Times of Oman - January 26, 2015

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MONDAY, January 26, 2015 / 5 Rabia II 1436 AH

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Deadly disease unit calls for more help

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No change in driving licence regulation for expatriates in GCC FAHAD AL GHADANI

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Shortage of funds and lack of dedicated health staff are the biggest hindrance in Oman’s fight against killer diseases

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: In a world with killer diseases such as Ebola, the Mers coronavirus and H1N1, health officials dedicated to keeping Muscat safe from infectious diseases have called for more help and increased funding.

Advanced facilities and dedicated healthcare workers are needed at the infection prevention and control department in the capital to meet the current demand, an official told the Times of Oman.

“The infectious diseases department, set up six years ago, needs improvement. Honestly speaking, we are facing a number of challenges. The most important among them is the fund allocated to check infection is not enough when compared to the infection prevention activities that need to be regularly upgraded and larger procurement of standard products to control infection,” Zainab

Mahmood hmood Al Zadjali, regional infection ection control in-charge at the Directorate ectorate General of Health Services vices (DGHS) in Muscat, said.

“The The second challenge is the shortage rtage of healthcare workers.

All workers must understand that standard ndard precautions are the core principle nciple of any healthcare activities ties to provide ethical and high quality lit patient ti t care on evidenceid based practice. Currently, there is shortage of staff in our department in the Muscat region,” Zainab added.

Respiratory illnesses like H1N1, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MersCoV) and Ebola are considered as the fast emerging and threatening infectious diseases.

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In Oman, Oma five cases off H1N1 flu were registered in the first half of September 2014, though there were no Ebola cases but there was one death from the Mers coronavirus on January 8, the first in nearly a year.

In all, there are almost 36 infection control focal points in primary healthcare centres, polyclinics, and hospitals under official TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

Ailing UK woman airlifted from cruise ship for treatment

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More than 262,748 visit Muscat Festival

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More than 262,748 footfalls were recorded at the Muscat Festival 2015 until Sunday. Both citizens and expatriates visited Amerat Park and Naseem Park to watch the cultural extravaganza. The media coverage resumed on Monday after three-day break following the national mourning over the death of the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques. >A4

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Transportation perks on leave not binding

2 MUSCAT: A British woman was flown to hospital by a Royal Air Force rescue helicopter after she suffered a massive heart attack aboard a cruise ship.

Alerted by the coast guard on Saturday, the Royal Air Force

pressed the helicopter into service to lift the woman, who was suffering from acute breathing problems when the distress call was made to the Coast Guard.

She is now undergoing treatment at Salalah Hospital. — ONA

The leave salary normally consists of basic salary plus living expenses (mainly cost of accommodation).

There is no point in asking for transportation allowance and laundry charges during leave as the employee does not incur such costs during vacations. However, nothing stops an employer from paying all these costs, at his/her free will, to any employee. >A5

MARKET

Duqm woos foreign investors in fisheries

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Foreign investors are being encouraged by Oman government to utilise the vast business opportunities in the fisheries sector in the developing port town of Duqm. The fisheries zone is one of the investment areas that the SEZAD has been promoting along with a number of other sectors, which include the residential zone. >B1

Queen Mary 2 to visit Oman tomorrow

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authorities in DGHSDGHS-Muscat but they are providing general patient care. “In the current situation, when new infectious diseases are em emerging and posing threat, we n need advanced facilities, besides trained and dedicated healthcar healthcare staff.

Unfortunately, shortage o of funds and workers are hindering our hinder work,” k ” Zainab Z i b added. dd d According to the official, the frequency of awareness programmes on following hygienic practices should be increased. “I and my team conduct frequent visits to health centres. We do educate everyone and follow the updated Gulf Cooperation Council infection control manual,” said Zainab. >A6

MUSCAT: Those who obtain a driving licence for automatic gear shift vehicles from a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country other than Oman, can swap the document to drive in Oman without passing another test, but for manual gear shift vehicles, passing a driving test remains mandatory, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has clarified.

However, a senior ROP official said, to be able to drive a vehicle with manual gears, motorists would still have to pass a test.

Clearing the mist, the official clarified that many expatriates believe that there is no need now to exchange their driving licence when moving to other GCC countries but that rule is still in its place, despite the new-look licences bearing a new logo.

“It is only the GCC logo that has been incorporated into the newly issued licences and nothing else,” said the source.

The source explained that expatriates need to obtain a new driving licence in lieu of their current one once they move to another Gulf country.

“They need to obtain a new driving licence from the country they are shifting to,” said the source.

“Once a driving licence is issued by any of the GCC countries, then there is no need to pass another driving test. One can simply replace the old licence with a new one under the same condition,” explained the source.

Clearing the mist over the driving licences in GCC countries, the Royal Oman Police official clarified that the existing rule is still in its place barring the GCC logo in the newly issued licences

“When an expatriate obtains an automatic gear vehicle driving licence, issued in any one of the GCC countries, the ROP will issue a driving licence that will allow the driver to drive only an automatic gear vehicle not the manual gear vehicle and viceversa,” said the source.

S. Sreekumar, an expatriate, thanked the ROP official for clearing the confusion over the new driving licences because everybody was coming out with their interpretation of the new law making matter the worse.

“It means the law remains the same barring the addition of a new GCC logo in the licence,” he added.

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TRADITIONAL MUSIC, DANCE TURN A BIG DRAW

Photos by Talib Al Wahaibi/TIMES OF OMAN

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raditional music and dance bands are actively participating in the celebrations at the Muscat Festival 2015 and have enthralled audiences with their wide repertoire.

The festival offers enough space and time, especially at the Heritage village to the bands from the wilayats. They participate every day and attract a wide audience through their traditional music and help the audience to relax and enjoy the music.

Having been around for years these forms of traditional music and dance have with continuous encouragement and development registered a strong presence and have evoked huge interest from the audience.

Traditional music and dance is practiced all over by both men and women in groups or individually.

There are different kinds of traditional music genres such as Al

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Razfah, Al Aazi, Al Tagroodah and Al Dan in addition to Al Weeliah, Al Munanah, Al Rababah and Al Yoolah. There is also Al Habban, Al Liwah, Al Qurbah and wedding music such as Al Tahteeb, Al Ruqat, Al Taseef, Al Mulalah and many others that are being performed by bands around the venue on specific days, at the festival.

Al Razfah is considered one of the famous traditional musical and dance genres which has a huge following and has attracted a large number of guests at the festival. Men who perform this form of music do it with guns and sticks. There are different types of Al Razfah such as Al Qassafi which is also known as Al Qatafi, and Al

Aazi that is performed along with Al Razhah. It is performed individually by a professional poet who is creative and knows the finer points of the glorious poems of Al Aazi.

The events at the festival have been transformed into a celebration that brings together people from different nationalities. The festival has received visitors from various parts of the Sultanate who enjoy these events which also involve traditional dances.

Hundreds of visitors wait to see their favourite performers. The new generation can see the traditional games of their parents and grandparents in the past like Al Gumaidah, Al Anbar, Al Teelah and others that inspire tourists and citizens.

This celebration area is transformed daily into a carnival of colourful, interesting, and entertaining shows.

Heavy footfall at festival sites, events Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Muscat Festival 2015 witnessed a huge turnout of people from within the country as well as from abroad as the number of visitors had touched more than 262,748 until Sunday. The figures included those from all the venues of the festival, starting from Amerat and Naseem Park to other beach and cultural activities, the Automobile Association and other activities.

Moreover, the media coverage will resume on Monday after a three day break that

was because of the Sultanate mourning the death of Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Various media reports about the festival events were being carried on the radio and TV and in daily newspapers. Furthermore, the international craft and art exhibition in which eleven countries participated, saw a massive turnout of people eager to learn about the cultures and innovations in the world and watch live performance of the activities of crafts and arts

people. Also, the ice village, put up for the first time in the country, witnessed many turning up, particularly attracting children. An exhibition of dates organised in the Amerat Park, through 45 shops, also saw a remarkable turnout.

A competitive atmosphere at the Hail beach among the youth teams in sports like basketball, volleyball and popular games, horse racing and other activities, was going on. The number of the consumer shops in Naseem Park stands at 420, mostly run by small and medium enterprises.

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C O M M E N TA RY

Transportation allowance, laundry charges during leave not mandatory How is the annual leave eligibility calculated from consequent years of service?

Eleven months of actual working plus one-month annual leave period making it 12 months ( 11+1=12), means an employee will be eligible for his annual leave after working 11 months from next year (less absent and extra leaves).

Or, does he have to work for 12 months after resuming his duty after availing the annual leave? Please advise.

The employment duration is calculated in year-wise units and 12 months form an year for all practical purposes. This can be established from the fact that to be eligible for end of service benefit, an employee has to complete one year of continuous service.

However, the eligibility of leave from the second year onwards shall be calculated for the period inclusive of the availed leave.

Times of Oman, in association with Khalifa Al Hinai Legal Consultants, will answer the legal queries of readers every Monday.

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This is because of the simple reason that eligible leave period forms very much part of the “continuous service”. There is no dogmatic rule for ascertaining leave eligibility and the employers are free to set their own rules for this purpose.

I have resigned from the company where I was entitled to an annual return air ticket for vacation. I availed myself of this benefit recently. Now that I have resigned from the company, who should shoulder the expense of my repatri-

ation to my home country? If the company does not provide me with the expenses, and I pay for the same, shall I have the legal right to choose my own flight plans, like timings, destination, airlines etc.?

It is the primary responsibility

of the employer to repatriate the employee upon completion of contractual relationship between the parties. Since you have already availed this benefit, it is natural that the employer will display some resistance in incurring another cost for your repatriation. Since the urgency of leaving is for you, you may choose any airline and any destination in coordination with your employer since there is a role for the employer to play in repatriating you from Oman.

Since the employer has to assign an employee (PRO) to cancel your visa and residence permit at the airport, both parties could agree on a mutually convenient time to facilitate smooth exit from Oman. Ultimately, cancellation of residence status is for the benefit of both sides and not for the employer alone.

I would like to know whether

allowances i.e. transportation, telephone, laundry allowance for business calls can be deducted during leave — annual or sick leave?

The leave salary normally consists of basic salary plus living expenses (mainly cost of accommodation). There is no point in asking for transportation allowance and laundry charges during leave as the employee does not incur such costs during vacations. However, nothing stops an employer from paying all these costs, at his/her free will, to any employee.

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this column are for general guidance purposes only. They are based on facts presented to us and are not substitute for expert legal advice. Readers are advised to seek legal assistance for specific legal issues. Times of Oman and Khalifa Al Hinai Advocates & Legal Consultancy do not assume any responsibility towards anyone on this matter.

Suicide rate of Indian expats dips REJIMON K reji@timesofoman.com

The number of Indian expats who committed suicide in Sultanate last year has come down by about 40 per cent compared with 2013.

Though the suicide rates are down, experts say more needs to be done

MUSCAT: Even as official data revealed that the number of Indians committing suicide came down in 2014, social workers and experts say more needs to be done to bring it down further and prevent any suicide at all.

On an average, five Indians had reportedly committed suicide every month in Oman in 2013, but the number came down to three in 2014, official data has revealed.

“In 2013, the number of Indians committing suicide was 54, while in 2014, it came down to 34. Incidentally, in 2012, it was 63,” the Indian embassy in Muscat revealed in a reply to a query filed through India’s Right to Information Act. Government data shows that the number of Indians working in Oman till the end of December

2014 was 603,473, slightly more than in 2013. In 2013, the number was 599,473.

“We can claim that coordinated efforts by the embassy and social groups are bringing in results, but I don’t feel so. More has to be done to have zero results,” Shameer PTK, a social worker, told the Times of Oman.

Dip in numbers An Indian embassy panel lawyer also said that there may be a dip in number but unfortunately, the trend still exists.

“We can say that there is this much percentage dip in the number of suicides among Indians in Oman but the fact is that these are still happening. We cannot see the same trend among people of other nationalities. We should think seriously why it is continuing. The reasons which persuade a man

or a woman to end life should be studied well,” Deepa Sudhir, a lawyer empanelled with the Indian embassy, said.

“Social organisations can boast that they have succeeded in their mission, but the ground reality is that they have not succeeded to the level they are claiming. I have not seen any of these social organisations getting involved seriously in combating this issue. More has to be done,” the lawyer added.

According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report published in 2014, India accounted for the highest estimated number of suicides in the world in 2012 with a rate of 21.1 per 100,000 people.

“Problems are always temporary. It will not last for a long time.

We should show patience and try to share such issues with trusted friends or family members to overcome the troubled times,” Jeena

Beneesh, a Muscat-based Indian psychologist, said.

“People who show suicidal tendencies will have a disturbed mind due to several reasons. Inadequate sleep, food habits, loneliness, suffering from health problems and addiction to drugs are among such factors. Those who feel depressed should approach a counsellor or a clinical psychologist to overcome the situation,” the psychologist added.

“Positive thinking, remaining engaged in some kind of activities and looking at those who are even more unfortunate can help us lead a positive and happy life,” the psychologist added.

To address the Indian community’s concerns in Oman, the embassy has a 24/7 emergency helpline and a toll free helpline which are active round the clock.

The emergency helpline of the

embassy is a manned service, which is attended to by the community welfare staff of the embassy. All emergency calls are attended by a senior officer who is responsible for all aspects of the welfare of Indian residents in Oman.

In a reply to an Right to Information (RTI) application in September 2014, the Indian embassy revealed that on an average, the mission office receives about 50 calls a day on the helpline. L ast year, in a move to ensure better service to Indians residing in Oman, the embassy had also extended its ‘Open House’ facilities, an informal meeting at the embassy where officials from different wings, including the ambassador and a panel of lawyers, are present to listen to the consular and community welfare issues of Indians in Oman.

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 2 6, 2 015 Strengthened infection control practices and a active surveillance programme for acute respiratory illnesses is the key to a rapid and prompt response

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Zainab Mahmood Al Zadjali, regional infection control incharge

CRIME REPORT

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‘Healthcare workers trained to handle Ebola’

Zainab Mahmood Al Zadjali

“We yet have to upgrade our system in Oman and work practices to achieve higher level of control,” Zainab added.

On the Ebola preparedness, the official said that training is being organised at all health centres in the region following global standards, in association with other sections. “All healthcare workers are compulsorily trained on standard precautions to be observed in handling suspected Ebola cases like how to maintain hygiene, how to use personal protective gears, how to keep the environment clean and the ambulances which transport suspected patients sterile, especially when blood or body fluids spill during treatment of the patients,” the official said.

“Different infection control checklists and policies aimed at raising awareness and work in a structured system that enhances the quality and ensures safe care for patients were developed and the outcome was evaluated too.

Emergency meetings and workshops were held in addition to the regular visits to take stock of needed equipment required for infection prevention and control in order to provide ethical care to all patients and protect healthcare workers from occupational infection,” the official added.

Zainab was talking on the sidelines of a workshop organised at the Badr Al Samaa Hospital by the ministry of health on infection control and strategies for

hospitals, polyclinics and medical centres.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in Oman and the Ministry of Health have developed national infection prevention and control guidelines for dealing with suspected or confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (Mers-CoV).

According to the WHO report in September last year, mask-fit testing was done for all healthcare workers who are involved in taking care of patients with MERS-CoV. A project was initiated for triaging of patients presenting to emergency rooms or health centres with an acute respiratory illness.

In 2013, post-Hajj surveillance for Mers-CoV was done using na-

sopharyngeal swabs for people returning from Hajj and presenting with respiratory symptoms.

Three hundred and fifty samples were tested by real-time PCR and all turned out negative for Mers-CoV. “Strengthened infection control practices and having a powerful active surveillance programme for acute respiratory illnesses is the key to a rapid and prompt response for emerging respiratory infections,” the WHO report says.

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Burglar held in Salalah Times News Service MUSCAT: A man of Asian nationality was arrested by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) on the charges of theft from one of the airlines offices in Salalah.

The accused had sneaked into the company’s office late at night after breaking open the main door.

He allegedly stole the safe which contained some cash.

Following search operations, the accused was arrested and the stolen safe was recovered from his house in Salalah. Legal action has been taken against him and the case forwarded to Public Prosecution for trial.

Luxury ship to boost Oman’s tourist status Queen Mary 2’s port call tomorrow will put Muscat on global cruise liners map SAILING IN STYLE: The 345 metres long luxury liner can accommodate 2,620 passengers and 1,253 officers and crew. –File photograph

Times News Service MUSCAT: One of the world’s largest cruise liners, Queen Mary 2, will visit Oman on Tuesday, according to the cruise liner’s local spokesman.

Khimji Ramdas said that Queen Mary 2’s port call will put Muscat on the world’s cruise liners’ map.

“This is the best way to showcase Oman’s cruise facilities internationally. The length of the ship is 345 metres and the maximum radius of the turning basin is 300 metres. Bringing Queen Mary 2 is one of the biggest challenges and Port Sultan Qaboos has brought the vessel alongside safely before.

They have illustrated their technical supremacy by bringing the vessel into the port without turning the ship in the turning basin,” said MC Jose, CEO, projects and logistics, Khimji Ramdas.

He also said that it will be great

to see such a big ship anchoring at the Sultan Qaboos Port.

“I think the schools should take an initiative and bring the children to the Muttrah Corniche to see this ship entering and sailing.”

She will come in at 8 am in the morning and will sail at 6 pm. “One can take a close up picture when she comes close to the Muttrah Corniche to enter the port. It will be a great opportunity to have a family picture with Queen Mary 2 in the background,” said M C Jose.

The Queen Mary 2 can accommodate 2,620 passengers and 1,253 officers and crew. In her first 10 years of operation, the ocean liner has undertaken more than 420 voyages, including 200 transAtlantic crossings. Queen Mary 2 is Cunard’s flagship and offers a huge space on board and an array of state-of-theart facilities including a 3D Cinema, planetarium and a spa.

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History was made in 2010 when she made her maiden visit at Port Sultan Qaboos at Muscat. “It was the first time a ship of such voluminous proportions entered the Port Sultan Qaboos. At that time the port was very congested as cargo loading and unloading used to take place there. But now the port is very safe and there is a lot of space to move around. So, this is a unique opportunity for the residents in Muscat to witness such a majestic ship,” Jose said.

It was learnt that Queen Mary 2 will occupy two berths compared to a normal ship which occupies only one. “The management and staff of Khimji Ramdas Shipping

is delighted to have this opportunity of bringing in Queen Mary 2 into Oman. This important port call became a reality with the whole hearted support of the Port Service Corporation, different departments of the ROP such as Customs, immigration and coast guard. The tourism ministry extended tremendous support for convincing the Cruise Line owners for attracting cruise vessels to Oman,” he added.

Khimji Ramdas said that they alone are set to receive around 300,000 tourists from all over the world this season. Altogether, they will be handling 134 luxurious cruise ships.

The cruise season started on October 18 last year when Seabourn Odyssey reached Salalah and will come to end on June 13, this year when CS Sea Princess will be leaving Muscat.

M ONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015 Given the Great Satan’s endless demands and sabotage during the course of the nuclear negotiations, there is no conceivable ground for intimacy between the foreign ministers of Iran and America 21 Iranian MPs, in a petition published in ‘Fars News’

REGION

Leaders continue to arrive in Saudi amidst mourning From across the Arab and Muslim worlds, from Europe, Asia, and America, presidents, prime ministers and sheikhs have flown in to pay respects

RIYADH: The normally gridlocked streets of the Saudi capital were quiet on Sunday after the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abduaziz Al Saud declared a day of mourning for his predecessor late Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and more foreign leaders made their way to the kingdom.

Singapore’s Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean arrived, and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was on his way to offer condolences to King Salman, who acceded to the throne on Friday after King Abdullah’s death at the age of about 90.

US President Barack Obama announced he would cut short a visit to India to travel to the kingdom on Tuesday.

Obama “called King Salman bin Abdulaziz from Air Force One today to personally express his sympathies”, the White House said on Saturday.

From across the Arab and Muslim worlds, from Europe, Asia, and America, presidents, prime ministers and sheikhs have flown in to pay their respects.

It is a recognition of Saudi Ara-

EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES: President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas expresses his condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abduaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, at the Diwan royal palace in Riyadh on Saturday. Dignitaries and leaders from around the world arrived in Saudi Arabia to offer their condolences to King Salman, a day after the death of his half-brother King Abdullah. -AFP

bia’s power as the world’s leading oil exporter, a political heavyweight in a region threatened by extremist violence, and as home to Islam’s holiest sites.

Salman, a half-brother of Abdullah who reigned for almost a decade, declared on Sunday a nationwide holiday “to provide comfort and facilitation to all citizens in offering condolences” and allegiance to the new monarch, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

Low-key mourning Allegiance ceremonies began on Friday night at a palace in a historic quarter of Riyadh. On Saturday, ceremonies moved to the Al Yamamah Palace, the royal court, where foreign dignitaries greeted King Salman and Crown Prince

Maqrin bin Abdulaziz al Saud.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran was among the guests, making a rare visit as Tehran tries to improve relations with its regional rival.

Both Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko joined the well-wishers, even as pro-Kremlin rebels announced a major new offensive on a strategic government-held Ukrainian port.

Other guests included French President Francois Hollande, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla, European royalty and Jordan’s King Abdullah II. Prince Charles and Prime Minister David Cameron came from Britain.

Outside, a helicopter patrolled

overhead and four lanes of cars -- everything from luxury Bentleys to everyday models -- inched towards the palace grounds carrying Saudi well-wishers past guards with pistols strapped to their thighs.

Global tributes Away from the palace and nearby roadblocks, life continued with almost no indication that a new era had begun, except for billboards expressing condolences for Abdullah’s death.

A low-key way of mourning and the burial in an unmarked grave are in keeping with the kingdom’s adherence to the teachings of 18th century Muslim scholar Mohammed bin Abdul Wahhab.

“What is not encouraged in sha-

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ria is to be hysterical” in grief, said Khalid AlDakhil, an independent political analyst and expert on Wahhabism. He was referring to Islamic Sharia law that governs religious and secular duties in the kingdom.

Millions of Saudis would likely visit local government headquarters to offer condolences and allegiance, Dakhil said, but others would pledge “just in their hearts.”

World leaders have praised late King Abdullah as a key mediator between Muslims and the West, but activists criticised his human rights record and urged King Salman to do more to protect free speech and freedoms for women.

“Saudi Arabia is a partner, both economic and political,” Hollande said before his arrival in Riyadh with Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drain. King Salman, 79, pledged to keep the conservative Muslim kingdom on a steady course and acted to cement his hold on power.

Clearing 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 Maqrin.

Salman also appointed as defence minister one of his own sons, Prince Mohammed.

Saudi Arabia has been the driving force behind a refusal by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to slash crude output in support of prices, which have fallen by more than 50 percent since June.

King Salman is widely expected to follow Abdullah’s foreign and energy policies as well as moderate reforms. Abdullah pushed through cautious changes, challenging conservatives with such decisions as including women in the advisory Shura Council.

He oversaw accession to the World Trade Organisation, and built new cities, universities and railways. -AFP

IRAN

Parliament summons Zarif over promenade with Kerry DUBAI: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is to appear before parliament following controversy over a promenade with his American counterpart during intense nuclear negotiations in Geneva, state media reported on Sunday.

Zarif, who leads Tehran’s talks with “P5+1” — the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China — had a 15-minute walk down Geneva sidewalks with US Secretary of State John Kerry during discussions on January 14 aimed at reaching a settlement of the 12-year nuclear dispute between Iran and the West.

Media images of the top diplomats from old adversaries strolling together in a foreign land provoked an outcry among Iranian hard-liners deeply wary of rapprochement with the “Great Satan”.

On Friday, conservative-leaning prayer leaders heaped scorn on Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani for the “diplomatic slip-up” and newspapers said 21 members of parliament had signed a petition to call in the moderate minister to provide an explanation.

“Given the Great Satan’s endless demands and sabotage during the course of the nuclear negotiations, there is no conceivable ground for intimacy between the foreign ministers of Iran and America,” said the petition published in hard-line Fars News.

Latest in a series The row over the diplomatic stroll is the latest in a series of summons since Zarif took charge of the nuclear file in late 2013.

In February 2014 he caused an uproar with public comments condemning the Holocaust and was subsequently summoned to parliament. Holocaust denial has been a staple theme of public speeches in Iran for decades. -Reuters

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 2 6, 2 015

REGION Power vacuum in Yemen, but Houthi militia quell protests

There is no security and no business as people are afraid of buying anything in this situation.

I’m having to close my shop early every day Ahmed Al Wasabi, shop owner in central Sanaa

As demonstrators began to gather near Sanaa University early on Sunday to protest against the increasing Houthi control, the militiamen fired warning shots to disperse them and made several arrests DISPERSING PROTESTS: Houthi militants, in police uniform, comb a street outside the Sanaa University campus, during clashes with university students staging anti-Houthi protests in Sanaa on Sunday. -Reuters

Sanaa: Houthi militia men fired warning shots on Sunday to disperse a protest against their takeover of Sanaa as parliament failed to convene to discuss the president’s resignation, prolonging a dangerous power vacuum in Yemen. President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, a key US ally in the fight against Al Qaeda’s franchise based in Yemen, tendered his resignation along with Prime Minister Khalid Bahah on Thursday, saying he could no longer stay in office as his country was in “total deadlock”.

The Houthi militia, who have controlled most of the capital since September, overran the presidential palace last week prompting Hadi to step down, shortly after Bahah quit. As demonstrators began to gather near Sanaa University early on Sunday to protest against the increasing Huthi control, the militiamen fired warning shots to disperse them and made several arrests.

Journalists attacked The militiamen also attacked journalists and smashed their cameras, before deploying in force around the university to prevent any renewed protest.

The journalists’ union told AFP

The fall of Hadi’s Westernbacked government would raise fears of complete chaos engulfing Yemen, strategically located next to oil-rich Saudi Arabia and on the key shipping route from the Suez Canal to the Gulf.

DAMAGED BADLY: An officer stands next to a destroyed vehicle,

which belongs to a Houthi man, after an improvised explosive device under it detonated, in Sanaa, on Sunday. -Reuters

the militia detained three Yemeni newsmen covering the protest and that female freelance journalist Huda Al Zabhani was beaten up. One of the three, Reuters photojournalist Mohammed Al Sayaghi, said he was later released after the militia held him for an hour for questioning.

On Saturday, thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa calling on Hadi to rescind his resignation, which has to be approved by parliament to take ef-

fect, in the biggest demonstration to date against the Houthis.

The crisis in the Arabian Peninsula country escalated on January 17 when the Houthis seized Hadi’s chief of staff, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, in an apparent bid to extract changes to a draft constitution they oppose.

The Houthis still hold Mubarak and maintain a tight grip on the capital despite a deal struck late on Wednesday to end what authorities called a coup attempt.

Parliament fails to convene On Sunday, parliament for a second time postponed an extraordinary session which had been due to discuss Hadi’s resignation.

Parliament “decided to postpone an emergency meeting set to take place on Sunday... to another date which will be decided later to make sure all members are informed to attend,” state news agency Saba reported.

Lawmakers had originally been due to meet on Friday to discuss his request to step down.The Houthi militiamen, who hail from Yemen’s northern highlands, have surrounded the parliament building since late Thursday, two days after they seized control of the presidential palace. The Houthis have also encircled Hadi’s residence and those of several ministers. “We are under house arrest,” a minister of state in the resigned government, Hasan Zaid, himself a Zaidi, told AFP.

‘No security’ The Houthis blocked off a convoy of armed tribesmen who arrived in Sanaa on Saturday to attempt to free top officials, tribal sources said. The latest developments have fuelled fears of a paralysis in the central administration, with government employees unsure if they will be paid at the end of this month.

“There is no security and no business as people are afraid of buying anything in this situation.

I’m having to close my shop early every day,” said a shop owner in central Sanaa, Ahmed Al Wasabi.

Queues have formed outside petrol stations for fear of the worsening security triggering shortages.

Oxfam warned that 16 million Yemenis -- more than half the population -- are in need of aid.

“A humanitarian crisis of extreme proportions is at risk of unfolding in the country if instability continues,” the aid group said.

In the country’s south, a soldier was killed and three others were wounded as troops prevented members of the southern Separatist Movement from setting up a checkpoint in the main city of Aden, security officials and witnesses said. -AFP

FA C T I O NA L F I G H T I N G

Gunmen abduct Libyan deputy foreign minister BENGHAZI, LIBYA: Gunmen kidnapped the deputy foreign minister of Libya’s internationally recognised government on Saturday, the interior minister said.

As sporadic factional fighting continued in several parts of the country, six people were killed when rockets hit residential houses in the city of Benghazi on Sunday, medics said.

The kidnapping of Hassan Al Saghir happened in the eastern city of Bayda -- near where the officially recognised government has been based since being ousted from the capital in August. Gunmen snatched the deputy minister from his hotel, Interior Minister Omar Al Zanki said.

Kidnappings have become frequent in the North African country, where two governments and parliaments, allied to different armed factions, are vying for legitimacy and control four years after the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi.

Libya Dawn Abdullah Al Thinni, the internationally recognised prime minister and his cabinet have been based in the east since a group called Libya Dawn seized Tripoli in August and reinstated the old assembly known as General National Congress.

The struggle has been complicated by a separate battle between army forces allied to Thinni and extremists in Benghazi, the country’s second largest city.

As well as the six dead, 20 people were wounded when rockets hit residential buildings in the Al Lithi district of Benghazi which the army has been surrounding for weeks to chase fighters of the Ansar Al Sharia extremist group, medics and military officials aid.

Force merger Salim Al Naili, a special forces battalion commander, accused Ansar Al Sharia of having fired the rockets. The army has merged its force with the troops of general Khalifa Haftar who declared in May his own war on extremists.

The alliance now controls much of the port city but critics say Haftar’s use of war planes and helicopters has damaged many buildings and caused civilian casualties. -Reuters

EGYPT

Tensions mount as 15 die on uprising anniversary CAIRO: At least 15 people were killed at pro-democracy protests in Egypt on Sunday, the anniversary of the 2011 uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak, security sources said.

In the bloodiest day of protests since Abdel Fattah Al Sisi was elected president in June, security forces and plained clothed police fired at protestors, witnesses said.

The anniversary is a test of whether extremists and liberal activists have the resolve to challenge a government that has stamped out dissent since thenarmy chief Sisi ousted president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 after mass protests against his rule.

Dozens of protesters were killed during last year’s anniversary. Again this year, security forces fanned out across the capital and

other cities. The heaviest death tool was in the Cairo suburb of Matariya, a Muslim Brotherhood stronghold. Special forces fired pistols and rifles at protesters, a Reuters witness said. Eight people, including one policeman, were killed, according to the health ministry.

People in Matariya chanted “down with military rule” and “a revolution all over again”. Demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails at security forces and fires raged Roads sealed off Riot police backed by soldiers in armoured vehicles sealed off roads, including those leading to Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the symbolic heart of the 2011 revolt.

In downtown Cairo, riot police with rifles and plain clothed men with pistols chased protesters

PUBLIC ANGER: Egyptians shout slogans during the funeral of

Shaima Al Sabbagh, an Egyptian protester who was killed in clashes with the police, on Sunday in Egypt’s second city Alexandria. Shaima died of birdshot wounds, a health ministry spokesman said, after she was injured during clashes with police during a rare leftwing protest in central Cairo, the eve of the anniversary of the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak. -AFP

through the streets.

Six people were killed in separate protests in Alexandria, Egypt’s second biggest city, Giza governorate outside of Cairo and the Nile Delta province of Baheira, security sources said.

A bomb wounded two policemen stationed outside a Cairo sports club, the sources said. Signs of discontent built up as the anniversary of the revolt against Mubarak approached, and a liberal woman activist, Shaimaa Sabbagh, was killed at a protest on Saturday.

About 1,000 people marched in her funeral procession on Sunday. The Health Ministry said she had been shot in the face and back and Interior Ministry spokesman Hany Abdel Latif said an investigation into her death had begun, adding: “No one is above the law.”

“Shaima was killed in cold blood,” Medhat Al-Zahid, vice president of the Socialist Popular Alliance party that Sabbagh belonged to, told a news conference.

Craving stabilty Sisi’s crackdown has neutralised the Brotherhood but failed to end an extremist insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula near the Israeli border. A curfew imposed in north Sinai was extended for three months, authorities said.

Extremists based in the Sinai have killed hundreds of police and soldiers since Morsi’s removal.

They have pledged support for IS, the ultra-hardline group that seized parts of Iraq and Syria.

After four years of political and economic turmoil following Mubarak’s fall, many Egyptians have overlooked allegations of widespread human rights abuses and praised Sisi for restoring a measure of stability.

Sisi, who served as military intelligence chief under Mubarak, has also taken bold steps to repair

DESERT WETLAND Pink flamingos are pictured in water at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary on the outskirts of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday. The sanctuary, which is Dubai’s only desert wetland, occupies about 2.4 square miles on the banks of Dubai Creek and comprises mudflats, lagoons, pools, and mangroves. -AFP

SYRIA

Seven killed in heavy rocket attack on Damascus: Monitor BEIRUT: Extremist fighters struck the Syrian capital with at least 38 rockets on Sunday, killing seven people, a monitoring group said, in one of heaviest attacks on Damascus in over a year.

State media confirmed the attack and said at least four people were killed. It said the army was retaliating. The Saudi-backed Islam Army, based in the eastern Ghouta region near Damascus, had warned earlier that it would hit back against an air strike last week in Ghouta in which more than 40 people were killed.

Damascus residents said Sunday’s rockets seemed to be mortars and Katyusha. Rami Ab-

This was the heaviest attack on Damascus for more than a year

dulrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which monitors the violence in the country, said this was the heaviest attack on the capital for more than a year.

The Syrian army was shelling the rebel-held town of Douma

where the Army of Islam is powerful, Abdulrahman said. Douma lies on one of the main roads linking the capital with Homs city further north.

Reuters could not independently verify the reports.

Syria’s air force has launched daily air strikes in the civil war, which started after security forces cracked down on pro-democracy protests in 2011. At least 200,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

Throughout Damascus has been relatively calm, shielded from the war since government forces pushed the rebels back in 2013. -AFP

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Aadhaar will be embedded with Photo ID Card The Aadhaar database captures all essential biometrics and other vital details of an individual

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India has initiated an ambitious plan to “embed” and synchronise the Aadhaar database with that of the Electoral Photo ID Card (EPIC) to minimise complaints of duplication or forgery of the electoral rolls.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) H. S.Brahma on Sunday said the poll panel has already started the process in this regard with the Aadhaar’s parent body UIDAI and it expected that this task would be achieved by early 2016.

“We have decided to embed the Aadhaar data on our platform of the EPIC.The EPIC is given to every eligible voter of the country.

Once we are able to do this, we will have a 100 per cent purity of the (electoral) rolls.

“Once these two data come together there will be correct name, biometrics and address of an individual. The day we do that, 99 per cent of complaints of political parties and candidates about electoral rolls will disappear.

“This should be done within the next 8-9 months or early 2016,” he said while addressing the fifth National Voters’ Day event here.

The Aadhaar database captures all essential biometrics and other

VOTER’S DAY: Former president APJ Abdul Kalam with Chief Election Commissioner H.S. Brahma during a function on the occasion of National Voter’s Day in New Delhi on Sunday. - PTI

vital details of an individual.

The CEC, while talking about participation of the citizens during elections, urged voters to enthusiastically go to the polling booth to vote in every election, including the forthcoming Assembly polls in Delhi on February 7.

Moral responsibility He said voting is a “moral responsibility” on the part of the voters.

Brahma said out of a total 840 million voters in the country, only 550 million vote while the rest, about 300 million, do not vote at a given time due to various reasons like accidental or deliberate absenteeism.

“It is everyone’s moral duty and ethical responsibility to vote. The role of political parties is to elect a good leader and the role of voters is important. If you choose a good candidate or leader he will work for all of us,” he said.

“Once you do not vote, one cannot blame the government for whatever good or bad it does. If you do not vote it is your problem. The government decides our lives, electricity, roads, among

other things. All depends on the government. If the government is not selected responsibly, we are to blame,” Brahma said.

During the event, organised to enhance voter participation in the country, former president A P. J. Abdul Kalam also underlined the importance of choosing good leaders. He asked political parties to undertake more of “developmental” politics and less of “political” politics.

“Seventy per cent of the time political parties and their leaders should undertake development politics while the rest 30 per cent of time they should do political politics. Unfortunately, it is the reverse what we see,” he said.

Kalam also endorsed the CEC’s futuristic vision of elections in the country which will be powered and enabled by the Internet where voters can check the full details about their electoral logistics on the web.

“Bringing these systems on the Internet is no longer a dream and technical interface will ensure larger participation of voters,” he said. - PTI

INDIA

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 2 6, 2 015 The violence of the tongue, cuts and wounds people’s hearts. Religion, said Gandhiji, is a force for unity; we cannot make it a cause of conflict Pranab Mukherjee, President

INDIA

Obama, Modi break nuclear pact deadlock, hail new ‘friendship’ N-PACT TRAIL While there were

March 1, 2006: George W. Bush visits India for the first time

no major policy announcements apart

March 3, 2006: Bush and Manmohan Singh issue a joint statement on growing strategic partnership, emphasising their agreement on civil nuclear cooperation

from the unblocking of the nuclear deal, Modi said Obama’s decision to become

December 18, 2006: President Bush signs into law congressional legislation on Indian atomic energy

the first US president to visit India twice had huge symbolic

July 27, 2007: Negotiations on a bilateral agreement conclude

importance

NEW DELHI: US President Barack Obama and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke the deadlock on a long-stalled nuclear pact on Sunday as they hailed a new era of friendship between the world’s two largest democracies.

After greeting Obama with a bear hug as he stepped off Air Force One, Modi then trumpeted the “chemistry” with his fellow leader on the first day of a threeday visit to the Indian capital.

Obama, whose administration treated Modi as an outcast until barely a year ago, said their new “friendship” reflected a natural affinity between the two countries.

Both are looking for a counterbalance to a rising China.

While there were no major policy announcements apart from the unblocking of the nuclear agreement, Modi said Obama’s decision to become the first US president to visit India twice while in office had huge symbolic importance.

“Relations between countries depend less on full stops and commas and more on the relationships between leaders... the chemistry between them,” Modi told a joint press conference.

“Barack and I have struck up a strong friendship... this chemistry has not just brought me and

BOLSTERING TIES: US President Barack Obama watches as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a joint press conference after delegation level talks in New Delhi, on Sunday. - AFP

Barack closer but also brought Washington and Delhi — and the people of our countries — closer together.”

After opening his remarks with a few words in Hindi, Obama also hailed the “personal friendship” with his counterpart, saying the closeness reflected a shared commitment to values such as democracy and entrepreneurship.

“In addition to a personal friendship, we are also reflecting the warmth and affection between the Indian people and American people,” said Obama.

“It’s not surprising that we have a friendship because hopefully we are reflecting the values of our peoples.”

The two men spoke for more than three hours, capping a remarkable turnaround in relations between the two countries after a diplomatic row in late 2013.

Modi’s election in May 2014 was a potential headache for the US, which had blacklisted Modi for more than a decade after deadly communal riots in Gujarat when he was state chief minister.

He was only brought in from the

A D D R E S S T O NAT I O N

cold last February when the then US ambassador Nancy Powell travelled to Gujarat once it appeared Modi was likely to end the centreleft Congress party’s 10-year rule.

Since coming to power, Modi has borne no obvious grudge and personally invited Obama to become the first US president to be chief guest at India’s Republic Day parade on Monday.

The Indian premier has also invited Obama to co-host a radio phone-in show and is reportedly planning a private dinner for him at his Delhi home.

After flying into an overcast Delhi, Obama received a welcoming ceremony that included a 21-gun salute and full guard of honour.

He also laid a wreath at a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, India’s independence hero.

The US president, who is being driven around in his armoured limousine known as the “Beast”, said at the ceremony it was “a great honour” to return to India and thanked his hosts for their “extraordinary hospitality”.

He and his wife Michelle had been scheduled to visit the Taj

Mahal, but their trip has been cut short to allow Obama to travel on to Saudi Arabia and pay respects to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Obama’s trip comes just months after Modi’s first official visit to the United States, and with so little time to lay the groundwork it was always expected to be stronger on symbolism than on content.

The headline-grabbing announcement was over the nuclear pact, which has faced a series of delays since being signed in 2008.

The agreement should give India access to civilian nuclear technology but has been held up by US concerns over India’s strict laws on liability in the event of a nuclear accident.

“I am pleased that six years after we signed our bilateral agreement, we are moving towards commercial cooperation, consistent with our laws (and) international legal obligations,” Modi said at the press conference.

While there were no immediate details on how the impasse had been broken, India has reportedly

offered to set up an insurance pool to indemnify companies that build reactors.

“Today we achieved a breakthrough understanding on two issues that were holding up our ability to advance our civil nuclear cooperation and we are committed to moving towards full implementation,” said Obama.

“This is an important step that shows how we can work together to elevate our relationship.”

The two men also discussed climate change, with India seen as one of the main obstacles to a global deal on limiting emissions that should be signed in Paris in December.

In a statement issued by the White House,·both men agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation on climate change “to achieve a successful and ambitious agreement in Paris”.

Modi told reporters he did not feel under any “pressure” from Obama over climate change but did feel “pressure when we think about the future generations and what kind of world we will give them”. - AFP

Aug 13, 2007: Singh makes a suo motu statement in Parliament on the deal July 10, 2008: Singh calls for a vote of confidence in Parliament Sep 26, 2008: Singh meets Bush at the White House, but they are not able to sign the nuclear deal as the US Congress did not approve it Sep 27, 2008: House of Representatives approves the Indo-US nuclear deal July 14, 2008: The IAEA says it will meet on Aug 1 to consider the India-specific safeguards agreement Oct 8, 2008: Bush signs legislation to enact the landmark US-India civil nuclear agreement. - IANS

B I L AT E R A L T I E S

Ordinance route India, US to resume talks on investment treaty; hotline between top leaders soon ‘breaches’ trust of people: Pranab NEW DELHI: After cautioning the Government against taking the ordinance route, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday did some plain speaking, saying enacting laws without discussions “breaches the trust” reposed by people and is not good for democracy.

In his address on the eve of 66th Republic Day, Pranab spoke about the importance of legislature and said that after three decades, people have voted a single party to majority for having a stable government.

“The voter has played her part; it is now up to those who have been elected to honour this trust.

It was a vote for clean, efficient, effective, gender-sensitive, transparent, accountable and citizenfriendly governance,” he said.

Dwelling upon the role of legislature, the President said it is a “platform where progressive legislations using civilised dialogue” which must create delivery mechanism for realising the aspirations of the people and also reconciling the differences among all the stakeholders before enacting laws.

“Enacting laws without discussion impacts the law-making role of the Parliament. It breaches the trust reposed in it by the people.

This is neither good for the democracy nor for the policies relating to those laws,” he said.

Remarks The remarks had come against the backdrop of the Modi government having issued nine ordinances including those for raising the FDI limit in the insurance sector and e-auctioning of coal mines. Amid campaign on issues like conversion, Pranab deplored

PLAINSPEAK: President Pranab Mukherjee addresses the nation on the eve of 66th Republic Day, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday. - PTI

the “competition in hysteria” and said religion cannot be made a cause of conflict. Asserting that Constitution is the holy book of democracy, he said Indian civilisation had always celebrated pluralism, advocated tolerance and promoted good will between diverse communities.

“These values, however, need to be preserved with utmost care and vigilance. The freedom inherent in democracy sometimes generates an unhappy by-product when political discourse becomes a competition in hysteria that is abhorrent to our traditional ethos.

“The violence of the tongue, cuts and wounds people’s hearts.

Religion, said Gandhiji, is a force for unity; we cannot make it a cause of conflict,” Pranab said.

He said the Constitution is the holy book of democracy and a “lodestar” for the socio-economic transformation of an India whose civilization has celebrated pluralism, advocated tolerance and promoted goodwill between diverse communities.. -PTI

NEW DELHI: In a significant move, India and US on Sunday decided to resume talks on bilateral investment treaty during discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama, who lauded reforms being undertaken by the new government.

The two nations also agreed to resume talks on long pending ‘Totalization Agreement’ that will benefit millions of Indians working in the US with regard to social security taxes.

As per estimates, Indian IT professionals in the US pay over $1 billion annually towards social taxes.

The Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIT) aims at protecting investments in each other’s country.

The two nations have been discussing the pact since 2008.

Addressing a joint press conference with Modi after the meeting, Obama said: “In the last few years, trade between our two countries increased by some 60 per cent, total record of $100 billion. We want to trade even more.” “...(we) welcome the reforms that the prime minister is pursuing to make it easier to do business here in India,” Obama said, adding the trade and economic partnership must focus on improving the daily lives of “our people”.

Modi said India and the US will “restart” discussions on the Social Security Agreement and resume talks on BIT. “President Obama and I agree that a strong and growing economic relationship is vital for the success of our strategic partnership.

“Economic growth in our two countries is becoming stronger.

Our business climate is improving.

“This gives me great optimism about our economic ties,” he said.

He also said the two countries have established a number of effective bilateral mechanisms to

STRATEGIC TALKS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama during delegation level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, on Sunday. - PTI

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identify opportunities and also help their businesses trade and invest more.

“We will also resume our dialogue on Bilateral Investment Treaty. We will also restart discussions on a Social Security Agreement that is so important for the hundreds of thousands of Indian professionals working in the United States,” Modi said.

Obama further said Modi also described his efforts to empower more Indians with bank accounts and to ensure clean water and clean air for Indian people and “we want to be partners in these efforts”.

The Modi-government has taken a slew of measures to attract foreign investments, including further liberalisation of FDI norms in the defence and insurance sectors.

Pacts on social security (Totalization Agreement) and investment, when concluded, is expected to further boost bilateral trade and investment between the countries.

On terrorism, the Prime Minister said it remains a principal global threat taking on a new character even as existing challenges persist.

“We agreed that we need a comprehensive global strategy and approach to combat with it. There should be no distinction between the terrorist groups.

“Every country must fulfil its commitments to eliminate terrorists safe havens and bring terrorists to justice,” he said.

Touching on regional cooperation, Modi said the twocountries renewed their commitment to deepen cooperation to advance peace, stability, prosperity in Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean region which is critical for the future of thetwo countries and the world.

Modi said they also discussed working on how to help in the transformation of Afghanistan, apparently after complete withdrawal of the US troops.

Obama said both the countries are going to be strong and reliable partners for people of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, in a first, India and the US on Sunday agreed to set up a hotline between their top leaders — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama.

“We will establish hotlines between myself and Barack and our National Security Advisors,” Modi said in his opening statement during the two leaders’ joint interaction with the media.

The Ministry of External Affairs later said this is the first time that India and the US will have a hotline at the level of top leadership.

Modi said the effort was part of their exercise to give the critical partnership between two countries “a new thrust and sustained attention”.

“We have decided to give this critical partnership a new thrust and sustained attention. For this, we have agreed that India and the United States must have regular Summits at greater frequency,” he said. - PTI

M ONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015 The blowing up of two power pylons in Naseerabad last night created a backward surge which affected the system. It was an act of sabotage Abid Sher Ali, Minister of State for Water and Power

N O R T H WA Z I R I S TA N

Air strikes kill 35 militants in northwest PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s military said it killed 35 militants in fresh air strikes early Sunday as part of a major offensive against the Taliban and other insurgents in the northwest.

Officials said the air attacks were mounted in the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan tribal district, which borders Afghanistan.

“In precise aerial strikes 35 terrorists including some foreigners were killed today...” a military statement said.

Pakistani officials refer to Arab and Central Asian militants as “foreigners”. They sought sanctuary in tribal areas after fleeing the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

The conflict zone is off-limits to journalists, so there is no way to independently verify the number and identity of those killed.

Pakistan began a long-awaited push to clear insurgent bases from North Waziristan last June after a bloody Taliban attack on Karachi airport finally sank faltering peace talks.

Air strikes, artillery, mortars and ground troops have all been used to retake territory.

Mini 9/11 The army has intensified its offensive since the Taliban’s massacre of 150 people, 134 of them children, in a school in Peshawar in December. Pakistan described the carnage as its own “mini 9/11” and a game-changer in the fight against extremism.

It ended its six-year moratorium on the death penalty in terror cases in the wake of the slaughter at an army-run school.

Twenty convicted militants have since been hanged.

The semi-autonomous tribal areas on the Afghan border have for years been a hideout for Islamist militants of all stripes — including Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban as well as foreign fighters such as Uzbeks and Uighurs. — AFP

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PAKISTAN

Power is back after attack by rebels leads to darkness spokesman said. “It was an act of sabotage.”

Pakistan’s electricity distribution system is a complex — and delicate — web and a major fault at one section often leads to chain reactions and breakdowns of power generation and transmission.

The fault in the system was caused by a main transmission line

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed and most sparsely populated province, has been wracked for decades by a separatist insurgency that was revived in 2004.

Blown up twice Younas Dhaga, the top bureaucrat in the water and power ministry, said the power lines were also blown up on January 13 and January 22, but the department had kept the grid functioning on those occasions.

Dhaga added the government was investing in improvements in the distribution system to avoid future blackouts, but it would take up to three years to complete the task.

“We have increased the generation, but did not invest in transmission nor developed any alternate system to divert the load,” Dhaga said.

In addition to chronic infrastructure problems, the energy sector is also trapped into a vicious cycle of “circular debt” brought on by the dual effect of the government setting low electricity prices and customers failing to pay for it.

Fair share The separatists believe that locals do not receive a fair share of the province’s energy and mineral wealth, while rights groups accuse the government of extrajudicial detentions and killings of activists.

Electricity was later restored across the country, a spokesman for the national power company said, with all power grids online except for two nuclear power plants which would be fully operational by the end of the day.

“The blowing up of two power pylons in Naseerabad last night created a backward surge which affected the system,” the

Losing money State utilities therefore lose money, and cannot pay private power generating companies, which in turn cannot pay the oil and gas suppliers, who cut off the supply.

The fuel crisis began last week when Pakistan State Oil was forced to slash imports because banks refused to extend any more credit to the government-owned company, which supplies 80 per cent of the country’s oil.

The shortfall led to long queues of angry motorists at petrol stations, though these have since dissipated as fuel supplies have reached the pumps. — AFP

being blown up in Balochistan, said Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali

ISLAMABAD: An apparent rebel attack on a key power line plunged around 80 per cent of Pakistan into darkness on Sunday, the latest reminder of the country’s crippling energy crisis.

The power failure, one of the worst Pakistan has experienced, caused electricity to be cut in major cities nationwide, including the capital Islamabad, and even affected one of the country’s international airports.

It came as a fuel crisis grips the country, forcing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to cancel his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Consumers often fail to pay already low state-mandated power prices in Pakistan, meaning state utilities lose money and cannot upgrade infrastructure.

The latest power failure began after midnight when a transmission line connected to the national grid was damaged in an explosion, officials said, apparently carried out by a separatist group in restive Balochistan province.

A senior official at the national grid station in Islamabad said around 80 per cent of the country

POWER CUT: Motorists drive on an unlit street during a power cut in Karachi on Sunday. — AFP

We have increased the generation, but did not invest in transmission nor developed any alternate system to divert the load Younas Dhaga Water and power ministry bureaucrat

was hit by the power outage, while an AFP reporter in the eastern city of Lahore said the city’s international airport also suffered a blackout, though flights were not affected.

“The fault in the system was

caused by a main transmission line being blown up in Balochistan,” Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali said.

Ali apologised for the outage, and blamed rebels in Balochistan’s Naseerabad district.

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The realities in Syria are shifting rapidly

I

n the last year, the situation in Syria has changed quickly and dramatically. The Isis or Isil, now controls about half the country, while the rebels America counted on to defeat Assad have become weaker in the face of steady gains by the regime. There seems no chance that Assad will leave power voluntarily anytime soon or that he will be forced out by the non-Isis rebels unless the United States intervenes directly, a course President Obama has rejected.

Recent history should humble anyone who would predict the direction of regime change. Except for Tunisia, countries that overthrew their leaders during the 2011 Arab Spring movements have replaced the old dictators with new ones or descended into chaos. Besides, the greater threat now is not Assad but the Isis, especially if it continues to expand in Syria, entices more foreign fighters into its ranks and uses its territory to launch attacks on the West. A recent study by the RAND Corporation, which does research for the government, says the collapse of the Assad regime, while unlikely now, would be the “worst possible outcome” for American interests — depriving Syria of its remaining state institutions and creating more space for the Isis and other extremists to spread mayhem.

This was not the scenario envisioned in 2011 when Syrians staged peaceful protests against Assad’s government. President Obama and European leaders called for Assad to resign and pressured him with sanctions. The dictator, armed and aided by its allies, retaliated with his air force and barrel bombs, fuelling a civil war in which some 200,000 Syrians have been killed and countless towns destroyed. As has long been the case, the fighting in Syria raises tough questions and presents the United States with no good options. And Obama’s approach to the conflict remains the most inchoate element of his campaign against the Isis. While the Americans and Assad ostensibly share a common enemy, the two parties are not formally collaborating. Yet American fighter planes regularly invade Syrian airspace to bomb Isis targets. If the main threat is the Isis and the goal is to defeat it, might the West at some point be forced to work with Assad?

American officials see an emerging international consensus on the need for a long-term diplomatic solution between Assad and diverse rebel groups. There is also interest in United Nations-led cease-fires in local communities like Aleppo that might serve as a basis for a broader peace. The idea of a capable force of “moderate” Syrians that can overthrow Assad has proved to be a fantasy, even though politicians like Senator John McCain keep insisting otherwise. Congress must, of course, have a role in advising how to wage this new war against Isis. But it has shirked its duty, and after months of American military action in Iraq and Syria, it has failed to authorize or even seriously debate how this indefinite war should be conducted.

MATTER OF FACT

Law-breakers at the helm as lawmakers

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- The New York Times News Service

DEBASISH MITRA

Freezing terror funds

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fter a week of what looked like dithering uncertainty, the government has finally confirmed that it has frozen the bank accounts and other assets of the Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), but it was like pulling teeth. The JuD is considered to be a front organisation for the Lashkar-e-Taiba among others, and its charitable work a smokescreen, behind which its business is altogether darker. However, even as the Foreign Office spokesperson was making the announcement, there was a sense that the government, in announcing the freeze, was doing so not so much of its own volition, but more to be in compliance with the requirements of the United Nations (UN). It thereby puts a convenient stretch of blue water between itself and those who support the JuD — and there are many of them. The JuD is a ‘listed’ organisation by the UN and as a member of the global body, Pakistan is obligated to proscribe the individuals and organisations so listed.

In addition to complying with UN requirements, it appears that the government has added some restrictions of its own and after a period of prevarication, the matter is finally in the open.

Also in the open is the ban on the Haqqani network that has hitherto enjoyed unofficial and discreet patronage on the grounds that it might be utilised as a strategic asset. With this naming of names and drawing of lines, the government will be able to give a credible impression that it is serious in its desire to fully implement the National Action Plan, no matter how uncomfortable that may be. One only hopes that it continues along this path.

However, these are early days, and bans in the past have done little to limit the ability of organisations to rise again under different names, and as there is no public declaration of exactly what assets the JuD has in Pakistan, it is not possible to know precisely what has been put in the freezer. Whether this will allay the suspicions in the West that Pakistan is still playing both ends against the middle is also too early to say. However, for now, we will take the government at its word, and warmly welcome a move that might at last begin to turn a dreadful tide. - The Express Tribune

Need to do more to protect people from rain damages This refers to the news story, Oman needs better flood management strategy to tackle rain damage (January 25). Yes, we have to take necessary action to protect people and their property when rain lashes Oman causing damages all around.

Subodh Kt Muscat

to help the weaker students and rather than paying more attention towards them they behave in most insensitive manner which further depresses the students.

There is no point in blaming the students and increasing pressure on them. Schools should instead be organising special counselling sessions for students and assist them in their efforts to overcome the depression.

Biju Joy Muscat

Insensitive teachers push students into depression This refers to the news story, Suicide agony haunts schoolgirl’s parents (January 25). This is indeed a sad news and a timely reminder to parents. Such incidents happen because of the pressure put by teachers on students. Most of them lack quality

Life is precious; it always offers us a second chance This refers to the news story, Suicide agony haunts schoolgirl’s parents (January 25). I have seen a lot of discrimination in schools.

Teachers, greedy for making money, insist that students should

My ancestors allowed felons to monopolise politics of my country and I too carried their sin forward. Today when I see my posterity so disenchanted with politics I find not the politics but myself culpable

still regret the way my father shot down my ambition at a rather early stage of my life. I was in college then and sensing my interests he took me aside one day after dinner and in no uncertain terms disagreed with my aspiration to be in politics.

Politics, he said, was the refuge of rascals, crooks, criminals and his sermon was that I should not have any engagement with such lowly activities.

And lowly indeed was the politics of India then. But lowly is the politics of the land even today. That was the reason why it was and still is in such dire need of good people, youth in particular, to join politics and purge it from the rascals, crooks and criminals. My father did not understand the need and prevented me from joining politics, committing a sin against his nation and society. And similar was the crime of millions more of his generation. Their collective crime against India robbed the nation of an opportunity to redeem its politics from thugs, murderers, thieves, conmen, kidnappers, rapists, racists, communalists and criminals of all other hues.

My ancestors allowed felons to monopolise politics of my country and I too carried their sin forward. Today when I see my posterity so disenchanted with politics I find not the politics but myself culpable; when I see my Parliament with nearly one third of its members having moderate to serious criminal record, I feel guilty of betraying my country more than the feel of shame for my lawmakers.

We too did not allow our children to join politics; we too denied our nation and our society opportunity to clean the politics. And when we feel shocked by audacious crimes committed by our politicians me, at least, feel extremely culpable. I too like my father felt that politics is the refuge of rascals, crooks and criminals. Therefore, I have no right to fume, no right to curse and no right to feel frustrated. I allowed the monopoly of the felons over our politics, handed over to them a licence to rob, kill, loot and rape our democracy.

If we would go beyond the words and look at the real picture and the extent to which felony has overtaken our politics we will not be shocked but terrified. At least 17 per cent of those who contested the last parliamentary elections in India in 2014 declared that they were having criminal charges. Ten per cent had serious charges like murder and rape against them. “Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate S.P. Udayakumar, Kanyakumari constituency, Tamil Nadu, had the highest number of criminal cases — 382 including 19 charges related to Attempt to Murder and 16 charges related to sedition”.

In the previous Lok Sabha, thirty per cent of our

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lawmakers had criminal charges against them and fourteen per cent of them had serious criminal charges including murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, extortion etc.

Cold statistics but grim enough to show us the mirror that we let these goons to frame laws of our country, to rule us in the name of law and take policy decisions to frame India’s future. We have voted them to the corridors of power because we did not allow the cleaner alternative to sprout. We prevented our youth with conscience, vision, education and values to join politics. We allowed criminalisation of our politics to continue.

In my career as a journalist I have seen numerous growths of petty criminals into political leaders everywhere across the nation and across the political spectrum of the country.

And the question now is why is politics in India so criminalised. Nidhi Soni has tried to answer the question. She say, “The politicians are thriving today on the basis of muscle power provided by criminals. The common people who constitute the voters are in most cases too reluctant to take measures that would curtail the criminal activities. Once the political aspect joins the criminal elements the nexus becomes extremely dangerous. Many of politicians chose muscle power to gain vote bank in the country, and they apply the assumption that, if we are unable to bring faith in the community then we can generate fear or threat to get the power in the form of election.”

Rasul Bakhsh Rais, professor of political science at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, has asked a question: Who will transform Pakistan?

Same can be asked about India. What Rasul Bakhsh Rais has said about Pakistan is applicable for my country as well. The system — power arrangements and institutional mechanisms that exist today — is not capable of transforming (India and its politics) and moving the country forward.

The quality of politics that we in India have been receiving has been disappointing. The rot in it has been all-pervading which we allowed to continue. It is time now we have to clean it up and let our children come into politics; we have to take actions to break down the monopoly of the criminals in politics. Let our children with vision, mission and honesty clean the Augean Stables.

The author is the Opinion Editor of Times of Oman.

All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman. He can be reached at opinioneditor@ timesofoman.com

take tuitions from them. I have had bad experience with a teacher insulting me in class because I never went for his tuitions. Teachers should motivate students to do better and parents should support them when they fail and make them understand that there is always a second chance.

Abhimanyu Dhananjayan Muscat

School grades don’t always determine success in life This refers to the news story, Suicide agony haunts schoolgirl’s parents (January 25). The problem with the education system is that it places so much emphasis on grades when learning and discovering should be the aim. I wish this young lady was given the opportunity to see that her marks

at school would not determine her success in life.

Wendy Midd Muscat

Teach students how to overcome difficulties This refers to the news story, Suicide agony haunts schoolgirl’s parents (January 25). Students must be given adequate counselling in schools to overcome difficult situations in life so that recurrence of incidents or tragedies like this could be avoided. The easiest way for this is to make counselling part of school curriculum or a part of moral science education. It is painful and I pray to Almighty to give enough courage to the parents who suffered the irreparable loss.

Suresh Babu Muscat

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

T I M E S OF OMAN

M ONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015

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PERSPEC IVE Funds to fund aid fast becoming hard to raise N

ever in the 64-year history of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has it had to address so much human misery. At the beginning of 2014, more than 51 million people were displaced from their homes, uprooted by conflict and persecution. Many more have had to flee in the past twelve months.

Protracted wars, environmental disasters, and state failure have stretched the international humanitarian-aid system passed its breaking point. If the UNHCR and other relief agencies are to address the unprecedented amount of human need, they will have to broaden their base of support. Without a massive scaling up of private-sector involvement, both in terms of shared expertise and funding support, we will fail to provide for millions of people who have lost almost everything.

Syria is the canary in the coalmine. The conflict is the biggest humanitarian crisis of our era and a harbinger of potentially far worse to come. The flow of refugees to neighbouring countries has taken on a dimension beyond any that I have previously encountered. In Lebanon — a small country beset by its own internal difficulties — Syrians now make up more than a quarter of the population. There, as well as in Jordan and Turkey, local residents are facing financial ruin as rents and prices soar, unemployment rises, and salaries fall.

Finding the funds to address the crisis is proving to be a challenge. In mid-December, the UN launched an appeal for $8.4 billion to assist 18 million people in and around Syria. The appeal is part of a strategic shift, in which the UN aims to supplement humanitarian assistance with long-term programs that will boost the region’s economies.

Even if the appeal is fully funded, the money will be barely enough to enable people to survive, pick up the pieces of their lives, and start to rebuild. And yet, judging by the response to previous appeals, this one is likely to be substantially underfunded.

Last year, an appeal for aid for Syrian refugees raised only 54 per cent of its goal. Appeals for resources to address other international crises fared even worse. According to UN figures, no appeal achieved more than 75 per cent of its target. Several struggled to raise even a third of what was needed.

Meanwhile, the asylum system — another traditional method of assisting the needy — is coming under strain. As crises multiply

ANTÓNIO GUTERRES

Meanwhile, the asylum system — another traditional method of assisting the needy — is coming under strain.

As crises multiply around the world, rich countries are raising new barriers for those seeking safety. As a result, countries neighbouring the crises have been left to shoulder an increasing share of the burden

around the world, rich countries are raising new barriers for those seeking safety. As a result, countries neighbouring the crises — which are often struggling themselves — have been left to shoulder an increasing share of the burden. Today, almost 90 per cent of refugees are living in developing countries, up from 70 per cent ten years ago.

With legal migration channels choked off, desperate refugees have been forced to put their lives in the hands of unscrupulous smugglers. The number of people traveling in unsafe, overcrowded boats across the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, and the Gulf of Aden has grown enormously. More than 4,200 died in 2014 alone.

Addressing the challenge will require overhauling our current system and rethinking how we can help refugees. The humanitarian aid system was constructed on the premise that, when disaster struck, a temporary helping hand would be enough for people to regain control of their lives. Instead, millions of people are caught in semi-permanent crises, becoming less able to break free with each passing year.

Emergency relief to refugees must be accompanied with far greater support for the communities that host them. Long-term development aid — which, globally, amounts to eight times the amount allocated to humanitarian interventions — must be available to countries confronting large refugee inflows, including middle-income countries like Lebanon and Jordan that are normally not considered eligible.

In a world of tightening public budgets and growing private wealth, governments cannot provide the required volume of aid on their own. In addition to funding, there is a need for private-sector involvement in training, education, technology, and logistics. Where possible, local jobs must be created, for refugees and local populations. Providing refugees with the opportunity to earn a livelihood would help break the vicious cycle of underfunded humanitarian appeals and help create and maintain the skills needed for eventual rebuilding back home.

We clearly have the technology, resources, and know-how to make a massive difference to living standards everywhere, including for refugees. And if an app can sell for billions of dollars, we must be able to find the resources to provide for those caught in conflict. The crisis in Syria has exposed the failure of the old approach to humanitarian aid. It is time to get serious about establishing a new one. - Project Syndicate

Bid to revive the spirit of St Peter’s

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wenty miles from Glasgow on the Firth of Clyde, one of Scotland’s most important examples of 1960s brutalist architecture has sat derelict and empty for more than 25 years.

Now though, plans have been revealed to turn St Peter’s Seminary in Cardross into a major international venue for arts and culture as part of a £7.3m project.

The sprawling site won the Riba Royal Gold Medal in 1969, but the arts group NVA which is behind the new project is not aiming to produce a slavish recreation of the building’s former glory or even embrace a radical new design. Instead it wants to create a 600-seat performance venue and exhibition space, using the building’s current battered and forlorn state as inspiration.

Even before it fell into decay, St Peter’s divided opinion, with the architecture magazine Prospect naming it Scotland’s best modern building, while one unkind critic suggested the building was “where modernism crawled up a hill to die”.

Designed by young Glasgow

JAMIE MERRILL

architects Andy MacMillan and Isi Metzstein, it was consecrated in 1966 but only used as Catholic seminary for 15 years, before the number of students joining the priesthood went into decline.

Then followed a brief spell as a drug rehabilitation centre before the building was abandoned because it was too big and expensive to maintain.

It then fell into ruin, suffering from a string of arson attacks and theft of its decorative woodwork and window frames. By the 1980s, it was derelict, open to the elements and covered in graffiti.

Now Avanti Architects, which are leading the project for NVA, have decided to rework the building in a way that deliberately alludes to its current state.

The firm said it hoped to find “value in the unmediated changes that have emerged over the last decades”. Angus Farquhar, its creative director, said: “NVA’s plans represent an unheralded form of regeneration, one that accepts loss and ruination as part of the site’s history.

“Our plans offer a singular and

dramatic set of spaces to release new uses and new ways of framing human activity.”

This means that rather than “rubbing off the hard edges” to create a “polished version of the past”, the architects hope to preserve a “raw sense otherness, excitement and revelation” at the site, which was once surrounded by ornamental grounds.

The logic behind this, according to NVA, is that “ideals of 20th century modernism are worth holding on to”.

In a statement, the company said: “Although we live in austere times, we should not let go of the spirit in which St Peter’s was built: a spirit of working to improve things and imagining a better world.” The first step of the renovation, which has received private funding and support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, will see hazardous asbestos waste removed and the redevelopment of the gardens, with NVA hoping to open the doors of the new centre in 2017, around 50 years after its first foundation stone was set down. - The Independent

Do not blame the Nafta JOE NOCERA

T

he day after President Obama’s State of the Union address, a handful of Democratic House members, along with one senator, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, held a news conference to denounce one of the very few proposals the president put forward that actually has a chance of passage.

The objects of their displeasure were the new trade agreements currently being negotiated by the administration.

“Since I’ve been in Congress, I’ve never seen a trade bill that in any way benefited US manufacturers and workers,” said Representative Louise Slaughter, who has represented the Rochester area for 28 years.

She pointed to Kodak as an example of a company harmed by trade accords, especially the landmark North American Free Trade Agreement, or Nafta. Since the deal between the US, Canada and Mexico went into effect in 1994, Kodak’s Rochester work force has shrunk to 2,300 from 39,300.

“We are fighting for the future of middle-class families,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut. “These trade deals make it much easier for corporations to send American jobs overseas.”

Over the past 20 years, Connecticut has lost more than 96,000 manufacturing jobs, she said, because of agreements that failed to protect American workers.

Sanders told the assembled media that while he liked the president’s speech, “he was wrong on one major issue, and that is the Trans-Pacific Partnership.”

He added, “I do not believe that continuing a set of bad policies, policies that have failed, makes any sense at all.”

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a trade agreement currently being negotiated between 12 countries, including Japan, Canada, Vietnam, Mexico, Australia and Peru; the countries involved in the negotiations represent nearly 40 per cent of global gross domestic product. It is as complex as it is ambitious.

Yet, while the Republican leadership has vowed to work with President Obama on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Democrats have been vocal in their opposition.

In the short term, they don’t want to give the president so-called fast-track authority, which would allow the administration to negotiate the deal and then hand Congress a finalised agreement that it could only vote up or down, with no amendments.

You’d need a heart of stone not to be sympathetic to the concerns of the Democrats.

Over the last two decades, lots of manufacturing jobs have

vanished in the United States, inflicting a great deal of pain on workers.

During those same 20 years, Nafta has been in force. Linking those job losses to the existence of Nafta is a leap the Democrats — and progressives in general — have made.

The question that needs to be asked, however, is whether that link is justified. “I am sceptical of definitive judgments on Nafta,” said Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

“We started offshoring television assembly in the 1960s” — decades before Nafta. Yes, many assembly plants have been built in Mexico since Nafta went into effect.

But China, where millions more manufacturing jobs have migrated — and with which we have a huge trade deficit — doesn’t even have a trade agreement with the United States.

Edward Gresser, the executive director of Progressive Economy, a left-leaning think tank, noted that other factors were taking place at the same time as Nafta: the growth of container ships, the lowering cost of communications, the rise of global industries.

With or without trade deals, globalisation is an unstoppable force. What Nafta really is, Gresser told me, is a proxy for globalisation.

One mistake the Nafta negotiators made more than two decades ago was taking worker rights and environmental protections out of the agreement itself and putting them into a side letter. They were never effectively enforced.

Those negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership expect to rectify that error this go-round.

They are also aiming to pry open the Japanese auto and agricultural markets to American producers, and include protections for a free and open Internet.

It has, in other words, a lot more potential to do good than harm.

When I spoke to Slaughter she was still riled up.

“These crazy trade agreements,” she called them at one point. She added, “Rochester really suffered.”

She told me about all the jobs lost at Kodak. “I think Nafta brought down Kodak,” she said. But of course it didn’t.

Kodak’s problems came about because digital photography made film unnecessary and Kodak didn’t shift course in time. She was blaming Nafta for Kodak’s self-inflicted wounds.

But then her tone brightened. She told me about all the new companies — 55 in all, she said — that had taken space in the old Kodak buildings.

Some were even run by former Kodak engineers.

Which, of course, is precisely the way globalisation is supposed to work.

- The New York Times News Service

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MUSCAT: Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Qatabi, president of the Majlis Al Shura, will preside over the first regular session of the Majlis for the current year on Saturday. The session’s agenda includes an address by the Majlis president, a review of the secretariats general’s report on the Majlis’ activities. The Majlis will also listen to the minister of information’s annual report on his ministry’s future plans and programmes to upgrade information policies and media. Also among the agenda is a discussion of the situation in Muscat Securities Market.

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OPINION POLL

TODAY IN HISTORY

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

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 2 6, 2 015

GLOBAL EYE

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SWITZERLAND: The sunset illuminates the peaks of the mountains near the Swiss mountain resort of St. Moritz on Sunday. — Reuters

FRANCE: Gulls fly near the tractor of a French farmer in a field in Ault near Le Treport, Western

France, on Saturday. — Reuters

COMOROS: Electoral officers from Comoros paste candidates list on the wall of a voting station as polls open in the Comoros legislative elections on Sunday in Moroni. — AFP

VENEZUELA: Venezuelan soldiers try to control the crowd as people attempt to buy chicken at a MegaMercal, a subsidized state-run street market, in Caracas on Saturday. President Nicolas Maduro shook up complex currency controls on Wednesday and also prepared Venezuelans for a rise in the world’s cheapest fuel prices in response to a recession worsened by plunging oil revenue. — Reuters

FRANCE: A helicopter of the French Gendarmerie arrives on Sunday in Ceillac transporting a body of one of six skiers victims of an avalanche a day earlier in the French Alps. Rescue workers yesterday found the bodies of the six skiers who went missing during a trek in the Queyras mountain range. — AFP

NEPAL: Nepalese opposition leaders protest and chant slogans as they leave the constituent assembly hall after a proposal that will lead to voting on contentious issues proposed by the speaker was passed on approval of the ruling parties in Kathmandu on Sunday. — AFP

CHINA: Paramilitary policemen wearing opera makeup, look at themselves in a mirror during an op-

era learning activity ahead of the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, in Nanjing, China. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year in 2015, which welcomes the Year of the Goat, kicks off on February 19. — Reuters/China Daily

BELGIUM: People take part in opening night festivities in Mons, Belgium, on Saturday, during the opening of events marking the city’s celebrations as Mons 2015, European capital of culture. — AFP

M ONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015 It is true our troops lost Monguno to Boko Haram. They have taken over the town and the military barracks Senior military officer, Nigeria

WORLD

Ennahda rejects new Tunisia government ahead of vote Parliament will vote this week to confirm

We decided not to approve this government because it does not represent all the political classes and it breaks with the consensual way we have worked recently

the new government that must tackle economic reforms and extremist militants to consolidate Tunisia’s young democracy

TUNIS: Tunisia’s extremist party Ennahda, which holds the second largest number of seats in parliament, said on Sunday it would reject a government proposed last week by Prime Minister designate Habib Essid, complicating his cabinet’s ratification.

Parliament will vote this week to confirm the new government that must tackle economic reforms and extremist militants to consolidate Tunisia’s young de-

TENSIONS: Residents wave Tunisian flags and pictures of slain opposition leader Mohamed Brahmi during a rally in Sidi Bouzid on December 17, 2013, to mark the third anniversary of the Tunisian revolution. Sidi Bouzid is the birthplace of the 2010 revolution. — Reuters file photo

mocracy after its 2011 uprising against autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. “We decided not to approve this government because it does not represent all the political classes and it breaks with the consensual way we have worked recently,”

NIGERIA

FURIOUS: Demonstrators from a group called ‘Nigeria Matters’ hold placards during a rally condemning the lack of a coodinated response to terrorism in Nigeria outside the Nigerian Embassy in London, Britain, on Sunday. — Reuters

Boko Haram men seize army base, Monguno town MAIDUGURI (NIGERIA): Boko Haram extremists on Sunday captured the northeastern town of Monguno, including a military base, after a fierce battle with Nigerian troops, security sources told AFP. “Monguno has fallen, Monguno has fallen,” said a senior military officer, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorised to talk to the media.

“We fought them all night long but they took over the town, including the military barracks there,” he said.

Another security source confirmed that the extremist militants had taken over the town, which lies some 137 kilometres (85 miles) from the Borno State capital, Maiduguri.

“It is true our troops lost Monguno to Boko Haram. They have taken over the town and the military barracks.

“Our troops had to withdraw after fighting the terrorists for several hours. They came in full

force and at the end overpowered our men”, he said. He said troops were making efforts to reclaim the town and the barracks.

“Our fear now is that families of some of our men are trapped in the barracks and of course, the locals, including men and women and children need to be rescued,” he said.

“We also have fighting equipment there and it will be dangerous to leave them at the mercy of the terrorists,” he said.

Hundreds of Boko Haram militants had staged a predawn strike on Monguno, causing terrified locals to flee as soldiers massed.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in the commercial capital Lagos on Sunday to urge the candidates and their supporters to respect the election outcome, underscoring US concerns that post-poll violence could destabilise the country and undermine the fight against Boko Haram. — Agencies

JA PA N H O S TA G E C R I S I S

IS seeks freedom for female bomber AMMAN: Sajida Al Rishawi, whose release is demanded by the IS group that claimed the murder of a Japanese hostage, is a would-be Iraqi female suicide bomber on death row in Jordan.

Sajida was sentenced to death in 2006 for triple hotel bomb attacks in Amman that killed 60 people on November 9 2005.

The woman was arrested four days after the attacks in which her husband Ali Hussein Al Shammari and two other Iraqis, blew themselves up.

Later, authorities paraded Sajida on state television for her to confess that she had accompanied her husband to Jordan to carry out the attacks. — Reuters

Ennahda leader Sahbi Atig told Reuters after a party meeting.

Essid has proposed a cabinet formed from the main secular Nidaa Tounes party and smaller partners, but no posts went to the two other main blocks in the parliament, Ennahda and the leftist

A15

Popular Front. One of the most secular countries in the Arab world, Tunisia has been praised for its peaceful democratic transition in an otherwise volatile region, with free elections and a new constitution four years after Ben Ali’s overthrow.

Sahbi Atig Ennahda leader

Since that uprising, Tunisian politics has often been dominated by compromises between secular and extremist leaders to help keep democratisation on track after a series of deadlocks threatened to overturn its transition. — Reuters

CLOSE ELECTION

Zambia’s new president pledges unity LUSAKA: Zambia’s new President Edgar Lungu was sworn in Sunday, pledging to unite the country and rebuild the economy after narrowly winning a vote rejected by the opposition.

Lungu, the former defence minister from the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), takes over the helm for the remainder of the late Michael Sata’s term until a general election scheduled for September 2016.

He promised to unite the southern African country and focus on building the economy of the continent’s second biggest copper producer, which has been hit by declining prices.

“I am aware of the various challenges that our people are facing and something must be done,” he said, listing poverty reduction as a key priority.

I am your servant “I am very honoured that you have decided to make me your servant,” he said after taking the oath at a ceremony attended by thousands of Zambians as well as African dignitaries.

“You are the masters and I am your servant.”

He was declared the winner Saturday of an election last week that was disrupted by bad weather and poor voter turnout. — AFP

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 2 6, 2 015

WORLD S H ATT E R I N G C E A S E F I R E

30 killed in Philippines as police, rebels clash MANILA: At least 30 people were killed in heavy fighting between police and Muslim rebels in the Philippines on Sunday, military and local officials said, threatening a yearold peace agreement and shattering a ceasefire that held for three years.

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest rebel group in the Philippine south, accepted an autonomy offer in March 2014 from the government, ending 45 years of conflict in which 120,000 people were killed and 2 million displaced.

Under the deal, brokered by Malaysia, the Moro rebels were to surrender their weapons and disband after the government had set up a new autonomous government in the south and granted the Muslim minority wider economic power.

But Sunday’s clashes, which lasted nearly 12 hours near Mamasapano town, Maguindanao, are likely to be a major setback in the implementation of the deal as Philippine Congress deliberates a new law on Muslim autonomy.

Army sources said police had entered a Muslim community where MILF and its rival faction, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, are believed to be operating. The Philippine National Police did not give any statement.

Zacaria Guma, a MILF commander, in a statement said the police did not coordinate with a joint government and rebel ceasefire panel. — Reuters

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Radical leftists remain the favourites as Greeks vote While Syriza is expected to form the biggest group in parliament, it is unclear if it will be able to govern alone or have to form a coalition

ATHENS: Greeks voted on Sunday in an election expected to bring to power the radical leftist Syriza party, which has pledged to take on international lenders and roll back painful austerity measures imposed during years of economic crisis.

Barring a huge upset, Syriza, which has led opinion polls for months, will be the biggest party and aims to form the first euro zone government openly committed to cancelling the austerity terms of its EU and IMF-backed bailout programme.

“In Greece, democracy will return,” the party’s 40-year-old leader Alexis Tsipras told a throng of cameras as he voted in Athens.

“The message is that our common future in Europe is not the future of austerity.”

A Syriza win would represent another turning point for Europe after last week’s announcement

DECISION TIME: A woman with her children exit a booth at a polling station in Athens, on Sunday. — AFP

by the European Central Bank of a massive injection of cash into the bloc’s flagging economy after years of trying to clamp down on budgets and pushing countries to pass structural reforms.

Polls close at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT), with 9.8 million Greeks eligible to vote. An exit poll is expected immediately after voting ends, with the first official projections due at 9.30 p.m. with results updated into the night.

While Syriza is expected to form the biggest group in the 300-seat parliament, it is unclear if it will be able to govern alone

or have to form a coalition with a smaller party.

Final polls on Friday gave the party a lead of up to 6.7 points with 31.2-33.4 per cent of the vote, slightly under the level needed for an outright victory.

However the final result could hinge on whether it can convince enough voters that it can keep Greece on a sustainable course, with many wary of idealistic promises.

“I voted for a small party to force them all to collaborate, get us back to growth and keep us in the euro,” said Christos Mousouris, 52, a civil

engineer. “People should be realists and not believe in fairy tales.”

Syriza appeared to be widening the gap in the final days of campaigning over the centre-right New Democracy party of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, who appealed to undecided voters to ensure Greece stays on the path of stability and reforms.

“Today we are deciding if we move ahead with power, safety and confidence or if we get into an adventure,” Samaras said after voting in the western Pelopponese region.

After its most severe crisis since

the fall of the military junta in 1974, Greece’s economy has shrunk by some 25 per cent, thousands of businesses have closed, wages and pensions have been slashed and unemployment among youth is over 50 per cent.

At the same time, its massive public debt has climbed from 146 per cent of gross domestic product in 2010 to 175.5 per cent last year, the second highest in the world.

Greece’s economy last year emerged from recession for the first time in six years and unemployment has begun to come down slightly, but it may be years before the country recovers.

Tsipras’ campaign slogan “Hope is coming!” has resonated with austerity-weary voters, despite Samaras’ warnings that a Syriza government could bankrupt Greece.

“We can’t take more austerity,” said 47 year-old civil servant, Maria Avrami, who said she used to vote for the centre-left PASOK party which shared power with New Democracy in the outgoing government.

“I hope Syriza gets a high vote to be strong enough to negotiate with the Europeans,” she said.

Renouncing much of the firebrand rhetoric that was once his hallmark, Tsipras has promised to keep Greece in the euro and dropped threats to “tear up” the tough requirements of its 240 billion euro bailout. — Reuters

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ONGOING BLOCKADE

Khaleda charged with instigating bus arson attack DHAKA: Bangladesh police have formally charged Begum Khaleda Zia, head of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with instigating a petrol bomb attack on a passenger bus, a senior police official said on Sunday.

Police said 29 people suffered burns in the incident on Friday and nine passengers are in critical condition.

The authorities accuse the BNP leader of ordering the attack as part of the party’s campaign to blockade Dhaka to try to force a general election.

“She was charged for the first time with instigating such an attack on a passenger bus during the ongoing blockade programme,” Habibur Rahman, Superintendent of Polices of Dhaka, told Reuters.

One senior leader of the BNP, Rizvi Ahmed, denied the allegations against Khaleda, who is not in custody but still working in her office.

The BNP has been blockading Dhaka since January 6 to try to compel the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to hold an election. The party boycotted a vote in 2014.

Police say they have arrested scores of BNP activists since the blockade began for various offences connected to the campaign, but the BNP says about 10,000 people have been taken into custody.

Bangladesh has been racked by political violence for decades, and the latest crisis erupted on Jan. 5 when demonstrations broke out

Khaleda Zia

on the anniversary of last year’s disputed elections.

The office of prime minister has been held by Hasina or the BNP’s Khaleda for all but two of the past 23 years and the rivalry between them is bitter.

At least 34 people have died in Bangladesh and scores have been injured, most of them in fire bomb attacks, amid rising political unrest fuelled by a stand-off between the two of them.

Delay in shipments 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.

The opposition called for another 36-hour countrywide strike from Sunday morning to protest against the arrests and “oppression” of its leaders.

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

AIRASIA FLIGHT 8501

Indonesia fails to retrieve jet fuselage JAKARTA: Indonesian salvage teams failed again Sunday to retrieve the fuselage of AirAsia Flight 8501 from the seabed after a sling snapped during a sudden change in the weather, officials said.

In the past two days the teams have been using giant inflatable bags to raise the fuselage, which

lies in the Java Sea at a depth of around 30 metres (98 feet), to make it easier to find bodies believed trapped inside.

On Sunday they managed to lift the fuselage to the surface for only two minutes before the sling snapped, a navy official overseeing the search and rescue operation said. — AFP

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FISHERIES ZONE

Duqm woos foreign investment in fisheries ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Foreign investors are being encouraged by Oman government to utilise the vast business opportunities in the fisheries sector in the developing port town of Duqm.

The fisheries zone is one of the investment areas that the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) has been promoting along with a number of other sectors, which include the residential zone, the central business district, the industrial zone, sea port, dry dock, tourism zone, and logistics.

Zahida Mohammed Kohi, head of the promotion department at SEZAD, said that the upcoming integrated fishery project in Duqm has opened up a wide array of investment opportunities. > B2

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MARKET Dubai’s real estate prices decline Times News Service

Market adjustment is seen as healthy for the long term growth of the sector

MUSCAT: While 2014 was a year of further growth for Dubai real estate market, the last three months saw a decline in values or prices in some areas and improved net yields to more sustainable levels, a new report reveals.

This market adjustment is viewed as healthy for the long term

growth of the market, according to the latest quarterly report issued by the real estate consultancy arm of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) — MPM Properties.

In the residential sector, sales values increased 15 per cent during 2014, while the fourth quarter saw quarter on quarter increase of 4.0 per cent. On the other hand, rental values grew 10 per cent across

Dubai during 2014, but stayed flat during fourth quarter of 2014.

The MPM report highlights the importance of understanding micro level factors when analysing value adjustments, with the Palm Jumeriah being a prime example. Average transaction values on Palm Jumeriah declined over 2014, driven in part by a readjustment by developers on the entry

level price points of new products being offered to the market.

For example, Palm Views has an entry level price of Dh1.3 million for a studio apartment. Similarly, Jumeirah Golf Estates saw an entry level price level of Dh3 million for townhouses in the launch of Redwood Park, which has impacted the overall average values for the development. In comparison,

in smaller master planned communities such as the DIFC, there was a negative impact on average selling prices as new inventory was delivered in Burj Daman.

The last quarter of 2014 saw new inventory being released on the back of positive sentiment from Dubai Cityscape. Major private developers including GiGico, Damac and Danube launched new projects.

O M A N - B R U N E I T R A D E TA L K

< FROM

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Duqm fishing harbour offers huge opportunity

Speaking at an Oman-Brunei business networking session last week, she brief the participants on a full-fledged fishery industries complex project, which would include a research centre, a training centre, an international standards and quality assurance centre and modern handling and cold storage facilities.

Fishing harbour According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the construction of a fishing harbour in Duqm, which will be the largest in Oman, is scheduled to complete in 2016. The project is at the tender evaluation stage.

The port would accommodate not only Omani fleets but also fleets from other countries passing through the Indian Ocean, and more than 60 processing plants and related facilities would be set up in a big area at the back of the Duqm fishing port.

Potential areas In her presentation, Kohi noted that the proposed areas for private sector investment in the fisheries sector include value addition in fisheries products, certified fish seed breeding facilities to avail quality seed to fish farmers, fish feed industry and fishing gear and equipment industry.

Aquaculture and mariculture, aquaria parks for local and overseas tourism, fish leather industry, development of fish port, auction centre and marketing and cooling storage facilities are other potential areas for cooperation, she noted.

Investment opportunities The business delegation from Brunei visited Oman to explore investment opportunities in different sectors and was led by Dato Ali Apong, deputy minister at the office of Brunei’s prime minister who is also the chairman of the Brunei Economic Development Board.

The networking session was organised by the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa) in partnership with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE).

Business incentives The official from SEZAD also said that the port town offers a range of investment incentives, such as 100 per cent foreign ownership, zero corporate tax, zero personal income tax, exemption from taxes for 30 years, no currency restrictions and trading, no minimum capital requirement, exemption from import and export duties,

lease period of up to 50 years and quick approval procedures through One Stop Shop services.

In another presentation, DrLubna Al Kharusi, director general of fisheries research at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, highlighted the importance of this sector to the country.

Fishing fleet She noted that Oman’s fishing fleet in 2014 consisted of 19,245 small fishing boats, 698 traditional fishing vessels, 130 coastal fishing vessels and 14 commercial fishing vessels.

According to her, the government will invest around OMR600 million towards 2020 in infrastructure, fleet development and other services to ensure accelerated growth in the fishing industry. The direct economic return by 2020 is estimated at around OMR369.6 million.

Currently, there are 21 fishing ports in operation, three under construction, three in the tendering process, and six at the design stage.

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M ONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015

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MARKET DISINVESTMENT

Contract awarded to study MEDC privatisation Times News Service MUSCAT: Electricity Holding Company (EHC) has awarded a contract to study privatisation of Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC) to a consortium of advisors led by CPCS Transcom International based in Canada.

The company has a wealth of experience in handling similar consultations across the globe.

The group of consultants are expected to commence the study this month.

The consultant will explore privatisation options and to assess the readiness of MEDC for privatisation. The objective of privatisation is to promote private sector participation in the nationbuilding process and to enhance the value for staff, customers and shareholders.

EHC, a government-owned group of companies engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity in Oman, last year floated a public tender to issue the Request for Proposal to undertake the strategic study for the privatisation of MEDC, a subsidiary of EHC, as per the directives of the government represented by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Authority for Electricity and Water.

REGIONAL MARKETS

Abu Dhabi shares gain

Oman set to attract global conferences at mega centre The Sultanate is now being seriously considered to host significant global conventions and congresses through strategic partnerships with AEG Ogden

Times News Service MUSCAT: As the clock ticks down to the 2016 opening of the new Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC), global meetings planners continue to be amazed by what the Sultanate has to offer.

Internationally recognised as one of the world’s newest and most exciting emerging convention destinations, Oman is now being seriously considered to host significant global conventions and congresses through strategic partnerships instigated by OCEC’s venue managers, AEG Ogden.

One partnership gaining traction is that with the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) which represents 6,500 meeting industry leaders

SET TO MAKE AN IMPACT: One partnership gaining traction is with the Professional Convention Management Association, which represents 6,500 meeting industry leaders worldwide. – Supplied photo

the meetings, congresses and business events industry, should be a model for all emerging convention destinations,” Sexton said.

International advisors Attending this year’s Convening Leaders Congress was the ideal opportunity to meet the 13 international advisors who now form the PCMA Oman Advisory Board and share in their global knowledge and expertise. More than 230 dignitaries, members of professional associations and meetings industry suppliers attended the first Oman Advisory Summit in Muscat last year.

DUQM ECONOMIC ZONE

Sezad to launch new firm FAHAD AL MUKRASHI

DUBAI: Shares in Abu Dhabi rose to the highest level in almost a month led by First Gulf Bank PJSC, as some investors speculated that bank results will beat estimates. Qatari stocks also advanced.

The ADX General Index added 1 per cent to close at 4,570.22, the highest since December 28.

Qatar’s QE Index jumped 1.3 per cent, the most in more than two weeks, led by Qatar National Bank. Profit at Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC, the biggest Shariahcompliant lender in the United Arab Emirates, jumped more than 30 per cent.

“Dubai Islamic Bank showed good numbers, beating analyst expectations, which is an indication of what we should expect form the other banks,” Tariq Qaqish, a fund manager at Al Mal Capital PSC, said by telephone from Dubai.

First Gulf Bank was the leading bank for syndicated loans in the UAE in 2014.

Local banks are hiring from international lenders to bolster operations as they deploy surplus cash to offer cheap loans to local businesses. This allowed them to claim the top five positions in credit last year for the first time since at least 2002.

First Gulf Bank jumped 3.9 percent, the biggest advance since January 7. - Bloomberg News

worldwide. Representatives from Oman attended the PCMA convening leaders’ annual congress in Chicago, the United States.

Deborah Sexton, president and chief executive officer of Professional Convention Management Association, said that after a successful first year partnership with the Sultanate, her organisation was honoured to have the Oman delegation among the 4,000 participants at the congress.

“Convening leaders focuses on education for the leaders of the industry and it is critical for Oman to be part of these discussions. The ongoing commitment of Omran chief executive officer, Wael Al Lawati, the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre and Oman to raising awareness of the opportunities the country has to offer for

fahd@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) will launch a new company — Oman Company for Duqm Development - soon. It will handle commercial deals, bring investment, promote lease of land and provide approval requirements.

Saleh Al Hasni, investor service manager at Sezad, told the Times of Oman that the economic zone would only be a regulator to the new company that is fully owned

by Sezad. He pointed out that the company was in the final stages of formation and all the members have been selected from both the government and private sector

companies. He said that bringing members from the private sector companies is basically to do the business and invest in Duqm.

“The new company will run all the projects and investments in Duqm,” said Al Hasni. He said that the Saudi Arabian delegation, which visited Duqm recently, showed interest to invest in both commercial and tourism sectors.

About Duqm as a tourist destination, Al Hasni said that the future of tourism in Duqm is promising due to increasing tourist facilities provided there. “Dudm becomes a stop-over for many families who travel to Salalah, especially during Khareef season, to rest and enjoy,” noted Al Hasni.

He said Sezad allows tourism

companies to start building projects aimed at boosting tourism in Duqm. “Companies will build parks and water themes, restaurants and shops,” added Al Hasni.

Shopping mall A small shopping mall to be built in Duqm will be an added attraction, he noted. Al Hasni also said that in the 2015 budget, fund has been committed by the Ministry of Finance to develop infrastructure in Duqm.

Meanwhile, an Italian business delegation will visit Duqm on Tuesday, said an official at the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm. The aim of the visit, he elaborated, is to explore investment opportunities in Duqm.

Among those at the Professional Convention Management Association Convening Leaders Congress was the OCEC’s Director of Business Development, Gillian Taylor, who attended the business sessions, ‘one on one’ appointments with meeting planners and global workshops to further increase business opportunities for the OCEC and Oman.

Taylor gave potential clients the opportunity to experience some Omani hospitality by offering the unique flavours of traditional Omani halwa (the delicious local delicacy - Omani sweet) and Omani hahwa (coffee) during their

presentations. “There are exciting times ahead as we progress several bids and await decisions for major international congresses with PCMA meeting planners.

They are all buoyed by the opening of the OCEC next year and are continually amazed by the beauty of the country and the countless opportunities the Sultanate has to offer,” Taylor said.

Market research indicates that the economic impact of the project will contribute an estimated OMR180-295 million a year to Oman’s GDP by 2030.

Eng. Wael Al Lawati, chief executive officer at Omran, commented, “In its preparation to steer the economic growth of Oman through new channels of diversification, OCEC continues to develop an infrastructure beyond the parameters of its own venue.

The calibre of the facility itself, in addition to its operation by AEG Ogden, will position Oman at the forefront of the business meetings industry.”

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MARKET D AV O S M E E T

IT giant Tech Mahindra eyeing global workforce DAVOS: Committed to a diversified global workforce, IT major Tech Mahindra chief C P Gurnani has said employees in the IT industry will have to continuously re-skill themselves as 10-15 per cent technology jobs will become obsolete every year.

“We will have a diversified global workforce, but I can’t give any numbers as in our business numbers can be translated into revenue and I’m in a quiet period.

“But I can tell you that as a firm we are committed to a diversified and a global workforce. We are committed to take advantages of the productivity and efficiency gains for our end customers,” said Gurnani, who was here to at-

tend the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting. Asked whether Indian IT sector was ready to embrace the new emerging technologies, a hot topic of discussion at the five-day WEF summit that ended last night, Gurnani said in an interview that India is indeed embracing new technology.

“There are few parts to it. The number one is have we embraced the new technology? The fact is Narendra Modi ran his prime ministerial election campaign as much on social media and 3D holographic images as much by personally meeting people all over the country. “That shows that India has indeed embraced the technology.

“Second part is will the new

technology replace some of the traditional jobs? Technology by definition makes something obsolete. So, my opinion is that it is happening and it will continue to happen and 10-15 per cent of technology jobs will become obsolete every year,” he added.

Software virtualisation To a question on whether it will open up a new window for new kinds of jobs, Gurnani said, “I am convinced that it will do. The new technology in areas of networking, software virtualisation, crowd sourcing and Internet of everything will open new avenues and if I am agile.

“Any employee will have to

change his hats, not necessarily change the company. However, the employee won’t be able to say that he or she will only work in one technology. “In my opinion, in their careers of 35 years if they don’t change their hats ten times, there is something wrong.

You have to re-skill yourself and you have to know new technology processes and business and then openings will be available and it is for us to adopt.” - PTI

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UPBEAT: Tech Mahindra chief C P Gurnani has said employees in the IT industry will have to continuously re-skill themselves as 1015 per cent technology jobs will become obsolete every year. – AFP

ECB’s measures aimed at driving euro growth BATTLE AGAINST DEFLATION ECB chief has said

The bond purchase

programme, known as quantitative easing or QE, has already been used by the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve to jump-start their economies

it would go on a €1.14-trillion bondbuying spree to drive up inflation in the euro area

FRANKFURT: Investors and financial markets have hailed the European Central Bank’s (ECB) latest monetary policy coup, but some observers warn that Europe might use up all its ammunition in the battle against deflation.

ECB chief Mario Draghi’s announcement on Thursday that the guardian of the euro would go on a €1.14-trillion ($1.27-trillion) bond-buying spree to drive up inflation in the euro area sent global stock markets soaring and pulled down borrowing costs. But there were sceptical voices, too.

“It is clear that this programme is Draghi’s last cartridge. If the programme fails, there will be no other measures to implement...

Mario Draghi. – Bloomberg News

and the prospects for the eurozone’s economies will be terrifying,” said Laurent Bakhtari, analyst at Swiss-based IG Bank.

The bond purchase programme, known as quantitative easing or QE, has already been used by the Bank of England and the US Federal Reserve to jump-start their economies. The ECB has long wrangled over whether to follow suit, in part due to strong opposition to the measure in Germany.

Germany sees QE merely as sticking a plaster on weaker economies like Italy and Spain which, it argues, need instead to push through structural reforms to make them more competitive.

Germany is also concerned that,

as Europe’s biggest economy and its effective paymaster, it would have to pick up the tab should another country default on its debt.

Super Mario Draghi has already earned himself the nickname ‘Super Mario’ for the way he has galvanised policysetting at the ECB since taking its helm in 2011 and transformed it from the German central bank model it was originally based on.

Under his leadership —and in the face of unprecedented battles to save the euro — the ECB has repeatedly ventured into unchartered territory, by introducing negative interest rates, for example, or making vast amounts of

cheap loans available to banks.

But with eurozone growth still sluggish at a meagre 0.2 per cent in the last quarter of 2014, Mario Draghi has been compelled to roll out a central bank’s heaviest artillery, quantitative easing, and to design it in such a way as to make it palatable to the Germans.

How QE works Under QE, a central bank creates money electronically and uses it to buy the debt that countries issue to pay their bills. That pushes down interest rates on bonds and other financial assets, making it cheaper for companies to borrow and invest, increasing spending and job creation.

Under Draghi’s scheme, the ECB will buy €60 billion of bonds, both public and private sector, per month starting from March and lasting at until September 2016.

Mario Draghi himself insists that QE should not be seen as a cure-all to the eurozone’s ills and it is now up to the 19 governments of the euro countries to get their economies in order and their finances in shape.

“Monetary policy can create a basis for growth but it’s up to governments and the EU Commission to make sure growth actually takes place,” he said. - AFP

COST CUTTING

Falling crude prices threaten UK’s oil industry LONDON: With oil prices tumbling and ageing equipment making extraction ever more expensive, Britain’s North Sea oilfields face a struggle for survival, threatening a vital source of income and energy.

The oil industry has been hard hit by crude prices falling more than 50 percent since June to less than $50 a barrel.

Energy giant BP recently announced it was cutting 300 local

jobs, mostly in the Scottish city of Aberdeen, Britain’s oil ‘capital.

Others, including Shell and Chevron, warned late last year of similar scale cuts. The publication of the oil majors’ financial results in a few weeks augurs more bad news, with British subcontractors particularly nervous that they may be deemed expendable.

In anticipation, oil services company Wood Group has already cut staff salaries by 10 per

cent. The industry has ridden out previous fluctuations, with prices dropping as low as $38.37 per barrel during the depths of the global economic crisis in 2008.

“We’ve seen oil prices fall in the past and it has recovered,” said Neil Gordon, chief executive of Subsea UK. “There is confidence that it will recover, but that you’ll have to go through an amount of pain, until the price recovers.” - AFP

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SECTION

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IMES TECH STUFF

GIVING YOUR MOUSING ARM A LITTLE REST If you would like to give your mousing arm a rest there are keyboard shortcuts for navigating through all your currently open programmes. In the desktop mode of Windows 8.1, hold down the Alt key while pressing the Tab key to see thumbnail versions of all your open programmes.

Tap the Tab key to move through the thumbnails and release the keys to select a programme or file. (If you accidentally go too far and skip over the programme you meant to use, extend another finger to hold down the Shift key while pressing the Alt and Tab keys.)

New take-along chargers that pack power to portable devices Once you know those measurements, it is time to decide which type of charging device is best for you. One of the most convenient ways to charge a smartphone is to use a case that includes an external battery

ERIC A. TAUB

S

pend any time in an airport, and you’ll witness the electrical outlet acting as the 21st century’s fire pit. Armed with their smartphones, travellers huddle around outlets, hoping to warm their portable devices with some extra power before flying.

But smart travellers have learned that they don’t need to compete, as long as they carry some spare energy with them. That’s easily accomplished by using an external charger that can double the battery life of your device.

Before getting a charger, though, make sure you’re buying it for the right type of device. Most recharging products indicate on their packaging whether they are for smartphones or tablets. If the packaging doesn’t say, look at the amps delivered through the output — one amp for phones, two for tablets. Trying to charge a tablet with a smartphone accessory will result in glacially slow charging, or none at all.

Charging a phone with a two-amp

device won’t damage the phone, but the phone will use only one amp of the possible two. In addition, external batteries are rated in terms of mAh, or milliampere hours. The rating is analogous to the capacity of a car’s gas tank; the higher the number, the bigger the battery capacity and the more devices you will be able to charge.

Most convenient ways Once you know those measurements, it is time to decide which type of charging device is best for you. One of the most convenient ways to charge a smartphone is to use a case that includes an external battery.

Mophie makes its Juice Pack line for several iPhone and Android models. When the case is attached to the phone and plugged in, the phone and battery charge simultaneously. When the phone runs out of juice, a push of the button sends power from the case’s battery to recharge it. The iPhone 6 case starts at $100 for 2,750 mAh, which should at least double the amount of power available for your phone.

More options are available for earlier iPhone models. For the iPhone 5 and 5S, for example, there is the Leaf from Jackery. It is about $40 for the iPhone 5 and comes with a 2400mAh battery. It is available in black or white, and each option comes with an orange bonus case.

Duracell’s Powermat Power Case, about $120, is also available for the 5 and 5S; a version for the iPhone 6 will be available later this year. It includes a 2000mAh battery and an additional case, taller than its competitors, that also allows an iPhone to be charged wirelessly. To do so, you place the Power Case-enclosed phone on the included Powermat wireless charging pad. Starbucks has said it will install wireless charging pads throughout stores in major American markets by the end of 2015.

Cases with external batteries may be convenient, but they have one

main drawback: They add significant size and weight to your phone.

If you don’t want to always carry a bigger and heavier phone in your pocket, consider an external battery that you can keep in your bag or car. Tylt’s Energi 2K resembles a charging block. Plug its retractable electrical prongs into an outlet,

then plug the smartphone’s USB cable into the Energi 2K. Both charge simultaneously. When you need to recharge, a push of the button on the $40 unit sends power back to the phone through the same USB cable.

Jackery, maker of the Leaf product, says it will offer a much larger 5,000 mAh external battery called the Jackery Air in March, for an undisclosed price.

MyCharge offers two new All Terrain external chargers for smartphones and tablets. The $40 Plus model outputs 2.1 amps, while the $60 Max version, meant to be able to charge two devices at once, outputs 3.4 amps. Both are dustproof and waterproof, and the company states that each device can retain 60 percent of its charge for up to one year and recharge an iPhone up to 30 percent faster than Apple’s standard charger. But what do you do when you’re nowhere near elec-

tricity and even your external battery has died? Don’t worry. Juno’s $100 Junojumper can be charged while connected to a car’s cigarette lighter. Its 6000mAh battery can even be used to jump-start a four- or six-cylinder vehicle, not to mention charging smartphones and tablets.

And if you’re in the wilderness and every device is dead, you’re still in luck. The PowerPot from Power Practical is a lightweight cooking pot that, when heated, will cook your food and power up your smartphone as well, via the pot’s attached USB cable. The $150 PowerPot produces enough electricity to charge a smartphone. A higher-wattage tablet-compatible version, the PowerPot X, is expected to ship in the spring. These products may eliminate the need to constantly find an electrical outlet, but you’ll still be charging something at least every day. — The New York Times News Service

APP SMART

Staying in tune, and keeping the beat on your smartphones KIT EATON

S

martphones and tablets are powerful music devices. You can listen to music, you can create music and, with the right app, you can get an assist when playing an instrument.

One of the most useful apps for guitarists — and yet one of the simplest — is a tuner app. It makes sense: There is no need to carry another device when a smartphone is already in your pocket. For simple guitar-tuning powers, one of my favourite apps is TuneWave, $1 on iOS. I like it because the design is modern and the app has few distracting bells and whistles.

The app’s screen is simple, with three main parts: A needle dial like an old voltage meter, a large display of the musical note being played and a wavelike display. To use TuneWave you simply place it near your guitar, pluck a string, adjust the tuning and watch the displays to see when you’ve tuned the string to perfection. The less wavy the display, the closer you are to the chosen note.

The app has a few simple con-

trols and is minimalist and speedy.

It is also useful for tuning other stringed instruments like violins.

On Android, I like TunergStrings Free, a free app that also has a modern design and relatively minimalist look. It works in almost exactly the same way as TuneWave, but it has a few extras, like the ability to set up your phone’s microphone sensitivity for the best results.

It is ad-supported and the ads could get annoying.

visual cue and a simultaneous sound at the beats-per-minute rate you select. Its menu system is simple and overall, the app feels very professional.

For a more full-featured guitar tuning app check out Guitar Tuna, a free iOS and Android app. Tuning your guitar involves watching a graph on the screen as you pluck a string — when the graph’s trace is at the centre, your tuning is accurate.

Shows useful messages The app even shows useful messages like “too low” if the string is tuned too flat.

Guitar Tuna also includes a guitar chord section. This shows you how to place your fingers on the strings to play a chord, and it can sound out the chord you’ve selected.

It also has a simple metronome

section that can sound out beats to keep your playing exactly on time.

Lastly, Guitar Tuna has a “Games” section with different activities to learn guitar chord fingering, or, for example, to train yourself to identify chords by ear.

Some of these games are free,

but you have to pay in-app to unlock more at around $3 each. Or you can unlock everything for $13.

If you’re looking for a straightforward metronome app, then Pro Metronome, free on iOS, is a great choice. The app does precisely what you’d expect: It displays a

Musical performances If you upgrade to the Pro version for $3, you get some extras like being able to keep two rhythms at once, which may be useful for some musical performances.

You can also choose the audio cues that accompany the metronome’s “ticks” — including a counting voice.

On Android, a great equivalent app is Metronome Beats. This free app has many similar features, including the ability to choose custom sounds to keep you on the beat. It’s slightly more modernlooking, although its interface can appear cluttered and confusing.

But it’s certainly a very capable metronome app.

Lugging around sheet music is much easier now, too: No more carrying paper, and some apps even do clever tricks like turning the pages. On Android my favourite app of this type is Orpheus Sheet

Music Reader. This app, which costs $4.57, is very capable: It not only stores PDF sheet music, but also syncs with Dropbox so you can easily add music to your library, and it connects to external peripherals like the AirTurn pedal so you can flip the pages hands-free.

On iPads or iPhones, the DeepDish GigBook app, which costs $10, takes this idea one step further. As well as displaying sheet music for you to play, it also lets you scribble on the screen to annotate the score with information like fingerings. The app also has a set list creator, so you can collect all the music you need for a gig, and it’s also compatible with pageturning peripherals.

Don’t forget SoundCloud — an audio-focused social network where musicians can upload and share their music with people around the world, who can even embed it in their websites if you give permission. SoundCloud, free on iOS and Android, is easy to use, and I find it a great place to discover new music and even share audio recordings of my own.

— The New York Times News Service

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ROUND-UP Jaguar launches unique ‘British Intelligence’ marketing campaign ‘British Intelligence’ is an evolution of Jaguar’s highly acclaimed ‘British Villains’ campaign for the F-TYPE Coupe and will showcase the now complete Jaguar luxury saloon lineup, including the XJ, XF and, the new XE mid-sized sports saloon

DUBAI: Leading luxury automotive manufacturer Jaguar has launched its new ‘British Intelligence’ global marketing campaign in the MENA region, led by a new cinematic 30-second television advertisement featuring British actor Nicholas Hoult and directed

by Oscar-winning British director Tom Hooper.

‘British Intelligence’ is an evolution of Jaguar’s highly acclaimed ‘British Villains’ campaign for the F-TYPE Coupe and will showcase the now complete Jaguar luxury saloon lineup, including the XJ, XF and, the new XE mid-sized sports saloon, says a press release.

The Mena campaign, which

went live in early January, has been adapted by Jaguar’s global communications agency Spark44, with Arabic and French sub-titles to retain the authentic British voiceover from X-Men star Hoult.

Media planning and buying has been handled by Jaguar Mena’s agency of record MEC, continuing Jaguar’s ‘disruptive’ media buying strategy by using a combination of sponsorships on local and regional TV channels such as MBC and Fox Movies, including bumpers and exclusive breaks around movies to not only reflect the campaign’s on-going association with British villains in films but also highlight the lineup’s technology and inno-

vation credentials. The campaign is also being supported with a variety of executions across local and regional digital channels including a partnership with Shazam across all video platforms which enables viewers to click through to the interactive ‘Innovation Lab’ on the Jaguar-me.com website for more relevant long-form content.

“Jaguar’s British challenger brand strategy and our evolving model line-up continue to elevate us in the luxury category and introduce us to a new generation of buyers,” said Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director, Jaguar Land Rover.

“With British Intelligence, we’re evolving the ‘British Villains’ theme to now showcase the

As Hoult explains, ‘A villain is only as good as the technology at his fingertips.’

To bring the innovation lab to life and continue raising the bar of automotive advertising to the cinematic calibre that was set with “Rendezvous,” Jaguar worked with premier visual effects production house, The Mill, who incorporated visually compelling CGI (computer generated imagery) effects that highlight the engineering and technology under the hood of the newest Jaguar model lineup, seen throughout the campaign.

“In casting Hoult, a young, good looking and charismatic actor with just the right amount of eccentric British charm, we found our boy genius,” said Matt Page, Creative

PROMOTION

BEST MEDICAL PRACTICES

KIMS now offers effective speech therapy treatment MUSCAT: In line with its enormous efforts to provide the community with the best medical practices, the speech therapy department at KIMS Oman Hospital (KOH) is offering its patients a variety of leading approaches and techniques including aids and iPad/computerbased therapy for treating individuals facing difficulties in hearing and communication.

Speech therapy at KIMS Oman hospital is treated by using software programmes which intend to benefit a big range of speech disorders and related conditions, including apraxia, hearing impairment, oral motor articulation deficits, autism, head injuries and also can benefit children and adults with articulation, fluency, voice and language disorders, says a press release.

“By using a wide selection of online resources and to fulfil the best results, we train parents and children to turn their PC into an electronic speech therapy tutor. Thus children of all speaking abilities can develop vocabulary skills, learn to distinguish certain sounds, begin to recognise letter

breadth and quality of Jaguar’s lineup, and the innovative technology and leading-edge craftsmanship behind each model.”

The “British Intelligence” campaign expands upon the premise that a Brits’ charm, precision, and ambition have long made them the best villains in film by adding that superior technology is also essential to great villainy. The television advertisement begins where the predecessor campaign’s TV advertisement, “Rendezvous,” ends: at the Villains’ lair. The audience is taken inside the Jaguar innovation lab by actor Nicholas Hoult, the “brains behind the villainous operation,” as he showcases the cutting-edge technology of Jaguar vehicles.

Speech therapy at KIMS Oman hospital is treated by using software programmes which intend to benefit a big range of speech disorders and related conditions, including apraxia, hearing impairment, oral motor articulation deficits, autism, head injuries

shapes and their sounds, learn to follow directions and learn basic building blocks in sentence formation including grammar,” said Dr. Hussam Akoum, chief operating officer of KOH. “Patients are given thorough assessment followed by face-to-face therapy sessions and group sessions. Patients who have little or no speech are also encouraged to use the program as an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device,” he added.

For consultations on the above mentioned concerns or related issues, speech-language

pathologist can be reached at 24760100/200/300. Parents can ask for recommendations of software programmes that would best suit the child’s needs.

“KIMS Oman Hospital is committed to providing world-class health care services with care, compassion and courtesy to its patients at an affordable price. We strive to give our very best to the patient in clinical as well as nonclinical aspects of health care. For us the patient is the sole cause of existence and we reciprocate the faith and trust that patient’s exhibit in our brand,” he concluded.

Director, Spark44, the international communications agency for Jaguar. “He plays the role of the Villain’s behind-the-scenes technology wiz, providing his bosses with the right equipment for their mission – Jaguar cars – and in doing so, he wittily describes the innovation and technology that makes our cars feel so alive.”

A total of three 30-second TV advertisements have been created (two of which have been adapted in Mena for the Jaguar XJ and F-TYPE), as well as a 90-second digital film, which capture Hoult’s assertion that “just like in the movies, behind every cunning plan there is a brilliant mind.” Hoult also appears in three web films that illustrate the rigorous quality testing that Jaguar models undergo before arriving in showrooms or hitting the road, including climate and crash testing. Both the advertisement and the films are now live on a dedicated landing page for the “British Intelligence” campaign on Jaguar-me.com, a digital iteration of the innovation lab. The interactive site is a mechanism to initiate conversation about Jaguar technology and quality standards and invites consumers to view the performance specs beneath the FTYPE, XF and XJ exteriors.

RECOGNITION

Chance to win Wrangler with Yonkers chocolates MUSCAT: IFFCO Oman launched the first ever mega consumer promotion yesterday on their new brands of chocolates Yonkers, the peanut chocolate bar and Almonday, the almond chocolate bar, where consumers have a chance to win one Jeep Wrangler as mega prize, says a press release.

Consumers buying a display box with 12 bars either Yonkers and/or Almonday get a coupon inside each box and stand a chance to win a 2015 2-Door Jeep Wrangler via a raffle draw, to be held at the end of the promotion period of first week of April.

To make the promotion even more exciting for the adventurous patrons of our brands, consumer can also win one of 20 premium adventure bikes as instant prizes with the ‘Scratch & Win’ section of the coupon.

Zubair Siddiqui, general manager of IFFCO Distribution commented on the activity as a major investment by IFFCO in creating brand awareness of one of its most promising launches in the chocolate category in the recent past.

“This exciting and rewarding pro-

HONOUR

motion has been exclusively designed for our adventure-seeking consumers in Oman.”

Yonker and Almonday are subbrands under the ‘Les Chocolats Allier’ flagship brands of filled chocolate bars from Seville Product Ltd., UAE, also the brand owners of the popular wafer based chocolate Tiffany Break and an IFFCO Group Company.

These filled bars are made from the finest choice of ingredients imported from the best sources known for their specialities.

Energy-fuelled The bars are an energy-fuelled combination of crunchy nuts, soft nougat and luscious caramel coated with a generous layer of smooth rich milk chocolate. The 35gm size offers an adequate belly filling snack and a quick burst of energy.

Also Available in this range of filled bars, are all-time favourites, Fiori, a delicious chocolate bar with light fluffy cocoa rich Nougat and Fiori Caramel, its variant with an added layer of caramel, specially launched for those who love the taste of caramel.

Tariq claims top Microsoft award again MUSCAT: Tariq Hilal Al-Barwani, founder of Knowledge Oman, has been honoured with Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) Award 2015 for the ninth year in a row and remains the only Omani to receive the highest Microsoft award since 2006.

Every year, Microsoft awards exceptional community leaders around the world who voluntarily share high quality and real world expertise with other people in the society. Tariq has been continuously supporting initiatives in colleges and universities, says a press release.

“We are living our promise for having our beloved country Oman continuously visible on the world IT map. Let’s now work together with a focus on making 2015 another great year as well Insha’Allah,” said Tariq.

UNIQUE PROGRAMME

ISWK hosts ‘Excellence in Teaching Awards’

Daleel Petroleum employees recreate historic 1954 journey

MUSCAT: Two Indian School Wadi Kabir (ISWK) teachers were among a total of 11 teachers who were awarded ‘Navin Asher Kazi Excellence in Teaching Awards’, held recently on ISWK premises.

J. S. Mukul, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, was the guest of honour. Also present were Sheikh Kanaksi Gokaldas Khimji, Kiran Asher, recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Award 2012, and Wilson V. George, Chairman of the Board of Director of Indian Schools in Oman. Talmiz Ahmed, former Ambassador of India to the Sultanate, also attended the event along with other

dignitaries, says a press release.

In all, sixty nominees from six different categories were invited on the stage by turns against a backdrop of their icons and identities. The winners from different categories were declared: Kindergarten category: Prema George (ISM)- 1st and Madhvi Gandhi (ISD) – 2nd.

Primary school category: Prashanthi Suvarna (ISM) – 1st and Nalini Raghunath (IS Muladha) – 2nd.

Middle school category: K Nowshad Firoz Kurshid (ISWK) – 1st and Sheeja Abdul Jaleel (IS Muladha) – 2nd.

Secondary/ senior Secondary school category: S Srinivasan (IS Salalah) – 1st and Kailash Patro (ISWK) – 2nd.

Co-scholastic category: Ponni Chellam Baskar (IS Salalah) – 1st and Sajeev Mangathil Dassaya (ISM) – 2nd.

Special prize The special prize went to Vishala Lakshminarayan from the Apex Centre for Special Education.

Wilson V. George welcomed the august gathering.

Addressing the distinguished gathering, the chief guest said that teachers being the font head

of knowledge and wisdom, should work toward motivating the younger generation into building a stronger and enlightened India.

Talmiz Ahmad offered a farreaching standpoint of socio-educational milieu and hinted that the need of the hour was to sort out analogous anomalies at local and global levels.

Kiran Asher’s spontaneous sponsorship in nurturing the tree planted by Navin Asher was duly acknowledged. It was an evening full of glowing tributes paid to the distinguished teachers. The function was interspersed with entertaining numbers by the school students.

MUSCAT: Six emerging leaders from Daleel Petroleum have teamed up with Oman’s leading human resource development organisation Outward Bound Oman/Tahaddi, as part of a unique leadership development programme.

Each year, to celebrate National Day, teams of employees from some of the leading companies in Oman, such as Daleel, take part in a unique outdoor journey, organised by Outward Bound Oman.

Each journey is made up of several legs, with each leg lasting seven days, with a team of six outstanding individuals selected by their company, says a press release.

The journey got underway recently, under the guidance of experienced Omani Outward Bound instructors, with a team

of six Daleel staff recreating a journey from Duqm to Fahud that took place in 1954, a journey which represents an important milestone of Oman’s oil history.

Nurturing employees “The company has always sought various tools to develop and enrich its employees. Humans are one of the most important resources that contribute to growth. We realise the significance of nurturing our employees as well as acknowledging their achievements in pursuing our strategic goals. We are delighted to have our employees engaged in such a challenge particularly with its relevance to the history of oil in Oman, and to develop future leaders,” stated Gong Changli, CEO of Daleel Petroleum.

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RECRUI JOB POSTINGS

You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb.

Andrew Carnegie

QUOTES You can have the best strategy and the best building in the world, but if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the hearts and minds of the people who work with you, none of it comes to life.

Renee West

Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for the love of it.

Henry David Thoreau

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Lord Mayor of London visits alizz Islamic bank Events such as these highlight the importance of building strong cross-border business partnerships between the two countries, said Sayyid Taimur bin As’ad Al Said, chairman, alizz Islamic bank

MUSCAT: Alan Yarrow, Lord Mayor of London, met His Highness Sayyid Taimur bin As’ad Al Said, chairman, alizz Islamic bank, in the presence of dignitaries from the British Embassy including the Ambassador Jonathon Wilks and Salaam Al Shaksy, chief executive officer, alizz Islamic bank, says a press release.

“Events such as these highlight the importance of building strong cross-border business partnerships between the two countries.

The Lord Mayor’s visit to the Sultanate is an example of these efforts. We welcome Lord Mayor Yarrow and his accompanying delegation to explore long-term opportunities together. The Islamic

banking industry has strong potential for growth as Shari’a compliant banking products increasingly gain acceptance both locally and globally,” said Taimur Al Said.

Delighted “I am indeed delighted to meet with alizz Islamic bank’s executives in order to build closer ties with the country’s leading Islamic financial

institutions. London today is the biggest centre for Islamic finance outside the Islamic world. This is a good time to welcome investments from Omani companies like alizz Islamic bank. Oman remains a vital partner for the United Kingdom and we are extremely keen to support its growth through mutually beneficial business partnerships,” stated Alan Yarrow.

PROMOTION

Customers continue to win at Malabar Gold Festival MUSCAT: Lucky customers continue to benefit from the windfall at Malabar Gold & Daimonds Festival. Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the prominent jewellery retailer, is running the 4th edition of Malabar Gold & Diamonds Festival until January 31. The festival will display distinctive pieces of jewellery from across the world and offers massive gifts and irresistible offers, says a press release.

Customers get unprecedented opportunities to win a total of 250,000 gold coins and up to 2m instant cash refund at one of the biggest jewellery events in GCC. They have already won over 200,000 gold coins and over 1.7m instant cash refund through this promotion. With the successful completion of the 56 days of the festival, the customers continue to win big across all the outlets of Malabar Gold & Diamond and this great winning has created excitement among customers.

Joji Mathew, who had purchased gold jewellery from Malabar Gold & Diamonds branch in Doha, Qatar, Santhosh who had purchased gold jewellery from its branch in Manama, Shanthi who had purchased gold jewellery from Ruwi branch,

Oman and Philip MyintSein who had purchased gold jewellery from its branch in Syed Alwi Road, Singapore, have won 100 gold coins through this promotion as four of many lucky customers.

“As MGDF enters its final week, we expect a substantial increase in the number of customers across our stores. I urge all customers to take full advantage of this great opportunity to win gold and instant cash back. This kind of winnings comes very rarely,” said Shamlal Ahamed, managing director - International Operations.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds Festival stands apart from the usual jewellery exhibitions and promo-

tions and as the tag line indicates ‘Everyone Wins’, every customer gets a chance to be a winner through this festival. A true shopper’s delight, Malabar Gold & Diamonds Festival captivates the customers by exhibiting eye catching designs in gold, platinum, diamonds and precious stones from different parts of the world to flaunt any occasion or event and is well priced too.

For every purchase of gold jewellery above OMR200, the customers get a ‘Scratch & Win’ coupon through which they can win a guaranteed gold coin or up to 100 gold coins instantly. With every diamond jewellery purchase, the

customers get a ‘Scratch & Win’ coupon for a guaranteed cash refund and get a chance to win up to 100% cash back. The customers who buy diamond jewellery worth OMR200 or above are eligible to get both the coupons.

The group also gives their customers the advantage of using their zero percent easy instalment plan through which the customers can buy jewellery by using credit cards of Bank Muscat, Bank Sohar, HSBC or Standard Chartered Bank and can pay the total amount in 3 to 12 instalments without any interest.

Furthermore, 8gm gold coins can be bought from their outlets with absolutely no making charge during this period.

Keeping up with customer demands, the jewellery chain offers a fabulous collection of gold, diamond and platinum jewellery to suit the tastes of both resident and international customers, skilfully crafted by jewellery specialists from Italy, Singapore, Turkey, Bahrain and India.

Operating 126 retail outlets globally, the group is always at the forefront when it comes to promotions and celebrations.

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CONTINUED GROWTH

New India Assurance completes 40 years of operations in Oman MUSCAT: New India Assurance Co. Ltd. has completed 40 years of operations in Oman and the company is appreciated and recognised for its customer friendly attitude and service delivery parameters, which are definitely key factors in a service related industry. Over the years, the Indo-Oman bilateral relations have achieved greater heights and in that process, the contribution of Government of India owned entities like the New India Assurance Company is noteworthy.

The deep rooted and centuries old relationship between the Sultanate of Oman and India is historical. ‘New India’ is proud and privileged to be associated with Oman’s economic and social development since 1974. And also the excellent bilateral relationship between the two countries has helped New India Assurance grow further heights in the Sultanate of Oman, says a press release.

New India Assurance was the first foreign insurance company from India to enter the Sultanate in 1974 and has offices in almost all Gulf Cooperation Council countries. In Oman, New India has its vibrant presence in almost all major towns, through their direct branches and agency network. This 95-year-old company is one of the largest and financially strong non-life global insurance companies and is a pioneer among Indian insurance companies on several counts — to say, insuring the first domestic airline to satellite insurance. ‘New India’ has been rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., USA for the last 10 consecutive years in succession, based on superior capital position, excellent liquidity, strong operating performance and highest solvency margin.

S&P rating Recently New India added yet another feather to its financial cap when Standard & Poor Company bestwood AAA (stable) rating to New India. New India has become the first insurance company in India to secure the highest financial strength rating ‘AAA’ from Credit Rating Information Services of India Ltd (CRISIL). The rating reflects the highest financial strength of the company to meet

policy holder’s obligations. ‘New India’ is also member of the Association of British Insurance (ABI), London Insurance and Re-insurance Market Association (LRMA) and the Institute of London Underwriters (ILU).

Best Brand Insurer New India Assurance Company Ltd. Sultanate of Oman is retaining the No.1 position as ‘The Best Brand Insurer – Oman’ (No. 1 position in insurance category) since 2010, based on market survey conducted by one of the leading dailies of Oman. Another glorious achievement by ‘New India Oman’ is that it is ranked at No. 9 in the overall category of ‘Oman’s 130 Greatest Brands’.

As per a local Oman daily, it is for the first time an Indian brand has got into the list of Sultanate’s 130 best brands, and that too at the prestigious No. 9 position. The company operations has received another glorious reward by winning the Best Non-Life Insurer Oman – 2013 award from World Finance, a UK based agency for rating finance and insurance sector establishments.

New India-Oman’s growth, since its entry in 1974, has been steady. For the last several years the company has enjoyed enormous support from its valued clients. The reputation of being one of the most customer friendly insurance companies in Oman has put New India with an additional responsibility to serve the Oman market in their insurance needs with ever improving customer satisfaction.

New India Assurance, Oman is in the forefront of offering and devising unique insurance products and services. The company has been aggressively expanding its network in Oman. It has always been one of the key objectives of New India Oman to widen its operations in the Sultanate, and empower and involve Omani nationals by providing them with adequate training in insurance knowledge and services. Abdul Aziz & Brothers is the business partner of The New India Assurance in the Sultanate of Oman.

Majid Abdul Rahim Jaffer, is the Chairman of Abdul Aziz & Brothers and Majid Group Companies.

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S

LALCHETA STARS IN OMAN’S AN’S WIN OVER SAUDI ARABIAA Man of the match Ajay Lalcheta with h an all-round show spurred Oman to a 51-run win over Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the 2015 ACC T20 Cup in Sharjah. Lalcheta scored 36 runs and claimed three wickets. >C4

Murray’s revenge OFA to hold FOOTBALL

up a showdown with Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, a 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 winner over Romanian IrinaCamelia Begu.

Twenty-year-old Bouchard, long dubbed ‘the next Sharapova’, was overhauled by the Russian in three sets at the French Open semifinals.

Nadal and Sharapova cruise into quarterfinals as local teenager Kyrgios roars past Seppi

MELBOURNE: Dressed in black and oozing menace, Andy Murray extracted sweet revenge by felling Wimbledon nemesis Grigor Dimitrov in a late-night thriller as the old guard stood firm to march into the Australian Open quarterfinals on Sunday.

Former champions Rafa Nadal and Maria Sharapova sailed into the last eight but will share the limelight with Murray’s next opponent Nick Kyrgios, a local gatecrasher who roared to a famous five-set victory over Roger Federer-slayer Andreas Seppi.

Dimitrov ended Murray’s title defence at his home grand slam last season and the Rod Laver Arena crackled with tension as the pair slugged out a midnight classic.

Murray won 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-5 and Dimitrov destroyed his racquet in disgust after blowing a 5-2 lead in the fourth set to allow the Briton to serve for the match.

The ending was cruel for Dimitrov but well-earned for Murray, as the Scot punched a cross-court forehand into the tape on match point, with the ball dropping over to send the Bulgarian out.

“I think I got quite lucky at the end, a few net cords went my way, that was the difference really,” the Scot told reporters.

“The momentum was switching both ways all the time.”

The momentum was switching both ways all the time. I think I got lucky at the end Andy Murray

Boasting a perfect 10-0 record over Australians, Murray will battle the home crowd as well as Kyrgios when the pair clash in two days’ time.

Third seed Nadal continued his brilliant comeback from a 2014 season ravaged by injury and illness, drawing the sting from bigserving South African Kevin Anderson in a hard-fought first set before crushing him 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.

From writing himself off as a contender before the tournament,

the Spaniard now faces Tomas Berdych for a place in the semifinals, a man he has mastered in their last 18 matches.

“I am one of the eight. That’s the most important thing,” said Nadal.

“It would be very arrogant if I say I’m not at a very high percentage... I probably played my best match of the year.”

Sharapova needed scarcely more than an hour to beat U.S. Open semi-finalist Peng Shuai.

The Russian’s 6-3, 6-0 romp set

Pep talk Canada’s first grand slam finalist Bouchard was the first into the last eight, giving herself a pep talk during a toilet break after suffering a mid-match meltdown.

“I gave myself a good long hard look in the mirror and I said, ‘Genie, this is unacceptable’ and I really kind of kicked myself in the butt a little bit,” said Bouchard.

With the refurbished Margaret Court Arena promoted to the second showcourt, cheap ticketholders have been given the run of Hisense Arena and the natives were restless as Kyrgios blew a 4-1 lead in the final set of his nerve-jangling 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5), 8-6 win.

The moment of victory was delayed by a desperate line-call challenge by Seppi, but when finally confirmed, Kyrgios slumped to the ground in joyous exhaustion as most of the 10,000-strong crowd started early celebrations for Monday’s “Australia Day” holiday.

The party might have been wilder but for seventh seed Berdych, who subjected local hope Bernard Tomic to a 6-2, 7-6(3), 6-2 thrashing.

It was a banner day for Russia, however, with feisty left-hander Ekaterina Makarova booking her third Melbourne Park quarter-final in four years with a 6-3, 6-2 thrashing of German Julia Goerges.

The much-improved 26-yearold should provide third seed Simona Halep with her first real test, the Romanian having enjoyed a worry-free 6-4, 6-2 win over Belgian Yanina Wickmayer. - Reuters

emergency meeting with unhappy clubs FAHAD AL MUKRASHI

fahad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association (OFA) will hold an emergency meeting with more than 30 affiliated clubs which are reported to be dissatisfied with the performance of the Oman national team in the Asian Cup in Australia.

According to reliable sources, the meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, will discuss the ‘unconvincing performance’ of Oman team in the Asian Cup. Frenchman Paul Le Guencoached Oman failed to make it to the knockout stages.

The representatives of 30 clubs, who are reported have to held a meeting at Bausher Club to discuss their action plan, have demanded an explanation from OFA on a ‘number of observations and also answer queries on the performance of the Oman national team’.

They were also in favour of introducing a no-confidence motion against the OFA board members. Following which, the sources said, the OFA issued a statement calling the clubs to come together on January 28 to discuss the ‘repercussions of poor performance in the Asian Cup’.

Meanwhile, Saif Al Khalili, General Secretary of the Association of the Sports Clubs in Oman, said: “We have lost confidence in the OFA board. We are not happy with the performance of the national team and we are also not

happy with the OFA’s non-fulfillment of its obligations to the clubs participating in the Professional League.”

Speaking to Times Sport, Al Khalili also confirmed that “the emergency meeting will be held on February 28” and “we will also discuss administrative and financial irregularities in the OFA”.

“The main aim of the meeting is to bring to light the administrative and financial irregularities in the OFA,” Al Khalili added.

Another main demand of the clubs, according to Al Khalili, is to end the tenure of current national team coach Paul Le Guen considering the recent disappointing results.

Meanwhile, many fans believe that its time for the French coach to leave the national team while some are more lenient saying that Le Guen can continue to hone the young talents and infuse professionalism among the players.

When contacted, a top official of the OFA declined to give the details of the meeting but rejected the rumours of Le Guen already been shown the door.

The sources also said OFA studied the report on Oman’s performance in the Asian Cup during a meeting on Sunday but took ‘no decisions’. The sources also added that most of the OFA members are in favour of retaining Le Guen, whose contract runs till 2016.

All said and done a clear picture will emerge after Wednesday’s meeting.

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South Korea wary of another Iraq shock The Koreans have failed to win Asia’s showcase tournament since 1960 — a curious anomaly for a country with a proud footballing pedigree and who famously reached the last four of the 2002 World Cup

SYDNEY: South Korea will be praying lightning does not strike twice when they face Iraq in the Asian Cup semi-finals on Monday, having limped to the last four battered and bruised.

The Koreans have failed to win Asia’s showcase tournament since 1960 — a curious anomaly for a country with a proud footballing pedigree and who famously reached the last four of the World Cup in 2002. But as coach Uli Stielike tries to rouse his injury-hit squad for Monday’s clash, memories of Iraq’s fairytale run to the 2007 Asian Cup title still haunt

the Red Devils. South Korea were stunned on penalties in the semifinals by Iraq, who went on to beat Saudi Arabia in the final in Jakarta, talisman Younis Mahmoud heading the winner to bring a small measure of comfort to the war-torn country.

“Of course it was very special for Iraq won the Asian Cup in 2007,” Iraq coach Radhi Shenaishil told reporters.

“The hardships our country has been suffering makes it very hard for us, but hopefully this new generation of players can remind our people of 2007.

TRAINING: Iraqi players train for their Asian Cup semifinal football match against South Korea. – AFP

“We have a lot of history with Korea,” he added. “They are a great team, one of the best in Asia but rankings mean nothing in the semifinals. All four teams can win it and every team is under pressure.”

Iraq’s preparations were not helped after Iran complained the Iraqis had fielded an ineligible FOOTBALL

Iran loses protest to overturn loss to Iraq SYDNEY: Iraq were cleared to take their place in Monday’s Asian Cup quarterfinal against South Korea after the Asian Football Confederation dismissed a protest from Iran.

Iraq beat their old foes 7-6 on penalties after the teams finished tied at 3-3 in Friday’s quarterfinals but Iran later submitted a formal protest, asking for the result to be overturned.

In the protest, Iran alleged that Iraqi midfielder Alaa Abdul-Zahra should have not been allowed to play because he had submitted a positive doping test while playing for an Iranian club side last year.

The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Disciplinary Committee met in Sydney on Sunday to discuss the case while the Iranian team remained in Australia in case the verdict went their way. - Reuters

player in Friday’s quarterfinal defeat, although the Asian Football Confederation threw out Iran’s formal protest.

Walking wounded Stielike has been busy patching up his walking wounded and will be hoping South Korea’s golden boy

Son Heung-Min can repeat his midweek heroics, when he struck twice in extra time in the 2-0 quarterfinal win over Uzbekistan.

The mercurial forward, dubbed “Sonaldo” by his team-mates at German club Bayer Leverkusen, produced a superhuman display, despite not having fully recovered

from a flu bug, and left the pitch on a stretcher.

Stielike’s wish that Iraq and Iran also battle each other to a standstill came true as the bitter rivals tore furiously into each other in an ill-tempered game in Canberra, Iraq prevailing 7-6 on penalties after a helter-skelter 3-3 draw.

With injuries ending the involvement of winger Lee ChungYong and midfielder Koo Ja-Cheol, and Son struggling for fitness, Stielike has been monitoring daily medical reports but insisted his players were ready to go.

“Other than Lee and Koo, there is no sorrow over injuries or sickness,” he said, wary of his side’s status as overwhelming favourites.

“Sport is all about surprises. If we don’t want to have a surprise tomorrow then we have to work very hard.“If you look at Melbourne Park, Roger Federer is out of the (Australian Open tennis) We have to accept we are favourites but we are also playing the champions of 2007 — it’s history but it’s fact.”

Either hosts Australia or the United Arab Emirates await in the final in Sydney on January 31. - AFP

ASIAN CUP PREVIEW

Australia talk up chances of beating UAE in semis SYDNEY: The United Arab Emirates did Australia a great favour when they upset Japan in the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup but are not expecting charity in return.

Not only did UAE book themselves a place in the last four with their stunning win, they also spared the host-nation a rematch against the country that beat them in the last Asian Cup final and the 2007 quarter-finals.

The Australians were cursing their rotten luck after they lost to South Korea in the group stage, ruining their chance of playing their semifinal at Sydney’s sprawling Olympic Stadium on Australia Day. They will instead play at Newcastle’s much smaller Hunter Stadium, a day later on January 27, but not against their great foes, thanks to UAE’s shock win.

Brimming with self-confidence, the Australians have promised to repay UAE with a ruthless display, and have already started the trash-talk.

“I don’t think the UAE has got the legs to go with us for 90 minutes,” Australian defender Trent Sainsbury told reporters on Sunday.

“As soon as we lose the ball, (we’re going to) try and win it back, try and choke them until they’re blue. “You have got to go for it in this game. You can’t hold back.”

Australia and UAE have played each other just twice before with both matches ending in scoreless draws. But the Australians should have a big advantage this time.

Not only are they playing on home soil, but they also had an extra day’s rest after they comfortably won their quarterfinal

Australia and UAE have played each other just twice before with both matches ending in scoreless draws.

But the Australians should have a big advantage this time

against China 24 hours before UAE beat Japan on penalties after the teams were still level after extra time.

“The tempo of the games looked like all the teams have been through a pretty tough schedule so far,” Postecoglou said. “I don’t expect them to come out at us.

“What they do becomes a little bit irrelevant... we still want to dictate the game.”

The UAE head coach Mahdi Ali bemoaned the lack of time between games but hasn’t given up hope of his team pulling off another upset. “Playing against Australia in Australia, it will also be a very tough game but we have just finished and we have only two days (to recover),” he said.

“They have three days and we have to travel, so we will try to recover for the next match.

“We don’t have much time, so we have to get together again to do a good job in the next match.”

With the exception of their loss to South Korea when they rested key attacker Tim Cahill and several other key players, the Australians have been the best attacking team in the tournament, scoring 10 goals.

And Sainsbury said the home team would continue to press forward, as much to try and win new supporters to a sport that has been slow to take off in Australia.

“You have got to go for it in this game -- you can’t hold back,” Sainsbury said. “I think we have got a massive opportunity to change the way people look at football in Australia and the boys know the importance of it.

“So we’re going to go out there and give 100 per cent.” - Reuters

M ONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015

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SPORTS TRI-SERIES PREVIEW

Won’t be pushing players with niggles, says Dhoni SYDNEY: Faced with a mustwin game they might be, but Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday said unfit players will not be risked in the ongoing ODI tri-series keeping in mind next month’s World Cup here. India are staring at an early exit from the tri-series against England and Australia after successive losses.

Dhoni’s men have to win against Australia, already through to the final, on Monday to stay alive in the tournament.

“In the last two matches, we were playing the best XI possible.

But we were also bothered by injuries,” said Dhoni in the prematch press conference. “Experimentation is a word that’s banned in the Indian team’s context since a long time. We try to feature the best eleven and at the same time, we like to get a lot of positives out of the game.”

“At the same time, what’s the point looking to win games where you are pushing an individual who has quite a significant niggle.

You may end up winning the game but you may end up losing him for the World Cup. You have to take a call.

So close to the World Cup, there is no time for errors when it comes to actually managing the players because we want the fifteen to be part of the World Cup squad,” he added.

Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of Monday’s game as he is still recovering from his hamstring injury. Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja are available though the latter’s selection is still under some doubt owing to his restricted fielding ability.

The heavy loss to England in Brisbane eans that India will not only have to win both their remaining games, in Sydney and then in Perth against the English, but win with a decent margin.

They will probably need to garner bonus points in both matches.

In that light, perhaps it is good news that Ishant Sharma and

Ravindra Jadeja are available for Monday’s game.

It remains to be seen though if they will be picked in the playing eleven, especially Jadeja, as there still remains some doubt over his fielding capability in the outfield.

As such, India’s batting order is nearly pre-decided. Ajinkya Rahane will once again open with Shikhar Dhawan, who will be desperately searching for some form. The possibility of debate will be over two points.

First, whether Virat Kohli will continue to bat at number four.

There has been a huge debate over this move from the Indian team management, in argument that the best batsman in the side should bat higher up in the order.

The second point of discussion in the Indian dressing room will be the lower-middle order, particularly from the point of view of scoring quick runs in the death overs. Stuart Binny enjoyed a good outing at the Gabba — both with bat and ball — and he is in the World Cup squad to play this double-role. He had also opened the bowling in Brisbane and as such can play as the third medium-pace option.

With R. Ashwin, Akshar Patel (or Jadeja) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar batting after him, it will prolong the batting and strengthen the lower order.

While India need to find a balance between experimentation for the World Cup and their best playing eleven for the must-win next two matches, Australia have no such worry.

Having already qualified for the Perth final, they will use this match to rest a couple of players as well as fine-tune their permutations and combinations for the big tournament ahead.

To this effect, George Bailey is back in-charge of the side after Steve Smith did the job against England on Friday.

Shane Watson is still ruled out due to injury, while Mitchell Marsh has recovered. — PTI

New Zealand scoop series with victory SCOREBOARD

NEW ZEALAND M. Guptill c Sangakkara b Perera 28 B. McCullum c Perera b Prasad 0 K. Williamson run out 97 R. Taylor lbw Dilshan 96 C. Anderson c Perera b Herath 40 L. Ronchi c Karunaratne b Prasad 13 G. Elliott not out 21 D. Vettori run out (Sangakkara/Prasad) 3 K. Mills run out (Karunaratne/Prasad) 0 Extras (b-4, lb-4, wd-9) 17 Total (for 8 wickets, 50 overs) 315 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (McCullum), 2-59 (Guptill), 3-176 (Williamson), 4-254 (Anderson), 5-281 (Taylor), 6-292 (Ronchi), 7-312 (Vettori), 8-315 (Mills) Bowling: Lakmal 7-1-31-0 (1w), Prasad 10-0-59-2 (4w), Herath 10-1-45-1, Perera 10-0-86-1 (3w), Mendis 5-0-27-0, Thirimanne 2-0-17-0, Dilshan 6-0-42-1 (1w)

Williamson (97) and Taylor (96) provided the backbone of New Zealand’s 315-8 in their 50 overs and Sri Lanka were all out for 195 in the 41st over

DUNEDIN: New Zealand wrapped up their one-day series against Sri Lanka with a game to spare on Sunday when Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor orchestrated a 120-run win in game six.

Williamson (97) and Taylor (96) provided the backbone of New Zealand’s 315-8 in their 50 overs and Sri Lanka were all out for 195 in the 41st over. The win puts New Zealand 4-1 up in the seven-match series with one game washed out, and captain Brendon McCullum declared himself satisfied with their World Cup build up.

“It was a pretty clinical performance with the bat and I thought the bowlers certainly did a very good job. Overall another step forward for us and we’re very pleased with the series win,” he said.

“We’ve got a couple of different plays. One is to be reasonably aggressive at the start, and if that doesn’t come off we know we’ve still got quality batsmen able to bat a lot of time and still score at a decent runs per over.”

But Sri Lanka, still without their injured strike weapon Lasith Malinga, have concerns about the quality of their attack.

“Our concern is with the bowling,” stand-in captain Lahiru Thirimanne said. “We bowled 3035 overs very good but the last 15

ALL-ROUND SHOW: New Zealand’s Corey Anderson appeals during his excellent four-wicket spell against Sri Lanka. – AFP

overs we couldn’t get the wickets and we also leaked runs. That was disappointing.”

There were also problems with their batting with only Kumar Sangakkara appearing at ease in the run chase with 81 off 66 deliveries.

None of the other recognised batsmen were able to get past 30 as New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson stamped his mark on the game.

Anderson smacked 40 from 28 balls to support Williamson and

C O M M E N TA RY

The truth about ban on Indian experiments

O

n the eve of a match that the team must win at any cost to avoid leaving things to wishful statistical tweaks and weather twists to stay alive in the run for a title clash, MS Dhoni said experimentation was a word banned for team India for now. What does it really mean?

That the team don’t want to leave anything to chance or let something they are not used to or successfully tried get in their way and distract them in their pursuit of a perfect show that will help shut up their critics?

That, unfortunately, is not the case. The unpleasant truth is not really that Dhoni could not afford to experiment, but that there’s absolutely nothing in hand for him to experiment with.

Shikhar Dhawan is in such horrible form that he might even offer to sit out if he’s not actually dropped by the team think-tank, but Dhoni is unlikely to offer such peace of mind for the out-of-touch opener for the simple reason that he has no one else in the kitty to slot in that position.

Rohit Sharma sat out the second ODI at the Gabba with injury and his absence from the training session on Friday indicates that he might not play today, and that leaves the Indian captain with a lack of resources to experiment with

in the opening slots. So we are in for that familiar scene to play out again: Dhawan walking out into the middle in the company of Ajinkya Rahane to open the innings. Is he going to hide for some time at the non-striker’s end? We hope not.

The best way to get back to form and confidence for Dhawan is certainly not by showing he is down, demoralised and scared to face the first over.

Block a few good balls, run a few singles and play yourself in.

And then get into the normal, moustache-twirling mode that will force Mitchell Starc and Co think a bit differently.

Not everyone of the playing eleven needs to score a century in an ODI match to set a big total or to chase one down. That has never happened. Nor is it that the top five or six need to score a century each. Instead, if just one player in the top five scores a century and the rest of the top chip in with scores in the 25-50 range, the team total would be a handsome 300-plus that puts extra spring in the run of the quicks and deceiving spin

If the Indian problem is a lack of resources to experiment with, the Australians are spoiled for choice to do what they wish. Except perhaps for Steven Smith who, until a few months ago, often had to sit out in favour of George Bailey, everyone else comes under the scope of the flexibility in the slow guys. This route is good when it comes to chasing a 300-plus total as well — the Australia vs England match at Hobart is a case in point.

The problem for India lies in the team failure to build the innings around one key innings. Instead, there’s now, after Sachin Tendulkar’s exit, an unwelcome dependence on Virat Kohli. He is a good player, but strategies built around just him make things difficult for the team and Kohli himself as it

puts unfair demand on the player. You don’t expect one player to perform well, always and unfailingly. Rather, it makes sense to get at least one of the top five to perform well in a game and the rest to contribute to the cause with quick, run-aball 30s that may occasionally, not necessarily, extend into fifties. Either Dhawan, Rahane, Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli is the guy who could play this big, team-focus-destiny-building part, and the rest, such as Suresh Raina, Dhoni and the like, could then deliver their magic impact.

If the Indian problem is a lack of resources to experiment with, the Australians are spoiled for choice to do what they wish. Except perhaps for Steven Smith who, until a few months ago, often had to sit out in favour of George Bailey, everyone else comes under the scope of the flexibility experiments being done with enviable results by Darren Lehmann.

That makes them, from Bailey to Mitchell Johnson, fight for a place in the playing eleven.

And that’s something Indian fans hope against hope to happen in the case of team India.

The writer is a freelance contributor based in India. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman

Taylor during New Zealand’s innings and then took four for 52 with the ball as the Sri Lankan batsmen again showed a lack of fight.

After reaching 146-3, Sri Lanka lost their last seven wickets in 11.4 overs for just 49 runs following a familiar pattern of collapses in the series. Sangakkara went to the wicket in the 13th over after Dilshan, who has two centuries so far in the series, was caught behind off Anderson for 21. - AFP

SRI LANKA Thirimanne c Ronchi b McClenaghan 29 Dilshan c Ronchi b Anderson 21 Sangakkara c Vettori b Boult 81 Jayawardene c McCullum b Anderson 9 Karunaratne c Mills b Anderson 26 Chandimal run out (McCullum/Ronchi) 9 Mendis run out (Vettori/Ronchi) 3 Perera lbw Anderson 2 Prasad run out (Mills) 2 Herath not out 1 Lakmal c Guptill b McClenaghan 3 Extras (lb-2, wd-6, nb-1) 9 Total (for 10 wickets, 40.3 overs) 195 Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Dilshan), 2-61 (Thirimanne), 3-82 (Jayawardene), 4-146 (Karunaratne), 5-158 (Chandimal), 6-168 (Mendis), 7-171 (Perera), 8-189 (Sangakkara), 9-191 (Prasad), 10-195 (Lakmal) Bowling: Mills 6-0-29-0 (1w), Boult 8-2-31-1 (3w), Anderson 10-0-52-4 (1w), McClenaghan 4.3-1-29-2 (1w, 1nb), Vettori 8-1-22-0, Williamson 2-0-18-0, Elliott 2-0-12-0 Man of the match: Corey Anderson Result: New Zealand won by 120 runs Toss: New Zealand Series: New Zealand lead 4-1 Umpires: Michael Gough (ENG), Derek Walker (NZL) TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS) Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)

C4

MONDAY, JANUA RY 2 6, 2 015

SPORTS Russell blasts WI to thrilling win SCOREBOARD

Russell took West Indies past their victory target with nine balls and just a single wicket remaining, hitting five sixes in his unbeaten 64

PORT ELIZABETH: All-rounder Andre Russell smashed a matchwinning half century as West Indies claimed a nail-biting one-wicket victory over South Africa in the fourth One-day International (ODI) at St George’s Park on Sunday.

The hosts’ David Miller had earlier struck a first ODI century as he caressed 11 fours and three sixes in an unbeaten 130 from 133 balls to take the Proteas to 262 for eight in their 50 overs.

Russell took West Indies past their victory target with nine balls and just a single wicket remaining, hitting five sixes in his unbeaten 64 from 40 balls.

He put on 27 for the final wicket with Sheldon Cottrell (1) as the tourists pulled a game back in the series to go into the fifth and final match in Pretoria on Wednesday trailing 3-1.

MATCH WINNING KNOCK:

Andre Russell. – AFP

The victory is a rare high-point on a disappointing tour for the Caribbean side, but should give them some confidence going into next month’s World Cup, albeit against a much-changed Proteas lineup.

West Indies lost early wickets but rallied with a 93-run sixth wicket partnership between Marlon Samuels (68) and Darren Sammy (51), before Russell strode to the crease and proved the perfect finisher.

West Indies won the toss and sent South Africa into bat, with the Proteas rotating their squad and resting Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Imran Tahir.

They slipped to 76 for four, but left-hander Miller abandoned his usual power-hitting style to steady the innings and along with JP Duminy (43) put on 90 for the fifth wicket. Some lusty blows in the final three overs took the innings score past 250. - Reuters

A DIVISION

SOUTH AFRICA M. van Wyk c Ramdin b Cottrell 18 R. Rossouw c Sammy b Cottrell 4 F. du Plessis c Ramdin b Holder 4 A. de Villiers c Ramdin b Russell 19 D. Miller not out 130 J. Duminy c & b Sammy 43 F. Behardien b Holder 12 W. Parnell b Holder 12 A. Phangiso c Carter b Holder 0 K. Abbott not out 1 Extras (lb-2, w-17) 19 Total (8 wkts, 50 overs) 262 Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-32, 3-32, 4-76, 5-166, 6-196, 7-259, 8-259.

Bowling: Cottrell 6-0-39-2 (w-3), Holder 10-1-53-4 (w-2), Russell 10-1-60-1, Sammy 10-1-46-1 (w-1), Brathwaite 10-1-39-0 (w3), Samuels 3-0-19-0, Gayle 1-0-4-0.

WEST INDIES D. Smith b Morkel 0 C. Gayle c Behardien b Duminy 10 L. Johnson run out 18 M. Samuels b Behardien 68 D. Ramdin lbw Behardien 3 J. Carter run out 5 D. Sammy c De Villiers b Parnell 51 A. Russell not out 64 J. Holder c Miller b Duminy 13 C. Brathwaite run out 11 S. Cottrell not out 1 Extras (b-4, lb-3, nb-1, w-14) 22 Total (9 wkts, 48.3 overs) 266 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-12, 3-41, 4-48, 5-73, 6-166, 7-189, 8-218, 9-239.

Bowling: Morkel 9-1-58-1 (nb-1, w-7), Abbott 9.3-0-62-0 (w-1), Duminy 6-0-29-2 (w-1), Phangiso 10-1-41-0 (w-2), Parnell 10-0-48-1 (w-2), Behardien 4-0-21-2 (w-1).

Player of the match: Andre Russell (West Indies).

ACC T20 CUP

Lalcheta stars in Oman’s victory over Saudi Arabia MUSCAT: Ajay Lalcheta came up with a brilliant all-round performance as Oman began their campaign in the ACC Twenty20 Cup in Sharjah on Sunday.

According to reports reaching here, Oman after being asked to bat first scored 167 for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs with thanks to good showing by their top four batsman.

While Lalcheta scored 36 runs, his fellow opener Zeeshan Maqsood contributed 29. But it was one drop batsman Jatinder Singh who top scored with 45 runs and Vaibhav Wategaonkar make 34.

Then Lalcheta struck three early blows as Oman bowled out Saudi Arabia for 116 runs in 19.1 overs. Lalcheta returned with bowling figures of three for 22 in four overs and his victims included openers Hammad Saeed and Nasir Abbasi as well as one drop batsman Abdul Waheed.

Rajesh Ranpura, Zeeshan Maqsood and Aamir Kaleem bagged two wickets each while Munis Ansari claimed one wicket.

Oman will play their next match against Malaysia on Monday.

In Sunday’s other matches, Malaysia defeated Maldives while Kuwait won against Singapore.

Brief scores: Malaysia 156 for 6 in 20 overs (Ahmed Faiz 80, Virandeep Singh 23; Hassan Ibrahim 3/22) bt Maldives 100 in 19.5 overs (Mohamed Rishwan 36, Mihusan Hamid 17; Virandeep Singh 3/17; D. Duraisingam 3/11).

Kuwait 160 for 8 in 20 overs (A. Javed 45, U. Waheed 54 n.o.) bt Singapore 150 for 9 in 20 overs (C. Ruwan 31, A. Paraam 31, K.Shinde 43 n.o.; K. Butt 4/26).

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ajay Lalcheta of Oman. – Supplied photo

SCOREBOARD

OMAN A. Lalcheta b M. Nadeem 36 Z. Maqsood st B. Hussain b M. Afzal 29 Jatinder Singh b I. Haq 45 V. Wategaonkar c I. Haq b F. Afrad 34 Adnan Ilyas c N. Abbasi b S. Ali 2 Aamir Kaleem not out 6 Amir Ali not out 9 Extras (lb-1, w-5) 6 Total (5 wkts; 20 overs) 167 Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-72, 3-139, 4-149, 5-153.

Bowling: Bilal Butt 1-0-15-0 (w-2); Ibrarul Haq 4-0-28-1; Mohammad Afzal 4-0-23-1; Shoaib Ali 4-0-27-1; Mohammed Nadeem 3-0-22-1; Hammad Saeed 1-0-10-0; Faheem Afrad 3-0-41-1.

SAUDI ARABIA H. Saeed lbw Lalcheta 10

N. Abbasi c A. Kaleem b A. Lalcheta 1 A. Waheed lbw Lalcheta 8 M. Afzal st S. Ahmed b Z. Maqsood 6 Ibrarul Haq b Z. Maqsood 15 B. Hussain b A. Kaleem 24 S. Rasheed c A. Ilyas b Ansari 19 Shoaib Ali b Ranpura 19 Mohammad Nadeem b Ranpura 5 Bilal Butt c A. Ilyas b A. Kaleem 3 Faheem Afrad not out 0 Extras (lb-3, w-3) 6 Total (all out; 19.1 overs) 116 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-20, 3-21, 4-40, 5-49, 6-69, 7-98, 8-108, 9-115.

Bowling: R. Ranpura 4-0-16-2; A. Lalcheta 4-0-22-3; M. Ansari 4-0-24-1 (w-3); Z. Maqsood 4-0-30-2; A. Kaleem 3.1-0-21-2.

Points: Oman 2, Saudi Arabia 0 Player of the match: A. Lalcheta (Oman)

OMAN CRICKET

Assarain A beat NYDT MUSCAT: Skipper Arif Hussain bowled brilliantly for a five-wicket haul while leading Assarain A to a massive 103-run win against the National Youth Development Team (NYDT) in a Muscat Pharmacy & Stores-sponsored A Division 50 overs-a-side league match.

Invited to bat first, Assarain A scored 195 in 49 overs with useful contributions from No. 7 batsman Sindo Michael (58) and opening batsman Naseem Khushi (52).

In reply, NYDT were bowled out for 92 in 35.2 overs. V.S. Shiju lent valuable support to Arif ending with figures of two wickets for nine in 7.2 overs.

Brief scores: Assarain A 195 in 49 overs (Sindo Michael 58, Naseem Khushi 52; Jaspreet Singh 3/12, Mohammed Ali Akbar 2/39, Syed Muntazir 2/43) bt NYDT 92 in 35.2 overs (Arif Hussain 5/17, V.S. Shiju 2/9). Points: Assarain A - 5 pts (5 games, 20 pts), NYDT - Nil (6 games, 5 pts).

B DIVISION: Galfar after their win over HJB. – Supplied photos

G DIVISION: OUA Travel celebrate their victory over MCCC B.

Galfar beat HJB for first win of season MUSCAT: In a Khimji Ramdassponsored B Division 30 overs-aside match played at the Ministry Ground No.1 in Al Amerat, Galfar recorded their first win of the season when they inflicted a threewicket defeat on Hassan Juma Backer (HJB).

Opting to field first, Galfar restricted HJB to 176 for nine wickets in 30 overs. Skipper Mudassar Iqbal top scored with 42 for HJB. Srikant Achari was the pick of the bowlers for Galfar ending with figures of three for 32 while Jayakodi and skipper Khaleel Ahmed grabbed two wickets each.

Galfar, in reply, reached their target scoring 179 for seven wickets in 24.3 overs. Rizwan Afgan (39), Nazish (30 not out) and Pintesh Rathod (25) made major contributions.

Brief scores: HJB 176 for 9 in 30 overs (Mudassar Iqbal 42; Srikant Achari 3/32, Jayakodi 2/34; Khaleel Ahmed 2/34) lost to Galfar 179 for 7 in 24.3 overs (Rizwan Afgan 39, Nazish 30 n.o., Pintesh Rathod 25; Bharat Barmeda 2/24, Mohammed Rashid 2/31). Points: Galfar - 2 (6 games, 2 pts), HJB – Nil (5 games, 4 pts).

OMC beat E&Y In a Raha Poly Products-sponsored D Division T20 match, Oman Medical Complex (OMC)

defeated Ernst & Young (E&Y) easily by six wickets.

Batting first, E&Y scored 133 for eight wickets in 20 overs thanks to contributions from opening batsman Vikram Verma (37) and No. 3 batsman Mohammed Nayaz (33).

OMC, in reply, scored 137 for the loss of four wickets in 15.5 overs.

Brief scores: E&Y 133 for 8 in 20 overs (Vikram Verma 37, Mohammed Nayaz 33; Sarath C.M. 2/26, Mohammed Shafi 2/29, Sibi G.K. 2/31) lost to OMC 137 for 4 in 15.5 overs (Sandeep Shetty 78 n.o., Sibi G.K. 21). Points: Oman Medical Complex - 2 (5 games, 3 pts), Ernst & Young – Nil (6 games, 4 pts).

Zaheer lifts NBO A Zaheer Abbas claimed four wickets in three overs to help National Bank of Oman A (NBO A) defeat Powertech Engineering by 78 run and stay unbeaten in the Al Ansari Group of Companies-sponsored C Division T20 tournament.

Deciding to bat first, NBO A scored 190 for six in 20 overs thanks to a 101-run opening partnership in 10.3 overs between Azhar Munir (66) and Abhishek Prafull (33). In reply, Powertech Engineering could only muster 112 runs for nine in 20 overs.

Brief scores: NBO A 190 for 6 in 20 overs (Azhar Munir 66, Abhishek Prafull 33, Khurram Bilal 31, Shankar M.G. 23;

Majid Al Balushi 3/25, N. Anantha R. 2/41) bt Powertech Engineering 112 for 9 in 20 overs (Prabhakaran R. 36, A. Anbu Raj 28; Zaheer Abbas 4/8, Punit Mehta 2/15, M. Imran 2/21). Points: NBO A - 2 (5 games, 10 pts); Powertech Engineering - Nil (4 games, 2 pts).

Emphatic win for Sarco In an Enhance-sponsored E Division T20 match, Sarco registered an emphatic 47-run win against Ibrahim Al Kishri.

Electing to bat first, Sarco posted 200 runs for nine in 20 overs.

Major contributions came from opening batsman Gireesha Thingalaya (48), Hafiz Mohammed Zahid (40) and Satisha Achary (23).

Ibrahim Al Kishri managed to reach 153 for seven in 20 overs.

Afzal Ahmed batting at No. 7 top scored with 50, while Anu Daniel (49) and Vishal Vinod Soni (20) also made useful contributions.

Brief scores: Sarco 200 for 9 in 20 overs (Gireesha Thingalaya 48, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed 40, Satisha Achary 23; Vishal Vinod Soni 3/31, Naqeeb Khan 2/29, Mohammed Muslim 2/50) bt Ibrahim Al Kishri 153 for 7 in 20 overs (Afzal Ahmed 50, Anu Daniel 49, Vishal Vinod Soni 20; Shah Murtaza Haider 2/27, Mohammed Saeed Khan 2/28, Jeethesha Shridhara 2/28). Points: Sarco - 2 (4 games, 6 pts), Ibrahim Al Kishri - Nil (4 games, 2 pts).

Nishanth shines Opening batsman Nishanth scored a brilliant 50 and then claimed three wickets to help Design Unit Engineering register a 57-run win against PDORC in an Al Ansari Group of Companiessponsored C Division T20 match.

Electing to bat first, Design Unit piled up 186 runs for five in 20 overs. PDORC in reply were bowled out for 129 off 18.3 overs.

Brief scores: Design Unit Engineering 186 for 5 in 20 overs (Nishanth 50, Shamas Rana 43, Khalid Lal Bakhsh Al Balushi 26 n.o., Ajeesh 23; Riyaz Mohammed 3/25) bt PDORC 129 in 18.3 overs (Naveed Abdul Majeed 32; Nishanth 3/26, Nishant 3/24, Rajesh Shetty 2/24). Points: Design Unit Engineering - 2 (5 games, 6 pts), PDORC - Nil (5 games, 4 pts).

OUA Travel win In a G Division T20 match, OUA Travel defeated Muscat Cricket Coaching Centre B (MCCC B) by 89 runs. Batting first, OUA Travel piled up 207 for seven in 20 overs.

In reply, 10-man MCCC B scored 118 for eight in 20 overs.

Brief scores: OUA Travel 207 for 7 in 20 overs (Vishal Manoj 58, Raghunandanan 56, M. Imtiyaz 25; Aditya Ved 2/36, Hitesh Bhatt 2/41) bt MCCC B 118 for 8 in 20 overs (Karan Anil Koshy 21; Riju Thomas 2/10). Points: OUA Travel – 2 (6 games, 7 pts), MCCC B - Nil (6 games, 1 pt).

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Ben bags Gulf Motocross crown While sizzling Ben beat Ali Al Kubaisi for Open Class title, Oman’s Mohammed Al Hashmi took the top honours in the Clubmen category

MAN AND HIS MACHINE: One of the participants shows his skills during Gulf Motocross Championships and Oman Bike Week organised by the Oman Automobile Association. – CIO DATAN/Times of Oman

MUSCAT: Ben Menzies stamped his authority as the best motocross rider in the region when he won the Open Class of the Gulf Motocross Championships at the Oman Automobile Association track here on Friday.

The rider from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was dominant in all the three races to beat his compatriot Ali Al Kubaisi for the title.

Hussain Mahallati, also from the UAE, came third in the competition where 18 riders from Oman and UAE vied for top honours.

Oman’s Mohammed Al Hashmi emerged champion in the Clubmen Class, finishing ahead of compatriots Miguel Lope and Chante Lope. The Junior Class witnessed tough competition for supremacy between Jasim Al Kubaisi (UAE) and Hood Salim Al Busaidi (Oman), but the former capitalised on his experience to claim the title while Faisal Salim Al Busaidi finished third. Ben revelled in the challenging circuit which has a plenty of tough corners, rocky terrains and soft sand in his Honda 450. The 20-year-old made his intentions clear in the first race and

NEW YEAR CRICKET CUP

Al Faisal, OEC, Kokni Boys, Al Naba win

IN SEMIS: Oman Engineering team after their victory over Royal Challengers. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: Al Faisal, OEC, Kokni Boys and Al Naba recorded contrasting victories to book their places in the semifinal of the New Year Cricket Cup tournament being organised by Rising Kokan Team at Bausher Municipality Ground.

The tournament is being sponsored by Abu Maather, Al Zaitun Travels, Al Rawabi, Capital Insurance, Shalimar Restaurant, Majan Events, United Gulf Beacons, Um Salama Pharmacy, Nurson, Qaser Al Doha, Al Basim and Po-

cari Sweat. The final is scheduled to be played on Friday.

Results AMT Ofsat Warriors 28 for 7 in 7 overs (Naeem K. 8, Tushar 3/6, Zubair 2/4) lost to Badar Al Sama 32 for 2 in 2.3 overs (Ansar 24, Jairam 1/4).

Abu Maather 74 for 4 in 7 overs (Yusuf Sahibole 20, Saad M. 23, Tajammul 2/20) bt MCC Eleven 56 for 7 in 7 overs ( Adnan M. 14, Zakir Tambe 10, Hidayat Sahibole 1/7).

OEC 64 all out in 7 overs (Abdullah Khan 14, Ganesh 2/6, Pradeep 2/16) bt

Royal Challengers 51 for 5 in 7 overs (Nitin 17, Akbar 12, Akhlaq K. 2/8).

Kokni Boys 75 for 4 in 7 overs (Wasim Jamadar 36, Faisal Shigrekar 23, Vijesh 1/12) bt Badar Al Sama 56 for 9 in 7 overs (Faisal 9, Parvez Raut 4/18, Wasim Jamadar 2/7).

Abu Maather 47 for 9 in 7 overs (Anis Sable 17, Satnam Singh 4/6) lost to Al Naba 51 for 2 in 4.4 overs (Vijay A. 26, Parvez S. 1/20). Al Faisal 109 for 6 in 7 overs ( Ehsan M. 44, Harish S. 3/34) bt Muscat Rocks 51 for 5 in 7 overs (Sarfaraz 14, Gazanfar Iqbal 2/1).

took a huge a lead in the first lap itself. He needed just 11 minutes and 48.111 seconds to complete the seven-lap race, which was 50.883 seconds ahead of Al Kubaisi.

The second race was a repeat of the first with Ben and Al Kubaisi winning the top two positions. But Al Kubaisi faced many anxious moments when he lost the front brake midway through, but he rode confidently to finish the race in 13 minutes 47.019 seconds.

With two victories under his belt, Ben was assured of the title heading into the third race. But he was in no mood to take the competition lightly. So he went all out to complete six laps in 11 minutes and 36.729 seconds, besides clocking his best lap time (1:51.791 seconds) in the process.

However, the final round belonged to Hussain who made huge amends to his previous performances. The UAE rider had to contend with a fourth-place finish in the first round. His performance plummeted further with a poor 11th place finish in the next. However, he came back brilliantly to reach home second in the last round and claim the overall third place.

Ben attributed his ‘cornering’ skills for the triumph, a week after claiming the second round of the Oman Motocross Championship.

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“Anyone could perform jumping in motocross. But a technically challenging track like this demanded consistent show on the corners.

I have done it perfectly well which won me the title,” said Ben. Runner-up Al Kubaisi felt relieved with the runner-up trophy as he competed in the second and third rounds without the front brake. “I lost the front brake midway through the second round. I corrected it before the third race, but it broke again. So I am happy to be the second best,” said the former UAE champion.

Ali’s son, Jasim Al Kubaisi, was the cynosure of all eyes as he made plenty of jumps and negotiated the curves with caution to beat Oman’s Hood Al Busaidi for the Junior title.

Oman’s Hood Al Busaidi, meanwhile, promised to make a strong comeback in the next rounds of the domestic event.

“I learnt a lot of things from the competition. I would try to polish my skills and perform well in the next rounds of the Oman cham-

pionship,” he said. Hundreds of motorsports lovers thronged the Oman Automobile Association facility on Friday to watch different events held as part of the Oman Bike Week.

Around 300 bikers from all GCC countries and Egypt conducted two parades — Musannah to Muscat and Muscat to Wadi Daiqa - on Friday and Saturday.

“We were overwhelmed by the support from the bikers from the region, which made the Oman Bike Week a huge success,” said Ali Nasser, Motorcycle Events Officer, OAA. The custom bike show, which displayed vintage and contemporary bikes from different manufacturers around the world, too attracted a huge crowd. As many as four members from Muscat Bikers — Omran Al Zadjali, Musab Al Balushi, Shaikkan Al Dhahli and Sameer Al Amri — drew huge applause when they showcased their stunt skills in front of a packed house.

Gulf Motocross Championship results: Open Class: 1. Ben Menzies (UAE, 75 points; Round 1 (7 laps): 11:48.11 seconds; Round 2 (7 laps): 12:52.400; Round 3 (6 laps): 11:36.729). 2. Ali Al Kubaisi (UAE, 64 points; 12:38.111; 13:47.019; 12:31.312). 3. Hussain Mahallati (UAE, 55 points; 12:43.010; 14:51.241; 12:12.180).

Clubmen: 1. Mohammed Al Hashmi (Oman, 75 points; Round 1 (5 laps): 12:55.730; Round 2 (4 laps): 12:41.778; Round 3 (5 laps): 12:55.431). 2. Miguel Lope (Oman, 64 points; 12:16.750 (2 laps); 12:59.072; 12:33.089 (4 laps). 3. Chante Nolan (Oman, 62 points; 13:19.993; 12:35.132 (3 laps); 13:48.419 (4 laps).

Juniors: 1. Jasim Al Kubaisi (UAE, 75 points; Round 1 (4 laps): 10:11.990; Round 2 (5 laps): 9:42.229; Round 3 (3 laps): 6:58.023. 2. Hood Salim Al Busaidi (Oman, 66 points; 10:13.702; 9:55.078; 7:04.106). 3.

Faisal Salim Al Busaidi (Oman, 60 points; 11.25.929; 11.30.540; 8:40.997).

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Ahmad adds valuable points to Al Nabooda Racing’s total

TENNIS

Ahmad Al Harthy showed his abundant talent and the

FINE SHOW: Taisei, right, and Nao Nishino. – Supplied photo

importance of his

Nishino siblings shine at ISC Open

role to Al Nabooda Racing’s chances of winning the overall team title by adding

GOOD GOING: Ahmad Al Harthy, who finished seventh, feels change of luck is round the corner. – Supplied photo

valuable points to team’s total

DOHA: It was a seventh place finish for Ahmad Al Harthy in Race 2 of Round 3 in the region’s most competitive racing series, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, at Losail International Circuit in Qatar but at the half way stage the Omani says he feels a change of luck is in the making.

The race was won by championship leader Clemens Schmid of Al Nabooda Racing with defending champion Zaid Ashkanani second, Fahad Algosaibi third, Skydive Dubai’s Saeed Al Mehairi fourth and his teammate Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum fifth.

In a change of timing, both Races 1 and 2 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 dra-

ma as the region’s top drivers took to the track in search of points and silverware.

Al Harthy started well in Race 2 immediately putting pressure on the front runners but as the pack piled in to turn one, he was unable to move up the field from his seventh place starting position.

As the race wore on Al Harthy looked composed and was well in the hunt for a high finish had luck gone his way.

With a steadfast performance Al Harthy showed his abundant talent and the importance of his role to Al Nabooda Racing’s chances of winning the overall team title by adding valuable points to the total for the Dubai based outfit.

The Omani commented: “That was much better today and a better performance. I had the same pace as the cars ahead of me and was waiting for a mistake but everybody drove very well. With the performance I feel more confident in the car and now, having raced in

this car at all of the circuits, I can look forward to the second half of the season.

“Each track has its own characteristics. I am learning them and have a good platform to build upon.

I am already looking forward to coming back in two weeks’ time to continue to improve further.”

“For Al Nabooda Racing it’s all about the team trophy, I have a job to do and I believe I am doing that job and working hard for the team,” he added.

Race 1 of Round 3 had shown just how important a good start can be and in Race 2 the frontrunners all got away from the start line well. Zaid Ashkanani was unable to get passed Clemens Schmid on pole and settled in tightly behind the UAE resident on turn one.

The Skydive Dubai duo of Saeed Al Mehairi and Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum had the best start as they moved from fifth and sixth up to third and fourth. With Qatari resident Charlie Frijns right on their

tail. A mistake in the early laps meant Al Mehairi dropped down to fifth at the expense of his Emirati partner but with just after the halfway stage was able to squeeze past and secure fourth.

In the opening stages Clemens Schmid made two slight mistakes allowing Ashkanani to close the gap and pile the pressure on the championship leader. Despite narrowing Schmid’s advantage in the closing laps Ashkanani couldn’t quite get passed his rival and had to settle for second.

Further back in the field the competition between the Skydive duo and Charlie Frijns allowed Ahmad Al Harthy to close in from seventh and also Raed Raffii from eighth, but the pair were unable to challenge the drivers up ahead and finished as they had started.

The region’s leading drivers will line-up in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup again as the star attractions at Losail International Circuit for Round 4 in February.

MUSCAT: Taisei Nishino and his sister Nao, participating for the first time at the ISC-Muscat Pharmacy Open Junior Tennis Tournament organised by the Indian Social Club Muscat have hogged the limelight with brilliant performances so far.

In the boys under-14 singles, top seed Taisei blanked Ameya Sawant 8-0 in his second round match and scored another 8-0 win over the hapless Zain Ashfaque to enter the quarterfinals.

In the boys under-18 singles, Taisei scored two brilliant backto-back victories.

In the first round, the Japanese lad overcame Ankith AR 8-3 and then was involved in a brilliant duel with third seed Zakariya Al Suleimani before scampering to a hard-fought 8-7 (7-4) well-deserved win in the tie-breaker.

The match had all the ingredients of a high-class match.

Zakariya opened with a 2-0 lead after which Taisei’s brilliant allround play saw him win the next six games.

It was nerve-wrecking stuff as

Zakariya rallied to level at sixgames-all.

Taisei held for 7-6 and Zakariya saved a match point to level at 7-all to force the tie-breaker.

Taisei took the early 4-2 lead and maintained it to win the tie braker and a place in the quarterfinals.

Taisei’s nine-year-old sister Nao has also been creating waves.

Seeded No. 1 in the under-10 singles and girls under-12, Nao has reached the semifinals of both events with convincing victories.

In the under-10 singles, Nao overpowered Toby Al Riyami with a convincing 8-0 victory and then she demolished Tanaal Al Riyami 8-0 in quarterfinals of the girls under-12 singles.

Issa Al Suleimani advanced to the semifinals of the under-10 singles after overcoming a determined and fighting display by J. Kaavya. Although Issa won 8-2, it was by no means a comfortable win. Kaavya put in a strong fight as she held break points in five of Issa’s service games before going down fighting.

HOCKEY

REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIA CRICKET CUP FROM JANUARY 31 Bhojpuri Wing of the Indian Social Club (ISC) Muscat, supported by Gulf Cricket Centre Muscat, will organise the Republic Day of India Cricket Cup on January 31 and February 14 at Municipality Cricket Ground in Al Amerat. The eight overs-a-side matches will be played on the knockout basis. The tournament comprises three categories - Corporate Cricket Cup, Young Challenger and Embassy XI vs Gulf Cricket Centre. — Supplied photo

Oman settle for fourth place in Singapore MUSCAT: Oman settled for the fourth place after their 4-0 defeat to Japan in the ongoing FIH Hockey World League Round 2 competition in Singapore on Sunday.

According to information received here, former German stalwart Oliver Kurtz-coached Omanis did well to thwart the fancied Japanese for the first 30 minutes of their third place play-off.

However, after that initial resistance the Omanis caved into the pressure exerted by the Japanese who scored their first goal through Kenta Tanaka in the 36th minute.

Japan’s other goals were scored by Kazuma Murata (41st), Hirotaka Zendana (50th) and Kenji Kitazto (57th).

The top three from the Singapore event will qualify for the World League Semifinals to be organised later this year.

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LIFE LIF FE & S STYLE TYLE

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 6, 2 0 1 5

G

et ready to dust off the old jokes about how many (fill in the blank) people it takes to change a light bulb.

I just spent a week changing some of the bulbs in my house, and the complexity was enough to give me a migraine.

Programmable light bulbs — you never knew you needed such things, but maybe you do — are among the latest offerings of a technology industry that wants to fill homes with new Internetconnected appliances. So now the humble bulb of old is no longer a throwaway commodity.

It’s a smartbulb, complete with a computer-chip and wireless technology that connects it to the great hive brain in the sky.

The punch line, I suppose, is that these bulbs are worth considering if you have ever fantasised about living in a Jetsons-type household, and if you have enough disposable income to pay the early-adopter tax being levied on them.

For that price, you’ll enjoy features that may impress your friends, lower your electric bills and possibly even save the life of a loved one. But more on that later.

Much of the change is a result of legislation passed during the George W. Bush administration, mandating the adoption of energy-efficient lighting.

Numbered were the days of traditional incandescent bulbs; in their stead came waves of electricity-sipping halogens, fluorescents and, most recently, LEDs. The great promise of LEDs is that they are designed to provide good, inexpensive light for decades. When the light bulb efficiency standards started taking effect and the first mass-market LEDs appeared a few years ago, however, the quality of light was morbidly cold and the prices enough to induce shock.

Fifty-dollar bulbs anyone?

But in the past year or so, mainstream manufacturers like Philips and General Electric and upstarts like Cree, most notably, have started rolling out cheaper bulbs with the kind of warm light you’d actually want to put in a room. As of last week, you could buy Cree’s 60-watt equivalent LED for $8 at New York-area retailers and $5 at some retailers in the Northeast.

Philips has also caused a stir with its Hue lights — With a Wi-Fi connection and a smartphone app, they can change

colours lour and perform tricks previously known only to those with experience in disco lighting. Or hallucinogens.

These same technologies allow you to adjust the warmth and brightness of white bulbs and control them in a variety of ways. And judging from the spate of similar bulbs that have emerged recently, manufacturers believe they have found a new market.

I tested six 60-watt-equivalent programmable LEDs, including GE’s Link ($15), the Philips Hue Lux ($30), Connected by TCP ($20) and Insteon ($30).

I also tried out the Connected Cree ($15), which the company plans to release this week, and the Osram Sylvania Lightify Tunable White, which is available from Amazon for $30.

They all gave off good, warm light, and they offered the advantage of remote dimming using a smartphone or, in some cases, a dedicated remote control.

You can also program them to switch on and off while you’re out of the house, to discourage break-ins.

All of these bulbs require the purchase of a dedicated gateway or hub to connect with your Wi-Fi network. For $50, GE is packaging two bulbs with the Wink home-networking hub, which can also connect to Internet-enabled appliances from Nest, Bali, Kidde and Schlage, as well as lights from Philips, Cree and others. The Wink sells separately for around $50.

Networking hubs made by Iris, Staples Connect and others offer similar functionality, and the Nest thermostat can act as a de facto hub in its own right.

But not all hubs work with all Internetenabled devices, because to do that they must speak the same technology language. And therein lies the one significant drawback of shopping for smartbulbs at the moment.

If you own stock in migraine-related pharmaceuticals, get ready to feel your legs tingle.

When appliances and other critical systems in the home are connected to the Web, they must use a wireless standard of some kind, be it Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a radio frequency agreed upon by independent manufacturers, as with the so-called ZigBee standard.

But partly because the “smart home”

Programmable LED light bulbs have quickly gone from prohibitively expensive to affordable, beginning to live up to the promise of providing good, inexpensive light

industry is so nascent, businesses ines haven’t yet widely agreed upon a single communication standard. So if you buy a set of smartbulbs and you’d like them to flash if your smoke alarm is triggered at night or your webcam detects an intruder, for instance, you may be out of luck.

As a result, said Richard Gunther, a consultant with Universal Mind, a Denver technology firm, smartbulb buyers have no choice but to do some research before they buy.

“You can’t just buy a bulb and screw it in and expect it to work with your connected system,” he said.

Nadarajah Narendran, a professor and director of research at the Lighting Research Centre at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, agreed.

“If you want the additional convenience that can come with the new LEDs, you need to be ready not just with your money but with your time,” he said.

Both men expect things to get easier soon, perhaps as early as this year, as the industry coalesces around wireless standards the way the home-video industry ultimately settled on the VHS standard. The difference, they said, was that the smart-home industry will likely find ways to bridge the varying technologies, rather than leaving some consumers stranded on Betamax Island.

Of course, this wouldn’t be such a big deal if smartbulbs weren’t likely to constitute an important link in a long chain of connected home devices in the future. For instance, at the annual geekapalooza known as the Consumer Electronics Show, held in Las Vegas earlier this month, Philips was one of a host of companies that announced new ways to connect with the Google Nest thermostat ($200) and Nest Protect ($100), which detects carbon monoxide and smoke.

The “Works With Nest” program presages a future when locks, lights, air-conditioners and other appliances could be programmed to execute specific tasks whenever Nest detects activity in the house. (Among other things, the Nest thermostat is equipped with a motion detector.)

One of the more talked-about features focused on home safety. If you own Philips Hue A-19 colour LEDs ($200 for

three bulbs and a hub), you can program them to flash and glow red if Nest Protect detects dangerous smoke or carbon monoxide levels anywhere in the house.

Why red? Phillips says white light makes it harder to see in smoky conditions. That said, Hue’s Lux (white) bulbs can also flash in conjunction with the Nest Protect’s alarm.

For heavy sleepers or those with impaired hearing, among others, such an innovation may be worth the expense and the bother involved in setting up the system. It took me two hours to install and activate my system through a series of Google searches and a nifty mobile app, Ifttt, which helps users program different devices to execute commands.

(Ifttt stands for “if this, then that.”)

Only later did I discover that Philips has set up a website, nest.MeetHue.com, that provides shortcuts for this activity.

In a week or two, that site will probably pop to the top of a Google search. But at the moment, this is a fair example of the kind of hassles early adopters can expect.

The colour-changing smartbulb market continues to be led by Philips, with other manufacturers slowly joining the competition. Osram Sylvania recently announced that it will release a colour smartbulb this year, for instance, making it the first major lighting manufacturer to challenge Philips on this front.

At the same time, Hue lights are constantly evolving, thanks to mobile app developers who have invented hundreds of ways to program them. Home theatre enthusiasts with the Syfy Sync app can synchronize the bulbs with specific Syfy Channel programs, like “12 Monkeys,” for instance, and Philips says similar partnerships are in the works for other shows. Hue apps can also help you program the bulbs to wake you or ease you to sleep with specific lighting blends.

Those who want a splash of colour for less money might consider the Philips Friends of Hue colour LightStrip ($90 for a 6.6-foot strip) and the new Osram Sylvania Lightify LED Flex RGBW ($65 for a 6-foot strip). Both can be controlled by a smartphone app and offer great bedtime and night-light options for children, or for hipsters who want to light the underside of a couch or a bar.

For the latter, that’s just the beginning. -Bob Tedeschi/The New York Times News Service

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nlike Ebola, flu or polio, cancer is a disease that arises from within — a consequence of the mutations that inevitably occur when one of our 50 trillion cells divides and copies its DNA. Some of these genetic misprints are caused by outside agents, chemical or biological, especially in parts of the body — the skin, the lungs and the digestive tract —most exposed to the ravages of the world. But millions every second occur purely by chance — random, spontaneous glitches that may be the most pervasive carcinogen of all.

It’s a truth that grates against our deepest nature. That was clear earlier this month when a paper in Science on the prominent role of “bad luck” and cancer caused an outbreak of despair, outrage and, ultimately, disbelief.

The most intemperate of this backlash — mini-screeds on Twitter and hit-and-run comments on the Web — suggested that the authors, Cristian Tomasetti and Bert Vogelstein of Johns Hopkins University, must be apologists for chemical companies or the processed food industry. In fact, their study was underwritten by nonprofit cancer foundations and grants from the National Institutes of Health. In some people’s minds, those were just part of the plot.

What psychologists call apophenia — the human tendency to see connections and patterns that are not really there — gives rise to conspiracy theories. It is also at work, though usually in a milder form, in our perceptions about cancer and our revulsion to randomness.

It takes several mutations, in specific combinations, for a cell to erupt into a malignant tumour. The idea that random copying errors are prominent among them is thoroughly mainstream. What was new about the paper was its attempt to measure this biological bad luck and see how it compares with the two other corners of the cancer triangle — environment and heredity — mutations we inherit from our parents that can give cancer a head start.

The mix of these influences varies. A lifetime of heavy smoking has been shown to multiply the risk of lung cancer — the most common malignancy in the world — by some twentyfold, or about 2,000 per cent. But that is an anomaly. One of the great frustrations of cancer prevention has been the failure to find other chemical carcinogens so definitive or damaging, especially in the dilute amounts in which they reach most of the public.

For a handful of cancers, biological agents are important, like human papilloma virus in cervical cancer and helicobacter pylori in stomach cancer. On another level, inflammation and hormonal imbalances, like those associated with obesity and diabetes, can drive cells to multiply more frequently, increasing the chance of mutations causal and accidental.

Finally, heredity — like the BRCA mutations involved in some breast cancers — can have a profound effect in individual cases. But inheritance appears to be involved in just 5 to 10 per cent of all cancers.

What that leaves is a large role for random, spontaneous mutations — the ones that just happen because of the microscopic grind of life.

That is not a reason for resignation. It is frequently estimated that some 40 per cent of cancers are preventable. But that means some 60 per cent are not.

To get a feel for that balance, the authors looked at stem cells — those that are capable of dividing indefinitely and renewing themselves. First, they estimated the number of these cells in different tissues of the body and how many times they would copy themselves during a human lifetime. The higher the count, the greater the vulnerability to mutations.

Then they compared that number with the likelihood that a tissue would develop a malignant tumour. The result was a strong correlation, a steep sloping line suggesting that two-thirds of the difference in cancer susceptibility could be explained by spontaneous errors.

Tissues that deviated from the relationship, contracting cancer at a higher rate, were presumably swayed more strongly by something else.

For cancers like those of the bone and brain, chance seemed to rule. But at the other end of the spectrum were those that were more “deterministic” — like lung cancer and basal cell carcinoma, a usually harmless skin malignancy where sunlight plays a deciding part. Also at that extreme were rare cancers mostly determined by inherited defects, like some familial forms of colon cancer.

The more common colon cancers were near the middle of the range. Random mutation was important, but environment — like the carcinogens in digestive waste — seemed to hold a modest edge.

There are still ambiguities to resolve. The cellular dynamics of two of the most common cancers, breast and prostate, were not certain enough to be included in the analysis. But however they might tilt the lineup, random mutations will remain a dominant driver.

It is always possible that what we call randomness will turn out to be complexity in disguise. Some mutations attributed to chance may eventually be revealed to have subtle causes.

Over the years, however, the scale seems to be tipping the other way, with the discovery that some long-suspected agents like dietary fat and artificial sweeteners may not be so potent after all.

For all our agonising, it can be liberating to accept and even embrace the powerful role chance plays in the biology of life and death. Random variation, after all, is the engine of evolution.

— George Johnson/The New York Times News Service

M ONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015

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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

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

Mortdecai– 2D (12+) (Act | Com) Cast: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor 2:45, 7:15, 9:00 pm American Sniper– 2D (15+) (Action ) Cast: Bradley Cooper, Kyle Gallner 12:15, 3:00, 4:45, 9:15, 11:45 pm The Book of Life– 2D (PG) (Animation | Adventure) Cast: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana 1:30, 3:15 pm The Book of Life– 3D (PG) (Animation | Adventure) 5:00, 6:45pm Baby – 2D (12+) (Act | Crime) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Tapsee Pannu 12:00, 8:30, 11:00 pm Taken 3 – 2D (12+) (Act | Crime) Cast: Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker, Maggie Grace; 11:30 pm Barbie in Princess Power– 2D (PG) (Animation) Voice Overs: Rebecca Husain, Britt 12:00, 3:15, 4:45 pm I (Tamil) – 2D (12+) (Action | Fantasy) Cast: Vikram, Amy Jackson 6:15pm Dolly Ki Doli– 2D (Com) Cast: Malaika Arora, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Sonam Kapoor 1:15, 9:30 pm Wolf Creek 2– 2D (18+) (Horror)

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)

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)

Cast: John Jarratt, Ryan Corr 7:00, 11:30 pm [REC] 3: Genesis– 2D (15+)Horror Cast: Leticia Dolera, Diego Martín, Ismael Martínez 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: ‘Chiyaan’ Vikram, Amy Jackson, Upen Patel; 05:30 pm [REC] 3: Genesis (Horror) (15+) Cast: Leticia Dolera, Diego Martín, Ismael Martínez; 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.

04:15, 11:45 pm The Book of Life (3D)(Adv ) Cast: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana

04:43 pm I (Tamil) (Act | Fantasy) (12+) Cast: ‘Chiyaan’ Vikram, Amy Jackson, Upen Patel;6:15 pm Taken-3 (Action | Thriller) (12+) Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace 6:45 pm Baby (Hindi) ( Act / Mystery ) (12+) 8:45, 11:30 pm Mortdecai ( English ) (Act ) (12+) Cast: Johnny Depp, Gwyneth Paltrow 9:30 pm

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 – (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

“I” (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

SUDOKU

Hope partner thinks when you help him

1 3 7 8

4 5 1 3 6 3

6

5 9 3 6 8 2 4 3 6

5 7 8

9 6 7 2 5 6 1 3 5 8

3 7

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area.

— Seven Galaxies

7 2 4 1 6 5 3 9 8 8 3 9 4 7 2 1 5 6 1 6 5 3 9 8 4 7 2

9 5 8 7 2 3 6 4 1 3 1 7 5 4 6 8 2 9 2 4 6 9 8 1 5 3 7

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

1 4 8 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 21 23 27 30 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 42 44 47 51 54

Remind too often Kimono sashes Yvette’s home — you kidding?

End of the earth Queen’s quarters Townsperson Um-hmm (2 wds.)

Art-store buy Sticker Pale gray The slow lane Playing marbles Expel You bet!

Reed instrument La. neighbor Bushwhack Mouse alert Wheel part — d’oeuvre Lieu Microscopic Host’s plea Blazing up Hawk Place for parkas (2 wds.)

56 Butter substitute 57 Axiom 58 Fay’s role in “King Kong” 59 Perjurer 60 Recipe verb 61 Amt. DOWN 1 Cathedral part 2 Prima donna’s tune 3 Toothpaste types 4 Milky gemstones 5 Peat source 6 Seine moorages 7 Desiccated 8 Reddish powder 9 That fellow’s 10 Ms. Arden 11 Last letter 16 Car dealer’s option 20 Technique 22 Elaborate fraud 24 Pita sandwich 25 Get from the grapevine 26 Kitchen meas.

27 Bunion sites

28 29 31 32 36 38 41 43 45

Help with a heist Came to Home page addr.

Twist Burglary Yellow Pages Warmth of feeling Food consumer Obsolete TV hookups

46 48 49 50 51 52 53 55

Sulk Kuwait neighbour Monthly expense Counting-rhyme start Library abbr.

Cotton gin name Teachers’ org.

MacGraw of films

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS

ABHAY SABDEEP NAMBIAR January 26, 2011

S. GOWRI PARVATHY

ARANYA SURESH

January 26, 2009

January 25, 2007

5 8 1 2 3 9 7 6 4 6 7 2 8 5 4 9 1 3 4 9 3 6 1 7 2 8 5

Previous puzzle Solution

PABLO Neruda said, “The books that help you most are those that make you think the most. The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading; but a great book that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep freighted with truth and beauty.”

If you ever find one of these columns hard, get a deck and lay out the deal, turning over the cards as the description of the play proceeds.

Today’s column contains a defensive problem. East has to read the deal to find the way to defeat the four-spade contract. West leads high from his doubleton diamond.

East takes three tricks in the suit, West discarding the heart two on the third. What should East do next?

In the bidding, North had an unenviable rebid. He did not want to bid one no-trump without a diamond stopper. He did not want to raise spades with a low tripleton.

So he rebid two clubs, despite having only a five-card suit. South’s two-diamond cue-bid was an artificial game-force. When North indicated secondary spade support, South jumped to four spades.

West’s diamond-nine lead guaranteed that he had started with a singleton or a doubleton. (As he had not supported the suit, with three low diamonds, he would have led his lowest.)

West’s heart pitch denied a high heart, and East could see that the club finesse was working if declarer needed it. So the defense had to collect a trump trick. With that in mind, East led another diamond, which promoted West’s spade jack as the fourth winner.

— By Phillip Alder

WITH LOVE

BORN LOSER

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

KIDSPOT

H E A LT H C A P S U L E

C1 0

MONDAY, JAN UA RY 2 6, 2 015

FIND-IT-ALL Y O U R B I R T H D AY

BORN today, you are a natural trailblazer, never content with following the same path for too long, and always willing to venture into uncharted territory to see what may lurk there — and to see what opportunities you may discover for yourself and for others. You are never completely self-serving in your desire for novelty. Indeed, you often take the lead and charge into new realms with the specific intent of uncovering what waits there for all who choose to follow — though it is clearly understood that you will win the recognition you deserve for being first! While you are not always competitive in the most traditional sense, you are driven to do things that others have not done — or cannot do.

You enjoy a rich and varied social life, yet you enjoy your privacy as well — and the balance between the two may be difficult to strike. Still, you are never going to sacrifice one for the other, so a balance it is, no matter how difficult it may be or how long it may take to achieve it.

Also born on this date are: Ellen DeGeneres, comedian, actress and television host; Wayne Gretzky, hockey player; Eddie Van Halen, musician and songwriter; Paul Newman, actor; Anita Baker, singer; Douglas MacArthur, US military leader; Scott Glenn, actor; Gene Siskel, film critic; Christopher Hampton, playwright and screenwriter; Jules Feiffer, cartoonist and playwright.

W E AT H E R

WORLD

Max 23 Min 16 Max -3 Min -5

Max 17 Min11

Max 23 Min 16 Max -3 Min -9

Max 23 Min 15

Max -6 Min -7

Max 24 Min 11

Max 25 Min 11

Max 22 Min 8

Max 23 Min 16

Max 25 Min 11

[JAN. 20-FEB. 18]

You Y are ready to give another the help he or she truly needs — or perhaps it is simply that you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone.

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You are eager to get things done on your own, though you’re likely to try one thing in particular that requires a team effort.

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] Are you sure that what you are doing is having the desired effect? Sure, you are enjoying yourself, but is that really enough?

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20] The questions you ask will be quite revealing. The answers, however, may not tell you everything you need to know.

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22] It may take you much longer than usual to get settled into a routine that you find both natural and productive.

Max 25 Min 17

Max 21 Min 12

Max 28 Min 21 Max 22 Min19

—www.met.gov.om

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

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

24 21 25 26 19 26

16 15 14 12 14 10

WORLD Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Boston Cairo Colombo Frankfurt Hong Kong Istanbul Johannesburg Kuala Lumpur Lisbon Paris Perth Singapore Tokyo Toronto

14 22 5 3 -1 23 30 2 21 10 31 33 16 9 37 31 12 -7

9 9 -8 2 -7 12 24 2 15 7 19 23 8 2 25 25 4 -11

[JULY 23-AUG. 22] You’ll be able to turn in a rather impressive performance — even though much of what you accomplish is the result of improvisation.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] It’s time for you to let others know just what you are thinking about a few specific topics that are currently making the rounds.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] That which affects you indirectly is likely to be more memorable than anything else. A friend offers you a bonus of sorts.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] Your dedication to the cause will be on display all day long. Others are sure to sign up simply because you’re involved.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] Your dreams are quite lofty, yet you must still remain firmly on the ground to complete the tasks you said you would.

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] You may be wondering why others are keeping their distance — until you realise just what kind of vibe you’re giving off.

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

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

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

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

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

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

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

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

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

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

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

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

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

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

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

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

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

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

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

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

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

Daily

16:50

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

LEO

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow)

5:49pm 6.49pm

High tide Low tide

1:18pm 7:05pm

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

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

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

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

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

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

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

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

LISTINGS

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766 Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691 Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740 Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah.

Tel: 23291635 HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052 Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic: 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740 Ceregem National Raak: 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217 Elixir Health Centre: 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre: 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274 Hamdan Hospital: 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128, MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000 ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603 Directorate General of Customs: 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries: 24510228 Public Relations Admin: 24560099 ACCOMMODATION Al Bahjah Hotel: 24424400 Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171 Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400 Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949 Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385 Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311 Al Qurum Resort: 24605945 Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979 Beach Hotel: 24696601 Bowshar Hotel: 24491105 Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121 Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660 Crystal Suites: 24826100 Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300 Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234 Haffa House Hotel: 24707207 Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123 InterContinental Muscat: 24680000 Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900 Marina Hotel: 24711711 Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565 Mina Hotel: 24711828 Muttrah Hotel: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199 Oman Dive Centre: 24824240 Park Inn: 24507888 Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070 Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777 Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399 Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443 Ruwi Hotel: 24704244 Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200 Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772 Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666 The Chedi Muscat: 24524400 The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Pacific: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines:

MONDAY

Min

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]

12.24pm 3.32pm 5.54pm 7.07pm 5.31am

1:04pm 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

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

AIRLINES

Clear to partly cloudy skies over Musandam, Al-Hajar mountains and the coastal areas of Oman Sea with chance of isolated rain, and mainly clear skies over rest of the sultanate with chance of early morning low clouds and fog over governorates of Al-Buraimi and Al-Dhahirah.

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 Follow instructions. Later, you’ll be able to let your imagination take hold and try what comes more naturally.

PRAYER TIMINGS

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033 MUSEUMS Bait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fish market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pm Natural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pm Museum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946 Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707 Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Oman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pm Bait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscat museum@baitalzubairmuseum.com Open from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.

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

TUESDAY FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

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CAIRO 0005 RIYADH 0005 RIYADH 0005 JEDDAH 0005 KUWAIT 0010 BANGKOK 0015 LAHORE 0130 SALALAH 0150 ISTANBUL 0215 ISLAM ABBAD-SIALKOT 0225 KARACHI 0230 DOHA 0345 ADDIS ABABA 0350 DUBAI 0355 BAHRAIN 0405 ABU DHABI 0405 DUBAI 0415 SALALAH 0630 ABU DHABI 0650 BAHRAIN 0700 AMMAN 0705 DOHA 0710 KUWAIT 0715 MUNICH 0715 FRANKFURT 0715 DAMMAM 0725 JEDDAH 0730 MALPENSA-ZURICH 0745 PARIS 0800 DUBAI 0805 BOMBAY 0815 TEHRAN 0815 LONDON HEATHROW 0820 BEIRUT 0830 DUBAI 0850 SHARJAH 0915 HYDERABAD 0920 DELHI 0935 MADRAS 0940 DUBAI 0940 DOHA 1000 DOHA 1010 ABU DHABI 1015 MUKHAIZNA 1045 JAIPUR 1100 DUBAI 1110 SALALAH 1110 RAS AL KHAIMA 1120 DUBAI 1200 CHITTAGONG 1210 LUCKNOW 1210 CALICUT 1210 GWADUR 1220 CHITTAGONG 1245 KHASAB 1245 DUBAI 1330 KARACHI 1355 KHASAB 1440 MANGALORE-ABU DHABI 1440 SALALAH 1445 BANGKOK 1525 KUWAIT 1525 BAHRAIN 1530 LAHORE 1550 DUBAI 1555 ABU DHABI 1635 BOMBAY 1710 CALICUT 1720 DELHI 1730 HYDERABAD 1740 TRIVANDRUM 1740 ISLAM ABBAD 1745 DOHA 1745 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 BANGALORE 1810 DUBAI 1845 MUKHAIZNA 1845 RIYADH 1900 SHARJAH 1915 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1935 DUBAI 1945 DUBAI 2030 SALALAH 2055 DUBAI 2125 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 COCHIN 2140 DUBAI 2145 COLOMBO 2150 MADRAS 2155 BANGKOK 2200 MADRAS 2200 DOHA 2210 COLOMBO 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2240 ABU DHABI 2250 SALALAH 2305 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY 2310 DOHA 2315 ZURICH-DUBAI 2320 BOMBAY 2325 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI 2330 BAHRAIN 2330 DUBAI 2335 DAMMAM 2350 ABU DHABI 2350 SALALAH 2355 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2355

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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

AI986 LX243 9W539 BA072 SG062 LH619 WY685 WY251 WY201 WY811 WY235 WY601 WY241 WY431 WY643 WY637 WY313 WY657 WY667 NL769 WY691 TK775 PK282 PK226 WY271 WY267 ET625 EK867 FZ042 QR1133 EY385 WY3301 GF561 WY603 WY903 WY813 WY327 WY325 WY291 WY215 WY823 FZ044 WY231 WY245 G9115 WY815 WY283 WY373 WY203 WY605 WY905 WY347 WY717 EK863 EY383 WY655 QR1129 QR8551 WY917 G9842 PK192 WY337 IX350 FZ038 WY253 WY3931 WY223 WY631 WY663 WY101 BG024 WY405 WY3305 IX818 WY609 KU678 WY675 WY913 FZ046 WY613 WY623 QR1127 WY681 WY907 GF565 WY647 WY661 WY653 WY695 EK865 WY821 WY909 SV535 G9117 WY611 WY635 TG508 FZ048 WY915 FZ050 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 QR1135 GF567 UL206 EY381 WY901 WY673

BOMBAY 0005 DUBAI-ZURICH 0020 BOMBAY 0025 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 0025 AHMEDABAD 0030 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT 0050 RIYADH 0105 MADRAS 0110 BOMBAY 0120 BANGKOK 0120 HYDERABAD 0135 DUBAI 0150 DELHI 0155 TEHRAN 0155 KUWAIT 0200 ABU DHABI 0205 CHITTAGONG 0205 BAHRAIN 0205 DOHA 0220 LAHORE 0230 DAMMAM 0235 ISTANBUL 0310 SIALKOT 0325 KARACHI 0330 JAIPUR 0350 LUCKNOW 0355 ADDIS ABABA 0450 DUBAI 0455 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0520 ABU DHABI 0525 MUKHAIZNA 0715 BAHRAIN 0745 DUBAI 0800 SALALAH 0800 BANGKOK 0805 LAHORE 0920 KARACHI 0920 CALICUT 0920 TRIVANDRUM 0920 KUALA LUMPUR 0930 DUBAI 0935 HYDERABAD 0955 DELHI 0955 SHARJAH 1005 BANGKOK 1010 BANGALORE 1010 COLOMBO 1020 BOMBAY 1030 DUBAI 1030 SALALAH 1030 ISLAM ABBAD 1040 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 1045 DUBAI 1055 ABU DHABI 1105 BAHRAIN 1110 DOHA 1115 DUBAI WORLD CENTRE-DOHA 1130 KHASAB 1140 RAS AL KHAIMA 1210 GWADUR-TURBAT 1305 KATHMANDU 1310 CALICUT 1310 DUBAI 1315 MADRAS 1315 SOHAR 1315 COCHIN 1325 ABU DHABI 1325 DOHA 1330 LONDON HEATHROW 1330 CHITTAGONG 1415 CAIRO 1430 MUKHAIZNA 1515 MANGALORE 1530 DUBAI 1545 ABU DHABI-KUWAIT 1625 JEDDAH 1630 SALALAH 1650 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1700 DUBAI 1820 DOHA 1845 RIYADH 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 KUWAIT 1900 DOHA 1900 BAHRAIN 1910 DAMMAM 1910 DUBAI 1915 KUALA LUMPUR 1930 SALALAH 1940 RIYADH 2000 SHARJAH 2005 DUBAI 2025 ABU DHABI 2030 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2040 DUBAI 2040 SALALAH 2135 DUBAI 2225 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 DOHA 2320 BAHRAIN 2325 COLOMBO 2335 ABU DHABI 2350 SALALAH 2350 JEDDAH 2350

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M ONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015

C11

EXTRA SCIENCE

Decoded: How some people control dreams

CATS CLAW THEIR WAY INTO GENETICS

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ats may have beaten dogs on the Internet but felines have been a rare breed in genetics labs compared with their canine counterparts. Now, at last, cats are clawing their way into genomics.

At a meeting in San Diego, California, a close-knit group of geneticists unveiled the first results from an effort to sequence the genomes of 99 domestic cats. The work will benefit both humans and felines, the researchers say, by mapping the mutations underlying conditions that afflict the two species, such as kidney disease.

“It’s a great time to be in cat genomics,” says William Murphy, a geneticist at Texas A&M University in College Station who is involved in the effort. Plummeting costs for DNA sequencing now make it possible to do genomics cheaply — and cat genomics, long under-funded compared with similar efforts in dogs, is benefiting, he says. “We’re finally at the point where we can do all sorts of things we wanted to do 5 or 10 years ago.”

The first cat genome sequence — from an Abyssinian named Cinnamon — was reported in 2007.

But the sequence contained significant gaps and errors, which

The cat genome is out of the bag, and has already helped to pinpoint a gene involved in kidney disease slowed efforts to map genes. A high-quality version of Cinnamon’s genome was not published until late 2014. Domestic dogs, meanwhile, have become a darling of geneticists: their full genome was reported in 2005, and the sequence has been continually improved. Hundreds of genes underlying canine diseases and traits are estimated to have been discovered, compared with as few as a dozen for cats.

The discrepancy can be traced back to the early 2000s. After the completion of the human, mouse and rat genomes, the US National Institutes of Health organised a commission to decide on their next target; the dog genome was selected for high-quality sequencing, whereas cats were put on hold.

That got some cat geneticists’ backs up. “The truth is there were more powerful people interested in dogs,” says Stephen O’Brien, director of the Theodosius Dobzhansky Centre for Genome Bioinformatics in St Petersburg, Russia, who led the initial cat-sequencing efforts.

But canine researchers were

able to make a compelling case.

Pet dogs suffer from many of the same conditions as humans, from narcolepsy to arthritis. And the intensely inbred nature of dog breeds made it relatively easy to identify disease-causing genes: Because there is little genetic variation, the genes that cause disease in affected individuals stand out.

Dogs had other advantages, too.

The existence of kennel clubs, which maintain ‘breed standards’ and are full of enthusiastic pet owners and veterinary surgeons, helped dog geneticists to recruit subjects for study. “Given the resources they had, they were discovering new genetic diseases in breeds almost daily,” says Niels Pedersen, a veterinary scientist at the University of California, Davis.

“I would love to eradicate all genetic disease in cat breeds.” In fact, both cats and dogs offer insights into human disease, including those associated with old age.

In 2004, a team led by geneticist Leslie Lyons of the University of Missouri in Columbia (and owner of two female cats, Withers and

Figaro) discovered that mutations that cause polycystic kidney disease — a major cause of renal failure in older individuals — occur in the same gene in humans and cats 4. Cat versions of type 2 diabetes, asthma, retinal atrophy and numerous other conditions have close similarities to human disease. Cats can also become infected with a virus that is closely related to HIV and experience symptoms similar to those of people with AIDS. In the hopes of speeding up the discovery of genes related to these conditions last year, Lyons launched the 99 Lives cat genome sequencing initiative, playfully hosted on a site called Lyons’ Den. She discussed the effort on 11 January at the Plant & Animal Genome conference in San Diego.

Lyons’ team is cobbling together funding from anywhere it can find it. The researchers are asking private owners, breeders and even pet-food companies to donate the $7,500 needed to sequence the genome of a single cat, which could be one of a donor’s choice. “Any cat can participate. Any owner

can participate,” she says. All the data will be made public after the results are published.

With the money raised so far, the team has sequenced the genomes of 56 cats, including fancy breeds such as Burmese; cats with specific diseases; and a kitten named Dragon and his parents Ares and Marcus — the hope is to use the feline trio to narrow down the genetic traits they share.

Even Robert Wayne, a canine geneticist at the University of California, Los Angeles, agrees that Lyons’ effort is important. “I hope she raises money for it,” he says.

Insights from cat genomics extend beyond disease. Razib Khan, an evolutionary geneticist at the University of California, Davis, wants to use genome sequences to chart the domestication and spread of cats throughout the world, and to determine how different domestic and wild cats are genetically. “There’s always the question — are they domesticated at all?” he says. The 2014 publication that included Cinnamon’s genome already identified differences between domestic and wild cats, including genes expressed in the brain that are possibly linked to the docility of (some) house cats. — Ewen Callaway/The New York Times News Service

RESEARCHERS have discovered that the brain area which enables selfreflection is larger in lucid dreamers. Lucid dreamers are those who know that they are dreaming and accordingly can live out there.

They are also more self-reflecting when being awake, found the study. Sometimes, they can even play an active role in their dreams.

“Our results indicate that self-reflection in everyday life is more pronounced in persons who can easily control their dreams,” said Elisa Filevich from Centre for Lifespan Psychology at Max Planck Institute for Human Development.

Why rain brings that fresh and earthy smell SCIENTISTS have now identified the exact mechanism that releases aroma into the environment. Rain drops before hitting the ground have no smell but the moment they hit the ground and interact with dirt, the fresh and almost sweet fragrance comes out.

The smell is called “petrichor,” that is derived from the Greek words “petra”, meaning “stone”.

Scientists find a new way to slow cell ageing SCIENTISTS have developed a new treatment to extend telomeres — protective “end caps” for chromosomes that help keep DNA healthy —to slow the process of cell ageing.

With time, these protective “end caps” become shorter with each DNA replication and eventually are no longer able to protect DNA from sustaining damage and mutations. -IANS

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MONDAY, JAN UA RY 2 6, 2 015

EXTRA STUDY

Dinosaur-killing asteroid didn’t ravage earth NEW RESEARCH has debunked the theory that the asteroid thought to have led to the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago also caused vast global firestorms that ravaged the earth. A team of researchers from the University of Exeter, University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London recreated the immense energy released from an extraterrestrial collision with earth that occurred around the time that dinosaurs became extinct. They found that the intense but shortlived heat near the impact site could not have ignited live plants, challenging the idea that the impact led to global firestorms. These firestorms have previously been considered a major contender in the puzzle to find out what caused the mass extinction of life on Earth 65 million years ago. “The findings mean that palaeontologists may need to look for new clues from fossils found a long way from the impact to better understand the mass extinction event,” said Claire Belcher from the Earth System Science group in Geography at University of Exeter. -IANS

How undersea cables are laid The laying of cables in the oceans is a fascinating task. People toil long and tedious hours to make it possible

S

ubmarine cables are laid down by using speciallymodified ships that carry the submarine cable on board and slowly lay it out on the seabed as per the plans given by the cable operator. The ships can carry with them up to 2,000 kilometre-length of cable.

Depending on the equipment on-board the cable-ship, the type of plough used, the sea conditions and the ocean-bed where the cable is being laid down, cable ships can do anywhere from 100-150km of cable laying per day. Newer ships and ploughs now do about 200km of cable laying per day.

The cables are specially con-

structed for submarine operations as they have to endure harsh conditions as well as pressure.

Fibre optic cables carry DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) laser signals at a rate of terabytes per second. They use optical repeaters to strengthen the signal which attenuates over long distances.

They have a decade lifespan and costs vary (depending on the length of the cable). The typical cost for a project is anywhere from $100 to $500 metres. We don’t use satellites because they can’t carry terabytes of data for less than a billion dollars per communication line.

The coiling of hundreds of

miles of cable in the cargo hold is a process that can take between three to four weeks to complete.

Submarine cable laying process starts from the landing station, where a long cable section is attached (connected) to the landing point and then extended out to a few miles in the sea. This end is connected to the cable on the ship and then the ship starts its cable laying process.

The process also involves a plough. The cable is not simply left to sit on the ocean bed, but is actually being fed into a plough, that lays the cable into a trench.

Depending on where the cable is laid out, the cable coming in from the ocean to the landing

station might be advertised or not. Most of the time cable consortium companies try to hide the cable as much as they can, so that only those who need to know — municipalities, port authorities and shipping companies — are informed of the exact route of the cable.

When cables are damaged, either divers or specialised small submersibles with cameras and lights are sent down to the seabed to investigate where the cuts are.

Then, either the divers or robotic arms on the submersible bring the two ends of the cable to the surface, where they are re-spliced and joined again.

-Faisal Khan/The Independent

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 6, 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

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VACANCY

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CARGO

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*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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M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

OFFICES FOR RENT - Premium offices to let a very good location on the main road very close to Zakher Mall, Al Khawiar. Business Center has offices with sizes of 50m2, 110m2, 180m2, 207m2, 230m2, 437m2.

- Showroom also available at Business Center, Area 500m2 with central A/c.

- Offices with Central Air-conditions, Security System with CCTV cameras, and Security presence in the building.

Contact: 97377355 / 95530121, Email id: aaleem@ggcoman.com

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 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 House in Darsait near the sea with 2 bedrooms, toilets & kitchen RO 350/with E/W. Contact 94455311 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

For rent at Al Khuwair, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sitting, dining, kitchen split A/C near Rawasco, 1st floor.

Rent 480 PDC. Contact 99879939

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

2 BHK, Darsait near Kims Hospital.

Contact 99024730

We have 3 BHK flat in Ghubah North close to sea with balcony, very nice location. #93782735 / 99208033

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

Showroom space available in Qurum. Road Facing prime location. commercially viable and affordable.

Contact- 98839950

For rent at Al Khuwair, 1 room with bathroom (Independent), near Rawasco with split A/C, 2nd floor, rent RO 125 PDC. Contact 99879939

Twin villa at Al-Kuwair 33. Six rooms with bathrooms. 670 OMR, contact: 99414767. Families only.

Flat for rent Ghubrah South, ground floor flat, 3 bedrooms, majlis, family hall, RO 425/-. Contact 94669711

Office space with cassette type A/C’s with free internet at al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket. Contact 99460330

2 BHK Commercial, Al Khuwair, RO 375/-. Contact 92144045

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

6 shops in Mabela Industrial Area.

Each Front Shop OMR 400 and Side Shop OMR 300Monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Ghubrah, 2 BHK, 3 bath new building, rent RO 380/- per month.

Contact 98266157

Fully furnished one bedroom penthouse Wadi Kabir behind Sana Hassan, weekly RO.140/- Monthly RO 350/- Contact – 99349990

Flat deluxe in Al Amerat Mahaj 4, 3 rooms with 3 toilets.

Contact 99672604

2 BHK flats Muttrah near Oman House. Contact 97007934 / 92629232

Luxurious flat with AC’s, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen with store & family hall. # 93366421

1 BHK at Ghobrah - Near Indian School. Contact: 99014885 Al Qurum heights Sea view. # 99249069 / 92888376/ 93201688

2 bedroom fully furnished luxurious flat for rent at Ghala for long term or short term basis. Contact 97762321

3 flats in Mabellah for rent.

Contact 99445177

1, 2, 3, BHK in Al khuwair.

Contact 99792181 2 BHK in Bowsher, Ghobra.

Contact 99792181

2 bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality.

Contact 24700120, 92584715

Villa Al Athaibah near Oman post, 3 BHK hall, living room, maids room, split A/c, family only, RO 600/-.

Contact 92479515

2 shops, store accommodation, Barka Sanayya opposite Al Khalili.

Contact 92423401

Office space for rent in Ruwi, OMR 500. Contact 91120552

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

1 & 2 BHK in Ruwi. Contact 99792181 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

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

1&2 BHK flat & Shop for rent at MBD, Hamriya, Hallat sad, Al Khoudh area.

Contact: 24834644, 93994401, 02, 03 150 Sqm Store, Darsait, RO 300/-.

Contact 95076261

For store, workshop in Wadi Kabir Industrial Area 5/5 m.

Contact 99374977

1 BHK near Medical, Darsait, RO 175/-. Contact 98748925

Flat, Al Ghubrah near Indian School, 2 BHK , RO 325, family only, 3 bathroom, living room. Contact 92479515

Studio, Al Athaibah, ground floor, 1 BHK, hall, 2 bathrooms, family only.

RO 250/-. Contact 92479515

Flat for rent in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact 99003626

1000 Sq Mtrs, Industrial Land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc. Contact 24700120, 92584715

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 Flat, shops, basement, Ruwi-MBD Area, Honda Road.

Contact 96942749, 92433127 2 BHK, Al Khuwair. #99024730 Spacious well maintained 2 BHK at Rex Road from 1st February.

Contact 92227165 2 BHK flat for rent RO.350/- at Al Khuwair near Sultan Taimur Mosque. Contact – 98893294

Flat in Darsait. Contact 99326879 One bedroom flat, Muttrah, Corniche. Contact 99414644 1 BHK with A/C, Al Ghubrah, RO 275/-. Contact 92144045 Family villa & flats at Al Ansab and Awabi. Contact 98458542 Office space & store, CBD 20059.

Contact 99024730

2 BHK, CBD. Contact 99024730 New bldg 3 BR flats located at Darsait, Muscat close to Kims Pvt Hospital. Contact 92020004 / 99800838 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

1 & 2 BHK & villa 3 BR-Darsait near ISM & ISD. Contact 99024730 1 BHK, 2 BHK, Ghala, new bldg.

Contact 99024730 Apartments in Al Khuwair new area each apartment contains (2 bedrooms + living room) for RO 365. # 93181111

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 6, 2 0 1 5

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT I room with attached toilet in Al Hail for bachelor, rent RO 100 to RO 130/-.

Contact 97661432 Industrial empty plots 1000 – 15000 sqm are available in Misfah / Jiffnain rent for long lease, RO 1.200 per sq mt. Contact 96789522 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 1 BHK, Wadi Kabir. # 99024730 Flat for Rent in Ruwi, Bareeq Shatti, Mawalah.Contact 92521080, 98899916 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 Abu Adnan Tower - flat for rent available at Al Mabelah, 2 B/R, 1 hall, 2 toilets, 1 kitchen.

Contact 95566475 / 99654252 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 2 BR, 2 toilets, kitchen at Al Mawaleh. #99444786, 99747560 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 2 BHK at Al Azaiba, Building No.5145 Way 4470. Contact 99224748, 99425665 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

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

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

FOR SALE

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

If you have any empty land, plot, building, villa to sell. Contact with all information : info@goldenllc.com

For sale carpentry workshop with labor clearance in Wadi Al Kabir.

Contact 99345137

Restaurant for leasing/sale in Al Hail. Contact 94148970, 94148972, 97820877

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

Beauty Salon, Wadi Kabir, Al Hassan Co. Contact 95241147, 96700192

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

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

Flats and shops. Contact 93009999

Sale of used commercial kitchen equipment in Ghala.

Contact 99024519

A newly opened Barber Shop for sale at upcoming industrial zone in Misfah. Expat leaving Oman.

Genuine buyers call 93833107 (Sale Price Negotiable)

For rent (flats), 2 bedrooms + hall +kitchen, location: South Al Mawaleh.

Contact 99870020

600 sq mtrs residential land in Misfah Phase 2. OMR 25 Thousand.

Tel : 99333479 or 95215360

New fully equipped 2 chair dental clinic in Seeb area for immediate sale. MOH approved. #94514045

Industrial Land in Misfah.

Contact 93009999

Established Restaurant for rent with sponsorship.Contact 97628242

Running Medical Centre with full equipments is available for sale. Those interested can contact 98994208.

Building material shop for sale.

Opp Mars Hypermarket, Al Ghubrah.

Contact 99881647 / 93797343

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

AVAILABLE

Toshiba Laptop I 3, 3 GB ram, 500 GB hard disk with graphics card, in very good condition. Contact 94412557

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 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

WANTED 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. AVAILABLE Bedroom with A/c sharing kitchen for Executive bachelors at Al Khuwair. Contact 99636550 Room for rent for family & bachelor at Ghubrah. Contact 97681599 Independent rooms in Qurum/ Al Hail. Contact 95529970

CHANGE OF NAME We, Jacob George (Name of father, holder of Indian Passport No. K3697381) & Ceniamma Jacob (name of Mother, holder of Indian PPt No. J5402535) having permanent address in Thekkova, Njakkanal PO, Krishnapuram, Alappuzhadi, Kerala (complete postal address in India) & presently residing at the following address in Muscat P.B. No. 8, PC 111, Sultanate of Oman, hereby solemnly affirm & declare to change the name of our child Miss Rayna Anna Jacob (name as per present passport), holder of Indian passport No. L 3313964 date of issue 09.06.2013 issued at Muscat. The name of our child will be henceforth known as Rayna Jacob (new name) for all purposes. Any objection towards change of name of our minor child may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. O. Box 1727, Postal Code112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

ACC. AVAILABLE Self contained room for executive bachelor in secured villa in Ghubra, call 92595830 / 24495667 CONTD on pg 6

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M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 2 6 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

SALES / MARKETING

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

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

A Energy drink wholesale Distributor in Oman, required experienced Storekeeper, Marketing Executive & Marketing Manager. Send CV at Email : cvjobsmuscat@gmail.com

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

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

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 Interior Design office seeking AutoCAD Draftsman, 3 yrs experience with knowledge of MEP Drawings. Send CV at tarneem.design@gmail.com, 95273166 / 24155315 Required part time web designer with experience in CMS background. Send your CV & sample work to hrmedia123@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELPER European woman looking for someone to look after baby.

Contact 99797290 European Family looking for maid and or cook.

Email: cv.lo.oman@gmail.com House driver for Salalah. Contact 95600011, 99081190

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

ELECTRIC/MECHANICAL Electrician with 2 yrs experience.

Send CV to jobs@prestigeprojectsoman.com or call 00968 92341826 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 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

MEDICAL

MANAGER

Required laboratory technician & 4 nurse Filipina (female) for health center in Sohar. Contact: 92369417, Email: shafii_17@hotmail.com

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

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 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 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 Wanted female physiotherapist with MOH License. Send CV at Email : info@sagarpolyclinic.com

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 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 Looking for outdoor salesman for heavy equipments.

Contact- 93292015, 99656542 Highly reputed Perfume Company requires Omani Sales girl promoters. # 95663682, 92956876 Required an experienced person who has ideas to start a new business in electrical field or supply with minimum cost. # 99426421

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED 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 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 Filipino Accountant with 13 years working experience in the field of accounting looking for a suitable job in Muscat. Contact: 94547323 Female dentist with MOH license and release looking for a suitable placement in Muscat, presently residing in Muscat. Contact: 99147426

SITUATION WANTED 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 PROCUREMENT OFFICER-Indian-33 yrs, M.Com with12Yrs (7 yrs Exp. in Oman) in ROAD, CIV, MEP & Others projects of Contg &Trdg Co llc. Work Visa will Exp in Feb-2015. Contact :92694956, Email:nagauae@gmail.com 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.

Male 24,looking for permanent job in Computer and Communication field ,BSC in Computer and Communication Engineering. 3-month Practical training in Hayyat Communication company (subcontractor of ooredoo).

Email:adilbutt102@gmail.com, Gsm:+968-92328726.

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.

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.

Phd – Management, specialization in management, e-marketing and online consumer behavior, 6 years of academic and research experience. Indian lady GSM 97240687 & 93463439

Indian Female. B-Tech Electrical, from third best college, Government Engineering College Thrissur. Fluent in English. Excellent presentation skill. Engineering, IT, teaching or account sector job wanted. GSM-97724630, email: vyshnaparthan@gmail.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.

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

Structural Engineer with 14 years experience in structural design and supervision fields with full knowledge of structure design programs, Omani D/L, seeking a reputed engineering consultancy office vacancy Tel. 96248598.

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

Indian Male, B.COM, ICWA, CMA Australia, 24 years experience in finance, costing, accounts, internal audit. Valid Oman driving license.

NOC available. Can join immediately. Contact 97917136

An Indian driver with car looking for part time job.

Contact 91103909 Civil draughtsman part time work for job. Contact : 96023726 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.

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 Tunisian women looking for job, khnows english, frensh, Italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838

Manager Maintenance/Engineering/Purchase, 31 yrs. exp. in mechanical, electrical, electronics, parts fabrication, purchase deptt, oman exp. 5yrs, have NOC, looking for job. Contact - pkv2k3@yahoo. com, 99331289 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 Indian male, 28 yrs in Civil Engineer (Diploma), 3 yrs experience in Gulf seeking suitable chances.

Contact 92063150 Post Graduate Engineer with 5+ years experience in Project Planning & Management currently on visit visa looking for a Project Co-ordinator/Planning Engineer position in reputed organizations.

Please contact (968) 96105079

Marketing Executive with light duty driving license. Send CV to jobs@prestigeprojectsoman.com or call 00968 92341826 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 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

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED ADMIN/HR 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

Accounts Finalization, Part Time Accounting, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Onsite Tally Training, Onsite Training for Accountants, Inventory Management.

Contact : 94669089, email : ibfcoman@hotmail.com Indian accountant with more than 30 years experience in construction accounting (both finance and cost) with experience in material management and general administration seek part/full time assignment.

Ready to work anywhere in Oman and UAE and can join immediately.

Contact 98598099 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 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 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

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 6, 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED DRIVER Light Driver having own visa looking for job as driver Contact 92303692 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 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 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.

Looking Part time Job in HVACContact - 93198128 Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian male on Visit Visa. Expert in ELV systems, Instrumentation, PID controllers, Embedded systems, Electronics CAD. 20years experience. Contact 98915066 Indian Civil Engineer, M.Tech in Construction Management, Primavera Expert looking for suitable placement. Contact 92550987 Civil Engineer, 3 yrs experience.

Contact 92613467 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 Civil Engineer (Diploma) seeking for a placement. Contact 95200650 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 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 B. Tech Civil Eng. 3 yrs exp in Oman with driving license.

Contact 93733627.

Mail id : joinvisam@gmail.com, neethusprakash@gmail.com 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 Quantity Surveyor (Civil Building) looking for Part time job Contact no:-94391712 E-mail addressinayathhussain@yahoo.com 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

Civil Engineer B Tech, Site Engineer Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa Ph : 91642050 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.

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

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 Oracle certified BE (CS) Indian male with skills in OCA (DBA, SQL10g, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 98436022/99848874 Email: rineel2005@yahoo.com Indian male, BE Wireless Networks, CCNA & MCSE trained, 3 years experience as IT support assistant at a leading higher education institution in Oman, seeking a position as an Network/Systems Engineer. Contact:96008737.

Email: m.anas365@outlook.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 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 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 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 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 IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp, seeks suitable position.

Contact 94543668 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

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR 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 Indian male, B.Sc nurse with critical care specialization, 16 yrs experience including GCC Oman Prometric passed, seeking for good posting.

Contact 91124083, 96132494 Indian female Nurse, 4 yrs experience Prometric passed, seeking for good posting. Contact 92917448, 97362119 Male Nurse -prometric exam passed and valid till feb21-5year experience.

Allwyn Davidallwyndavid123@gmail.com Contact 94686268, 92800101 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

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

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

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, 26, MBA Marketing, 1 yr GCC experience Oman, license.

Contact +91 9946308583, haris.hameedali@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 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 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 Indian Male, 7 yrs experience in building materials trading having Oman D/L, immediate release available. Contact 98676713

TOUR / TRAVELS IATA Certified experienced Indian Lady looking for job.

Currently on visit.

Contact 94613747, 91339846

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. # 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, 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

MISCELLANEOUS Indian female MCA, with 5 years 4months of exp. in oracle, sql, plsql, unix. Knowledge in c language Contact no:93234758, email id:indu.mr@gmail.com 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 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, B.com with tally, having 11 years experience in accounting, looking for a part time job. contact.96423671

D6

M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

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

ACC. AVAILABLE 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.

Indian, Female, Pharmacist available with NOC and MOH License, preferably in Muscat Contact : 9439 1355

Room for rent for family & bachelor at Honda road. Contact 99040590 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 Ghubrah furnished room with attached bath, dish, wi-fi available for executive person. Contact 98266157 Furnished room with AC for expat, Al Khuwair. Contact 99689315 / 97004265 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

NRI

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

Land for sale at Trivandrum near Medical College Sreraryam, 3 cents road side. Contact 93772067, +91 9567517447

Spacious semi-furnished room with separate entrance, attached washroom for non-cooking Indian Bachelor near ISG. Contact 95146361, 92657598

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

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 Furnished single room with attached bathroom near Mars Hypermarket, Al Ghubrah.

Contact 97312111, RO 150/per month

For Astrological consultation, Jathakam.Contact 99860435 / 97102599

MANPOWER

Villa for sale 2200 sq ft in 8 cent.

Kottayam. Contact: 92652534

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 93405941 VIP transport 24 hrs services.

Contact 92108447, 96781899

Independent room furnished Executive at Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99336206

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

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

Transportation. Contact 94087276 Transportation. Contact 95190627

2 Bedroom flat for offices with furniture near Al Manaf Hotel, Ghala.

Contact 99525743, 99439705

Labor Pick & drop.

Contact 92218001

Excellent 3 bedrooms , 2 sitting rooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen & store with A/C. 92817777

Transportation. Contact 92306582 Transportation. Contact 98178135

ACC.WANTED

Transportation available.

Contact 95570429

Single room or studio flat required in Ruwi area. Contact : 95405033

Pick & drop anytime in al Khuwair.

Contact 99764307

SIT.WANTED Indian female dentist with 4 year experience. Call Nazia 96488737 MECHANICAL ENGINEER (B Tech), Indian Mail, with NDT Level 2(ASNT), Autocad, Solidworks, 2 year above experience (as Mechanical Site Engineer and Design Engineer), Seeking suitable placement(on visit visa). Contact: 91591548, 00919447300022, Email: vishnu300022@gmail.com Indian Female, IATA, BSc looking for suitable placement.#95514305.

Email-jitureshmi@gmail.com

Transportation. Contact 91379976

SIT.WANTED

Pick & Drop any time.

Contact 97014786 Transportation. Contact 99664703

Indian Female, Graduate having good experience looking for suitable job. NOC available. #91774397 22 Indian Female, BCA (MCA), 4 Years’ Experience in Teaching, Training & Management of Office and Computer Applications, looking for suitable vacancy in the field of Teaching/IT/Office Management Contact – 94540768, Email – paipreethi01@gmail.com

Transportation. Contact 99542393 Transportation available 99159277 Transportation. Contact 96538078 Transportation Available Contact 97180655

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 6, 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

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M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 2 6 , 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

Split & window unit A/C servicing & repairing. Contact 99557080 Window & split unit A/C servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476 PRO services. Contact 99368907 Fast & Right Way - For all PR related works – permanent Visa stamping, family visiting visa holders, clients contacts – with NOC letter with signed & sealed photocopy documents . Contact 91568362

For HT cable jointing and termination works 33KV/11KV. #99056438 / Email: npgoman@gmail.com Catering services We do industrial catering service, Canteen/ mess, 3 times packed meals, and all types of catering events.

Contact 92188777/99249899

GOOD NEWS

DRIVING

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com

MATRIMONIAL Keralite girl, 26 (160), BSC Nurse at South America seeks suitable alliance. Contact 94413100, 98335340 Proposals are invited from parents of professionally qualified Nair Boys for 24 year old Upper Middle Class Nair girl hail from Trivandrum, (171 cm, Star-Bharani) employed in a reputed Company in Oman. Contact: 0968-9950 2593 /99798041.

(KM ID.2844689)

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 , www.siddhayur.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis, ideal care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 / 99117987 Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at Al Khuwair. Contact 24478618 / 97263637 /93309131