222922

3 Bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer and 2 bedroom villa in Sidab- Muscat.

Contact: 95755953

Pent house for rent 1 sitting, 1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen RO 225/-, location Al Khuwair, near DHL Courier. Contact 95620900 / 92976722

1bedroom in Al Hail South RO 150/monthly. Contact: 93993354

Brand new bldg in Walja 1 BHK, 2 BHK & shops. Contact 98218279 2 rooms, 2 toilets, kitchen in Al Ansab. Contact 94229023

1 & 2 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 1 BHK, 2 BHK at Al Khuwair.

Contact 99024730

Fabulous AC flat at Al Khoud 3 bedrooms, hall and kitchen RO 270/for rent. Contact: 99334699 4 BHK single villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99385835 / 99428143

2BHK & 1BHK flats available in Darsait. Contact : 99357586 / 97500025

600 sqr mtrs showroom in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99792181

3 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

Flat for rent with AC in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95555162 /95755953

Flats for rent at Darsait near to Ministry of Sports.

Interested candidates please Contact : 00968-92225523

Flat for rent in Mabellah 8th.

Contact: 97147240

House for rent in Sidab at reasonable rent. Contact: 95555162 / 95755953

Brand new villa Bosher 37, 4 BHK. Contact: 91936034 Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569

23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Permoglaze paint mixer (tinting machine) – 6 months old – in good condition for sale in Rustaq. interested parties may pls call 93223382 / 99874936.

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 400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Maabela Phase 5 Block 2. OMR 140 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Restaurant for sale, Kadra Suwaiq.

Contact 97433012 A well settled/ well equipped ladies beauty parlor in running position located in Ghubra for sale. Contact immediately on 97498898

Used supermarket Gandola Shelving RO 40.00 per meter.

Contact 96441670 Marshal 1.5 ton A/C, Chest of drawers, sofa set, Nikai AC 1.5 ton, Raha Mattresses, fridge, cooking range, cot 3 nos, dining table with chairs, wardrobe, Samsung washing machine RO 950/-. Contact 24636655 / 24636666 Running laundry CBD. Contact 92841089 / 92868123 Newly built twin villa in Al Ansab Phase 3 for rent or sale, each villa consist of 5 bedrooms, 6 toilets, drawing, dining, kitchen outside, maid room with kitchen.

Contact 96917566 Used Fabrication machinery for sale : Fabrication machinery and tools in excellent condition for immediate sale. Contact 94652485/ 99273774/ 99202278 Shop for sale in Qurum.

Contact 96964767 Restaurant for-sale Very good location, Al khuwayer, 300+sqm, Equipped big kitchen (+bakery), many parking, separate entrance.

OMR50,000 Call 99788291 Shrimps & prawns fillet fish available wholesale & retail.

Contact 97990974 2,560 sq mtrs industrial land in 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 Forklift sale.

Contact: 99763831 Shop for sale in Ruwi High street, Contact 96078411 Wall papers, grass carpets sale & fixing. Contact: 99834373 / 96642500

Honda Accord, 2010, No. 1, 105000 kms, expat lady driven, dealer maintained, silver, expected price RO 4700/-. Contact 99330509 Land Cruiser 2012.Contact 99336093

PAJERO 2015 km1400.

Contact 99336093

Sportage, 2013. Contact 99336093

Used furniture & Electronic items, office & house. Contact: 99834373 / 96642500

4 & 5 BHK villa for rent in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181

Hummer H3,2006, Expat driven dealer maintained 1,70,000 km, RO 3900, immediate sale.

Contact 99370565 / 97097545

Prado ,2012. Contact : 99336093

SELL/BUY

3BHK, 3 bathrooms, 2 balconies, nr Al Hassan Wadi Kabir RO 325/-.

Contact 99384640

Mazda 3,1.6, 2008 Automatic, accident free, single owner.

Contact: 92030516

FOR EXPATS From owner plot of land near Zanzibar, airport price RO 15000.

Contact 99348943

AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

ACC. AVAILABLE Fully furnished room with attached bath for Executive bachelor, behind Al Meera Hypermarket, Azaiba, RO 150/-. Contact 99455735

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished room in new building for working Muslim lady/muslim couple only. Location: AINT, Darsait Contact 99008069 Room for bachelor couples, Ruwi, Mumtaz on main road. Ruwi tower 80/100. Contact :95084850/ 92230581 One room in a flat for Indian Exe - bachelor near Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99659513 Room attached bath & kitchen Executive bachelor or couple, opp.

Khimji Mart Muttrah.

Contact 97477670 Single rooms with attached bath available at Ruwi.

Contact 98049288 / 93431089 Furnished room available in Ruwi.

Contact 92435784 Large room with separate entrance, furnished at Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99336206 Independent rooms in Qurum / AL Hail. Contact 95529970

Single room with separate bathroom available near Divine Restaurant, Ruwi. Contact 95149047 / 96567139

Single room with attached bathroom for an Executive bachelor at Rex road Ruwi. Contact: 99535300

Semi furnished 2 BHK sharing in Al Khuwair. Contact 92888337

Furnished room with attached bath separate entrance in Mabela.

Contact :99634841

Semi furnished 2 BHK in Al Khuwair. Contact 92888337 Furnished sharing room with sharing kitchen for Executive bachelor or small family near Mars Hyper market Ghubrah. Contact: 98472758 1 bedroom, hall, kitchen & toilet available for family near ISD Darsait (Indians only) with wi-fi facility.

RO 150/- per month + Electricity & Water. Contact 93661570 Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair RO 225/- for family only.

Contact 99251975 Furnished master room Ruwi.

Contact : 99794399

Sharing accommodation in CBD area for non cooking Executive bachelors, wifi free, advance deposit.

Contact 91852710 Sharing accommodation available for working lady or couples near Ruwi Church. Contact: 92837206 Room for rent with sharing bathroom & kitchen at Al Khuwair, behind Golden Spoon Restaurant.

Contact 92994415 Furnished room for Indian Bachelor in Al Falaj area (Ruwi) & Lady in Wadi Kabir (near Al Maya).

Contact 96761960 Contd on Pg 6

D4

S U N D AY, AU G U S T 2 3, 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Filipino, 29 years, Male, BS Commerce major in Financial Accounting, 5years experience: Accounts PAYABLE/RECEIVABLE/PAYROLL, Excellent Communication/MS Office/Accounting Software skills.

Contact: 95057206/ patrick110486@yahoo.com

Indian Female Chartered Accountant [ACCA] looking for suitable placement. Contact: 99342077

Finance Manager, 22 yrs Oman experience. NOC available. Contact 91302906 / 91335205

Accountant, Indian male, B.Com, PGDSE with 12 yrs of experience currently on visiting visa seeks suitable placement. Contact 92750853, email : vinoykjospeh@gmail.com

Indian male MBA Graduate 24 yrs, 1 yr. experienced Accountant seeking suitable job. Contact: 94083260jithinnambiar777@gmail.com 7 yrs experience as Store keeper in Pakistan, 2 yrs experience as Accounts Assistant, B.Com from Karachi University, MS Office, operating system 98,2000, XP professional Windows 7, Internet.

Contact 91235746

ACCOUNTANT Urgently required Junior Accountant. Please send CV: hr.azatllc@gmail.com

BEAUTY Required experienced Hairdressers / full beauticians with exp in Ghubrah. Contact:97964519 / 94241385 Required HAIR DRESSERS / FULL BEAUTICIANS with Gulf experience.

Contact 96180078.

CATERING Chinese/ Arab/ continental cook & helper wanted. Contact 95529970 A fast growing chain of omani fusion restaurants in Muscat is looking to hire experienced waiters and chefs (2 yrs exp).Applicants should have NOCs if applicable.

Forward resume to creativefoodsllc@gmail.com Indian Cook required. Should know Omani traditional foods.

Contact 99209264

DRAFTSMAN K.Design LLC requires “2d & 3d Draftsman” with minimum 3 yrs experience. Send CV to k.designoman@gmail.com Leading Civil construction company requires “MEP DRAFTSMAN” with 4-6 years gulf experience. Send your CV to mep.oman2015@gmail. com. (NOC required).

DOMESTIC HELPER Housemaid required, part time, preferably Keralite for looking after 2 yr old child at Jibroo.

Contact 98162545 Urgently looking for an Expatriate House Boy with Cooking knowledge and experience.

Contact Immediately: 99460564 Require qualify caregiver for an orderly mother. Contact 99425200

DRIVER Experienced Expat Driver with valid Oman driving license required immediately for an Omani family in MSQ. Contact 24607772 / 99054998 H.V. Driver for trailer.

Contact 92131483 Driver heavy duty required urgently for trailer. Oman / GCC experience must. Those ready for immediate joining. Contact: 99310859

EDUCATION A private school located at Al Mawaleh Seeb looking for an English Teacher. Contact 98982088 Required female Science & IT Teachers from Pakistan, 4 grade near Ibra. Contact 95810797 A well known private school require English, Mathematics, Science, Physics & Computer Teacher.

Email : staffing.oman@gmail.com, ph: 96910649

Certified Public Accountant, Filipino Male 26 years, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with 5 yrs. of experience now on visit visa, Looking for suitable opening.

Contact: +968 91409308 Email: kennethalcedo07@gmail.com

ENGINEER Required Foreman (MEP) with 4 to 5 Years experience, for maintenance of Building, Having valid Omani Driving License.

Contact 94422083 Wanted Civil Engineer with 7 yrs and above experience. Email : almoosaengineering@gmail.com Automatic block factory requires qualified Engineer (Electromechanical) degree & diploma to operate new stationary block factory. Contact 97092070, email : alomranmcpllc@yahoo.com Urgently required for leading company: Civil Engineer : 8 yrs experience, Planning Engineer : 8 yrs experience, Surveyor : 8 yrs experience, Draftsman & AutoCAD : 5 yrs experience. Fax: 24478522, email : gh1.careers@gmail.com Civil construction company looking for fresh Civil Engineering degree holders. Send CV: awahaibitrad@gmail.com Smartphone Technician Required ftt@futuretarget.net GSM: 99110080/9669066 A grade Civil construction company in Muscat urgently requires the following person with minimum 3 yrs experience : 1) Electrical Engineer 2) AutoCAD Draughtsman 3) Purchaser.

Send CV to hr.azatllc@gmail.com MEP Engineer on urgent basis required for immediate placement.

Please contact tgi17@omantel.net.om

INTERIOR DECORATING Interior design & fit-out company based on Muscat Grand Mall looking for : (part/Fulltime) Project manager , Site Engineer , Site Supervisor CVs to be sent to : alzahi.oman@gmail.com

IT Leading IT Company in search of computer professionals with hands on experience in PC & laptop repair.

Send CV to vacancyready@gmail.com Indian male, 31 years, looking for job IT/marketing. Experience 7 years (Microsoft certificate) with Hardware & networking. Contact no: 95693351, Email: tmintu10@gmail.com

MEDICAL Urgently required for a Medical Centre GP doctor, Gynecologist, Male Nurse, female Nurses, Assistant Pharmacist with MOH license, salary negotiable. Send your CV: moc.hrd2015@gmail.com, Contact 92681842 Urgently Required Experienced GP Doctor, Gynecologist, Female Nurses with MOH license & NOC for a reputed specialized center based in Muscat. Please forward your CV to alqaimtrd@gmail.com

Female (Filipina) Accountant, Audit, Finance, Bookkeeper, 15 yrs experience, on tourist visa, looking for suitable placement, contact: 96944976, email: precyr_tupasi@yahoo.com

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Medical CARE Centre, Multi Speciality Clinic, Seeb, requires Gynecologist to work on Freelance (Profit Sharing) basis. Interested candidates call- 97884856

Accomplished Sales/Business Development Executives & Lady Telemarketing Executives for leading digital media company. Send CV to: jobs@interacoman.com

Wanted Dental Technician (5-8) yrs experience. Good knowledge in computer applications, preferably with CAD/CAM system. Mail your CV to hhabadri@gmail.com

A reputed printing & advertising firm in muscat urgently requires male / female sales executives Contact : 99619552 , email : hocsigns@gmail.com

Wanted female Nurse for clinic in South Sharkiya. Contact 94783831, medicaljobsoman@yahoo.com

Required urgently Energetic Marketing executive for acquiring new customers. Should possess a Valid Omani DL. Contact 96545020.

Immediately required lady Doctor (DGO) or GP with Gynecology experience & lab technician. #99310590.

Email : tjmaluke@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Urgently required for an Insurance broker (preference will be given to Nationals) General Manager, Accountant, Marketing Manager, Marketing Executives & underwriter. Send your CV’s to enquiry@unitedinsuranceoman.com Established real estate company looking for male or female property agents for leasing and sales of the property. Applicant must be Graduate, possess Omani or GCC driving license.

Having oman market experience.

Apply with NOC. Attractive salary +commission. Send your CV: property@ labdmarkmuscat.com Required Salesman, Tailor & Barber.

Contact 96964767 Wanted Diesel Mechanics, foreman for cement block factory, JCB & forklift operators. Salesman for block factory, experienced salesman for logistics, labors for block factory.

Email : smylackal@gmail.com, Contact 94007259 C.C.T.V camera technician, Electrician & plumber, Driver, Mason.

Contact: 99383044 Looking for a foreign staff with experience in Oman in real estate & real estate valuation. Contact 99109094, email : aburashid94dd@gmail.com Required Indian or Pakistani calligrapher & Painter (staff accommodation) Contact# 24480487/24483493

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Rig Operator/Technician/Driver/ Security Positions in Musandam.

Must have Oil field experience Good Communication Skills. Please email your resume in Arabic and English to HR@petroteloman.com

SALES / MARKETING

A private clinic in Oman requires a Staff Nurse & Lab Technician with MOH license or prometric passed (Indian female preferably) salary negotiable. Interested candidates kindly mail their resumes / CV with contact details : medicalclinic2014@gmail. Com or call 00968 99049381

Business intelligence / Global Marketing management specialist with 9 years of experience developing brand value & managing overall projects to achieve business objectives seeking suitable position on family visit. Contact: 91902154

Wanted GP Doctor for clinic.

Ph 98115439

Required Marketing Executive.

Contact 24816774 / 99020458

An excellent grade company wishes to recruit for the post of Marketing Executive for science products. Male candidates only, preferred candidates with bachelors degree in life sciences. Interested candidates may send their CV’s to Email : medical@omanmed.com Looking for Outdoor Salesman for heavy equipment spare parts.

Contact - 93292015, Email: mail.om@gulfcenter.co Sales Executive Industrial products : 2-3 yrs of exp. with good communication & computer skills. D/L is must. Send resume to salescvv@hotmail.com Accomplished Sales Executives/ Telemarketing Executives for leading Digital Media Enterprise. jobs@interacoman.com Furniture field experienced Salesman with license.

Contact - 99345159, 91398378 , E-Mail - agsan2005@gmail.com Urgently required outdoor salesman for building material, shop.

Contact 99867456 / 24501882 A logistics company wishes to recruit experienced Marketing Executives for its clearing & forwarding division. Interested candidates may send their CV’s at Email : medical@omanmed.com Urgently require Indian male/ female Medical sales representative for Cosmetic Company. Email CV to dania@nitrogenmedical.com Salesman & Merchandisers urgently required for a reputed FMCG Company engaged in manufacturing & trading in Oman. Candidate must have minimum 1-2 yrs experience in the similar field & valid Oman driving license.

Interested candidates may send their CV to sunnex3@gmail.com Required Smart, dynamic Sales & A reputed company in Muscat requires Sales Executive to promote Oil engine products. Candidate must have 2- 5 yrs experience in the related field, with GCC driving license.

Send CV with expected salary at employmentoil2015@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED

Accounts finance Indian male 35 yrs B.Com, M.B.A tally exp 9.7 yrs exp 1.5 yr Oman family visa N.O.C available. Contact : 93257426.

Email: sibigeorgep@gmail.com Part time accountant services available. Contact:93438100 Part Time Accounting, Accounts Finalization, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Monthly Profitability Reports, Onsite Tally Training, Contact : 96975454, email :ibfc.gcc@gmail.com

Indian male, 10 yrs experience, 6 yrs in Oman, with Oman driving license, having NOC, seeking suitable job. Contact 96012973

Indian female B.Tech (EEE) MBA finance with 1and half years experience as Bank Officer in India seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 91358676 / 98157895 Email: sujivu88@gmail.com An Indian Lady Chartered Accountant with five years experience (including articleship), on family visa in Oman looking for a suitable job. Contact 9621 0347 / 9943 5346, shincycrajan@gmail.com Jordanian Accountant (ACPA) with more than 15 yrs experience in Oman (Accounts, Purchase & finance). Contact: 92881223 Email: kamal_sarhan@yahoo.com Motivated and energetic male 25 having 4 years of experience in finance with Master’s degree in Economics and CAT Certified seeking opportunity in Accounts/finance/ audit in a reputable organization.

Cell no: 00968-94626209 E-Mail: omerjawedshah@gmail.com

ADMIN Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 14 years of Gulf experience in HR / Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic / English with D/L looking for suitable position. Contact: 95824598

Chief Financial Officer 16 yrs of Management exp with MNCs in Pakistan, expert in financial reporting sap/oracle implementing & optimization, Treasury, taxation, team work and change Management.

Contact: 91936637/ Email : rizwanfarooq.pk@gmail.com

Purchase, Admin, Indian male, 15 yrs Gulf experience.

Contact 95435370

M.com, female, good knowledge in computer & tally 1 yr experience in Sales & Accounts seeks suitable placement. Contact 99363721

An Indian lady, MBA in HR & marketing with 4 yrs experience in teaching, seeking suitable placement. Contact 91108766 / 97447825

Indian male, B.Com Diploma in office Automation, pursuing ICWA having 6 yrs (India, Oman) exp in Accounts, Audit Finance seeks suitable positions. Familiar with tally, ERP & focus. NOC available Contact : 94706954.

E mail:ajurn33@gmail.com

8 yrs exp in Admin & Accounts (3 yrs in Oman), MBA, Indian female, seeks placement. Contact 97243806

Indian 24 years MBA finance 2 years experience seeking suitable placement. Contact: 98222753 Email - shemeejup@gmail.com Finance/ Audit professional with 18 yrs Gulf experience can work independently or head the division looking for opening. Contact 92787747 / 92168401.

Management finance professional, 36 yrs experience, 20 yrs in Oman with oil & gas & mining companies can work independently or head the division, Sudanese Nationality.

Contact 98531303 Fresh Graduate B.Com with CIMA .

U. K. (Partly Qualified ) looking for a suitable position in the Middle east.

Contact 9470 5767 Indian male, MBA, 27 yrs, 2 yrs exp. in Oman in Accounts upto finalization of accounts, seeks suitable placement. Contact 91208799, jahafeer@yahoo.co.in Indian male,, MBA, Finance, 10 yrs exp as Branch Supervisor in a reputed logistics company in Oman with an overall experience of 21 yrs in finance & logistics, with valid Oman D/L, on visit looks for suitable placement. Contact 96567151, girishlalmahadev@yahoo.com FMCG professional with 18 yrs Gulf experience in commercial / operations looking for opening.

Contact 92787747 / 92168401 Senior Document Controller, male, Indian, MCA 9+ yrs experience as Document controller in oil & gas sector seeks job as Senior Document controller. Contact 95388197, Email : rojanchristopher@gmail.com

Indian female MBA, 3 Year Experience in Admin MIS , Family Visa.

Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com

Oman/Qatar experienced Indian lady available for immediate placement HR / Admin/ front office/ reception/document controller/ insurance coordinator.

Contact : 0097470057238 shinuemil@gmail.com Indian 16 yrs exp in admin, Office management and have knowledge in accounting looking for job. Release available and have D/L. Contact: 99573353 Chartered CIPD HR Professional having 5 years of experience in Oman seeking suitable job.

Call +971552071501.

Indian male having 17 yrs experience in Logistics, Purchase, payroll processing & office Admin, UAE D/L seeks suitable position, valid visa till 24th August’15. . Contact 91219303 Purchase, Admin, Indian male, 15 yrs Gulf experience.

Contact: 95435370 HSE Admin experience for 10 years in GCC with valid D/L seeking to join a reputed firm. NOC available.

Contact: 99626821 Indian female, 29 yrs, MBA (HR) 4 yrs exp in HR & Admin seeking suitable placement. Contact: 95619537 Master degree HRM professional having excellent experience in finance and management and having 8 yrs experience looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92955453 / 91213269

BEAUTICIAN Beautician from India looking for job. Contact 93554741

DRIVER

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE 12 yrs of Oman experienced Chief Accountant looking for immediate placement. Contact 99513082

Part time accountant services available to handle all accounts related work up to finalization.

Contact 96247295

Driver with car. Contact 91452930 Light Duty Driver with 2 yrs exp. in Oman. Contact 96420742

S U N DAY, AU G U S T 2 3, 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

DRIVER

SALES / MARKETING

Driver available with car. Contact 96771598

Sudanese young man looking for job with suitable fluent in computers & experience in Sales.

Contact 91318822

Light Driver. Contact 95779594, Ruwi Light Driver with 2 yrs experience looking for job with visa.

Contact 96794309 Driver, Indian Keralite, 4 yrs experience. Contact 93798442 Driver available, 24 hrs, pick & drop. Contact 95154610 Indian light driver having 1 yr experience in Oman, knowing English, Hindi, Arabic looking for job. Contact 95214332 Indian male, looking for Heavy Driver job, holding Kuwait driving license. Contact 98136170 H.T. V Driver, Pakistani experience, 6 yrs, seeks work in company only.

Contact 93985087 Indian male 2 yrs exp in (D/L in sales seeker suitable placement.

Contact: 92055093

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

MEDICAL

BE Mechanical Engineer, 22 yrs, Indian male on permanent visa & valid driving license looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact 91652927 / 99680181, Email : fawaris.09@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer bachelor degree having 6+ years experience of Gulf and professional license available to join. Contact: 98063081 Email: imran.engr08@gmail.com

Indian Dentist couple seeking for an opportunity, both Prometric passed, BDS male (80%), BDS female (81%).

Email ppdr2020@gmail.com, Ph: 97985325

SAP – SCM.MM Consultant B.Tech.

(Chemical), from NIT, working with oil industry, seeks employment.

Contact: 98049288

Veterinary Doctor with 10 yrs experience, looking for job.

Contact 92533579

Bangladeshi male, BSC Engg in Civil, total 3 years experience, 2 years in Oman, looking for job.

Contact: 00968 94038642 ; email: shaikhhasib.ce@gmail.com Pakistani male, Diploma in civil, total 6 years experience , 4 years in Oman, with valid D/L, looking for job.

Contact: +968 98568934; Emai: eng.arfan54@yahoo.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Civil foreman, Civil Engineer, Indian exp overseas looking for job.

Contact 95175192 Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineer, 26 yrs, Masters from Singapore, Bachelors from India. Having 2 yrs work experience in Oman, with Valid Oman driving license. available immediately. Contact: 95498953 Mechanical Engineer with 5 yrs exp in which 3 yrs in GCC with valid D/L. looking for suitable placement.

Contact :94172136, Email: allen.mathew@hotmail.com

Light Driver, 9 yrs exp. (Keralite).

Contact 97313562

Indian male, 15 yrs experience in GCC looking for HSE job, NOC, local transfer available.

Contact 93099578, Email : abdulsamad1966@yahoo.com

Looking for a job as Driver, with 9 yrs experience in Oman, language : Arabic/ English/ Hindi.

Contact 92517532

Indian male, 29 yrs, BE Electronics & Communication Engg (5 yrs exp. in Oman) with valid D/L. Contact 96652145

Light driver 5 years exp Education B.A language English, Arabic & Hindi. Contact : 98522914 / 91615715

Civil Engineer BSc -7 years experience with constructions companies - 2 years in Oman - qualified as a project Engineer- Fluent in Arabic & English - Contact 98078095

Civil Engineer : Pakistani male having 4 yrs experience in Oman. Well handle site & guide workers, seeks suitable placement.

All the documents available.

Contact 96470310.

Civil Engineer Indian male 10 yrs exp having Omani D/L looking for suitable placement. Contact: 94194399 (shiblyrock@gmail.com)

Electrical and Electronics Engineer with one year experience and GCC licence holder seeking a job mail – shyjalpk@gmail.com

Indian male, 30 yrs, Diploma in Civil Engineer, 5 yrs exp. at building construction & consulting company with Oman driving license. NOC available seeks suitable placement.

Contact 95989500, cv.shihabedappal@gmail.com

Indian male Electronic Technician, 7 yrs experience, CCTV Technician seeks suitable job, now on visit visa.

Contact 98353542 / 99179853

Heavy & light duty driver valid GCC license looking job from India.

Contact 93554741 Light Driver, 5 yrs experience looking for job. Contact 92617293 Sri Lankan driver. #97387112 Light duty driver, 8 yrs exp.

Contact: 96736744

DRAUGHTSMAN 17 yrs Oman experienced MEP/ Civil Senior Draftsman / Designer seeking placement.

Contact 93130104, Email : designjob2014@gmail.com Draftsman (2D/3D) 3 yrs exp in Oman with light Oman driving license. Contact:95962384

DOMESTIC HELPER Philippina Maid is looking for Domestic job or Baby seater with experience on Nursing age and all work in the house. Call : 96369299 Housemaid (Madras tamil speaking) from India looking job.

Contact 95175192

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian BE (Mech) Engineer having P.G diploma in oil &gas piping and level two NDT seeks immediate placement in any industry at present on visit visa.

Contact: 92013757/ 99774956 Indian job in procurement & contract have “13” years purchase & contract experience in infrastructure & energy sector. NOC is available.

Contact-91237036 Instrumentation Engineer, nearly 4 yrs experience in oil & gas industry, seeks job in Oman.

Contact 90198210, Email : terinsam@gmail.com Indian male 31yrs BE. Mech. 8 yrs exp Sales & marketing. Valid D/L NOC available. Contact : 97116858 Indian male, B.Tech, Mechanical Engineer having 2 yrs experience seeking suitable job. Contact 94768977, syedomer363@gmail.com Indian Male, 24, UK Graduate - MSc (Eng.) Environmental Engineering and Project Management with B.Eng. Biotechnology. Holding Valid Omani Driving License, looking for suitable placement. Contact +968 99452305 Civil Engineer Pakistani 12+ 2 yrs Oman exp. Oman D/L seeks placement. Contact: 94392616 Mechanical Engineer, 23 yrs, male, having knowledge in HVAC seeks suitable placement.

Contact 95434381, Email : shuhaibusman313@gmail.com Sudanese Electrical Engineer.

Email : mohamedkarrar.mk@gmail. com, contact 97452159

Indian male 25MBA having 4years Gulf experience in Coordination with contracting company .NOC Available.

Looking for(Store,Coordination,Admin ,Backoffice) Jobs Ph:95405885 HSE Logistics Site Coordination with 10 yrs exp. in Oman seeks placement, with Oman D/L. Contact 92825053 / 92565093 Mechanical Engineer, 2 yrs experience in Automobile services.

Contact 98182081 Indian Mechanical Engineer (QA/ QC) Engineer with 5 yrs of experience in oil & gas, mining & manufacturing sector, keyskills – NDT, Welding Inspection, Quality control, inspection etc. Contact 91176122, Email : khajanaseer07@yahoo.co.in Electrical Engg, suitable for office works, NOC available, experience in maintenance for CB & relays, fluent in English. Contact 97891226 / 95268664 B Tech Mechanical Engineer HVAC Plumbing with 2 yrs exp. in India. Contact : 97654489 nikhilchandpm@gmail.com Indian Civil Engineer, B.Tech, 13 yrs experience in building pipes.

Contact 91342325 Indian male MBA 13 yrs exp in Oman (8 yrs in Tech Documentation 5 yrs in Project coordination) Administration, seeks suitable placement. Visa transfer / NOC available.

Contact : 93069441 Civil Engg, B.Tech, Indian male, having 3 yrs of experience in Construction & EPB looking for suitable placement. Contact 91430851.

Civil Engineer (B. Tech) Indian female, 2 yrs exp (1 yr in Oman) seeks suitable position.

Contact: 93911895 Pakistani Civil Management Engineer, 12+ 2 yrs Oman experience, Oman D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94392616 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 Civil Engineer, more than 6 yrs experience in Supervision, site management, QS, Engineering software with valid Oman driving license.

NOC available. Contact 91761364, Email : a-shaqfa@hotmail.com

Indian male 24 yrs B Tech Electronics & communication looking for job, having 6 months exp available in Muscat on visit visa.

Contact: 94756280 / 95084905, Email: vivek2573459@gmail.com

Indian male, B.Tech, B.Tech (Electronics) MBA (Marketing) having 1 yr experience as Deputy Manager Sales in Fortune 100 MNC currently on visit visa seeks suitable job.

Contact 96967234, Email: lijotitus111@gmail.com SUPERVISOR: Indian male site supervisor (AIR CONDITIONING) 25 years of experience with valid Oman Driving license, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97498809, 93391910 Email: hilariankj@gmail.com Civil Engineer BSc-Total Experience 6 years-2 years in Oman, experience in site work & Structural Design & Technical office.

Contact 97983610 Indian male, Supervisor Electrician Diploma 8 yrs in Oman. NOC available. Contact 95057068, jratheesh@yahoo.com Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com Civil Project Engineer exp 10 yrs.

Contact: 92673432 Email: arifjamalkhan8@gmail.com Telecommunication Maintenance Engineer Sudanese male 2 years experience in HUAWEI hardware field cabins good communication English & Arabic. Contact :+ 968 96433495 / +968 94756295 Email: muzamilawadalla@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, Indian male, 29 yrs having 5 yrs of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India (MRF yres) seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92789995, Email : akhilabrahamlktr@gmail. com Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Electrical Engineer 2 years experience (Indian) construction (building) looking suitable placement.

Contact 00968 92596672 Email: kundara.renjith@gmail.com Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385 Experienced Electrical Technician, with Oman driving license looking for suitable placement.

Contact 96103843 Civil Engineer B.E, 5.5 years experience with Omani D/L. Contact 96785311

EDUCATION Indian female, B.Sc, B.Ed, 3 yrs experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact 91330415 Male, 32 yrs, M.A English, M.Sc Psychology & B.Ed in English having 4 yrs of experience in teaching. The present company is ready to give the release letter. Contact 99869535, sahadkeyi33@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Diploma holder in Aviation Hospitality & travel management, Indian male seeking for suitable position, presently in Oman. Contact 97309707 4 Years experienced (Money exchange services & Hospitality services in Oman & India) - Indian male 27 years, graduate in Hospitality science, fluent in English, Hindi & Arabic seeks suitable placement.

Contact 91383167

IT NETWORK/NETWORK SECURITY ENGG. Graduate in B.Tech CS. Have 5.3 years of experience in Network and Security devices. Certified on CCNA, CCNP, MCITP and CCIE Sec. Written passed. NOC available. Can join immediately. Contact +974-55297089, e-mail: rejad.hashim@gmail.com Indian female MCA,24 years seeking suitable job. Contact 93439467 Indian female, B.Tech, IT (now in Muscat on visit visa) with total 2 yrs experience (1.3 yrs in TCS, India) seeks suitable placement.

Contact 93949541 / 93738083, email : joantoms91@gmail.com B.E (Computer) degree Engineer, complete schooling in Muscat, male, Indian with 1 yr experience needs job in software / networking / Java/ Web design or Marketing.

Contact 97136248 / 99313821 Sudanese female IT Tech. Support, Demographic, English fluent exp.

11.6 yrs. Contact: 96659392 Indian (f) with 7 yrs exp in software development (2.5 yrs Oman exp) good knowledge in .net and MSSQL Server seeks suitable placement.

Contact : 93276784 email: sanalkumar63@gmail.com Indian visit visa, Network / System Engineer switches, routers, servers, load balancers 5 yrs of exp holds B.E (ECE), CCNA looking for good opportunity. Contact: 91911792 Email: arafakdnl@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Supervisor fabrication. 30 years experienced in oil and gas industry with thorough knowledge of PDO procedures. contact 99365694, 92362946, 99208102 email: tapasroy21@yahoo . com Supervisor / Forman interior / electrical with Oman driving license.

Contact: 98767559 MIB Post Graduate /male – more than 9 years of experience in shipping & Logistics in middle east (Liner Section) looking for a suitable job in Oman. .Mob :( India) 91-9400043894, Oman 99899627 Email: jaise81@gmail.com Indian Male 13 years experience in Purchase/Store seeks urgent placement Contact -99609696

BA degree Nursing professional having excellent looking for suitable placement. Contact:: 92955453 /91213269

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 26 yrs Graduate, 2 yrs exp as logistics Coordinator looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 96944298 Indian looking for Supervisor, Safety officer, Camp boss or Sales Executive. Contact 94003617 36 yrs, Indian, male, X Ray, Welder looking for job, 8 yrs experience in TIG & ARC Welding, presently on visit visa.# 91360190 / 91843992 Management Professional accountable, responsible for profitable management can handle the entire operations, HR/Recruitment, Business development & Sales & marketing & etc, Great organizational skills with over 23+yrs exp. in Bombay, Saudi Arabia, Dubai-UAE & Oman(11yrs) as General Manager - Publications, Printing,Media. open to any industry, can Join immediately w/NOC. Contact : +968 98864706/99574638 Mail : akdas_uae@yahoo.com

PROJECTS Indian male, with 8 yrs exp. in Oman (BA- Graduate) working as a project Sales Coordinator, with Oman D/L, looking for suitable job, ready to join immediately with NOC, open for Sales & Marketing also.

Contact 95245057

SALES / MARKETING Dynamic professional in consumer business/ sales with over 20 yrs of experience in Oman field, FMCG consumer electronics consumer telecom looking for suitable placement.

NOC available. Contact 99360975 / 99049536.

Sales and marketing - male 27 yrs, 2 years experience seeking suitable placement with Oman D/L. Contact: 95642740 Email: shaijichakkara@gmail.com Indian male Post graduate 6+ yrs of experience in credit controller marketing looking for suitable job, valid Oman driving license, own car. NOC available. Contact 95327018 Indian male, MBA, Marketing having 5 yrs experience in Sales/ Marketing in Oman seeks suitable placement. D/L & NOC available.

Contact 93815477 Indian male 27 yrs, Diploma, 3 yrs exp in Oman in Sales & Supervisor, Oman driving license holder, looking for suitable placements.noc available. Contact 93725995 Marketing/Sales, having work experience of 6 years in the hotel sales and tour operations seeking for immediate job placement.

Contact 98078305 Indian male, 30 yrs, 6 yrs Oman exp. outdoor supplier & sales with D/L. Contact 93100297 / 92547440 Indian male Graduate with 2 yrs exp in sales advertising, presently on visiting visa looking for suitable opening. Contact: 95462921 Male, 29 yrs, MBA, Marketing having 9 yrs experience in Sales, Marketing, customer services seeks job. Contact 98163254, Email : shujaat_ali2014@hotmail.com Graduate, Indian male, 39 yrs, GCC experienced 9 yrs in Sales logistics with D/L. Contact 98826959

MEDICAL M.Sc Microbiologist, Indian female, 3 yrs experience seeking suitable placement in Medical Lab food or water. Contact 92302719

Indian male, Graduate with 18 yrs experience in Sales & Marketing 3 yrs in UAE currently on visit visa, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 91996486 / 99732070

MBA Graduate with 1 yr experience in Sales, having D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact 97620084, email : gautamacchu13@gmail.com Bangladeshi male, looking job for salesman. Contact 97756028 Indian male, 2 yrs exp. in Sales with D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92055093 MBA, HR & Marketing, Indian, male, 25 yrs, fresher, on visit visa seeks placement. Contact 94736649 / 98207564, Email : dvengels8191@gmail.com Marketing/Sales, 1 year experience/ Degree holder(BBA) / valid Driving license. Contact;94122944, mail; raashidjabirm@gmail.com Indian on visit visa, having 5 yrs exp. in procurement / purchase in KSA with valid Saudi driving license. Contact 95438201 Male, BA with D/L, 6 yrs exp. in Oman seeks suitable job in Sales & Inventory & procure.

Contact 92191026 Indian male 27 years, B.Tech Graduate having good work experience with valid Oman D/L looking for a suitable opening as Sales Engineer.

Contact: 91472953 Email: harees.rasheed.2014@gmail.com Looking for job as Salesman at any shop. Contact 96930922

SKILLED/ UNSKILLED Car audio system technician with package experience in car, fibre glass & wood work designing, subwoofer box repairing & accessories installation. Contact 94346977.

Whatsapp 98818931 Building construction supervisor looking for small Omani company to handle independently or suitable placement in good company with Oman D/L. Contact 93061107 TIG+ARC Welder Indian with 16 yrs Middle East exp. in Copper Nickel, Duplex, Inconel, S.S, CS Now on visit visa seeks suitable placement..

Contact : 96502282.

Email: manuangola88@gmail.com

TOURS & TRAVELS Five years experience in Travel field ,BCom., IATA & pursuing MBA, Presently working in the Travel Desk of (ITC managed) Five Star Hotel in India, looking for a suitable position in the Middleeast. pls contact 9470 5767 11 yrs experience in travel field B.Com, IATA, MCSE working for Qatar Airways, Sales reservation ticketing driving license & NOC available. Contact 92954613

MISCELLANEOUS SALES MANAGER (MECHANICAL ENGINEER)-Over 5 yrs in Oman, with experience in Industrial Products & Services with Noc & driving license looking for the challenging opportunities. Notice period Ends on 27th August -2015 . GSM - 95291830 ACCOUNTANT, Male, 8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with Oman Driving license. NOC available seeks suitable opportunity.

GSM: 98184170 Filipino (male), 37 yrs. old, having 8yrs. experience in Operation (Shipping & Logistics) currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

GSM: 97121525 Sales Representative or Purchase officer. Indian male 30 years, Looking for suitable placement in CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRIES and OILFIELD INDUSTRIES. Having 5 years of gulf experience in FASTENERS and BUILDING MATERIAL. with good communication skills.

Contact: 00968 97756269, Email: razzakbmt@gmail.com Male available for a part time accounting & admin job, Contact:99196621.

INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS,B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic) having 4 years working experience as an Electrical site Engineer, currently on visit visa. Seeking suitable placement. Contact no. 98045482

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SIT.WANTED 21 years, B. Com, graduate male ‘fresher’ well versed in English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam with Driving license looking for a suitable job. Contact: 96799287 24 years, ACCA affiliate, 2.5 years of experience in audit, finance in Big6 and oil industry, looking for suitable placement, NOC release available. Contact 95140445, Email: a.saran891@gmail.com Indian male, 29 yrs, B.Tech Electronics & Communication Eng. + diploma in SAP, 7 years professional experience, looking for a job in Oman / other GCC countries.

Contact: 0091 973 928 5790, Email: rahul.rn198@gmail.com Indian male MBA finance and marketing having 2 year experienced in accounting. Having good knowledge in Tally ERP and advanced excel.

Looking for suitable job opportunities. Available on visit visa can join immediately. Contact:94676974, Email : anfalruk@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED

Mechanical Engineer : Indian , male 23 years, 2 years experience, on visit visa . Seeking suitable placement.

Contact : +968 91409712 , Email : nibin.nani@gmail.com

Well qualified Indian Female Bsc, Computers diploma 9 years of experience as Executive Secretary seeks placement.

Contact 95423692,91374217

Babar Ali Male, Pak, Exp 14 Years in Accounts, IT & Administration, looking for a better position in Oman, No need of Visa, already working in of the Omani Construction Company.

Contact:- 95983711.

Indian female with MBA in finance on visit visa seeking immediate placement.

Contact :968-93316493

Advertising/media executive with 15 years gulf experience with oman driving license. Seeks good opening.

Contact 93031168 Masters in Information Systems and IT with more than 12 years experience seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 98502793, email:jobsrs6@gmail.com AutoCad Civil Draftsman – Having 3 years- experience, looking for a placement.(Full- time or Part time) 99627427 / 96154564.

Indian Female, 25 years, M.Sc Electronics + Multimedia, having one year teaching experience in Government college in India, seeks suitable placement. Contact GSM 99367448 Indian Male, 37 Years , B Tech Graduate Electrical. Having 12 Years Experience of DCRP Works / Jobs in Oman with Driving License, Looking for an suitable opening, NOC Available. Contact – 92122338, Email saiviharvasanth@gmail.com Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact : 98803439 Indian Female Lawyer having 11 yrs experience presently working in Oman seeks placement in Legal/HR/ Admin etc. NOC available Contact-94436960 Email: famidakhan123@gmail.com INDIAN MALE 24 YEARS, B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic).Having 2 years experience as Electrical Site Engineer in Constructions. Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications.

Seeking for suitable placement in constructions or in any related industries.

Contact no: 98045482/ mastanshaik1008@gmail.com Filipino (male), 37 yrs. old, having 8yrs. experience in Operation (Shipping&Logistics) currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

GSM: 97121525 Quantity Surveyor-MEP (Estimation/Project) ,Total 10 Years Experience (3 years in Oman).

Having NOC & Oman D/L, Looking for suitable job, Contact - 97906551

Sales Representative or Purchase officer. Indian male 30 years , looking for suitable placement in construction industries and oilfield industries. Having 5 years of Gulf experience in FASTENERS and building material. with good communication skills. Contact: 97756269, Email: razzakbmt@gmail.comIndian Indian male 23 years Graduate, working as a sales coordinator cum purchase & office coordination 2 YEARS in oman Having oman license & NOC looking for suitable job in Muscat. GSM:97475860 Email:yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com Pakistani male 32 years IT network + Computer Hardware professional A+ MCSE Termination Technician work Experience in salalah airport.

10+ years experience in IT field and 2 years Oman working experience valid GCC driving license available looking for a suitable placement contact no 96733205 Email - faisalzaman24@gmail.com B.E Mechanical engineer,2 years job experience in Oman in pipeline field, having ASNT level ll in UT,RT,MT and PT, fluent in English, Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi, with valid Omani driving license (light) searching for job.

Contact +968 92745691 ACCOUNTANT: Indian male senior Accountant, Graduate & CA Article ship completed. 18 Years of experience. Currently on visiting visa. seeks suitable placement. Contact: 97498809, 99769743, Email: hilariankj@gmail.com Indian male executive secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 Indian male 35 yrs, 10 yrs UAE experience in FMCG, looking for a suitable position in sales and marketing, valid GCC license on visit visa.

Contact 93438747, 95723635.

Indian Male 28 years MSM, B. Com having 6years experience in Gulf and India as a HR and Admin looking for suitable placement.

Contact : 97914340.

Email: rajkv30@gmail.com Available for a part time accounting job. Contact 99196621

Having exp in the following, MS Windows Server 2003 & 2008, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 & E-Mail Client Administration,Linux Administration, Service Desk Administration, Network Management, Technical Support. Presently the candidate in India.Mob:97239854 Software Developer, Indian female, B.Tech (AE & I), M.Tech (VLSI Design), asp.net, C#,.net, C++, Core Java, Android Java, looking for suitable placement. Contact 95906935, Email : amalpkku@gmail.com Electronics / Instrumentation Engineer, Indian female, M.Tech (VLSI Design), B.Tech (applied Electronics & Instrumentation), ASP.Net, C++.Net, C++, Android Java, looking for suitable placement. Contact 95906935, Email : amalpktu@gmail.com Indian male, B.com, MBA, having 5 years experience (3 years in U.A.E) is currently seeking suitable opportunities within finance/ accounts/admin dept.

Contact:93953613, allen.mathew83@gmail.com B.Com graduate, 11 years experience in Accounts, 9 years Oman experience , Oman valid driving license, looking for suitable post.

Mob:92758404 NOC Available.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available. Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 Two year experience in Oman, experience in sales, purchase and system admin, Having GCC license.

Contact number 97475860, Yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com Indian Male, 32 yrs, MBA-HR, Trainer & Faculty worked on Omanisation & nationals development activities with 10 yrs of experience seeking suitable job. Contact : 93891401 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com Sudanese 29 male (Bsc computer science,diploma computer engineering), 6 yrs. experience dba oracle plsql , ms sql-server ,ms visual studio vba,network Omani Driver licence language English, Arabic Tel: 91415886 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 / 96143708/97357143 Indian male 27 years B.E & MS Mechanical Engineer working in Delhi for last 4 years inJcb India pvt. ltd., seeks placement in Oman. #93393768

SITUATION WANTED Indian male 23 years Graduate, working as a sales coordinator cum purchase & office coordination 2 yrs in oman Having oman license & NOC looking for suitable job in Muscat Email:yadhukrishnan08@gmail. com, GSM:97475860 Indian Male 22 Years , Graduation In Electronics Seeking Jobs In Supervisory , Sales & Sales Co-ordination Fields , Good Communication Skill # 96141317, E-mail: akhilek5@gmail.com Driver looking for job exp 2 yrs.

Contact: 98522914 Female MBA gold medalist, with computer proficiency, Oman driving license looking for job opportunity in event management companies in Muscat. Ph : 99012949 Indian female B. Com MBA finance ,5 years experience in oman as an account seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99044292 DIPLOMA+B.E.(CIVIL ENGINEER), Indian, 4 years of experience, currently on visit visa; Seeking Right Position. GSM:91570703.

ME. Civil Engineer, Structural Designer, 3 Years Structural Design, 6 Years Str. Engineer Experience, Looking For Structural Designer Position. Iranian Male. Contact: 93696929, Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com B-tech Electrical Engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat.

Contact: 98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com Male Graphic designer cum animation, non linear editing VFX, seeking suitable position.

Contact: 97792661 / 96229406 Indian lady 30 years Graduate having work experience in India and Oman looking for Admin or any other suitable job. Contact : 95676957 Indian Female Accountant, CA Final (Group I cleared), 5+ year’s experience in the field of Accounts, Audit and Financial ERPs. Currently available in Muscat and seeking suitable job opportunities.Ph:94704800 email id: vinithsavith@gmail.com

Civil site coordinator, Diploma, Male 25, now present in Oman, Seeking job in Oman. # 92887561, jubincivileng@gmail.com Data Entry operator cum Buyer, Indian male,26years.BA, Computer proficiency :Operating system (Windows 2000xp & Windows7) E plus and Tally ERP9, 4 yrs Experience in Oman seeks suitable placements.

Mob: 95360255

Indian Female BSC nurse with 8+ years of experience including 3 years of GCC exp. Oman Prometric passed with 57 %. Currently in Oman.

Contact : 98034384 Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 36 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 9 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking, 1 year sales experience. M. Sc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license. Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com Indian female, 24yrs, M.COM (Accounts) having 3 yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proficiency seeking Suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913 Indian, presently on visit visa in Salalah looking for job B.com failed UAE experience in accounts, commercial Admin & warehouse. Contact: 92754071 /93346931 Email: sathyanathanuk@gmail.com Indian male, 39 yrs, MSC Computer Science 10 years experience IT support, FMS Engineer, bank experience looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94276449 MBA (Marketing /HR) with 45 years exp in business development and marketing, having valid Oman driving license seeks suitable placement currently available on family visa.

Contact 97618033 Email: vjgeorge12@gmail.com Indian male 63 years have 30 years Muscat experience all office work sales business development insurance administration accounts with Oman driving license. # 99249412

ACC. AVAILABLE Fully furnished room for a decent expatriate. independent kitchen, bathroom in Wadi Adai.

Contact 96243086 at 5p.m.

Room attached toilet and kitchen near Indian School Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95345537 Fully furnished 1BHK with all household items in Darsait near Lulu on monthly Basis. Contact : 99378397/99493500

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact. com

SIT.WANTED Indian female LLB (Advocate) 2 years experience looking for suitable post legal advisor company secretary etc. # 93343190 / 94476387 Email: shafu1019@gmail.com Indian female, B.Sc, PGDCA, currently on family joining visa, 2 years working experience in oman as customer care / sales co-ordinator, immediate joining seeks suitable placements. Contact no. (968) 95573205 / 95949230 / 95800792 B.E (IT) 1 year exp complete schooling in Muscat needs job in software / net working / java/ WEB design or marketing. #97136248 / 99313821 Indian male 22 years ACCA affiliate , BSc, Graduate in applied accounting 2 months working experience seeking suitable placement in Finance / Accounts / audit immediately. Contact: 97378607 / 92558734 B-tech Electrical Engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact: 98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

Looking for Investor to start steel fabrication unit. Contact 98314531 Invite business proposals on profit sharing basis. Email : contact@absmct.com/ 99221683 Canadian Consultancy Company is looking for a Partner in Oman. For more information please contact +973 39990830 New company seek partnership.

Contact: 96996938 General Investors.

Gsm-99674870

NRI

WEBSITE

COMPUTER

Plots for sale : 6 cents near UC College Aluva, Kerala, 30 cents Perunna West Changanacherry, Kerala.

Contact 99468907 Thiruvalla at Kattode 300 mtrs .from T.K. Road, 10 cents square plot for sale. Contact: 97229763

CLASSES

MATRIMONIAL Kerala Syro Malabar Catholic girl, 28 yrs, working in Salalah, MOH from Palakkad, seeks suitable alliance from Keralite professionals in Muscat. Contact 99357901

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807

Sunni Muslim girl, Indian origin, 20 yrs BA graduate from Oman, good looking homely with good religious values, seeking alliances from Muslim professionals, well settled in Oman or Middle East.

Contact: 99644760 or Email: ghulamuzma23@gmail.com

DRIVING

Split window cassette AC unit servicing, maintenance.

Contact: 99540621 One stop shop business services : Public Relation (PRO) formation new companies, LLC companies, Investor visa, business setup, prepare businesses & companies accounts, legal services, representing you and your company.

Contact: Saleh : 96723485

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

CHANGE OF NAME

Driver for Automatic Transmission. Contact: 99040813

GOOD NEWS Fresh flowers Jasmine Roses Marigold & Garlands for Onam & other festivals, advance booking accepted.

Haridas Nensey. Contact 24750784

I Sarabjit (holder of Indian Passport No. F9955036) son of Sohan having permanent residence in Vill Pandher Teh Nakodar Dt Jalandhar Punjab (complete postal address in India) & presently residing in P.B.No. 537, PC 132, Suwaiq, Oman (complete address in Oman) intend to change my name from Sarabjit (old name) to Sarbjit Singh Mattu (new name) for all practical purposes. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. Box No. 1727, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

For AutoCAD drawings and Civil Engg. Q.S works, please contact.92758095

Admission started in a private school, Darsait (Mount Zion Group of Institutions CBSE 1) for KG and grade 1 to 4 please register soonest.

Contact: 92088325 / 24799938

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 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089/95323517 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Civil maintenance - plumbing, electrical, painting, and tiling, interior decorations, shop furnishing and all other maintenance works.

Contact: 97897831 / 92112094 (Indian, Keralite) Pest control Treatments, Cockroaches, Ants ,Rodents & Termites. Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99357908 / 99344723.

General cleaning & Shampooing.

Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 / 99357908 Air condition maintenance split and window A/C split a/c ducted and package type units.

Contact: 98667326 General cleaning in buildings villas all types interior, exterior, polishing dry cleaning carpets, rugs, marble etc. Contact 94134784 / 98598280

Split & widow unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080 Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact: 96236476 Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact 93769089 / 95323517 Maintenance working interlocks, tiles, fixing painting & others working. Contact: 92179395 All maintenance & repairs. Contact Rizwan: 99429071, RMPM Trading.

A/C Maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing. Contact: 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

LOST Anjana Abhilash has lost Indian Passport No. J3116195. Finder please handover to ROP. Faridul Alam has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. E1182808. Finder please handover to ROP. Gul Behram Khan has lost Pakistani Passport No. JZ4124731. Finder please handover to ROP.

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

TOURS

SITUATION WANTCARGO

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

RENT A CAR

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

TRANSPORTATION Transportation.

Contact 99664703 Transportation only in Muscat.

Contact 96736975 Transportation. Contact 98178135 Transportation available.

Contact 95570429 Transport. Contact: 95190627 Transportation. Contact: 96538078 Transportation. Contact:98522914 Transportation. Contact 99508282

Car for rent. Contact: 92516090 Butter cup rent a car competitive prices new car 2016. # 97249449

Rent a car â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Incharge 39 yrs, Indian , 15 yrs experience in UAE with UAE D/L seeks placement in any suitable post. Contact 99431708

Transportation. Contact: 98244078 Pick & Drop any time. Contact 97014786