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HM sends greetings to Saudi Arabia

A4 Suicide agony haunts schoolgirl’s parents

Ras Markaz, one the finest natural treasures of Oman C A N C E R AWA R E N E S S

A shattered father Yuthar Al Rawahy, founder and chairperson of Oman Cancer Association.

whose daughter committed suicide,

Counselling a must to reduce suffering of cancer patients

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

tells Times of

OMAN

Oman that children

Parents happy over electronic school bags

should be brought

Nakshatra Sreekumar, who committed suicide.

up in such a way SCAN THIS QR CODE TO HAVE YOUR SAY AT #OVERCOMEFAILURE

that they can face ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on receiving pledges of allegiance as King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has wished him good health and happiness, praying to Allah the Almighty to grant him success for achievement of further progress and prosperity for the brotherly Saudi people.

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has also sent cables of greetings to Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister on receiving pledges of allegiance as Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to Prince Mohammed bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior for receiving pledges of allegiance as deputy crown prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In his cables, His Majesty the Sultan has wished them all success and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia further progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. —ONA

elham@timesofoman.com

any situation and

MUSCAT: Counselling can raise awareness about cancer and help alleviate the suffering of patients and their families but this form of support is missing in hospitals in Oman.

“We have excellent treatment facilities and state-ofthe-art treatments available in Oman for cancer, but, unfortunately, we lack counselling,” Yuthar Al Rawahy, founder and chairperson of Oman Cancer Association (OCA), told the Times of Oman.

Al Rawahy said that the association is trying its best to reach out to patients through its initiatives but emphasised that counselling support should be provided for cancer patients in hospitals in Oman.

Commenting on the prevalence of cancer among adults and children in Oman, she said that as of 2011, the occurrence of cancer has been around 55.2 per 100,000 for males and 56 per 100,000 for females.

“There have been 1,187 cases reported in children, of which 87 were in the age group of 14 and below, accounting for 7.3 per cent of the total cases.” >A2

be prepared to handle adverse circumstances

RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A heartbroken father, whose daughter committed suicide over her school results, has urged parents to teach youngsters how to handle failure.

Nakshatra Sreekumar, the 16-year-old student of Indian School Salalah, committed suicide by hanging herself at her home recently.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Sreekumar said that in the Gulf countries, people do not say ‘no’ to their children and that is one of the reasons youngsters do not know the word ‘failure’.

“I loved her and wanted to give her all the happiness in life. And when she did not fare well in a couple of subjects in her examinations, she could not take it,” said Nakshatra’s father.

“She had set high goals for her-

self. There was never pressure from us,” he added.Sreekumar also said that the children should be brought up in such a way so that they can face any situation.

“I failed to do that as I used to give her everything. And that is one of the reasons, perhaps, why I have lost my child,” he told Times of Oman from India.

He said that many parents always say ‘yes’ to everything their children want.

“Loving your children means sometimes saying ‘no’. That is very important. We know they will be hurt but that is the way of life. And that will prepare them for bigger things in life,” he said.

Terming his daughter as a bright student of Class XI, he said she used to always excel in her studies. Her poem titled, ‘Why does nothing get into my head’, was published in the Thursday magazine on August 2, 2012. At that time she was stud-

ying in Grade 9 at Indian School Salalah.

“On that fateful day, the parent-teacher meeting was supposed to take place. As she had not done well in two subjects the teachers had summoned us, but she did not tell us that on the first day,” said Sreekumar.

She told them later and Sreekumar came back home early to take her to school as his wife is a cardiac patient. When he reached home he learnt that she was in her room while their younger daughter was studying in the hall.

“Finding her room locked, I tried to open it, but it was locked from inside. Then I had to break it down with hammers and found her hanging,” he said.

Nakshatra’s main aim was to qualify in the civil services exams and her hobby was reading books.

“My wife is not well so I have to look after her now, so I cannot promise when I will be back in

Salalah,” he said. His relatives said that both of them were suffering from acute depression ever since the incident. Speaking to Times of Oman, Trevor Ronald Brown, Principal of Indian School Salalah, said that he had not noticed anything abnormal on the day Nakshatra killed herself.

“I was shocked to hear of her death as she had taken part in all the activities of the school including pinning board and interhouse throw ball competition that day,” he said.

She was also good in her studies but lately had not been faring well in a couple of subjects.

“However, she had improved a lot compared to the first term examination, which was a good sign,” he said.

One of Sreekumar’s friends, Dr Nishthar K. A., said communication between the school and the students should be improved.

“Schools should encourage weak students to overcome their difficulty by paying extra attention,” said Dr Nishthar, who is also father of a student of Indian School Salalah.

1

In what would be good news for parents concerned about their children’s health, the Majlis Al Shura is discussing to usher in a system of electronic school bags in Oman. >A2

OMAN

Oman needs better flood management

2

For over forty years, many parts of Oman’s cities and rural areas have been regularly flooded during heavy rains and the storms do not only cause extensive property damages but loss of lives across the nation. >A3

REGION

World’s top leaders head to Saudi Arabia

3

World leaders headed to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences following the death of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdualziz Al Saud, with US President Barack Obama cutting short a trip to India to pay respects. >A6

2 , 1 3 5 - K M L O N G N AT I O N A L R A I LWAY P R O J E C T

Oman plans tenders for two more segments of rail project A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman is planning to float tenders for building two more segments of the railway network this year, even as design for the entire network will be ready by the year-end, said a senior official of Oman Railway Company (ORC).

The Sultanate’s ambitious 2,135-km long national railway project is divided into nine segments for easy implementation. In fact, technical bids have been submitted by pre-qualified companies to build the first 207-kilometre long Sohar-Buraimi segment on January 18 and commercial or financial bids for the same segment will be submitted in March.

“By this year, we are targeting two more tenders. We are still trying to identify those (segments).

However, connecting Duqm and Salalah ports is our priority,” Eng. Abdulrahman Al Hatmi, chief executive officer of Oman Railway Company, said on the sidelines of an event to launch a new brand for the company.

“Sohar is connected in the first segment, and the next one is Salalah, which is our target. We start moving from Buraimi all the way to Duqm and Salalah,” said Eng Al Hatmi, adding, “We want to learn from the current tendering process to prepare different segments for tendering.”

He also noted that the design of the remaining eight segments

is going on. “Our target is to complete the entire network design by the end of the year.” Italferr, an Italian engineering firm, is involved in designing routes for the entire network of national railway project.

Referring to Sohar-Buraimi tender, Eng. Al Hatmi said that the authorities would not complete technical evaluation of the first segment before receiving commercial bids from pre-qualified companies. A contract to build the first segment will be awarded by the second half of this year.

As many as 18 consortiums for civil infrastructure and five for technology systems have been prequalified for the national railway project. Eng Al Hatmi declined to

comment on the number of companies that submitted technical bids, out of 18 pre-qualified consortiums, on January 18.

The pre-qualified consortiums for the civil infrastructure and railway track are FCC Construction (leader), Larsen and Toubro and Khalid bin Ahmed & Sons, Strabag (leader) and CCC Oman and Samsung E&C, in addition to Salini Impregilo, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (leader) and SK E&C, International Contractors (leader) and China Railway Construction Corporation and Mohammed Al Kharafi & Sons, Habtor Leighton Middle East (leader), Al Hassan Engineering, Posco E&C and Khimji Ramdas. >A2

By this year, we are targeting two more tenders. We are still trying to identify those (segments).

Eng. Abdulrahman Al Hatmi CEO of Oman Railway Company

A2

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 The most common cancers in men are stomach, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukaemia, prostate and lung Yuthar Al Rawahy, founder and chairperson of Oman Cancer Association

OMAN Electronic school bags move delights parents

THE CONSORTIUMS

School Bag Weight Units in Grams An electronic school bag consisting of basically electronic PRESTIGIOUS PROJECT: As many as 18 consortiums for civil infrastructure and five for technology systems have been pre-qualified for the national railway project. – Jun Estarda/Times of Oman

books, will ensure that students do not have to carry any load and will thus

Textbook

500

Reference book

Notebook

Atlas

Water

250

500

500

750

Lunch box

200

Bag

New branches A1 to coordinate rail construction

1,000

< FROM

save themselves Total

from any spinal abnormalities associated with

4,000 - 7,000 (4-7 kilograms).

The variation in the weight and quantity of the books will determine the total weight.

Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person’s spinal axis has a deviation that will resemble in an x-ray as “S” or a “?”, rather than a straight line.

heavy bags Source: Rajagopal T. Naganathan, Medical Director at the Atlas Hospital in Ruwi

FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: In what is a very good news for parents concerned about their children’s health, the Majlis Al Shura is discussing introducing a system of electronic school bags in Oman.

Many families welcomed the Majlis Al Shura move saying an electronic school bag, which will comprise basically electronic books, will ensure students would not have to carry any load and will thus save them any spinal abnormalities due to heavy bags.

“I am really worried about my six-year-old child,” said Saeed Khalfan, working in the government sector. He said that the school bags were really heavy for children, especially for those who walk to the school.

“I live almost 300 metres away from my kids’ school,” said Saeed.

He also said that his kids walk to the school carrying their heavy bags. “Such a move will help families who were concerned about their kids’ health,” said Saeed.

Looking for solution Some parents find a solution by themselves lugging around their kids’ school bags. “I carry my two kids’ school bags everyday in the morning,” said Nasir Al Ghammari. He added that he was really concerned about his kids’ health.

Other parents, he conceded, may not have the time to lend such help. “Many parents depend on buses so that their kids do not have to walk with such heavy bags, but others who live near schools must find a way to save their kids’ back,” said Al Ghammari.

“There is no doubt that school bags weigh more than what is required in Oman and that is one of the reasons back problems are becoming an issue of increasing concern,” admitted Rajagopal T. Naganathan, Medical Director at the Atlas Hospital in Ruwi, who is also an orthopaedic surgeon.

Big bags Overloaded school bags currently are double the size of those that students used to carry till a few years back, it is feared. Students routinely carry bags stuffed with heavy text books, note books, reference books, atlas, and tiffins besides water bottles.

A textbook normally weighs 5o0gm, a notebook 250gm, a reference book 750gm and an atlas 400 to 500gm in addition to a bottle filled with water which is half a

Graphics

kg and a lunch box which is more than 200gm.

The bag itself weighs around 1kg. The weight of a school bag varies between 4kg and 7kg, depending on the class the student.

So, children risk long-term and permanent damage if they regularly carry more than 10 to 15 per cent of their body weight over their shoulders.

A report published by the Times of Oman had cited specialists claiming that children can develop spinal abnormalities due to the weight of the bags they carry to the school. The report had claimed that a large number of children suffer from back pain and said city-based doctors have reported a rise in spinal abnormality cases among students, including disfigured curvatures known as “scoliosis.”

Also among the consortiums are Societa Italiana Per Condotte D’Acqua (leader), Federici Stirling Batco, SWS Engineering and Itinera, and Vinci Construction Grand Projects (leader) along with Aktor Technical and Vinci Construction Terrassement, Porr Bau GmbH (leader), Yuksel Insat and Sarooj Construction Company and Daewoo E&C. Saipem (leader), Rizzani De Eccher and Dogus Insaat, Ircon International (leader) and Hani Archirodon and Tata Projects are also in the list apart from China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group (leader) and China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group, Astaldi (leader), ONEIC and Yapi Merkezi and Corsan-Corviam Construccion.

Sinohydro Corporation (leader) and Arabtech Construction, Hyundai Engineering & Construction (leader), Hassan Juma Backer and Assignia Infraestructuras and Maire Tecnimont Civil Construction are among the consortiums along with Acciona Infraestruc-

turas (leader), Ozkar and Teixeira Duarte Engineer & Constructed, China Railway Engineering Corporation (leader) and Mapa-Gunal Oman, Ferrovial Agroman (leader) and Galfar Engineering & Contracting.

Five consortiums The five consortiums that are prequalified for technology systems are Ansaldo STS, Bombardier Transportation Italy (leader) and Sirti, Siemens (leader) and Siemens Oman in addition to Thales Deutschland Transportation Systems (leader) and Thales Oman and Alstom Transporte (leader) and Alstom Belgium.

He said ORC, which is overseeing the implementation of national railway project, plans to open branches in other cities to co-ordinate construction activities.

Talking about the new brand, he said it is important for the company for people to recognise the company. “Now we can go the public as a brand,” he added.

INCOME SOURCE

Livestock breeding an indispensable part of Omani life MUSCAT: Livestock breeding has been an indispensable profession for Omanis, especially in the Bedouin community, as it has been a main source of income for its owners to pay for their daily needs.

Since ancient times, livestock breeding and herding have been a part of life in the Bedouin communities and rural areas and, at times, even in cities.

It has continued until the present time despite the social and environmental changes such as desertification and de-vegetation, which showed this profession in a negative light.

Urban growth at the expense of green spaces and the preference of office jobs began to be viewed as more rewarding compared to livestock breeding, which was seen as a hobby or a job to be done by housewives.

Due to the lack of income which

affects some or due to the limited availability of fodder and alfalfa, it became imperative for the Bedouins to graze their livestock, especially sheep.

Perhaps this was even more evident in times of fertile growth when they would travel from their residence to other places far away in search of pasture, or what the Bedouin community calls Al Naja, it gave some sort of financial stability to the Bedouin community. This aspect has almost disappeared with social changes in the Sultanate and the resultant modernity.

Herding depends on the type of livestock. Sheep are herded in various governorates of the Sultanate whereas cows are kept in stables.

Camels are either herded in some wilayats or left to graze on their own. The Governorate of Dhofar is famous for herding camels and

SOURCE OF INCOME: Sheep are herded in various governorates of the Sultanate while cows are kept in stables and camels are either herded in some wilayats or left to graze on their own. –ONA

cows, particularly in the Khareef season, in addition to herding sheep.

There are a few differences in the aspects of livestock herding in the wilayats. Usually men and women are involved in herding,

either in the morning or evening, or at both times, or sometimes throughout the day. Herding, sometimes, is the only source to feed livestock. It may be complementary as they are also fed with alfalfa and other forage. It could

also be an alternative to the morning feed while alfalfa, forage, dates and other fodders are kept for the evening.

Herding can be done individually or collectively where a shepherd or group of male and female

shepherds are hired for an agreedupon sum of cash. The shepherds take the livestock to a place locally called Al Sarh where the livestock graze in the pasture. Individual herding is also done by livestock owners or their relatives. -ONA

DOORS OPEN

< FROM

A1 Regular examination is key to early detection of cancer She explained that the most common types of cancers in children are those affecting the nervous system, kidney, and blood.

“The most common cancers in men are stomach, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer of the lymph tissue), leukaemia, prostate and lung. Among women, leukaemia, breast, thyroid, cervix uteri and stomach cancers are the most common types,” said Al Rawahy.

Accommodation for families According to her, the association, which is working with a motto of ‘regular examination and early detection’, has been reaching out to cancer patients through Dar Al Hanan and the mobile mammogram unit.

“Dar Al Hanan is our ‘Homeaway-from-Home’ for families of children with cancer, whom we want to ensure can stay close to their hospitalised child for free,” she said.

Until now, 231 patients have been received at Dar al Hanan, including 113 female and 118 male patients from all governorates in Oman as well as from places like Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines,

Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Egypt.

According to the association, Dar Al Hanan’s doors are open to cancer patients, from infancy to the age of 17, and their families, 24 hours a day and all year round.

Commenting on other activities of the OCA, Al Rawahy noted that it successfully organised the 11th annual walkathon on October 28, 2014 at the Qurum National Park, which saw over 5,000 participants.

“In order to raise awareness and support regarding cancer, we have various tables at schools, colleges, the Women’s Guild in Oman and other venues where free information and guidance regarding cancer is given.”

2015 targets In 2015, the association plans to register its two final branches in Sohar and Ibri, she said, adding, “In the middle of the year, we will organize a GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Cancer Conference and our second palliative care advanced training programme for 40 nurses who were certified for the intermediate course last year.”

1,547 women screened ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Around ten of the 1,547 women who were screened at the mobile mammography unit of Oman Cancer Association in 2014 were diagnosed with cancer, said an official at the association.

Yuthar Al Rawahy, chairperson of the association, said the mobile unit initiative, which aims to provide free mammography screening to all women in Oman, has been very successful since its launch in 2009.

Since 2009, 14,333 women have been screened, and 55 have been diagnosed with cancer, she said, highlighting the importance of regular examination.

“Currently,

we have only one unit. It has been to the interiors of Oman and has covered almost all the governorates so far,” said Al Rawahy.

The association has always urged women to take screening seriously. It says that for women over the age 40, regular mammogram examinations are recommended every two years and they should carry out monthly self-examination of the breast a few days after the menstrual cycle.

“In 2014, we launched our new ultrasound machine which will be able to serve women who need further examination after (receiving) their mammograms and also those women who need it after visiting our clinical breast examination clinics.”

MOBILE UNIT: The mobile mammography unit of the Oman Cancer

Association. Photo– Supplied picture

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OMAN

C O M M E N TA RY

Oman needs better flood management strategy to tackle rain damage SUNDAY BEAT SALEH AL SHAIBANY HAVE YOUR SAY AT TWITTER.COM/ TIMESOFOMAN OR SCAN THE CODE TO INSTANTLY POST YOUR THOUGHTS. DAMAGE CONTROL: The state has spent a lot of money to build flood defence systems but it is the management of the facilities that needs to be beefed up.–File photos

SALEH AL SHAIBANY

F

or more than 40 years, many parts of Oman’s cities and rural areas have been regularly flooded during heavy rains and the storms not only cause extensive property damages but also loss of lives across the nation.

The notable example is Al Nahda Hospital in Ruwi. Last week, it was flooded with water yet again after heavy rains.

The routine is the same. Police helicopters have to evacuate patients to other hospitals and although officials said there was no damage, it defies logic that the government would not need to spend money to repair the facilities.

Experience shows that Oman does not need to be hit by catastrophic freak weather such as Cyclone Gonu in 2007 or Phet four years later to cause chaos in the infrastructure system. To give credit to the government, the state has spent a lot of money to build flood defence systems

but it is the management of the facilities that needs to be beefed up. We know there are no quick fixes for the extreme rains but when the problem persists over decades then surely there was ample time to control most of the extreme cases over the years.

The Shura Council members made an important point last week when they said their recommendations in 2012 to fix the Al Nahda Hospital flooding for good was ignored by the government. Now the government says it would conduct a survey to consider whether to relocate the hospital or build an effective drainage system.

Flood lessons The Shura Council simply means that no one is learning from the flood lessons and millions of rials are going down the drain to repair the damages every time there is a serious downpour. Not just government’s buildings remain vulnerable during the rains but

The Shura Council members made an important point last week when they said their recommendations in 2012 to find a lasting solution for the Al Nahda Hospital flooding was ignored by the government

the road networks and bridges as well.

Dredging, barriers Dredging and barriers are not strong enough to contain the problem which put the safety of drivers at risk. Muscat is especially vulnerable to water rolling down forcibly from the Al Hajar Mountains during the rain that drags sand and rock to the roads.

Some of the bridges of the exits are developing cracks because

their foundations stand on the pathway of the floods. Underground water channels fill up and break through the surface to spill over. The same underwater channels cause problems to the foundations of many infrastructure, include the construction of the airports. Many streets are flooded because there are no drainage systems to drain the water away.

Power outage is another problem during the storms. Badly ex-

Road accident victims’ bodies to be sent home Those who were injured in the accident, including the deceased couple’s son, are recovering REST IN PEACE: Mariama, and Jose, from the south Indian state of Kerala, were killed in the road crash.–Supplied photo

REJIMON K reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Bodies of the Indian couple who died in a road accident on Friday will be repatriated to India soon, said social workers.

Those who were injured in the same accident, including the

deceased couple’s son, will be discharged from the hospital by Monday, they added.

While Mariama, 51, and Jose, 60, from the south Indian state of Kerala were killed in the road crash, their son, Jim and two

employees from Jose’s company were admitted to the hospital with injuries.

The accident took place at around 9am on Friday near Seeb.

Mariama died on spot while Jose succumbed to his injuries at

S TA F F L AU D E D

around 8pm the same day. Jose, a long time resident of Oman, was running a workshop in Wadi Kabir.

According to social workers, Jim was driving the car and reportedly crashed into the divider after losing control of the vehicle.

Jose and his family had returned to Oman a few days ago after marrying off their elder daughter, Jomini in Kerala.

Jim was doing a course in a college in Oman and is survived by an elder brother, Jomon.

According to relatives of the deceased couple, Jomini and her husband, along with his parents had gone to attend a marriage of their cousin in Mumbai, when tragedy struck the family in Oman.

“Jomini has been informed only about her mother’s death but not that of her father,” said social workers.

OMAN ECONOMY

SQU honours employees for outstanding performance

Seminar to review SMEs development

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their development will be the focus of a seminar here.

The seminar on following up the implementation of the decisions taken at Saih Al Shamikhat Symposium will begin on Monday at the Cultural Centre at Sultan Qaboos University.

The seminar comes in response to the Royal Directives related to assessing the implementation of the decisions taken at Saih Al Shamikhat Symposium over the past two years. The seminar will cover a number of issues, such as entrepreneurship culture, available opportunities, policies, laws, legislations and finance.

The second day of seminar will include a panel discussion on current and future projects, available opportunities in private sector for SMEs, the role of economic sectors such as tourism, oil, gas, industry, mining, communications, IT, agriculture and fisheries in enhancing SMEs. – ONA

MUSCAT: Sultan Qaboos University organised a function to honour three administrative units and their employees for excellence in performance.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of Prof Amer bin Ali Al Rawas, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Post-graduate Studies & Research. The Department of Finance was selected as the best administrative unit in the university. The SQU Printing Press came second and the Department of Administrative Affairs got the third place. The winning departments were honoured and the employees were given cash awards and gifts.

Incentive for staff Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hamed bin Sulaiman Al Salmi, SQU Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administrative & Financial Affairs, said that honouring the administrative units and encouraging the employees would be an incentive for them to put more ef-

ADMINISTRATIVE EXCELLENCE: The Department of Finance was selected as the best administrative unit in the university. The employees were given cash awards and gifts.–Supplied photo

forts in serving the university and its students.

“This decision to honour the departments for outstanding performance came out of the concern for comprehensive development of the university and to improve the services offered by various administrative units to the staff, students and the community out-

side. This gesture is expected to encourage the employees to exert more efforts and simplify the administrative procedures and achieve quality performance and speedy delivery of services”, he said. A special committee was formed at the university level to form the criteria and to select the best administrative units.

posed electrical cables get tugged off from their poles under the sheer force of the strong winds.

Transformers, on the other hand, are not properly insulated and it is not uncommon to see sparks flying away from electrical connections. Electrical regulators and fuses get overloaded to cause power surges in our homes.

Deaths caused by electrocution are common among people who cross the wadis when such electrical installations get submerged in the water.

Wadi deaths According to a study by the Sultan Qaboos University, the biggest killers during the storms are the wadis when strong water currents travelling at over 100 km per hour sweep away cars and everything in its path. Farmers are also left to count the losses.

The damages of crops, farming machineries and buildings run into millions of rials. But the biggest danger with the floods in the farming lands is not col-

lateral damage but, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, are chemicals.

Many farmers use pesticides and growth boosters and store large stocks in their outbuildings.

During the storm, the rainwater washes away the chemical from the farms. The highly toxic and severely contaminated water runs to the villages to the local population. The same water spill over to the Falaj system (irrigation system used by villagers).

In most villages, people there use the Falaj water not only for their crops but for domestic use as well.

We all understand that the government needs to make difficult decisions in terms of priorities on which area needs the most protection. It remains that people and their homes, not only the infrastructure, are at risk every time the Met Office issues a bad weather warning unless the government build a stronger flood defence system. saleh@timesofoman.com

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Bird life adds to Ras Markaz beauty Ras Markaz, is arguably one of the finest of Al Duqm’s natural treasures. This pristine land overlooks a splendid swathe of sandy beach and the turquoise expanse of the Arabian Sea. Until recently unreachable to all but a handful of battered 4WD pick-ups, the blacktop now allows easy access to Ras Markaz’s kilometre-long stretch of virgin beach-front.

This unspoiled setting is ideal for an array of water sports including swimming, waterskiing, snorkeling and so on, which can be enjoyed round the year, save for the monsoon season when much of the coast experiences rough weather. Visitors can also enjoy the sight of thousands of seagulls and other migrating wild birds flocking to the shores.

Thousands of migrating birds start arriving from the acute chill of the frozen seas to comparatively warmer waters of the Arabian Gulf, seeking food and comfort. The Middle East winter is the most sought-after season for migrating wild birds from the Siberian and Mediterranean regions, as our lensman SHABIN E found out recently

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Marine wealth source of immense potential

OMAN

A5

ART EXHIBITION

DID YOU KNOW? As part of the Science

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A sponge has been discovered to generate compounds used in AZT, which is used to fight the AIDS virus.

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Skates (a flat fish shaped like a kite) have provided clues used in treating vision loss.

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Horseshoe crabs are commonly used to test for bacterial contamination.

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Microalgae are used in vitamins and other nutritional supplements.

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Scientists are studying using coral skeletons in bone grafts

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They are also researching making pain relievers from sea snail venom

Café series, the Oman

Sponges and corals are possible treatments for acute asthma, arthritis, and injuries. Drugs from our seas are one of the most promising directions in marine science today

Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (OAPGRC) will be delving into the topic of Oman’s marine life, the threats it faces and its growing economic importance

Dr. Nadiya Al Saady

OAPGRC executive director

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman has been connected to the marine waters for generations and with more than 1,200 species of fish and an exciting variety of turtles and other sea creatures, the Sultanate is justly famous for its vibrant marine life, said Dr. Nadiya Al Saady, Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (OAPGRC) executive director.

“It is well known that we need to protect this almost unfathomable bio-diversity from the joint threats of pollution, over-fishing and climate change — threats to which we are indeed vulnerable. However, what many people do not realise is exactly why it is so important that we do absolutely everything we can to preserve this astonishing genetic resource,” she said.

“As well as exploring the exciting possibilities that can be developed from the fish that swim in our waters, the message we want to deliver at this Science Café is a particularly important one. It is that our fish, our marine biodiversity, our seas are key and essential parts of the life-support system of our planet. They provide immense, and in some cases incalculable, value and benefits for humankind.

We must accept our obligation and responsibility to ensure that we leave to future generations a marine ecosystem that is productive and plentiful,” she added.

Fish and humankind have had a special bond since time immemorial. Fish is an important source of food for billions of people, supplying proteins and minerals in a combination offered by no other foodstuff.

The Global Ocean Science Commission Report 2014 highlighted the economic importance that comes from the ocean and fish related industries. Three billion people rely on the ocean for their livelihood. The market value of marine and coastal resources is $3

n

MARINE WEALTH: Fish is an important source of food for billions of people, supplying proteins and minerals in a combination offered by no other foodstuff.–File photo

trillion, which is 5 per cent of the global GDP and 350 million jobs worldwide linked to the ocean.

Advances in technology have led to increased ocean exploration and we now see a new value coming from our fish and other forms of marine life as more chemicals and biological materials from marine organisms are coming into use or are under development. Amongst these, according to a recent Ocean Commission Report are 10 anticancer drugs, drugs to fight inflammation, fungus, tuberculosis, HIV, malaria and dengue.

“Many leading research institutions and pharmaceutical companies have marine-derived therapeutic products in the pipeline and many are already benefitting people around the world,” explained Dr. Al Saady.

“Already in use is a first-line treatment for osteoporosis, a crip-

pling disease, which has been developed from a hormone in salmon, called calcitonin. It is 30 times more potent than that secreted by the human thyroid gland,” she said.

The executive director added that other forms of marine life are proving valuable in this regard too.

“Chemists at the Scripps Research Institute in California have isolated a chemical from a rare species of coral which shows promise as a potential drug to fight breast and ovarian cancers. Other Scripps scientists have made what is considered a revolutionary breakthrough with a chemical from a marine sponge that shows potential for treating inflammation and pain without the problems associated with aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs,” she said.

“Several other chemicals from sponges and corals are being in-

Fish scales are used to make lipstick shiny

vestigated as possible treatments for acute asthma, arthritis, and injuries. Drugs from our seas are without doubt one of the most promising new directions in marine science today,” said Dr. Al Saady.

The specialist added, “Oman has a huge and untapped treasure chest of fish and other marine life and it is a precious commodity. We invite everyone who is interested, to come along and explore the astonishing possibilities of Oman’s treasure chest of marine diversity and learn what we can do to both protect and preserve it.”

The Science Café will be held on Wednesday at Moca & More Café in Al Azaiba, from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. This month’s discussion will be held in English and will be moderated by popular radio presenter Sami Al Asmi.

In the meeting of its popular Science Café series, the OAPGRC will be diving into the topic of Oman’s marine life, the threats it faces and its growing economic importance.

Held on alternate months in English and Arabic, the OAPGRC Science Café is an informal event open to the general public.

The Science Café Series is an OAPGRC initiative designed to introduce Oman’s wealth of animal and plant genetic resources to the general public and share their possibilities and potential. Always fascinating and thought-provoking, they are open to everyone, from the general public who are curious to learn more to the research scientist who would like to share knowledge.

GLOBAL INTERACTION : The faces Juliette Lotthé de Thomson paints are generally from countries she has visited, with the exception of Sub-Saharan Africa.– AR Rajkumar/TIMES OF OMAN

French artist paints the world in varied colours and portraits SARAH MACDONALD sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A walk through Juliette Lotthé de Thomson’s exhibition is like taking a journey around the world; the French painter captures the people of many countries in her portraits.

Her exhibition, ‘Alter Ego,’ which opened at the OmaniFrench Centre on Tuesday night, features portraits of people from India, North Africa, Eastern Europe and Africa, revealing their identities through their clothing and features.

Thomson started painting as a child and took many classes. Marriage and children took her away from her passion for a while, but in 1999 she picked up her paint brushes and canvases again, with a strong focus on portraits, starting with a self-portrait.

“I started with portraits. I love so much human beings and relationships. I like people so much.

Sometimes I do other things but I always come back to portraits,” Thomson told Times of Oman.

Some of the portraits in this exhibition include a Berber woman with facial tattoos, an Indian man smoking while carrying a child on his back, an Eastern European man holding a little goat, and a number of faces of older people,

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who faces are covered with lines.

Thomson says some of the faces that attract her most are those of older people, with wrinkles and other signs of aging and lives well-lived. Age, for Thomson, is much more inspirational than any specific place, so wherever she is, she tries to find elderly subjects to paint. “I really enjoy what they transmit with their look. There is something that touches me so deeply and I think is universal. When you come to a certain age you’re no more from a country; you’re what life has made you,” Thomson explained.

The faces she paints are generally from countries she has visited, with the exception of Sub-Saharan Africa. Though she paints portraits of Africans, she has yet to do so in person. “This is the only one I didn’t go to and it’s a great source of inspiration for me. It’s a mystery, the fascination of Africa,” Thomson said.

Thomson’s exhibition will be on display until February 12 at the Omani French Centre on Al Inshirah Road in Madinat Sultan Qaboos.

‘ T E C H N O L O G Y D AY S ’

Italian trade bodies to hold business show in Muscat Times News Service MUSCAT: To promote closer business ties, the Italian embassy, in co-operation with the Italian Trade Agency (http://www.ice. gov.it) and the Italian Federation ANIE (Italian National Federation of Enterprises) active in the sector of electronic and electrotechnics (http://anie.it), is organising a business mission called ‘Technology Days: Seminars and B2B in Oman’ on January 28 and 29 in Muscat.

ANIE is the National Federation of Confindustria that has been representing the Italian electrical engineering and electronics industry for over 70 years.

This includes a long list of advanced and highly specialised technologies from power production, transmission and distribution to technologies for railway and electrified transport, from factory and process automation to motion and power transmission systems and from cables and electronic components to light-

The aim of the event is to showcase variety of up-to-date and high performance technologies of Italian brands, and establish business relations

ing. It also promotes components and devices for electrical installations to household appliances and catering equipment, from lifts and escalators to technologies for security, fire safety and building automation.

The aim of the event is to showcase the variety of up-to-date and high performance technologies of

top selected Italian brands, start and establish business relations and set up opportunities for both counterparts.

The event will also give a chance to Italian companies to go deep into the knowledge of Omani market rules and regulations. The programme of the business mission includes meetings with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PDO and other institutions specialising in utilities, energy or oil and gas, as well as B2B meetings with the main Omani contractors and distributors in strategic markets such as energy, building, industry and transport, potentially interested in their products.

The main production of the Italian participants ABB S.P.A., GBE S.P.A., Ghisalba S.P.A., Imequadri Duestelle S.P.A., I.M.E.S.A. S.P.A. and Sati Italia S.P.A. consists mainly of switchgears for BT, MT and AT, transformers, safety switches and starters in addition to building automation systems and industrial automation.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 Syrian children living in the camps have suffered war and displacement. They need any kind of help that they can get...

With a camera, the children can be happy Ramzi Haidar, veteran photographer

REGION

World’s top leaders head to Saudi Obama had been scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal in India but cancelled it and he is now scheduled to travel to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet the Custodian the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdualziz Al Saud, the successor of the late Custodian of two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdualziz Al Saud, the White House said PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: A handout picture released by the Saudi Press Agency shows Saudi well-wishers kissing the hands of their new

RIYADH: World leaders headed to Saudi Arabia on Saturday to offer condolences following the death of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdualziz Al Saud, with US President Barack Obama cutting short a trip to India to pay respects.

Obama had been scheduled to visit the Taj Mahal but cancelled that following the death of King Abdullah and will travel to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet his successor the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdualziz Al Saud, the White House said. Other dignitaries arrived in Riyadh on Saturday to pay respects, including Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, on a rare visit to the regional rival.

Cameron, Hollande expected British Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince Charles and French President Francois Hollande were among other leaders expected to fly in to offer condolences. On behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud

leader Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdualziz Al Saud, in a symbolic pledge of allegiance during a ritual ceremony on Friday at a royal palace in Riyadh’s Al Deera neighbourhood. -AFP PHOTO/HO/SPA

SOLEMN OCCASION: Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Prince MohamRITUAL CEREMONY: Saudi Arabia’s new Crown Prince Maqrin

bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, right, attends a ritual ceremony at a royal palace in Riyadh’s Al-Deera neighbourhood. -AFP/HO/ SPA

Al Said, Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, attended the funeral held at Riyadh’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque on Friday.

Other Gulf leaders as well as Turkish President Recep Tayyip

Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, were also among those who attended the traditionally simple funeral.

Africa was also represented, with Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir and Ethiopian Prime Min-

med bin Nayef, centre, takes part in the funeral of the late Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh, on Friday. -Reuters

ister Hailemariam Desalegn.

President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon and other leaders from the continent arrived on Saturday to pay respects. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak

FIGHTING RAGES

arrived later to deliver condolences, as did Iraqi President Fuad Masum. On Friday evening hundreds of Saudis queued to enter a royal palace where they rubbed cheeks and kissed the hands of their new leaders, in a symbolic

pledge of allegiance. Mourning ceremonies were planned for Saturday and Sunday evenings at another palace, official media said.

Obama paid tribute to Abdullah as a “valued” ally as the State Department indicated cooperation between Washington and Riyadh would continue. Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdualziz Al Saud pledged to keep the kingdom on a steady course and moved to cement his hold on power.

In his first public statement as king, Salman, 79, vowed to “remain, with God’s strength, attached to the straight path that this state has walked since its establishment”. He called for “unity and solidarity” among Muslims and vowed to work in “the defence of the causes of our nation”.

Moving to clear uncertainty over the transition to the next generation, he named his nephew, Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, 55, as second in line to the throne behind Crown Prince Maqrin bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, 69.

That helps to solidify control by his Sudayri branch of the royal family. Salman also appointed one of his own sons, Prince Mohammed, as defence minister of the world’s leading oil exporter and the spiritual home of Islam.

“In spite of all the earlier articles and fears surrounding the succession, the Saudi royal family handled the succession without even a hint of crisis, and laid the ground work for the future,” wrote Anthony Cordesman, of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Since the death in 1953 of the kingdom’s founder, King Abdul Aziz bin Saud, the throne has passed systematically from one of his sons to another. Ali Al Naimi remains the kingdom’s oil minister, and the International Energy Agency’s chief economist said he did not foresee major policy shifts. “I expect and hope that they will continue to be a stabilisation factor in the oil markets,” Fatih Birol told AFP. Tehran offered its condolences and dispatched Zarif. Egypt declared seven days of official mourning and sent its prime minister to the funeral. Saudi Arabia has been a generous supporter of Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah Al Sisi since the army ousted the then president Mohamed Morsi. -AFP

EXPO

Kurdish forces fire into IS-held Mosul Photos bring alive joy, pain of Syrian refugee children

ARBIL, IRAQ: Kurdish forces have fired rockets into Mosul for the first time since IS militants overran the northern Iraqi city last summer, Kurdish military sources said on Saturday.

A Kurdish officer said 20 Grad missiles had been launched into Mosul on Friday after receiving information that IS militants were gathering to meet near the city’s Zuhour neighborhood.

“We hit their positions,” said Captain Shivan Ahmed, who belongs to the unit that fired the rockets from around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Mosul.

Kurdish officials said the strikes had hit their intended target, but two residents of Mosul contacted

by Reuters said three civilians were killed in the attack. It was not possible to independently verify the accounts.

Following the attack, IS militants published images of a girl lying in a hospital bed, who they said had been wounded by fire from the Kurdish peshmerga fighters.

US-led airstrikes regularly target areas outside of Mosul, but rarely strike inside the city due to concerns about civilian casualties.

A statement attributed to an unnamed senior Kurdish military source and posted on the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party’s official website said the shelling had “struck great fear into the hearts of the terrorists”.

Peshmerga forces this week launched a ground offensive northwest of Mosul backed by coalition airstrikes, reclaiming territory and cutting the extremist group’s main supply line from the city to the west.

Twenty-one senior IS militants were killed during the operation, the Kurdistan Region’s Security Council said in a statement on Friday.

It said the slain IS leaders included the head of Nineveh prov-

ON THE OFFENSIVE: A peshmerga fighter keeps watch during fighting with IS on outskirts of Mosul,

on Wednesday. A Kurdish officer said 20 Grad missiles had been launched into Mosul on Friday after receiving information that IS militants were gathering to meet in a city neighborhood -REUTERS

ince’s administrative institutions and a close commander of its special forces, the statement said.

There was no way to independently verify the claims.

Meanwhile, an AFP report from Washington quoted Pentagon as saying on Friday that IS extremists have lost only a tiny fraction of captured territory in Iraq after five months of US-led air strikes.

Kurdish peshmerga forces and Iraqi government troops have retaken 700 square kilometers (270 square miles) of ground mostly in northern Iraq, but the IS group still holds 55,000 square kilometers, spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby told reporters.

That amounts to roughly one percent of IS-held territory changing hands since the US launched air raids in Iraq on August 8.

Kirby acknowledged that not much ground had been gained

back so far but said that the air strikes had halted the momentum of the extremists and bought time for the training of Baghdad government forces. “I think we all recognize that it’s a small percentage of the total right now. But we’re only six, seven months into this thing, too,” he said.

The US military has made clear the campaign against IS “is going to take time, to uproot these guys and to really get at them,” he said.

The Pentagon provided the figures after announcing recently that Iraqi and Kurdish troops had regained 700 square kilometers, without explaining what percentage that represented of all territory held by the IS militants.

By comparison, the Iraqi government held about 77,000 square kilometers and the Kurdish forces controlled roughly 56,000 square kilometers, he said. Those num-

bers did not represent the entire territory of Iraq, but only populated, “relevant” areas, according to Kirby.

US commanders have said that the Iraqi army needed to be reorganised and armed before staging a major counter-offensive to roll back the IS from large swathes of territory it seized last year.

The officer overseeing the USled campaign against the IS group, General Lloyd Austin, head of Central Command, told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday that Iraqi forces would be ready to launch a counter-offensive to recapture the northern city of Mosul by the summer. Since August 8, there have been nearly 2,000 air strikes in the fight against IS in Iraq and Syria, with American warplanes carrying out more than 1,600 of those raids, defence officials said. -AFP/Reuters

BEIRUT: The photos on display at a Beirut theatre show Syrian refugees chopping wood, getting married, and playing in a Lebanese field. They are the work not of professionals, but Syrian refugee children.

The exhibition is the culmination of a year-long project that gave cameras to 500 Syrian refugee children in Lebanon, allowing them to document lives turned upside down by their country’s nearly four-year conflict. In many cases the children turned their cameras on each other, showing images of warming hands over a fire, peeking through a hole in a tattered tent and standing barefoot in a muddy field.

The project is a collaboration between Lebanese foundation Zakira and the UN children’s agency UNICEF, and builds on a similar project done with Palestinian refugee children in Lebanon. There are more than 1.1 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, many living in dire conditions in makeshift camps. About half of them are children.

“Syrian children living in the camps have suffered war and displacement. They need any kind of help that they can get,” said veteran Lebanese photographer Ramzi Haidar. “With a camera, the children can be happy,” Haidar, who directed the project and taught the children how to use the disposable cameras, told AFP. At the Thursday night opening of the exhibition, entitled “Lahza (Moment) 2”, 14-year-old photographer and refugee Abdel Salam beamed proudly.

His photo shows a group of refugee children huddled together

MOVING IMAGES: A visitor looks at photos taken by Syrian refugees at exhibition, in Beirut, on Friday. - AFP

to pose for the camera, smiling despite the harsh conditions in Lebanon’s claustrophobic and underequipped camps.

“When I grow up, I want to be a photojournalist,” Abdel Salam told AFP. “It’s hard to have fun in the camp. When we lived in Syria, we lived in houses. Here, we live in tents. This project gave me the chance to take pictures of children smiling and having fun.”

Held at Beirut’s prestigious AlMadina Theatre, the opening of the exhibition brought together refugee children and their parents, Lebanese and Syrian civil society activists, UN officials and photography fans. One girl described missing her father, who was shot dead in Syria. “He used to bring us all kinds of toys. Now, we have no toys.”

UNICEF’s Soha Boustani said the project gave its participants “a window of hope, and allows them to remember what was best and worst about their lives”.-AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 Demolitions that result in forced evictions and displacement run counter to Israel’s obligations under international law and create unnecessary suffering and tension. They must stop immediately UN OHCA statement

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REGION ILLEGAL ACTIVITY

Israel accused of razing homes of 77 Palestinians

RISING TENSIONS: A Houthi rebel threatens Yemeni protesters during a rally against the control of the capital by the Houthis, in

Sanaa, on Saturday. Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa in the largest demonstration against Houthis since the militiamen overran the capital in September. ‘Down, down with the Houthis’ rule’, chanted the protesters who rallied following a call by the Rejection Movement — a group recently formed in provincial areas to challenge the powerful militia. -AFP

Thousands in Yemen rally against Houthis The rally came as regions in the formerly independent south stepped up their defiance after Houthis tightened their grip on Sanaa

SANAA: Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa Saturday in the biggest protest yet against a Houthi militia takeover of the capital that has plunged the country into turmoil.

The demonstration came as regions in the formerly independent south stepped up their defiance after the militiamen, who hail

from Yemen’s northern highlands and are known as Houthis, tightened their grip on Sanaa.

“Down, down with the Houthis’ rule,” chanted protesters who rallied following a call by the Rejection Movement -- a group recently formed in provincial areas to challenge the militia. Women and children joined angry young men on the streets, waving signs that called for “a real government” and burning portraits of the militia leader Abdulmalek Al Houthi .

Demonstrators gathered at Change Square before heading to the Republican Palace, the residence of Prime Minister Khalid Bahah who fled it on Wednesday after a being surrounded by the militia for two days.

But the protesters changed their route and marched toward the home of embattled President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to express their “rejection of his resignation,” according to organisers. Those who took to Sanaa’s streets on Saturday also demanded that Hadi

“impose the authority of the state” in face of the powerful Houthis, said the protest organisers. Houthi gunmen backed by armoured vehicles were deployed along Sittin Street, where the president lives, but they only watched on as the protesters marched. The protest ended with the return of demonstrators to Change Square, an AFP correspondent said.

Large demonstrations Large demonstrations also took place in the cities of Taez, Ibb and Hudaida, organisers said. Houthi gunmen, however, later rounded up dozens of youths who took part in protests in Sanaa and Ibb, according to families and witnesses.

Meanwhile, armed tribesmen arrived in Sanaa to force the release of Defence Minister Mahmud Al Subaihi and other top officials whose residences have been surrounded, tribal sources said.

Parliament is set to hold an extraordinary meeting on Sunday to discuss Hadi’s resignation offer,

NEW TWIST

Egypt orders retrial of extremists CAIRO: An Egyptian appeals court Saturday ordered a retrial of 152 extremists, including 37 sentenced to death in a mass trial that had sparked international outrage, judicial officials said.

Last March, a lower court in the southern province of Minya sentenced to death 529 extremist supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi, including the 152 who were in custody, for attacking a police station and killing an officer in August 2013.

The lower court later commuted the death sentences to life in prison in the case of 492 defendants, while 37 were ordered sent to the gallows. The 152 defendants in custody appealed the lower court’s verdict, which the Court of Cassation overturned, ordering a retrial.

Another batch of 183 extremists, including the chief of Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Badie, was also sentenced to death by the same Minya court last June on

similar charges. Badie, who is in custody and facing several trials, was granted a retrial along with 27 others for being sentenced in absentia by the court in Minya.

Under Egyptian law, people sentenced in absentia automatically get a retrial if they surrender themselves. Since the army ousted Morsi in 2013, the authorities have launched a crackdown on his supporters leaving hundreds dead and thousands jailed after speedy mass trials. -AFP

which needs to be approved by lawmakers to take effect.

After heavy fighting between government forces and the Houthis this week that killed at least 35 people, the UN Security Council and Yemen’s Gulf neighbours had all voiced support for Hadi’s continued rule. The European Union warned the events put the “remarkable promises of the Yemeni transition in jeopardy,” referring to the political process that followed a year of bloody protests that drove former autocratic president Ali Abdullah Saleh out of office.

France condemned the “forced resignations” of Hadi and Bahah, demanding an “immediate” pullout of militiamen from the capital, according to foreign a ministry spokesman. The situation escalated on January 17 when the militiamen seized Hadi’s chief of staff, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, in an apparent bid to extract changes to a draft constitution they oppose because it would divide Yemen into six federal regions. -AFP

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: The United Nations has accused Israel of illegally demolishing the homes of 77 Palestinians, mostly children, this week in occupied east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

“In the past three days, 77 Palestinians, over half of them children, have been made homeless,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement issued Friday evening.

“Some of the demolished structures were provided by the international community to support vulnerable families. “Demolitions that result in forced evictions and displacement run counter to Israel’s obligations under international law and create unnecessary suffering and tension. They must stop immediately,” it said.

The demolitions took place in

occupied east Jerusalem and the districts of Ramallah, Jericho and Hebron, it added. OCHA said that during 2014 Israel carried out a record number of demolitions in occupied east Jerusalem and a zone of the West Bank under Israeli occupation control known as Area C. “In 2014, according to OCHA figures, the Israeli authorities destroyed 590 Palestinian-owned structures in Area C and east Jerusalem, displacing 1,177 people.”

It did not specify how many of the structures were homes or animal shelters or other outbuildings. Israel says such demolitions are carried out because the structures have been built without the required permits.

Palestinians and rights groups say such authorisation is routinely denied, forcing unlicensed building.-AFP

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 I was surprised and confused, there were many people senior to me in my establishment. Why me? Will I be able to do it? I was doubtful. You should not be APJ Abdul Kalam, Former president of India

INDIA

DIRECT BENEFIT TRANSFER

GEARING UP FOR REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS

Modi hints Jan Dhan account holders may get credit, pension

Workers busy painting a zebra crossing in the Raisina Hill area as part of Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on Saturday.

Vice President Hamid Ansari on Saturday greeted the people ahead of Republic Day. In his message, Ansari said Republic Day was an appropriate occasion to recall and reaffirm the cherished principles of liberty, equality, fraternity and justice for all, as enshrined in India’s Constitution. - PTI

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked bankers to speed up the process of linking all Jan Dhan bank accounts to Aadhaar and indicated that these accounts would be used for providing credit, insurance and pension services in the second phase of the scheme.

He wrote an email to all bankers to appreciate their “exceptional work” done to implement the Jan Dhan Yojana and said 99.74 per cent of all households in the country have been covered, surpassing the target.

The government will ensure that many more schemes utilise the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) platform, he said.

Contending that the bankers had proved sceptics wrong by achieving what “appeared impossible”, he said it should mo-

Defence, civil nuclear deal top agenda of Obama’s visit forces, has been put in place in the national capital ahead of the arrival of the US President Barack Obama on Sunday.

Both countries are working hard to have ‘excellent’ outcomes during the visit of Obama, who will have a tight schedule including talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attending Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest

NEW DELHI: Moving forward on issues of civil nuclear deal, technology transfer and joint ventures in defence will be among the key areas where India and the US will like to have “concrete deliverables” during the three-day high-voltage trip of US President Barack Obama from Sunday.

However, the US President’s schedule, which earlier included a visit to iconic Taj, had to be readjusted due to his last minute plans to travel to Riyadh on January 27 to pay respects to Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the family of the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz.

President Obama “regrets” not being able to visit the Taj, White

UPBEAT: US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama board Air Force One prior to departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, on Saturday. Obama is travelling on a three-day trip to India for Republic Day. - AFP

House said in a statement. Both countries are working hard to have “excellent” outcomes during the visit of Obama, who will have a tight schedule including talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attending Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest, meeting with business leaders, and an address on ‘India and America: The Future We Can Build Together’.

Most important Describing the Presidential visit as “one of our most important diplomatic engagements in recent times”, Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry Syed Akbaruddin had said cooperation in key areas of defence, security,counter-

terrorism and the situation in India’s extended neighbourhood would be among the issues to be discussed between Obama and Prime Minister Modi.

Asked about the differences between the two sides on the nuclear deal, he said that “progress has been made” during the previous negotiations and India was looking forward to “effectively” work with the US in the “extremely important” nuclear field.

The Indian liability law holds the suppliers directly liable in case of a nuclear accident while countries like France and the US have asked India to follow global norms under which the primary liability is with the operator. Since

all the nuclear power plants in the country are run by the government-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, following international norms will mean the government would have to pay the damages in case of an accident.

Another contentious clause in the liability law was unlimited liability for which international companies will find it difficult to get insurers.

According to the sources, progress was made during the twoday meeting of Indo-US Contact Group in London, but some lingering issues may require resolution at the political level.

Meanwhile, an unprecedented security arrangement, comprising Delhi Police and para-military

Virtual fortress Obama, who will be the first US President to be a Chief Guest at a Republic Day, will be arriving this morning as Delhiites wake up to the unprecedented security arrangements with traffic restrictions on roads leading to Central Delhi.

Snipers of Delhi Police and National Security Guards will occupy all high-rise buildings on the routes which Obama will be travelling. The green ridge opposite to Maurya Sheraton hotel has been thoroughly checked and police personnel have been deployed in the jungles along the ridge till the US President leaves.

Central Delhi has turned into a virtual fortress with security agencies partly or completely shutting down nearly 71 buildings.

Even bonafide citizens of this area, including MPs and officers of the Armed Forces, have been either issued special passes or have to establish their identities to enter the zone.

A joint team of the United States Secret Services and sleuths of central security agencies will be monitoring specially established control rooms which are connected to freshly installed CCTVs for the VVIP, who will be the chief guest at the 66th Republic Day on Monday.

Dedicated radar has been put in place to detect any suspicious movement in the sky and additional anti-aircraft guns have been put in place to shoot down any aerial intrusion. - PTI

tivate them further. “It gives me great pleasure to have seen the exceptional work done by you all in ensuring the success of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.

The target set for opening bank accounts for all households has been surpassed well ahead of the target date of 26 January, 2015,” he said in the email.

Congratulating the bankers for their “extraordinary efforts”, he said “by opening 11.5 crore new accounts in a very short span, we have achieved a coverage of 99.74 per cent of all households in the country.” He then went on to add: “we need to redouble efforts on financial literacy.

Aadhaar seeding needs to improve further. Bank Mitras need to be enabled to carry out RuPay card and Aadhaar enabled transactions in villages itself.” - PTI H I G H E S T C I V I L I A N AWA R D

Baba Ramdev, Ravi Shankar decline Padma awards NEW DELHI: Yoga guru Ramdev and spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Saturday declined to accept Padma awards, saying the honour could be given to someone else.

Ramdev declined the Padma Vibhushan — India’s second highest civilian award — saying that while he was grateful for being chosen for the honour it should be given to someone else and not a “sanyasi”.

In a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh, he said he was grateful that the central government thought of his name, which he got to know from media reports, but the honour could be given to some other great person.

“I am a ‘sanyasi’ and want to serve the country without expecting anything,” he said, adding that a recluse must remain the same while he is honoured or disrespected.

“I urge you to give this honour to somebody doing something great. I would be grateful to you,” he said.

Inform Meanwhile, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar also declined to accept the Padma award, saying it could be given to someone else.

The world renowned spiritual leader tweeted that Rajnath Singh called him to inform about it but he declined to accept the award.

“Rajnath Singh called to inform me about Padma award. I thank government for considering me. Instead of me, I’d like them to honour someone else,” he posted on Twitter. -IANS

JA I P U R L I T E R AT U R E F E S T I VA L

Never doubt your ability: Kalam JAIPUR: Former president APJ Abdul Kalam on Saturday asked youngsters never to doubt their ability as he recalled his “doubt and confusion” when then Isro chairman Satish Dhawan had asked him to make a rocket system to put satellite into orbit in a period of seven years.

“One fine day he said, Kalam you can take the budget you want, the number of people want and anything needed I will get it sanctioned from the cabinet, but you have to do this.

“I was surprised and confused, there were many people senior to me in my establishment. Why me? Will I be able to do it? I was doubtful. You should not be,” the 83-year-old scientist told youngsters who thronged the Diggi Place here to hear his address at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival.

The mantra He gave the mantra, “I dream and I will fly one day.”

“I always dreamt of being a pilot, so I enrolled myself into a course of aeronautical engineering. When I went before the selec-

dent I told the air chief to teach me how to fly and he trained me for six months. I did not become a pilot but I could still fulfil my dream of flying, because I dreamt that I will fly. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result into action!,” he said, as the crowd burst into a large round of applause.

CANDID: Former president APJ Abdul Kalam during the session at Jaipur Literature Festival, at Diggi Palace in Jaipur on Saturday. - PTI

tion panel to become a pilot, there were 10 contestants and 9 seats and I was the one to be dropped.

“I was disheartened that I could not become a pilot but I became the President of India!,” Kalam said during a session titled ‘The visionary: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’.

“When I became the presi-

A better place to live Kalam made the youngsters repeat after him and vow to make India and world a better place to live.

“When there is righteousness in the heart there is a beauty in the character...when there is beauty in the character there is already in the home...when there is already in the home there is order in the nation and when there is order in the nation there is peace in the world...,” he said as people repeated after him.

“Take a vow...that whatever you do in life you will always think what I can give. All the trouble starts when we think ‘what I can get’, that’s where the roots of corruption are,” he said. - PTI

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‘Track-II’ talks with BJP on, confirms PDP PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, while insisting that he was not ‘power hungry’, said he was even willing not to claim chief ministership if he feels it would benefit the people of Indian-administeredKashmir

S U N DAY, JAN UARY 25, 2 0 1 5

INDIA

A9

LABELLED TERRORIST

NIA clears Liaquat of ‘terror’ charges NEW DELHI: In an embarrassment for Delhi Police, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has given a clean chit to Liaquat Shah who had been arrested by it and labelled as a terrorist two years ago.

The NIA, instead, named absconder Sabir Khan as the main accused who had allegedly planted weapons on Shah to project him as a militant of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen.

Ironically, according to chargesheet filed by NIA in a special court, the address of Khan alias ‘Pathan’ as mentioned in a lodge in old Delhi as well as for his SIM card was “Barrack NO.2, Special Cell Niwas, BG 21, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi”.

The NIA, while absolving Shah of terror charges, has also submitted the report to Ministry to Home Affairs seeking permission for carrying out investigations against two Delhi Police officials for allegedly “conspiring” to target Liaquat .

Shah was arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police on March 20, 2013 while he was returning from Pakistan-administeredKashmir to the Kashmir Valley via Nepal and was projected as a terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen who had come to carry out strikes in the national capital.

Jammu and Kashmir police had protested the arrest, saying Liaquat was returning home as per the state government’s policy of allowing people, who had exfiltrated to Pakistan-administered-Kashmir in early 1990s, to come back.

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, who had flagged the issue about his arrest with the union Home Ministry, welcomed the NIA move and said “at least I am happy that truth has finally come out and I hope that security agencies do not target Kashmiris to achieve their ulterior motives.”- PTI

S C I E N C E A N D M AT H C O M P E T I T I O N

JAMMU: Confirming ‘track-II’ talks, PDP on Saturday said it is willing to form government with BJP for the benefit of Indian-administered-Kashmir but listed a number of conditions with an assertion that there will be no “sell out” on “core” issues like timebound revocation of AFSPA. PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, while insisting that he was not “power hungry”, said he is even willing not to claim chief ministership if he feels it would benefit the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Contending that he wants to bring the state out of a “quagmire”, the former Chief Minister told his party workers here, “Track-II dialogue with BJP over the formation of government in Jammu and Kashmir is in progress.”

He went on to add, “Once the track-II dialogue gets some direction, a structured dialogue or the ‘track-I’ dialogue on the formation of a Common Minimum Pro-

MAKING A POINT: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and party president Mehbooba Mufti during a press conference recently. Sayeed said Jammu and Kashmir was going through a critical phase and people need a strong and stable government that can deliver on the promises made to them during the Assembly elections. - PTI file photo

gramme will be initiated.”

There has been speculation that the two parties have been holding talks to form coalition government.

“Mufti Mohammed Sayeed is not after power or the post of chief minister. If I feel that my shaking hands (with BJP)will benefit the state of Jammu and Kashmir and the country, I am ready to do that,” Sayeed said.

However, he also said, “Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim majority state and the Centre must respect the mandate of the people in the state.” He said the state was going through a critical phase and people need a strong and stable government that can deliver on the

promises made to them during the Assembly elections.

His statement came against the backdrop of a meeting his close aide and MLA Haseeb Drabu had with Governor N. N. Vohra on Saturday to inform him about progress in the government formation efforts. At the same time, Sayeed listed out his conditions and demands which he wants to be taken care of by BJP. “PDP has its conditions and there will be no sell-out on our core ideology including the timebound revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and initiation of dialogue with Pakistan,” he said.

I N V I TAT I O N

Kejriwal cries foul over Republic Day snub; Congress slams centre NEW DELHI: Expressing surprise, former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday claimed the Centre has not extended him an invite to attend the Republic Day celebrations.

The Aam Aadmi Party slammed the Centre for “not extending” invitation to the former Delhi chief minister while Congress said it showed “petty mindset” of BJP dispensation.

Reacting to the issue, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said that no rules and regulations would be flouted but reminded that Kejriwal had threatened to hold protest during the celebrations last year.

Kejriwal, however, insisted that he never said that Republic Day should not be celebrated and he should have been invited if the protocol states it.

“I haven’t got any invitation.

If protocol says it should be sent, then they should have sent it to me. If not, then they shouldn’t.

There shouldn’t be any politics over it,”Kejriwal told reporters.

The former Delhi chief minister also clarified that he never made any remark that Republic Day should not be celebrated as being attributed to him by BJP. “I never said we should not celebrate it (Republic Day),” he said.

AAP leader Ashutosh said Kejriwal was chief minister of Delhi and he should have been invited to the celebrations.

Popular leader “He is not only the former chief minister but also the most popular leader of Delhi, a respected person and when he doesn’t get invitation, then there are doubts in peoples mind whether he was not invited due to political hatred,” he said.

Asked about the issue, Vardhan said he was not aware of it but added Centre was not going to flout any rules.

“I don’t think anybody in our government is going to flout these rules and regulations,” he said.

BJP Delhi Chief Satish Upadhyay felt Kejriwal did not deserve to be invited because of his “anarchist behaviour”. Vardhan at-

I haven’t got any invitation. If protocol says it should be sent, then they should have sent it to me. If not, then they shouldn’t.

There shouldn’t be any politics over it Arvind Kejriwal

Former Delhi chief minister

tacked Kejriwal over his reported comments about Republic Day celebrations last year during his protest at the Rajpath.

“I just want to make the entire nation aware of the fact that Arvind Kejriwal as the chief minister of Delhi was protesting on the same Rajpath last year and was asking people not to let the Republic Day celebrations take place and had proudly proclaimed himself to be an anarchist.

“He was the one who made this announcement. I think it is not right on his part to talk like this,” the minister added.

Reacting to the issue, Congress said honouring of traditions and its time was the responsibility of the government.

“Whether we belong to different parties or different political thought-process, a national day like 26th January belongs to each one of the 125 crore Indians.

So to not invite former chief minister of Delhi is reflective of the petty mindset of BJP government,” Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said.

When asked about this, BJP

Delhi Chief Satish Upadhyay said that he feels an “anarchist” like Kejriwal, who threatened to disturb the Republic Day function last year should not be present on such occasions.

“I am not aware whether he has been invited or not. But, I think he (Kejriwal) should not attend such functions...The man who did not even respect an occasion like Republic Day last year and threatened to sit on a dharna and disrupt the function, should he be present there in the first place,” he told reporters.

Moral question Asked if the protocol allowed for presence of former chief ministers on the grand occasion, he said, “the question we are raising here is a moral one and not technical.”

“As per protocols are concerned, I think you should go and and ask the defence department.

But, morally, we are asking,is it right for him to attend the function after his anarchist behaviour last year on the very same occasion,” Upadhyay said. -PTI

AFSPA is said to be one of the main obstacles in the success of the talks as BJP’s position on it is exactly opposite to that of PDP. The results of the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir on December 23 threw up a hung assembly with PDP emerging as the single largest party bagging 28 seats in the 87-member house.

BJP came close second with 25 seats while National Conference bagged 15 seats followed by Congress with 12 seats and others winning seven seats. President has imposed Governor’s rule in J&K as none of the political parties got majority in the recently held Assembly elections. - PTI

13 Indian-origin teens in Intel talent search finals LOS ANGELES: About onethird of the 40 high school seniors named finalists of one of America’s oldest and most prestigious pre-college science and math competition are of Indian-origin.

The 40 finalists have received an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington from March 5 to 11, where they will compete for over $1 million in awards provided by the Intel Foundation.

Starting this year, the Intel Science Talent Search will feature a new awards structure that includes triple the top award money and new award categories, Intel said in a statement.

In place of the competition’s previous $100,000 top prize,

three Medal of Distinction awards of $150,000 each will be presented to students who show exceptional scientific potential in three areas: Basic Research, Global Good, and Innovation.

There are also three secondplace awards of $75,000, and three third-place awards of $35,000.

The 13 Indian American finalists are Eswar Anandapadmanaban, Augustine Chemparathy, Anvita Gupta, Somya Khare, Shashwat Kishore, Rohith Kuditipudi, Kriti Lall,Dhaivat Nitin Pandya, Reesab Pathak, Prembabu Saranesh, Anika Raghuvanshi and Tanay Tandon and Ryan D’Mello. - PTI

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SU N DAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

PAKISTAN

S UNDAY, JA N UARY 25, 2 0 1 5 More and more people are joining in because they agree with us. The narrative now resonates beyond the elites...

People are saying ‘When you attack children, that’s it’ Sundas Hoorain, Lawyer

S U N DAY, JANUARY 25, 2 0 1 5

H E A LT H C R I S I S

Need to take national action to rid nation of polio: WHO official LAHORE: World Health Organisation (WHO) Pakistan Director Michel Thierin said on Friday that more efforts were required to rid the nation of polio virus.

He was leading a WHO delegation that had called on Adviser to Chief Minister on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique. Thierin said the organisation and the international community were perturbed regarding the presence of polio in the nation.

He appreciated the initiatives taken by the government to eradicate polio in the province. Thierin commended the Health Department for taking special measures to prevent Ebola virus in the Punjab. He said the WHO and the international community attached great importance to polio eradication.

Routine immunisations Thierin said efforts in this regard should focus on conducting antipolio campaigns and routine immunisations. He said the province had taken the lead regarding this by nominating Health Services

Director General Zahid Pervaiz as the focal person for International Health Regulations.

Rafique said the government shared the concerns of the WHO and the international community. He said the government had been striving to eradicate the virus. Rafique said special arrangements had been made to guarantee the security of polio teams in the province.

He stressed the need to convene an interprovincial conference under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to formulate a national policy to rid the nation of the scourge of polio. Rafique informed those present that the recommendations of a technical workshop held last month would be used to formulate an action plan to improve secondary healthcare in the province.

He said the plan would be shared with the WHO and other development agencies after securing the approval of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Rafique said billions of rupees were required to revamp second-

ary health standards in the Punjab. He said funds were required to upgrade infrastructure, maintain bio-medical equipment and provide incentives to medical staff.

Rafique said a spirited effort should be made to mount a comprehensive anti-polio campaign during the low polio season.

He said all provinces should harness the potential of the season to rid the nation of polio.

Rafique stressed the need to take national action on this front saying that polio could not be eradicated in any province in isolation.

Jamshed Ahmad of the WHO said the organisation had finished training 6,000 lady health workers in six districts of the province.

He said 6,000 more lady health workers were being trained by the WHO currently.

Health Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik praised Thierin for cooperating over the holding of a workshop organised to formulate recommendations regarding secondary healthcare reforms.

— Express Tribune

THE CHALLENGE AHEAD: A Pakistani health worker administers polio vaccination drops to a child at

the Karachi International Airport in Karachi, on May 19, 2014. — AFP file photo

Musharraf could be allowed to visit Saudi

The former military dictator has requested the Interior Ministry that his name be removed from the Exit Control List as he wishes to express his heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of King Abdullah ISLAMABAD: The government is considering allowing former president Pervez Musharraf to travel to Saudi Arabia to offer condolences to the royal family over the death of the late Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.

The former military dictator, who, like Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family, enjoys close ties with the Saudi royal family, has written a letter to the interior ministry requesting that his name be removed from the Exit Control List (ECL).

The letter “General (retd) Pervez Musharraf is desirous of visiting Saudi Arabia to express his heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of King Abdullah,” reads the letter written

by Advocate Faisal Hussain on behalf of the former president.

“That is why we have asked the government to remove Musharraf sahib’s name from the ECL,” chief coordinator of Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League (APML)

EXIT PLAN: Pervez Musharraf addresses foreign media representatives at his farmhouse in Islama-

bad on December 29, 2013. — AFP file photo

King Abdullah’s sad demise is something which matters greatly for Pakistan. The government might let him (Musharraf) fly to Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s aide Ahmed Raza Kasuri told The Express Tribune on Friday.

He said the party was in contact with all stakeholders over the issue.

The request A close aide of Sharif said the gov-

ernment could consider the request seriously. “King Abdullah’s sad demise is something which matters greatly for Pakistan. The government might let him (Musharraf ) fly to Saudi Arabia,” he told The Express Tribune. He added, however, that any such decision

would be taken after consulting the ministries of law and interior.

Some believe allowing Musharraf to go abroad could provide the government and other stakeholders some ‘face saving’ as they move past an issue — treason trial of the former president — which has caused much friction between the country’s civil and military establishment.

Harsh criticism According to political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi, there is a strong possibility that Musharraf would be allowed to leave for Saudi Arabia.

However, he said there would be a question mark over whether the former dictator would return.

“The government will face harsh criticism if Musharraf chooses not to return.

It will give the opposition more space to do politics,” Rizvi added.

— Express Tribune

E L E C T I O N R I G G I N G A L L E G AT I O N S

Imran vows to take Iftikhar to court ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan reiterated on Saturday that former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhary and Justice (retd) Khalilur Rehman Ramday were complicit in the alleged rigging of the 2013 general elections, and that he would prove their involvement.

“I will prove his (Iftikhar Chaudhary) involvement in rigging,” Imran said upon his arrival from Saudi Arabia.

The PTI chief spoke of the role of the returning officers (ROs) in the election process, stating that they stuffed voting bags with bogus votes on the orders of the former chief justice of Pakistan.

“I will make Iftikhar Chaud-

“I am waiting to see the former CJP in court, because of the traitorous acts he has undertaken in demolishing the democracy of this country.

“He was behind the actions of the ROs,” he said. ”Do not worry Iftikhar sahib, I am ready to face you in court.”

Iftikhar Chaudhary

Imran Khan

hary stand in court, and I will tell this country what a big crime he committed to this country’s democracy,” a fiery Imran said.

Speaking about the defamation

notice sent to him by Chaudhary for Rs20 billion, the PTI chief quipped, “I’ll take the money from his son, Arsalan Iftikhar, who seems to have made quite a lot.”

Election year The PTI chief also said that as soon as a judicial commission is formed with absolute power, “I predict that this will be an election year.”

He further questioned why the government was hesitant over the results of the tribunal. “Because they know they did not win fairly,” Imran stated. — Express Tribune

C O M M E N TA RY

Perils of Punjab

BY FARRUKH KHAN PITAFI

C

all me old school but I think only relevant people should do chores assigned to them.

And a relevant person is the one chosen by the competent authority to do a specific task. Bureaucrats are supposed to act upon the wishes of their political masters; the ministers in charge and politicians should know what they are doing.

But in a country where cricketers want to rule, where doctors and engineers become TV anchors and anchors want to be politicians, this evidently is asking for too much.

The recent petrol crisis in Punjab is a case in point. It also brings the failure of the so-called Punjab model of governance to the fore.

For five years, the PML-N government in Punjab ruled the province by relying heavily on bureaucrats and making the ministers in charge of a ministry redundant.

Where there still was room to perform, the powers were further diluted by installing unelected taskforces meant to oversee the work of elected representatives. This is a recipe for disaster.

I know that my repeated criticism of this model and some actions of our leading bureaucrats often annoy a few of them. Let it be known that it is mainly a complaint about the inherent ridiculousness of this construct; it is nothing personal.

When you give a bureaucrat more powers than he/she should have, you are setting that person up for eventual failure and scapegoating. No wonder then that people who were disciplined recently for their part in the petrol shortage fiasco were mainly bureaucrats.

The aforementioned model barely worked in Punjab where politicians have relatively less nuisance value, and even there, frustration among lawmakers could not be controlled.

At the federal level, where every minister is a political heavyweight in his/her own right, this could never work. And yet against common sense, this model was put into practice.

Consequently, the government has spent most of its time in office in putting out fires. Adhocism and jealousies threaten to paralyse the government even if Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri’s mammoth rallies failed to do so. You will be surprised to know that a majority of the stories about the government’s alleged inadequacies are leaked to the press from within government circles.

If truth be told, the fuel crisis cannot be attributed to a single ministry or department. It is the failure of the prime minister’s energy and finance teams. The former includes the petroleum minister, the water and power minister and the Punjab chief minister.

The latter is headed by the finance minister but owing to his frequent international travelling to liaise with the IMF and other such bodies and due to his role in negotiations with opposition parties like the PTI, he hasn’t been able to spend adequate time in the Qadri-block.

As a consequence, the economy, by default, is run by the bureaucracy. But more of that in a bit.

Just like every other crisis in

Just like every other crisis in recent days, we can’t say we didn’t see this one coming. Reports of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) being on the brink of default were being carried in papers since September 2014 when the finance ministry refused to bail it out recent days, we can’t say we didn’t see this one coming. Reports of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) being on the brink of default were being carried in papers since September 2014 when the finance ministry refused to bail it out.

A couple of months ago, PSO had failed to retire five letters of credit.

Eye-opener Given that this all has to do with the circular debt, the Independent Power Producers Advisory Council’s advertisement in a number of papers threatening default on sovereign guarantees should have served as an eye-opener. This wasn’t to be the first sovereign default. A similar situation arose in 2012 as well. Heads should have rolled back then. However, the finance secretary, Dr Waqar Masood Khan, continued performing his duties in a position he holds to date. It is not about one finance secretary. It is about doing the same thing over and over and the failure to see its inadequacy.

Whispers from the ruling circles don’t stop here. They ask why is it that every crisis originates in Punjab and that, too, when the prime minister is out of the country?

While no one knows how to answer these questions, everyone agrees that the Punjab format poses more threats to the system than the solutions it can offer.

The nation needs full-time ministers for every department and a direct approach to tackling key national issues. In the absence of this, you cannot expect the same loyalty from bureaucrats that you expect from politicians.

They simply have nothing to lose. — Express Tribune

HAVE YOUR SAY

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

7,000

WORLD

opposition activists have been detained since the anniversary, Industry Minister Amir Hossain Amu, the head of a government law and order panel, has said

34 die in Bangladesh poll protest violence whose opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted the election on January 5 last year, has demanded that Hasina and her government step down for a new vote under a caretaker administration POLITICAL TURMOIL: A relative tries to comfort Amulla, 35, a victim of a recent bomb attack, as he

receives treatment at a medical college hospital during the ongoing nationwide blockade called by the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Friday. - PTI/AP

government protests spread.

The violence has worsened sharply since January 5, the first anniversary of the vote.

Police said at least 25 people have died in arson attacks, including two on Friday.

Eight more were killed in clashes with police, and one died following injuries from a crude bomb blast, they added.

At least 50 people were injured, some critically, after opposition activists firebombed several vehicles in the capital, Dhaka, and surrounding districts, police and witnesses said.

In Dhaka, at least 29 people suffered burns after attackers hurled petrol bombs at a bus, police said.

“Nine are in critical condition,” said Mohammad Sajjat Khanda-

kar, a doctor at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, which has been struggling to deal with growing numbers of the injured.

Strike called More than 7,000 opposition activists have been detained since the anniversary, Industry Minister Amir Hossain Amu, the head of a government law and order panel, has said. The opposition called for another 36-hour countrywide strike from Sunday morning to protest against the arrests and “oppression” of its leaders during an indefinite transport blockade it launched.

Khaleda called the blockade after she was prevented from holding a mass rally in Dhaka on the January 5 anniversary.

I L L E G A L A S S E M B LY

Hong Kong Occupy protest leaders arrested, released

SOLIDARITY: Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, centre, Hong Kong’s outspoken former bishop, looks on

as he joins leading pro-democracy activists in front of the Wanchai police station in Hong Kong on Saturday. - AFP

HONG KONG: The original founders of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy Occupy movement were arrested and released on Saturday as the city’s police chief defended the investigation into mass protests, saying it was not “a show”.

A number of protest leaders have been arrested and released without charge, with some calling the investigation harassment.

Occupy founder Benny Tai said that he, Chan Kin-man and Chu Yiu-ming had been formally arrested on accusations of organising and participating in an illegal assembly, but were not charged.

They were released after three hours.

“Three of us were showed some videos and articles...we were released unconditionally,” he said.

More than two months of street rallies calling for fully free leadership elections ended in December when protest camps were cleared, but police have vowed to investigate the “principal instigators”.

Police chief Andy Tsang defended the investigation earlier on Saturday.

“The police made the arrangements (for the arrests) in private and it was never made public.

How can you say it’s a PR show?

POLITICAL CRISIS

Security Council delegation visits Haiti to stem crisis PORT-AU-PRINCE: United Nations Security Council members arrived in Haiti on Friday for a three-day visit to urge the government to hold long-delayed elections in order to stem a mounting political crisis.

Envoys from the 15 member states of the international peace and security body met with President Michel Martelly and were due to see other government officials, as well as local UN representatives, political leaders and civil society.

“With this mission, the Security Council looks to... urge Haiti’s political actors to work cooperatively and without further delay to ensure the holding of free, fair, inclusive and transparent legislative, partial senatorial, municipal and local elections,” a statement from the UN’s The United Nations Stabilisation Mission In Haiti (MINUSTAH) peacekeeping mission said.

Begum Khaleda Zia,

DHAKA: At least 34 people have died in Bangladesh and scores have been injured, most of them in firebomb attacks, amid rising political unrest fuelled by a stand-off between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the main opposition leader.

The renewed political turmoil could cause a delay in shipments by the country’s $24-billion garment industry, already under pressure after a string of fatal accidents.

Begum Khaleda Zia, whose opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted the election on January 5 last year, has demanded that Hasina and her government step down for a new vote under a caretaker administration.

Hasina has refused, instead tightening her grip by arresting key opposition leaders and clamping down on critical media as anti-

Who told you they would go to a police station? We should be clear whose show it is,” he told reporters, confirming that those released may be asked back as the investigation was ongoing.

While other protest leaders have questioned police motives, Tai said he “trusted” the rule of law.

“I still trust the police and the prosecution... will strictly follow the requirements of Hong Kong laws in any investigation.

“The public can make their own judgment on whether there are any political motives behind their investigation,” he said.

Dozens of supporters outside the station, including lawmakers, held up banners and yellow umbrellas — the symbol of the democracy movement.

“I absolutely believe that Hong Kongers will not give up,” Tai said in a speech to the crowd before he went in to the station.

Tensions remain high Tension remains high in the semi-autonomous southern Chinese city since the street blockades which brought parts of the city to a standstill.

They were sparked after Beijing said that candidates for the

2017 vote would be vetted by a loyalist committee.

Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai and prominent student leaders including Joshua Wong and Alex Chow have also been arrested and released as part of the widespread investigation.

Both Chow and Wong questioned the process, saying police should charge them if they had the evidence.

The Occupy founders first turned themselves in at the beginning of December in a move to get the protests off the streets after violent clashes, but were not arrested.

The Occupy movement was the first to galvanise support for civil disobedience over political reforms, but as the protests went on the group faded into the background as students took over.

Tai has said it would now take a different approach to promoting democracy, including through education.

He confirmed Saturday that he would join a pro-democracy rally through the city on February 1 -- the first major march since the protest camps were cleared -which organisers expect to draw 50,000 people. - AFP

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Legal action could be considered against Khaleda for ordering the killing of innocent people, said Health Minister Mohammed Nasim.

“They should immediately stop the killing of innocent people, children, woman, labourers,” he told reporters on Saturday after visiting the burns victims.

BNP leaders were not immediately available to comment on the threat of legal action.

Hasina and Khaleda have alternated as prime minister for most of the past two decades in a fierce rivalry marked by periods of widespread political violence.

The United States, the European Union and UK have voiced concern and urged all Bangladeshi parties to engage in dialogue. - Reuters

Ruling by decree The president has been ruling by decree since parliament was dissolved earlier this month, making him the sole leader of a country on edge, with sometimes violent opposition protests.

Haitians have been waiting for

new elections for three years.

After meeting with the UN envoys, Martelly said he was committed to the democratic process and pledged to stage lawful elections. He promised dialogue with national political actors to “create a favourable climate for democratic, inclusive, free and transparent elections, without forgetting the fundamental objective of developing the country’s economy.”

Martelly has attempted to calm the situation by naming opposition figure Evans Paul as his prime minister and signing a deal to hold new elections by the end of this year. On Thursday, the president said he was forming his fifth electoral council tasked with organizing elections since he came to power in May 2011.

The UN ambassadors visited MINUSTAH headquarters and were due to tour various projects in the capital and elsewhere in the impoverished Caribbean nation still reeling from a devastating 2010 earthquake.

They were also due to assess the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and the capabilities of the Haitian government, especially the national police. - AFP

BRIEFING: President of United Nations Security Council, Cristian

Pedro Barros, left, speaks during a press conference after a meeting with Haitian President Michel Martelly, right, and representatives of 15 Member States of the United Nations Security Council, at the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, on Friday. - AFP

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T IME S O F O MAN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

COMMEN ARY ISO 9001:2008

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Subsidies on coal, oil, gas should end worldwide

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arly days, but the decision by the world’s biggest mining company, BHP Billiton, to cut its US shale oil operation by 40 per cent suggests that the exploitation of North American shale reserves has started to become unprofitable. That, in turn, will eventually reduce capacity, reduce supply and raise the long-term equilibrium price of oil and other fossil fuels. That, supposedly, will secure Saudi Arabia’s position as a low-cost dominant producer. The obvious flaw comes if the price is eventually restored to such a level that fracking becomes profitable once more, and the whole belligerent cycle starts all over again.

Given the potential, and unpredictable, impact on demand from slowing growth in the eurozone and China, in particular, that sweet spot in the oil price may prove more theoretical than real. At all events, the prospect is for much more volatility in the price of oil, which has dropped by two-thirds in three years. It adds uncertainty to the outlook for the world economy, and that in itself will tend to depress investment and growth.

Unless the major producers in Opec and outside, including the United States, can come to some sort of arrangement about where they would like the oil price to be in future — unlikely given the complexion of some involved the world will have to get used to these gyrations. Such ups and downs, however, are preferable to permanently cheap oil. While it seems churlish to deny hard-pressed households a respite from ever-rising energy bills, the inconvenient truth is that cheap oil is bad for the planet. In the short term it makes consumers and industries less careful about energy efficiency. In the longer term it wrecks investment in alternative sources of energy and transport, such as electric cars.

The solution is obvious, if unpopular. Public subsidies for the coal, oil and gas industries should be ended worldwide. And now is the time to raise taxes and duties on energy to prevent its cost from falling too far, to industry and to consumers, either by compensating with increases to duty or by adjusting carbon pricing regimes in order that prices remain high. This is, admittedly, no vote winner. And yet the biggest single influence on energy consumption, after overall economic growth, is its price, and the price of fossil fuels relative to alternative sources of energy.

It is also true that taxes on energy can hit the poorest hardest, proportionately. That is why such a stabilisation of fuel bills at current levels has to be joined by curbs on excessive profits being made by energy companies, with those funds transferred to poorer households, so that they can cope with the high bills. Globally, consumers are enjoying. But the oil price collapse has made the work of this year’s international climate summit in Paris an awful lot more difficult. - The Independent

ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

State of global poverty indeed desperate now

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KAUSHIK BASU

The plunder of Myanmar

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hina’s exploding appetites have unleashed a wholesale exploitation of Myanmar’s valuable natural resources. While this often involves outright theft, it also comes in the form of crony capitalism. Myanmar’s military elite has deals with Chinese companies that are eager to exploit the land, with little concern for the environment or people. The Kachin Independence Army, a rebel group that controls part of northeastern Myanmar, also takes a cut of some of this trade with China, especially jade hacked out of the earth by impoverished, heroin-addicted labourers.

Chinese government officials were in Myanmar to investigate the detention of Chinese citizens suspected of illegal logging. Illegal timber sales to China, especially of Myanmar’s dwindling stocks of rosewood, have been a big problem, with the Environmental Investigation Agency, a nongovernmental group, warning that the trees could be extinct within three years. China’s insatiable demand for tiger and leopard parts, bear bile and pangolins has helped to transform the town of Mong La, near the Chinese border, into a seedy centre of animal trafficking and gambling. Myanmar’s tiger population is by most estimates less than 70.

The pursuit of the valuable copper deposits in the country, formerly called Burma, has led to violence against the locals who dare to object to the environmental and human costs. In 2012, the Myanmar police apparently used white phosphorus smoke bombs, usually reserved for warfare, to quell protesters angry over evictions to make room for the Letpadaung copper mine in central Myanmar, a joint venture between China’s Wanbao Mining company and the Myanmar military’s business arm.

Last month, police officers opened fire on residents who were protesting evictions in the area, killing one woman with a shot to the head.

The people of Myanmar — as the protests make clear — want this plunder stopped. The country needs foreign investment that is respectful of human rights and the environment. It will be up to President Thein Sein to rein in the corruption and crony deals that are stripping away resources and creating political instability. - The New York Times News Service

Need to regulate plying of heavy vehicles on roads This refers to the news story Majlis Al Shura members support motorists on widening of road shoulders (January 24).

Those who drive in Muscat and Oman are very much in need of wider road shoulders and have long been asking for it. We will also be benefitted if the authorities consider controlling the plying hours of heavy commercial vehicles as they are often seen creating serious traffic snarls.

Heavy vehicles are also seen plying and parked in residential areas such as Ruwi, Hamriyah, Darsait, Ghubra etc which, needless to say, creates significant problems. These long and wide vehicles not only take a lot of space to park but they often block narrow roads and views of

other motorists increasing the chances of accidents.

Nabeel Irshad Hussain Muscat

Parents still do not have confidence in school buses This refers to the news story, One year on, school bus crash driver speaks out (January 22).

I am a mother of two and I am still to get over an uncanny fear until my daughters return home from school every day. A year has passed since the horrific school bus accident which killed some students of Pakistan School in Muscat but we are still scared and memories of the horror are still so fresh in our minds. I am forced to send my daughters to school by school bus because I don’t have any other alternative.

Despite this progress, a large proportion of people in developing countries remain desperately poor. What is truly shocking is that nearly one billion people — including more than 80 per cent of the populations of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Liberia, and Burundi — live below poverty line

he economic geography of the world is changing. The eurozone faces the spectre of another round of stagnation; Japan has slipped into recession; and the United States, despite relatively strong performance in the latter part of 2014, has raised concerns worldwide with its exit from quantitative easing.

Meanwhile, emerging economies have continued to perform well. India and Indonesia are growing at more than 5 per cent per year; Malaysia at 6 per cent; and China by more than 7 per cent. The scale of the global change can be seen when purchasing power parity (PPP) — a measure of the total amount of goods and services that a dollar can buy in each country — is taken into account.

According to the figures for 2011, released last year, India is now the world’s third largest economy in terms of PPP-adjusted GDP, ahead of Germany and Japan. The data also revealed that China would overtake the US as the world’s largest economy in PPP terms sometime in 2014 — a shift that, according to our estimates, occurred on October 10th.

Despite this progress, a large proportion of people in developing countries remain desperately poor. Globally, the poverty line is defined as a daily income of $1.25, adjusted for PPP — a line that many criticise as shockingly low.

But what is truly shocking is that nearly one billion people — including more than 80 per cent of the populations of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Liberia, and Burundi — live below it.

One reason global poverty has been so intractable is that it remains largely out of sight for those who are not living it, safely somebody else’s problem. The fact that most participants in discussions about global poverty — the readers of this commentary included — know few, if any, people who live below the poverty line is an indication of the extent of the world’s economic segregation.

If poverty were communicable, its incidence would be far lower by now.

Fortunately, a chorus of voices, not just from civil-society groups, but also from international organisations, has given rise to a global movement to end poverty.

There is now a growing consensus that global poverty is not just a problem of the poor.

Though moral outrage is important, it is not enough when it comes to crafting policy. Policymakers need data and, equally important, the ability to analyse it.

The first task is to distinguish between what is

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The higher the buildings, the lower the morals NOEL COWARD

feasible and what is not. For example, some have proposed including the provision of employment for all adults in the Millennium Development Goals’ successor framework, which is to be unveiled this year. This is an impossible target.

All economies of any reasonable size will have some unemployment. In fact, a limited amount of unemployment can help to promote development. To declare “employment” a right is to divest the word “right” of its meaning.

Next, there must be recognition that economies are complex and interconnected. Consider, for example, a government policy in which subsidies, funded with newly printed money, are handed out to residents of 1,000 villages.

This will not necessarily be a boon for the economy as a whole. Injecting money might improve the living standards in the villages receiving the funds, but doing so may well drive up the cost of food throughout the country, causing residents of non-subsidised villages to fall into poverty.

The macroeconomic impact of micro-interventions is an important reason why poverty has persisted, despite well-meaning interventions to combat it.

Another reason poverty endures is persistent — and, in many places, widening — inequality.

The current level of global inequality is unconscionable. In 2013, the World Bank, where I am Chief Economist, helped bring the term “shared prosperity” into everyday discourse by declaring, for the first time, that every society should make progress toward this goal its mission.

To be sure, there will always be a certain amount of inequality in the world; in fact, as with unemployment, a limited amount is desirable as a driver of competition and growth. But the deep and pervasive inequality that exists today can only be condemned.

According to some back-of-the-envelope calculations, the wealth of the world’s 50 richest people totals $1.5 trillion, equivalent to 175 per cent of Indonesia’s GDP, or a little more than Japan’s foreign-exchange reserves.

If one assumes that this wealth yields 8 per cent per year, the annual income of the world’s 50 wealthiest people is close to the total income of the poorest one billion — in other words, those living below the poverty line.

This is a collective failure. As 2015 begins, we must consider policies and interventions to curb such extreme inequality. We must do this not only out of a sense of justice, but also because, in a world afflicted with such extreme disparities, its poorest residents lose their voice, even when they have the right to vote.

Extreme inequality is, ultimately, an assault on democracy. - Project Syndicate

However, as a matter of fact, I am still not happy at all. I would not have sent my children by school bus if I could drive on my own or my husband had time to drop them and bring them back home.

Shabnam Azaiba

USA’s covert war in Syria has fallen flat on its face The US crimes in Syria are already too obvious. It had been sponsoring extremist outfits affiliated to Al Qaeda to bring about regime change in Damascus. Washington’s covert war, evil in essence, has fallen flat on its face as Bashar Al Assad prevailed. Rather than seizing the opportunity to end the crisis, the West kept the cauldron boiling with chilling Machiavellian cynicism pouring in “vast

amount of military, financial, and diplomatic largesse” through their regional clients.

Nassir Ghalib Muscat

Srinivas can still bounce back after being cut to size Well, is it time now to write the epitaph of N. Srinivasan, the BCCI chief-in-exile, after the Supreme Court of India cut him to size? Personally, I would desist from doing so because Srinivasan has shown an uncanny ability to bounce back from very awkward situation earlier. He is like a super politician and has numerous strings to pull.

The question is, will the Indian federal minister Arun Jaitley help Srinivasan to bounce back?

Ashok Panicker Seeb

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

T I MES OF OMAN

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

A1 3

PERSPEC IVE Of petrol trawling and the genesis of a crisis foretold A

n image of the emergency meeting summoned by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the raging petrol crisis earlier this week revealed more than he would have liked.

Chaired by him it showed Shahbaz Sharif, his brother and chief minister of the powerful Punjab province; Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the petrol minister; Ishaq Dar, the finance minister; and Khwaja Asif, the power minister amongst others.

All the ministers and officials, save for Abbasi, looked downcast, not even lifting their gaze as a worn out chief executive seemed unable to figure out what hit his government or bounce off that necessary leadership chutzpah which would help salvage a ship in troubled waters.

Millions of Pakistanis have been enduring power woes for years now with well stretched out long queues — whose shape and size often provides photographers with interesting angles — meant for CNG filling, a relatively cheaper fuel.

To conceive that one day, they would have to do it for petrol — whose prices globally have plummeted remarkably since last summer — seemed like idle imagination at best.

No more. In the last few days, Pakistanis have been thirsting for gasoline with many ‘imaginative’ folk using every trick in the book and outside of it to stock any extra drop, using plastic bottles and cans.

Forced by circumstance, they have even bought fuel paying double the amount from profiteers selling it surreptitiously for a quick buck! Before the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) government moved to ban such sale last week, the sight of women and girls desperately buying the limited stock to help their menfolk was soul-crushing.

All this has obviously raised serious questions about governance, but few answers have been forthcoming and even those have ranged from the flimsy to the ridiculous.

It did the Sharif government no favours, for instance, to see the petrol minister blaming the finance ministry for sleeping on the job in a presser, and the finance minister, mock back such claims in a rejoinder.

Taking a leaf out of his brother Shahbaz’s book of treating errant officialdom, the premier suspended four officials over the crisis, but not the minister responsible, who, after first refusing to acknowledge that there was any crisis at all, much less one he owed an explanation for, reluctantly conceded responsibility “on the part of the government”.

He would surely have known the fuel funda given that he runs a private airliner!

Most experts agree that predominantly the responsibility rests with the finance ministry, but in this case, the minister is too powerful to be touched, let alone shown the door.

The finance minister’s son is married to the

KAMRAN REHMAT

The finance ministry bears major fiscal responsibility for the crisis given that it is the last entity standing to rescue the Pakistan State Oil (PSO), which has exhausted its credit lines, defaulting in payment of furnace oil imports, leading to the forced closure of several refineries

prime minister’s daughter, after all.

Instead, after the short “investigation”, the Sharif government concluded, rather conveniently, that the state-owned Oil and Gas Regulation Authority, is to blame!

The dots however, just don’t connect and it doesn’t take genius to get to the dénouement of the crisis in even basic math terms. With the steadily falling oil prices, a spike in demand was inevitable — something that the petrol minister, now admits, is the case.

While global prices began falling last July, the government passed on substantial benefit to the consumers by decreasing oil prices on November 1, and again, on December 1.

With diminishing stocks, competent planning was in order, but prima facie, this was overlooked in favour of the immediate goal of fending off political angst posed by opposition leader Imran Khan’s white noise.

Khan only called off his four-month old campaign to seek Sharif’s resignation over alleged rigging in the 2013 polls after the devastating national tragedy resulting in the massacre of 132 schoolchildren by Taliban in Peshawar last month. The finance ministry bears major fiscal responsibility for the crisis given that it is the last entity standing to rescue the Pakistan State Oil (PSO), which has exhausted its credit lines, defaulting in payment of furnace oil imports, leading to the forced closure of several refineries.

The PSO, whose weekly requirement for import of fuel is approximately Rs9-10bn, has been steadily accumulating a circular debt since 2008, with power sector receivables piling up to Rs200bn.

It defaulted no less than 26 times on its letter of credit payments since October 2014 alone, and had all along desperately — repeatedly — sounded the SOS to the finance ministry after the banks closed the door on further borrowing.

However, the finance ministry appears to have either underestimated the looming crisis or not lent the priority it deserved.

Now there’s much price to pay — financially, of course, but so, too, politically.

Both the PM and finance minister were out of the country when long queues for cheap but scarce petrol began to form — talk about bad optics!

This reminds one of a famous proverb which suggests that “the absent are always in the wrong”.

This much is certain: to remain in the driving seat, the government will need plenty of petrol in the tank — literally, to begin with!

The author is a senior journalist based in Islamabad. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely his and not of Times of Oman.

The question now is, how shall we die

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he Doomsday Clock has just been moved two minutes closer to midnight. The reasons given were unchecked climate change and the risk of nuclear proliferation.

The Doomsday Clock is not a bad symbol. Being “x minutes to midnight” is a vaguely foreboding message with no real probabilities attached to it.

And that is good, because estimating these probabilities is extremely hard and contentious.

To correctly predict the future on these issues requires not only a grasp of the technical and scientific issues, but estimates — guesses, really — about what will happen to large scale politics in several countries and the ultimate decisions of a few key current and

STUART ARMSTRONG

future leaders. Of course, uncertainty should never mean that we’re safe...

Much easier is to say that the (unknown) risk has increased or decreased, which is what the Doomsday Clock properly reflects by moving more or less close to midnight, from some arbitrary starting point.

Is it a true “doomsday” clock?

Environment shifts as envisaged by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change would be extremely devastating but not true doomsday; the same goes for nuclear war.

Make no mistake: we are talking about millions if not billions of deaths. But that falls short of extinction risk; humans and even nations are surprisingly resilient. (Of course, if the uncertainties of climate change are larger than

we think, then some disastrous +10C° scenarios might become possible.)

After analysing the various “existential risks” here at the Future of Humanity Institute at the University of Oxford, it seems to us that the real doomsday scenarios come from diseases (especially engineered pathogens) or, possibly, from the creation of powerful and dangerous technologies.

These might not be as likely as climate change or war, but they could be true doomsdays.

A twilight to the human race, with a void empty of intelligent life stretching forwards in a barren universe. - The Independent The author is the James Martin Research Fellow at the Future of Humanity Institute.

Hating good government PAUL KRUGMAN

I

t’s now official: 2014 was the warmest year on record. You might expect this to be a politically important milestone. After all, climate change deniers have long used the blip of 1998 — an unusually hot year, mainly due to an upwelling of warm water in the Pacific — to claim that the planet has stopped warming.

This claim involves a complete misunderstanding of how one goes about identifying underlying trends. (Hint: Don’t cherry-pick your observations.)

But now even that bogus argument has collapsed. So will the deniers now concede that climate change is real?

Of course not. Evidence doesn’t matter for the “debate” over climate policy, where I put scare quotes around “debate” because, given the obvious irrelevance of logic and evidence, it’s not really a debate in any normal sense.

And this situation is by no means unique. Indeed, at this point it’s hard to think of a major policy dispute where facts actually do matter; it’s unshakable dogma, across the board.

And the real question is why.

Before I get into that, let me remind you of some other news that won’t matter.

First, consider the Kansas experiment. Back in 2012 Sam Brownback, the state’s rightwing governor, went all in on supply-side economics: He drastically cut taxes, assuring everyone that the resulting boom would make up for the initial loss in revenues.

Unfortunately for his constituents, his experiment has been a resounding failure.

The economy of Kansas, far from booming, has lagged the economies of neighbouring states, and Kansas is now in fiscal crisis.

So will we see conservatives scaling back their claims about the magical efficacy of tax cuts as a form of economic stimulus?

Of course not. If evidence mattered, supply-side economics would have faded into obscurity decades ago. Instead, it has only strengthened its grip on the Republican Party.

Meanwhile, the news on health reform keeps coming in, and it keeps being more favourable than even the supporters expected.

We already knew that the number of Americans without insurance is dropping fast, even as the growth in health care costs moderates.

Now we have evidence that the number of Americans experiencing financial distress due to medical expenses is also dropping fast.

All this is utterly at odds with dire predictions that reform would lead to declining coverage and soaring costs. So will we see any of the people claiming that Obamacare is

doomed to utter failure revising their position? You know the answer.

And the list goes on.

On issues that range from monetary policy to the control of infectious disease, a big chunk of America’s body politic holds views that are completely at odds with, and completely unmovable by, actual experience.

And no matter the issue, it’s the same chunk. If you’ve gotten involved in any of these debates, you know that these people aren’t happy warriors; they’re red-faced angry, with special rage directed at knowit-alls who snootily point out that the facts don’t support their position.

The question, as I said at the beginning, is why. Why the dogmatism? Why the rage?

And why do these issues go together, with the set of people insisting that climate change is a hoax pretty much the same as the set of people insisting that any attempt at providing universal health insurance must lead to disaster and tyranny?

Well, it strikes me that the immovable position in each of these cases is bound up with rejecting any role for government that serves the public interest.

If you don’t want the government to impose controls or fees on polluters, you want to deny that there is any reason to limit emissions.

If you don’t want the combination of regulation, mandates and subsidies that is needed to extend coverage to the uninsured, you want to deny that expanding coverage is even possible.

And claims about the magical powers of tax cuts are often little more than a mask for the real agenda of crippling government by starving it of revenue.

And why this hatred of government in the public interest? Well, the political scientist Corey Robin argues that most self-proclaimed conservatives are actually reactionaries.

That is, they’re defenders of traditional hierarchy — the kind of hierarchy that is threatened by any expansion of government, even (or perhaps especially) when that expansion makes the lives of ordinary citizens better and more secure.

I’m partial to that story, partly because it helps explain why climate science and health economics inspire so much rage.

Whether this is the right explanation or not, the fact is that we’re living in a political era in which facts don’t matter.

This doesn’t mean that those of us who care about evidence should stop seeking it out. But we should be realistic in our expectations, and not expect even the most decisive evidence to make much difference. - The New York Times News Service

Huge asteroid to “narrowly” miss Earth Close encounter (planets not to scale) Mars Earth Venus orbit

Mercury Sun WHERE TO SEE IT Observers in Europe, Americas and Africa will need small telescope or strong binoculars.

Less visible in Asia / Pacific

10h UT

1787

Small farmers in Springfield, Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays, revolt against tax laws. Federal troops break up the protesters of what becomes known as Shay’s Rebellion.

1846

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

The dreaded Corn Laws, which taxed imported oats, wheat and barley, are repealed by the British Parliament.

KIDS ENJOY WINTER CAMP

Earth Asteroid 2004 BL86

Path of 2004 BL86

Asteroid orbit (orbital period 1.84 years)

8h

Beehive 6h Cluster M44 CANCER 4h 2h Jan 27 0h 22h Head of HYDRA Jan 26 20h

Artist’s view of asteroid passing Earth (not 2004 BL86) DISTANCE FROM EARTH Asteroid 2004 BL86 1.2 million km on Jan 26 / 27

Moon 384,400km (average)

0.5km-wide asteroid and Empire State Building to scale

1904 Two-hundred coal miners are trapped in their Pennsylvania mine after an explosion.

Earth

Asteroid 1999 AN10 Could pass within 37,000km in 2027

Size of Earth, Moon and asteroids increased for clarity

1918

Austria and Germany reject US peace proposals.

1919

The League of Nations plan is adopted by the Allies.

HISTORYNET.COM Source: NASA, Sky & Telescope Media

Graphic News /

Graphics

OPINION POLL

TODAY IN HISTORY MUSCAT: Kids Kamp has conducted winter camp for children between six and 14 years at Hotel Mercure Al Falaj. The camp was aimed at giving the children the right exposure to various activities and a total restriction – free atmosphere were they could explore and learn a lot in the process. The children were grouped according to their age and interests.

The activities were also planned accordingly. Tennis and swimming classes for beginners were part of the programme and cultural activities were optional.

A year after Pakistan School bus accident in Muscat, do you feel safe sending your children to school by school buses?

Visit timesofoman.com to cast your vote

LAST POLL RESULT Yes

46.6%

No

Can't say

50.9%

2.5%

In view of the damages caused by rain, do you think enough has been done to protect people in Oman from rains?

A 14

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

GLOBAL EYE

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

FRANCE: Artists perform during a Who’s Next fashion show marking the 20th anniversary of the company on Friday in Paris. Who’s Next is a fashion trade show in Europe organised twice a year in January and September at Porte de Versailles in Paris. — AFP

VENEZUELA: Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

wait for him during a rally to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the end of Venezuelan dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez’s regime, in Caracas on Friday. — AFP

CHINA: A man conducts a Chinese military band as delegates

COMOROS: Comoros’ former president and candidate in the country’s presidential election, Abdallah Sambi, speaks to supporters during his final campaign rally on Friday in the Badjanani area of Moroni, ahead of general elections on Sunday. — AFP

arrive for the opening of the Third Plenary Session of the 12th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Shanghai on Saturday. The session is being held for five days until January 28. — AFP

AFGHANISTAN: Afghan border policemen hoist the wreckage

of a damaged police ranger vehicle onto a truck at the site of a remote-controlled bomb blast that targeted the Afghan border police vehicle in Jalalabad on Saturday. At least two Afghan border police officials were killed. — AFP

CUBA: US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Roberta S. Jacobson, centre, — the most senior American official BRAZIL: A demonstrator wearing a mask takes part in a march

against fare hikes for city buses, subways and trains in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Friday. The banner reads, ‘No to fare hikes’. — Reuters

in Havana since 1980 —walks along a street of old Havana, on Friday. The United States and Cuba opened two days of historic talks in Havana on Wednesday to end decades of Cold War-era animosity and reestablish diplomatic relations. The meetings in Havana follow the historic decision by US President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro in December to seek normal diplomatic relations. — AFP

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 Tsipras is presentable, personable and a sweettalker. But what can he achieve in the situation we’re now in Evdokia Kasoli, Greek pensioner

WORLD

Anti-austerity party likely to sweep Greece elections The possibility of Alexis Tsipras’ left-

Tsipras... could be the man to give Europe’s austerity policy the legitimacy it has so far lacked with the Greek people. (ECB chief Mario) Draghi senses this, and as yet nobody has come up with better proposals

wing Syriza winning Sunday’s vote has sparked fears that Greece could fail to keep up its debt repayments and leave the euro

ATHENS: Greece stood Saturday on the brink of a make-orbreak general election that could sweep the anti-austerity Syriza party to power and set the country on a collision course with its international creditors.

Syriza wants to renegotiate Greece’s massive 318 billion euro ($356 billion) debt and put an end to years of wage cuts and public spending reductions linked to an international bailout.

The possibility of Alexis Tsipras’ left-wing party winning Sunday’s vote has sparked fears that Greece could fail to keep up its debt repayments and leave the euro.

Syriza have a lead of at least four points over the incumbent conservative New Democracy party of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, according to opinion polls.

In his final appeal to voters on Friday, Tsipras pledged to restore “dignity” to Greece.

Samaras told his party’s supporters in his closing rally that it would be crazy to elect Syriza just when the fiscal reforms he has supported could be about to pay

TURNING POINT: Supporters of radical leftist Syriza party during discussions at the party’s election

kiosk in Athens on Saturday. — Reuters

off. “Syriza will turn all of Europe against Greece.... They don’t understand Europe, they don’t believe in Europe,” he said.

Greece has endured deep budget cuts tied to its 240 billion euro bailout from the so-called troika -- the European Union, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Central Bank (ECB).

Unemployment is around 25 percent and the economy has shrunk by a quarter since the start of the eurozone crisis.

Tsipras has said he wants to work out a solution on the debt with the ECB by July, and has promised to cut the amount by half.

Nevertheless, Evdokia Kasoli, a pensioner in central Athens, expressed doubts on Saturday about whether Syriza would be able to keep their pledges.

“Tsipras is presentable, person-

able and a sweet-talker. But what can he achieve in the situation we’re now in?,” she said.

Other voters though were pinning their hopes on a new approach, even if does represent a leap into the unknown.

‘We don’t know’ “We don’t know if Tsipras will manage to cut the debt but we hope he will be able to make it more manageable,” said Paris Lizos, a 59-year-old unemployed father of two, at Syriza’s final rally on Thursday.

Campaigning is banned on the eve of a Greek election, so Tsipras met journalists covering his campaign.

A Syriza official told AFP the party was heading for victory and was confident of forming a coalition government if necessary.

“Polls show we are five to 10

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM SUMMIT

Lives of poor people set to improve faster: Bill Gates DAVOS: The lives of people in poor countries is expected to improve faster in the next 15 years as innovation and technology drives optimism for a sustainable future, said leading philanthropist Bill Gates.

The world will have the “tools” to reduce the incidence of malaria and AIDS significantly, he said.

According to Bill Gates and Melinda Gates, Co-Chairs, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USA, there is optimism for a sustainable future and that is mainly driven by innovation and technology.

“We get economic growth, but the fundamental basics have improved as well. The wonderful thing about the fundamentals improving is that it will continue for the next 15 years,” Bill Gates said.

They were speaking at the 45th World Economic Forum annual meet here.

Bill Gates said “in the next 15 years, we will have the tools to reduce (the incidence) of malaria and AIDS by 95 per cent to 100 per cent.

Melinda Gates said that vaccines are “a miracle cure”. Today, eight out of 10 children are getting vaccines, she added.

According to her, one out of 10 children used to die before the age of five. Thanks to the development of new vaccines and treatments, the percentage of children who die before the age of five has been cut in half, she said.

Moreover, countries such as Vietnam, Ghana, Ethiopia and Rwanda are reporting 90 per cent vaccination coverage.

Better nutrition The important breakthroughs would be driven by innovation and technology, ranging from new vaccines with universal coverage, better agricultural yields due to better seeds, better nutrition, cheaper smartphones and new ways to deliver these benefits to more people.

Cheap smartphones are a game-changer. “In the next 15 years mobile phone coverage will go up, the price will come down,

Countries are following others that have done it right.

Economic miracles start with agriculture, education and then they can participate in the world economy Bill Gates

Leading philanthropist gender equity will improve and online software will be flourishing,” Bill Gates said.

This will revolutionise everything: agriculture, access to digital payments, low transaction costs, women’s empowerment and education, he said adding “if you want to pick one thing in an economy, education is a master switch of economic improvement.”

Poverty has been halved because of innovation, he said.

“Countries are following others that have done it right. Economic miracles start with agriculture, education and then they can participate in the world economy.”

Gates said and cited the example

of China, which is now a middleincome country. Bill and Melinda said they believe with innovation in agriculture, within 15 years Africa will be able to feed itself, with access to latest seeds adapted to African regions.

Hans Rosling, Professor of International Health, Karolinska Institute, Sweden echoed similar sentiments and said “we have made tremendous progress in this world”. — PTI

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A1 5

points ahead of New Democracy.

What remains to be seen is whether we will have a clear majority,” the official said.

Samaras was greeted by a media scrum as he visited New Democracy party workers in rainy central Athens.

He said up to 14 per cent of voters remained undecided and predicted they would choose the “stability” he represented.

Greek newspapers said the country was at a potentially crucial point in its modern history.

“Fasten your seatbelts” said the Proto Thema weekly.

It warned that Greece would have “one foot outside the eurozone” if it failed to stick to the ECB’s debt repayment schedule.

The pro-government Kathimerini newspaper said whichever party won, Greece faced “suffocating deadlines” imposed by its in-

‘Die Zeit’ editorial ternational creditors. In Germany, widely seen by Greeks as the driving force behind the stringent cuts linked to the bailout, the weekly centre-left Die Zeit newspaper said if Tsipras won, he could no longer be “demonised”.

“Tsipras... could be the man to give Europe’s austerity policy the legitimacy it has so far lacked with the Greek people. (ECB chief Mario) Draghi senses this, and as yet nobody has come up with better proposals,” the paper said in an editorial.

Breakthrough A victory for Syriza could pave the way for other anti-austerity parties to break through in Europe.

The leader of Spain’s radical Podemos movement, Pablo Iglesias, appeared with Tsipras at an Athens rally this week. — AFP

ENERGY MINISTER QUITS

Tanzania cabinet reshuffled DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania’s energy minister became on Saturday the third cabinet member to resign over a graft scandal that has rocked the gas-rich East African nation and led Western donors to delay aid, though he denied any wrongdoing.

Sospeter Muhongo’s resignation prompted President Jakaya Kikwete to reshuffle the cabinet, naming George Simbachawene as the new energy and minerals minister.

Tanzania’s attorney general and the minister for land have already quit over the scandal, which involves the transfer of at least $122 million.

“I have decided to resign to bring a conclusion to this never-ending debate so the nation can focus on other important issues for national development,” Muhongo told a news conference.

“I did not do anything wrong and I did not steal any money. My record speaks for itself, I am incorruptible.”

Tanzania is estimated to have 53.2 trillion cubic feet (tcf ) of gas reserves off its southern coast, but its energy sector has long been dogged by allegations of graft.

The graft scandal erupted last November when lawmakers concluded that senior government officials had fraudulently authorised the transfer of public funds to a private company.

The funds came from an escrow account held jointly by state power company TANESCO and independent power producer IPTL and went to IPTL’s owner, Pan Africa Power (PAP), in 2013.

The officials denied anything improper and PAP said the transfer was legal.

Tanzania’s attorney general, Frederick Werema, resigned and Kikwete sacked lands, housing and human settlements development minister Anna Tibaijuka for accepting a $1 million payment from a Tanzanian businessman linked to the energy scandal. — Reuters

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 We are for peace but also accept the enemy’s challenge. We will defend our motherland the way real patriots do — until a full victory Petro Poroshenko, Ukrainian President

WORLD

H O S TA G E C R I S I S

SNOWSTORM HITS US

A snow shoveller crosses a street during a winter snowstorm in Cambridge, United States, on Saturday. Up to eight inches of snow is expected to fall over parts of the northeast this weekend, and a wintry mix could make for a messy Monday morning commute in New York, Boston and other cities, the National Weather Service said on Friday. — Reuters

Japan PM condemns apparent IS execution TOKYO: Japan has condemned a recording purporting to announce the execution of a Japanese citizen held by IS militants and demanded the immediate release of another captive depicted as appearing on the image.

“This is an outrageous and unacceptable act of violence,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters as he arrived at his office after midnight.

“We strongly demand the immediate release” of the remaining captive, Kenji Goto.

He later said the government would spare no effort to secure the release of the remaining captive.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga condemned what he said was “a video showing what appears to be a murdered Japanese, Mr Haruna Yukawa, as well as Mr Kenji Goto.”

Relevant government ministers would meet to discuss the situation as the government gathers information, Suga told reporters, declining to take questions.

Reuters could not independently verify the audio message, which if confirmed would be the first time the group, which has beheaded several foreign hostages, has issued an audio message rather than a video showing the actual event.

A deadline by IS militants for Japan to pay a $200 million ransom for Yukawa and Goto expired on Friday. — Reuters

INSURGENCY

Boko Haram kills 15 villagers in Nigerian city MAIDUGURI (NIGERIA): Boko Haram fighters have killed 15 villagers near Maiduguri, the city which is the epicentre of the extremist group’s six-year insurgency and where President Goodluck Jonathan is to launch his re-election campaign on Saturday.

The killings near the embattled city took place Friday, eve of the president’s visit, security sources and residents said.

“The terrorists attacked Kambari village which is less than five kilometres to Maiduguri around 5:00 am.

“They killed 15 people and set the entire hamlet ablaze,” said a security source who requested anonymity.

“After fruitless efforts to enter Maiduguri through Konduga without success, the terrorists took a different route and attacked Kambari,” he said.

‘Shot my children’ A woman from the village who simply gave her name as Kyallu said four of her children were among the dead.

“They killed four of my grown-up children when they attacked our village about the time for the morning prayers,” Kyallu, who is now in Maiduguri, told AFP. “They shot my children dead without any prompting. I had to leave the village with my grandchildren because we have lost our houses,” she said.

“The insurgents also killed our village head.

“In fact, I counted 15 dead bodies,” she said.

Maiduguri and its environs in the volatile northeast have been repeatedly attacked by the extremists who began their deadly insurgency in 2009. — AFP

30 killed as Ukraine rebels launch new offensive in east sian troops — firmly denied by the Kremlin — designed to expand separatist holdings before the singing of a final truce and land demarcation agreement.

The local mayor’s office said 97 people were also wounded in the city of Mariupol by rockets that smashed into a packed residential district early in the morning and then again after noon

MARIUPOL (UKRAINE): ProKremlin rebels announced a major new offensive on Saturday after Grad rocket fire killed at least 30 people in a strategic governmentheld Ukrainian port linking rebel territory with Russian-occupied Crimea.

The local mayor’s office said 97 people were also wounded in the city of Mariupol by rockets that smashed into a packed residential district early in the morning and then again shortly after noon.

“Obviously, everyone in the city is very scared. The rebels have already seized the airport. And now they are starting to destroy Mariupol itself,” city native Eduard told AFP. A towering cloud of grey smoke billowed over homes and a row of high-rise apartment buildings while fire brigades scrambled to put out blazes sparked by the heavy shells.

“Today, we launched an offensive against Mariupol,” Russia’s

ASSAULT: People walk past a destroyed truck after shelling in the southern Ukrainian port city of

Mariupol, on Saturday. — AFP/Stringer

RIA Novosti news agency quoted Donetsk separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko as saying.

His deputy earlier denied responsibility for the civilian deaths and Zakharchenko did not refer directly to the rocket fire.

But he called the potential capture of the industrial port “the best tribute possible for all our dead.”

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk immediately asked the UN Security Council to censure Russia for allegedly spearheading the militants’ advance on the biggest pro-Kiev city left standing in the shattered war zone.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko vowed in a separate statement to deliver a “full victory” over the rebels.

“We are for peace but also ac-

cept the enemy’s challenge. We will defend our motherland the way real patriots do — until a full victory,” the he said in a statement.

Grave deterioration EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini warned in Brussels that the latest escalation “would inevitably lead to a further grave deterioration of relations between the EU and Russia.”

The southeastern Sea of Azov city of nearly 500,000 provides a land bridge between guerrilla-held regions to the east and the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea that Russia annexed from Ukraine last March.

A rebel assault on the port in August saw Kiev repel the attack at a heavy cost that prompted Presi-

dent Poroshenko to agree to a September 5 ceasefire.

That truce was followed by still more clashes that killed at least 1,500 people and was ultimately rejected by the rebels on Friday.

The separatist leader of Donetsk said on Friday he was ripping up the September agreement and launching an offensive aimed at seizing eastern lands still controlled by the pro-Western authorities in Kiev.

His announcement came just a day after his men scored their most symbolic victory to date by flushing out Ukrainian troops from a long-disputed airport in Donetsk that Kiev had clung on to since May. Western diplomats linked that advance to a new infusion of Rus-

Satellite imagery The August push on Mariupol — an important industrial port that exports Donetsk coal and steel — coincided with the release of NATO satellite imagery purporting to show Russian tanks and forces crossing into the war zone.

Moscow denied ever dispatching its units and called Russian soldiers in the area volunteers or troops who were on leave and fighting to protect locals from alleged persecution by nationalists in the new Kiev government.

Ukraine claimed on Monday that Moscow had poured nearly 1,000 more Russian soldiers and dozens of tanks into the southeast in order to secure control over factories and coal mines that could help the rebels build their own state.

“Most regional exports and imports go through Mariupol. And it has two of Ukraine’s largest smelters that underpin the entire economy of the southeast,” said Oleksandr Sushko of Kiev’s Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation.

“This attack is designed to sow fear and panic across Ukraine,” said the analyst.

Putin on Friday rejected the charges and blamed Kiev for the latest surge in deaths.

“Artillery is being used, rocket launchers and aviation, and it is used indiscriminantly and over densely populated areas,” Putin said.

International monitors said that in recent weeks the average daily death toll was nearly 30 — a level last seen at the very height of a nine-month war that has claimed more than 5,000 lives. — Reuters

PA R L I A M E N T M OV E

Iran drafting law to allow intensified nuclear enrichment TEHRAN: Iran’s parliament has started to draft a law that would allow the country’s nuclear scientists to intensify their uranium enrichment, a step that could complicate ongoing talks with world powers.

The move, announced Saturday by parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, comes after US lawmakers said they were planning legislation that

could place new sanctions on Iran.

The negotiations between Iran and the permanent members of the UN Security Council — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States — plus Germany, face a June 30 deadline for a final deal.

But with two deadlines already missed last year both sides have admitted big differences remain on the hard detail of what a com-

prehensive agreement would look like.

Hossein Naghavi Hosseini, committee spokesman in Tehran, told the ISNA news agency that draft legislation was underway.

“This bill will allow the government to continue enrichment, using new generation centrifuges,” he said, referring to more modern machines that would speed up production.“The parliament’s nu-

clear committee is working on the technical issues and details of this draft,” he added.

A key stumbling block in any final deal is thought to be the amount of uranium Iran would be allowed to enrich and the number and type of centrifuges Tehran can retain.

Under an interim deal, Iran’s stock of fissile material has been diluted from 20 percent enriched

uranium to five percent in exchange for limited sanctions relief.

Experts say such measures pushed back the “breakout capacity” to make an atomic weapon, which Iran denies pursuing.

Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for domestic energy production and that more modern centrifuges are necessary to make fuel for a fleet of power reactors that it is yet to build.

World powers, however, are sceptical about why Iran needs such a large enrichment capability,and UN atomic inspectors say Tehran has not yet fully addressed questions about past nuclear activities. With the talks seemingly deadlocked, the new Republican-controlled US Congress is considering fresh legislation that could level new sanctions on Iran if talks fail. — AFP

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CENTRAL BANK OF OMAN

UK unveils award to attract Gulf-based retailers Times News Service MUSCAT: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) on Wednesday launched the 2015 GREAT Business Award offering owners of Gulf Cooperation Council-based retail businesses unique access to the UK market.

The award seeks out candidates who will benefit from a bespoke, three-day programme of meetings with UK Trade & Investment spe-

cialist advisors and leading retail sector figures to help build their companies in the UK. Applications will be reviewed by a highly respected panel of judges including British Ambassador to the UAE Philip Parham, British chef and restaurateur Gary Rhodes OBE, Chief Financial Officer of the Toystore Mark Handley and CEO and co-founder of SalesGossip Elizabetta Camilleri.

Business owners will be as-

sessed against the level of information provided about their companies in the Gulf, in addition to the quality of their business plans for expansion into the UK. Speaking ahead of the award launch, the British Ambassador to Oman, Jon Wilks said, “The UK is a remarkable retail destination.

Thousands of Omanis flock to the UK every year to enjoy this market which offers them a plenty of choice.

This competition seeks the best of the Gulf retailers who have the potential and ambition to expand in this market and enhance the growing commercial ties between Oman and the UK,” the Ambassador added.

The competition will run until March 31, 2015, with the winner’s trip to the UK taking place in the spring.

Finalists will be shortlisted, and the winner flown to London to

take part in a customised business development programme, including mentorship by a respected UK retail leader, and consultancy sessions with accountants and lawyers on setting up a business in the United Kingdom.

The award has attracted high profile sponsorship from national carrier, British Airways, the UK’s official tourist agency, Visit Britain, and luxury hotel, The Athenaeum.

ODB aims at disbursing OMR64m loans this year Oman Development Bank and Al Rafad Fund have reached an agreement for cooperating in processing of loans of the latter agency

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman Development Bank (ODB), which is creating thousands of jobs across the Sultanate every year by financing a wide range of projects, is targeting a 15 per cent growth in its loan disbursement at OMR64 million this year.

“We are targeting all sectors, which include agriculture, fisheries and education,” said Hamad bin Salim Al Harthi, acting general manager of ODB. ODB and Al Rafad Fund have reached an agreement for cooperating in processing of loans of the latter agency. According to the understanding, the state-owned Oman Development Bank will execute approved loan application of Al Rafad Fund.

All paper work needed for loans will be carried out by ODB, while loans will be sanctioned by Al Ra-

MAKING A POINT: Oman Development Bank provided 4,639 loans, aggregating OMR42.33 million, last year, indicating a growth rate of 7 per cent over 2013. — Picture by Jun Estrada/Times of Oman

fad Fund. “We have a memorandum of understanding with them, which was signed for speedy execution of completed applications we get from Al Rafad Fund,” added Al Harthi.

He also noted that both agencies would conduct a series of meetings to overcome hurdles faced while executing the plans.

Referring to branch expansion, he said there is no plan for expanding branch network this year.

ODB is also trying to introduce online application, which will be implemented within a year or so.

Also, the bank has plans to launch an Islamic window, probably after sometime.

The bank is contributing greatly towards the efforts aimed at diversifying the sources of national income through providing technical and financial support for project owners in almost all sectors, with a special focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

In fact, ODB provided 4,639 loans, aggregating OMR42.33 million, last year, indicating a growth rate of 7 per cent over 2013.

Motivate investors The value of loans provided by ODB constituted 60 per cent of the investment cost of the projects.

This is part of the efforts exerted by the bank to motivate investors

promoting their investments in different economic sectors in line with the government plans to encourage private sector investment.

Agriculture, livestock and fisheries projects accounted for 64 per cent of the total number of projects that benefited from ODB loan. The fisheries projects received 37 per cent of such loans with a value of OMR7.03 million, while agricultural loans constituted 27 per cent of the total number of loans provided by the bank in 2014 with a value of OMR6.89 million.

Tourism and professional services sectors constituted 14 per cent of the total value of loans provided by the bank in 2014. Al-

together 203 recipients benefited from ODB loans in this sector constituting 4 per cent of the total beneficiaries in different economic sectors.

Loans that went to the industrial sector constituted 46 per cent of the total value of loans granted last year. The share of the mining, building materials and metal forming industries of these loans reached 15 per cent constituting 6 per cent of the total number of loans granted for the industry sector.

Direct job opportunities created by the loans provided by ODB are estimated to be more than 10,500 jobs in 2014.

Central bank launches new development bond issue MUSCAT: The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has announced a new issue of Government Development Bonds (GDB).

The size of the new issue is fixed at OMR200 million with a maturity period of 10 years and it will carry a coupon rate of 4.5 per cent per annum. The issue will be open for subscription from February 8 to 15, 2015, while the auction will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2015.

The issue settlement date will be on February 23, 2015. Interest on the new bonds will be paid on August 23 and February 23 of each year until the maturity date on February 23, 2025.

Investors may apply for these bonds through the competitive bidding process only. Investors may submit bids through commercial licensed banks operating in the Sultanate of Oman.

Investors with applications of OMR1 million and above can, if they wish, submit their bids directly to the CBO after getting them endorsed from their banks. Prospectus and application forms can be obtained from any commercial licenced bank operating in the Sultanate.

The bonds are direct and unconditional obligations of the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. They can be used as collateral to obtain loans from any local commercial licenced bank.

The bonds can also be traded at prevailing market rates through the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

The 46th GDB issue is offered to all investors of any nationality residing in the Sultanate of Oman only. It is not open for subscription to investors residing abroad.

Tender results Certificates of deposit tender was held at the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) this week. The total amount allotted for issue No. 901 was OMR466 million.

A bulletin issued by the CBO stated that the average interest rate of these certificates was 0.13 per cent whilst the maximum accepted interest rate was 0.13 per cent. The tenure of these certificates is 28 days, and their maturity date is February 18. The Repo rate from January 21 to 27 is 1 per cent. - ONA

BANKING

Bank Dhofar considers various options for raising its capital Times News Service MUSCAT: Bank Dhofar plans to raise Tier 1 Capital (including Additional Tier 1 type capital instruments (AT1)) to $300 million (OMR 115.5 million) in 2015, subject to shareholders, Central Bank of Oman (CBO) and other regulatory approvals, as required.

In line with the on-going review of its capital raising plans, in their meeting on January 19, 2015, the board of directors of the bank concluded that the capital should be increased at the earliest opportunity.

Additional Tier 1 (AT1) type capital instruments falling under Basel III and CBO Guidelines is a new type of instrument for Oman market and subject to CBO Approval. In view of the various

work streams needed for the AT1 Issue are likely to take longer than anticipated, the bank has decided to take prudent measures to consider a variety of options, in parallel with the AT1 issue, within its overall capital raising plans:

Option 3 (Convertible bonds)

The Bank might also consider the option of issuing convertible bonds in an indicative amount of OMR100 million, subject to shareholders, CBO, Capital Market Authority (CMA) and other regulatory approvals, as required.

Option 1 (AT1 issue) The AT1 issue remains the preferred option of the bank, subject to shareholders, CBO and other regulatory approvals, as applicable.

Option 2 (Non-voting/preference shares) A further option would be to consider the issue of non-voting or preference shares to increase its regulatory capital. This option is currently being considered by the bank in conjunction with the Capital Market Authority.

Option 4 (Rights issue) A further possibility would be to explore the option of a rights issue in an indicative amount of OMR100 million. This option is currently being considered by the bank in conjunction with the Capital Market Authority.

The board of directors further emphasised that all options being explored remain strictly subject to the relevant regulatory approvals being obtained.

It was also resolved that the op-

tions be presented to shareholders to vote on at an extra-ordinary general (EGM) meeting to empower the board of directors to determine which option best serves the interests of the bank in the context of the desired timeframe for an increase in the bank’s regulatory capital. The EGM is proposed to be convened as soon as possible.

The bank notes that the course of action proposed by the board of directors required discussion with the Capital Market Authority prior to disclosure. This disclosure follows that discussion.

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CAPITAL BOOST: In line with the on-going review of its capital rais-

ing plans, in their meeting on January 19, 2015, the board of directors of the bank concluded that the capital should be increased at the earliest opportunity. — Times file picture

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

MARKET AV I AT I O N

Etihad Cargo launches new cargo management system MUSCAT: Etihad Cargo, the freight division of UAE flag carrier Etihad Airways, recently launched a new cargo management system to provide its customers with greater communication and improved handling processes that reinforce its world-class cargo products and services.

The new state-of-the-art air

cargo management system was developed in partnership with Hermes Logistics Technologies to meet Etihad Cargo’s specific requirements and provides a complete and integrated IT solution that encompasses all the physical handling, documentation and messages, in real-time, says a press release - Times News Service

Al Jenaibi sales in Rolls-Royce increase by 27% The sole authorised dealership of RollsRoyce vehicles in Oman witnessed strong growth

POPULAR CHOICE: The top growth model in 2014 was the

throughout the year

Wraith, the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce in history, which enjoyed a hugely successful first full year of sales. Photo used for illustrative purpose only. - Bloomberg News

MUSCAT: Al Jenaibi International Automobiles has announced an impressive 27 per cent increase in its Rolls-Royce Motor Cars sales in 2014. Ending the year on a high, the sole authorised dealership of RollsRoyce vehicles in Oman witnessed strong growth throughout the year, reaffirming the popularity of the ultra-luxury marque amongst its elite clientele.

Al Jenaibi International Automobiles has revealed the news following the recent global announcement that the Middle East region was the second largest market for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars at the global level, consisting of one-fifth of the company’s global volumes in 2014, demonstrating its continued contribution to the success of the marque in the region.

“The year 2014 was an outstanding year for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the Sultanate. The popularity of the ultra-luxury marque amongst our elite clientele remains unmatched and as we enter 2015, we are confident that we will achieve another excellent year with the unique selection of vehicles on offer, in addition to the unparalleled level of service offered at our showroom.” said Divyendu Kumar, managing director of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles.

Top growth model The top growth model in 2014 was the Wraith, the most powerful and dynamic Rolls-Royce in history, which enjoyed a hugely successful first full year of sales, standing out as the increasingly popular choice amongst a

younger category of audiences throughout the year. Designed with the curious, the confident and the bold in mind, the Wraith has attracted a diverse clientele including younger audiences as well as those sports-car enthusiasts looking for a combination of power, style and ultra-luxury.

Building on the success of the Ghost model, the most recent addition to marque’s ultra-luxury family of vehicles, the Ghost Series II, has also proved a popular choice for Omani clientele since its launch in November.

Furthermore, the Rolls-Royce Phantom which combines stateof-the-art technology and engineering with timeless contemporary design, maintained its position as the company’s pinnacle product, with steady sales throughout the year.

BRIEFS

Airport IT contract terminated, says Ultra Electronics

MUSCAT: British defence contractor Ultra Electronics said its Oman airport IT contract has been terminated and there would be a likely provision against the contract balances in its 2014 results. It would start discussions with the customer next week to work towards a settlement, the maker of gunshot detection equipment and sonars for submarines said on Friday.

Ultra said termination of the contract, which was worth about £207 million when it was awarded in 2011, would have a minimal impact on its 2015 underlying profit.

Animal, plant oil and fat industries make progress

DOHA: The Gulf Organiation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) highlighted the remarkable progress made by the animal, plant oil and fat industries at the GCC states over the last few years.

This progress is attributed to the growth in the local demand for these products due to the population growth and increased awareness about healthy lifestyles. Abdul Aziz bin Hamad Al Aqeel, secretary-general of GOIC said that the number of factories increased from 24 in 2003 to 37 in 2013. The accumulated assets of these factories increased from $278.6 million to $646 million for the same period. Employees also rose increased from 2488 to 5558 during the same period. GCC states consume large quantities of animal and plant oil and fats. - Agencies

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

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MARKET Fixed telephone lines subscribers increase Subscribers to fixed phone service stood at 371,357 at the end of November 2014 as against 351,411

by December 2013, showing a 5.7% rise

MUSCAT: Subscribers of the fixed phone service in the Sultanate stood at 371,357 at the end of November 2014 as against 351,411 at the end of December 2013, constituting a rise of 5.7 per cent.

Statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) pointed out that subscribers of billed fixed phone service in the Sultanate stood at 285,933 at the end of November 2014 compared to 271,400 subscribers at the end of 2013.

Subscribers of pre-paid fixed phone service (Sahl) stood at 31,184 against 25,829 at the end of 2013. The number of public phones all over the Sultanate stood at 6,801. The number of integrated services digital networks (ISDN) stood at 45,620 while the number of fixed wireless lines stood at 1,819.

The statistics also pointed out that the number of fixed telephone lines subscribers in the Governorate of Muscat stood at 186,076

by November 2014, followed by the Governorate of Dhofar 29,126, the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah 23,344, the Governorate of South Al Batinah 22,501, the Governorate of North Al Batinah 22,279, the Governorate of North A’Sharqiyah 15,432, the Governorate of Al Dhahirah 8,626, the Governorate of Al Buraimi 7,593, the Governorate of South Al Sharqiyah 5,678, the Governorate of Musandam 3,593 and finally the Governorate of Al Wusta 1,127.

GSM service Subscribers of billed and pre-paid GSM service stood at 6,201,130 at the end of November 2014, compared to 5,617,426 by the end of 2013, constituting an increase of 10.4 per cent.

Subscribers of billed GSM service stood at 523,781 by the end of November 2014 against 495,703 during 2013, constituting an increase of 5.7 per cent.

Subscribers of pre-paid GSM service rose by 10.8 per cent to 5,677,349 against 5,121,723 by the end of 2013.

The statistics also pointed out that the total subscribers of internet at the end of November 2014 stood at 177,834 compared to 158,678 subscribers at the end of 2013, constituting an increase of 12.1 per cent.

The number of subscribers of phone internet service at the end of November 2014 stood at 3,137 compared to 4,388 during 2013, comprising a decline by 28.5 per cent, which included 3,106 sub-

WA S T E M A NA G E M E N T

Suez subsidiary bags $37m landfill contract in Oman Times News Service MUSCAT: Suez Environment via its local subsidiary Sita Al Basheer has won a contract to design, build and operate the expansion of the landfill site for five years. The total amount of the contract is €32 million ($37.18 million), according to a press release.

Sita Al Basheer will build the new cell of the landfill facility for Al Amerat’s non-hazardous solid municipal waste generated by the city of Muscat.

The new facility will include a biogas recovery system and a reverse osmosis plant for treating leachates, allowing the city of Muscat to curb greenhouse gas emissions and improve its environmental performance.

This project is a continuation of the first landfill cell with a capacity of 250,000 metric tonnes of waste a year in operation since 2010 on the same site by Sita Al Basheer. This new contract will increase the landfill’s capacity to

400,000 metric tonnes a year.

The Sultanate has a population of approximately 4 million, half of whom live in its capital city Muscat in the northern part of the country on Oman’s Gulf coast.

In this region with its fastgrowing population, waste management is an increasing challenge, which is why local authorities are looking for longterm solutions.

Waste treatment “This new contract demonstrates the Oman authorities’ confidence in developing long-term solutions for their waste treatment needs.

It recognises our ability to build and operate efficient facilities to meet the dual challenge of population growth and environmental protection,” said Marie-Ange Debon, deputy chief executive officer of Suez Environment in charge of the International Division.

This contract strengthens Suez Environment’s presence in the Sultanate where it has been sup-

porting local authorities in water management for many years, notably by the Barka II desalination plant (120,000 cubic meter water a day), and in waste management since 2010.

Non-hazardous waste The Muscat landfill site at Al Amerat is Suez Environment’s second waste treatment facility in the Sultanate. Indeed, the group has also just won through its subsidiary Sita Al Basheer a two-year contract to operate the landfill facility at Nizwa which takes all the non-hazardous municipal waste in the Dakhiliyah region.

With a capacity of 150,000 tonnes a year, this facility has been designed to the most stringent environmental standards.

Elsewhere in the region, the group is also present in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, though Sita Trashco which was chosen in 2014 as preferred partner for that municipality for door-to-door collection of municipal waste.

scribers of billed service and 31 of pre-paid cards.

Subscribers of fixed broadband service stood at 174,697 at the end of November 2014, compared to 154,290 at the end of 2013.

The number of active subscribers of mobile broadband stood at 2,836,641 at the end of November 2014 compared to 2,443,296 at the end of 2013.

The number of leased internet lines subscribers stood at 3,744 at the end of November 2014, compared to 3,647 in 2013. - ONA

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SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE

Park Inn Hotel to open in Duqm DUQM: The 4-star Park Inn Hotel and Resort will be opened at the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (Sezd) on Thursday under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Taimour bin Asa’ad bin Tariq Al Said.

Park Inn Resort, which began receiving visitors since November 16, 2014 is the third hotel in Duqm, after the 3-star Al Madina Hotel and 4-star Crowne Plaza Hotel. The hotels at Sezd seek to

keep up with the expectations of tourists, investors and companies operating in the zone.

The resort comprises 73 chalets and suites that meet the aspirations of the various families and businessmen, especially with the presence of the suites that consist of three bedrooms with lounge and kitchen and provided with various equipment.

There are single and double chalets. - ONA

B4

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

FEATURE

OPEC’S FUTURE

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SEEN IN MINING SLUMP

For the oil sector, the lesson is that there’s more oversupply to come. People are going to crank out more to sell for a lower price and keep that revenue up.

O

il producers reluctant to curb output even as prices tumble to five-and-a-half year lows do not need d to guess what h the h ffuture holds. They can ask a miner.

In coal to iron ore markets, suppliers have raised volumes even as prices slumped, boosting global gluts and jeopardising profits as the most dominant players seek to maintain revenue and squeeze out higher cost rivals.

Prices of thermal coal, used to generate electricity, and metallurgical coal, a key ingredient in steel, have tumbled more than half since 2011 on supply additions and slowing demand in China, the biggest commodities consumer. With Opec insistent that it won’t curb crude output, and US production rising to its fastest weekly pace in more than 30 years, oil markets may be in line for similar prolonged pain.

“If Opec every now and again looks over their shoulder at what is happening in other commodities you’d think it would be a warning,” said David Lennox, a Sydneybased resource analyst at Fat Prophets.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which pumps about 40 per cent of the world’s oil, agreed to maintain its production target at 30 million barrels a day at a November 27 meeting in Vienna. The group is wager-

ing that US shale drillers will be first to curb output as prices drop, echoing a strategy played out by the l argest miners.

“The current prices are not sustainable,” Suhail Al Mazrouei, energy minister of Opec member the United Arab Emirates said in Abu Dhabi. “Not for us but for the others.”

Iron ore pain Iron ore producers who predicted a swift exit by higher cost suppliers as their commodity entered a bear market last March were caught out as curbs to global output proved slower than anticipated, Nev Power, the chief executive officer of Australian iron ore producer Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. said in October.

Coal exporters, too, have kept increasing supply as prices slid. Global output rose about 3 per cent between 2011 and 2013 as prices declined, according to World Coal Association data. In Australia, the biggest exporter of metallurgical coal, production is forecast to rise again in the year to July, according to the nation’s government.

“Oil will have more similarities to both thermal and metallurgical coal,” said Melbourne-based Morgan Stanley analyst Joel Crane. “Those prices have been weakening for more than three years now,

yet we’ve seen very little in terms of shutdowns.”

Worse to W t come Slow implementation of cuts to production mean coal prices probably would not recover until 2016, according to Moody’s Investors Service. The price of iron ore, down 47 per cent last year, will remain low through 2016 amid supply additions from Australia and Brazil. UBS AG expects the global iron ore surplus to jump about six-fold to more than 200 million tonnes by 2018.

For the oil sector, “the lesson is that there’s more oversupply to come,” said Crane. “People are going to crank out more to sell for a lower price and keep that revenue up.”

US crude output surged to 9.19 million barrels a day in the week to January 9, the fastest pace in weekly records dating back to January 1983. That’s amid a global supply surplus estimated by the United Arab Emirates and Qatar at 2 million barrels a day.

Output from Opec’s 12 members increased by 140,000 barrels a day in December, led by a jump of 285,100 a day in Iraq, which plans to double exports within weeks from its northern Kirkuk oil fields. In the US, an oil boom has been prompted by the implementation of horizontal drilling

and hydraulic fracturing that’s unlocked shale formations including the Eagle Ford and Permian in Texas and the Bakken in North h Dakota. k Absolute drop The surge in supply of oil to iron ore comes as China’s transition toward consumer-led growth brings to a close a period of booming demand for metals to energy. The result may be an absolute drop in commodities demand, not simply slower growth, according to Credit Suisse Group AG. “We’re now close to the end of this big oil cycle and entering the next 10 to 15 years cycle of a more balanced and stable market,” Oslo-based Nordea Markets analyst Thina Saltvedt said.

Expectations that US shale drillers will be most exposed to tumbling prices as demand falls may prove incorrect, according to Fat Prophets’s Lennox. Onshore operations are trimming capital spending and able to cut jobs, while the importance of oil revenue to national budgets of some Opec member nations may make those suppliers less able to adapt, he said.

Country risk “We’ll see the structure of shale costs coming down, whereas it’s probably more difficult for Saudi Arabia to restructure

their political spending, for example,” Lennox said. “There are greater consequences for the leaders of that country say, than off a h ffor the h managing director d small company in Texas.”

To be sure, the process of shale oil production means drillers can respond quickly to declining prices and also are better positioned to react than counterparts in the mining sector, according to Sydney-based Justin Smirk, a senior economist at Westpac Banking Corp.

“It’s very, very expensive to shut a mine because of the costs of getting it up and running again,” Smirk said by phone.

“With fracked oil, you stop drilling and you stop spending and the supply dries up quite quickly.”

A “war” for market share is poised to weigh further on oil prices, Australia and New Zealand Banking Group said as it forecast Brent crude will average $50 a barrel this year, 27 per cent lower than a previous estimate.

Yet just as in the iron and coal sectors, oil producers may be ready to endure weak prices for the next two to three years in the belief it will force competitors to shutter and eventually spur gains, according to Lennox.“The big guys who are still getting a margin will say you want to punish the little guys,” said Morgan Stanley’s Crane. – Bloomberg News

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

B5

ROUND-UP 2015 Toyota Camry: The new era sedan Those who have experienced the Camry may not be surprised to know that it is one of the top-selling cars for more than a decade

MUSCAT: The 2015 Toyota Camry is known as the ‘new era sedan’, trusted the world over and equipped with a wide array of cutting edge features like moonroof with tilt and slide functionality, 8-way power driver’s seat, power rear sunshade, woodgrain panelling, smart entry and start system, amongst others.

Step into it and the interior accoutrements are equally delightful. The dashboard sports hands-

free Bluetooth and connectivity ports for mp3 players and other portable devices. Passengers in the rear enjoy more leg space. The high-quality upholstery/materials are meticulously crafted, enhancing the Camry’s upmarket appeal, says a press release.

In the areas of performance and safety, the Camry delivers outstanding power coupled with superb efficiency. The key attributes include a 2.5L Dual VVT-i Engine

delivering 181HP and 6-speed multi-mode transmission. Safety enhancements in the Camry include 6 airbags (driver + passenger + front side + curtain), VSC, TRC, ABS, EBD, engine immobilizer, `monitor with rear parking sensors, which facilitates easy parking and much more.

The other thoughtful features include an ECO meter for fuel efficient, economic driving and aerodynamic fins to ensure straight-

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

line stability while driving. All in all the Camry delivers high comfort levels not only for the driver, but also for the passengers.

According to a renowned automotive blogger, the appeal of the Camry is in its quality, “The Camry builds on the rational values of ‘quality, durability and reliability’ with strong model appeal, superior interior and exterior quality and the top level of equipment and safety.”

Those who have experienced the Camry may not be surprised to know that it is one of the topselling cars for more than a decade.

2015 Camry is also available in attractive GL Special grade. This grade is equipped with exciting features like alloy wheels, cruise control, leather steering wheel and chrome radiator grille.

All specifications listed are standard Toyota equipment. Safety kit (fire extinguisher, warning triangle, tyre pressure gauge and first aid kit) and floor mats are dealer installed non Toyota items.

Vehicle specifications may change without prior notice. Pictures and colours may differ from actual specifications of the vehicle.

MILESTONE

Oman Charter receives ISO certification for quality management MUSCAT: Oman Charter Company (OCC), the chartering arm of Oman Shipping Company, begins 2015 with new achievement in quality standards process excellence. Oman Charter Company has been recently certified with ISO 9001:2008 for Quality Management System which shows importance of quality to Oman Shipping Company and all its subsidiaries, says a press release.

Accomplishing ISO 9001:2008 gives Oman Charter Company international standard tools for

continual improvements and best practices. It also demonstrates that Oman Charter Company has policies, processes and procedures that meet Quality Management System for its customers’ requirements. Quality management certification is the initial step.

The journey of quality does not stop here; it will continue to be assessed to ensure ISO standards are maintained to improve working practices through continual improvements and best practices in the industry.

IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE

HSBC Bank employees complete Geely Emgrand sets 2014 sales record Outward Bound Oman expedition MUSCAT: A team of six HSBC Bank Oman employees have completed Outward Bound Oman’s week-long expedition in celebration of the 44th National Day. Committed to the development of its employees’ leadership capabilities, the bank has been in partnership with Outward Bound Oman for many years to help staff discover their potential. This year, the team participated in recreating the 1954 oil expedition from Duqm to Fahud, facing adversity and challenging themselves as they crossed 140 kilometres on foot, while hauling a cart carrying essential survival equipment, says a press release.

“We take every opportunity to develop our leaders both personally and professionally, and believe it is never too late for someone to learn valuable lessons. This outdoor adventure pushed our employees’ boundaries and tested their management, communications and negotiation skills, as well as their teamwork and physical and mental stamina. It was an

enriching experience of self-discovery, the results of which we are confident we will see reflected in the workplace,” said Andrew Long, CEO of HSBC Bank Oman.

“Our National Day journeys provide a unique opportunity for team and leadership development in Oman. Without doubt, the six individuals nominated by HSBC Bank Oman were challenged throughout the week, but they took with them long lasting lessons that can-

not be taught in a normal training workshop environment, lessons that can be adapted for the workplace for the benefit of all parties,” said, Mark Evans, GM of Outward Bound Oman.

HSBC Bank Oman is committed to fostering and developing its employees through a wide variety of practical training and development opportunities as it continues on its journey to become the leading bank in Oman.

MUSCAT: Geely Emgrand registered record sales again last year with the number of units sold amounting to 19,008, of which the domestic sales reached 17,069 units, up 34.2 per cent year-onyear, according to the data released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) recently.

Contributed by its outstanding performance, the model not only continued topping the sales among indigenous brands, but was also included in the top 10 sedans nationwide, says a press release.

As the flagship model of Geely, Emgrand enjoys the most impressive performance among indigenous cars. Its sales in the past five years since its launch amounted to 600,000 units, showing the vigour and competitiveness of selfowned brands.

According to the statistics, the sales volume of the new Emgrand rose to 17,952 units in September and reached 19,008 units in October from the 10,572 units in July, enjoying a monthly growth of over 30 per cent. Emgrand not only remains the sales champion, but also becomes the only self-owned brand among the 10 best-sold ve-

hicles in October.

Its state-of-the-art features and performance is the reason for its popularity. From the design concept to the manufacturing, all Geely models have been developed in accordance with European standards by European and Chinese designers. Known for their up-to-date technology, great performance and superb quality, Geely cars enhance the driving pleasure and at the same time assure utmost safety. The model’s appearance, whether sedan or hatchback, all share a standard body proportion and is featured with fashion and agility.

In Oman, Towell Auto Centre (TAC) is the sole distributor of

Geely Emgrand range. A senior spokesperson of TAC comments: “The success of the new Emgrand has proven that grand performance and utmost safety can be obtained at reasonable prices.

Over the past decade, Geely has become a leading Chinese automotive manufacturer with a strong global presence. Be it in the Middle East or other global markets, the company’s success is quite apparent. Geely’s entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to innovation and manufacturing efficiency allows it to provide consumers with excellent cars.

Such qualities also make Geely compete effectively with its industry peers, as it continues to grow domestically and expand internationally.”

“Geely enjoys the most impressive performance, good looks and safety features. Thanks to its outstanding performance in power, quality and cost-performance, the sales of the model globally have been rising since it was launched. In Oman too, its good sales come from the outstanding performance of the product,” the spokesperson adds.

H E A LT H C A R E E X P O

Apollo Hospitals Group comes to IMTEC Oman MUSCAT: Apollo Hospitals Group of India was one of the main sponsors at the recently concluded IMTEC Oman 2015 Exhibition and Conference. Apollo Medical Centre, Muscat and Apollo Sugar Clinic, Muscat are part of the Group’s offerings in Oman, says a press release.

Apollo Hospitals is Asia’ largest and most trusted healthcare group with over 8,500 beds across 60 hospitals, 1700 pharmacies, 100 primary care and diagnostic clinics, 100 telemedicine units across 9 countries, medical business process outsourcing services, health H I G H P R O F I L E D E L E G AT I O N

el of 12 senior super specialists has visited our Muscat Apollo Medical Centre located in Hamriya. Visiting specialists are from the field of neuro and spine surgery, orthopaedics, urology, oncology, liver, nephrology, podiatry, cosmetology and ophthalmology — and receive follow-up care right here in Muscat without the need for them to travel to India which only re-enforces our commitment and association with Oman,” he added.

He further added Apollo Hospitals has pioneered the art of personalised care which is appreciated by large pool of indi-

viduals reaching out from Oman, where the services begin from receiving a feedback on their condition and the treatment plan and options through Apollo Muscat, followed by end-to-end coordination — which begins right from the time the patient and family arrives at the airport, helping through immigration and other clearances — followed by a quick initial check-up at Groups Medical Centre located at the Hyderabad International Airport followed by transfer to the Hospital, admission etc. based on the requirements of the patient.

INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME

Ministry team visits ICEM MUSCAT: The International College of Engineering and Management (ICEM) recently hosted a high profile team from the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE), including the Head of Academic relations, Department of Quality Assurance and an official from Admin Affairs, to the college’s Admission and Registration Section and Student Affairs Section.

They were on a scheduled visit to the college to gain greater insights into its admission and registration processes in light of an anticipated larger than normal September 2015 intake of students.

Welcoming the group, Dr. Martin Brown, Dean at ICEM,said: “We are delighted to receive the team from the Ministry of Higher Educa-

insurance services, global projects consultancy, 15 colleges of nursing and hospital management and a research foundation with a focus on global clinical trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell and genetic research.

Leading the visiting delegation from Apollo India to the conference, Radhey Mohan, Vice President, International Business said that Apollo has a long standing association with the residents of Oman and greatly treasures the relationship and remains committed to grow it further.

“Over the past eight years a pan-

They were on a scheduled visit to the college to gain greater insights into its admission and registration processes in light of an anticipated larger than normal September 2015 intake of students tion; it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the ministry the excellent work the college staff have been undertaking in view of an expected larger than normal intake of students in September 2015.”

ICEM has streamlined the processes of admission and registration to ensure best-in-class service and support for prospective students during their registration

period. In addition, ICEM Student Affairs Team is in the process of launching two new student guides: one provides exhaustive practical tips to international students on how to make the move to Oman as enjoyable and effortless as possible, while the other offers guidance to new local students to ease apprehensions about leaving the comfort zone of home.

Modern College to host workshop on project management on Feb. 1 MUSCAT: Modern College of Business and Science is conducting a five-day workshop on project management, partnering with its Ohio-based academic associate Franklin University. Registrations for the workshop will be accepted till today.

The Ministry of Manpowerapproved workshop, designed as an intensive training programme preparing participants to obtaining PMP certification, will be from February 1-5 at the Modern College seminar hall. The training will cover topics such as project management tools and techniques, PMBOK Guide, PMP

exam tips, PMI ethics standards and more.

The college has roped in internationally renowned Team Lead Assessor Dr Grzegorz Dzwonnik (Greg) to conduct the workshop.

Dr Greg is one of the world’s 20 Team Lead Assessors who evaluate the most advanced projects at the International Project Excellence Awards by the International Project Management Association.

“It’s a great opportunity for aspirants to prepare for the coveted PMP Certification. The workshop will be based on PMBOK, the global standard for project management, and will follow a compact,

effective formula offering not only broad knowledge in project management, but valuable information on PMP exam structure and success tips. The workshop offers a total of 36 teaching hours, and the first five candidates to sign up for the training will get a free copy of PMBOK,” said Agnes Ches, Franklin University representative at Modern College.

Individual registrations cost OMR350 per head, while corporate bookings are eligible for discounts. Agnes may be contacted on 99443137, or 24583555 or agnieszka.ches@franklin.edu for more information.

B6

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

ROUND-UP 2015 Fluence creates a lasting impression Enticing Muscat Festival offer on the 2015 Renault Fluence, valid till February 14, makes the car even more attractive

MUSCAT: Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, the exclusive importers and distributors of Renault vehicles in Oman, unveiled their most anticipated vehicle last year – The 2015 Renault Fluence that features a new look with the 1.6 16V 115 CVT X-Tronic automatic gearbox and the 2.0 16V 140 CVT X-Tronic automatic gearbox.

The new sedan is all set to offer class-leading comfort, thoughtful technology and a rewarding driving experience. Customers purchasing the new 2015 Renault any time till February 14 will be eligible to avail the Muscat Festival offer.

Muscat Festival offer With the ongoing Muscat Festival the Fluence now comes with attractive benefits like free registration for the first year, free service or periodic maintenance for 2 years / 30,000 kms whichever is earlier. The offer also includes 6 year unlimited mileage warranty and AAA roadside assistance. Customers will also get assured cash gift of OMR750 on both Fluence 1.6L and 2.0L Fitted with a new petrol engine that is powerful and dynamic (117hp and 156Nm), Fluence sparks with energy. With the CVT X-Tronic next-generation auto-

matic gearbox, the 2.0 16V 140 combines responsiveness and low fuel consumption. CVT technology – Continuously Variable Transmission – allows for smooth gear shifting with instant responses and no bumps. The new Fluence is comfortable, dynamic and lively with low fuel consumption.

2015 enhancements With its flowing and modern lines, the 2015 Fluence features new, confident and more dynamic frontal design identity. Inside, the cabin carries over the major themes of the previous version but delivers finishes that are more sophisticated and a more high-tech ambience.

The redesigned front end enhances the new Fluence’s unique character which takes its inspiration from the Renault F1 and the aerodynamics of the F1 cars. The focal point at the front is a prominent logo set vertically to a gloss black and chrome strips background. Meanwhile, the new Renault Fluence’s curvier lines and full surfaces ensure a more dynamic, assertive stance, underlining the model’s status-enhancing look.

The other exterior features include LED lights that enhance the overall appeal of the rear of the vehicle. To exalt the design of the Fluence, the vehicle comes with 17” Akihiro two tone alloy wheels in the LE version. The reassuring side panels favour fluid, energetic lines. The design of the front

bumper is bolder, with a large lower air intake that broadens towards the base: fog lights set against a gloss black surround have the effect of visually widening this lower intake, giving the front a sporty touch. Finally, wheel arch openings that are two centimetres tighter than on the previous version provide the 2015 Fluence with an even more dynamic allure.

The insides of the headlamp units have been reworked in order to convey a more expressive and more upmarket effect. The headlight module is equipped with a lens, which concentrates the beam of light and ensures superb quality illumination at night. The metaleffect ‘eyelid’ and dark-coloured headlight mask add further depth to New Renault Fluence’s look.

The higher-end equipment levels are distinguished by the addition of a series of gloss black trim features, as well as bright-effect chrome.

Technology to aid driving The new Renault Fluence is packed with high-end technologies designed to make driving simpler. The principal instrument inside the cabin incorporates a large round LCD screen, the main function of which includes a digital speed display and the white segments around the circumference of the LCD screen indicate the settings of the cruise control and the speed limiter systems. The multime-

dia functions on the new Renault Fluence include hands free mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming music with Bluetooth or with USB / Jack connection.

The car also offers a range of driver-assistance technologies, including the hands-free key card for no-touch locking and unlocking of doors, as well as push-button ignition in LE version. On the higher equipment level, the parking assist system of the new Fluence features four rear-parking sensors neatly integrated into the rear bumper.

Another intelligent feature is the automatic parking brake, which applies itself as soon as the ignition is turned off and released once the engine is running again.

Notably, the new Renault Fluence is equipped with climate control system that is specially designed to cope with the intense sunlight and high levels of humidity in the Oman market. In addition, an automatic dual-zone climate control system is offered as standard equipment on the higher-end version LE. Quality and safety The 2015 Fluence builds on the quality and safety standards of its predecessor. Reliability and durability have been the focus of detailed design work, guaranteed with extreme endurance testing, to meet the specific needs of the Oman market.

From its entry level model, the new Renault Fluence offers ABS with electronic brake force distribution, emergency brake assist, three-point front safety belts with pretensioners and load limiters, driver and front passenger airbags, three-point Isofix child seat anchorage for the outer rear seats and projector headlights. Available as standard or optional, depending on the equipment level, are safety key features such as stability control (ESP) with under steer control, front side airbags, as well as front and rear curtain airbags.

AWA R E N E S S

KIMS Oman hosts free health camp at Lulu Hypermarket MUSCAT: In continuation of its efforts to spread health education among the community members, KIMS Oman Hospital (KOH) organised a comprehensive and free of charge medical awareness camp for hundreds of visitors and shoppers at Lulu Hypermarket, Wadi Kabir, recently.

The two-day camp featured several medical checkups which included conducting blood sugar screening as well as blood pressure tests followed by health awareness talks on several medical issues concerning some of the recent chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, says a press release.

KIMS Oman medical team advised the public to undergo health screening tests regularly, as timely care and diagnosis can reduce the incidence of morbidity and mortality among all segments of the community at any age and gender.

“KIMS Oman is extremely proud of organising such an awareness camps that would highly contribute to the individual’s awareness regarding the highly increasing rate of chronic diseases and illness in the region. Early detection, followed by

Early detection, followed by treatment, can lead to better results. The camp found immense response from the customers and was highly appreciated Dr Hussam Akoum

Chief Operating Officer at KOH

treatment, can lead to better results. The camp found immense response from the customers and was highly appreciated,” said Dr Hussam Akoum, Chief Operating Officer at KOH. POSITIVE GROWTH

GCC aluminium production rises to 31% in 2014 SOHAR: Five aluminium companies — Sohar Aluminium, EGA, Alba, Ma’aden and Qatalum — collectively produced 4,928,143 tonnes of primary aluminium in 2014 compared to 3,748,616 tonnes in 2013, an increase of 31 per cent.

GCC aluminium production constitutes 10 per cent of the total world production.

“The main increase has come from Ma’aden Aluminium, Saudi Arabia start-up, which was successfully ramped up during the year, and EMAL Phase 2 project completion before the target date,” said Mahmood Daylami.

He also added that the production for 2015 is expected to be more than 5 million tonnes.

Leading hub GCC is one of the leading hubs for the aluminium business where 40 per cent of its production utilised by the downstream aluminium industry in the Gulf for regional and international market, while the balance of the primary aluminium production is exported to different regions of the world. GCC aluminium production is of the highest quality and the plants are modern and environmental protection regarded to be the most advanced in the world.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

B7

ROUND-UP BankDhofar holds first weekly draw BankDhofar customers who save a minimum of OMR100 in their accounts are eligible to enter the daily general draw and have a chance to win a share of OMR10,000 cash prize

MUSCAT: With its 2015 savings scheme in full swing, BankDhofar recently conducted the year’s first weekly draw as part of the bank’s flagship savings scheme where over OMR17 million worth of cash prizes is being given away to customers in the bank’s efforts to promote the culture of saving.

One lucky BankDhofar customer from Al-Amerat branch won the weekly general draw of OMR20,000. Five lucky winners from Ghashab, Araqi, Bausher, Khaboura and Muscat branches won OMR2,000 each as part of the daily general draw, says a press release.

“Saving accounts are an incredible way to put aside funds and save for the future. We at BankDhofar

BankDhofar has been investing millions of Omani rials to enrich the lives of customers and promote a culture of saving among all members of society

encourage our customers to save for unanticipated expenses and be prepared for the unexpected.

Hence, we introduced this savings scheme to cater for their needs and requirements and we pledge to provide them with the best customer experience through a vast selection of innovative products and top-niche services. BankDhofar does not only provide saving facilities, but also rewards customers for it,” said, Khalid Rabia Al Amri, head of Retail Products, Business & Segments Department.

BankDhofar customers who

save a minimum of OMR100 in their accounts are eligible to enter the daily general draw and have a chance to win a share of OMR10,000 cash prize (OMR2,000 each). Customers who keep a minimum balance of OMR100 for a week also have the opportunity to win a cash prize of 20,000 (one weekly winner) as part of the weekly general draw.

BankDhofar has been investing millions of Omani rials to enrich the lives of customers and promote a culture of saving among all members of society.

S P R E A D I N G AWA R E N E S S

A’Saffa Foods extends support to workshop on haemorrhagic fevers MUSCAT: A’Saffa Foods, Oman’s largest fully integrated poultry producer and the leading manufacturer of pure, tasty and 100 per cent natural chicken and value added processed products, recently supported a workshop that was organised by the Ministry of Health in the wilayat of Seeb.

The workshop’s aim was to apprise health workers and the general public of haemorrhagic fevers, ways of transmission and how to deal with cases of haemorrhagic fever.

“The Ministry of Health workshop aimed at sensitising the public and health care workers to the preventive and protective measures surrounding haemorrhagic fevers given that haemorrhagic fevers have been in the news constantly this year.

“Through our various CSR initiatives, A’Saffa Foods lends particular focus to health and medical facilities underscoring the importance of preserving the right of all individuals living in the nation to lead healthy lives,” said Sidhartha Lenka, Head of Marketing and Sales at A’Saffa.

“A’Saffa chicken has no hormone, steroids, artificial flavours or preservatives and no injection of water to increase the weight of the bird. Hence the chickens are pure, hygienic, healthy and perfectly safe for human consumption apart from being 100 per cent halal (hand slaughtered) as per Shariaa rules,” he added.

Being pioneers in fully integrated poultry production and farm management systems, A’Saffa have built their competence and expertise in food production, processed food technol-

DEVELOPING SKILLS

ahlibank conducts ACL foundation course MUSCAT: ahlibank believes that staff is its most important asset, and invests heavily in its training and development programmes.

In keeping with this, the bank recently organised a three-day ACL foundation course for its Internal Audit Department, says a press release.

ACL is a prominent Computer Assisted Audit Technique (CAAT) tool that is used by banks globally. ACL’s Data Analysis solutions are specifically designed to help risk and control groups, such as Audit, Risk, Compliance, IT or Financial Control professionals perform in-depth analysis of data with ease. The ACL Foundation course was conducted by Jose Chacko, general manager, CEO and ACL Certified Trainer

from Al Osool Al Arabia.

“Supporting the long-term professional development of staff has always been a priority at ahlibank, because it motivates our staff and prepares them to better serve customers. We ensure we provide our staff with periodic training opportunities in alignment with our business strategies from time to time. This is with the goal of building professional knowledge

45 NEW SHOWS

OSN offers new shows in January MUSCAT: Mustafa Sultan Electronics’ Entertainment Factory division is pioneer in Pay TV business for more than 20 years and is the distributor for OSN in Oman. Besides OSN, MSE-EF is a leading distributor for beIN Sports. They have a showroom in Al Khuwair and three kiosks at Muscat City Centre, Qurum City Centre and Muscat Grand Mall .

MSE-EF also offers the Pay TV services through their sub dealers spread across in all major

towns of the Sultanate.

OSN, the home of premium movies and the latest series, will offer an unparalleled breadth of blockbuster movies, returning and new series to mark the New Year, says a press release.

January alone will see the premiere of over 20 new and returning shows as well as a movie premiere every day. OSN subscribers can enjoy the biggest shows at the same time in the region as in the US and in spectacular HD.

and skills, sharpening market acumen and broadening their perspective,” Lloyd Maddock, CEO of ahlibank said.

He added, “To deliver staff learning and development solutions for business success, our approach is to identify and meet the training needs of all departments.

We provide specific product, service and skills training to all front line staff. We also regularly review

our training programme, provide job orientation, and define job qualifications in compliance with regulatory requirements.

“That’s not all, our staff continues to learn and enrich their knowledge and skills through the continuing education opportunities we offer.” ahlibank places high priority on regular training and development of its staff. The bank thus attracts, motivates and retains the best talent, laying the foundation for the bank’s sustainable development in the long term. As a leading banking and financial solutions provider in the Sultanate, the bank will continue to invest in training and development activities and programmes for the future of both the bank and its staff.

The Ministry of Health workshop aimed at sensitising the public and health care workers to the preventive and protective measures surrounding haemorrhagic fevers given that haemorrhagic fevers have been in the news constantly this year Sidhartha Lenka

Head of Marketing and Sales at A’Saffa ogy and innovative food recipes helping them to deliver new, flavourful choices that consumers can enjoy at all times.

As a market leader, it is A’Saffa Foods’ constant endeavour to

provide consumers with food products that are wholesome and processed hygienically from natural, pure, halal, healthy, premium ingredients and aromatic spices.

B8

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

ROUND-UP E X PA N D I N G PA S S E N G E R N E E D S

Qatar Airways boosts capacity to Spain, Italy DOHA: Qatar Airways is continuing its rapid growth in Europe with an increase in capacity on its flights to Italy, as well as the introduction of double-daily flights to Madrid. The increase in both capacity and service will roll out over the next five months to help meet the expanding passenger needs for both these popular destinations, says a press release.

With the introduction of wide body aircraft commencing March

29 to Rome and Milan, and June 16 to Venice, the capacity to the airline’s three Italian destinations will increase by 30 per cent.

Furthermore, a change in the departure and arrival times to Rome and Milan will also help improve connections to a number of other destinations for the Italian market. The increase in capacity to Italy will be provided by introducing the Airbus A330 on the Milan and Venice routes, and the Boeing 787

Dreamliner on the Rome route.

Qatar Airways currently offers 35 flights a week to Italy, including double-daily services to Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, as well as daily flights to Venice Marco Polo. In addition, commencing on July 16, Qatar Airways will begin operating a double-daily, direct scheduled service to Madrid-Barajas Airport from Doha’s Hamad International Airport, adding four extra weekly flights.

All-new Nissan Micra: A symbol of urban lifestyle The 2015 Nissan Micra aims to attract a wider audience with its contemporary good looks, eye-catching exterior colour range and spacious fashionable interior

MUSCAT: The 2015 Nissan Micra from Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is a zippy and smart compact hatchback in tune with today’s urban lifestyle. With stand-out looks, class-leading driving dynamics and an interior design offering both comfort and convenience, the 2015 Nissan Micra goes beyond the regular compact hatchback offering, says a press release.

“The Nissan Micra adds new strength to our extensive line-up in Oman,” said an SBA Official.

“We now boast of one of the richest choices of compact sedans and hatchbacks in the competitive small car segment. We are confident that Micra will strike a powerful chord with the young and trendy youth of Oman.”

A refined vehicle in its own right, the all-new Nissan Micra 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.

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.

Expressive exterior The Micra’s exterior combines a feel of personality and character with agility. The body’s bold proportions have been achieved by lowering the center of gravity, positioning the tires at the extreme corners of the car, expanding the sills outward and extending the rear tread. The side sections, which appear as if cylinders are

mounted within, run through the body from the front to the rear providing a secure feeling.

The sleek roofline, with a raised rear end, optimally adjusts airflow to the rear sides to help create excellent aerodynamic performance. Every element of the body is designed to reduce air resistance — such as door mirrors, a large front spoiler and the underbody configuration. Micra’s coefficient of drag is just 0.32.

Interior design Inside, Micra features a unique ‘twin bubble’ shaped cockpit that gives a secure feeling for both driver and passengers with convenient stowage compartments and generous headroom.

The arched lines and warm curved surfaces on either side of the instrumental panel create a distinctive bubble-shaped interior space that enhances driving pleasure. A large and convenient instrument meter with drive computer placed in the center of the meter cluster provides improved visibility.

Micra also gives the driver enhanced visibility on their music collection with an MP3/WMA compatible CD player, which can display both artist and title on its screen, and 2 DIN AM/FM along with four speakers. The sound system includes an AUX jack to connect your music player offering Micra owners access to their full music collection.

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM SUNDAY, JANUARY ARY 25, 201 2015 5

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IRAQ HERO MAHMOUD DREAMS OF CUP REPEAT

Iraq hero Younis Mahmoud said he’s dreaming of an incredible repeat Asian Cup win after taking centre-stage once again as they reached the semifinals in dramatic fashion. >C3

Djokovic and Serena power ahead, Kvitova knocked out continuing her impressive comeback by downing Czech 25th seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.

“There are things that obviously I want to improve. But it’s progress. It’s one step closer,” said the Belarusian after her 6-4, 6-4 win which set up a clash with last year’s beaten finalist Dominika Cibulkova.

Defending men’s champion Stan Wawrinka, who beat Rafael Nadal in the final last year, could meet Djokovic in the semifinals and stayed on track with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen. The Swiss, who was always in control, was pleased with his progress.

“It’s been three really good matches, I think my game is there and I’m really happy to get through again,” said Wawrinka, who will now meet Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

Eighth seed Canadian Milos Raonic also went through as did Japan’s fifth seed Kei Nishikori.

Fired-up Djokovic and sizzling Serena powered into the fourth round while Wimbledon champion Kvitova was sent packing

MELBOURNE: Fired-up top seed Novak Djokovic powered into the Australian Open fourth round on Saturday, joining sizzling fellow world No. 1 Serena Williams as Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova was sent packing.

The Serb, whose chances of a fifth Australian crown have vastly improved after Roger Federer’s shock exit on Friday, ground down tenacious Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, 6-4.

He said he was highly motivated and over the virus that hampered his lead up to the season’s opening Grand Slam.

“He (Verdasco) was a former top-10 player. Somebody that loves playing on the big stage, a powerful game. I’m glad to go through in straight sets,” he said.

Williams, vying for a sixth Australian title and the first since 2010, was slow to find her groove against 26th ranked Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, going down 6-4 in the first set.

But she shook off the cobwebs

HIGHLY MOTIVATED: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic plays a shot during his men’s singles match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Saturday. – AFP

under the blazing sun on Rod Laver Arena to rattle through the next two sets 6-2, 6-0.

It keeps alive her quest to add a 19th Grand Slam title, which would take her to clear second on the all-time Open Era Grand Slam winners list. She currently has 18 alongside Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova and is four behind Steffi Graf’s 22.

“When in doubt just start running as fast as you can, that’s what Venus always told me, that helped,”

said Williams, whose world number one ranking is on the line if she fails to win the tournament.

She added that her elder sister’s late-career renaissance was an inspiration. “She’s winning, she’s doing so well and I can do better. We always motivate each other. I’m so proud of her and we’re so excited.”

Venus rallied from behind to defeat Camila Giorgi of Italy 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 to make the second week of a Grand Slam for the first time since Wimbledon 2011.

LIKE TO WIN TITLES

Venus dreams big after rolling back the years

FEELS FANTASTIC: Venus Williams of the U.S. celebrates after defeating Camila Giorgi of Italy in the

women’s singles third round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Saturday. – Reuters

MELBOURNE: Venus Williams insisted she was not at the Australian Open to make up the numbers on Saturday after making the last 16 at Melbourne Park, saying she aimed to win every tournament she entered.

The 34-year-old American, who claimed the last of her seven majors at Wimbledon in 2008 and has not reached the second week of a Grand Slam since 2011, said her vast experience should not be underestimated.

“I’ve won big. It’s not like I haven’t done it before,” she said after a gritty 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 win over Camila Giorgi of Italy.

“For me, I like to win titles, whether it’s a smaller event or a big event. That’s what I play for.

“So, yes, great, it’s great to be in the second week. But is the fourth round my goal when I come to these tournaments? No.” The win takes the 18th seeded

American’s record for 2015 to 8-0, including winning the Auckland Classic lead-up event.

Williams said she was overjoyed to advance so far at a major again after a long battle with the energy-sapping Sjogren’s Syndrome, which was diagnosed in 2011, and a string of injuries.

“That feels fantastic, especially when you have things happen in your life which are out of your control. I don’t want to leave it at that, I’ll try to keep going,” she said, clearly enjoying the moment in front of an appreciative crowd.

The American, whose ranking will rise to 12th after the tournament and could climb higher, said it had been a long road back.

“Yeah, definitely years go by fast,” she said. “It’s been a lot of work and a lot of learning and a lot of perseverance. It will continue to be that for me. Just have to come to terms with it.”

Williams will meet sixth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland in the fourth round, a player who has won their last two encounters.

“Well this little cat has a few tricks left,” she said.

She looked down and out with Giorgi serving for the match at 5-4 but broke back to love to stay alive.

Williams went ahead 6-5 and had two set points with Giorgi serving but fired both chances into the net as the Italian hung on to force a tie-break.

Despite a hiccup when she double faulted at 2-2, Williams won the tie-break 7-3 to take the match to a third set with momentum on her side.

She went up a break and Giorgi immediately broke back, but it was the last resistance from the Italian as Williams cruised through the third set, raising both hands to the wildly cheering crowd after sealing the win. - AFP

But there was heartbreak for Kvitova, a semifinalist in 2012, as Lindsay Davenport-coached American teen Madison Keys pulled off a big 6-4, 7-5 upset.

“My hands are still shaking.

Right now I can’t even process this,” said Keys, who set up an allAmerican fourth round showdown with Madison Brengle.

Victoria Azarenka, the champion in 2012 and 2013 who is unseeded this year after an injury-marred 2014, also kept going,

Up for challenge It was a day to remember for the Williams clan with the evergreen Venus setting up a fourth round clash with dangerous Pole Agnieszka Radwanska.

Radwanska defeated American Varvara Lepchenko 6-0, 7-5 and has doled out a dreaded 6-0 “bagel” to each of her three opponents at Melbourne Park.

She beat Venus in the Montreal final last year.

Serena will now play face Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, who beat Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky 6-3, 4-6, 6-0. The 24th seed ousted Serena at the French Open last year. - AFP

HOCKEY

Poland rout Oman in Singapore MUSCAT: Poland routed Oman 7-1 in a semifinal match of the ongoing FIH Hockey World League Round 2 event in Singapore on Saturday.

German Oliver Kurtzcoached Omanis’ lone goal came through the stick of Sami Al Laun.

Though failed to make it the Round 2 final, the Sultanate’s squad still have chance of clinching a berth in the World League Semifinal Round, to be held as two separate competitions in Argentina and Belgium later this year.

With the top three from Singapore qualifying for the World League semifinals, Oman’s chances will depend on the outcome of their third-place match against Japan on Sunday.

Japan lost their semifinal to Malaysia 3-2 on penalties after the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of the regulation time.

FOOTBALL

Sampdoria to sign Eto’o MILAN: Everton’s Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o is expected to complete his transfer to Sampdoria after undergoing a medical with the Italian Serie A club on Saturday.

Sampdoria have yet to make any official statement regarding the 33-year-old. However Eto’o is expected to complete the move on Sunday. - AFP

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

SPORTS

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

India rely heavily on Kohli: Dravid Kohli will need to bat really well in the upcoming World Cup as the current Indian team is too much dependent on him in the middle overs ‘OUTSTANDING PLAYER’: Virat

Kohli. – Reuters

SYDNEY: Former India captain Rahul Dravid on Saturday said that Virat Kohli will need to bat really well in the upcoming Cricket World Cup as the current team is too much dependent on him in the middle overs.

“He will need to bat well. He’ll need to set the tempo for the side.

If you look at the Indian batting lineup, they are in a sense heavily reliant on someone like Virat Kohli to get India through those middle overs which allows the likes of (Suresh) Raina and (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni to come at the back end and finish off games,” Dravid told ‘ESPNcricinfo.com’.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith termed Kohli an “outstanding player”.

“I think he is an outstanding player, he is a great player of spin and pace, that’s a huge advantage for him, and once he gets in, he has a great conversion rate. He makes it count,” said Smith.

Dhoni might have retired from Tests, handing over the captaincy to Kohli, but Dravid feels that the limited-over format suits the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman.

“He just gets the one-day game in terms of having to make instinctive choices. I think one-day cricket suits him because he doesn’t have to plan long term,” he said.

Dravid said he was not too bothered about India’s bowling in the death overs despite so much controversy regarding it in recent times.

“Mohammad Shami we’ve seen has a good yorker, and when he’s on song he does well. Ishant Sharma has blown hot and cold in one-day cricket. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is brilliant when the balls swings, but again his death bowling has been good on some days, not been great (on other days); same with Umesh Yadav. So there’s no consistency in that,” he insisted.

‘Bat at four if team wants’ Meanwhile, West Indian legend Sir Viv Richards feels Kohli should continue to bat at four if that is what the Indian team requires.

Kohli has batted at number four in the first two losses at Melbourne and Brisbane (in tri-series), scoring 9 and 4 runs, leading to a huge debate. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni later justified this ploy saying that it allows the star batsman to control the innings whether batting first or chasing a target.

“I believe number four is quite a good position for any good batsman,” agreed Richards here.

“On these bouncy Australian wickets, there will always be some batsmen who are going to get outdone by that, especially early in the order.

“It makes sense to have Virat Kohli bat at number four in such a scenario then because he can dictate terms whatever situation the match is in.”

Richards has always been a fan of Kohli’s attacking batting, even likening the young cricketer to his own playing days at one point of time. Kohli has also drawn parallels with Australian great Ricky Ponting. Both of them batted at number three, irrespective of tournament conditions, making this spot their own.

“There are always some people who say that your best player should come in at number three.

But it is tough to say these things from the outside and you don’t know the team situation and you have to consider the conditions as well that are also an obvious factor here,” Richards explained. - PTI

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C O M M E N TA RY

There is no greater incentive than representing the nation

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USTRALIA’S narrow win over England gives India a better chance to qualify for the final.

To do that, they need to win both their remaining games.

Even if they lose to Australia they can qualify by beating England with a bonus point.

However, they need to be at their best in these games to give themselves a chance.

They are the world champions and they need to show that on the field. So far, what we have seen from the Indians is a jaded show devoid of any spark, and they seem to be going through the motions.

It has been a fairly long trip so far for those who have been here with the Test team, and with another two months to go for the end of the World Cup, it’s going to take a big effort to summon the enthusiasm to go out and perform.

Of course, there is no greater incentive than representing the country so hopefully the players will be made aware of how fortunate they are to be among the elite to get the chance to play for the country.

Whether Ishant Sharma will be available for selection for this important game will be known soon, but if he has an injury and the idea is to nurse him till the World Cup, then he should have been sent home to spend a few days with his family.

Nothing quite rejuvenates like some days back home in familiar surroundings with family and friends, and if

Monday is Australia Day, so the Aussies won’t want to lose on the day. It is also India’s Republic Day, so hopefully the Indian boys will want to keep their countrymen smiling too India do crash out and don’t qualify for the tri-series final, those players who have been in Australia since November should be given time off to visit family and then come back refreshed for the defence of the World Cup. Indian players struggled on the harder bouncier pitch in Brisbane and they play their last game, also, on a similar type of pitch in Perth. So they know their task is cut out

for them. It was not so much the manner of their loss to England but their attitude and approach in that game.

To waste an over in limited overs cricket is a no-no but India wasted no less than 10 overs as they were dismissed, and it is here that there is cause for worry.

Stuart Binny had a wonderful opportunity to shut up all those baying for his blood by batting right through to the 50 overs, and in the process, he not only would have helped India get nearer 200, he himself would have had a score closer to a century.

Instead, he went for the glamour shot that would have got him a half century and ended up caught.

Even though Binny may have hit sixes earlier, he must always keep in mind the extra bounce of the pitches in Australia and the longer boundaries, which will mean that the ball will not hit the middle of the bat but more near the makers name and the distance will mean that what would be a six in India is a catch in the deep in Australia.

If he had farmed the strike and helped the tailenders bat with him till near the 50 0vers, his stock would have risen considerably.

Monday is Australia Day, so the Aussies won’t want to lose on the day.

It is also India’s Republic Day, so hopefully the Indian boys will want to keep their countrymen smiling too. - PMG

ISC TENNIS

Eyad stuns Avigyan in under-14 singles MUSCAT: Talented Omani players continued to make their mark at the ISC-Muscat Pharmacy Open Junior Tennis Tournament organised by the Indian Social Club (ISC) Muscat.

Eyad Al Khanjari, a member of Oman’s national junior team, followed up his brilliant win in the first round of the boys under-14 singles scoring an upset win to send third seed Avigyan Bhattacharya crashing out in the second round where Eyad rallied from 0-3 down and controlled the match thereafter to notch up a fine 8-4 victory over the third seed.

In the third round, Eyad came up with yet another superb showing when he withstood a brilliant fightback by compatriot Ali Al Sarhani before holding on to win 8-5 for a place in the quarterfinals.

Sabharish Kumaar scored a brilliant 8-5 victory over random seed Vedanth Ram in the second round to enter the last eight. In the first round, Sabharish had overcome a fighting Prithvi Raj with an 8-5 verdict.

Prithvi had staged a gallant fightback after being 1-4 down. He

FINE VICTORY: Eyad Al Khanjari, left, and Avigyan Bhattacharya.

broke Sabharish twice to reduce the deficit to 5-6 before Sabharish gained a break in the crucial 12th game and served out the match.

In other action from the boys under-14 singles, top seed Japenese Taisei Nishino was in full cry as he first demolished Ameya Sawant

8-0 in the second round and steamrolled ove Zain Ashfaque 8-0 to enter the quarterfinals.

Ameya Sawant had earlier got the better of Aanvik Singh 8-4.

Varun Deepak defeated Bibhav Anil Kumar 8-2 to move into the second round.

Also progressing to the second round are Anubrata Seel who blanked Kapil Mansinghani 8-0, Guha Kaarthik defeated Sharon Raphel 8-1, Glenmark Rodrigues held his nerves to beat Desh Iyer 8-4 and Ali Al Sarhani scored a comfortable 8-0 win over Kunnal Gupta and Arvind Srinivasan advanced after overcoming Sudhanshu Arun 8-4.

Top seed in the under-10 singles, Nao Nishino took her slot in the semifinals after registering a comfortable 8-0 victory over Toby Al Riyami.

Third seed Issa Al Suleimani also advanced to the last four stage after securing a 8-2 win over J. Kaava who had made it to the second round by virtue of her 8-3 victory over Adarsh Srinivas.

Akshita AR beat Sahar Al Bakry 8-0 in the first round before she limped out of the second round match after twisting her ankle in her match against Praneeth Raj. Praneet Raj had advanced after beating J. Thaanya 8-0 in the first round. Vatsal Manikandan advanced to the last eight after defeating Mikhail Sarit 8-0.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

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SPORTS THOUSAND REQUESTS

Ref’s namesake becomes Facebook ‘fave’ in Iran

I did it because I wanted to send a message to my players not to worry, look how easy it is to score Younis Mahmoud

Iraqi hero Mahmoud dreams of Cup repeat Younis Mahmoud, an icon for his winner in the 2007 final, was on target against archrivals Iran before starring in the penalty shootout with an audacious spot-kick

CANBERRA: Iraq hero Younis Mahmoud said he’s dreaming of an incredible repeat Asian Cup win after taking centre-stage once again as they reached the semifinals in dramatic fashion.

The veteran, an icon for his winner in the 2007 final, was on target against arch-rivals Iran before starring in the penalty shootout with an audacious spot-kick.

Mahmoud, 31, made light of a cauldron atmosphere in Canberra to chip a “panenka” penalty past Iranian ‘keeper Alireza Haghighi as Iraq snatched the shootout 7-6.

“I did it because I wanted to send a message to my players not to worry, look how easy it is to score,” Mahmoud, who scored Iraq’s second as it finished 3-3 after extra-time, said. “I think it worked because afterwards everybody hit their penalties hard and strong and scored.”

Friday’s upset win over the threetime champions puts Iraq into a semifinal against South Korea and tantalisingly close to a second fairytale triumph in eight years.

Celebratory gunfire erupted in the Iraqi capital Baghdad and

traffic jams jammed the roads as thousands of young men took to the streets, chanting and waving the national flag.

Few would have predicted Iraq’s progress in the face of incredible odds, and not just the difficulties of the deadly Islamic State insurgency.

Iraq’s coach at the Asian Cup is Radhi Shenaishil, on temporary loan from Qatar Sports Club after Hakim Shakir was axed just weeks before the tournament.

And Mahmoud has been without a club for the past year following his departure from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli.

Questions were asked about Mahmoud’s fitness given his lack of game-time in 2014 but the number 10 has bagged two goals along with his penalty kick.

“People had a lot of doubts about him but I don’t search on social media and look for these things,” said Shenaishil. “Today he played four halves, he was amazing and scored two goals.”

“We have a young squad and we need a leader. He’s a star for his country and I want to thank him for his performance,” the coach added.

Violence plaguing swathes of the country has made training and organising friendlies difficult, but Shenaishil has moulded a young team full of spirit and fight.

“There is nothing that we can do that would be enough for our country,” said the coach.

“But if you look at Iraq’s history, violence has been going on for years, it’s normal.

“There is nothing new about this situation, we are used to it as a team.”

Mahmoud admitted his thoughts keep returning to 2007, when Iraq beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final in Jakarta, as he faces up to Monday’s semifinal with the Taeguk Warriors.

“South Korea are a very, very strong team,” he said. “But my memory keeps going back to 2007, I can’t stop thinking about it. I hope it happens again.” - AFP

BIG DECISION

Coach Aguirre’s future unclear after Japan’s shock exit in quarterfinals SYDNEY: Japan’s shock Asian Cup quarterfinal exit has left their big-money players dumbfounded and plunged the future of Mexican coach Javier Aguirre into doubt.

The holders crashed out on penalties against the United Arab Emirates after superstars Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa missed from the spot in Friday’s nail-biter in Sydney as Aguirre paid the price for not rotating his squad in the group stages.

Kagawa, who has gone horribly off the boil for Japan since losing his place at Manchester United last season and returning to Borussia Dortmund, was inconsolable after slamming his kick against the post, allowing the UAE to win the shootout 5-4.

“I missed and we lost — I’m deeply sorry,” said the playmaker, who wasted several good opportunities to win the game, which finished 1-1 after extra-time, and whose prolonged spell in the doldrums has been a source of con-

cern for his Japan team-mates.

“I can’t turn back time,” he shrugged. “Maybe there’s a reason why I missed.”

Honda, who had scored twice from the spot in the group stages, struggled to find an explanation.

“It’s a harsh reality,” said Japan’s blond cult hero, who blazed the team’s first penalty wildly over the bar. “It shows we were perhaps a bit naive in not being able to cope with the pressure to win the tournament.

“I said it after the World Cup too but we weren’t prepared for such a tough game,” added the AC Milan midfielder, comparing the team’s early exit to last year’s flop in Brazil. “Mentally we were not able to adjust.”

Big decision Asked about his woeful spot kick, Honda replied: “I’ve seen big players miss penalties on TV and it hurts that I’ll be remembered for it now too. I tried to hit it hard but

HARSH REALITY: Javier

Aguirre. – AFP

I just didn’t catch it right.”

The Japan Football Association (JFA) now have a big decision to make over Aguirre, who is scheduled to appear in court in Valencia next month following an investigation into match-fixing dating back to his time as manager of Zaragoza in 2011.

The 56-year-old took over after the World Cup for a record salary for a Japan coach of an estimated $2.45 million a year, but failure in Australia could lead to a mutual parting of ways as the JFA look to the 2018 World Cup qualifiers which begin in March.

Who Japan turn to in the event that Aguirre’s contract is paid out remains to be seen. But irrespective of the outcome of the match-fixing probe by Spanish prosecutors, the lack of tactical acumen shown by the Mexican was alarming.

Inter Milan will be upset that defender Yuto Nagatomo suffered a hamstring injury at the tournament, and that he was forced to soldier on through extra-time against the UAE with Aguirre out of substitutions.

“It’s hard to take,” said Nagatomo. “I was a burden to my team.

We lost at the World Cup and have gone out at the Asian Cup. We have to accept it. Mentally we all have to be stronger.” - AFP

SYDNEY: An American namesake of Asian Cup referee Ben Williams has been bombarded with Facebook messages from Iran after a controversial red card in their quarterfinal loss to Iraq.

Ben Williams of Baltimore, Maryland, received nearly a thousand friend requests from Iranians after Team Melli were sent tumbling out by their arch-rivals in a dramatic penalty shootout on Friday.

The Australian referee with the same name incurred the wrath of Iranian fans when he booked Mehrdad Pooladi for an innocuous challenge and then again for simulation.

Iran were leading 1-0 at the time but the score ended 3-3 after extratime and the three-time champions lost 7-6 on penalties.

“Ok, so I woke up to 992 (and growing!) friend requests from people living in Iran,” posted the American Williams, who was apparently unaware of the match in Australia. “Is this a problem other people are having or is my popularity finally taking off?”

The referee’s Facebook page was also defaced with profane messages following the tempestuous quarterfinal in Canberra.

When Williams booked Pooladi for simulation, he appeared to have forgotten the earlier yellow card and he ran off before he was reminded, and then returned and brandished red.

It follows an earlier game where Iran coach Carlos Queiroz was critical of Williams, earning a $3,000 fine. The Portuguese was again furious with the referee on Friday.

“Can he sleep tonight?” asked the former Real Madrid and Portugal boss, who was restrained as he tried to approach Williams at half-time.

“It’s just a question. If it’s necessary I put my knees to the ground to show my respect and humble attitude to ask him how we understand this decision, you tell me.”

The Asian Football Confederation did not immediately comment on the performance of Williams. - AFP

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

SPORTS All new SATT to provide exacting test for sailors The introduction of training sessions and a new starting point create a more exacting test for sailors at the Sailing Arabia - The Tour

MUSCAT: An all new format and a new route is set to give EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour (SATT) greater prominence in 2015 as the appeal of the Gulf region’s leading offshore race extends further afield. Sponsored once again by EFG, the leading global private banking group, SATT 2015 will see a radical change to the 700 nautical-miles route around the Arabian Peninsula as the introduction of training sessions and a new starting point create a more exacting test for sailors in the form of strong and sustained headwinds in the early stages.

Since EFG SATT was first launched in 2011, the fleet has crossed the start line in the Bahraini capital, Manama and finished in Oman’s capital city of Muscat but for the first time, the route has been reversed so the boats, all identical Farr 30s, will start their campaigns at Almouj Marina at The Wave, Muscat.

The teams will finish approximately 14 days later at the Amwaj

Marina in Manama, Bahrain’s newest marina, where a grand prizegiving ceremony will be staged to bring the 2015 event to a close.

In between, there will be seven stopovers to showcase some of the best venues and facilities on offer to sporting tourists visiting the Gulf region. The first 100 miles of the first leg from Muscat to Sohar are expected to be tough but at the end will be a warm welcome at International Maritime College Oman, which is hosting a SATT stopover for the first time.

The next leg, which at 172 miles, the equivalent of 40 hours of sailing, is the longest of the event takes the fleet around the Musandam Peninsula to Ras Al Khaimah before the boats head off on short hops to Dubai where the first of two inshore race days will

be staged, then to Abu Dhabi. The Four Seasons Marina at Doha will host the next stopover and also roll out the red carpet for guests attending the second inshore racing day on February 26.

The fleet is expected to arrive at the finish in Bahrain two days later when the winning team will be presented with their trophy.

In 2014, it was Sidney Gavignet’s EFG Bank (Monaco) who took the title and his return to defend his crown is keenly anticipated.

Over the next few weeks, organisers Oman Sail will reveal the line-up for the 2015 event but more entries than previously and a larger contingent from Gulf region are set to attract an even higher level of media attention and coverage than last year when new audience records were set.

“Sailing Arabia — The Tour has grown in stature over the past five years because it is a well-run event in beautiful scenery that offers sailors, both professional and amateur from all over the world, the chance to train and compete in fantastic conditions during the winter,” said Oman Sail CEO David Graham.

“It has always been our aim to rekindle our mutual Gulf maritime heritage by offering a first class winter racing venue for sailors and provide an outstanding platform to grow regional talent to raise the standard of our home-grown sailors. EFG Sailing Arabia - The Tour ticks all the boxes in helping us achieve our aim.”

Keith Gapp, Head of Strategy and Marketing, EFG International said: “EFG sponsors a wide range of sporting events around the world and is proud to continue its association with EFG Sailing Arabia – The Tour this year. Sailing is a sport that EFG International is passionate about and after the success of our team (Monaco), we will look to build on the achievement this year.

“With a new route and a new format, EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour 2015 is sure to be an exciting race around some of the Middle East’s best marinas.”

EFG Sailing Arabia — The Tour 2015 takes place from February 15 to 28 with practice rounds taking place in the preceding days.

Schedule: Feb 11-14: Training sessions, Muscat; Feb 15: Leg 1 Muscat- Sohar; Feb 17: Leg 2 Sohar-RAK; Feb 19: Leg 3 RAK-Dubai; Feb 23: Leg 4 Dubai-Abu Dhabi; Feb 24: Leg 5 Abu Dhabi-Doha; Feb 26: Leg 6 Doha-Manama.

FOOTBALL

Real snap up Brazil midfielder Lucas Silva from Cruzeiro MADRID: European champions Real Madrid have completed the signing of Brazilian under-21 international midfielder Lucas Silva from Cruzeiro.

The deal cost Los Blancos a reported 14 million euros ($15.8 million) with Silva agreeing a five-and-a-half year deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“Real Madrid and Cruzeiro have reached an agreement for the transfer of Lucas Silva, who will be tied to the club until June 30, 2020,” said a statement on Madrid’s website.

Silva becomes Madrid’s second signing of the January transfer window after 16-year-old Norwegian wonderkid Martin Odegaard sealed his switch from Stromsgodset on Friday.

Silva shot to prominence as Cruzeiro claimed a second consecutive Brazilian title in 2014.

His arrival is likely to precipitate the departure of Asier Illarramendi, who has been linked with a 25 million euro switch to Athletic Bilbao.

Illarramendi was signed for a staggering fee of 37 million euros after helping Spain to a second consecutive under-21 European championship in 2013.

However, he has failed to become a first-team regular under Carlo Ancelotti, making just three league starts this season.

Meanwhile, former coach Marcelo Oliveira said joining Real Madrid is a dream that has come true for Lucas Silva, while describing the midfielder as a “diamond”.

“I have been talking with Lucas and he is very happy as one of his dreams has come true. (Real Madrid coach Carlo) Ancelotti has got a real diamond,” Oliveira, who manages Cruzeiro, told Spanish newspaper As. “He is a technical player with good vision, he can make precise 30-40 metre passes and has a strong shot.

“I have been behind him when he has shot from outside the area and believe me he has a lot of potential that can be further exploited. He will push those who are already in his position.

“He will need to adapt now to a new formation but I am sure he will develop a lot alongside the quality at Real Madrid.”

Real were weakened in midfield with the departure of Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich ahead of this season and there has been a lot of pressure on Kroos as Ancelotti has used alternatives Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi sparingly.

Khedira is in a contractual dispute with Real and is expected to leave at the end of this season while Illarramendi has failed to progress as predicted following a big money move from Real Sociedad.

Ancelotti has said publicly that Illarramendi remains an important member of his squad but he has struggled to impose himself in the midfield when he has had chances.

Silva’s arrival could prompt his departure with Athletic Bilbao favourites to sign him. - Agencies

OMAN FACE KUWAIT IN GCC U-23 SEMIFINAL TODAY

Oman will take on Kuwait in the semiffinals of the ongoing GCC Under-23 Football Championship in Bahrain on Sunday. The semifinals were originally scheduled for Friday but were postponed to Sunday. Sunday’s first semifinal between the UAE and Saudi Arabia will start at 5.30 pm while Oman-Kuwait match will kick off at 8.30 pm. — Supplied photo

MORE APPEALING

F1 needs ‘real revolution’: Ferrari boss LONDON: Formula One needs to go through a ‘real revolution’ by 2017 with cars making the sort of noise that heavy metal rock fans would appreciate, according to Ferrari boss Maurizio Arrivabene.

The principal, who took over the team in November, told the Ferrari website on Friday that the show needed to be more spectacular to win back fans who had fallen out of love with Formula One. “By 2017, I would like to see cars that win over the fans, with cars that they can get closer to and that are aesthetically more appealing, maybe even producing a noise

that gets your hair standing on end, like that produced by a heavy metal band,” said Arrivabene.

Arrivabene, who has a marketing background and arrived from team sponsor Philip Morris, agreed with former triple champion and Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda that big changes had to be made.

“I don’t think a simple evolution is enough in this case,” he continued. “Instead, a real revolution is called for with significant and radical changes. By that, I mean more power, higher speeds not necessarily involving the use of more fuel, but

definitely applying a cost reduction to those components that are of little interest to the general public.”

Formula One switched to a new, and quieter, V6 turbo hybrid format last season that put more emphasis on fuel economy.

Lauda told Britain’s Autosport magazine the sport needed more powerful cars, with wider tyres, that were harder to drive. F1 bosses have been discussing future rules with commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone among those backing a proposal to increase engine power to more than 1,000 brake horsepower in 2017. - Reuters

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SPORTS

Ahmad rues missed opportunity in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Ahmad looked sharp in the opening laps but suffered the misfortune of running wide at the double right hander which cost him two valuable places

DOHA: Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy feels a moment of bad luck cost him vital points in Race 1 of Round 3 in the region’s most competitive racing series, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, at Losail International Circuit in Qatar.

The race was eventually won

by Al Harthy’s Al Nabooda Racing teammate Clemens Schmid with Saeed Al Mehairi of Skydive Dubai Falcons second, defending champion Zaid Ashkanani third and Qatari resident Charlie Frijns fourth.

In a change of timing, Race 1 of Round 3 took place during daylight hours with the drivers usually competing under the floodlights.

The earlier start certainly didn’t mean any less drama as the region’s top drivers took to the track in search of points and silverware.

After a solid performance in qualifying Ahmad Al Harhty started in seventh and held his position amidst a congested first corner

A BIT OF FORTUNE: Ahmad Al Harthy said ‘what we need now is a bit of fortune but from all the races so far this season Qatar has been the best example of how competitive the series is’. – Supplied photo

where many drivers lost out. The Omani driver looked sharp in the opening laps but suffered the misfortune of running wide at the double right hander which cost him two valuable places. The slip also meant he collected a fair amount of gravel on the tyres and underside which left him struggling to

mount a challenge from ninth.

Speaking after Race 1 of Round 3 Ahmad Al Harthy said: “To be honest my start was good and managed to hold position but a slight error at the double righter in the early laps was the race for me. I went off wide, caught lots of dirt on the tyres and lost two places.

“The only positive was I managed to get one of those places back but the pack was too far ahead and with me running around the same pace as them I couldn’t close the gap.

“What we need now is a bit of fortune but from all the races so far this season Qatar has been the

TENNIS

Nadal wants Aussie Open to start later MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal would like to see the Australian Open start later in the year to allow players more down time, but admits it is not likely to happen.

From the end of season ATP Tour Finals to the start of the new year, many of the top players barely had five weeks off before having to start all over again.

Roger Federer revealed that he took just eight days off during the off-season, with exhibitions and other commitments narrowing his free time considerably.

He was sensationally knocked out of the Australian Open on Friday in the third round by unseeded Italian Andreas Seppi.

Players have family Nadal said it was natural for players who travel the world constantly to want to stay at home with family around the Christmas and New Year period, but most have tournaments starting early January to prepare for Melbourne tournament.

The Spanish world No. 3, who is on the comeback trail after a three-month injury layoff, said it

It is true that if we went two weeks (later), it would be better. Today we are talking for talking, because I don’t see a change in that calendar for the future Rafael Nadal would be better to start the opening Grand Slam of the year later, perhaps in February.

“For us, it is important to spend the new year at home. It impor-

tant to spend Christmas at home with family. Those dates are very important,” he said.

“Players have family, players have small kids. You want to

spend that time with them.

“With this calendar, it is tough to have and enjoy this period of time with your family. It is true that if we went two weeks (later), it would be better.”

Nadal also said playing just one warm-up tournament ahead of a gruelling Grand Slam was not ideal.

“Two tournaments would be the right period of time before the tournament to play,” he said, while admitting that for all the talk, nothing would change.

“Today we are talking for talking, because I don’t see a change in that calendar for the future.”

Calls to change the dates of the massively popular Australian Open have been raised in the past, but dismissed with the tournament falling during the school holidays, guaranteeing huge crowds and a party atmosphere.

Nadal, who battled dizzy spells and stomach cramps in an epic five-set second round match at Melbourne Park, plays big-hitting South African Kevin Anderson for a place in the quarterfinals on Sunday. - AFP

best example of how competitive this series is.

“Testing, qualifying and racing is so tight, you never really know who is going to be where. Next for us is focus on Race 2 and to make sure we get an improved result.”

From the moment the starting lights went out Clemens Schmid’s

acceleration was exceptional as he stormed to the front of the pack while Zaid Ashkanani struggled from second. Skydive Dubai’s Saeed Al Mehairi and Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum both started with Al Mehairi up one place and Al Maktoum up two.

After a poor first lap Ashkanani found himself down in fourth place behind the Skydive Dubai duo with Charlie Frijns also vying for position. As the group came down the straight for lap two they were four abreast with pedals on the floor giving the team managers an anxious moment as they reached the first turn.

As the drivers settled into their rhythm it was Saeed Al Mehairi who staked his claim for second with Zaid Ashkanani third, Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum fourth and Charlie Frijns fifth.

The battle for fourth become one of the main excitement points throughout the race as Frijns pressured and squeezed Al Maktoum at every opportunity, although the Skydive driver refused to give an inch.

Further down the pack Ahmad Al Harthy suffered his misfortune with Raed Raffii quick to pounce and moved up to seventh were he stayed neat and tight to close the gap on sixth but was ultimately unable to improve on his position as Al Harthy managed to make up a place and secure eighth.

As the race reached its closing stages Frijns finally managed to take his chance and make the most of a rare Al Maktoum mistake to take fourth, sending the local crowds into ecstasy as they watched their Qatar-based driver cross the line.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

SPORTS

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LA LIGA

Bale late penalty saves Real as Ronaldo sees red

FRUSTRATED: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, left, is shown a red

card during their Spanish La Liga match against Cordoba CF at the Nuevo Arcangel Stadium on Saturday. – AFP

MADRID: Gareth Bale scored a late winner from the penalty spot after Cristiano Ronaldo had been sent off as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Cordoba 2-1 on Saturday.

Madrid got off to the worst possible start when Sergio Ramos handled inside his own area and Nabil Ghilas slotted home the resultant penalty.

Karim Benzema levelled from James Rodriguez’s corner midway through the first-half, but Ronaldo’s frustration at a poor performance by the European champions seemed to have cost his side the chance of victory when he lashed out at Edimar seven minutes from time.

However, the numbers were levelled up when Fede Cartabia was shown a second yellow card for

handling Bale’s free-kick inside the area, and in Ronaldo’s absence, the Welshman took responsibility from the spot to send Madrid four points clear at the top of La Liga.

Cordoba had given their survival hopes a huge boost with seven points from their previous three games and the enthusiasm generated by Madrid’s first visit in 44 years ensured there was a full house at the Nuevo Arcangel.

The home fans had plenty to cheer within the first two minutes as Manchester United reject Bebe saw his shot cannon off Ramos’s arm and referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez pointed to the spot.

Ghilas had been left out of the Algerian squad for the African Cup of Nations, but his country’s loss has been Corboba’s gain as he

fired home his second goal in three games from the spot.

Bebe was making just his third appearance for Cordoba on loan from Benfica, but he was a constant threat in the first 45 minutes and was inches away from doubling the hosts’ lead with a shot across goal that sneaked just wide.

Slowly, though, Madrid began to find their feet and drew level on 27 minutes when Rodriguez’s corner was flicked on by Bale and Benzema slammed home his 15th goal of the season from close range.

However, Cordoba will rue not making the most of a host of opportunities to seal a famous win after the break.

Cartabia was desperately unlucky to see his shot from the edge of the area fly just wide before a

scintillating run by Bebe took him past a host of Madrid defenders but his weak shot was easily held

by Casillas.

The best chance of all fell to Florin Andone when he pounced on a poor header by Raphael Varane, but Casillas did just enough to turn his attempted lob on to the bar.

Madrid rallied in the final 15 minutes, but were still restricted to efforts from outside the area as Juan Carlos got down well to stop fierce efforts from Toni Kroos and Benzema. Ronaldo’s frustrations then boiled over when he was rightly dismissed for kicking out at Edimar.

Yet, Carlo Ancelotti’s men still managed to grind out a vital victory when Bale made no mistake from the spot after Cartabia clearly handled his initial free-kick. - AFP

Chelsea, City humbled in FA Cup Chelsea team threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 at home to third-tier Bradford City in one of the biggest upsets, while City lost 2-0 to Championship high-fliers Middlesbrough

LONDON: Premier League title challengers Chelsea and Manchester City both crashed out of the FA Cup after being sensationally beaten by lower-league opponents in the fourth round on Saturday.

A weakened Chelsea team threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 at home to third-tier Bradford City in one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s recent history, while City lost 2-0 to Championship highfliers Middlesbrough at the Etihad Stadium.

With Southampton beaten 3-2

by Crystal Palace, it means that none of the Premier League’s top three teams will feature in Monday’s fifth-round draw, blowing the competition wide open.

Manchester United, who are fourth in the Premier League, face a replay against fourth-division Cambridge United after a 0-0 away draw against the League Two club on Friday.

Chelsea manager Jose Mour-

inho had warned prior to kick-off at Stamford Bridge that it would be a “disgrace” if his side were beaten

by Bradford.

But his words came back to haunt him as the League One team pulled off an upset that brought to mind their stunning run to the League Cup final in 2013.

Chelsea made nine changes to the team that had drawn 1-1 with Liverpool in Tuesday’s League Cup semifinal first leg and took a 21st minute lead when Gary Cahill flicked in Oscar’s corner.

Ramires made it 2-0 in the 38th minute after a one-two with Mohamed Salah, but Jon Stead replied for Bradford three minutes later and former Chelsea youth player Filipe Morais equalised 15 minutes from time.

A money-spinning replay beckoned for the team who are currently seventh in the third tier, 51 places below Chelsea, but they went ahead in the 82nd minute

when Andy Halliday found the top corner from 18 yards.

Mourinho introduced Willian, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard from the bench, but it was Bradford who had the final say as substitute Mark Yeates calmly slotted home to claim his own piece of FA Cup folklore. City manager Manuel Pellegrini was left to face questions about his side’s midweek trip to Abu Dhabi for a warm-weather training camp after they were eliminated by Middlesbrough.

Currently second in the Championship, Middlesbrough weathered heavy pressure in the first half before capitalising on some farcical defending to take a 53rdminute lead through on-loan Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford.

Fernando’s back-pass sold Willy Caballero short and after the City goalkeeper collided with Albert Adomah, Fernando slid in to clear, only to play the ball against Bamford, whose touch took the ball in.

After Lee Tomlin had hit the post for Middlesbrough, with Frank Lampard replying in kind, substitute Kike secured victory for the visitors in stoppage time by finishing off a counter-attack led

by Bamford.

City, who visit Chelsea in the league next weekend, have now lost successive home games for the first time in three years, having lost 2-0 at home to Arsenal last weekend. - AFP

SENSATIONAL: Bradford City’s Mark Yeates, centre, drops to his knees as he celebrates scoring his

team’s fourth goal during their FA Cup fourth round match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London on Saturday. – AFP

‘EGYPTIAN MESSI’

Roma agree Salah loan deal: reports MILAN: Roma have agreed terms with Chelsea for the transfer of midfielder Mohamed Salah to the Serie A club, according to reports in Italy on Saturday.

The 22-year-old Salah, known as the “Egyptian Messi”, will sign a six-month loan deal worth 500,000 euros to Chelsea, various local media suggest.

Roma are also said to have the option of tying the rarely-used Chelsea forward at the end of the current campaign to a fouryear deal that would see the Premier League giants recoup up to 18 million euros.

Roma have yet to issue any statement regarding the reports. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said last week Salah would be replaced in the event of his departure from Stamford Bridge, re-opening the possibility that he could relaunch his pursuit of Fiorentina forward Juan Cuadrado. - AFP

C

LIFE & STYLE

SECTION

s much as we love our digital devices, many of us have an uneasy sense that they are destroying our attention spans. We skitter from app to app, seldom alighting for long. Our ability to concentrate is shot, right?

Research shows that our intuition is wrong. We can focus. But our sense that we can’t may not be a phantom. Paying attention requires not just ability but desire. Technology may snuff out our desire to focus.

The idea that gadgets corrode our attention span sounds logical.

Screen-based activities can take upward of 11 hours of a teenager’s day, and many demand rapid shifts of attention: quick camera cuts in videos, frenetically paced games, answering questions in multiple apps, not to mention web design that invites skimming. And we often do all this simultaneously, so attention bounces between two (or three or eight) fast-paced tasks. The theory is that the brain’s plasticity turns this quick mental pivoting into a habit, rendering us unable to sustain attention.

The digital world carries the promise of amusement that is constant, immediate and limitless. If a YouTube video isn’t funny in the first 10 seconds, why watch when I can instantly seek something better on BuzzFeed or Spotify?

The Internet hasn’t shortened my attention span, but it has fixed a persistent thought in the back of my mind — Isn’t there’s something better to do than what I’m doing?

Are we more easily bored than we were 20 years ago? Researchers don’t know, but recent studies support the suggestion that our But there’s little evidence that antennas are always up. People’s attention spans are shrinking. performance on basic laboratory Scientists use “span” to mean two tests of attention gets worse if a separate things: how much we can cellphone is merely visible nearby. keep in mind, and how well we can In another experiment, people usmaintain focus. They measure the ing a driving simulator were more former by asking people to repeat likely to hit a pedestrian when their cellphone increasingly long rang, even if they Digital devices strings of digits had planned in in reverse order. are not eating advance not to They measure the answer it. latter by asking The direst prepeople to monitor away at our brains. diction offered visual stimuli for by digital critics occasional, subtle — our phones are changes. Perforreally pocketmance on these size deep fryers tests today looks a for the mind — whole lot as it did may be untrue, 50 years ago. but the alternaScientists also tive I’ve suggestnote that aled sounds nearly though mental as bad. The aptasks can change petite for endour brains, the less entertainimpact is usually ment suggests modest. For exthat worthier ample, practice a situation activities will be with action video shoved aside. We games improves that’s probably may buy Salman some aspects of vision, but it’s a unique in human Rushdie’s book, but we’ll end small boost, not experience up sucked in by an overhaul of Flappy Bird. how we see. AtThat doesn’t quite seem to be tention is so central to our ability to think that a significant deterio- the case, either. Research shows, ration would require a retrofitting for example, that the amount of of other cognitive functions. Men- leisure reading hasn’t changed tal reorganization at that scale with the advent of the digital happens over evolutionary time, age. Before we congratulate ournot because you got a smartphone. selves, though, let’s acknowledge But if our attention span is not that brainier hobbies have never shrinking, why do we feel it is? been that popular. There have alWhy, in a 2012 Pew survey, did ways been ways to kill time.

Still, digital activities may be nearly 90 per cent of teachers claim that students can’t pay at- different. Over the last decade, tention the way they could a few neuroscientists distinguished two years ago? It may be that digital systems of attention and associdevices have not left us unable to ated thought. One is directed outpay attention, but have made us ward, as when you scroll through your email or play Candy Crush. unwilling to do so.

The other is directed inward, as when you daydream, plan what you’ll do tomorrow, or reflect on the past. Clearly, most digital activities call for outwardly directed attention. These two modes of attention work like a toggle switch; when one is on, the other is off. In fact, when attention is outwardly directed, the inwardly directed attention system is somewhat suppressed. Given the amount of time people spend with digital devices, that sounds ominous.

They are, however, luring us toward near constant outwardly directed thought,

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

Will we actually lose our ability to daydream? Let’s hope not.

Among daydreaming’s many merits, research shows, is an association with greater creativity. But there is a dark side of inwardly directed thought, too.

Daydreaming often distracts us when we’re trying to get something done. And reflection can turn ugly, as when we ruminate about some past insult or error.

Digital devices are not eating away at our brains. They are, however, luring us toward near constant outwardly directed thought, a situation that’s probably unique in human experience. A flat cap on time with devices — the restriction we first think of for ourselves and our kids — might help. So would parking devices in another room for a while. But it would be more effective if we could learn to recognize in ourselves when escape from our thoughts is OK and when reflection is in order. As a bonus, judgments like that require inwardly directed attention, a mental habit that in our smartphone era, we’d be dumb to lose. — Daniel T. Willingham/ The New York Times News Service

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

EXTRA

T

he scientific research on the benefits of expressive writing is surprisingly vast.

Studies have shown that writing about oneself and personal experiences can improve mood disorders, help reduce symptoms among cancer patients, improve a person’s health after a heart attack, reduce doctor visits and even boost memory.

Now researchers are studying whether the power of writing — and then rewriting — your personal story can lead to behavioural changes and improve happiness.

The concept is based on the idea that we all have a personal narrative that shapes our view of the world and ourselves. But sometimes our inner voice doesn’t get it completely right. Some researchers believe that by writing and then editing our own stories, we can change our perceptions of ourselves and identify obstacles that stand in the way of better health.

It may sound like self-help nonsense, but research suggests the effects are real.

In one of the earliest studies on personal story editing, researchers gathered a group of 40 college freshman at Duke University who were struggling academically. Not only were they worried about grades, but they questioned whether they were intellectual equals to other students at their school.

The students were divided into intervention groups and control groups. Students in the intervention group were given information showing that it’s common

for students to struggle in their freshman year. They watched videos of junior and senior college students who talked about how their own grades had improved as they adjusted to college.

The goal was to prompt students to edit their own narratives about college.

Rather than thinking they weren’t cut out for college, they were encouraged to think that they just needed more time to adjust.

The results of this intervention, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, were startling. In the short term, the students who had undergone the story-changing intervention got better grades on a sample test. But the long-term results were the most impressive.

Students who had been prompted to change their personal stories improved their grade-point averages and were less likely to drop out over the next year than the students who received no information.

In the control group, which had received no advice about grades, 20 per cent of the students had dropped out within a year.

But in the intervention group, only 1 student — or just 5 per cent — dropped out.

In another study, Stanford researchers focused on African-American students who were struggling to adjust to college.

Some of the students were asked to create an essay or video talking about college life to be seen by future students.

The study found that the students who took part in the writing or video received better grades in the ensuing months than those in a control group.

Another writing study asked married

Some researchers believe that by writing and then editing our own stories, we can change our perceptions of ourselves and identify obstacles that stand in the way of better health

couples to write about a conflict as a neutral observer. Among 120 couples, those who explored their problems through writing showed greater improvement in marital happiness than those who did not write about their problems.

“These writing interventions can really nudge people from a self-defeating way of thinking into a more optimistic cycle that reinforces itself,” said Timothy D. Wilson, University of Virginia psychology professor and lead author of the Duke study.

Wilson, whose book Redirect: Changing the Stories We Live By, was released in paperback this month, believes that while writing doesn’t solve every problem, it can definitely help people cope.

“Writing forces people to reconstruct whatever is troubling them and find new meaning in it,” he said.

Much of the work on expressive writing has been led by James Pennebaker, a psychology professor at the University of Texas. In one of his experiments, college students were asked to write for 15 minutes a day about an important personal issue or superficial topics. Afterward, the students who wrote about personal issues had fewer illnesses and visits to the student health centre.

“The idea here is getting people to come to terms with who they are, where they want to go,” Pennebaker said. “I think of expressive writing as a life course correction.”

At the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute, life coaches ask clients to identify their goals, then to

write about why they haven’t achieved those goals.

Once the client has written their old stories, they are asked to reflect on it and edit the narratives to come up with a new, more honest assessment. While the institute doesn’t have long-term data, the intervention has produced strong anecdotal results. In one example, a woman named Siri initially wrote in her “old story” that she wanted to improve her fitness, but as the primary breadwinner for her family she had to work long hours and already felt guilty about time spent away from her children.

With prompting, she eventually wrote a story, based on the same facts but with a more honest assessment of why she doesn’t exercise.“The truth is,” she wrote, “I don’t like to exercise, and I don’t value my health enough. I use work and the kids to excuse my lack of fitness.”

Intrigued by the evidence that supports expressive writing, I decided to try it myself, with the help of Jack Groppel, co-founder of the Human Performance Institute.

Like Siri, I have numerous explanations for why I don’t find time for exercise. But once I started writing down my thoughts, I began to discover that by shifting priorities, I am able to make time for exercise.

“When you get to that confrontation of truth with what matters to you, it creates the greatest opportunity for change,” Groppel said. -Tara Parker Pope/The New York Times News Service

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

C9

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA American Sniper (2D) (Act ) (15+) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller 2:45, 7:00, 9:15, 11:45 pm Mortdecai (2D)(Act | Crime) (12+) Cast: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor 5:15, 9:30, 7:15 pm Baby (2D)(Action | Crime) (12+) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Tapsee Pannu 9:00 pm Barbie in Princess Power (2D) (Animation) (PG) Voice Overs: Rebecca Husain, Britt Irvin 2:00, 3:45 pm The Book of Life (3D)(Animation) Voice Overs: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana 3:30, 5:15 pm (TBC) The Book of Life (2D)(Animation) (TBC); 2:00 pm Reach Me (2D)( Drama) (15+) Cast: Lauren Cohan, Kyra Sedgwick 5:15 pm Wolf Creek 2 (2D)(Horror) (18+) Cast: John Jarratt, Ryan Corr 7:00, 11:55pm Taken 3 (2D) (Action | Crime) (12+) Cast: Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker 11:30 pm

Barbie In Princess Power (2D) (Animation) (PG) Voice Overs: Rebecca Husain, Britt Irvin, Michael Kopsa 10:15 am & 2:45 pm The Book Of Life (3D) (Animation/Adventure) (PG)

Voice Overs: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana 11:45 am & 3:30 pm Gold Class: 12pm The Book Of Life (2D) (Animation/Adventure) (PG) 10:00 am Taken-3 (2D) (Action/Thriller) (12+) Cast: Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker 5:15 pm Mortdecai (2D) (Act/Comedy) (12+) Cast: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor 1:30 & 7:15 pm Gold Class: 1:45 & 6:15 pm American Sniper (2D) (Act) (15+) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller 6:15, 9:15 & 11:45pm Gold Class: 3:45 & 11:15 pm Baby (Hindi) (2D) (Action/Crime) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tapsee Pannu 11:45 am & 8:45 pm Gold Class: 8:15 pm Wolf Creek (2D)(Horror) (18+) Cast: John Jarratt, Ryan Corr 4:15 & 11:45 pm

SCREEN 1 Baby - Hindi - (Thriller | Act) (12+ ) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Rana Daggubati, Anupam Kher 3.30, 6.30, 9.30pm SCREEN 2 Dolly Ki Dolly (Com | Drama ) (TBC) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma 3.45, 6.45 pm Alone - Hindi - ( Horror) (18+ ) Cast: Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover; 9:45 pm SCREEN 3 P. K (Comedy) (PG)

Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma 3.45, pm Alone - Hindi - (Thriller) (18+) 6.45 pm Dolly Ki Dolly (Com | Drama ) (TBC) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, 9:45pm

Mortdecaiâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (12+) (Act | Com) Cast: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor 2:45, 7:15, 9:00 pm American Sniperâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (15+) (Action ) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Kyle Gallner 12:15, 3:00, 4:45, 9:15, 11:45 pm The Book of Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (PG) (Animation | Adventure) Cast: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana 1:30, 3:15 pm The Book of Lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 3D (PG) (Animation | Adventure) 5:00, 6:45pm Baby â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (12+) (Act | Crime) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tapsee Pannu 12:00, 8:30, 11:00 pm Taken 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (12+) (Act | Crime) Cast: Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker, Maggie Grace; 11:30 pm Barbie in Princess Powerâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (PG) (Animation) Voice Overs: Rebecca Husain, Britt 12:00, 3:15, 4:45 pm I (Tamil) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (12+) (Action | Fantasy) Cast: Vikram, Amy Jackson 6:15pm Dolly Ki Doliâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (Com) Cast: Malaika Arora, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Sonam Kapoor 1:15, 9:30 pm Wolf Creek 2â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (18+) (Horror)

Cast: John Jarratt, Ryan Corr 7:00, 11:30 pm [REC] 3: Genesisâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2D (15+)Horror Cast: Leticia Dolera, Diego MartĂ­n, Ismael MartĂ­nez 5:30 pm

The Book of Life (3D) (Anim ) (TBC) Cast: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana 2:15, 4:30 pm Taken 3 (Act | Thriller) (12+) Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace 2:15, 11:30 pm I (Tamil) (Act | Fantasy | Ro) (12+) Cast: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chiyaanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Vikram, Amy Jackson, Upen Patel; 05:30 pm [REC] 3: Genesis (Horror) (15+) Cast: Leticia Dolera, Diego MartĂ­n, Ismael MartĂ­nez; 4:00 pm Mortdecai (Action | Comedy) (12+) Cast: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor 2:30, 6:45, 9:15 pm American Sniper (Action | Biography | Drama) (15+) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Kyle Gallner 4:15, 9:00, 11:45pm Baby (Hindi) (Action | Crime | Mystery) (12+) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tapsee Pannu 6:15, 8:45, 11:15 pm

American Sniper (2D) ( Act ) (12+) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner.

3:30, 9:00, 11:30 pm The Book of Life (3D)(Adv ) Cast: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana

12:15, 2:00 pm I (Tamil) (Act | Fantasy) (12+) Cast: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chiyaanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Vikram, Amy Jackson, Upen Patel; 3:45 pm Taken-3 (Action | Thriller) (12+) Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace 6:00 pm Baby (Hindi) ( Act / Mystery ) (12+) 8:00, 11:00 pm Mortdecai ( English ) (Act ) (12+) Cast: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow 7:00pm

Taken 3 (2D/12+) (Act/Crime) 9:15pm American Sniper (2D/15+) (Act/Bio) Cast: Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner 11:30 am, 9:15, 11:45 pm Barbie in Princess Power (2D) (Animation) 2:00pm The Book of Life (2D/TBC) (Animation/Adventure) 11:15 am The Book of Life (3D/TBC) (Animation/Adventure) 3:30, 5:30pm Mortdecai (2D/12+) (Act/Com) 1:00, 5:15, 7:15 pm Wolf Creek 2 (2D/18+) (Horror) 7:15, 11:30 pm I â&#x20AC;&#x201C; (Tamil) (2D/12+) (Act/Fantasy) 3:30pm Dolly Ki Doli (2D/TBC) (Com/Rom) Cast: Malaika Arora, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Sonam Kapoor 6:45 pm Baby (2D/12) (Action/Crime) 12:30, 8:40 pm

American Sniper (Action) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes, Kyle Gallner 3.30, 7.30, 9.30 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2015 /181 (15+) Mortdecai (Action/comedy) Cast: Johny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Evan Mc Gregore 4.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2015/182 (12+) Reach Me (Drama) Cast: Lawren Chan, Sylvester Stallon, Kyra Sedgwick 2.00 & 5.45pm CP No: 2015/180 (15+) Taken 3: (Action) Cast: Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker 7.30 pm; CP No: 2015/153 (12+) Barbie in Princess Power (PG) (Animation) Voice Overs: Britt Irvin, Michael Kopsa 2.00 & 6.00pm; CP No: 2015/179

Film Information - 24540856 / Advance Booking - 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;? (Tamil) ( Action\Thriller) Cast: Vikram, Amy Jackson 3:00, 6:30 & 10:00 pm Cinema Main Baby - Hindi - (Thriller | Act) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Rana Daggubati, Anupam Kher, Kay Kay Menon 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45pm Cinema 3 Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu (Mal) (Rom/Com) Cast: Jayram & Asif Ali 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm Cinema 2 Chinnadana Nee Kosam (Tel)(Com) Cast: Nitin Reddy & Misnti 3:45 pm Cinema 4 P K (Hindi) (Comedy) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt 6:45 & 9:45pm Cinema-4 NEXT CHANGE: Nagaravaridhi Naduvil Najaan

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

ACES ON BRIDGE

A double ďŹ t is double the fun

SUDOKU

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Seven Galaxies

Previous puzzle Solution

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

ACROSS 1 Pass the word 5 Small fry 8 To boot 12 Helm position 13 Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easily deďŹ&#x201A;ated 14 Shed tears 15 Mountain goat 16 Filbert 18 Start the day 20 Houston baseball player 21 Victim of Brutus 24 Be in a state of healthy beauty 27 Fix a squeak 28 CD preceders 31 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Saving Private â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;?

32 Paul Newman role 33 Like cheetahs 34 Above, to poets 35 Chess piece 36 Shield of mythology 37 Cheat 39 Crams and jams 43 Elegant coiffures 46 Like some vamps (hyph.)

49 Carpet nail

51 52 53 54 55 56

Like lumber Capitalise on Piece of land Lean to one side Vegas lead-in Earn

DOWN 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; chi châ&#x20AC;&#x2122;uan 2 Isle of exile 3 Suggestive glance 4 Dictionary 5 Giggle (hyph.)

6 Turkish title 7 Donut qty.

8 Leather punches 9 Gave temporarily 10 Boot jingler 11 Dog in Beetle Bailey 17 British peer 19 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Casablancaâ&#x20AC;? pianist 22 Measure the depth 23 SOS response 24 Good buddy 25 Caustic substance 26 Galley slaveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tool 28 Drop behind 29 Frat letter

30 Ave. crossers 32 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bali â&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;?

33 Horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;lunchboxâ&#x20AC;?

35 Inventory wd.

36 Jungfrau or Eiger 38 Guys 39 Furtive whisper 40 Jai â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 41 Part of Batmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

garb 42 Superman, incognito 44 Killer whale 45 Hindu attire 47 Mr. Brynner of stage and ďŹ lm 48 Vega rocket org.

50 Cub Scout group

Answer to previous puzzle

KARY Mullis, who won the 1993 Nobel Prize in chemistry, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Examples include the double helix in biology â&#x20AC;&#x201D; You make observations, write theories to ďŹ t them, try experiments to disprove the theories and, if you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got something.â&#x20AC;?

Yesterday we saw a deal in which a good trump ďŹ t increased the value of a hand. If one ďŹ t is good, just imagine what a double ďŹ t will do.

How would you and your partner bid todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s North-South hands?

South opens one heart, and North raises to two hearts. (Yes, North has a maximum and the Losing Trick Count says that he is worth a gameinvitational raise, but unless that diamond suit is useful, the hand will prove disappointing to partner.

Starting with two hearts seems right to me.) What should happen after that?

South might jump to four hearts, but that is overly hasty. It is much better to rebid three diamonds. Yes, North will think that is a help-suit game-try, which might be made with a weaker suit, but South is interested in his partnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diamond holding.

Here, Northâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand could not be better. Typically, he would either sign off in three hearts or jump to four hearts. Now, though, he should raise to four diamonds.

This announces the delicious double ďŹ t. And South should see the expediency of bidding six diamonds, not six hearts, because the club ruff(s) will be in the shorter trump hand.

In six diamonds, South takes one spade, ďŹ ve hearts, ďŹ ve diamonds and a club ruff in his hand.

Note, though, that there are only 11 tricks with hearts as trumps.

Phillip Alder

BORN LOSER

WITH LOVE

KASINATH REJI January 25, 2012

SURILI MAHESHWARI January 25, 2013

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 parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

KIDSPOT

H E A LT H C A P S U L E

C10

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

PRAYER TIMINGS

FIND-IT-ALL Y O U R B I R T H D AY

BORN today, you have tremendous stores of creative energy that can always be counted on to propel you further than you might ever hope to go — provided you are engaged in an endeavor that truly allows you to make the best use of your copious talents. Apply yourself in such a way, stay focused and always use your skills for good rather than ill, and you’re sure to proceed directly to the threshold of success. Once you cross that threshold, you’re likely to stay there for quite some time. Indeed, when you find yourself at the top, you’ll be reluctant to give up your place for anything!

You keep track of talent, and you like knowing who your closest competitors are — though you never see competition as something that leaves losers out and favors only the winners. On the contrary, competition, to you, is the very thing that inspires, motives and keeps one going.

Also born on this date are: Alicia Keys, singer; Patrick Willis, football player; Robert Burns, poet; Virginia Woolf, writer; Dean Jones, actor; Tobe Hooper, director; Corazon Aquino, Philippine president; Edwin Newman, television journalist.

W E AT H E R

C

WORLD

Max 24 Min 14 Max 4 Min -5

Max 18 Min 10

Max 23 Min 15 Max 9 Min 4

Max 23 Min 14

Max -7 Min -12

Max 23 Min 11

Max 24 Min 10

Max 23 Min 7

Max 23 Min 17

Max 24 Min 12

[JAN. 20-FEB. 18] Max 25 Min 16

Max 27 Min 14

-www.met.gov.om

Max 28 Min 21 Max 36 Min 19

Min

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

24 21 26 23 19 24

15 14 13 9 15 9

WORLD Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Boston Cairo Colombo Frankfurt Hong Kong Istanbul Johannesburg Kuala Lumpur Lisbon Paris Perth Singapore Tokyo Toronto

16 22 6 3 1 22 32 4 20 13 29 33 16 7 23 29 11 -8

7 10 -5 1 -11 14 23 -1 16 8 18 23 7 2 17 24 3 -13

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

[Feb. 19-March 20] I Inner strength is something you’ll have to assess as you move through the day, as it is likely to ebb and flow rather dramatically.

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You’re trying to get yourself more closely aligned with things as they are supposed to be, but that might be difficult.

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] The unfamiliar provides you with much that is worth study. How you got involved may not be clear to you at first, but it will be, eventually.

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20] What you need may not be the same as what you want. However, you may get the chance to satisfy both need and desire.

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] Even the best-laid plans go awry, and this will be brought home for you in a way that actually has you laughing when all is said and done.

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Time Time 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 15:00 Sur 18:00 15:00 Jaalan 19:30 TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 06:30 Sohar 06:30 Buraimi 08:00 Buraimi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Buraimi 16.00 Sohar 16.00 Buraimi TO SINAW (Route 52) 17:30 Sinaw

[JULY 23-AUG. 22] You don’t want to do something the easy way simply because it is easy.

You want to do it in the best way possible.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] Less is more, but that may not be clear to you just now. What it means, however, will start to make sense further down the line.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] You may not be quite as experienced as another, but the mere fact that you are taking part says a lot about your desire.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] You’ll begin to enjoy the fruits of recent labours, but only after you are able to put aside distractions of all kinds.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] You may be asked by those in charge to do what no one else can — or is it that you’re the only one who will do it without complaining?

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] You’ll be able to learn a thing or two from watching someone else, even though he or she may not be an expert in any way.

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily 05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily 05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

20:50

Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 07:00 Sohar 07:00 Ruwi 13:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 17:00 Ruwi TO SINAW (Route 52) 07:00 Ruwi

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

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

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

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (Route 55) 07:30 Sur 14:30 Sur TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62) 06:30 Fahud 06:30 Yibal

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

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

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

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

Daily Daily

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

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

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

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

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

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

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

Daily

16:50

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

LEO

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow) High tide Low tide

12:04pm 6.18pm

5:48pm 6:50am 12:37am 7:09am

SEA STATE: Slight to moderate along the Arabian Sea coast with a maximum wave height of 1.5 metres and slight along the rest of Oman coasts with a maximum wave height of 1.25 metres.

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

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Mainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate. Chance of low level clouds or fog patches during late night and early morning over Al-Buraimi governorate and along Oman Sea coast.

Max

OMAN

PISCES

12.24pm 3.31pm 5.53pm 7.07pm 5.32am

AIRLINES

lear to partly cloudy skies over Musandam and south Sharqiya governorates and along the coastal areas of Oman Sea with chances of isolated rain over the Musandam governorate, and chance of cloud development over Al-Hajar mountains during afternoon, while it is mainly clear over rest of the Sultanate.

EXPECTED WIND: Along Oman Sea coasts and Arabian Sea wind will be northerly to northeasterly light to moderate while over rest of the Sultanate it will be northerly to northwesterly light to moderate.

AQUARIUS You are able to get yourself reconnected in some way. Are you harboring any doubts about what should come next?

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

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

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

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

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

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

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

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

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

LISTINGS

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585 Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766 Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691 Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740 Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah.

Tel: 23291635 HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052 Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic: 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740 Ceregem National Raak: 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217 Elixir Health Centre: 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre: 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274 Hamdan Hospital: 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128, MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000 ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603 Directorate General of Customs: 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries: 24510228 Public Relations Admin: 24560099 ACCOMMODATION Al Bahjah Hotel: 24424400 Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171 Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400 Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949 Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385 Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311 Al Qurum Resort: 24605945 Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979 Beach Hotel: 24696601 Bowshar Hotel: 24491105 Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121 Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660 Crystal Suites: 24826100 Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300 Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234 Haffa House Hotel: 24707207 Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123 InterContinental Muscat: 24680000 Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900 Marina Hotel: 24711711 Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565 Mina Hotel: 24711828 Muttrah Hotel: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199 Oman Dive Centre: 24824240 Park Inn: 24507888 Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070 Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777 Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399 Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443 Ruwi Hotel: 24704244 Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200 Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772 Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666 The Chedi Muscat: 24524400 The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Pacific: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines:

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033 MUSEUMS Bait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fish market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pm Natural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pm Museum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946 Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707 Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Oman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pm Bait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscat museum@baitalzubairmuseum.com Open from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.

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

SUNDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY406 WY676 WY682 WY648 WY904 WY816 WY824 WY916 4H583 NL669 TK776 QR1132 ET624 EK866 GF560 EY384 FZ041 WY324 WY686 WY902 4H584 WY638 WY658 WY668 WY674 WY602 WY202 WY102 FZ043 WY274 NL768 G9114 WY236 WY242 WY226 EK862 WY252 WY212 WY346 QR1128 EY382 IX549 WY3302 WY282 WY3922 WY604 G9841 WY372 FZ037 WY424 IX337 PK223 WY606 WY918 WY906 WY812 WY656 WY632 FZ045 WY204 WY292 WY610 WY246 WY264 WY232 WY664 QR1126 GF564 WY3306 G9116 WY254 TG507 FZ047 WY434 WY614 WY914 WY386 WY152 WY312 WY116 WY124 KL441 WY144 AI973 WY624 6.00E+81 WY134 WY414 FZ049 AI907 QR1134 UL205 GF566 EY388 BA073 WY908 AI985 WY648 LX242 9W540 WY654 LH618 WY612 WY696 WY910 WY928 WY717

MONDAY ETA

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

CAIRO 0005 JEDDAH 0005 RIYADH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 SALALAH 0015 BANGKOK 0015 KUALA LUMPUR 0055 SALALAH 0150 DACCA 0200 SIALKOT 0200 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0300 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 KARACHI 0540 RIYADH 0600 SALALAH 0630 DOHA 0640 ABU DHABI 0650 BAHRAIN 0700 DOHA 0710 JEDDAH 0730 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 DUBAI 0850 JAIPUR 0855 LAHORE 0900 SHARJAH 0915 HYDERABAD 0920 DELHI 0920 COCHIN 0930 DUBAI 0940 MADRAS 0940 TRIVANDRUM 0940 ISLAM ABBAD 0955 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1020 MUKHAIZNA 1045 BANGALORE 1100 DUQUM OMAN 1105 DUBAI 1110 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120 COLOMBO 1130 DUBAI 1200 BEIRUT 1205 CALICUT 1210 PESHAWAR 1220 DUBAI 1330 KHASAB 1440 SALALAH 1445 BANGKOK 1525 BAHRAIN 1530 ABU DHABI 1535 DUBAI 1555 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DUBAI 1730 DELHI 1730 LUCKNOW 1735 HYDERABAD 1740 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 BAHRAIN 1810 MUKHAIZNA 1845 SHARJAH 1915 MADRAS 1920 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1935 DUBAI 1945 TEHRAN 2000 DUBAI 2030 SALALAH 2035 MALE 2110 ZURICH 2110 CHITTAGONG 2115 FRANKFURT 2115 MUNICH 2115 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 MALPENSA 2120 DELHI 2125 DUBAI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 PARIS 2130 AMMAN 2135 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 COLOMBO 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2255 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 KUWAIT 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 BAHRAIN 2330 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI 2335 DAMMAM 2350 SALALAH 2355 SALALAH 2355 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355

WY676 WY406 WY682 BG021 WY916 4H583 TK776 QR1132 EK866 GF560 EY384 FZ041 WY902 WY638 WY638 WY324 WY686 WY658 WY674 WY672 WY602 WY202 WY102 FZ043 G9114 WY242 WY236 WY918 WY226 WY252 WY212 WY346 EK862 QR1128 EY382 9W530 WY342 WY272 WY282 WY604 WY372 FZ037 WY384 IX337 WY332 PA450 WY904 WY818 WY606 WY3302 WY906 WY656 WY632 FZ045 WY204 WY292 WY610 WY246 WY3304 WY264 WY232 WY664 QR1126 EK864 GF564 WY3922 WY646 G9116 WY254 FZ047 WY434 WY614 AI977 KL441 WY624 AI973 WY312 6.00E+81 WY414 9W534 FZ049 AI907 QR1134 WY338 GF566 EY388 BA073 SG061 WY908 AI985 WY662 LX242 9W540 WY654 LH618 WY612 WY914 WY696 WY636 WY717 WY910

JEDDAH 0005 CAIRO 0005 RIYADH 0005 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 0100 SALALAH 0150 DACCA 0200 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN 0300 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 SALALAH 0630 ABU DHABI 0650 ABU DHABI 0650 KARACHI 0700 RIYADH 0700 BAHRAIN 0700 JEDDAH 0730 MEDINA 0745 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 DUBAI 0850 SHARJAH 0915 DELHI 0920 HYDERABAD 0920 KHASAB 0930 COCHIN 0930 MADRAS 0940 TRIVANDRUM 0940 ISLAM ABBAD 0940 DUBAI 0940 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 TRIVANDRUM 1035 LAHORE 1100 JAIPUR 1100 BANGALORE 1100 DUBAI 1110 COLOMBO 1140 DUBAI 1200 MALE 1205 CALICUT 1210 KATHMANDU 1210 LAHORE 1215 SALALAH 1215 BANGKOK 1235 DUBAI 1330 MUKHAIZNA 1330 SALALAH 1415 BAHRAIN 1530 ABU DHABI 1535 DUBAI 1555 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DUBAI 1730 DELHI 1730 MUKHAIZNA 1730 LUCKNOW 1735 HYDERABAD 1740 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 DUQUM OMAN 1900 KUWAIT 1900 SHARJAH 1915 MADRAS 1920 DUBAI 1945 TEHRAN 2000 DUBAI 2030 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2120 DUBAI 2125 DELHI 2125 CHITTAGONG 2125 BOMBAY 2130 AMMAN 2135 COCHIN 2140 DUBAI 2145 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 KATHMANDU 2235 BAHRAIN 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2250 AHMEDABAD 2300 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 BAHRAIN 2330 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 DUBAI 2335 SALALAH 2345 DAMMAM 2350 ABU DHABI 2350 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355 SALALAH 2355

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DEPARTURES TO

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DEPARTURES TO

AI986 LX243 BA072 9W539 LH619 WY685 WY811 WY323 WY211 WY251 WY201 WY225 WY235 WY273 WY601 WY341 WY151 WY241 WY281 WY423 WY657 WY637 WY371 WY123 WY133 WY115 WY667 WY143 WY345 4H584 NL772 TK777 ET625 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY3301 WY3921 4H584 GF561 WY903 WY603 WY291 WY263 FZ044 WY245 WY231 G9115 WY905 WY203 NL769 WY605 WY253 WY311 WY717 EK863 EY383 IX554 WY655 QR1129 WY3303 WY917 WY331 G9842 WY631 IX350 FZ038 PK224 WY663 WY413 WY101 WY433 WY927 WY609 WY405 WY3305 WY675 WY913 FZ046 WY613 WY623 WY681 QR1127 WY907 GF565 WY647 WY661 WY695 WY653 WY909 G9117 WY611 WY635 FZ048 TG508 WY825 WY915 FZ050 KL442 WY817 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 UL206 EY381 WY673 WY901 WY671

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 BANGKOK 0105 KARACHI 0105 TRIVANDRUM 0110 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 COCHIN 0125 HYDERABAD 0135 JAIPUR 0140 DUBAI 0150 LAHORE 0150 ZURICH 0155 DELHI 0155 BANGALORE 0200 BEIRUT 0200 BAHRAIN 0205 ABU DHABI 0205 COLOMBO 0210 MUNICH 0210 PARIS 0215 FRANKFURT 0215 DOHA 0220 MALPENSA 0225 ISLAM ABBAD 0250 DUBAI-DACCA 0300 PESHAWAR 0330 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 MUKHAIZNA 0715 DUQUM OMAN 0720 DACCA 0740 BAHRAIN 0745 SALALAH 0800 DUBAI 0800 CALICUT 0920 LUCKNOW 0920 DUBAI 0935 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 SHARJAH 1005 SALALAH 1030 BOMBAY 1030 LAHORE 1030 DUBAI 1030 MADRAS 1040 CHITTAGONG 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 ABU DHABI 1105 TRIVANDRUM 1110 BAHRAIN 1110 DOHA 1115 MUKHAIZNA 1115 KHASAB 1140 KATHMANDU 1205 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210 ABU DHABI 1225 CALICUT 1310 DUBAI 1315 PESHAWAR 1320 DOHA 1330 AMMAN 1330 LONDON HEATHROW 1330 TEHRAN 1340 SALALAH 1415 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 MUKHAIZNA 1515 JEDDAH 1630 SALALAH 1630 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1820 RIYADH 1845 DOHA 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 KUWAIT 1900 DOHA 1900 DAMMAM 1910 BAHRAIN 1910 SALALAH 1940 SHARJAH 2005 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2030 DUBAI 2040 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2040 KUALA LUMPUR 2110 SALALAH 2135 DUBAI 2225 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 BANGKOK 2235 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 COLOMBO 2335 ABU DHABI 2350 JEDDAH 2350 SALALAH 2350 MEDINA 2350

AI986 LX243 9W539 BA072 LH619 WY685 WY211 WY251 WY201 WY225 WY235 WY601 WY345 WY341 WY241 WY281 WY637 WY657 WY323 WY371 WY667 WY383 BG022 4H584 TK777 WY271 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY917 GF561 WY3931 WY903 WY603 WY291 WY263 FZ044 WY245 WY231 WY3301 G9115 WY815 WY905 WY203 WY605 WY311 WY253 WY717 EK863 EY383 WY655 QR1129 9W533 WY631 IX350 WY337 PA451 FZ038 WY413 WY101 WY663 WY433 WY645 WY113 WY3303 WY153 WY121 WY131 WY609 WY405 WY3921 WY675 WY613 FZ046 WY623 WY681 QR1127 WY907 GF565 WY647 WY661 WY653 WY695 EK865 WY909 WY913 G9117 WY611 WY635 FZ048 WY915 AI978 FZ050 WY421 KL442 9W529 WY411 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 WY434 WY673 EY381

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 TRIVANDRUM 0110 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 COCHIN 0125 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 ISLAM ABBAD 0150 LAHORE 0150 DELHI 0155 BANGALORE 0200 ABU DHABI 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 KARACHI 0210 COLOMBO 0210 DOHA 0220 MALE 0235 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0250 DACCA 0300 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL 0350 JAIPUR 0350 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 KHASAB 0630 BAHRAIN 0745 SOHAR 0800 SALALAH 0800 DUBAI 0800 CALICUT 0920 LUCKNOW 0920 DUBAI 0935 DELHI 0955 HYDERABAD 0955 MUKHAIZNA 1000 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 SALALAH 1020 BOMBAY 1030 DUBAI 1030 CHITTAGONG 1040 MADRAS 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 ABU DHABI 1105 BAHRAIN 1110 DOHA 1115 COCHIN 1135 ABU DHABI 1225 CALICUT 1310 KATHMANDU 1310 LAHORE 1315 DUBAI 1315 AMMAN 1330 LAHORE 1330 DOHA 1330 TEHRAN 1340 KUWAIT 1340 FRANKFURT 1345 MUKHAIZNA 1400 MALPENSA-ZURICH 1405 MUNICH 1415 PARIS 1420 DUBAI 1420 CAIRO 1430 DUQUM OMAN 1515 JEDDAH 1630 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1820 RIYADH 1845 DOHA 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 KUWAIT 1900 DOHA 1900 BAHRAIN 1910 DAMMAM 1910 DUBAI 1915 SALALAH 1940 SALALAH 1950 SHARJAH 2005 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2030 DUBAI 2040 SALALAH 2135 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 DUBAI 2225 BEIRUT 2230 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2230 TRIVANDRUM 2240 AMMAN 2240 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 SALALAH 2350 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2350

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

C11

EXTRA VANISHING TROPICAL FORESTS The pace of deforestation is so great today that it accounts for an estimated 12-15 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions annually

T

ropical forests store huge amounts of carbon.

When their trees are cut or burned, the carbon is eventually released into the atmosphere, mixing with oxygen to form the long-lasting greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. The pace of deforestation is so great today that it accounts for an estimated 12-15 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions annually. The rate of cutting, burning and clearing shows no signs of abating.

Economic forces drive this destruction — for timber, rangeland, mining and development. But there is also a powerful economic argument for preservation. Forests’ carbon reserves can be monetised and sold as offsets to greenhouse gas emitters who need them to comply with regulatory emissions limits, or who voluntarily want to reduce their carbon footprint.

These offsets typically are sold by utilities or other industrial companies that have reduced their emissions below a governmentimposed cap. The offsets equal the emissions below the cap; their price is determined by supply and demand. The buyers are companies whose emissions are above STUDY

Climate impacts development of human speech

FINDING A correlation between climate and the evolution of language, researchers say that languages with complex tones are much more likely to occur in the world’s humid regions. Similarly, languages with simple tone occur more frequently in desiccated regions, whether frigid areas or dry deserts.

Researchers found that many languages of the world use tone or pitch to give meaning to their words. “it changes a bit our understanding of how languages evolve,” said Everett, associate professor of anthropology at University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences, and lead investigator. -IANS

the cap; the offsets are subtracted from their excess emissions, enabling them to avoid penalties.

There is also a voluntary market where companies and individuals buy offsets to reduce their carbon footprint. The revenue is used to finance energy efficiency and other projects to reduce emissions.

These markets are booming, with trades each year in the tens of billions of dollars. But a potential pool of offsets has been largely left off the table — offsets that represent carbon emissions avoided by not destroying tropical forests.

These were difficult to value because there was no way to accurately quantify the carbon savings.

Nor were there reliable, transparent systems to ensure these forests would remain standing or that proceeds would be returned to local communities.

For those reasons, the European Union, which has the world’s largest system for trading carbon offsets, has not allowed offsets for what’s known as avoided deforestation. Other carbon markets, like the one run by the California Air Resources Board, are considering it.

The objections are now being addressed. In recent years, accu-

rate and inexpensive techniques have been developed to quantify and verify carbon emissions that would be avoided by not destroying forests. Credible mechanisms for indemnifying offset credits will always be protected even if the specific acre behind the credit is destroyed) and returning the proceeds from the sale of the offsets to local communities have also been devised. A new system that combines all of those components and biodiversity conservation, known as the Rainforest Standard, which we and 60 other scientists, lawyers and businesspeople have developed, is now being tested in South America to safeguard a 1.6-million-acre forest.

Although this expanse is designated a “protected area,” it has only four guards. This is not

12-15% of annual global carbon dioxide emission is credited to deforesetation

unusual. In the Amazon and elsewhere, there’s not enough money to adequately safeguard protected forests from threats like illegal logging and ranching. This is where forest offsets can make a real difference. Allowing them to be traded would give carbon reserves tangible value that could be sold for real money, which could be used to protect these biologi-

cally diverse forests. The added benefit is that saving a tropical forest of, say, a million acres would prevent roughly 367 million tons of carbon dioxide from escaping into the atmosphere, where some of it would remain for thousands of years.

In our pilot project, a major corporation has agreed to buy one million offset credits over 20 years. All of the money will underwrite a trust fund to manage and protect the forest and help local communities develop sustainable livelihoods such as eco-tourism, fish farming and beekeeping.

A second, smaller project has just started in Southeast Asia, and we are working to replicate these projects elsewhere.

Corporations in growing numbers understand what’s at stake.

In September, 40 major companies, including Kellogg and Nestlé, pledged to cut tropical deforestation in half by 2020 and stop it entirely by 2030. The group included some of the largest companies handling palm oil, which vow to impose tough standards on production, limiting activities that are devastating old-growth tropical forests, especially in Southeast Asia.

Offsets, whether compulsory or voluntary, can be another tool for protecting tropical forests. The European Union and other carbon markets should reconsider their policies. These forests can have a worth beyond the value of their plunder as governments and industries turn to market-based solutions to slow the warming of our planet. -Don Melnick, Mary Fiels, James Warfiels/The New York Times News Service

C12

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015

EXTRA

Who determines the expiry dates of food items?

B O L LY W O O D

SRK’s reality TV show set to go live on March 2 THE NEWEST entrant in the Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) space, will go on air March 2, also marking the launch of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s new reality TV show India Poochega… Sabse Shana Kaun? The show will be aired every Monday to Friday at 9.00 pm (Indian time). The new channel promises to celebrate the spirit of living through its wide array of fiction, non-fiction shows, Bollywood movies and marquee events. The content line-up includes a mix of fiction shows like Razia Sultan, Begusarai, Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai?. However, the highpoint of the channel is India Poochega - Sabse Shaana Kaun?, a game show adapted from the Who’s Asking? international format. The show, produced by Big Synergy, will challenge conventions and it will give more power to the common man as the ‘Asker’ as well as the ‘Contestant’.

Acting is in Akshara Haasan’s blood: Dhanush ACTOR Dhanush says debutant Akshara Haasan has the most challenging role in their forthcoming film Shamitabh, but she has pulled it off convincingly because acting is in her blood. “Of all the roles, Akshara has the most challenging part in the film. I don’t think she ever struggled to pull it off as acting runs in her blood,” Dhanush told IANS. Akshara is the daughter of veteran actors Kamal Haasan and Sarika. Shamitabh, slated for release on February 6, also stars megastar Amitabh Bachchan, and it is directed by R. Balakrishnan. On working with Big B, Dhanush said: “I never expected I’d get an opportunity to work with him. There’s nothing more to add when you’re working with a legend because everything is so special.”

Thought I’d get typecast in Bollywood: Taapsee Pannu

W

ith fresh items, bacteria growth can be estimated by using an exponential equation. Very similar to calculating radiation half-life, but with an upward swing on the graph (see that damn algebra is good for something, so write a thank you to your school teacher).

Bacteria isn’t the only limiting factor. Raspberries will melt into a fungus goo in a week while carrots seem to have this ability to go bad after an amount of time best calculated in dog years. So the item itself by its nature is going to affect the outcome.

Since the maths assumes a uniform starting number of bacteria, it isn’t perfect and won’t be 100 per cent unless the item is pasteurised, such as milk. These dates should be pretty accurate and have always been in my experience.

Canned foods are sterilised while being processed and seem to last for as long as someone is brave enough to eat them. I’ve heard stories of those emergency supplies lasting for decades. Its limiting factor is the slow chemical reactions of the food itself.

Since the only reason a sane person would eat 20-year-old canned beans is an apocalypse, and that’s what it is for, you could theoretically live long enough to wish you bought fresher food.

And let’s not forget preservatives. Produce, also, can have genes to avoid pests and increase shelf life. So the expression ‘apples to apples’ isn’t really true any more. I have had them go bad fast (farmers’ market) or had them last forgotten in the back of the fridge (literally from a hotel desk) six-plus months.

It surely will come down to an educated guess and then a low-

Canned foods are sterilised while being processed and seem to last for as long as someone is brave enough to eat them.

Its limiting factor is the slow chemical reactions of the food itself

tech fridge test. Basically putting the item in numerous settings and then checking up on it to try to keep accuracy. The more packaged it is the better triangulated the date will be.

Chris Carlson, student Generally, when we establish the shelf life of a product, it’s based on the result of putting the product into the conditions it’s going to experience sitting on a store shelf — temperature, light, etc.

We’ll taste the product periodically up until the point it’s starting to go bad (from a taste perspective – if a product is going to fail due to microbiological contamination, it’s going to happen in days/weeks, not six months down the road).

Once it starts to go bad, we’ll subtract off a safety margin, and that becomes the shelf life.

— Ben Johnson/The Independent

ACTRESS Taapsee Pannu is glad that she landed a role in Baby as she feared getting typecast in “college girl” roles in Bollywood. “After Chashme Baddoor, I was getting the same kind of college girl role offers. I thought I will get typecast in Bollywood and will not get anything else. So I thought before I get stamped for doing similar roles, I should do Baby. I’m glad I did this film,” Taapsee told IANS. Directed

by Neeraj Pandey, the film features Akshay Kumar, Rana Daggubati and Anupam Kher, and it tackles the theme of terrorism.

Subhash Ghai turns 70, shares love for writing ON HIS 70th birthday Saturday, writer-filmmaker Subhash Ghai, credited with movies like Karz, Hero, Karma, Saudagar, Khalnayak, Pardes and Taal, has spoken fondly of his lesser known talent as a lyricist. He says penning poetry comes from the experience of writing scripts and dialogues for films, automatically. “Actually, as a writer I wrote the story of the film (Yaadein), script and the dialogues. When a dialogue writer writes the script, automatically the poetry comes from dialogues. When words (are) strung together, you can create poetry from dialogues,” Ghai said during a radio interview on a 92.7 BIG FM show. -IANS

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M S U N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 5 , 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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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

OFFICES FOR RENT - Premium offices to let a very good location on the main road very close to Zakher Mall, Al Khawiar. Business Center has offices with sizes of 50m2, 110m2, 180m2, 207m2, 230m2, 437m2.

- Showroom also available at Business Center, Area 500m2 with central A/c.

- Offices with Central Air-conditions, Security System with CCTV cameras, and Security presence in the building.

Contact: 97377355 / 95530121, Email id: aaleem@ggcoman.com

2 BHK, CBD. Contact 99024730 1 & 2 BHK & villa 3 BR-Darsait near ISM & ISD. Contact 99024730

New warehouse for rent at Ghala ind. area. 578 & 1200 sqms near. hotel al-madinah holiday, Ghala. Container can enter, immediate access to roads & highways. Contact : 92078090 3BHK, (3 bathroom and big hall) opp. Apollo Hospital, Hamariya R/A (OMR 300/-) Contact 91181761 2 BR flat for rent in Wadi Kabir next to Al Maha Petrol Pump.

Rent RO 300 pm. contact 99440826 Fully furnished rooms for rent for family. Contact 99251975, Al Khuwair Bowsher signal Shop suitable for hotel/supermarket is available for rent.pls contact on 97749285/ 96252684 Offices space available min.120 upto max. 142 sqm, with data cable, pantry, cassette AC, parking, @ RO. 4/per/sqm at Jibroo Muttrah. Contact: 93221054, 99229263, 95215289 4 bedrooms Deluxe Villa available at Al Khoud-6. (2Nos.) for 450/- per month each. Contact: 93221054, 99229263, 95215289 Flat for rent for family, 2 bedrooms, 1 hall, 2 bathrooms at Al Amerat.

Contact 99598264 / 99329949 1 BHK / 2 BHK flats available at Darsait near Medical.

Contact 24705742 / 24705639 Huge 2 bedrooms apartment, Al Khuwair for rent immediately.

Contact 95631834 / 91335205 2 bedrooms flats available at Ghubrah, near Grand Mall, close to Atlas Hospital, next to Diwan’s office.

Contact 24562526, 99833747 For rent new flat in Wadi Adai.

Contact 99345137 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 3 bedroom residential villa in Al Khuwair near to Zakher Mall. Has shaded car park. Can be used for office or other commercial purposes.

OMR 690 Monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

For rent at Al Khuwair, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sitting, dining, kitchen split A/C near Rawasco, 1st floor.

Rent 480 PDC. Contact 99879939 2 BHK, Darsait near Kims Hospital.

Contact 99024730

Showroom space available in Qurum. Road Facing prime location. commercially viable and affordable.

Contact- 98839950 Twin villa at Al-Kuwair 33. Six rooms with bathrooms. 670 OMR, contact: 99414767. Families only.

Office space with cassette type A/C’s with free internet at al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket. Contact 99460330 Ghubrah, 2 BHK, 3 bath new building, rent RO 380/- per month.

Contact 98266157 Flat deluxe in Al Amerat Mahaj 4, 3 rooms with 3 toilets.

Contact 99672604 Luxurious flat with AC’s, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen with store & family hall. # 93366421 2 bedroom fully furnished luxurious flat for rent at Ghala for long term or short term basis. Contact 97762321 1, 2, 3, BHK in Al khuwair.

Contact 99792181 2 BHK in Bowsher, Ghobra.

Contact 99792181 1 & 2 BHK in Ruwi.

Contact 99792181 180 Sqr mtrs Showroom in CBD. Contact 99792181 100 &190 Sqr Mtrs office space in Alkhuwair. Contact 99792181 New 4 Bhk Villa in Madhinat Ilham.

Contact 99792181 For store, workshop in Wadi Kabir Industrial Area 5/5 m.

Contact 99374977 Flat, Al Ghubrah near Indian School, 2 BHK , RO 325, family only, 3 bathroom, living room. Contact 92479515

We have 3 BHK apartment in Al Khuwair 28 Muna Complex with swimming pool, gym, covered car parking, prime location, good for European & Indian Families. Contact 93782735 / 99208033 We have 2 BHK flats in Ghala, 2 BHK offices in Ghala, 100 SQM open space office in Ghala. Full furnished office in Ghala, 4 BHK villa in Al Khuwair 33. # 93782735 / 99208033 2 bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality.

Contact 24700120, 92584715 2 shops, store accommodation, Barka Sanayya opposite Al Khalili.

Contact 92423401

We have 2 BHK luxury flats with 3 toilets in Ghala for rent, very spacious, building on main road, huge parking, good for families, 20 flats available. # 93782735 / 99208033 We have 3 BHK flat in Ghubah North close to sea with balcony, very nice location. #93782735 / 99208033

For rent at Al Khuwair, 1 room with bathroom (Independent), near Rawasco with split A/C, 2nd floor, rent RO 125 PDC. Contact 99879939

6 bedroom villas at Al Ansab (nr Express highway).

Contact 99199365 Villas & flats & stores. Contact 99776071 / 99057348 2 BHK Pent House with split A/C in all rooms, very spacious balcony with sea & city view RO 350, 2 BHK RO 340, Bldg #1619, Way #1322 adjacent to Indian Nursery Darsait.

Contact 99476728 / 99831047 Villa, ground floor in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99743569, 97004265 1 BHK bedroom flat in Wadi Kabir neat Kuwaiti Mosque RO 200/-.

Contact 95094028

Family villa & flats at Al Ansab and Awabi. Contact 98458542

2 BHK Commercial, Al Khuwair, RO 375/-. Contact 92144045

2 BHK flats Muttrah near Oman House. Contact 97007934 / 92629232

6 shops in Mabela Industrial Area.

Each Front Shop OMR 400 and Side Shop OMR 300Monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Abu Adnan Tower - flat for rent available at Al Mabelah, 2 B/R, 1 hall, 2 toilets, 1 kitchen.

Contact 95566475 / 99654252

1 BHK at Ghobrah - Near Indian School. Contact: 99014885

150 Sqm Store, Darsait, RO 300/-.

Contact 95076261

3 flats in Mabellah for rent.

Contact 99445177

1 BHK near Medical, Darsait, RO 175/-. Contact 98748925

500 Sq Mtrs industrial land, leveled, ready to use with boundary wall, in Misfah industrial Area, block 2 near Baladiyah Camp, RO 600/-, monthly. Contact 94030814

Fully furnished one bedroom penthouse Wadi Kabir behind Sana Hassan, weekly RO.140/- Monthly RO 350/- Contact – 99349990 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khan co. OMR 1,500 Monthly. Electricity and boundary wall will be provided.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Family room available for rent at Muttrah Souq. Contact 24712088 / 99022790

1000 Sq Mtrs, Industrial Land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc. Contact 24700120, 92584715

Flat, shops, basement, Ruwi-MBD Area, Honda Road.

Contact 96942749, 92433127

Flat in Darsait. Contact 99326879

2 BHK, Al Khuwair. #99024730

Flat for rent in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact 99003626

New bldg 3 BR flats located at Darsait, Muscat close to Kims Pvt Hospital. Contact 92020004 / 99800838

Spacious well maintained 2 BHK at Rex Road from 1st February.

Contact 92227165

One bedroom flat, Muttrah, Corniche. Contact 99414644

Office space & store, CBD 20059.

Contact 99024730

Office space for rent in Ruwi, OMR 500. Contact 91120552

Flat for Rent in Ruwi, Bareeq Shatti, Mawalah.Contact 92521080, 98899916

Flat for rent Ghubrah South, ground floor flat, 3 bedrooms, majlis, family hall, RO 425/-. Contact 94669711

Al Qurum heights Sea view. # 99249069 / 92888376/ 93201688

Villa Al Athaibah near Oman post, 3 BHK hall, living room, maids room, split A/c, family only, RO 600/-.

Contact 92479515

1 BHK, Wadi Kabir. # 99024730

1 BHK with A/C, Al Ghubrah, RO 275/-. Contact 92144045

1&2 BHK flat & Shop for rent at MBD, Hamriya, Hallat sad, Al Khoudh area.

Contact: 24834644, 93994401, 02, 03

Studio, Al Athaibah, ground floor, 1 BHK, hall, 2 bathrooms, family only.

RO 250/-. Contact 92479515

For rent at Ruwi, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sitting, dining, kitchen with A/C near Al Falaj Hotel, Ruwi, Way 2116 building 577, rent RO 275, PDC. Contact 99879939

1 BHK, 2 BHK, Ghala, new bldg.

Contact 99024730

2 BHK flat for rent RO.350/- at Al Khuwair near Sultan Taimur Mosque. Contact – 98893294

1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880 1 BHK with attached toilet & bathroom behind Bank Muscat at Wadi Kabir. Contact 99373290, 24815012 1 BHK residential flat at Honda road.

2 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital. Contact93219590 Flat for rent 2 bedrooms one hall in South Al Hail. RO 270.

Contact 93221474 1 BHK flat Qurum RO.270/- with split A/C. Contact – 99358589 / 95570288 /97079146 2 BHK flat at Al Khuwair RO.370/with split A/C. Contact – 99358589 / 95570288 /97079146 If require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send messages through Whatsapp or call – 99376454 Luxury 2 bed room villa at BausherAL Ansab Phase 3.Call. 99324456

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT

FOR SALE

I room with attached toilet in Al Hail for bachelor, rent RO 100 to RO 130/-.

Contact 97661432

Building material shop for sale.

Opp Mars Hypermarket, Al Ghubrah.

Contact 99881647 / 93797343

Industrial empty plots 1000 – 15000 sqm are available in Misfah / Jiffnain rent for long lease, RO 1.200 per sq mt. Contact 96789522

For sale carpentry workshop with labor clearance in Wadi Al Kabir.

Contact 99345137

2 BHK with window A/C in Al Khoudh rent RO 250/-. Contact 97661432 Constructed warehouse 3000 sq mt with boundary wall & gate in Misfah ready for lease or rent for long term.

Rent RO 3.500 per sq. mt. #96789522 2 BHK at Al Azaiba, Building No.5145 Way 4470. Contact 99224748, 99425665 We have 1 BHK, 2 BHK, 3 BHK flats, 4, 5 bedrooms villa, open space offices & shops available in Ghala, Ghobrah, Qurum, Mabela, Ruwi, Darsait, Mumtaz, Wadi Kabir. All brand new buildings & very affordable prices.

Contact 93782735 / 99208033 For rent apartments: An apartment in old Muscat at Oman Arab Bank’s building. 3 bedrooms + 3 bathrooms, dining room, living room and a kitchen. Air conditioned apartments.

2 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms, living room, dining room area and kitchen in an excellent location in Al Khuwair opposite the court of first instance. For further information call 97072976 Apartments in Al Khuwair new area each apartment contains (2 bedrooms + living room) for RO 365. # 93181111 3 bedroom furnished Executive Apartment @Al Khuwair 25, 2 BR fully furnished Executive Apartment @Azaiba near Zubair Showroom, 2 BR fully furnished executive Apartment @Al Khuwair 33 near Zakher Mall. Please contact : Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC, 99249069 / 92888376 / 93201688, email : info@alshahiintl.com Industrial Land in Misfah.

Contact 93009999 Flats and shops. Contact 93009999 For rent (flats), 2 bedrooms + hall +kitchen, location: South Al Mawaleh.

Contact 99870020 1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880 Show room on the main road Saham center total area 450 m sq.

Contact: 99366558 / 99334226 Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat.

Contact 99349526 Flats ground floor, 3 Rooms & AC, kitchen, hall, in Al Mabaila South.

Contact 99377290 2 B/ R Fully Furnished Executive Apartment @ Al Khuwair 33 Near Zaker Mall.

3 Bedroom Furnished executive apartment @ Al Khuwair 25. 5 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished villas at Azaiba with servants, 3 Bedroom Unfurnished Villa @ Mawalah South Area 6 with Servant Quarter, 5 Bedroom Unfurnished Villa @ An Apartment that resembles a penthouse has 2 rooms with 2 toilets, living room & an elegant balcony.

Fully furnished, suited for families.

Final price RO.300/- Mabela 8 near German University. #99888400 New Villa for Rent Two floors newly built villa in Maabillah, 8 Fullfledged Residential Area 6 Rooms, 8 Toilets, excellent finishing spacious Kitchen, Big Dining Rooms in Both Floors, Easy Access to Muscat and Sohar using Maabillah Bridge.

Contact 92828303 2 BR, 2 toilets, kitchen at Al Mawaleh. #99444786, 99747560

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. Tel: 97000155 or 92688692 Used first class office furniture for immediate sale. 3 Office Tables + Side Tables, Steel cabinets, Conference Table + Chairs etc. Excellent condition. Ideal for small start ups.

Contact: 92193885 Sales of Indian Schools girls uniform readymade, stitching facility, contact our showroom : Fashion park, opp. Happy Centre, Ruwi.

Contact 95717201 / 95331600, Email : muscatfiroz@gmail.com Dental clinic for sale in Sohar. Contact immediately 99705760,92625962 Well running fast food and coffee shop for sale or rent in Al Khuwair.

Contact 97646492

AVAILABLE

Sale of used commercial kitchen equipment in Ghala.

Contact 99024519

Established Restaurant for rent with sponsorship.Contact 97628242

600 sq mtrs residential land in Misfah Phase 2. OMR 25 Thousand.

Tel : 99333479 or 95215360

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

Sinaw Gift House & Shopping Center for sale at Sinaw in good condition, with very good business opportunities. Contact 99738014, 95652642 Good running boutique and ladies tailoring shop in MBD Area for immediate sale. Contact 95123679, 99885298

ACC. AVAILABLE

Toshiba Laptop I 3, 3 GB ram, 500 GB hard disk with graphics card, in very good condition. Contact 94412557

Sharing room with A/c and attached toilet available for non cooking bachelors for male/ Female. opp. of Al nada hospital service road, Street name- Hellat Al Saad, bldg.no. 1670.

Contact no. 96913801

Running Medical Centre with full equipments is available for sale. Those interested can contact 98994208.

Ghubrah furnished room with attached bath, dish, wi-fi available for executive person. Contact 98266157

If you have any empty land, plot, building, villa to sell. Contact with all information : info@goldenllc.com

Furnished room with AC for expat, Al Khuwair. Contact 99689315 / 97004265

Restaurant for leasing/sale in Al Hail. Contact 94148970, 94148972, 97820877

WANTED

Beauty Salon, Wadi Kabir, Al Hassan Co. Contact 95241147, 96700192 Darsait Business Office furniture, Isuzu 4 ton brand new.

Contact 91391363 A/C spares shop for sale in Seeb.

Contact 92693304 / 91445876 Villa for sale in new Al Khoudh.

Contact 99778773 Port cabins – New & refurnished Porta cabin for sale and rent.

Contact 96723468 Clinic for sale. Contact 99824232, email : modern.medicalclinic@gmail. com 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 A newly opened Barber Shop for sale at upcoming industrial zone in Misfah. Expat leaving Oman.

Genuine buyers call 93833107 (Sale Price Negotiable) New fully equipped 2 chair dental clinic in Seeb area for immediate sale. MOH approved. #94514045

Running Workshop for Tiles / Marble & Granite cutting & skirting in Wadi Kabir for immediate sale.

Contact 99105492 Household items on sale.

Contact 93833107 Flats for Sale in Bowshar: OMR 35 Thousand 1 bedroom. OMR 45 Thousand 2 bedroom. Monthly income 1 bedroom OMR 270 and 2 bedroom OMR 350. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Sale!, all household items, like fridge, freezer, cooking range, washing machine, window/split A/Cs, LCD TV, Laptop, tab and many more for attractive prices. Location : near Toyota service Center, Honda Road. Contact - 97048983, 95293643 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

Urgently Required 5000 used shuttering Jacks for Construction Company. Contact: 92867677

BUYING/SELLING I am looking for a VCR Video for a price. Please call me if you have one in stock. Contact 99291154 We are looking for construction company at any level to buy.

Contact 97413496 Looking for purchase of Used Portable Compressor (350 CFM, 7 Bar Pressure) powered with Diesel run Generator.

Kindly Contact 99014686 or operation@khancogroup.com Looking for commercial lands for sale in Al Ghobrah North (urgent serious buyers, commercial lands in al Ghobrah North (corners prime location). Contact 91155779

ACC.WANTED Single room or studio flat required in Ruwi area. Contact : 95405033

Room available in Ruwi near Badr Al Samaa for Executive bachelor or couple, RO 125/- including W/E. Contact 92196783 Furnished sharing one room with bath at Darsait near ISM. Contact 95257213 1 room balcony toilet for Indian lady / small family near Khimji Institute (NIIT) near Ruwi Church.

Contact # 99746379 Independent room, kitchen and bathroom available near Ruwi roundabout. Contact 99016562 4 bedrooms house and one bedroom attached bathroom sharing kitchen in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 96639246 Spacious semi-furnished room with separate entrance, attached washroom for non-cooking Indian Bachelor near ISG. Contact 95146361, 92657598 Single room attached bathroom, kitchen, split A/C, Al Ghubrah near Mars Hypermarket, OR 180/-.

Contact 95094028 Single room available for exec bachelor, Muttrah opp Oman House.

Contact 93340125

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished single room with separate bathroom near al meera hypermarket, azaiba. Gsm 94288863 Independent rooms in Qurum/ Al Hail. Contact 95529970 Furnished single room with attached bathroom near Mars Hypermarket, Al Ghubrah.

Contact 97312111, RO 150/per month Independent room furnished Executive at Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99336206 Rooms for rent in Al Hail, front of the Wave. Contact 95192927 Room with separate toilet and WiFi, Wadi Kabir near pencil building.

Contact 93416854 2 Bedroom flat for offices with furniture near Al Manaf Hotel, Ghala.

Contact 99525743, 99439705 Excellent 3 bedrooms , 2 sitting rooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen & store with A/C. 92817777

CHANGE OF NAME I, Kattakampal Kumaran Sudhakumaran (holder of Indian Passport No. K3696055) son of K.V.Kumaran having permanent address in Kattakampal House, Kattakampal, P.O, Thrissur Dt KeralaIndia (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in P.O. Box 34, P.C 114, Jibroo Muttrah, Sultanate of Oman (complete postal address in Oman) intend to change my name from Kattakampal Kumaran Sudhakumaran (old name) to Kattakampal Kumaran Sudhakaran (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.B. No 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT SALES / MARKETING

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Urgently required a dynamic Marketing Executive for a furniture company. Should posses a valid Omani Driving License. #97164554 / aliasgar@ultimate-furniture.com

Indian female, 25 yrs, bachelors of businesses management, having experience of 5 years as a fund/ financial administration, on visit visa,looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94662416 Apurwaverma@gmail.com

Urgently needed, Projects Sales Executives (3), Store Helpers (2), kitchen carpenters (2), Office Assistants/Secretary (2) (All male only) for a leading building material trading company. Candidates with right education, experience and D/L (Sales), please email CV to trend1993@yahoo.com Urgently required Sales Personnel (full time / part time) - 5 to 10 yrs experience in Building Materials, knowledge of Arabic is an advantage, should have car. Email : alnajjardevelopmentco@gmail.com Reputed Building Materials Company looking for Outdoor Sales Executive having valid Omani D/L with more than 2 yrs Local Sales Experience in Tiles/Sanitaryware.

Please fax your CV to 24798709 / email : united@omantel.net.om A reputed Electrical Material Company is looking for dynamic & hardworking salesman with minimum 2 yrs experience in same field of GCC with valid GCC Driving License for its Mussanah office for Al-Batina Region. Send CV to al.senair@gmail.com, contact : 98534685, 26868984 Looking for outdoor salesman for heavy equipments.

Contact- 93292015, 99656542

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED ADMIN/HR

Opportunities for Logistics Staff Agility, a leading international logistics company, is seeking to recruit an experienced & knowledgeable candidate for its Oman operations for the below vacancy.

Position will be at Muscat.

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE We are looking for a part time accountant for our office . Must have knowledge of Tally soft ware . Working hour is flexible , but not after 5 pm .Please contact by email : sales@petromaroman.com / mobile + 968 99338105 Required experienced Accountant Tally, excellent English & driving license. Contact – omanlaw.om@gmail.com / 24497762 / 92192510 Wanted Accountant part time job in Company, email : anas@kenzostone.com, nabil@kenzostone.com Male Accouuntant required in Ghala. Candidates present in Oman only. # 99454425, Email: qamest@omantel.net.om

ADMIN Construction Company requires female executive assistant, with good computer and communication skills, advanced English, fluent Arabic. Please send your CV harun.koyyar@adaliholding.com

BEAUTY Urgently required Beautician visa available. Contact 97172334

DESIGNER Urgently required Interior Designer qualified with minimum 5 yrs experience, capable to execute internal / external decorations to work for a leading construction company.

Email : alfayafy@outlook.com or fax : 24479675 Required part time web designer with experience in CMS background. Send your CV & sample work to hrmedia123@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELPER House driver for Salalah. Contact 95600011, 99081190

DRIVER A reputed Catering Company in Muscat urgently requires Omani heavy truck (Freezer) drivers – 4 yrs experience with PDO license will mostly be preferred. Interested candidates send CV to : email : info@rcsoman.com or fax : 24478123, GSM : 99869949 / 95892831 Wanted driver. Contact 95112461

ENGINEERS Omani Trainers & OJT’s for Mechanical / Electrical / Instrumentation & Business with suitable qualification and min 5 yrs experience in Oil & Gas. Very attractive salary offered. Suitable candidates send your CV to trainingjobsoman@gmail.com

MECHANICAL A well reputed fabrication & machining workshop Company in Oman requires experienced (5 yrs) Machinist in Milling, turning & surface grinding.

Contact 99228046, email : oman518@gmail.com Urgently required AC Mechanic.

Contact 97075347 / 99747684

MEDICAL Dentist required to work urgently in dreams clinic at Al Khoud and must be resident in Sultanate of Oman.

Please send your CV to the following email – towershr70@gmail.com / balushi70@gmail.com / info@towersinternationalgroups.com Mobile – 99882340 / 24545914

European woman looking for someone to look after baby.

Contact 99797290

Wanted Pharmacist (B.Pharm), Staff Nurses (female), Dental Technician (Acrylic, Ceramic & veneer experience), with or without MOH license for a polyclinic near Sohar.

Excellent Salary package. Contact 99006915, dxbclinic@yahoo.com

European Family looking for maid and or cook.

Email: cv.lo.oman@gmail.com

Wanted female physiotherapist with MOH License. Send CV at Email : info@sagarpolyclinic.com

DOMESTIC HELPER

Assistant Manager Freight Forwarding Operations 3 Bachelor’s Degree 3 Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills 3 Ability to prioritize, Organize and accomplish tasks within specified deadlines 3 8 - 10 years of relevant experience in leading Multinational Freight Forwarding companies, with sound knowledge of freight route & carriers.

3 Ability to manage a team of 5-6 members and prior experience in leading a team 3 Extensive exposure to Air, Ocean & Road Freight products in GCC 3 Proficiency in attending to RFQ’s and freight tenders 3 Experience in projects handling would be an added advantage 3 Should hold a valid GCC driving license Interested candidates may send your cv to oman@agility.com quoting the position in subject line or alternatively fax to 24583344.

MEDICAL Required laboratory technician & 4 nurse Filipina (female) for health center in Sohar. Contact: 92369417, Email: shafii_17@hotmail.com Wanted Female Staff Nurse with MOH Licence/Prometric passed candidates (immediate placement)for a Medical Clinic in Muscat area Contact :+ 968 98185250 e mail:fizashafir@gmail.com Wanted Physiotherapist and Lab Technician to work in medical center in AlSeeb. Contact 99023006 Required the following staffs for a medical complex in Salalah urgently 1) Female Gynecologist, Arab Nationality, 2) Male Pharmacist, Indian, 3) Lab Technician, Indian.

Those interested kindly contact 97413418, 92732491.

Please send your resume to careclinicsalalah@gmail.com General practitioner Doctor is required to work urgently in Dreams Clinic at Al Khoudh and must be resident in the Sultanate of Oman.

Please send your CV to the following email: towershr70@gmail.com, balushi70@gmail.com & info@towersinternationalgroups. com, Mobile 99882340, Tel: 24545914 Urgently required a GP Doctor with MOH license for a leading Medical Clinic. # 92008272 / 96602188, email : dearnaif@hotmail.com

Urgently required an experienced Pharmacist with MOH License for a reputed Pharmacy in Muscat.

Please send CV to newcareesr2015@gmail.com

MANAGER Brand new restaurant requires: Restaurant Managers – Degree / Diploma in Hotel Management with minimum 5/6 yrs Gulf experience. Omani / Yamani cook minimum 5 yrs experience.

Interested candidates send CV to : Email : info@rcsoman.com or fax : 24478123, GSM : 95892831

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Required driver with car, looking for a person with experience in making gift boxes and special packing. Send CV to abba201541@yahoo.com

SALES / MARKETING

Indian male MBA 32 yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking suitable placement in Admin/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics etc. Holding valid Oman D/L .Contact - 99054786 Masters in Law, MBA in HR, experienced and highly qualified lady Indian nationality looking for job in Admin or as Legal Advisor in reputed firms. Contact 92595933 Indian female Graduation in computer Science having 2 yrs experience in Oman seeking for suitable job in Admin/HR, email : maluvijayan40@gmail.com or contact 92014628 Post Graduate Indian male, MBA (Hospital Administration) having 4 Years experience in hospital administration looking for suitable placement. Currently on visit.

Contact: 96701543, 92945632 HR & Admin Assistant, 26 yrs Indian male having 6+Yrs of experience looking for suitable position.

Contact 93264616 Indian female with excellent communication skills, confident, dedicated to work and enthusiastic.

Knowledge about ms office. Has 6 years of experience in customer service, telecommunication, HR.Looking for immediate placement. Contact # 97348819

ARCHI./ DRAUGHTSMAN 28 yrs Indian male, M.Arch, 3.5 yrs exp in Green Building Architecture seeking placement. #91540113, Email: abdulmomin.h@gmail.com AutoCAD jobs, Preparing Working/ Shop Drawings & Civil Quantity Surveying jobs. Contact : 92758095

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Indian male having 14 years of experience in Various dept. (stockbroking Dealing, Back Office Accounts, Dmat, Settlement, Risk management, Maintaining Books of accounts ETC).Having Good Computer Knowledge seeking suitable placement. # +91 9820240094 Email Id: vora_bharat@yahoo.com, Indian Male 25 years B.Com having 3 years of exp of Oman in Accounts/Administration.Well versed with computer knowledge looking for suitable position. Immidiately available. Contact:93207867 email: tambeazhar@gmail.com Male Indian, 22 yrs, B.Sc, Computer science on visit valid upto 10/02/2015 looking for a suitable placement. Contact 92579790 Accountant, Indian Male, B.Com, MBA presently working in Oman since 9 yrs having suitable change, NOC/Release available. #94134085, email : muscatoman95@yahoo.com Indian Male, MBA, B.com Having 7 yrs of experience in finance Department (Trading & Logistics) with knowledge of ERP & Tally, and Oman valid D/L. NOC is available looking for suitable Position contact No.99279626 Email ID: magdum28@gmail.com Indian male, BE MBA PMP having 20 yrs exp in Civil Residential Commercial Infra Construction and contract management looking for role in Project / Program Management. NOC available. Contact 94634053 Accounts Manager, 8 yrs experience in trade, construction and real estate looking for suitable placement. Contact 94669596 Indian male, B.Com with 2 yrs Oman exp & 4.5 yrs Accounts exp looking for suitable placement in Accounts with NOC letter. Email : parasunadkat12@gmail.com Part time Accounts & Finalization job. Contact 96536955 Pakistani Male MBA having 4 years experience in Accounting looking for job.NOC Available. # 95610772 Accountant, B.Com, MBA, Indian male, having 4 yrs GCC exp in similar field, valid Omani D/L & NOC available. shinuyesodharan@gmail. com, contact : 91719385 Indian male, 24 yrs MBA, having 2 yrs of experience in financial accounting finalization, knowledge of Tally, ERP, focus, wings, PEACHTREE, MS Excel, Payroll, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement available immediately. #91058205, email :aslammohammed10@gmail.com Indian male, 29 yrs, Accounts / Administrator, 1.8 yrs exp in Gulf seeking employment for suitable position. NOC available.

Contact 93581182 Pakistani male, 25 yrs, MBA Finance, 1.6 yrs exp in Accounts seeking placement in Accounts, Administration or Business Management. Contact 92651927 / 94250149 Male, 4 yrs of experience as Financial Analyst looking for suitable position. Contact 94140728 B.Com Graduate, 3 yrs experience in Accounts, Indian male, looking for accounts or suitable job.

Contact- afsarsabith@yahoo.com, 93975526

Accounts part time works upto finalization & finalization works.

Contact 96247295

Part time Accountant with 15 yrs exp in Accounting, Auditing, Taxation Management.#95857199

Accountant / Auditor, Srilankan male 27, having 3+ yrs experience looking for suitable placement.

Contact 93556320

Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331

Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit visa. Contact 92045306

Highly reputed Perfume Company requires Omani Sales girl promoters. Contact 95663682, 92956876

India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placement. Contact:93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com

Required an experienced person who has ideas to start a new business in electrical field or supply with minimum cost.

Contact 99426421

Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com

DESIGNER AutoCAD Interior Designer / detailer, 9 yrs GCC experience seeking for a suitable opening in a reputed company, NOC available from current employer. Contact 92110589 Indian female, 25yrs BscFASHION DESIGNING, 3yers experience in designing field and teaching. looking for a sutable placement. Contact: 98785310.

Email: vinaya.m.nair@gmail.com

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D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED DRIVER

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Light Driver having own visa looking for job as driver Contact 92303692

Indian male on Visit Visa. Expert in ELV systems, Instrumentation, PID controllers, Embedded systems, Electronics CAD. 20years experience. Contact 98915066

Indian Female, 28 yrs Staff Nurse, 7 yrs of experience (4 yrs in Gulf) presently working in India, Oman Prometric passed 63%, valid BLS & ACLS certificates, looking for suitable job in Muscat area.

Email : anishaabrahamc@gmail.com or call 93137898

Sales & Marketing Indian male MBA (marketing & sales) business development experience at all levels of management. Currently on visit visa. Contact – 91272819

Bangladeshi male, light driver, exp 6 yrs looking for job. Contact 97460056 Oman experienced Bangladesh Driver available. Contact 96692774 Light driver & delivery boy available. Experience & Graduate.

Contact 98987475 Office Executive light driver, 2 yrs exp. Contact 93408758 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 94077119 Driver with car. Contact 91452930 Indian Driver need job with car.

Contact 91254539 Light vehicle driver looking for job, experience 2 yrs. Contact 94195818 LV Driver- 2 yrs Exp-know English- Contact 95292064 Light vehicle driver looking for job.

Contact 95141473 Light Driver looking for job.

Contact 92787245 Driver seeking job. #99805236 6 Years experience light duty driver.

Contact – 96736744 Light driver looking for job.

Contact 92791678

EDUCATION English Teacher (M.A, B.Ed) Indian female with 2yrs of experience looking for suitable position # - 91507099.

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian Female, 24, UK Graduate - MSc Digital Communication Network Engineering with B.Tech Electronics and Communication with Omani Driving License, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 95408113 Sudanese Mechanical Engineer, 3 yrs experience in HVAC fire fighting, NOC and driving license available. Contact 91135140 Diploma of Associate Civil Engineering, Diploma of AutoCad, having 3.5 yrs experience, 2 yrs experience of Oman in Building Construction, valid transferrable ID Card.

Contact 94378581 Indian B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, 26 yrs, 4 yrs experience in HVAC/MEP. Contact 94669629, rajeevhpd15@yahoo.com 26, female, B.Tech in Electronics & biomedical engineering with 1 And Half yrs experience in medical field is seeking suitable job openings.

Email : aswathiravirak@gmail.com, ph : 94652908 Telecommunication Engineer with 5 yrs experience in the Gulf.

Contact 95219822 Electrical Project Engineer, 4 yrs experience OHL, Substations, Oil & Gas field, AutoCAD. D/L available.

Contact 95120225 Civil Engineer with 12 years Experience Looking For Job. Contact 98162295 Indian male, 26 yrs B-Tech (ECE) with MBA in Marketing / HR looking for a suitable placement. Currently on visit visa valid up to 30 January 2015. Contact 93754428, email : shijosirius709@gmail.com DAE (Civil) having 3.5 years Experience 2 years from Oman with driving licences, seeking for suitable position in Construction field NOC and release available . Contact 96968554 Email: mehranahmad26@yahoo.com M. Tech Electrical Eng. Female, now in visit visa.

Contact +968-94654481.

Quantity Surveyor (Civil Building) looking for Part time job Contact no:94391712 E-mail addressinayathhussain@yahoo.com Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Civil Engineer B Tech, Site Engineer Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa Ph : 91642050 Looking Part time Job in HVACContact - 93198128

Indian Civil Engineer, M.Tech in Construction Management, Primavera Expert looking for suitable placement. Contact 92550987

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Civil Engineer, 3 yrs experience.

Contact 92613467

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian female, Electrical Engineer (family visa) M-Tech in Power System having 1 yr experience seeking suitable placement.#94306164 Project Engineer (B.E Civil) having 10 yrs experience in Interior fit out industry looking for suitable opening from reputed companies (NOC available) from current employer.

Contact 91403433 Chemical Engr with experience in analytical instrumentation, bulk drugs and herbal production.

Contact apssasif@gmail.com Aircraft Maintenance Technician with one year experience seeks suitable placement. Contact amaljohn2002@gmail.com Generator maintenance in charge with 4 yrs experience with Cummins, caterpillar, kirloskar and voltas. Contact - email: shibinmundakkal@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer,(BE in Mechanical) with Certified quality controller - NDT level 2 qualified as per ASNT - SNT-TC-I A, having experience as quality control engineer in India, presently on visit visa, seeks suitable placement .

Cont : suhylehameed@gmail.com / 95405033 Indian male, (MCA, B.Sc Maths) locally available with 4 yrs experience in Software Engineering (IOS Development) also experienced IT & Maths Teacher.

Contact 93396053, 93927437, email: vishnursk@gmail.com Indian male, 28 yrs, Electrical Engineer, 5 yrs Gulf Oman experience in HV and LV Installation work seeking placement. NOC available.

Contact 91391587 Diploma Civil Engineer, Indian male, 29, 4 yrs experience in building construction field, 2 yrs experience with consulting company in Oman driving license and release available from current company. Contact 93282447, cv.shihabedappal@gmail.com Diploma in Civil Engineer, 6 yrs experience in Oman with D/L. Contact 94052815

Seeking job, BTech Instrumentation, 12 years experience Design, FEED, Detailed engineering, Oil & Gas, Instrumentation systems, Oman Driving license.

Email :- wilfridsjacob@gmail.com Mobile:- 00968 99048130 B.E Mechanical Engineer, Indian Male, 29, 5 years experience in steel fabrication field (piping and structural) as site engineer. Looking for suitable placement. #96115463.

Jijoraju085@yahoo.com.

HOSPITALITY M.Sc International Tourism & hotel management UK Graduated with Omani D/L seeking job as CRE, tour operations & marketing in hospitality & tourism industry.

Contact 91640428

INFORMATION TECH BCA Graduate, Indian male with 1yr of exp in System Admin, IT Support, Network Admin and 1yr exp as sales Executive.CCNA,MCSE .looking for suitable job. # 95938303 email- hafsalhs@gmail.com IT Professional, 7 yrs exp in System Administration, IT Support, Networking etc. currently on visit visa. Contact 94064579, email : preejes01@gmail.com Well qualified Indian female, B.Sc & Computer’s Diploma with 7 yrs experience in reputed companies as Executive Secretary excellent knowledge in MS Office and manage task independently seeks placement. Contact 95423692 MBA (Systems) with MCSA Certified having more than 10 years of experience in Computer Hardware & Networking , Specialization in Server Configuration, Windows Server 2012, Redhat Linux Enterprise 6.0, VPN Firewall, Router, & CCTV Installation and Maintenance seeks suitable placement.

Now in visit visa & back to India on 26/01/15. E-mail : pkram1977@outlook.com & Mob#+968 95642554

Mechanical Engineer, Indian male, 6 yrs experience, 3 yrs in GCC, seeking suitable opening in Oil & Gas Sector, have valid GCC D/L. email : msfebco@gmail.com, Contact 91228398

ERP Specialist, 14 yrs exp, Indian male, (VB.NET & SQL Server) able to handle in-house development single handedly. Release/NOC available, valid D/L. Contact 93047636

B. Tech Civil Eng. 3 yrs exp in Oman with driving license.

Contact 93733627.

Mail id : joinvisam@gmail.com, neethusprakash@gmail.com

M.Tech-IT professional, Indian Male specialist in Networking, Configuring maintaining and managing servers, Exp in configuring cisco products, Knowledge in SQL database. Contact:+968 98536430, +968 98743886

Building Construction Sr. Site Supervisor looking for better opportunity since March 2010 in Oman with Omani D/L. Contact 93061107 Diploma in Civil Engineer, 20 yrs in Oman with D/L. Contact 94677220 39, Indian Male, Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, 6 yrs experience steel fabrication, maintenance of heavy equipments in Oman, 10 yrs in India, having Omani Driving License, NOC available. Contact 96728805, email : jansanjosep@yahoo.co.in Diploma in Civil Engineer, 15 yrs Oman experience (total 28 yrs) looking for senior position with valid D/L, NOC available. Contact 99013465 Pakistani male, 41 yrs Electrical Foreman, 9 yrs exp in Gulf seeking employment for suitable position.

NOC release. Contact 99562454, 92896190 HSE Officer, 8 yrs experience NEBOSH OSHA having NOC, seeking good opportunity.

Contact 98640063 Experienced female Electrical Engineer.Contact 93800906 Jordanian Engineer Electrical 7 yrs exp. Consulting, site & shop drawing works. Ready to join immediately.

Worked in UAE & Saudi Arabia.

Contact - 00971555594733

Indian Male 23 yrs – IT / Pre-post Sales Consultant / Business Analyst / Web Designing. 2 yrs. exp.

Languages-HTML5, WebRTC, Java, CSS, C++, .Net, SQL, Oracle, ERPMicrosoft Dynamics CRM. Looking for suitable job.

Contact: 98802504, email:shrihari26@gmail.com

Warehouse Manager with 10+ yrs Oman experience in Building Material and construction field with D/L, release available. Contact 99883712 Indian male Graduate with 20+ years of Administration, Operations & Management experience in IT, Oil & Gas & Hospitality Industry. 12 years in Oman with vast contacts, very strong management, operational, communication and interpersonal skills, can handle any size of business and projects whether it’s in initial stage or established. Can join immediately. Local release available on request. Contact: 9906 4589 Indian male, having 18 yrs experience in “Automatic door opening and closing system.” From Riyadh as Manager and Department Head.

Contact +97466912692 Techno Commercial Manager, Indian, well experienced in Oman.

Vast knowledge in Operations, Business development, Logistic / Purchase, General administration.

Looking for suitable opening.

NOC Possible, Contact - 96599704 Project Manager more than 20 yrs experience, 15 yrs in Sultanate of Oman in construction field.

Contact 93385789 Qualified Manager: (12+ yrs. Oman Exp.) Vast knowledge in A/c & Admin, Costing, Banking, Credit Control, Insurance, International Purchase/Logistics & Finance, With D/L looking for suitable position.

Gsm: 93826090 Email: jskanchan01@gmail.com Indian female with nine years of experience in 5 Star hotels as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager looking for a suitable placement in a reputed Star hotel.

Contact 91219787

MECHANICAL/TECH. Electrical Technician with 7 yrs experience in the field of oil & gas. Contact 96946044 / 94682982 Indian Electronics & Communication with transmission project, embedded designing, telecommunication experience (3 yrs) having visit visa looking for suitable placement in Oman.

Contact Mohammed Arshad Khan – 93398772, email : eng.mohdarshadkhan@gmail.com Indian male, 27 yrs, B.Tech Mechanical, 1 yr pipeline experience seeking job in any mechanical field, NOC available, available in Oman till 31st Jan. Contact 95982207, rahman.taus@gmail.com

MEDICAL Medical- Indian female, 27 yrs, masters in hospital administration, fellowship in HTA studied in a super specialty medical sciences and research center in India and done project in an established hospital in sultanate of Oman.

Contact 93200827, 91026506 Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378

B.Tech IT Professional, Indian Male with 3 yrs of Exp. In System Admin, IT Support, Networking, Installing Active Directory, DHCP, DNS,RAS, configuring maintaining and managing servers, configuring cisco routers, Exp in handling SQL database, With Valid Driving Licence.

Contact - 968 98863507

Indian male, B.Sc nurse with critical care specialization, 16 yrs experience including GCC Oman Prometric passed, seeking for good posting.

Contact 91124083, 96132494

IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp, seeks suitable position.

Contact 94543668

Male Nurse -prometric exam passed and valid till feb21-5year experience.

Allwyn Davidallwyndavid123@gmail.com Contact 94686268, 92800101

IT Professional, Indian male, B.Sc Graduate with 4+ yrs Gulf (UAE) good exp in System Administration, IT Support, Server Desktop, laptop, smartboard, datashow biometric, CCTV, currently on visit visa.

Contact 98936548, Email: vaseemj@yahoo.com

Indian female Nurse, 4 yrs experience Prometric passed, seeking for good posting. Contact 92917448, 97362119

Indian female, 26, Pharmacist with MOH license, 3.5 yrs of experience in India, seeking suitable placement.

Contact 94474924, Email: suryacprasad88@gmail.com Indian male Pharmacist (B.Pharma) 5 1/2 years experience in Oman seeking suitable placement in Muscat. NOC from the present employer available.

Contact +968 98525100

Female Pharmacist with MOH license seeking suitable job Contact 93215380 Female dentist with MOH license and with Noc looking for suitable placement in Muscat region Contact no. 99147426

MISCELLANEOUS MBA Finance, 7 yrs exp in Financial & Banking Sector seeks suitable position with Driving License.

Contact 98371903 Quality Assurance Officer, ISO Quality System Internal Auditor, BSc Graduate, female 27, with 4 years experience seeks suitable placement.

Contact nipuni.d.silva@gmail.com Microbiologist & Quality Assurance Executive, BSc Graduate, female, 27 with 4 yrs experience in food industry looking for a suitable placement.

Email : nipuni.d.silva@gmail.com Logistics Officer, Experience in Store keeping. Contact : 99505934

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Indian female, well experienced in secretarial, administration, customer care & supervisory jobs.

5 years experience in Muscat.

Immediately available for joining.

Contact: 92139298

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Civil foreman maintenance D/L, 12 yrs in Oman, 2 yrs in Kuwait.

Contact 96405865, 99534138, India - +91 7589248550, +91 9464255409, email: sukhwinder9@yahoo.com

SALES / MARKETING Indian Male, MBA in Marketing and Finance, 10 years’ Sales & Business Development Experience with valid D/L of Oman & UAE looking for a suitable placement. NOC Available.

Contact: 93969961 e-mail abhilash.pvrk@gmail.com Indian MBA-Marketing & Systems Manager having 6 yrs experience in Solar System & Inverters seeking suitable placements. Contact 97892269 / 99046313 Pakistani male, 34, College 2 yrs, 2 yrs experience as Sales Representative, 3 yrs experience as Clerk / Office Assistant, 3 yrs experience as Salesman in Oman, Computer Skills : Excel, BUSY, ERP, languages known – English, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu. Contact 96763346 Pakistani Graduate have a two years experience in sales/marketing in Muscat. Have a valid driving license.

Fluent in English and Arabic.

Need a suitable position.

Contact 95919265 Indian male, 30 yrs, 8 yrs + experience in Sales & Marketing, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 95601197 Indian Male having 7 yrs in experience in Oman Sales & Marketing Office Automation Printer, Copier, MFP, IT products & Stationery. Looking for Suitable Placement NOC Available Contact :97384748 Oracle certified BE (CS) Indian male with skills in OCA (DBA, SQL10g, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 98436022/99848874 Email: rineel2005@yahoo.com Young Energetic Male, with Oman work experience in the field of Sales/ Marketing and Administration.

Currently on a visit visa seeking suitable position.

Contact 97832289. wakakhan.1@gmail.com

Indian male, 32 yrs, total 8+ yrs experience with 4+ yrs experience of Sales and Marketing in Oman, seeking job.

NOC available. #95731981 Dynamic Indian male Graduate with experience in Sales and Marketing of luxury auto brands, having 8 yrs of Oman experience with D/L currently in Oman.

Contact 93342565, 99364437, email : manojkpa@rediffmail.com US / AUS IT educated, 16 yrs experience in Business Development, Sales, Marketing, HR/Admin looking for suitable position.

Contact 93649932 in Muscat MBA, 26 years male, 4 Year Experience (1year Banking experience in UAE) seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 94600128 Email: hassan_imran_ch@hotmail.com Filipino Male, 26 yrs old looking for any job in restaurant or hotel or Sales or finance and having exp total of 8 yrs in all these fields. #92156753 MBA Graduate with valid Omani D/L looking for suitable job. # 94143683 MBA with 6 yrs experience in Sales & Marketing with Omani Driving License seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94685706 Croatan Woman, 12 yrs experience in Sales. Contact 99797290 18 yrs Oman experience in Building Materials seeking suitable placement, NOC available. # 93105775 Indian male having 6 yrs experience of working in Oman with Advertising, Interiors, Events, Purchase & Accounts valid Oman D/L looking for suitable job. Contact 98851980 Indian male, MBA 9+ yrs Oman exp in Sales & Marketing in FMCG (F & B) sector on a Supervisor / managerial role with D/L & Local NOC available. Contact 97912789 Young female, having experience of working in Oman with expertise in the field of Event Management, Advertising, Marketing and Hotel Management. Currently on a visit visa. Seeking for a suitable Job. Contact 96153578 Indian male, 25yrs, MBA in HR/ Marketing.6yrs exp with MNC and pharma. Presently in family visit visa looking for suitable placements.

Contact no-94657379/ 96645182 Indian male, B.Com, 20 yrs experience in Sales & Marketing having UAE light D/L looking for suitable post. Contact +91 9946699062, email : sajim40@gmail.com Indian male, 26, MBA Marketing, 1 yr GCC experience Oman, license.

Contact +91 9946308583, haris.hameedali@gmail.com

TOUR / TRAVELS IATA Certified experienced Indian Lady looking for job.

Currently on visit.

Contact 94613747, 91339846

MISCELLANEOUS Indian female, 25 yrs, B.Com with computer Application, 1 yr experience as Accountant, looking for suitable job. Contact 98847165 Graduate, Indian, having 6 yrs experience in Sales with D/L, NOC available. Contact 93410723 Indian female, 25 yrs, M.Sc Software Engg., on visit visa having 2 yrs experience in IT & Admin seeks suitable placement.

Contact 96985150, Email: anucherian15@gmail.com MBA Marketing with 10 years experience in Oman and Pakistan, sales of industrial equipment and machinery, now on visit visa looking for job. Contact 99189286

15 years experience in Business Development , marketing, purchase – UAE & Oman-staff coordination, documentation, civil & technical maintenance, -valid GCC license-looking for working partnership or management post. Contact:91568362 / Email vpj555pem@gmail.com

Pakistani Male Having 5 year experience Valid Omani license working in Transport Division looking for a suitable position .Salary is negotiable...naveedmuhammad037@gmail.com Mob:93363316

Indian Male, 7 yrs experience in building materials trading having Oman D/L, immediate release available. Contact 98676713

Indian male, B.com with tally, having 11 years experience in accounting, looking for a part time job. contact.96423671

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

EVERY FRIDAY 2.00PM ON INDIA’S KAIRALI PEOPLE TV

● Worldwide ● Air Ticket ● Car Rental ● Holiday Packages ● Hotel Reservations ● Travel Insurance

Call: +96824790400, +96898569830 Email: info@omanorienttravels.com

SITUATION WANTED Diploma Holder, Now working as logistic coordinator/ salesman with one year experience , Seeking for Suitable Jobs in Oman, NOC available, Trying for License , Contact 94440370 Indian Male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations, seeking suitable Manager/Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/NOC Available.

GSM: 95036410 B pharm, Indian female, Oman MOH License holder, seeking job.

Email- shivallath@gmail.com.

Contact no:99665183 Part- Time Accountant, well versed with all accounting, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 A young, Bsc & B.Ed female graduate with 9 months of teaching experience in science subjects looking for suitable position in reputed organisation. Currently on Visit Visa. Please contact: 92282796 Accountant, Indian male,29 years.

Presently working in Oman as Accountant.7 years Successful experience in Accounts with Oman Driving license, seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 98184170 Civil Engineer, B.E in civil, Experience in Oman approx in two years.

Cell no : 94389853 Email: faheemdeer1986@gmail.com.

30 year Indian male MSW- HR ,with 5 yrs Professional experience in HR in Construction Oil & Gas Oman seeking suitable placement.

Contact me in 93488914 Indian male 23 yrs, 4 yrs experienced in Architectural Draughtsman looking for a suitable Post GSM:96023726, Email jayan.mathew009@gmail.com 26 year Indian male BMS (Building Management System) Engineer with 4yrs of experience in Security systems(CCTV, access control systems, fire alarm systems and public addressing systems) seeking suitable placement. Contact +91 9884277198, E-mail: yuvarajsd@yahoo.com Diploma Holder, Now working as logistic coordinator/ salesman with one year experience, seeking for Suitable Jobs in Oman, NOC available, Trying for License.

Contact 94440370 Indian male, 4 Years experienced in Architectural & Structural Draughtsman, looking for a suitable Post GSM:96023726, Email :jayan.mathew009@gmail.com

Accountant ,Indian male,24 years. Presently working in Oman as Accountant.2 years experience in Accounts with oman Driving license. NOC available..

Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 93409315 Indian male 25 B.Tech (IT) Engineer 2.5 years experience in hardware networking. Currently on visit visa, looking for suitable job. Contact - 94359564 Post Graduate Indian male, MBA (Hospital Administration) having 4 yrs. experience in hospital administration looking for suitable placement. Currently on visit.

Contact: 96701543, 92945632 PROCUREMENT OFFICER-Indian 33yrs, 7yrs Exp. in Oman in (ROAD,CIV,MEP & Others) Contg & Trdg Co. Visa will Exp in Feb-15. M: 94064650, Email:nagauae@gmail.com Indian Male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations seeking suitable Manager/Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/NOC Available. GSM: 95036410 Seeking for immediate placement as a manager- projects, sales, marketing, product, business development job for BEMBA, 12 years Oman experience with D/L. #96040977, kvmssn@gmail.com AutoCAD draughtsman (Arch itectural+Structural+Plumbing & HVAC) having more than 12 years Oman experience seeking work as a FREELANCER. Contact - 91620107 Indian Female, B.com, 2year Indian Exp. in Accounts, strong in Tally ERP 9,MS Office, looking for suitable position. Part time/ Full time. Contact-95939129, 99104579, mail: sreekulaparambil@gmail.com Indian Male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations, seeking suitable Manager/Supervisory Position.Visa transfer/NOC Available. Contact : 95036410 31 years, male with Gulf Experienced Microsoft Certified Solution Associate, Have GCC driving license, looking for a suitable job as Network/System Administrator. Phone: +968 93927126, 99853614, Email: khalil837@hotmail.com

26 years male, MBA Finance & Marketing, 1 year experience in marketing. Looking for sales job.

Contact: 95437921 Mechanical Engineer with 10+ years experience currently on visit visa looking for a Operation Manager/Branch Manager position in reputed organizations. #95757845 Indian female, Accountant. having +5 years experience in Oman till Nov 2014. seeking suitable placement. NOC available. currently in family visa. Contact :98447045, email: anilavandika@gmail.com IT supports 6 yrs experience, male, Filipino Desktop Support, Backup administrator, Wireless Networking, server admin. #- +96896126502 Indian male, 26 yrs - MBA Graduate with 3 yrs of Experience in Banking ( Standard Chartered Bank Scope International - Operations) &Coffee Vending Machine (Fresh & Honest Cafe ltd - Operations) on Visit Visa seeking placement. Contact 91267867 INDIAN, B.E Mechanical Engineer, 2 years job experience in Oman in pipeline field, fluent in English, Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi, with valid Omani driving license (light) searching for job. Contact 99871470 Male 28, seven & half an year experience. Worked as maintenance division co-ordinator, purchaser’s assistant, and office administration works. Valid driving license.

Contact 94454847 Indian male, 25yrs, MBA in marketing from Delhi with 1 year experience in operation department, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placements.

Ph 97334359 email: mshahinp1@gmail.com Civil Engineer, B.E in civil , Approx. two year experience in Oman, Pakistani age 29 years.

Contact : 94389853 Email : faheemdeeer1986@gmail.com Male 28, seven & half an year experience. Worked as maintenance division co-ordinator, purchaser’s assistant, and office administration works. Valid driving license.

94454847 Indian, female, Pharmacist available with NOC and MOH License, preferably in Muscat. # 9439 1355.

Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available.

Capable to handle accounts up to finalization. Contact 9602 3965.

28 year Indian male with 7yrs of experience in Accounts & Finance up to finalisation in Construction Oil & Gas and also in Manufacturing industries with Oman D/L seeking suitable placement.

Contact 97104364 . email:moorthy_cbe@hotmail.com.

Looking out for the post of Travel coordinator/Senior travel Consultant, 14 years (10 years in GCC Countries) of experience in the travel industry looking for a suitable placement. Contact : 96328687.

An Indian driver with car looking for part time job. #91103909 Civil draughtsman part time work for job. Contact : 96023726

NRI

Indian, 24 years, B.Tech with Diploma in Sound Engineering & Sound Recording seeking suitable placement. Currently on Visit Visa.

Contact: 95615436. Email: siddharthsadasiv@gmail.com Indian Female-Tech Electrical, from third best college, Government Engineering College Trissur. Fluent in English. Excellent presentation skill.Engineering, IT, teaching or account sector job wanted. Contact -97724630 / email: vyshnaparthan@gmail.com Indian male, 31 years of Rich Oman experience in Multifunctional Management, Admistration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations seeking suitable Manager/ Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/ NOC Available. Contact 95036410 Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian female staff nurse looking for placement under contract with Schools, Medical Centres, other Institutions. Contact 98140024.

Land for sale at Trivandrum near Medical College Sreraryam, 3 cents road side. Contact 93772067, +91 9567517447 Land for sale, 36 cents in Kakkanad near Athani. 5 lacs/cent and 6 acre land near Veliyam, Kottarakkara. 30 lacs/acre. Serious buyers only call – 99886386 / +919645888877 For Astrological consultation, Jathakam.Contact 99860435 / 97102599

MANPOWER

Phd – Management, specialization in management, e-marketing and online consumer behavior, 6 years of academic and research experience. Indian lady GSM 97240687 & 93463439

Villa for sale 2200 sq ft in 8 cent.

Kottayam. Contact: 92652534

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 93405941 VIP transport 24 hrs services.

Contact 92108447, 96781899 We can give best price for transportation to shift the material from DUBAI to OMAN and local OMAN areas. (Less 25 ton wait Dubai To OMAN Only 170/OMR). GSM 91006589,97754600 ASIF ALI

Indian Male having 14 years of experience in HR, Purchase Dept having Oman Driving License looking for a suitable position NOC available.

Email –madhuvtk@gmail.com.

Contact: 99252635, 99239498

Transportation. Contact 94087276 Transportation. Contact 95190627

Indian, Female, Pharmacist available with NOC and MOH License, preferably in Muscat Contact : 9439 1355

28 years Indian male with 7yrs of experience in Accounts & Finance up to finalisation in Construction Oil & Gas and also in Manufacturing industries with Oman D/L seeking suitable placement.

Contact me on 97104364 .email: moorthy_cbe@hotmail.com

Labor Pick & drop.

Contact 92218001 Transportation. Contact 92306582 Transportation. Contact 98178135 Transportation available.

Contact 95570429

Indian female MA. B.Ed. with One year three months Teaching experience. Subject: English, seeking for a Better placement.

Now working in Oman.

Contact 93961142, 92184408 Email:anoopkesavan78@gmail.com.

Admin Executive, 31, Indian Male, having 8+ years exp. in reputed companies, seeking suitable placement in any gulf region. Contact: +968 99276601 & 97693456. muralimahdav77@gmail.com Indian male, 26 yrs - MBA Graduate with 3 yrs of Experience in Banking (Standard Chartered Bank Scope International - Operations) & Coffee Vending Machine (Fresh & Honest Cafe ltd - , Operations) on Visit Visa seeks placement. # 91267867, Email: jai.ks1988@gmail.com

Pick & drop anytime in al Khuwair.

Contact 99764307 Transportation. Contact 91379976

SIT.WANTED Tunisian women looking for job, khnows english, frensh, Italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838 28 year Indian male with 7yrs(5yrs in Oman) of experience in Accounts & Finance up to finalisation in Construction Oil & Gas and also in Manufacturing industries with Oman D/L seeking suitable placement.

Contact me on 97104364 email: Moorthy_cbe@hotmail.com

Pick & Drop any time.

Contact 97014786 Transportation. Contact 99664703 Transportation. Contact 99542393 Transportation available 99159277 Transportation. Contact 96538078 Transportation Available Contact 97180655

S U N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 5 , 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE TOURS

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

SITUATION WANTCARGO

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

RENT A CAR

M.V. FOR SALE

M.V. FOR SALE

FOR HIRE

TRUCK FOR HIRE Isuzu 10 ton cargo body truck Renault Safrane 2011, Excellent condition OMR3400. Contact 94015245 Pajero 3.8 v6 full option, 2008 model expat driven single owner, excellent condition, accident free, 217k.

Contact - 92590781 30 seater Toyota Bus, 2014, white color for sale. Contact 98888999 / 96341946 Tucson V-6, 2007, automatic RO 2500/-. Contact 99384640

Toyota Yaris 1.5, 2010 single owner 84,000 kms, fully automatic, 100%.

Service history with dealer.

Contact 93876159

(2012 FVR) with UAE experienced driver available for long term / short term rent.

Contact: 95346950

Chevrolet van model 2000 for sale, RO 1400/-. Contact 96789522

PDO approval truck for hire. # 99350915

Prado 2012. Contact 99336093

50 seater bus with PDO speciďŹ cation for rent or lease. # 99839898

L/R Discovery, 2003, KM 1,60,000. Contact 99238877 Lexus GS300, 2006.# 93218349

Running truck wash for rent in Ouhi Sunia Sohar. Serious people can. Contact on 97864747

D8

S U N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 5, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

CLASSES

WEBSITE

Al Manar Vocational pleased to announce at vocational short and long term courses in tailoring, cooking and internal design. Contact us now : 24698070 or 91144335

COMPUTER WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

BUSINESS

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

A/C service, repair and maintenance works. Contact 95356877, 93937368. Al Sahib Modern Projects

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. # 24793614/ 99314807

House shifting. #99557080, 96236476

Cleaning services, carpet & sofa shampooing, marble restoration (grinding) and polishing, pest control, fogging service. Contact 99448057, 95401996

BUSINESS Wanted dentist or investor to buy a well-running dental clinic in Sohar immediately. Contact 92625962, 95904234

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

My client needs to buy Residential land or villa in Al Ghubra Bahar Factory area. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Carpet & sofa cleaning, house cleaning. Contact 99542979 / 98855815

Cheapest Prices, all types window, curtains and blind. #99539521

For All Your Maintenance Solutions, A/c Servicing & Fixing, Painting, Cleaning, Electric. # 99002390

Computer service/ AMC/ Networking. Contact 93552434

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

Civil Maintenance, Painting Electric, Plumbing, Decor, Tile Fixing, Lecithin Copra Board flat stifling , Carpet Cleaning and A/C Servicing.# 97897831 (Indian keralite)

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

Waterproofing, light weight Screed, Antitermite and MS Fabrication.

Contact 92888337

Door to Door Computers repair specialist laptop software Website cartridges. Contact 99199376

Electrical Plumbing Painting Contract and Maintenance.

Contact 98456535

A.M Trading Pest control.

Contact 99067923

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir AlRizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

GULF INTERNATIONAL LLC all kind of pest control. #92326955 We assist in new business set up local sponsorship, real estate services, assist in company formation services. Contact - 93166088

For All Your Maintenance Solutions, A/c Servicing & Fixing, Painting, Cleaning, Electric. #99002390

Painting Interlock plumbing maintenance. Contact 92142319 Carpet & sofa cleaning, house cleaning. # 99542979 / 98855815 Split & window A/C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089

Maintenance – 1) A/C Maintenance, 2)fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, 3)painting & cleaning services, 4)electrical & plumbing carpentry work. #99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

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