Times of Oman - December 26 , 2015

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FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

Before the Opening of the annual session of the Council of Oman

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’

LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD

We can already see the projects which have been completed and those which are now on-going, these will all lead to an increase in the national income and will provide more, and larger, opportunities for work and training, and thus we will gain more and new skills for the youth of Oman who are keen to take over different jobs in various fields of employment.

>B5

SATURDAY, December 26, 2015 / 14 Rabi Al Awal 1437 AH timesofoman.com

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Award for developing asthma clinic register

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A task force and the Oman Respiratory Society were recently awarded and thanked for their efforts in developing the national asthma clinic register and asthma patient follow-up booklet. The task force includes physicians from several governorates and staff from the NonCommunicable Diseases Department. They were awarded during a workshop. conducted by Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health. >A2

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Buses expand services to Dubai and Salalah

REGION

Accusations flew over who was to blame for the deaths of at least 24 people in a Saudi hospital fire, with one official saying a crowd that gathered there had obstructed rescue workers and some Twitter users blaming lax safety standards. The blaze on Thursday tore through the intensive care unit and maternity ward at the general hospital in the southwestern port city of Jazan, capital of the Jizan region, one of saudi Arabia’s poorest areas. >A4

SAUDI ARABIA

HM sends condolences MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, for the victims of fire accident that occurred at Jazan General Hospital, on Thursday.

In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathy, praying to the Almighty Allah to rest their souls in peace and grant their families patience to bear the loss and the injured persons speedy recovery.—ONA B AYA N

Blame game over Saudi hospital fire

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Photograph by A. R. RAJKUMAR/Times of Oman

a return ticket to Dubai in the new bus,” he pointed out. b “I used to travel in buses even before Mwasalat was launched. b But this bus is better than the B older ones. It is more spacious o aand is more comfortable for long distances, such as Salalah,” said d Haridas, who has been in Oman H ffor the last 15 years.

Riding on the popularity of its brand new buses, Mwasalat has begun covering far-off cities like Salalah, Marmul, Fahud, Dubai

TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Riding on the back of its popular Mwasalat services in the capital city, the company has decided to expand its reach to newer and longer destinations, including Salalah and Dubai.

The new luxury bus service was launched on Friday covering four far-off cities, including Salalah, Marmul, Fahud, and Dubai, starting from Muscat.

As part of its ambitious expansion drive, Mwasalat plans to add more routes to its chart in 2016. “During the first quarter of 2016, we are planning to initiate Al Amerat–Ruwi service, as well as Muscat–Ruwi in the second quarter of 2016. We are also

going to operate on another Al Khoud–SQU stretch,” a Mwasalat official said.

The Muscat-Dubai route was launched as a response to one of the surveys, it said.

The official said the bus for Dubai will start from Ruwi, pass through Burj A’Sahwa and then proceed to Mabellah, Sohar and finally to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

The price for one trip will be OMR5, whereas a return trip will cost OMR9.

“Buses may stop in some wilayats along the way if necessary,” said an official, adding: “More routes will be announced soon.”

Welcoming the announcement, Abu Bakar, a resident of Oman said, “Clearly, it is a great

OMR9 is the price for a return trip to Dubai, whereas the one-way trip costs OMR5

improvement in ground transport services. We’ll think twice before booking a flight ticket to Dubai as these buses are very good and spacious.”

Sreekumar, who resides in Wadi Kabir, said the ticket charges for the new bus service are really attractive. “If I travel to Dubai by air, I have to pay around OMR60, but now I have to pay only OMR9 for

State-of the- art Passengers are also happy with the new features in the bus.

“These buses are disabledfriendly, air-conditioned and equipped with cameras, an informative screen and fire extinguishers. What more do you ask for?” asked one of the passengers, who regularly travels on these buses.

Currently, Mwasalat has started promotional offer for the Ruwi-Mabellah route, which began on December 1 and will continue until February 28, 2016. It will cost 100 baiza for a single zone route, and 200 and 300 baizas for the two and three zone routes, respectively.

On March 1, 2016, the fares will be raised by 100 baizas each.

New system for customs clearance Times News Service MUSCAT: A new system of customs (Bayan) duties will be imposed for imports and exports from the Wajaja land customs location from Sunday, and at Salalah port from January 1, 2016, an official communiqué from the Royal Oman Police (ROP) said on Wednesday.

Bayan is an online single window or one-stop service offering from ROP—Directorate General of Customs to expedite clearance of goods. The process will be implemented in the free zone of Salalah from January 10, 2016, land Sarfeit customs location from January 14, at the Al Mazyona land customs location from January 17 and in the free zone of Al Mazyona from January 20. All shipping firms, customs clearing brokers, individuals, and agencies importing and exporting goods must register for the system.

BUDGET DISCUSSED

PAKISTAN

Modi makes surprise visit to Pakistan

Muscat International Book Fair begins on February 24 Times News Service

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra modi made a surprise stopover in Pakistan on Friday to meet his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, the first time an Indian premier has visited the rival nation in over a decade. Sharif hugged Modi after he landed at the airport in the eastern city of Lahore before the two boarded a helicopter for Sharif’s nearby estate, state television showed. Modi was on his way home after a visit to Russia. >A7

Dr. Abdulmon’em bin Mansour Al Hassani, Minister of Information.

MUSCAT: Muscat International Book Fair 2016 will begin from February 24 and continue until March 5, 2016, the organisers said.

The main committee for the Muscat International Book Fair 2016 held a meeting at the Ministry of Information under the chairmanship of Dr. Abdulmon’em bin Mansour Al Hassani, Minister of Information.

A follow-up report on the book fair’s management was presented during the meeting, in addition to

discussing the financial budget and cultural programme.

Topics related to the preparations for the 21st edition of the Muscat International Book Fair were reviewed as well.

Various activities at the event will commence on February 24.

The earlier editions of the fair were attended by more than 570 publishers from 25 countries, who were allocated integrated halls for children’s literature, which allowed them to conduct multiple activities for literature lovers.

Christmas celebrations

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LOVE FOR THE GAME

Cricket enthusiast nurses a passion to train budding talent MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com

A VISIONARY: Moula Bakhsh Al Balushi is the founder of the Al Hail School of Cricket in Mabellah. Photo-Supplied

MUSCAT: Cricket enthusiast Moula Bakhsh Al Balushi is one of the key figures for the development of this sport in Oman.

Today, the Times of Oman (TOO) features Al Balushi and his passion for the “gentleman’s game”, as part of its #OmanPride campaign.

Al Balushi considers late Sayyid Abbas bin Faisal from the Royal family as his inspiration for cricket during his childhood days. He is also a hardcore fan of former Pakistani fast bowler Waqar Younis.

Al Balushi is also the founder of the Al Hail School of Cricket in Mabellah, which provides cricket coaching to children of all ages.

High quality grass and facilities are available for budding cricketers here. “We have our own grounds and recently we converted it into a grass ground and turf pitch to provide the right kind of facilities for young talented players in my club, not only from a sports perspective, but for the overall personality development,” Al Balushi told TOO.

“We vow to continue improving the quality of cricket in the Sultanate and thus develop the sport in the country,” he said.

The vision of Al Hail cricket school is to ensure the growth of cricket and raise its standards.

According to Al Balushi, the mission of the school after its formation was to increase the popularity of cricket as a sport in Oman, to discover cricketing talent, and to nurture them by imparting scientific and advanced training.

“We have already achieved most of our missions till date,” Al Balushi asserted. According to him, Oman’s cricketing future is very bright. He also praised Oman Cricket’s initia-

tive of developing young talent in by forming national youth team.

“The qualification of Oman’s national team in the upcoming T20 World Cup is the best example to show how the sport and cricket are progressing in Oman,” Al Balushi stated. Still, the game requires a lot of development in Oman, Al Balushi noted.

“Awareness has to be created at the grassroots level to find young Omani talent,” he added.

The Al Hail School of Cricket has set up a cricket academy. It has tied up with international cricket academics in India, the UAE, the United Kingdom and in Pakistan, etc. to develop budding players.

“We are also in the process of tying up with former international players, who can help us with grassroots coaching,” Al Balushi said.

According to him, Geoff Cook, a former British cricketer, who visited Oman in October, had agreed to impart coaching.

Former Pakistani captain Rashid Latif also visited Oman last year to secure a deal with Al Hail School of Cricket and has also promised

to help develop local Omani cricket talent. The Al Hail School of Cricket is currently coaching young locals as well as expatriate players and is using experienced professional coaches.

“The best training is imparted on a cricket ground during a live match, which is what I am trying to offer to my academy’s players,” Al Balushi said.

“We conduct daily matches for the academy’s players at our grounds. My strategy involves taking the help of professional local and expat coaches to develop my players,” he added.

He also praised the contribution of Duleep Mendis, the Oman national team’s coach.

“Oman has the fire to beat the major teams under the leadership of Duleep Mendis; the current team is more capable to handle any kind of situation in the T20 format,” Al Balushi said.

He also appreciated the team members who had helped Oman qualify for the upcoming T20 World Cup taking place in India next year.

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OMAN Award for developing asthma clinic register

P R O G R E S S I V E C U LT U R E

The Asthma Patient Follow-up Booklet serves as an educational tool with different tips, in which instructions are included in both Arabic and English QUALITY SERVICE: The award was bestowed at a ceremony held

in Vienna (Austria), which was attended by several experts and academics. – Supplied picture

Times News Service

European honour for Royal Hospital Times News Service MUSCAT: International Diamond Prize was presented to the Royal Hospital recently by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR), Switzerland, for rendering top quality services.

The award was bestowed at a ceremony held in Vienna (Austria), which was attended by many quality experts and academics, along with global organizations’ representatives.

This remarkable occasion was held to recognise the activities and efforts made by the hospital’s employees to uplift the quality of delivered services, despite major challenges.

In addition, it was also a reward for implementing a number of patient safety standards and procedures. Moreover, this reward recognised other policies, such as instilling a progressive culture in all employees and motivating them to develop their leadership capabilities.

It is worth mentioning that the European Society for Quality Research bestows this reward annually on those institutions that are distinguished for developing excellence and quality programmes.

The selection of such institutions is based on the institution’s efforts for contributing towards promoting leadership, continuous progress, and customer satisfaction.

MUSCAT: A task force and the Oman Respiratory Society were recently awarded and thanked for their efforts in developing the national asthma clinic register and asthma patient follow-up booklet.

The task force includes physicians from several governorates and staff from the Non-Communicable Diseases Department.

They were awarded during a workshop conducted by the Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health (MoH) to discuss the management of asthma in primary health care institutions. A total of 60 pharmacists, nurses and physicians from all governorates attended the workshop.

The workshop was held under the auspices of Dr. Said HarebalLamki, MoH director general of Primary Health Care. It discussed the important data available with regards to the management of asthma.

PREVENTION TIPS: The asthma register contains different patient demographic details, as well as crucial components, to ensure the adequate running of the asthma clinic. – Supplied photo

The asthma register contains different patient demographic details, as well as crucial components, to ensure the adequate running of the asthma clinic.

The Asthma Patient Follow-up Booklet serves as an educational tool with different tips, in which instructions are included in both Arabic and English.

Action plan It also highlights the importance of self-management in asthma, as well as copies of the asthma action plan have also been made available in the booklets. These direct the patient on what to do before going to the hospital and where to seek emergency care.

Dr. Shadha Saud Al Raisi, chronic respiratory disease pro-

gram manager at the Non-Communicable Diseases Department pointed out the importance of the work conducted by the team, which had worked on the register and booklet, as well as the importance of the work done in the workshops.

Proper management She also stated that these new additions and the work conducted throughout the years should hopefully ensure a space within the busy primary health care set ups for the proper management of asthmatic patients.

The workshop included a number of lectures delivered by consultants from the Royal Hospital.

Paediatric Pulmonologist, Dr. Younis Al Bulushi, discussed the

management of both chronic and acute asthma in children.

The management of asthma in adults was discussed by Dr. Nabil Al Lawati, senior consultant respiratory and sleep physician. He also discussed the use of spirometry machines in terms of procedure and interpretation.

To enforce the importance of a practical teaching approach, participants were divided into five groups, which allowed them to experience hands-on teaching on the use of different equipment and tools that are available in the asthma clinic.

These practical workstations are supervised and run by facilitators, who have considerable experience in running the asthma clinics.

A M I TA B H C H A R I S M A

‘Amitabh Aur Main’ concert to be held in Muscat today Times News Service MUSCAT: “Amitabh Aur Main” concert, which is being organised by Muscat’s event management company, Light and Shadow Enterprises, will be organised at the City Amphitheatre, Qurum on Saturday.

Minara will be the presenters of the event. Indian film star Amitabh Bachchan’s fans in Oman will get an opportunity to witness a specially conceptualised musical ode to India’s living legend by singer Sudesh Bhosale, who has sung several hit playback numbers for the movie star.

The event is also a celebration and an ode to the living legend by Sudesh Bhosale. “Mr. Bachchan is not coming, but the audience will not miss his presence with surprises and interactions that will happen on the stage. The visual and vocal performances will leave people asking for more,” the or-

MEGA SHOW: The event will be a tribute to the legendary Amitabh Bachchan by Sudesh Bhosale.

ganisers said. The event, which is a brain child of playback singer Bhosale, has garnered great response, wherever it has been performed.

As part of this tribute, Bho-

sale will perform along with his 21-year-old son Siddhant and female singer Arpita Thakkar.

Bhosale, known as “voice of Amitabh” will render popular hit

songs and dialogues from famous Amitabh Bachchan films during the two-and-half-hour show.

Akshay Chowdhary of Light and Shadow Enterprises said, “We are

happy to bring this special event to Oman. We are elated that it comes close at the heels of a successful presentation of the same event during the October Festival.

As the name ‘Amitabh Aur Main’ suggests, the entire programme is based on the memorable charisma created by Amitabh Bachchan on screen. Sudesh and his team will be rendering some of the most well known songs and iconic dialogues of Bachchan. Sudesh aims to capture the essence of all the great actor’s performances till date through this concert. He will be sharing his experiences about working with Amitabh Bachchan during the recordings and live concerts too.”

This audio visual programme will have some fantastic sound and visual effects created on stage through special screens, lighting and dances.

“To make it easy for fans travelling from the interiors to Mus-

UNLIMITED REFILLS

Free chocolate, coffee for students at SQU

cat for this musical extravaganza, tickets will be available for people at the Box Office window outside the City Amphitheatre as well,” said Chowdhary.

Famous songs Some of the songs Bhosale and his team are expected to perform are Intehaan Ho Gayi Intezaar Ki, Jumma Chumma, Kajraare, O Sathi Re, Rang Barse, Mere Angne Mein, My Name is Anthony Gonsalves, among many others, which will be interspersed with Bachchan’s hit dialogues.

The tickets for the event are on sale now and are available at the Lulu Hypermarket, Bowshar and Darsait, the Foodlands Restaurant, Al Khuwair and at Sharaf DG, MGM until 2pm on Saturday, and at the Box Office window of the Qurum Amphitheatre from 3pm onwards on Saturday.

Tickets are priced at OMR25, OMR15 and OMR7.

MINISTRY

Discussion on children with disabilities

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Stressed-out students at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) can now enjoy free hot coffee and chocolate at the main library, officials said on Wednesday.

As the final week of exams approaches, the library has opened its doors 24 hours in a bid to provide students with unlimited refills of coffee starting from 7pm to 11pm.

A noble gesture from the Sul“We are the only library in tan Qaboos University.

Oman that is working roundthe- clock to facilitate our stuStudents have, meanwhile, dents through many services.

This should help them during lauded the initiative through sotheir final exams,” Ibrahim Al cial media messages.

“This is what SQU students deHassani, assistant manager at the SQU main library told the Times serve,” wrote Ahmed Aljadidi (@ Ahmed_Aljadidi). of Oman (TOO).

“Good morning students. Big Al Hassani said the library plans to introduce more services applause to SQU main library on this initiative,” @Med_lab_OM in the future.

“But I would advise students to tweeted.

“Thank you from the bottom dispose of the trash after eating or drinking. The library has to be of my heart,” Wael Al Jahwari (@ wailhamed) said. clean,” he said.

MUSCAT: The issue of preschool children and students with disabilities and their needs, was discussed by a joint committee of the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry of Education, on Wednesday.

Dr. Yahya bin Badr Al Ma’awali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development chaired the Ministry of Social Development side, while Dr. Hamoud bin Khalfan Al Harthy, Undersecretary of Ministry of Education for Education represented his department.

Child development The committee discussed a number of topics, such as the issue of child development homes which are under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.

The Committee discussed the intellectual and educational skills development centres and the importance of developing regulations for these centres. -ONA

SAT URDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015

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OMAN

Festive spirit fills the air in Sultanate Times of Oman photographers, A. R. Rajkumar and Purushothaman Kunnummel, catch the images of the Christian community celebrating Christmas in Muscat.

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REGION

Unfortunately there was a large mob and some citizens rushed to enter the hospital in a desire to help, but actually they obstructed the evacuation and relief process by civil defence and health affairs, and 50 of them were injured in the incident and they occupied rescuers and officials and practitioners in aiding them Saad Al Muqrin, Deputy governor of Jazan

Blame game after hospital fire kills 24 in Saudi city of Jazan Saad Al Muqrin, the deputy governor of Jazan, appeared to place some blame for the deaths at the hospital on people who rushed to the scene to help

DUBAI: Accusations flew over who was to blame for the deaths of at least 24 people in a Saudi hospital fire, with one official saying a crowd that gathered there had obstructed rescue workers and some Twitter users blaming lax safety standards.

The blaze on Thursday tore through the intensive care unit and maternity ward at the general hospital in the southwestern port city of Jazan, capital of the Jizan region, one of Saudi Arabia’s poorest areas.

141 injured The country’s deputy health minister was quoted by the Al Sharq Al Awsat newspaper on Friday as saying 141 people had been injured in the fire — the latest in a series of accidents that have killed hundreds of people at Saudi public facilities.

LOCAL DEAL

Besieged Syrian rebels to be evacuated BEIRUT: Two thousand Syrian hardliner fighters are expected to be evacuated soon from besieged, rebel-held areas of southern Damascus in a deal brokered by the United Nations, a Hezbollah TV station said on Friday.

The deal marks a success for the government of President Bashar Al Assad, increasing its chances of reasserting control over a strategic area just 4km (2.5 miles) south of the centre of the capital.

It also highlights the increasing efforts of the UN and foreign governments to bring about local ceasefires and safe-passage agreements as steps towards the wider goal of ending Syria’s civil war, in which more than 250,000 people have been killed in nearly five years of fighting. The besieged militants include fighters of IS and the Nusra Front, Al Qaeda’s offshoot in Syria.

Hezbollah’s Manar TV said 18 buses had arrived to start taking them and 1,500 family members to areas under the control of IS and other rebel groups. It was not clear whether the buses were provided by the UN or by the Syrian army.

The rebels’ capitulation was forced by a government siege over several years that squeezed the flow of food and humanitarian aid, starving many people to death in what rights group Amnesty International has described as war crimes. Manar said the fighters would also be handing in their heavy weapons to the Syrian army under what it said was a multi-party deal under UN auspices.

It later said the evacuation “awaited completion of some arrangements”. — Reuters

REDUCED TO ASHES: A picture taken on Thursday, shows damage inside the Jazan General Hospital after a blaze broke out in the intensive care unit and the maternity department in Saudi Arabia’s southern Jizan province, and right; a handout image provided by the directorate of the Saudi Civil Defence shows an injured man being treated outside the Jazan General Hospital. – AFP

Saad Al Muqrin, the deputy governor of Jazan, appeared to place some blame for the deaths at the hospital on people who rushed to the scene to help, according to remarks reported in Al Sharq Al Awsat. “Unfortunately there was a large mob and some citizens rushed to enter the hospital in a desire to help, but actually they obstructed the evacuation and relief process by civil defence and health affairs, and 50 of them were

injured in the incident and they occupied rescuers and officials and practitioners in aiding them,” he was quoted as saying.

Accusation Some Twitter users accused the hospital of having lax safety standards, after a reporter for Al Arabiya television said he had seen several emergency doors locked with chains when he visited the hospital after the disaster.

“Punishment for who was responsible for closing the emergency exits,” said one Twitter user.

“The disaster at Jazan General Hospital is the result of great negligence and the health ministry and health minister specifically and the hospital administration, interior ministry, and civil defence are all responsible,” said another.

The region’s director of health affairs, Ahmed Al Sahli, denied there were any safety problems

at the hospital. Health Minister Khalid Al Falih said he recognised the ministry had failed, but added it was too early to ascertain the causes of the disaster and that a committee would investigate.

In an interview with Saudi TV channel Ekhbariya, Falih said the fire originated on the first floor of the hospital and smoke spread to the second and third floors. He said the deaths at the hospital were caused by “smoke suffocation”, not

direct burns to the body. A crush at the Haj in the holy city of Mecca in September killed 769 people, according to Saudi officials. Reuters calculations based on numbers provided by the pilgrims’ home countries showed the death toll was at least 2,070. Two weeks earlier, 110 people died in Mecca’s Grand Mosque when a crane working on an expansion project collapsed during a storm, crushing pilgrims below. — Reuters

FINAL PUSH AGAINST IS

Iraqi forces consolidate position in Ramadi BAGHDAD: Iraqi troops who have fought their way deep into the IS stronghold of Ramadi were consolidating their positions on Friday ahead of a planned final assault to capture the city.

Soldiers were clearing bombs from roads and homes in districts of Ramadi they had already taken since launching their assault on the city on Tuesday, state TV said.

Successfully recapturing Ramadi, a provincial capital in the fertile Euphrates River valley just two hours drive from Baghdad, would be one of the most important victories achieved by Iraq’s armed forces since IS militants swept across a third of the country in 2014.

The Iraqi government forces are backed by air support from an international coalition led by the United States. Militia units, which have played a major part in other government offensives, have been kept away from the battlefield in Ramadi to avoid angering residents. Ramadi, capital of Anbar province, was IS’s biggest prize of 2015, abandoned by government forces in May in a major setback for Baghdad that forced Washington to look hard at its strategy against the militants.

Offensive against Mosul The Baghdad government has long said it intended to recapture Ramadi before launching an offensive against Mosul, the largest city in Iraq’s north and IS’s main stronghold in the country.

Three days into the government assault, the militants are still entrenched in the centre of Ramadi, around the provincial government complex. Army commanders said on Wednesday the battle for Ramadi would take several days.

Sistani calls for release of Qatari hunters

ALL SET FOR BATTLE: Iraqi counter-terrorism forces drive a tank past rubble south of the Anbar province’s capital Ramadi on Thursday. – AFP

Concern that civilians are still living in the areas held by the militants is slowing the troops’ advance, the authorities say.

Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari said the militants are using civilians as human shields.

“It makes things more complicated but it won’t change the result; the advance will continue, it will just take more time,” he told Reuters in Cairo.

State TV on Friday showed piles of ammunition crates, mortar rounds and plastic gasoline containers filled with explosives it said were found in Ramadi

homes. Citing a military statement, it said the armed forces had finished securing the Hay Al Dhubbat neighbourhood that it seized on Tuesday.

The ultimate target of the government is to retake Mosul, a city with a pre-war population of close to 2 million.

After capturing Mosul in 2014, the IS group declared a caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

“The liberation of dear Mosul will be achieved with the cooperation and unity of all Iraqis after the victory in Ramadi,” Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi said in a

statement on the state media website on Friday. In a Friday sermon to rally the nation, read by an aide, Iraq’s top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani called on the government to make the fight against IS its top priority.

“To recover all the land from IS, to rebuild the residential areas, to return the displaced person are top priorities for everybody, foremost for the government’s decision makers,” said Sistani’s representative Ahmed Al Safi, in a sermon in the city of Karbala, south of Baghdad, broadcast on state TV. — Reuters

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani called for the release of a group of Qatari hunters kidnapped in the south of the country, his representative said on Friday.

A large group of unidentified armed men abducted at least 26 Qataris from their camp in the desert near the Saudi border this month.

At least nine people who were part of the hunting group managed to escape and crossed into Kuwait.

“We demand that all kidnapped people be released no matter who they are,” Ahmed Al Safi said in a sermon in the city of Karbala, south of Baghdad. “We condemn the kidnappings for political goals, including the recent kidnapping of a number of hunters who entered the country legally,” he said.

Iraq’s foreign minister Ibrahim Al Jaafari denied on Tuesday that his government had anything to do with the kidnapping. — Reuters

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DEFIANT

Give me proof of anti-party activities: Kirti NEW DELHI: BJP MP Kirti Azad, suspended for attacking Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, on Friday wrote to party chief Amit Shah demanding proof of his ‘anti-party activities’ while maintaining that he remains a “loyal party soldier”.

Kirti also noted that the suspension letter served on him made no mention of the “DDCA corruption”, over which he had targeted Jaitley, saying it made him believe that BJP has nothing to do with this matter and it is purely out of its purview.

“In all fairness and in keeping with the tenets of equity, I look forward to being provided an opportunity to clear my name on the serious charges of having acted against the party’s interests.

“I request you to kindly provide me at the earliest instances and proof that I have indulged in anti-party activities so that I can clear the air and provide you with answers to your satisfaction, confirming that I have neither acted against the party’s constitution nor against the interests of our party,” he wrote to Shah.

BJP had on Wednesday suspended Kirti from its primary membership three days after his press conference attacking Jaitley and subsequent acts of defiance both inside and outside Parliament, over alleged irregularities in DDCA. - PTI

INDIA

‘PM’s Pakistan visit only for private business interests’ Congress rejected claims of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj that the prime minister’s move was ‘statesman-like’ and said it was ‘pre-arranged’ by

PROTEST: Members of Youth Congress protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paki-

stan, in New Delhi on Friday. - PTI

a businessman

NEW DELHI: Congress on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “unscheduled” visit to Pakistan and alleged it was not for promoting India’s national interest or to take forward the roadmap to engage with it on tackling terror but to promote private business interests.

Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma also attacked the Prime

Minister’s engagement with Pakistan as “frivolous, unpredictable and full of abrupt U-turns” and asked what assurances he got on bringing back or punishing perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attacks, especially Zakiu Rehman Lakhvi, and on dismantling terror cells.

Questioning the intent behind his visit, Congress rejected claims of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj that the Prime Minister’s move was ‘statesman-like’

LONE RANGER

Will the BJP follow Atal’s ‘raj dharma’?

AMULYA GANGULI

T

he current mellow, accommodative outlook of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in striking contrast to the provocative anti-minority postures of the 1990s, is the result of former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s wisdom and sobriety.

On his 91st birth anniversary on December 25, it is necessary to remember that he single-handedly extricated the party from its potentially doomed predilection with majoritarianism, which is in sync with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) concept of a Hindu rashtra.

But Vajpayee was a lone ranger who opposed this form of fascism and theocracy — not overtly or vociferously, for that was not his style — but unobtrusively and behind-the-scenes while making it clear to all and sundry that he could not be counted among Guru Golwalkar’s loyal disciples although he maintained that he was essentially a pracharak (preacher). It was because of the palpable distance between Vajpayee and the core ideas of the RSS/ BJP that he came to be known as the right man in the wrong party while the fiery Sadhvi Rithambara described him as “half a Congressman”.

“Why half,” Vajpayee had asked jocularly when he heard of the Sadhvi’s appellation for him.

The Gujarat riots of 2002 was however the real test of his statesmanship. As he told the state’s chief minister of the time, Narendra Modi, who was known in that period as an uncompromising hardliner, that it was the bounden duty of the government to follow “raj dharma” or the ideals of a ruler which make no distinction between one category of citizens and another.

More than two decades later, Modi is now following this sage counsel because of his and his party’s — though not of the RSS — realization that strict neutrality in the running of the administration is the only way to keep the multicultural, multi-religious,

A5

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS: BJP activists celebrate former prime minister and party leader Atal Behari Vajpayee’s birthday, in Patna on Friday. - PTI

multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic country together.

Since Vajpayee knew this cardinal reality instinctively and reflected it in his personal life, he was able to achieve what no other leader has been able to do before or after him — run a 24-party coalition at the centre. Only a true proponent of raj dharma could have scaled such heights in accommodative politics.

It was the Gujarat riots which led to the unravelling of the coalition and ultimately to the BJP’s defeat in 2004 — for which Vajpayee held the 2002 outbreak responsible. Had the riots not taken place, there is little doubt that his coalition would have remained intact and that he would have won another term in office.

Although Vajpayee has now bowed out of public life, the standards he had set in the matter of communal amity have brought about a seminal change in the BJP’s outlook.

Not surprisingly, the first major sign of the change occurred in Gujarat where Modi organised his sadbhavna or goodwill missions soon after his victory in the 2007 assembly elections.

Since then, as his description of the constitution as the country’s one and only holy book shows, Modi has imbibed what Vajpayee said sitting by his side during a press conference in Ahmedabad in 2002.

Notwithstanding Modi’s personal transformation from a hardliner to a moderate, not everyone in the BJP has unreserv-

edly accepted Vajpayee’s advice.

There are still MPs and ordinary members who are Golwalkar’s followers rather than Vajpayee’s although Modi has been trying to rein them in.

It will obviously take time for everyone in the BJP to live up to Vajpayee’s lofty examples in the matter of harmonious living in a country of 12 religions and 22 languages, as Modi recently told parliament.

Unless the party follows the former prime minister’s ideals, it will not have much of a future in a pluralistic society which instinctively shuns extremism.

To students of contemporary politics, the question will remain whether Vajpayee should have tried harder to inculcate his conciliatory message in the saffron brotherhood during his days in power (1998-2004). If anyone in the Sangh Parivar could have done so, it was him because of his high stature and unassailable prestige. In the 1990s, it was enough for him to have lifted the BJP by the bootstraps to bring it to the centre-stage of politics from the margins, where it had languished for decades.

This feat was something which only Vajpayee could have accomplished because of his wide acceptability across the political spectrum. For him to have battled the RSS, too, would have been too much. But it is a task which someone in the BJP would have to take up sooner or later if the party wants to be a long-distance runner in Indian politics. - IANS

and said it was “pre-arranged” by a businessman.

“We are very clear that the Prime Minister is there to promote only private business interests and not India’s national interest which should be supreme.

“Diplomacy is serious, it must have gravitas and predictability.

It cannot be frivolous, otherwise it will implode on Narendra Modi’s face,” he told reporters.

Rejecting Swaraj’s claim that

the visit was spontaneous, Sharma said “the External Affairs Minister claims, very foolishly so, that it’s statesman-like. We completely reject her claim. We have definitive information that this was pre-arranged.”

He said Modi has not gone there to take forward the roadmap to engage with Pakistan or build an understanding that would eliminate immediate threats of terror or punishing those behind the

Mumbai 26/11 attacks.

“This unannounced visit cannot be termed ‘statesman-like’.

Diplomacy must have seriousness and gravitas,” he said.

The Congress leader questioned how many prime ministers or heads of states make such detours to wish birthdays, asking if any Indian prime minister has landed in another country in this manner in the last 67 years.

Sharma alleged it is now in public domain that Modi used “vested private business interest” for a secret meeting with Nawaz Sharif in Kathmandu, which he alleged was organised at the behest of a businessman, claiming that he has now used the same channel for fixing this meeting in Lahore.

“The same industrialist who has business partnership with the ruling establishment in Pakistan was there for the last two days. This is out in the open,” he said, asking the prime minister to reveal the name of the businessman himself.

“How come the govt can say this is spontaneous & a continuation?...The Prime Minister of India carries the flag of the country and therefore there has to be seriousness in his actions. He is not travelling for tourism purposes,” he said. - PTI

A6

S ATUR DAY, D ECEMBER 2 6, 2 015 Too much blood has flown down Kabul river. Too many tragedies have darkened the mountain slopes. Too many dreams have burnt in the fire of a senseless conflict Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

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Declaring that India

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is in Afghanistan across the border; when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut; and, their patrons are no longer in business, he said, adding, “Terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape Afghanistan’s future or dictate the choices Afghans make.”

to contribute not to compete, Prime Minister Modi said terror and violence cannot be the instrument to shape the future of the strife-torn country

BOOSTING TIES: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, centre, and Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani, right, inaugurate Afghanistan’s new parliament building, in Kabul on Friday. - Reuters

KABUL: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows across the border and when nurseries and sanctuaries of terrorism are shut.

Declaring that India is in Afghanistan to contribute not to compete, to lay the foundations of future and not light the flame of conflict, Modi also said terror and

violence cannot be the instrument to shape the future of the strifetorn country or dictate the choices its people make. The prime minister was addressing the Afghan Parliament here after inaugurating its swanky new building that was built by India at a cost of $90 million in the presence of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

He also opened an ‘Atal block’ in

the Parliament premises named after former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee whose 91st birthday fell on Friday.

In his nearly 40-minute address during which he was lustily cheered by the assembled audience on several occasions, Modi also made a veiled reference to Pakistan’s reservations about Indian involvement in Afghanistan,

saying,” there are some who do not want us to be here.

“There are some who did not want us to be here. There were those who saw sinister designs in our presence here. There are others who were uneasy at the strength of our partnership. Some even tried to discourage us.”

“Afghanistan will succeed only when terrorism no longer flows

D E L H I & D I S T R I C T C R I C K E T A S S O C I AT I O N R O W

Jung questions legality of appointment of inquiry by Kejriwal to probe DDCA issue NEW DELHI: Seeking Centre’s intervention, LG Najeeb Jung has questioned the legality of appointment of inquiry by Arvind Kejriwal government to probe Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) issue, triggering a new round of confrontation with the chief minister who said the matter was out of the LG’s purview.

“In a communication to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the LG has stated that the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 empowers only the Centre and state governments to appoint a commission of inquiry. Since, Delhi is a Union Territory, a commission of inquiry may be ordered only with the concurrence of the Centre, through the LG,” sources said.

“Also, the funding for the DDCA comes not only from Delhi but also other states and hence it is not just Delhi Government’s jurisdiction to conduct a probe,” they added.

The LG is also believed to have cited that the inquiry into the CNG fitness kit scam set up by the Kejriwal government earlier was set aside by the Centre on the same ground.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, however, has claimed that the action amounts to “unjustified interference” as the inquiry is “perfectly” legal and Union Minister Arun Jaitley should cooperate with the inquiry commission and

We are not scared when all the agencies under them including police CBI, DRI are after us, why are they scared with one commission of enquiry Arvind Kejriwal Delhi chief minister

stop “misusing” the LG office.

“We are not scared when all the agencies under them including police CBI, DRI are after us, why are they scared with one commission of enquiry,” he added.

Kejriwal also maintained that the Transaction Business Rules (TBR) clarify that this file is not needed to be sent to LG for clearance, tersely adding “he is not a dictator”.

“According to the Constitution, LG has three subjects under him-

police, public order and land. According to the TBR, no other file should go to LG for clearance, he is not a dictator,” Kejriwal said.

“The rule says that the commission of enquiry can be instituted by the Cabinet and Legislative Assembly, they are empowered to do so. Raising objections to this is politics to save those who are corrupt,” he said.

“Jaitley should cooperate with the commission of enquiry and stop misusing the LG house. I also

BRIEF ILLNESS

Veteran actress Sadhana passes away MUMBAI: Veteran Indian actress Sadhana, known for her powerful performances in hits like Hum Dono, Love in Simla and Waqt, died here at her residence in suburban Santacruz after a brief illness.

Sadhana Shivdasani, 74, who also hit the spotlight with her iconic hairstyle, chose to lead a reclusive life because she wanted to be remembered the way she was. One of the top actors of the 1960s and 70s, she gave many hits with her co-stars including Dev Anand with whom she shared screen space in Hum Dono and Asli-Naqli.

She worked with top notch directors of that era be it Bimal Roy in Parakh or Hrishikesh Mukherjee in Asli-Naqli.

Sadhana married her Love in Simla director Ram Krishna Nayyar after they fell in love on the film set. They were married for nearly thirty years, until his death in 1995 from asthma.

The couple, who had huge age difference, had no children.

Born in a Sindhi family in Karachi, she was named after her father’s favourite actress-dancer Sadhana Bose.

END OF AN ERA: Veteran actress Sadhana passed away at Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai on Friday. - PTI file photo

Sadhana’s father was the brother of actor Hari Shivdasani, parent of actress Babita.

The family fled from Karachi during the post-Partition riots and settled in Mumbai. In 1955, she first appeared in hit song Mur mur ke na dekh mur mur ke in Raj Kapoor’s blockbuster Shree 420.

When she turned 15, she was approached by some producers who had seen her act in a college play. They cast her in India’s first Sindhi film titled Abaana (1958).

Sashadhar Mukherjee, one of

Hindi cinema’s major producers at that time, noticed her and she joined Mukherjee’s acting school.

The Filmalaya Production banner thus introduced Joy Mukerjee, Sadhana and her iconic hairstyle in their 1960 romantic film Love in Simla. The film was a big hit at the box office.

She continued delivering memorable performances in films like Ek Musafir Ek Hasina, Mere Mehboob, Woh Kaun Thi, Mera Saaya, Arzoo, Intaquam, Ek Phool Do Mali and Geeta Mera Naam”, which she also directed.

She had acted in several mystery films, earning the nickname “Mystery girl”. Not only her films but the songs from her movies too are remembered like Abhi Na Jaao Chodkar, Lag Ja Gale, Jhumka Gira Re, Tu Jaha Jaha Chalega, Mera Saaya Sath Hoga and others.

Besides her work, it was the Sadhana cut, a hair style first fashioned by her in the early 1960s, that became a rage among young girls and women.

She retired from acting nearly four decades back as she did not want to be cast as a side-kick or do character roles. - PTI

hope that Rajnath Singh will not try to shield him by obstructing the probe,” he said.

Delhi Government also issued a statement terming the action

by LG as unjustified interference in the functioning of a democratically elected Government.

“This action clearly amounts to unjustified interference in the functioning of a democratically elected government. It is unconstitutional and violates the Transaction of Business Rules, 1993.

This is the second instance within four months when the LG has unsuccessfully tried to block Delhi Government’s decision to probe cases of Corruption,” it said.

“LG should publicly state what is his interest in scuttling the probe into the DDCA scam and whom is he trying to protect?

If LG or MHA are aggrieved, they may approach appropriate courts,” it added.

The government further claimed that a whistle blower from DDCA had informed that would be an attempt to get the “Commission of Inquiry scuttled through the LG”.

“Details of this whistle blowers meeting with chief minister were there in that DDCA file, which Central Bureau of Investigation had been looking for. That information now seems to be coming true,” it alleged. - PTI

Strength of friendship Modi saluted people of Afghanistan for having faith in India and not judge it by others tell them.

“You never doubted the sincerity of our commitment and the strength of our friendship. And, you have seen the fruits of our partnership,” he said.

“You know that India is here to contribute not to compete; to lay the foundations of future, not light the flame of conflict; to rebuild lives, not destroy a nation.”

Referring to the violence in Afghanistan for decades, Modi said, “Too much blood has flown down Kabul river. Too many tragedies have darkened the mountain slopes. Too many dreams have burnt in the fire of a senseless con-

flict.” He also urged the world to support Afghanistan.

“We must support Afghanistan without time lines because the new clouds of extremism and terrorism are rising, even as the old ones continue to darken our skies; and, because Afghans are not only fighting for their future, but are standing up for all of us and a safer world,” he said. Modi said it is time for all Afghans, everyone in the region and the rest of the world to come together.

“We know that Afghanistan’s success will require the cooperation and support of each of its neighbours. And, all of us in the region – India, Pakistan, Iran and others – must unite, in trust and cooperation, behind this common purpose and in recognition of our common destiny,” he said, adding, “When Afghanistan becomes a haven of peace and a hub for the flow of ideas, commerce, energy and investments in the region, we will all prosper together.”

Modi said efforts were underway to improve Afghanistan’s connectivity by land and sea, including through Chahbahar in Iran.

“That is why I hope that Pakistan will become a bridge between South Asia and Afghanistan and beyond,” he said. - PTI

SAT URDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015

A7

PAKISTAN K A R AC H I O P E R AT I O N

PARADE MARKS JINNAH’S BIRTHDAY Pakistan army cadets take part in a guard of honour during an event to mark the birth anniversary of Pakistan’s founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah, in Karachi on Friday. Pakistan marks Jinnah’s birthday annually with a parade and service at his mausoleum in Karachi. — AFP

Rangers policing powers extended ISLAMABAD: Just two days after the Sindh cabinet rejected the federal government’s decision to extend the paramilitary Rangers’ policing powers, the government issued a notification providing legal cover to paramilitary force to exercise policing powers in Karachi for another two months.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sindh cabinet rejected the federal interior ministry’s decision to unilaterally extend Rangers powers after the latter turned down a summary of the provincial government adopted in light of Sindh Assembly’s resolution to limit the force.

The federal government on Friday issued a notification under article 147 of the constitution, providing legal cover to the paramilitary force to exercise policing powers under clause 4 of Anti Terrorism Act 1997.

Sindh Assembly had adopted a resolution on December 16 to limit the Rangers’ sphere of action to cases of targeted killing, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and sectarian killing.

The force was restrained from placing in preventive custody

Sindh Assembly had adopted a resolution on December 16 to limit the Rangers’ sphere of action to cases of targeted killing, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and sectarian killing

any person not directly involved in terrorism, for which it was to seek a written approval from the chief minister.

On Wednesday, however, the Sindh cabinet termed the federal government’s move to extend the Rangers’ powers ‘unconstitutional’. — Express Tribune

Nawaz fetes surprise visitor Modi at climate change talks in Paris late last month, part of efforts to restart a peace dialogue plagued by militant attacks and longstanding distrust.

A spokesman at Sharif’s office earlier told Reuters the two leaders were to discuss a range of bilateral issues, including the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, the most contentious issue dividing the nuclear-armed rivals.

Modi phoned Sharif earlier in the day to wish him on his birthday and asked if he could make a stop in Pakistan on his way home, Pakistan’s top diplomat Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry said GAME CHANGER: (Left) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hug on meeting in Lahore, and (right) Modi shakes hands with Sharif in Lahore. — AFP/PIB

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Pakistan on Friday to meet his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, the first time an Indian premier has visited the rival nation in over a decade.

The visit, requested by Modi just hours earlier before he flew back home from Afghanistan, raised hopes that stop-and-start negotiations might finally make progress.

Sharif hugged Modi after he landed at the airport in the eastern city of Lahore and the two left by helicopter for Sharif’s nearby family estate.

“So, you have finally come,” Sharif told Modi, according to a Pakistani foreign ministry official.

“Yes, absolutely. I am here,” Modi replied, according to the official.

Modi phoned Sharif earlier in the day to wish him on his birthday and asked if he could make a stop in Pakistan on his way home, Pakistan’s top diplomat, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, told reporters.

“And the PM said to him, ‘Please come, you are our guest, please come and have tea with me’,” he said.

It was Sharif’s 66th birthday and the family home was festooned with lights for his granddaughter’s wedding on Saturday.

Modi and Sharif talked for about 90 minutes and shared an earlyevening meal before the Indian leader flew back home.

“Among the decisions taken was that ties between the two countries would be strengthened

and also people-to-people contact would be strengthened so that the atmosphere can be created in which the peace process can move forward,” Chaudhry said.

Modi was on his way home after a visit to Russia.

The Lahore visit comes after India and Pakistan resumed highlevel contacts with a brief conversation between Sharif and Modi

Clear signal A close aide to Modi said the visit was a spontaneous decision by the prime minister and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and that it should not be seen as a sudden shift in India’s position.

“But yes, it’s a clear signal that active engagement can be done at a quick pace,” the aide said, declining to be identified.

Mistrust between India and Pakistan runs deep.

Modi’s visit is the first by an Indian prime minister to Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed in the Indian city by militants trained in Pakistan.

Nalin Kohli, a spokesman for Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, said in New Delhi that India was ready to take two steps forward if Pakistan took one to improve ties. — Reuters

JOYOUS OCCASION

A LT E R N AT I V E T O I R A N - PA K I S TA N G A S P I P E L I N E P R O J E C T

Gwadar pipeline price will be negotiated with Beijing ISLAMABAD: The government has constituted a price negotiation committee in an attempt to seek a further reduction in the cost estimated by a Chinese company for laying the Gwadar liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipeline and setting up a terminal, an official says.

This project will work as an alternative to the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project and will be executed by the government in cooperation with the Chinese firm on a government-to-government basis.

Under the plan, the LNG pipeline will be laid from Gwadar to

Nawabshah and the terminal will be set up at Gwadar port.

The price of steel, which stood at $1,300 per ton when the engineering consultant ILF gave the cost estimate, has come down to $900-$1,000 per ton.

The consultant put the total cost of the pipeline and terminal at around $2.5 billion because of the fall in steel and compressor prices.

Financial bid “However, the Chinese company has offered to develop the project at a cost standing below $2 billion in the financial bid

opened by Interstate Gas Systems (ISGS),” a senior government official said, adding a price negotiation committee had been set up to negotiate a further reduction in the cost.

Gwadar-Nawabshah line “The bid was much lower than expected,” the official said. Earlier, ISGS had expected the cost of 700 km of LNG pipeline from Gwadar to Nawabshah at $2.5 billion.

He said the pipeline would be connected to the Iranian border at a cost of $200 million after sanctions against Tehran were lifted. — Express Tribune

FESTIVITIES: Pakistani Christians greet each other after Christmas prayers at the Fatima Church in Islamabad on Friday. Christians make up around 1.6 per cent of Pakistan’s population, with large settlements across major cities and around 60,000 in Islamabad. — AFP

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READERS’ FORUM For every invention, a military use is usually found This refers to the news report, SpaceX Falcon rocket nails safe landing in pivotal space feat (December 22). While one must indeed congratulate the American company for this feat, I cannot imagine what good is space travel, or looking for alien life forms? We, humans, like to indulge in useless pursuits. Even in this age of developed technology one cannot imagine living on the moon or visiting Mars for a weekend. All that space is useful in is placing satellites, which can assist in our endeavours on the earth. Even in case of these, the advanced countries have found Scan this QR code military uses for space technology. It is a to send letters to the pity that for every new invention we someReaders’ Forum, how or other find its destructive uses. containing not more than 200 words with — Rani Salamat, Seeb full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi).

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Officials of all sports bodies need to be scrutinised This refers to the news report, FIFA ethics committee unlikely to stop at Blatter, Platini, (December 22). It is heartening to see that the corrupt officials are getting punished. However, I believe all sports bodies have an equal share of such practices. It is necessary for the officials to be accountable as power usually corrupts, and the adrenal boost due to such a feeling is indeed infectious. It is high time the activities of sporting bodies are scrutinised. — Rani Salamat, Seeb

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HAZRAT INAYAT KHAN

Pakistan sees year of balancing political acts ruly speaking, 2015 was essentially about performing political balancing acts throughout the year. All the important political players seemed to be trying to find out exactly where they stood in relation to one another but while doing so, each one seemed to be trying its best not to rock the boat. Political chaos was measurably absent.

No long-drawn sit-ins brought the country to a standstill like they did last year. And the state of civil-military relations, while not as tense as they were in 2014, nevertheless still appeared to be far from being friction-free.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appears to be completing the year almost unscathed politically and more in control of the situation and more confident, despite the fact that during the year the economy remained in doldrums, afflicted by massive shortages of electricity and gas as well as rising unemployment.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has fully regained the province of Punjab, notwithstanding Jahangir Tareen’s win in the recent Lodhran by-poll. Punjab seemed to have been slipping out of the PML-N’s hands last year, with Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) giving it a run for its money.

But the issue of governance has remained a matter of serious concern in all four provinces, especially in Sindh. In Balochistan, a window for political reconciliation seemed to have opened, with the provincial government contacting the estranged self-exiled leaders. Efforts were also speeded up to bring Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) into the national mainstream.

The main opposition, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP,) despite its problems with the Rangers has averted confrontation with the federation while still complaining vociferously that it is being forced against the wall and that the Rangers were going beyond their legal and constitutional mandate. The more vocal PTI, however, has continued to insist that the PPP has lost its right to lead the opposition because of what it calls a behind-the-scenes deal between the PPP and the ruling PML-N to ‘live and let live’, essentially to secure the loot the PPP had allegedly accumulated through corruption.

It was in such a political backdrop that the four provinces held local government (LG) polls, and

that too for the first time on a party basis. It was for the first time in Pakistan’s political history that elected provincial governments had held these polls. All the past LG polls were held under military regimes. Predictably in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the ruling parties — the PML-N, the PPP and the PTI respectively — swept the polls, with the Muttahida Qaimi Movement (MQM) once again making a clean sweep of urban Sindh, including Karachi. Surprisingly, by and large, the LG polls in all provinces were held in relative peace with only a small number of incidents of violence reported.

Meanwhile, the Karachi operation that kicked off in September 2013 to root out terrorism from the megalopolis completed its first phase by the middle of August largely satisfactorily, with the law and order situation in the city improving greatly. The Rangers have now embarked on the second phase in real earnest.

But by the time the incidents of targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom and other terrorrelated crimes went down, the confrontation between the MQM and the Rangers escalated to a dangerous point, with thousands of the party’s workers arrested, their weapons ceased and the headquarters at Nine-Zero raided.

So much so that at one point during this period, MQM chief Altaf Hussain went hammer and tongs against the security establishment, followed by Pemra banning his telephonic addresses from London. For a while it appeared as if the MQM would be ousted from urban Sindh and that it had been decided to wrench Karachi from the Muttahida for good. But as in the past, the party has come back literally with a bang, to recapture its ground through what appeared to be relatively fair and free LG polls. This seemed like a repeat of the events of 1992, 1996 and 1998.

This time again, the game is taking almost similar political twists and turns with the MQM back in the saddle in urban Sindh thanks to its emphatic victory in the LG polls, while the PPP, despite having swept the polls in rural Sindh, is facing the wrath of the establishment and the media in general, on account of its alleged corruption and bad governance.

The scene appears to be set for a repetition of the old story — a confrontation between the Sindh government led by the PPP and the Karachi government led by the MQM on the issue of division of powers. - Express Tribune.

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES DECEMBER 2000 Sultanate joins international agricultural body MUSCAT: The Council of Ministers has endorsed the Sultanate’s government joining the CAP International Organisation. The Omani government will be represented in the organisation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Sultanate had previously submitted the document endorsing the organisation’s establishment and became a member of the organisation as from October 2, 2000. The CAP organisation provides information and scientific services for agriculture and relevant sciences.

PICTOGRAPH BEDS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS (2014)

30% Muscat 12% Al Dakhliyah 12% Dhofar

TODAY IN HISTORY

9% South Sharqiyah

INVITATION TO WRITERS We invite our readers to write articles on topics related to Oman. The articles should not exceed 800 words. Send us your article along with your picture to akhtar@timesofoman.com

10% North Batinah

1932: Over 70,000 people are killed in a massive earthquake in China.

1945: The United States, Soviet Union and Great Britain, end a 10-day meeting, seeking an atomic rule by UN Council.

1991: The Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union formally dissolves the Soviet Union.

8% North Sharqiyah 6% South Batinah 6% Al Dhahirah 3% Al Buraimi 3% Musandam 1% Al Wusta Source: National Centre for Statistics and Information

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D R A FT L E G I S L AT I O N

China set to pass new anti-terrorism law tomorrow BEIJING: China is set to pass its controversial new anti-terrorism law on Sunday, the largely rubberstamp parliament said on Friday, despite US criticism about its cyber provisions and concerns over human rights.

The draft law, which could require technology firms to install “back doors” in products or hand over sensitive information such as encryption keys to the government, has also been criticised by some Western business groups.

US President Barack Obama has said that he had raised concern about the law directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In a brief statement, China’s National People’s Congress said it would hold a news briefing on Sunday to talk about the law, following the end of parliament’s latest lawmaking session.

Parliament does not challenge or block legislation proposed by the ruling Communist Party, meaning it is certain to pass.

China’s Foreign Ministry hit back, saying technology companies had nothing to fear and the US had no right to intervene.

On Thursday, the US Embassy took the unusual step of issuing Christmas security warnings for Westerners in Sanlitun, a popular Beijing diplomatic and entertainment district.

Chinese police stepped up patrols, though no specific threat has been reported. China’s official Xinhua news agency, in an Englishlanguage commentary, said the US should stop harping on about the law and help Beijing fight terrorism instead.

“It is always the innocent people that fall victim to terrorism and extremism, and that is why the Chinese government is taking concrete actions to protect its people, including ordinary Americans enjoying Christmas in Beijing’s Sanlitun,” it said. — Reuters F R O M S PAC E

Hello, is this planet Earth?

Astronaut calls wrong number LONDON: Britain’s first astronaut on a space mission, Major Tim Peake, accidentally called the wrong number when trying to call home from space.

Major Peake quickly took to Twitter to insist that the incident was not a prank call “just a wrong number!”

“I’d like to apologise to the lady I just called by mistake saying ‘Hello, is this planet Earth?’ - not a prank call... just a wrong number,” he tweeted from his space station International Space Station (ISS).

Experiments The 43-year-old, who is spending six months conducting scientific experiments on the station, has been unlucky with calls to the Earth and had earlier got his parents’ answering machine when he tried to wish them a Merry Christmas.

Earlier in the week, Peake helped two fellow crew members to conduct a space walk outside the ISS. Astronauts Tim Kopra and Scott Kelly, from the US space agency Nasa, went outside the ISS to fix a broken component.

Peake, who is a former major in the Army, is the first Briton to join the crew of the ISS and is employed by the European Space Agency. — PTI

A9

WORLD

Soldier, six rebels killed as clashes hit Turkish town The town, in Sirnak province, is the focus of what the Turkish government has described as an operation to ‘cleanse’ the area of militants

DIYARBAKIR: Explosions and gunfire resounded around the southeastern Turkish town of Cizre on Friday after a clash overnight that the army said left six Kurdish militants and one soldier dead as a security operation there entered its 11th day.

Since a two-year ceasefire between Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants and Ankara fell apart in July, the mainly Kurdish southeast has been plunged back into a three-decades-old conflict which has killed more than 40,000 people.

A helicopter clattered overhead and armoured vehicles sped along a hilltop road above Cizre, near the Syrian border, as security forces pressed on with a campaign across the region involving thousands of troops, backed by tanks.

Reuters TV footage showed smoke billowing from buildings hit by blasts, while streets were empty and shops shuttered.

The town, in Sirnak province, is the focus of what the government has described as an operation to “cleanse” the area of militants.

But locals dispute that description and complain that the attacks are indiscriminate.

“The recent war begin con-

LEAVING FOR SAFETY: People leave their houses during clashes between Turkish security forces and Kurdish activists in the historical Sur district Thursday. – AFP

ducted in the Sirnak area, especially in Cizre, is not a cleansing.

They are shelling randomly,” said shopkeeper Abdullah Varkin, 38, speaking as a small group of children and men looked on.

Miserable “The people are miserable. The sick cannot even go to hospital.

The wounded are trying to treat themselves at home and some died due to a lack of doctors and blood loss,” he said.

Locals also complained about a

lack of food and water. Both Cizre and Silopi, 30 km (19 miles) away near the Iraqi border, have witnessed intense fighting since a round-the-clock curfew was declared in both towns 12 days ago.

Three soldiers were wounded in Thursday evening’s firefight and one of them died in hospital, the army said in a statement.

In the town of Sirnak, security sources said four students and two staff suffered burns and smoke inhalation when PKK militants, their faces hidden by scarves,

threw petrol bombs in a state-run cultural centre on Friday, triggering a fire. They said a gunfight erupted between security forces and militants as the building was evacuated.

Security operations According to the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), at least 38 civilians have been killed during the latest security operations. State media say 168 PKK militants have been killed.

Since the PKK launched its

INSURGENCY

RAGING FLAMES

Bushfires burn 53 homes in Australia MELBOBURNE: Fire crews battled into the night on Friday after raging bushfires reduced at least 53 homes to ashes in a famous Australian beauty spot on Christmas Day, sending hundreds of residents fleeing for their lives.

Water bombing aircraft made a minimal impact on the fires, officials said, as flames set entire trees and hillsides alight in communities along the Great Ocean Road, a major tourist attraction southwest of Melbourne.

To the sound of blaring sirens, hundreds of residents cut short their Christmas celebrations and fled to hastily organised evacuation centres as the normally packed route was closed.

Although no one had been confirmed dead as of Friday evening, one of Victoria state’s top fire officials said that at least 53 homes had been lost to the flames, while the fire remained out of control and the confirmed number of properties destroyed was expected to rise. “There are a lot of areas we have not been able to get into,” Steve Warrington, deputy head of the Country Fire Authority, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as he detailed the losses. “This is a big fire now. It is in dense forest. It will cause us problems for quite some time now.”

More than 150 firefighters with eight aircraft and 60 fire trucks spent the holiday fighting the

insurgency in 1984, fighting has been largely focused in the countryside, but the latest conflict has been focused in urban areas, where the PKK youth wing has set up barricades and dug trenches to keep security forces out.

The PKK is designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Ankara launched a peace process with the group’s jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan in late 2012 but the talks ground to a halt early this year. — Reuters

FAST-MOVING BUSHFIRE: Smoke rises from a fast-moving bushfire near the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia, on Friday. – Reuters/AAP

fires. The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s leading tourist draws, famous for its scenic landscapes and for the bizarre rock formations visible offshore in the Southern Ocean.

Victoria’s emergency services said at least 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) had so far been burned. It is the latest of a series of bush-

fires to hit the state this year.

Another fire on the outskirts of Melbourne earlier in the day was brought under control. Although a change in the weather was predicted, emergency services said the threat was likely to remain for some time.

In 2009, Victoria witnessed Australia’s worst ever bushfire

disaster, which has since been dubbed ‘Black Saturday’. Weather conditions reminiscent of that period have been reported in the last few weeks, with fires not only in Victoria but in several other states. Fire officials said Friday’s disaster was likely to be one of the worst to hit Victoria since 2009. — Reuters

Bomb attack on mosque kills one in Bangladesh DHAKA: A bomb attack on a Bangladeshi mosque during Friday prayers killed one person and wounded at least a dozen, police said, the latest in a series of attacks in the nation.

The bombing, which police suspect was a suicide attack, took place at a mosque run by the minority Ahmmadiya community in Rajshahi in the northwest of the country. Police said it appeared the person killed in the attack was the bomber himself. “It seems the man carried the bomb and died after the bomb was detonated,” police official Motiar Rahman said.

Bangladesh has suffered a wave of militant violence in recent months, including a series of bomb attacks on mosques and temples.

Some of the attacks have been claimed by IS, which has also said it is behind the killings of a Japanese citizen, an Italian aid worker and a policeman. The government has denied that IS has a presence in the country of 160 million people. Police have blamed earlier attacks on home-grown militants.

Friday’s attack came days after six people were wounded in bombs explosions at a mosque inside a naval base in the port city of Chittagong, which was the first militant attack on a mosque used by the country’s majority community. — Reuters

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S ATUR DAY, D ECEMBER 2 6, 2 015 Security was tight at the Vatican as Francis, marking the third Christmas since his election in 2013, read his traditional Christmas Day “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) address from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

WORLD

B U TA N E G A S

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE Britain’s Prince William and his wife Kate leave after attending the Christmas Day service at the church in Sandringham, eastern England, on Friday. — Reuters

‘Tens’ killed in Nigeria gas plant explosion ONITSHA (NIGERIA): Tens of people were killed in an explosion at a gas plant in southern Nigeria, the presidency said on Friday, with one journalist putting the death toll at 100.

The blast occurred on Thursday when a truck was discharging butane gas at the facility in Nnewi town in Anambra state as a crowd of customers refilled gas bottles on Christmas Eve, residents said.

No precise toll President Muhammadu Buhari’s office said “tens of people” who had been looking forward to their Christmas celebrations had been killed, without giving a precise toll.

One local journalist at the scene, David Onwuchekwa, said: “I saw around 100 charred corpses.”

Most of the dead were customers at the plant or people who lived nearby, he added.

Carl Ofuonye, another local journalist, said the blast had been sparked when the truck exploded while discharging gas. “So many people were in the building, workers at the plant, people who came to buy gas,” he said. “A woman and a child in a nearby building died.”

Treated for burns Many others were being treated for burns at nearby hospitals.

“I saw flames but I didn’t know (what was going on) and started running and then I heard an explosion,” the wife of the manager of a nearby construction site told local TV station Television Continental.

“Even while running the fire... burnt me all over.” — Reuters

F O R M A L LY A R R E S T E D

Third Japanese held in China on spying charges TOKYO: A third Japanese citizen has been arrested in China, Japan’s top government spokesman said on Friday, in addition to two others arrested earlier this year for spying.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference that the woman, who had been taken into custody in Shanghai in June, was formally arrested last month. He gave no further details, including whether she was suspected of spying.

Relevant case Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the relevant case was being investigated “in accordance with the law”.

“We have already reported the situation to the Japanese side,” Lu told a daily news briefing, without elaborating.

In September, China said it had arrested two Japanese for spying and a Chinese embassy official in Tokyo later confirmed that two others were being held.

Suga said the fourth was a man, said by Japanese media to have been helping people flee North Korea, who was taken into custody in June and was now under criminal detention. Suga reiterated that Japan did not engage in spying in any country but declined further comment on the specific cases. — Reuters

Pope Francis calls for unity against militant atrocities The pontiff condemned recent ‘brutal acts of terrorism’ and called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis urged the world in his Christmas message on Friday to unite to end atrocities by militants that he said were causing immense suffering in many countries.

Security was tight at the Vatican as Francis, marking the third Christmas since his election in 2013, read his traditional Christmas Day “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) address from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. Tens of thousands of people had to have their bags checked as they entered the Vatican area and then go through airport-style screening if they wanted to enter

MESSAGE OF PEACE: Pope Francis stands on a balcony of St Peter’s basilica during the traditional ‘Urbi et Orbi’ Christmas message to the city and the world, in Vatican on Friday. – AFP/Osservatore Romano/HO

St. Peter’s Square. Counter-terrorist police with machine guns discreetly patrolled the area in unmarked vans with dark windows.

Atrocities After calling for an end to the civil wars in Syria and Libya, the pope said: “May the attention of the international community be unanimously directed to ending the

atrocities which in those countries, as well as in Iraq, Libya, Yemen and sub-Saharan Africa, even now reap numerous victims, cause immense suffering and do not even spare the historical and cultural patrimony of entire peoples.”

He was clearly referring to IS group militants who have carried out numerous attacks in those countries and destroyed many

cultural heritage sites. In October, IS militants blew up the Arch of Triumph, a jewel in the exquisite collection of ruins in the Syrian oasis city of Palmyra.

The pontiff condemned recent “brutal acts of terrorism,” including the November 13 attacks by militants that killed 130 people in Paris, and the downing of a Russian plane over Egypt’s Sinai

peninsula that killed 224 people on October 31. Both were claimed

by IS. “Only Almighty’s mercy can free humanity from the many forms of evil, at times monstrous evil, which selfishness spawns in our midst,” he said. “The grace of the Almighty can convert hearts and offer mankind a way out of humanly insoluble situations.”.

He called for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. “Where peace is born, there is no longer room for hatred and for war. Yet tensions and violence persist, and peace remains a gift to be implored and built,” he said. He asked the Almighty to bring consolation and strength to people who are being persecuted around the world and called for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, South Sudan and Ukraine.

Francis said the human dignity of far too many people around the world was trampled on, including that of refugees and migrants.

“Even today great numbers of men and women are deprived of their human dignity and, suffer cold, poverty, and rejection,” he said.

“May our closeness today be felt by those who are most vulnerable, especially child soldiers, women who suffer violence, and the victims of human trafficking and the drug trade.” — Reuters

MURDER OF BRITISH TOURISTS

Protest against Thai death sentence for Myanmar workers

UP IN ARMS: Demonstrators hold placards outside the Thai embassy as they protest against the death sentence of Myanmar labour workers Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun for the murder of two British backpackers, in Yangon on Friday. – AFP

YANGON/BANGKOK: Hundreds called for the release of two Myanmar migrant workers in a protest in Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city, on Friday, a day after a Thai court sentenced the two to death for the 2014 murders of two young British tourists.

The court convicted Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun of the brutal murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, on the Thai holiday island of Koh Tao, a case mired in controversy and questions about the police investigation and Thailand’s treatment of migrant workers. Around 1,000 people gathered in front of the Thai embassy in Yangon on Friday, police said, calling for the two to be freed. Dozens of police stood guard and closed a lane in front of the building. Some protesters held

signs, while others shouted “We want justice” in English.

They demonstrators dispersed after their request to see the Thai ambassador was turned down.

Verdict The verdict followed a trial that saw prosecutors build much of their case around DNA evidence that police said linked the two migrant workers to the crime. Defence lawyers argued that police had mishandled the DNA evidence and that the two men were tortured while in detention.

The killings sullied Thailand’s reputation as a happy-go-lucky tourist destination and raised questions over its justice system and its treatment of migrant workers. U Win Maung, Myanmar’s Ambassador to Thailand, said the

verdict would not affect diplomatic ties. “Everyone who is a human, if they hear that they are getting the death sentence, they will be sad, but this is the legal procedure so we have to adhere to the legal procedure,” U Win Maung told reporters in Bangkok.

Some activists have argued that the defendants were scapegoats.

Thailand hosts about 2.5 million migrants from its poorer neighbour, many of them working in the fishing and construction industry or as domestic helpers or cleaners in hotels and restaurants. Amnesty International called for an independent investigation into allegations the Myanmar men were tortured, adding that police in Thailand had a “long and disturbing track record” of using torture to extract “confessions”. — Reuters

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015

S P O R S

PCB chief to discuss players’ concern on Amir’s inclusion Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shahryar Khan has decided to talk to Mohammed Hafeez and Azhar Ali regarding their refusal to attend the national camp which includes Mohammed Amir

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shahryar Khan PRACTICE SESSION: Pakistan cricketer Mohammed Amir looks on as he takes part in a team practice session for the Pakistan Super has tried to diffuse the crisis by League (PSL) in Lahore. – AFP talking to senior players Mohammed Hafeez and Azhar Ali over one knows or realizes what will Islam also calls for forgiveness. their refusal to attend the national Hafeez and Azhar reported for the look at other options.

The PCB in the press release happen if Amir plays,” he said.

“They are centrally contracted camp in Lahore with tainted left camp in the morning session did Misbah said players and captheir individual training and then players and we can than see if we showed its complete backing for arm pacer Mohammad Amir. should take disciplinary action Amir whose bid to make a come- tains have concerns.

“I have already had discussions left the camp.

“I think there will be people in “They informed head coach against them. But we would like back to the national side was givwith some players on Amir’s issues and we have tried to address Waqar Younis about their con- this situation to be resolved ami- en a major boost last week after he PCB who have concerns as well. was invited for the national con- Players have forgiven the three concerns. I will again talk to Ha- cerns about training with Amir cably long term,” Khan said.

A well-informed source in the ditioning camp and also picked players but the reaction is still a feez and Azhar and sort out this and went home,” one source conboard told PTI the two players up in the Pakistan Super League big question and it will be very firmed to PTI. matter,” Shahryar said. difficult for any captain as there Hafeez and Azhar with some had apparently met with the PCB players draft.

Pakistan’s national one-day Pakistan’s Test captain Misbah- will be questions from media, how captain Azhar Ali told Geo News other players reported for the chief late night but a deadlock perthat they don’t want to take part in camp on Thursday morning since sisted before the meeting ended ul Haq also told BBC Urdu service crowds will react abroad particuthat the Amir issue was not an larly in England,” he said. they were busy playing the Quaid- inconclusively. a camp which includes Amir.

Misbah also claimed the PCB The strong stance from Hafeez easy one for himself, the players “But we are willing to discuss e-Azam trophy in Karachi this had not sat down with the players the matter with only the PCB week. The camp has been set up and Azhar comes just one day af- or the cricket board.

“It is not a simple issue. It is a and discussed the issue. for the tour to New Zealand in ter the PCB issued a long press Chairman,” he said.

“But from what I am hearing release pleading with former play- difficult issue for everyone. We Hafeez also made his feelings January.

Shahryar said that if the players ers, critics and commentators don’t know what will be the reac- this will happen in the camp and I clear he didn’t want to return to the camp till the tainted bowler didn’t understand the PCB’s view- who are against allowing Amir tion of the people when our team am sure the PCB will take players was there. According to details point than the authorities would back into the national team that plays how people will take it. No into confidence.” - PTI GOLF

BANK SOHAR SPONSORED

CRICKET

Sayyid Abbas Trophy golf a grand success MUSCAT: Radhakrishn Margabandhu overcame a stiff competition to emerge the overall winner of the Bank Sohar-sponsored Sayyid Abbas Trophy golf tournament organised at the Ghala Golf Club here recently.

The two-tournament, sponsored exclusively by Bank Sohar for the sixth consecutive year, has attracted over 120 golfers. The tournament was played in the 18-stroke-hole competition format. Radhakrishn Margabandhu had to overcome tough competition from Rohan Thotabaduge to take the title.

Radhakrishn Margabandhu took top honours with a score of 140 over 36 holes stroke round, edging out Rohan Thotabaduge, who finished with a total of 142.

Jeff Campbell won overall gross title with a score of 156.

Jacky Franssen won the ladies division with a net combined score of 165.

The ‘nearest to the pin’ and ‘longest drives’ prizes for day one were won by M.S Atwal and Yuri Gijsleman respectively, while both prizes on day two were won

by Mike Cuddihy.

Ibrahim Al Wahaibi, vicepresident of the Ghala Golf Club, said: “Bank Sohar’s contributions and support have been invaluable in uplifting the status and popularity of the Sayyid Abbas Golf Trophy as well as the golf as a whole over these past six years.

In fact, the Sayyid Abbas Golf Trophy this year was one of our most successful yet. “I would like to congratulate Radhakrishn Margabandhu on winning the tournament as well as Rohan Thotabaduge for his impressive performance. We look forward to seeing each of them again as well as partnering up once again with Bank Sohar in next year’s tournament.”

Rashad Ali Al Musafir, the Acting CEO of Bank Sohar, said: “We believe that sports are an integral part of our society, promoting sportsmanship and building confidence in every aspect of our lives.

“Maintaining an active and sporting lifestyle gives us essential skills such as teamwork and determination while also promoting the key values of honour, competitiveness and excitement, each of which carries over into our daily lives.

“Golf is one such precision sport that emphasises each of these aspects to the fullest and one that we have been proud supporters of for over six years now.”

“On behalf of Bank Sohar, I would also like to congratulate Radhakrishn Margabandhu on taking home the Sayyid Abbas Golf Trophy.

“I would also like to congratulate each of the participants as well as the staff at the Ghala Golf Club for making this event such a grand success,” added Rashad.

Oman lose to Saurashtra for third time

ALL WINNERS: Winners of the Al Jenaibi International Automobiles’ BMW Golf Cup. – Supplied photo

Vishal, Tore, Yvonne win titles at BMW Golf Cup MUSCAT: Vishal Dhawan and Tore Solberg won the Men’s A and B category titles while Yvonne Welling bagged the ladies crown at the 2015 BMW Golf Cup organised by Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, the BMW Group importer in Oman, AlMouj Golf here recently.

The tournament, played in the 18-hole individual stableford format, attracted a total of 86 players, who took part in three categories - men’s A (handicap 1-14), men’s B (handicap 15-28) and ladies (handicap 1-36).

Vishal Dhawan took the top honours in the men’s A competition with 42 stableford points and Tore Solberg finished on top in men’s B with 43 points – both were presented with an exclusive BMW Golf Cup International Trophy and BMW Golfsport Gifts.

In the ladies competition,

Yvonne Welling won the title with 38 points.

The three winners of the national round in Oman will be flown to the World Finals of the BMW Golf Cup International to be organised at the Fancourt Golf Resort in George, South Africa from March 7 to 12, all three champions will tee-off against golfers representing more than 50 countries.

Throughout the tournament, a range of BMW models were displayed including the X6, X5, all new BMW 750 Li, BMW 740 Li, BMW 6 series Cabrio, BMW Z4 and BMW i8. In addition BMW Lifestyle items were also on display at the event which generated a lot of interest among the golf enthusiasts.

Keeping participants engaged and competitive, the BMW Group importer organised extra challenges througout the day. Tam Burns was awarded for the longest

drive on the third Hole. ‘Best Front Nine’ and ‘Best Back Nine’ went to Tore Solberg and Shirley Prescott respectively with Vishal Dhawan bagging the award for the ‘Nearest the Pin’.

“The tournament offered an exciting way for customers to experience BMW as a brand and not just as a vehicle,” said Divyendu Kumar, Managing Director of Al Jenaibi International Automobiles.

“Golf is an elegant, exclusive and stylish sport that fits the BMW brand personality and character.

It’s always an honor to host the tournament and to enjoy a beautiful day at the Al Mouj Golf Course.

The cup is an annual highlight for us at Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, spending an exciting, competitive day with our customers and guests as they battle it out in long drives and challenging putts,“ added Kumar.

MUSCAT: Saurashtra defeated Oman by 18 runs in the third practice game at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot on Friday. Oman had earlier lost to the same team twice and was up against a weaker host team on Friday.

Saurashtra won the toss and elected to bat first and scored 154 runs for loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs.

Arpit Vasavada scored 54 runs in 37 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes. Pruthvipal Solanki scored and unbeaten 31.

For Oman, Ajay Lalcheta, Rajesh Ranpura, Syed Amir Kaleem, Sufyan Mahmood and Zeeshan Maqsood took one wicket each.

Chasing 155 runs to win, Oman scored 136 runs for loss of 4 wickets.

Adnan Ilyas top scored with an unbeaten 35, while Sultan Ahmed scored 20 not out.

Chirag Jani and Jaydeep Bhatti claimed two wickets each.

On Thursday, Saurashtra scored 179 runs for loss of five wickets. Avi Barot scored 59 runs in 35 balls with 5 fours and 4 sixes. Deepak Punia made 54 runs in 35 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes.

Rajesh Ranpura, Bilal Khan, Mohammed Nadeem, Zeeshan Maqsood and Khawar Ali claimed one wicket each.

Chasing 180 runs to win, Oman scored 103 runs for loss of 9 wickets to lose by 76 runs. Ajay Lalcheta contributed 26 runs and Khawar Ali scored 17 runs.

Kamlesh Makwana was pick of the Saurashtra bowlers claiming 3 wickets. Dharmendra Jadeja took 2 wickets, while Shaurya Sanandia, Chirag Jani, Jaydev Shah and Arpit Vasavada took one wicket each.

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S ATUR DAY, DECEMBER 2 6, 2 015

SPORTS Proteas hope to regain poise against England after worst outing in India South Africa, who were thrashed 3-0

by India in the recent series, will be aiming for home comforts when they take on England, who recently lost 2-0 to Pakistan in the UAE, in the first Test in Durban on Saturday HARD TRAINING SESSION: England’s James Anderson, left, who is injured, talks with Stuart Broad during a training session in Durban. – Reuters

DURBAN: South Africa and England meet at Kingsmead from Saturday in the first of four Tests between two evenly-match teams, both seeking a return to winning ways.

South Africa were trounced 3-0

by India recently in their biggest setback since becoming the topranked Test team in 2012, while England were beaten 2-0 by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in their most recent series.

Both teams will relish a return to more familiar conditions after struggling on slow, spin-friendly pitches during their defeats.

The absence of leading bowler James Anderson because of a calf strain is a major blow to England at a ground where swing bowlers

often prosper, while the return to action after injury of Dale Steyn is a boost for South Africa.

But England have reason for confidence after showing outstanding form in two warm-up games, while South Africa’s batsmen, most of whom failed in India, were unable to rediscover their best form while playing in four-day domestic matches, with only Temba Bavuma making a half-century.

AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis opted to rest ahead of the Tests.

“We want to start well. After our performance in India which didn’t go too well that will be important,” said South Africa captain Hashim

Amla. “No matter whom we come across on the day it’s important for us to start well. For us it’s not about who is leading the attack for England, it doesn’t make a difference to us. We are faced with our own challenges and it’s something that everybody in the team is looking forward to.”

England will be encouraged by their record at Kingsmead, where South Africa have their poorest record at a home venue, with nine wins and six defeats in 21 matches since returning to Test cricket in 1992. England have not been beaten at the ground during this period, drawing three Tests and win-

ning the 2009/10 encounter by an innings. Both teams rely primarily on their fast bowlers and both have question marks against their opening batting combinations.

While England captain Alastair Cook has been a heavy run-scorer in recent times, he has had a succession of opening partners who have been tried and found wanting. Alex Hales, who will win his first cap on Saturday, is the latest to try to win a long-term place.

Dean Elgar has had reasonable success at the top of the order for South Africa but remains relatively inexperienced, while Stiaan van Zyl was converted into an opening batsman and could manage only 56

B O X I N G D AY T E S T

Teams South Africa (likely): Hashim Amla (captain), Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers (wkt), Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Kyle Abbott or Dane Piedt.

England (likely): Alastair Cook (captain), Alex Hales, Nick Compton, Joe Root, James Taylor, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn.

Fixtures: December 26-30 First Test, Durban; Jan 2-6 Second Test, Cape Town; Jan 14-18 Third Test, Johannesburg; Jan 22-26 Fourth Test, Centurion. - PTI CRICKET

Marsh dropped after scoring 182 in first Test

Shaun Marsh

runs in five innings in India, falling to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on each occasion.

The ability of the openers to see off the strong new ball attacks of both teams could be a big factor.

Both teams have opted to lengthen their batting orders by handing the wicketkeeping gloves to men who first won selection as specialist batsmen.

De Villiers, South Africa’s best batsman and the only man to reach 50 against India, will keep wicket for the hosts, while Jonny Bairstow will fill the role for England. Neither team has an established specialist spin bowler but off-spinner Moeen Ali has done well for England in addition to being a highly capable batsman at number eight.

South Africa have on occasions opted for an all-seam attack at Kingsmead but Amla said he was reluctant to go in without a spinner, which is likely to mean that steady off-spinner Dane Piedt will win his third cap.

MELBOURNE: Top-order batsman Shaun Marsh has been dropped from Australia’s side for their second Test against West Indies, despite scoring 182 in the comprehensive first Test victory in Hobart.

The 32-year-old Marsh and opener Joe Burns had reportedly been competing for one place in the side for the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with Usman Khawaja returning from a hamstring injury.

“There were lots of talks about it,” Australia captain Steve Smith told reporters at the MCG ahead of the Boxing Day clash.

“Shaun is obviously really unlucky to miss out after a brilliant

180 in the last Test match and 49 under a bit of pressure in the Test before.”

Khawaja had been expected to return to the side having been playing well before injuring his hamstring, scoring 174 and 121 against New Zealand.

He then scored 109 not out in a domestic Twenty20 match on December 20 in his return to the field.

Consistency the factor Steve Smith said the desire for consistency at the top of the order had been the factor that swayed it in Burns’ favour, despite the 26-year-old’s form slipping since he scored 71 and 129 in the first Test against New

Zealand in Brisbane in November.

Since then, he has scored just 98 runs at 19.6 in his five Test innings.

“Joe’s been playing quite good cricket, he scored a hundred only a couple of Tests ago,” Smith said.

“They (Burns and David Warner) average 80 as a pair and it’s pretty important to have a good opening stand.”

Smith added that his side also had an eye on their tour of New Zealand in February with the decision to retain Burns with Khawaja coming back to bat at number three.

“We were always talking about what’s coming up as well,” Smith said. “There’s been lots of talks about it and they just believe that’s

the best way to go going forward.”

Khawaja’s return is the only change to the side that thumped West Indies by an innings and 212 runs at Bellerive Oval in Hobart with Smith confirming that his pace battery was well rested after securing victory inside three days.

“It all happened pretty quickly to win in three days so they got that extra rest,” he added.

“They’re all bowing really well so well stick to the same attack.”

Australia: David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (captain), Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh, Peter Nevill (wicketkeeper), Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon. - Reuters

IN TROUBLE

NEW CHALLENGER BOYS CHAMPIONS New Challenger Boys outplayed Top Star Al Abbar team to clinch the Super Eights Cricket Tournament. The tournament was sponsored by Oman-UAE Exchange and Al Jarwanu Group. The winner earned a prize money worth OMR400, while the runner-up team became richer by OMR 200. — Supplied photo

Sri Lanka’s Perera faces four-year doping ban COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera faces a four-year ban after the country’s sports minister said the wicketkeeper-batsman’s ‘B’ sample has also tested positive for a prohibited substance.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) provisionally suspended the 25-year-old after he failed an out-of-competition anti-doping test in October.

“The ICC has informed that his B sample also has been tested positive for a banned drug,” Sri Lanka sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera told reporters on Friday.

“We are appealing against this because he was never found like this in the last four instances. We

Kusal Perera

will back him with legal representation while doing every possible effort to help him to get out of this issue.”

The cricketer faces a maximum ban of four years according to the ICC’s anti-doing code. - Reuters

Home ground advantage could hand Nicholls debut CHRISTCHURCH: Any nerves that batsman Henry Nicholls may have as he waits to see if he will make his international debut against Sri Lanka should be dispelled by the fact he will be in familiar surroundings.

The 24-year-old Canterbury left-hander is in line to make his international debut at Hagley Oval in either of the first two games of the five match oneday series as the team ponder how to juggle the side without injured all-rounders Corey Anderson, James Neesham and Grant Elliott.

Top batsman Kane Williamson is also a doubt due to a knee injury for the first match on Saturday.

Williamson scored 108 not out to lead New Zealand to a five-wicket victory in the second test in Hamilton earlier this week but was limping badly during his innings with a heavily strapped right knee.

“We’re just working through that knee. It’s just a little bit niggly so we want to make sure it’s a hundred per cent,” New Zealand batting coach Craig McMillan said while adding that Test batsman Tom Latham was on standby.

“We’ll see how he feels. We need to get it right, if a little bit of a break will help it that’s something we’ll consider.”

Should Williamson be ruled out, Nicholls could be a readymade replacement for the number three batsman, having scored heavily at Hagley Oval in domestic cricket. — Reuters

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‘CAUTIOUS APPROACH NEEDED AS ASIA SLOWS’ Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group’s top executive said the Japanese lender needs to be cautious in its drive to boost lending in Asia, as a slowdown in China and the slump in commodity prices cloud the region’s economic outlook. >B3

SPORADIC DISRUPTION

Turkish banks fend off cyberattacks; some transactions hit ISTANBUL: Turkish banks reported sporadic disruption to credit card transactions on Friday as hackers stepped up a two-week barrage of cyberattacks, believed to be the worst the country has seen. Local media have suggested that the bombardment of public and financial websites could be coming from Russia, after a sharp worsening of tensions between Moscow and Ankara, or staged by hacking group Anonymous. But no clear evidence has emerged, and authorities have avoided pointing the finger.

Officials at several Turkish banks including Isbank , Garanti and state lender Ziraat Bank confirmed the attacks, saying they had caused intermittent disruption.

Bank shares were unmoved by the news.

“The attacks are serious,” said Onur Oz, a spokesman for Internet provider Turk Telekom.

“But the target is not Turk Telekom. Instead, banks and public institutions are under heavy attack,” he said.

“A majority of Turkish institutions use Turk Telekom as the service provider, therefore we are the ones doing the defence against these attacks.”

A government cyber security unit was taking precautions and the incident was under control, Transport Minister Binali Yildirim said earlier this week. He did not comment specifically on the targeting of banks, and his minis-

try was not available for comment on Friday.

Began two weeks ago “These attacks began two weeks ago but have intensified over the past two days,” said Burak Atakani, a network specialist from Istanbul Technical University.

He said that the service provider used by some universities, police academies and the research department of the military had also come under attack.

Nic.tr, a non-government body that administers addresses for websites using Turkey’s “.tr” domain, including ministries, the military, banks and many commercial sites, said earlier this week that the attacks origi-

nated from “organised sources” outside Turkey.

Turkey incensed Russia last month by shooting down a Russian military plane near the Syrian border, and Moscow has retaliated with economic sanctions. In the past, countries such as Estonia and Georgia have suffered cyberattacks emanating from Russia after incurring Moscow’s anger.

Reuters sought comment from the Russian foreign ministry, but none was immediately available.

Separately, the Anonymous hacking group posted a video over the weekend on YouTube, which has since been removed, saying cyberattacks would continue if Turkey “doesn’t stop supporting” Islamic State. — Reuters

CYBERATTACK: Officials at several Turkish banks including Isbank, Garanti and state lender Ziraat Bank confirmed the attacks, saying they had caused intermittent disruption. - Bloomberg News

US jobless claims decline Initial claims for

NEW BANK

China-backed AIIB formally established in Beijing

state unemployment benefits dropped 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 267,000 for the week ended on December 19, not far from levels last seen in late 1973

WASHINGTON: The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, nearing a 42year low as labour market conditions continued to tighten in a boost to the economy.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 267,000 for the week ended on December 19, not far from levels last seen in late 1973, the Labour Department said on Thursday.

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims dipping to 270,000 in the latest week.

Claims have been below 300,000, a threshold associated with a

GOOD NEWS: The four-week moving average of claims, considered a better measure of labour market trends as it strips out week-toweek volatility, rose 1,750 to 272,500 last week. - Bloomberg file picture

buoyant labor market, for 42 consecutive weeks. That is the longest stretch since the early 1970s.

However, some of the decline last week could be attributed to difficulties adjusting the figures during the holidays.

Still, labour market strength is helping to underpin consumer spending, supporting the economy as it deals with the headwinds of a strong dollar, slowing global growth, spending cuts by energy

firms and an inventory overhang.

The four-week moving average of claims, considered a better measure of labour market trends as it strips out week-to-week volatility, rose 1,750 to 272,500 last week. Prices of longer-dated US government debt rose after the data, while the dollar pared some losses. US stock index futures were slightly higher.

A Labour Department analyst said there were no special factors

M O N E TA RY P O L I C Y

Egypt hikes key interest rates CAIRO: Egypt raised interest rates for the first time in more than a year in an attempt to curb inflation, and the central bank said it has agreed with the government to collaborate on designing policies that “will contribute positively to economic growth and job creation.”

The Monetary Policy Committee, headed by Governor Tarek Amer, increased the benchmark overnight deposit rate by 50 basis points to 9.25 per cent, according to a statement on the central bank’s website. The overnight lending rate was also increased by the same amount to 10.25 per cent. Headline urban inflation accelerated to 11.1 per cent at the end of November, the highest in five months. “The MPC judges that a rate hike is warranted to address inflationary pressures and anchor inflation expectations,” the bank said in the statement.

The decision comes amid a dollar crunch threatening Egypt’s fragile economic recovery, triggering speculation that the central bank may loosen its grip on the pound. Officials have blamed part of the foreign-currency squeeze on imports of goods they say Egypt doesn’t need.

Sustainable levels In its statement on Thursday, the central bank said key elements of the framework it’s working on with the government include narrowing the country’s budget deficit to “sustainable levels” and avoiding double-digit inflation

ON TRACK: The MPC judges that a rate hike is warranted to address inflationary pressures and anchor inflation expectations, the bank said in the statement. - Bloomberg file picture

over the medium-term. They also agreed to work toward reducing Egypt’s trade deficit “by initiating a strategy aimed at encouraging local production to meet domestic market needs and enhance imports substitutions.”

The central bank delayed a scheduled rates meeting on December 17 for a week, saying it can’t fulfill its price-stability mandate without “full coordination” with the government in areas including “targets for fiscal consolidation, current account and the implementation of urgent structural economic reforms.”

The statement was followed by a

meeting of the so- called Coordinating Council, which the governor, top ministers, as well as outside experts such as Mohamed El-Erian, the former chief executive office of Pacific Investment Management Co. The council will meet again on January 10, the central bank said on Thursday. The central bank is independent under Egyptian law.

The last change to the benchmark rate was a half percentage point cut in January, when the central bank cited a weaker inflation outlook following the plunge in global energy prices. — Bloomberg News

influencing the data and that no states had been estimated.

The claims report showed the number of people still receiving benefits after an initial week of aid declined 47,000 to 2.20 million in the week ended on December 12.

The four-week moving average of the so-called continuing claims rose 10,000 to 2.21 million.

The continuing claims data covered the period during which the government surveyed house-

holds for December’s unemployment rate. Continuing claims rose 42,250 between the November and December survey periods, suggesting little change in the jobless rate, which was at a 7-1/2year low of 5.0 per cent last month.

The unemployment rate is in a range many Federal Reserve officials see as consistent with full employment. It has dropped seven-tenths of a percentage point this year. — Reuters

BEIJING: China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in which India is a founder member along with other 56 countries was on Friday formally established here and expected to start operation next month.

“The AIIB is legally established as the Articles of Agreement take effect today,” China’s Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said.

Articles of Agreement outline the financial share of each founding member as well as rules for policymaking, governance structure and business and operational systems for the bank.

The bank’s establishment came after 17 funding members of the AIIB, which account for just over 50 per cent of its share capital, ratified the agreement on the bank.

With authorised capital of $100 billion and subscribed capital of $50 billion, AIIB, based in Beijing, will invest in sectors including energy, transportation, urban construction and logistics as well as education and healthcare. China, India and Russia are the three largest shareholders, taking a 30.34 per cent, 8.52 per cent, 6.66 per cent stake respectively in the bank. Based on the share holding, India is expected to get the post of the Vice-President. — PTI

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MARKET Japan’s consumer prices rise for first time in four months Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 0.1 per cent in November from a year earlier, according to a statistics bureau report on Friday.

Economists forecast prices to be flat, according to a Bloomberg survey Haruhiko Kuroda, governor of the Bank of Japan (BOJ). - Bloomberg file picture

TOKYO: Japan’s consumer prices rose slightly in November after declining for three months, with a renewed decline in oil prices continuing to hold down inflation, preventing the Bank of Japan (BOJ) from making much progress toward its two per cent inflation target.

Consumer prices excluding fresh food rose 0.1 per cent in November from a year earlier, according to a statistics bureau report on Friday. Economists forecast prices to be flat, according to a Bloomberg survey.

The BOJ tweaked its monetary stimulus programme last week in a

step that UBS Group says is aimed at preparing for a prolonged battle to end deflation in Japan. While Governor Haruhiko Kuroda has indicated that he won’t address price declines caused only by low energy prices, if deflation persists it could delay changing the mindset of companies and consumers about spending and prompt the bank to add to stimulus again.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been urging companies to deploy their record cash into investment in factories and higher wages as tepid income growth has been a factor in holding down consumer spending. The BOJ also an-

nounced a new programme to buy exchange traded funds made up of stocks from companies “proactively investing” in physical or human capital.

“Inflation will remain subdued given what’s happening with oil,” Daiju Aoki, an economist at the UBS, said before the report was released. “Market speculation will continue to be for further easing.”

Kuroda said at a press conference that the inflation trend is improving after the BOJ kept the monetary base target unchanged last week. The BOJ expects consumer prices to reach two per cent around six months through

ECONOMY

March 2017 while it notes the timing depends on oil price moves.

In a Bloomberg survey conducted Monday, 10 of 25 analysts expected further easing by July and one saw it in January 2017 or later. Fourteen predicted no further stimulus for the foreseeable future.

Oil price decline Koya Miyamae, an economist at SMBC Nikko Securities, said the BOJ may have to lower its forecasts for price growth again next month because of the renewed slide in oil prices. Dubai crude oil dropped to $31.87 a barrel this week, the lowest level since 2004.

The bank had forecast in October that it would rise from around $50.

The BOJ extended the average maturity of bond purchases and raised the maximum amount of each purchase of Japan Real Estate Investment Trusts, expanding room to continue asset purchases last week.

In an attempt to be more transparent about the inflation trend, the BOJ recently began publishing consumer prices excluding fresh food and energy. The gauge rose 1.2 per cent for a third consecutive month in November, the highest level since 2011, according to the central bank on Friday.

Household spending dropped 2.9 per cent while the jobless rate stood at 3.3 per cent in November, according to separate reports by the statistics bureau Friday.

The BOJ considers inflation expectations and the output gap as two key channels for propelling inflation. The bank has said inflation expectations are rising from a long-term view and the output gap improved last quarter as the economy continued to recover moderately.

Although companies’ expectations for inflation are slowing, they are still predicting that prices will rise somewhat, and are responding with price increases. Suntory Holdings Ltd. announced Monday it will raise the price of 33 whiskey products for the first time in 32 years. The inflation outlook among companies slowed this quarter, with expectations for prices in one, three and five years lower than they were three months ago, according to a central bank report on December 15. — Bloomberg News

SPECIAL OFFER

Jet Airways cuts base fares by 10% for international destinations MUMBAI: Private carrier Jet Airways has slashed tickets by 10 per cent across cabin class for travel on international destinations, including the recentlyannounced flight to Amsterdam, as part of its Christmas and New Year offer to fliers.

The offer is available only to those customers who make bookings through the airline’s website and is applicable for a limited period, Jet Airways said in a statement on Thursday.

Attractive 10 per cent Guests can enjoy an attractive 10 per cent savings on base fares for across Jet Airways’ international network for first, premiere (business) and economy class, the said.

This special offer is applicable for travel on board Jet Airways-operated international flights from India to destinations across SAARC, ASEAN, Europe, and Canada regions as well as on flights originating from Paris, Canada, Brussels, ASEAN and SAARC regions, and on the airline’s newest destination, Amsterdam. Airline has recently announced shifting of its European gateway to Dutch capital from Brussels.

“This global festive fare sale offer is a goodwill gesture to our loyal guests while they celebrate the festive season and ring in the New Year, with family and friends,” Jet Airways senior vice president for commercial Gaurang Shetty said. — PTI

STOCK MARKET

Ukraine backs 2016 budget with deficit agreed with IMF KIEV: Ukraine’s parliament approved a budget for 2016 on Friday, a key condition to secure the next tranche of financial aid under a $17.5 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan package as the embattled country teeters close to bankruptcy.

Lawmakers had approved a series of laws before the budget vote, including an amendment to tax laws, reducing the tax on employers and unifying the tax rate on personal income. They also increased excise duties on tobacco, fuel and spirits with the aim of balancing the budget.

Voting was delayed while deputies debated those amendments required for the budget. Some argued they unfairly increased prices for Ukrainians, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet as the economy teeters on the edge of bankruptcy.

The has said it was critical to approve a budget in line with the Fund’s bailout programme. It was

VITAL FACTS

Budget a key condition for unlocking IMF credit

2016 budget approved after tax laws changed

IMF says budget must be in line with its bailout programme

not immediately clear whether the approved document met all the requirements of the IMF. Parliament backed the government’s proposal to adopt the budget with the deficit at 3.7 per cent of GDP, the figure agreed with the IMF. The IMF had warned lawmakers that an approved budget consistent with the aid programme’s objective of reducing the general government deficit to 3.7 per cent of GDP was a key

condition for its completion. It said “approval of a budget that deviates from programme objectives for 2016 and the medium-term will interrupt the programme and inevitably disrupt the associated international financing”. Ukraine had promised to revamp its tax system under the IMF programme but the tax amendments adopted on Thursday were only temporary steps and Kiev was still planning to approve a new tax code.

Ukraine has already received almost $10 billion this year from the IMF and other international lenders to shore up its finances, which were crippled by separatist conflict and years of economic mismanagement and corruption.

Analysts said disagreement in parliament over critical tax reforms and the draft budget could hold up the disbursement of a third $1.7 billion tranche from the IMF at a time when divisions in the ruling coalition had raised concerns the government could fall. — Reuters

DECISION TIME: Investors stand at trading terminals under a slogan ‘The Stock Market has Risks, Use Caution When Investing’ at a securities exchange house in Shanghai, China. Shanghai gauge has rebounded 24 per cent from the August low and is heading for the biggest gain among major benchmark global indexes this quarter. - Bloomberg file picture

China’s equities advance SHANGHAI: China’s stocks capped a second week of gains, led by real estate and consumer companies, amid speculation the government will take more measures to stem an economic slowdown.

The Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.4 per cent this week and traded 0.4 per cent higher at 3,627.91 at the close on Friday.

Property developers rallied after the government said it will encourage rural residents to buy homes to reduce inventories and a bidding war for China Vanke Co. erupted. Gree Electric Appliances jumped 10 per cent in the past five days. Trading volumes in Shanghai were 26 per cent lower on Friday than the 30-day average as most Asian markets closed for the Christmas holiday.

With an economy poised to grow at the slowest pace in two decades, policy makers signaled at a top leadership conference this week they will increase fiscal

spending and introduce measures to stimulate the housing market.

The government may also unveil policies to boost trade by early February, including an export tax rebate and an easing in exporters’ tax burdens, the Economic Information Daily reported.

“The measures can prevent the economy from slowing too quickly and that’ll give the market some confidence,” said Wang Zheng, the Shanghai-based chief investment officer at Jingxi Investment Management Co., who’s keeping his stock allocation unchanged at about 80 percent. “There’s a holiday mood and not much interest in trading stocks.”

The Shanghai gauge has rebounded 24 per cent from the August low and is heading for the biggest gain among major benchmark global indexes this quarter.

It’s valued at 14.1 times estimated 12-month earnings, compared with the five-year average of 10.3,

according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The Shanghai property index rose 0.8 per cent, extending gains this week to 2.4 per cent.

Gemdale Corp. added 1.3 per cent for a five-day, 13 per cent advance.

China Vanke rose to an eight-year high before trading was suspended on December 18 pending an asset restructuring, which analysts said may defend the biggest listed Chinese developer from a hostile bid by Baoneng Group.

Monetary policy must be more “flexible” and fiscal policy more “forceful” as leaders create “appropriate monetary conditions for structural reforms,” according to statements released at the end of Central Economic Work Conference by the official Xinhua News Agency on Monday. Reducing home prices is part of efforts to cut inventory, while out-ofdate restrictions on home ownership shall be removed, Xinhua further added. — Bloomberg News

SAT URDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015

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MARKET 1 5 P E R C E N T S TA K E

OVL, Rosneft sign Vankor oil field deal

MASSIVE TOYS”R”US AT TIMES SQUARE IS CLOSING Customers ride the ferries wheel at the Toys”R”Us Times Square flagship store on Thursday in New York. The 110,000 square foot toy store is scheduled to close on December 30, 2015, after the toy chain declined to renew its lease. The store first opened in November 2001. - AFP

MOSCOW: A deal to allow ONGC Videsh Limited to pick up 15 per cent stake in Russia’s second biggest oil field of Vankorneft and three other major pacts between Indian and Russian companies in oil and gas sector have been struck during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit here which is expected to boost bilateral trade significantly. India has been pressing for access to its companies in Russia’s lucrative hydrocarbons sector and the pacts finalized are likely to facilitate their significant presence in oil and gas exploration in the Eurasian country.

As per the deal between ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) and Russian oil behemoth Rosneft, the former will pick up 15 per cent stakes in Vankorneft oil fields in Siberia for $1.3 billion.

OVL and Rosneft also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation for geologic survey, exploration and production of hydrocarbons onshore and on the continental shelf of the Russian Federation.

As per another pact, Oil India Ltd and Indian Oil Corporation signed a non-binding agreement with Rosneft setting time-frame for concluding due diligence and finalizing a pact to pick up stakes in Taas-Yuryakh Neftegazodobycha oil field, which another major oil fields in Siberia. — PTI

‘Cautious approach is needed as Asia slows’

RECORD LOSS

Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional, of which it holds 40 per cent, Sumitomo Mitsui started mobile-banking services in Asia’s third-most populous nation in April. Miyata said the Indonesian bank has already added “tens of thousands” of new accounts, and he plans to use the expertise gained to develop services in other countries, such as Myanmar.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group’s President Koichi Miyata said he has no intention of changing his firm’s strategy of focusing on TURBULENCE: Vintage Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) fuel pumps are displayed during the Onexpo 2015 convention and expo in Mexico city, Mexico. Pemex’s output is set to drop 6.7 per cent from 2014, falling for an eleventh straight year. - Bloomberg file picture

Pemex plans job cuts as oil output falls to 25-year low MEXICO CITY: Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) plans to cut jobs next year after posting a record loss and seeing oil production fall to a 25-year low.

The state-owned oil producer is set to announce the staff reduction as part of the plan to restructure the company and to synchronise itself to industry standards, interim Chief Financial Officer Rodolfo Campos said in a phone interview on Wednesday.

Mexico is opening its energy industry to foreign companies for the first time in decades to help stem a persistent decline in production at a time when falling prices are already reducing income. Oil output at Pemex in 2015 will drop to the lowest since at least 1990 as a series of accidents and budget cuts curbed supply. The company is nearing $100 billion in debt and recently posted a record loss of about $10.2 billion in the third quarter.

“This is an addition to other tools to slowly align the company to industry metrics,” Campos said. The company had more than 153,000 employees at the end of 2014, according to an annual report. Campos didn’t specify how many jobs would be lost.

Private capital The company’s overall strategy is to form partnerships along the entire production chain, he said.

“We’re looking for private capital to develop our business plan in addition to the tools we already had,” Campos said, referring to bond issuance.

Pemex’s capital spending budget for next year was cut by 73 billion pesos ($4.4 billion) to 293 billion pesos, the lowest allocated since 2007.

“There will be plenty of people interested in partnering with Pemex,” Wilbur Matthews, chief

Mexico is opening its energy industry to foreign companies for the first time in decades to help stem a persistent decline in production at a time when falling prices are already reducing income executive officer of San Antoniobased Vaquero Global Investment, which oversees more than $100 million in assets including Pemex bonds, said by phone. “It would be a smart strategy for Pemex to try to sell assets to reduce their debt.”

The company is focusing on upstream partnerships, or farmouts, to improve output in mature fields and areas where the company lacks the ability or capital to maximise production. Pemex, which was hoping these joint ventures would be in place this year, now expects to announce and carry them out during 2016, Campos said, declining to comment on a more specific timeline.

“The entire proposal is being redesigned” due to market conditions, he said.

Pemex’s output is set to drop 6.7 per cent from 2014, falling for an eleventh straight year. Production is more than 100,000 barrels a day below the original 2.4 million forecast for the year by Chief Executive Officer Emilio Lozoya.

Former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mario Beauregard had stepped down on November 13, weeks after the company reported the record loss. — Bloomberg News

Asia. He expects it to be difficult to grow bank’s Asian loan book for a while

TOKYO: Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group’s top executive said the Japanese lender needs to be cautious in its drive to boost lending in Asia, as a slowdown in China and the slump in commodity prices cloud the region’s economic outlook.

While the bank’s President Koichi Miyata said he has no intention of changing his firm’s strategy of focusing on Asia, he expects it to be difficult to grow the bank’s Asian loan book for a while.

“China is slowing, natural resource prices are falling, and there’s also the issue of slowing in countries that are highly dependent on trade with China,” Miyata, 62, said in an interview earlier this month.

“A cautious approach is going to be needed with regard to credit in Asia for the time being.”

Japan’s second-largest lender by market capitalisation said when it started its current threeyear plan in March 2014 that it would become a “truly Asia-centric institution” by boosting loans and profit in the region to make up for reduced earnings at home, where revenues have been hurt by a shrinking population and nearrecord low interest rates.

The check to those plans from China’s stock market rout and falling gross domestic product growth rates across Asia is only a temporary one, Miyata said.

“There is no change in my confidence that Asia will be the core of our business in five to 10 years time, and there’s no change to our long-term commitment to the region,” said Miyata.

“I believe China’s economy will have a soft landing and oil prices and markets will stabilise toward next summer.”

Profits affected The Asian slowdown is affecting profitability at Sumitomo Mitsui and Japan’s other large banks, according to Rie Nishihara, a senior analyst at Mizuho Securities Co. in Tokyo.

“The shift in loan growth from emerging Asia, where margins are larger, to advanced markets such as North America has put pressure on interest income at Japan’s big banks,” Nishihara said, noting that the lenders’ profits on overseas lending fell for the first time in four years in the six months ended on September 30 this year.

After more than doubling to 18.9 trillion yen between March 2012 and March 2015, Sumitomo Mitsui’s overseas loan balance grew by only 4.8 per cent, to 19.8 trillion yen, in the half to September.

Excluding the effects of exchange rates, lending growth in Asia was close to zero in the latest sixmonth period, with the increase driven instead by the Americas and Europe.

– Bloomberg file picture

China is slowing, natural resource prices are falling, and there’s also the issue of slowing in countries that are highly dependent on trade with China Koichi Miyata President, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group

Loans grew by 700 billion yen in each of those two markets.

Sumitomo Mitsui is still searching for ways to revive growth in Asia, and Miyata raised the bank’s recent initiatives in Indonesia and India as examples. Using Bank

India branches Meanwhile, Miyata said he wants to expand the bank’s network in India, where Sumitomo Mitsui has only one branch, in New Delhi, lagging other large Japanese lenders.

He said the bank will open more branches in other Indian cities when it gets approval from the local regulators, and aims to capture business with Japanese companies involved in the “giant” infrastructure projects the country will need going forward.

Still, some of the bank’s challenges in Asia were illustrated in the 55 billion yen charge that Sumitomo Mitsui took in September as a result of the 31 per cent plunge in Bank Tabungan’s share price.

The writedown was a major factor in the Japanese bank’s 19 per cent decline in first-half profit.

Sumitomo Mitsui is also looking for ways to grow through acquisitions. The lender announced on December 15 that it bought General Electric’s Japanese leasing business for 575 billion yen, its second purchase of GE assets this year.

The purchase “gives us access to customers we couldn’t otherwise reach, it gives us expertise such as automated screening, and it gives us better access to overseas business,” Miyata said. “What I’m interested in here is making Sumitomo Mitsui Japan’s most profitable leasing company.”

Shares of Sumitomo Mitsui fell by 1.4 per cent at 2:32pm on Friday in Tokyo, paring this year’s gain to 2.7 per cent. — Bloomberg News

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FEATURE

IRELAND BOOMS AGAIN I

reland’s economy is soaring again. Gross domestic product is up 7 per cent from a year ago -- a remarkable surge that inevitably calls to mind the boom preceding the bust of 2008-10. Is history repeating itself?

Probably not. Ireland suffered more than most during the crash, so the economy has ground to make up.

This expansion also has firmer foundations than the earlier one. Nonetheless, complacency would be an error, triumphalism even more so.

The watchword for the government should be safety first.

Unemployment fell to 8.9 per cent in November from about 15 per cent in 2012. The new jobs are not concentrated, as before, in and around a bubble-prone construction industry. Employment is up in 11 of 14 sectors in the economy. The country’s banks are looking better, too, though the industry is still un-

duly concentrated. As elsewhere, Ireland’s banking crisis combined high-risk lending and regulatory failure. Banks asked few questions as they almost tripled their loans in the six years from 2002.

The prices of houses and commercial real estate shot up, and building boomed. The subsequent collapse was no less dramatic. At enormous cost to taxpayers, the system has been repaired. Authorities restored solvency, set up a bad-asset agency, kicked out bad management and liquidated banks that were beyond redemption. It took several rounds of recapitalisation, amounting to some 40 per cent of GDP. Still, it’s a job only partly done. Long-term mortgage arrears remain among the highest in Europe. This overhang of debt weighs on consumption.

The government has tried to encourage more lending to small and medium companies, but the failure

to restructure bad loans has hampered that effort. The expansion has boosted tax revenue and improved the government’s fiscal position, but it continues to run a budget deficit after correcting for the effects of the economic cycle.

With parliamentary elections due next year, the government has yielded to temptation, adding tax cuts and higher spending on health and other programmes to the budget. It would be better to make faster progress in reducing public debt. It reached more than 120 per cent of GDP in 2013 and is now just under 100 per cent -- still too high. The mix of public spending needs attention, too. Investment in transportation, energy and broadband infrastructure -- essential for sustained growth -- is too low. Savings should be found elsewhere in the budget to pay for more.

Ireland’s greatest challenge remains: It lacks an independent mon-

etary policy, and euro interest rates are too low for an economy growing at 7 per cent, or even the more modest growth rates, about 4 per cent, predicted for 2016. This puts a heavy burden on so-called macro-prudential policy. The government has recognised the need.

Banks must maintain a countercyclical capital buffer and comply with mandatory loan-to-value ratios. Any sign of financial overheating will require these measures to be promptly tightened.

Ireland has done much of the hard work to earn its recovery. Cheap energy and a devalued euro have helped as well - - but those may not last.

Ireland should remember the main lesson from the crash: Booms can turn to busts all too suddenly, and with fearsome consequences. Steady skepticism and cautious fiscal policy are the safest path to sustainable growth. – DAVID SHIPLEY/Bloomberg News

B

SECTION

LIFESTYLE

S AT U R DAY, D EC EM B ER 2 6, 2 0 1 5

Family WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WWW WW W.TI TII M T MES ME ES E SO OFO OF FO M FO FOMAN MA MAN AN A N.CO COM CO

LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Knowing your laundry personality can make the chore a cinch

C

hic, trendy, sporty, bohemian, sophisticated, fun, classic - you probably have a clear vision of your fashion and style personality. But do you know your laundry personality?

How you wash the clothes you wear is every bit as personal and unique to you as the clothes themselves. And knowing your laundry personality could help ease the load and make the chore easy and fail-proof.

A quarter of American households say they aren’t doing laundry efficiently, according to a survey commissioned by LG Electronics. Even people who say they are doing their laundry efficiently still have complaints with the process.

In fact, more than half say they aren’t satisfied with their current washing

machine, and the majority cite a list of other things they’d rather be spending their time on besides laundry. Recognising your laundry personality, and choosing products that cater to your unique style, will make doing laundry an easy, and perhaps even enjoyable, affair. Here are four common laundry personalities, their identifying traits, and tips for achieving maximum efficiency:

The super sorter Does the thought of washing dark jeans and a pink blouse in the same load leave you light-headed? You’re not alone; 39 per cent of Americans say they prefer to avoid mixing items of different colours in the same load. Some of those surveyed also prefer to wash items like intimates (26 per cent), sportswear (48 per cent) and really grubby clothes (25 per cent) separately. Facilitate your separation efforts by using multiple baskets or hampers in your laundry room. Label them - darks, whites, delicates, workout — and encourage family members to drop their dirty clothes in the appropriate basket.

The light loader Does your desire to separate and preserve clothes, including those delicate special care items, ever leave you with the only option to run the washer with just one or two items? You’re not alone.

19 per cent of Americans often don’t have enough to make a full load, and nearly a third wish they could do multiple loads simultaneously.

New laundry technology now makes it possible to efficiently do a very small load, or two loads at once.

A significant innovation that will soon hit the market is LG’s TWIN Wash with SideKick pedestal washer that allows you to run two separate loads of laundry at the same time. The main washing compartment is a large-size front-load washer, while the SideKick pedestal washer fits beneath the main machine. It’s specifically designed to wash small, custom-care laundry loads and its compact size makes it perfect for items you want to keep separate from normal loads, such as intimates and active wear.

The dumper Do you do minimal separation? Whites in one load, colours in another? Do delicates, sportswear and intimates go into the washer alongside jeans, kids play clothes and adult work attire? Improved washing technology means it is possible to effectively wash clothes this way, but you’ll need to take some care, too. Use colour-safe detergent and cold water for every load of colours. With today’s super-efficient detergents and better washing machines, you don’t need hot or even warm water to get clothes clean; cold will work just fine and will reduce the chance of fading or colours bleeding into each other. Laundry pods can also streamline your process by eliminating the need for separate detergent and fabric softener.

The logistically challenged Let’s face it, laundry room configurations aren’t really very flexible. Where your washer and dryer sit is largely determined by where the builder put the hose and water connections when con-

structing your home. The configuration isn’t always efficient for people who like to easily and quickly transfer wet items from the washer to the dryer, especially those with top-loaders.

Appliances like the LG EasyLoad Dryer can solve some of those technical challenges.

The dryer gives you two ways to load laundry; you can open the door hamper style (opening from the top with the hinge at the bottom) to easily load wet clothes from the top-load washer.

Or, the door can swing to the side like a traditional front-load machine to allow you to quickly unload clothes into a laundry basket.

Whatever your laundry personality, you can find a washer, dryer and detergent that will make your chore easier and less time consuming. Then, you can spend that time on other things. In fact, Americans surveyed say if they could cut their laundry time in half, they’d spend that extra time hanging out with their kids, watching TV or doing other things they enjoy. — Courtesy of Brandpoint

S ATUR DAY, D ECEMBER 2 6, 2 015

B6

PRAYER TIMINGS

FIND-IT-ALL @MGM

@PANORAMA MALL

@SHATTI

SUR The Peanuts Movie ( Animation) ( U ) Cast: Voice:- Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez 12:15, 2:30, 6:30 PM Morning Star ( Action ) ( 12+ ) Cast: Adrian Bouchet, Mike Mitchell 12:45, 7:30, 11:45 PM Point Break (3D) ( Action) (12+ ) Cast: Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey 4:15, 9:15 PM Star Wars : The Force Awakens (3D) (Action | Fantasy) (PG12) 5:00 PM Diwale (Action | Romance ) (PG12) 2:00, 11:30 PM Bajirao Mastani (Action) ( PG12) Cast : Ranbir Singh, Dipika Padkone 8:30 PM

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Star Wars: The Force Awakens (3D) (Action | Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher 6:00, 11:30 PM Point Break (2D) (Action | Crime (12+) Cast: Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 6:45 PM Point Break (3D) (Action | Crime (12+) 2:30, 9:15, 11:45 PM Dilwale (Action | Crime) (PG12) Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon 4:30, 8:30 PM Morning Star (Action | Adventure) (12+) Cast: Adrian Bouchet, Mike Mitchell 5:00, 9:45, 11:30 PM Room (Drama) (PG12) Cast: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay 2:15, 7:30 PM The Peanuts Movie (2D) (Animation | Adventure | Comedy) (PG) Cast: Voice (Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez 2:30, 4:15 PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Point Break -3D (Action | Crime | Sport) 12+ Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 9:15PM & 11:45PM Gold Class - 3:15PM & 11:00PM Belle and Sebastian 2 - (Adventure) PG Cast : Félix Bossuet, Tchéky Karyo 3:15PM The Peanuts Movie - (Animation) PG Voice Overs: Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez, Hadley Belle Miller 11:30AM, 1:30 & 7:15PM Star Wars: The Force Awakens -3D (Action | Adventure | Fantasy ) PG12 Cast : Oscar Isaac, Harrison Ford 12:30PM, 6:15 & 11:30PM Gold Class - 8:30PM

Point Break -3D (Action | Crime | Sport) 12+ Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 9:15PM & 11:45PM Gold Class - 3:15PM & 11:00PM

The Peanuts Movie (Animation)(2D)(PG) Voice Overs : Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez, Hadley Belle Miller 2:45, 5:30 pm

Dilwale (Action | Romantic | Comedy) PG12 Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon 3:15PM & 8:45PM Gold Class - 5:30PM The Good Dinosaur-3D (Animation) U Voice Overs: Jeffrey Wright, Frances McDormand 5:15PM

Morning Star (Action | Adventure) (12+) Cast: Adrian Bouchet, Mike Mitchell 5:00, 9:45, 11:30 PM

2:30, 8:30, 11:30 pm Dilwale (Action, Romance)(2D)(PG12)-VIP LOUNGE 7:45 pm Bajirao Mastani (Drama)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone 5:30 pm The Peanuts Movie (Animation)(2D)(PG) Voice Overs : Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez, Hadley Belle Miller 2:45, 5:30 pm Room (Drama)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers 4:30, 7:15 pm

PANORAMA MALL Star Wars (Action, Adventure)(3D)(PG12) Cast : Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac 6:45, 9:15, 11:45 pm Star Wars (Action)(VIP LOUNGE)(PG12) 5:15 pm Point Break (Action, Crime)(MX4D)(12+) Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey, Ray Winstone 2:45, 6:00, 8:45, 11:00 PM Point Break (Action, Crime)(3D)(12+) 3:15, 9:30, 11:45 pm Point Break (Action, Crime)(3D)(VIP Lounge) (12+) 3:00, 11:00 pm Dilwale (Action, Romance)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon

SOHAR Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 3D (PG12) Action | Adventure | Fantasy Cast : Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill 2:30, 11:30 PM Dilwale - 2D (PG12) Action | Comedy Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 12:15, 2:45, 8:30, 10:45 PM Bajirao Mastani - 2D (PG12) Drama Cast : Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone 12:00, 5:30, 8:45 PM Point Break - 3D (12+) Action | Crime | Sport Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 12:15, 3:15, 9:10, 11:30 PM The Peanuts Movie - 2D (PG) Animation Cast : Voice (Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez 12:30, 3:00, 5:00 PM Room - 2D (PG12) Drama Cast : Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay 4:50, 6:50 PM Morning Star - 2D (12+) Action | Adventure Cast : Adrian Bouchet, Mike Mitchel 7:00, 11:45 PM Heidi - 2D (PG) Family | Comedy |Drama Cast : Bruno Ganz, Katharina Schüttler 5:30 PM Al Laila Al Kabeera - 2D (Arabic) (15+) Drama 7:45 PM

Cast – Dhanush, Amy Jackson, Samantha.

11:45 AM, 12:00, 7:00, 9:25 PM Santa Claws – 2D (PG) Animation/ Family Cast – Ezra James Colbert, Nicola Lambo 12:30, 2:30 PM Star Wars – 3D (PG12) Action | Adventure Cast – Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy 4:30, 9:15 PM RUWI Screen 1 Bajirao Mastani (Romance/Drama) – PG12 Cast : Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone 12.30, 9.45 PM Dilwale (Action/Romance) – PG12 Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol 3.30, 6.30 PM Screen 2 Dilwale (Action/Romance) – PG12 1.00, 9.45 PM Bajirao Mastani (Romance/Drama) – PG12 3.45, 6.45 PM Screen 3 Dilwale (Action/Romance) – PG12 1.00, 9.45 PM Bajirao Mastani (Romance/Drama) – PG12 3.45, 6.45 PM

AZAIBA Point Break – 3D (12+) Action | Sport Cast – Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 2:15, 4:15, 11:45 PM Dilwale – 2D (PG12) Action,Romantic Cast – Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhavan 11:45 AM, 2:00, 5:00, 6:30, 8:00, 11:00, 11:45 PM Bajirao Mastani – 2D (PG12) Drama, History Cast – Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone 2:15, 5:15, 8:15, 11:15PM Thanga Magan – 2D (PG12) Comedy/Drama

Cast: Daisy Ridley, Oscar Issac, Harrison Ford 3:00, 6:00PM Point Break – 3D (Action, Crime, Spot) (12+) Cast: Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey 3:00, 7:15, 9:30, 11:30PM Morning Star – 3D (Action, Adventure) (12+) Cast: Adrian Bouchet, Mike Mitchell 5:25, 9:45, 11:30PM Heidi – 2D (Family, Comedy, Drama) (PG) Cast: Bruno Ganz, Katharina Schüttler 5:15PM Dilwale – 2D (Action, Romantic, Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon 3:15, 6:00, 11:30PM Bajirao Mastani– 2D (Drama) (PG12) Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh 8:30PM

BURAIMI Star Wars: The Force Awakens– 2D (Action, Adventure, Fantasy) (PG12)

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

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

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

26 18

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Fahud Yibal

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

30-70% Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

LISTINGS

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

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

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

Daily

07:00

Daily

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

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

10:45 19:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 14:30

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

JEWEL MARY BABEN December 26, 2012

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

Dilwale (Hindi) (Act\Com) Cast : Shah Rukh Khan , Kajol & Varun Dhawan 10pm Cinema Main; 3-45 pm Cinema -3 Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) (Rom\ Act \ Drama ) Cast : Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone 6-45 pm Cinema-3 Amar Akbar Anthony ( Mal) ( Act\ Drama) Cast : Prithviraj & Jaya Surya 9-45pm Cinema -3 Salt Mango Tree (Mal) (Com) Cast : Biju Menon & Suhasani 6-45 pm Cinema -4 Thanga Magan (Tamil) (Act) Cast: Dhanush, Samantha Ruth & Amy Jackson 6-30 pm Cinema Main; 3-30 & 9-30 Pm Cinema-2 Pasanga 2 ( Tamil) ( Drama) Cast:Surya & Amala Paul 3-45 pm Cinema -4 Rangi Taraga ( Kannda) (Act) Cast: Nirup Bhandari & Radhika Chetan 6-30 pm Cinema -2 Soukhyam (Telugul) (Act) Cast : Gopichand & Regina Cassandra 3-00 pm Cinema Main; 9-45pm Cinema -4 Programmes are subject to change

0

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Minimum

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

STAR CINEMA

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 20:50

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

Point Break (Action / Crime) Cast: Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey, Ray Winstone 2:00, 6.00, 10.00 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No: 3051 (12+) Morning Star (Action / Adventure / Fantasy) Cast: Adrian Bouchet, Mike Mitchell, Daniel Vivian 4.00 & 11.55 p.m CP No: 3052 (12+) Dilwale (Action / Comedy) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 1.00, 6.00 & 9.00 p.m CP No: 3047 (PG12) Belle & Sebastian 2 (Adventure / Family) Cast: Félix Bossuet, Tchéky Karyo, Thierry Neuvic 4.00 & 8.00 p.m; CP No: 3053 (PG)

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

WITH LOVE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

BAHJA CINEMA

SALALAH Point Break (3D) (12+) (Action/Crime/Sport) Cast: Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 1:15, 2:10, 9:25, 11:45PM Point Break (2D) (12+) (Action/Crime/Sport) 11:30AM Star Wars: The Force Awakens (3D) (PG12) (Action| |Fantasy) Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac 10:45 AM, 11:55 PM Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2D) (PG) (Action|Adventure) 5:55PM Dilwale (2D) (PG12) (Action | Romantic) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon 3:35, 6:35, 8:45, 11:30PM Bajirao Mastani (2D) (PG12) (Drama) Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone 8:30PM Belle and Sebastian 2 (2D) (PG) (Family) Cast: Félix Bossuet, Tchéky Karyo 12:20, 3:55PM The Peanuts Movie (2D) (PG) (Animation) 10:30, 2:00PM Room (2D) (PG12) (Drama) Cast: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Sean Bridgers 4:25PM Thanga Magan (2D) (PG) (Tamil)( Comedy/ Drama/Romance) Cast: Dhanush, Amy Jackson 6:25PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Destination

12.12pm 3.13pm 5.33pm 6.48pm 5.26am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

CINEMA SCHEDULE

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

SAT URDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2015

B7

LIFESTYLE STORY TIME

By Swati Dasgupta

Little Ms Snob

H

ey guys, did you see the new girl at the corridors,” Robby screeched from a distance.

Hearing his loud voice Aaliya got a jolt. “Oh Robby, when will you learn to speak softly?,” she said in a complaining tone.

“Oh come on, I was not that loud. I just wanted you guys to know about a girl who is joining us in class,” Robby said.

Mrs D’Mello, their class teacher, soon entered the class along with a girl. The noisy classroom soon turned silent. “Children, this is Falak, your new classmate. Falak gave a disgusting look. She said, “Oh, it’s so crowded and the desks are also not comfortable.” The children didn’t like Falak’s comments.

They all loved their school very much and had their full loyalty towards it. Falak’s casual criticism angered them.

“What does she think of herself?

How dare she talk bad about our school? Disgusting little snob” said Rehman. And soon Falak became famous as ‘disgusting little snob’.

Falak had a big mouth…

“My mum has been insisting on buying me the bag. Money is not at all a problem. My dad can buy me 10 bags like that, but I don’t like the colours they have in stock.”

Jia went away without saying anything further. She knew there was no point in extending the mindless conversation with Ms Snob.

One day the children decided to have a ‘pool in party’ at Matt’s house.

When they were busy discussing the expenses Falak interrupted, “Oh, why you guys are so bothered about the expenses,” she asked naively.

“That’s because we all get limited pocket money,” Robby said aloud.

“Ask your dad for more,” Falak said in conceit.

The children got very angry.

Rehman, who was patiently hear-

ing the conversation said, “If your dad is so rich why don’t you organise it yourself.” Falak was taken aback, but she agreed to bear the expenses of the party.

The day was decided and the children were very excited. Just a day before the party when Jamila and Asila were going home from school they saw a tired looking woman standing near the school gates.

Looking at them she came forward

and asked: “How do I meet Mrs D’Mello. I am Falak’s mother and I want to speak to her urgently.” Jamila and Asila were shocked. Falak had told tales of how her mother always dressed in expensive clothes and here was someone who not only wore very ordinary clothes, but also looked tired.

They felt sorry for her. Jamila asked: “Aunty, can we help you? We are Falak’s classmates.” The lady

smiled hearing this.

“Oh, is it so? Then I think I can tell you also. Actually Falak has been asking for some money. She says she needs to give it in school.

But we cannot afford so much money. Falak’s father recently had an operation. Somehow we are managing. So I wanted to meet her teacher to tell her that,” she said in one breath.

Jamila and Asila had almost

fainted hearing this. They didn’t know how to react and were very angry at Falak for talking big.

At the same time they felt sorry for her mother. Asila assured her: “Don’t worry aunty. We will tell D’Mello ma’m. And you do not worry about the money. It’s not compulsory.” “Oh, what a relief. God bless you children,” saying this she went away.

Soon the others came to know about Falak’s truth and as expected were angry at her. They decided to talk to her. They went and asked Falak about the party money. “Oh, so sorry, I left it at home,” she said.

Rehman lost his cool. He said: “Falak, your mom had come and now we all know the truth. You are such a silly girl. Your dad is unwell and you have problem with money.

Still to impress us you forced your poor mother to pay money for a party. How could you do this?

Suddenly she burst into tears: “Everyone knows I am poor, no one will now be my friend.”

Rehman reassured her. “Falak, we are your friends for what you are.

Not for your wealth. So whether you are rich or poor hardly makes any difference. My mum always says we should never judge others or even ourselves from the amount of wealth one has. What kind of a person we are matters the most. Isn’t it.” Falak felt better. She knew now she wouldn’t be called Little Ms Snob anymore.

—swati@timesofoman.com

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I go crazy when...

It’s the day before maths exam

p Meetu rrow tomo0 at 15:0 ee Place Coff

sage

a mes

Crossword Puzzle ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE

One thing that puts me off...

When dad yells at me

One movie/book I can watch/ read over and over again...

Tamil movie

“Group meeting at Coffee Place.” :) 21 Likes 2 Comments

Type

If I win a lottery...

I will buy lots of food

34 Likes 5 Comments

essage

2 When I’m in doubt...

No. I am too smart for that

“Hanging out with friends @CoffeePlace.”

18 Likes 10 Comments

Type am

Questions & Answers It’s better not to argue with...

Me

“Gathering with the girls again!”

The scariest thing that I have done...

Telling lies to my mom

If I met an alien I would...

Scream first. Then run away

ACROSS

If I could go back in history, I would like to meet Adam & Eve

One skill I would like to learn...

Cycling

If I have to describe myself as a flavour it would be...

Cotton candy

CATHRIN BONNY If I had treasures I would hide them...

In the closet One person I would trade places with (real or ficitional) My mom

The best way to my heart is...

Food

Send your contributions to lifestyle@timesofoman.com. A good quality photo is compulsory. Lifestyle reserves the right to publish the contributions.

DOWN

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Pine for Hunter of myth Ingenuity Perchance Goes swimming Be in store for Obligation Average guy “The Loco-Motion” girl 10 Frat letter 11 “Dancing Queen”

16 19 21 24 25 26 28 29 30 31 32 33

band Fishing permit Person in opposition Canton natives Math subj.

— Dawn Chong So long!

Ms. Hagen of films “Like, stupid!”

Serious conflict Rope-a-dope boxer Interest amt.

— Zaharias of golf

35 37 39 40 41 43 44 46 47 48 50

Swelled outward Ate elegantly Prolonged attack Unadorned Bellow Verdi opus Star operatic performer Blonde shade Extinct bird of New Zealand And, in Aachen Murky

1 5 8 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 20 22 23 27 29 30 33 34 35 36 37 38 42 45 46 49 51 52 53 54 55 56

Caterwaul Dog-scolding word Hangar occupant Cliffside lair Impress a great deal Future fish Worms and minnows Scene Good buddy Gauguin’s island — Domini Beauty-salon item Auto part, for short Lean-tos Hold up Elk Jumping craze Bauxite processor Derisive snorts Meter maid of song Smite a knight Catch sight of Put up boards Per cent ending Droll Without a flaw Daughter’s brother Joey or Kiki Solemn watch Used to own Put 2 and 2 together Revival shout

B8

S ATUR DAY, DECEMBER 2 6, 2 015

LIFESTYLE

Children up to the age of 16 who would like to have their art considered for inclusion in “Art for the Ages” can e-mail their drawings or paintings (in jpeg or tiff format) to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Art for the Ages

Children’s Poetry

No Space For Them Taher Murtaza Grade IX Indian School Wadi Kabir With the tears of the weak And the joy of the mighty We know it’s a problem But this is how the earth works.

Mohd Umar Farooq, Grade 7, ISWK

Srinidhi Rajesh, Grade 5, ISM

Sejal Ketan Lad, Grade 3, ISM

The weak are unspoken And the wealthy are taken The world is in danger For the people who are not greater.

Why we have such a line Between the people of the world The world is united So why treat it like we are fighting.

The people who don’t have wealth Don’t have space in the world They are missing and dying But we are not caring.

Merin Tom, Grade 7, ISWK

It is a warning for the people Who are not yet thinking Because there are a majority of people Below the line.

Angel Rose, Grade 8, ISWK

Sudoku How to play Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area.

SOLUTION Answer to previous puzzle

Sai Madhav Kota, Grade 6, ISG

Nav Pangalan, Grade 2, ISM

Send your contributions for Children’s Poetry to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Teleword All the words below appear in the puzzle - horizontally, vertically, diagonally, even backward. Find them and circle their letters.

The leftover word spells the Teleword.

F S F S B L E R U T L U C T S

E H E M S A L L E A T M C R H L I R S N T F O A R R Y A M O

S A M R O G O O U S C E S D T

I N G T L B T H O E T T I L S

CLUE: STUDYING ANCIENT TRIBES

F M P I N O O Y O A I C N E T S E N MA M L Y S S E S P R E E C T O U S A O I H N R U C S

L R N I G I G N R I N T U R F

E A O U G N D E R I Y L A O E

A L A T I I M A G E E W M L I

D G D T E O L I R R V R P E L

E N E E N C R E S T S O A S E

RM E E OM Y B R E O R T S I H R I R P E L T A G C H E B S

SOLUTION: 6 LETTERS

Ancestors, Beliefs, Bond, Ceremony, Chiefs, Clue, Crests, Culture, Customs, Elder, Fear, Fish, Flag, Government, History, Homes, Hunt, Language, Leader, Lords, Loyal, Masters, Meetings, Member, Migrate, Names, Origins, People, Places, Protect, Religion, Ritual, Roles, Roots, Rulers, Share, Ship, Symbols, Territory, Traces, Traditions, Troop, Unity, Wars.

Answer: Emblem

C

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M S AT U R DAY, D E C E M B E R 2 6, 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

C2

VACANCY

C4

CARGO

C6

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

C2

S AT U R D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

NEW Flats & Showrooms for Rent 1/2/3 BHK Flats & Showrooms at Muttrah, near Oman flour mills, 10 min. from corniche. equipped with split/ cassette unit ACs, internet points, freeto-air dish connection, CCTV monitored, basement parking. Rent RO.250/350/450 (Negotiable) per month.

Contact : 99229263; 93221054; 95215289

FOR RENT

FLATS FOR RENT

2BHK, 3 washroom Flat with Split Air Conditioners Near Lulu Darsait

In a Luxury Building in Al Seeb Market Near Police station Call: 99888007 - 99473500

CONTACT :

93202733 Profs / jack. Contact 93219378

Wadi Kabir, one bedroom flat.

Contact: 99313274 2 BHK flat with air conditions at Ruwi MBD area, near Al Adil supermarket.

Contact: 93211557/24814853 Flats shops and store for rent in Honda road Ruwi MBD area.

Contact: 92589235 / 97103695 / 94579531 Semi furnished spacious room with attached washroom separate entrance near Indian school Al Ghobrah for non cooking Executive Indian bachelor.

Contact: 95146361/92657598 For rent 1bed room flat, near Indian school (ISD) at Darsait.

Contact: 94776771/ 99669216 Two floor beautiful villa for rent at AL Khoud – VIP neighborhood, close to all amenities , ground floor consist of sitting rooms , two toilets , hall & kitchen, first floor , three bedrooms , balcony & hall with two toilets, shaded garage for two cars , monthly rental OMR 600/-. Contact: 95348567 Store for rent in Mabela, road no. 10, total area 700 sq.mt, built up area 200 sq.mt with covered shed, open area 500 sq.mt. With boundary wall. Contact -98273761 /96677134.

V. Nice flat in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95755953 /95555162 Brand new 1 & 2 BHK flats available in Ruwi, Darsait, CBD area & Bausher. Contact: 94776771 At Al Athaiba ground floor with split AC, 2beds, 2bathrooms, kitchen & sitting room Behind AL Zubair rent 350/-PDC. Contact: 99879939 2 bedroom centrally Ari conditioned flat in CBD, central bank Area. Contact: 24714625 /99053493 One & Two bedroom apartments available for rent near grand mall, opposite panorama mall, next to Diwans office, at south Ghobrah.

Contact: 99833747 3 Bed with split A/C near Hojar roundabout R.O 275/-. Contact: 99326048/ 95250986 02 BHK commercial / residential (with split AC) flats at Honda Road.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241 Villa for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95562646

1BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/-.

Contact: 92144045 /97799175 1BHK M.B.D R.O 280/- & 250/-.

Contact: 92144045/97799175 2BHK available near Hamriya round about main road rent R.O 170/- PM. Contact: 99513510 Flats in Darsait.

Contact 94051789-97201688 Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact 94051789-97201688

Flat villa type for rent - in al khuwair 33/, 4 Bed Rooms .4 bath Rooms, 1 Family Hall, 1 Dining Room, 1 Living Room, 1 Kitchen, Store.

Contact 99315515 Villas available for rent at Al Hail close to the wave (Al Mouj) compound swimming pool & gym.

Contact: 99833747 2 BHK flat for rent near (ISM) Indian School Muscat.

Contact: 99489594 Flat for rent, 2 room, 2 bathroom with AC 250/-. Contact: 94447825 New villa at south Mawalah 5 bedroom, family hall, Majlis, 5 twl for RO.650/- Contact - 99332367 House for rent in Al Amerat .

Contact: 92532371 / 92294259 1BHK flat near Star Cinema 220/Contact 99358589 /95570288 Flat for Rent 1/2 BHK Flat at Muttrah, near Oman flour mills, 10 min. from Corniche.Equipped with split unit ACs, internet points, free-to-air dish connection, CCTV monitored, basement parking. Rent RO.250/350 per month. Contact: 99229263; 93221054; 95215289

One / two B/R RES / comm. flat near Oman Medical College directly from owner. Contact: 92158031 At Al Athaiba (2nd floor) 2 bed, sitting room , 1 bathroom , kitchen , split AC rent 310/- PDC. Contact: 99879939 2bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact: 92584715 / 24700120 At Wadi Kabir Industrial two floor showrooms, 80 sm each, rent 450/R.O (PDC). Contact: 99879939 1000sqmtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc. Contact 24700120 /92584715 1& 2 BHK flats for rent at Hamriya Mabela and Al Khoud shop at Al Khoud. Contact: 24834644 / GSM : 93994401 /02/03/3lines 2 bedroom luxury fully furnished flat for rent at Ghala short or long term basis. Contact: 99886386 / 99881653 Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454

2 BHK near Oman house behind Khimji H.O. Contact – 95865686

Flats for rent at Al Mablah block eight. Contact: 99445177

02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nadha hospital. Contact: 99342733 / 99795241

3 BHK flat near Darsait ID medical.

RO 420/- Contact – 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288

Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi Honda road Mumtaz.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact - 9405178997201688

2 BHK with split / AC in MSQ opposite Al Fair. Contact: 96708000

Flats in Muttrah. Contact 94051789-97201688

1,2 BHK Ghubra R.O 300/-, 325/- & 350/-. Contact: 97799175

Offices in Ghala. Contact 94051789-97201688

Single BHK flat available in Honda road Ruwi. Contact - 24833972/ 24833974/99367448

Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details. Contact: 91214849/ 99364735 1000 sqm industrial land with compound wall & two rooms at Misfah.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241 7 Bedrooms villa in Ghobrah North.

Contact - 96420432

Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. Contact - 9405178997201688 Duplex villa in QURUM 29.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Villa, 2 flats at Al Khuwair (17/2) Contact: 99444786

FOR SALE

Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. Contact - 9405178997201688

A well working restaurant for sale at Al Khuwair, behind hotel Radisson Blue. Contact - 98494366

One flats for rent 2 bedroom all with bath al Ghobrah north near Indian school (hot burger restaurant) Tel. 9976610

Used super market shelving’s Gondolas. Contact: 97752395

Open showroom AL Ghobrah 18 November 175SQM & office space Al Qurum next to Al Araimi Complex.

Contact: 94300909

Exercise cycle for sale.

Contact – 92847957 Al Qurum, 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sitting, kitchen, split ACs price 65,000 R.O. Contact 9987 9939

1.2.3 BHK & villa. Contact: 97799175 1BHK Darsait R.O 225/-.

Contact: 92144045 /97799175

Running restaurant with seven clearance for sale Awabi Muscat.

Contact: 95497007

S AT U R DAY, D E C E M B E R 2 6, 2 0 1 5

C3

DAILY GUIDE

FOR SALE Dozer Kom 355A -3 Dozer Kom 155A- 3 Grader Champion 780 Excavator PC 400 with breaker Man green water tanker 5000 IG All are in good condition

99310448/99612010/95208455

USED EXCAVATORS

FOR SALE • KOMATSU PC 450 • HITACHI 350 • KOBELCO 250 Please Contact: 99855374 / 98517544 ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished sharing accommodation in ruwi near O.K. Center for non-cooking indian bachelor.

Contact - 98805474 1 Bedroom with bathroom for female in Al Hail including electricity & water. Contact - 92817777

FOR SALE

MV SALE

Marble factory for sale, location Misfah. Contact – 98586828

Izuzu 3.5 ton model 2013-3nos.

Contact: 99719124

Cradle lift for external building painting hundred mtr height almost new. Contact 99235701 /97747705

Izuzu 5 ton model 2009 – 1nos.

Contact: 99719124

Beauty Salon for urgent sale in Azaiba prime location behind Al Fardan building. With sponsor and 1 staff and 1 ready visa clearance. Call: 95318629 / 95169411 Shop for sale in CBD area prime location call 97449011 Mangalorean restaurant at Wadi Kabir & shop at Ruwi for sale.

Contact: 98428507 / 93655003

Expat used Ford Escape 2012, 102000 kms insurance Oman / UAE Mulkiya 10-2016. OMR 4850/-. Contact - 93264005

Toyota Corolla Oct 2012 Regd MY. Excellent condition, km done.

33,000/- Contact - 97717152

Room for rent in AL Khuwair 120/- O.R for bachelor furnished with Ele- water.

Contact: 95190627

Luxury Apartments in Boucher (35). Contact - 9505680897201688

Chaverlet Epica 2004 model RO -700, for sale.

Contact 92194205

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact -9505680897201688

BMW 318/ 2003 for sale.

Contact 96364990

Shop for sale at Ghala Sanaya main junction (prime location) shop for sale Contact Kamil 92696479 Window AC 30 Nos (general make all good conditions), refrigerator, freezer & mess equipments for sale. Contact: 98064113/ 99315878 Quotation fax on: 24448101 /24448103

Accommodation available one big bedroom, bath room, kitchen rent R.O 150/- opposite Al Nahdha Hospital rear Ruwi. Contact: 97943523 Big room bath attach kitchen near Riyam Park O.R 90/-.

Contact: 95094028

Villas in Al Khoud. Contact 95056808-97201688

3Ton Forklift, Special made for Oman market, Japanese Isuze C240 Engine, Cascade side shifter, High amount exhaust, 3m lifting height, Solid tyres, One year warranty.

Contact: 98883445

Room available with kitchen near Muscat Bakery at Rex Road Ruwi.

Contact: 99768952

Toyota Yaris model 2011 M/T, km 165000. Price RO.2150/-.

Contact: 95286741

Hummer H2 model 2006, 178000 km, Full options Number 1 Army edition.OMR 7200. Contact -99466773

Barber shop for sale in Ghubra.

Contact 92955874

Acc at Wadi Kabir couple or Executive bachelor.

Contact: 91165580

Family sharing accommodation for rent at Honda Road 2 room bathroom, sharing, kitchen Indian only O.R 130/-. Contact: 99519161 Furnished single rooms available for bachelors at Ruwi.

Contact: 98650994 Single room available in Mumtaz area Ruwi. Contact: 91978472

Ford focus, automatic, 2010 model, silver colour, expat driven, 58000 kms, dealer serviced, registration till sep 2016, price ro 2750.

Contact- 93207590

Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for executive bachelor Opp. O.C Center Ruwi.

Contact: 92273779

FOR HIRE

Furnished room, attached bath in Mumtaz area. Contact - 99743709

Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299

For rent independent room with attach B/room & kitchen near BP Petrol pump & Seeb Indian School, Mabela for RO.100 /- without Elect & Water. Contact 91516775

FOR SALE Grade one, non residential civil construction company, seven months old, with all approvals, in Sohar, for immediate sale.

Contact: 98236616

Single room bathroom in Darsait R.O 140/-. Contact: 93289652 Big room available near Hamriya R/A for Muslim couple / small family / Executive bachelor rent 150/- per month including W+ E. Contact : 99495131

ACC. AVAILABLE Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan villeage. .

Contact 93687466 Room for rent available in a flat for Executive bachelor at Azaiba, behind Al Meera Hypermarket with attached bath with cot & A/c, rent inclusive of water & electricity. Contact 96404166 / 97433992 Single room for expat Indian bachelors near Al Aktham restaurant Al khuwair for RO 120. Water and electricity included. Contact 98803261 Furnished room in new building for working Muslim lady/ Muslim couple only. Location AINT, Darsait. Contact - 99008069 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sitting room, Kitchen & store including utilities bills at Al hail.

Contact 92817777 1 Bedroom with attached Bath, fully furnished, separate entrance at Mabela for ladies only.

Contact: 99634841

ACC. WANTED Single room required with reasonable rent. Contact - 95405033

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

Single room required for an Executive with reasonable rent.

Contact 95405033 Sharing Accommodation Required for Non cooking Executive Lady in Darsait /Ruwi/Wadikabir. #99360615

NRI royal castles

vakathanam, kottayam Luxurious villas in a Gated community with all the modern facili es at Vakathanam By-Pass (MC road-NH 220) Web: www.royalcastles.in email: info@royalcastles.in +968 92855909, +91 9961 11 9988 Plot for sale Shadnagar Municipality, Mahboob Nagar District, walk able distance to existing colonies, national highway and basic amenities at reasonable price.

Contact – 0091 8686631669

Keralite, Thiruvananthapuram based “Young and Handsome Boy”, Hindu – Viswakarma (Carpenters), Birth Star – Pooyam, MCA, 29 years(05/11/1985, 01.30 AM), 176 cm height, Wheatish colour, Moderate family, Working as ‘Commercial Assistant’ in a reputed automotive company. seeking alliance of girls from the suitable family. Contact: Rejeesh - 92801583, 94238934, Shanmughan - +919895891202, +914712619230

LOST Mustaq Syed has lost India Passport No. F 9918923. Finder please handover to ROP. We supply gift items Dairies safety Items. Contact: 98796982 Email: coastadbay360@yahoo.in We will register LLC. trade license for foreign investors and do all actions. Contact: 92833566

MATRIMONIAL

Land for sale in Goa indian verna near big mosque rs 30 lakh negotiable. Contact: 99468166

Rose Mary age 25 yrs Born Oman, B.com 2 years ACCA, MBA. Contact: 92841175 T.C.R. EKM .DT. Only

A House of 2150 sq.Ft in Padmanabanagar Bangalore facing south east on a corner plot of 2315 Sq.Ft for sale , serious buyer. Contact: 00919845195766, 968 99770173

Kerala RC boy 31 yrs paramedical working in Oman hailing from Tellichery Dioces.Contact:92866673

Plot, propeties for sale in prime location in pune 95272138,(+918390982975)

MATRIMONIAL

23 Years Malayalee Christian girl born & educated in Bangalore, seeking suitable alliances from well settled Keralite Malayalee Christian boys. Contact - 99494371

CHANGE OF NAME I Sulakshana Narayan Satardekar (holder of Indian passport No. H 2628679) Daughter of Narayan A.Satardekar having permanent residence in H.NO.2520 Housing Board Colony, bicholim Goa 403504 (complete postal address in India ) and presently residing in P.O.Box 2861, P.C 112 Ruwi , Sultanate of Oman , Muscat (complete postal address in Oman) intend to change my name from Sulakshana Narayan Satardekar (old name) to Mrs .

Nishita Niteen Pole ( new name) for all practical purpose. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. Box No, 1727 postal code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

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S AT U R D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 6, 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT A Reputed Medical Complex Requires experienced professional 1. Medical Lab Technician 2. Staff Nurse 3. Accountant – Male Kindly Email your cv @: amutccllc@yahoo.com Engineering Company based in Oman (Muscat) is looking urgently to hire the following position:

Position: Accountant (Omani Only) (Bachelor or Diploma ) Experience: 2 to 3 years Fax NO. 24596440

CONTRACTING COMPANY GRADE ONE URGENTLY REQUIRED 1. Architect (male/female with minimum 3 years experience) 2. Administration officer (female Filipino, or Indian 3years experience) 3. PRO (Omani) Minimum 3years experience

Full time work, Visa clearance is available; The candidates D/L have added advantage.

Send your CV to

safaaalamery27@gmail.com Mob: 92234736

Dot Muscat Company LLC is looking for: 1. Optical Technician.

2. Sales/marketing associate.

Languages: English, Arabic (optional) Employment type: full time Must have experience.

For inquires please contact us on:

Email:therecuiter@hotmail.com

dotmuscat@gmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

EDUCATION

A leading shipping & logistics firm wishes to recruit persons for the following posts Accountant with knowledge in tally & working experience & Sales Executive with GCC license & good experience in shipping industry.

Fax: 24700973 Email: accounts1@seagulloman.com Wanted Indian Accountant with experience in OmanContact 91339401 We are looking for Chief Financial Officer, Male 40- 45 years old, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with 5 - 15 yrs. of experience.

Contact: +968 24702133 Email: admin-dept@daud.om

BEAUTY Urgently require a Female Beautician for a saloon in Sur, must have exceptionally good skills in threading ,waxing ,haircuts & facial treatments .Hair styling & bridal make ups would be added advantage .(Visa available)For more details please contact on 95214535

CATERING Cook waiters, must know Indian & Arabic food to cook.

Contact: .97158376 Email: westernsanitary@Yahoo.com Need cook Arab food sandwich suitable salary, with visa.

Contact: 98292846

DRIVER Wanted experienced driver for rent a car and tourism. Email: almoosarentacar@gmail.com Required Indian driver to work in a house. Salary RO 150/Contact – 96255558

DOMESTIC HELPER Urgently required House Maid full time for small Omani family.

Contact: 99339502 Urgently required for full time a Gujarati House maid for small family (2 members), aged around 40-50, Visa Available. #99370306, after 08:00 pm only or Whats app.

ENGINEER Projects Manger Engineer wanted to manage a construction company, experience required. Contact 99441122, sr@touchcdc.com Wanted B.Tech Civil Engineer for Oman Muscat minimum experience five years gulf. # 97380467 Wanted Chemical Engineer with 5-10 years experience in STP Operations and Maintenance.

Kindly send your resumes to advance@omantel.net.om or Fax us at +968-24792175.

Wanted Market Research Expert with experience in Feasibility Studies. Kindly send your resumes to advance@omantel.net.om or Fax us at +968-24792175.

Civil Site Supervisor for telecom tower projects across Oman. Send CV to fyjo@spec-link.com or call +968 9946 7227 Experienced Petrol Mechanic, denter required. Contact: 98045373

Teacher maths and science, computer required for Omani private school. Contact: 95141554/958225772

MISCELLANEOUS A fast food restaurant in Muscat required experience Motor Cycle Drivers with license Contact; 96447979. Forward CV: fastfoodoman2014@gmail.com Urgent Staff requirement for Omar Al Khayyam Group of restaurant (restaurant manager, restaurant cashier, waiters, Indian / Chinese / Tandoor cooks.

Contact: +96893798969 or email: ok.office2013@gmail.com Required building material sales man, CCTV Technician, Maintenance supervisor & Mason.

Contact - 99383044 Sales Ladies wanted for Ladies Boutique. Age: 20-35 yrs. Al Khoudh.

Send CV to sameer916@hotmail.com or call 91159905 Travel agent in Muscat require experience Counter Staff (male/ female) Sales & Marketing (male/ female) interested send CV on jobavailable2016@hotmail.com Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com or call Ph:+968 99450811 Urgently required for a reputed company in Oman (Tyre, Battery & Lubricant division) Sr. Executives/Executive-5 nos (Sohar, Nizwa & Muscat), Techno Commercial Professional-5nos, Driver (Omani)-1no. Required minimum 3-5 yrs experience in the same field with market exposure holding valid Omani driving license or GCC. Kindly fwd your CV’s to ashwin@taasintl.org Contact: (+968)93891700

SITUATION WANTED

Al Raffah Oman seeks Doctors and Paramedic Staff with relevant experience in the following areas.

Excellent remuneration and growth opportunities for selected candidates.

1. OBG 4. GPs

2. Pediatrics 5. Dermatology

3. Orthopedics 4. Pharmacist (Omani)

Those interested please send your CV to Thulasi

<thulasi.u@asteroman.com> or call 98294218 for enquiries

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING FIRM WISHES TO RECRUIT HIGHLY QUALIFIED ENGINEERS FOR OUR PROJECTS IN SULTANATE OF OMAN.

Electrical Engineers (B.Sc Degree in Electrical) Site Supervision, Testing & Commissioning, Protection & Control Experience:10 – 20 years The field of these Projects are: HV/MV/LV Electrical Neworks including Grid Stations, Distribution Networks, OHTL, U/G Power Cables.

CVs mentioning Oman tel. No. to be submitted to:

omanengineco@yahoo.com

VACANCY A reputed Electrical Contracting Company invites applications from qualified and experienced candidates for the following positions.

Electrical Testing & Commissioning Engineer - 2 Nos. Qualification – BE/BTech in Electrical Engineering Experience – Min. 5 year experience in Electrical testing and commissioning, preferably in Oil & Gas sector.

Electrical Industrial Technician - 2 Nos. Qualification – Diploma or ITI in Electrical Engineering Experience – Min. 5 year experience in Electrical erection and commissioning jobs, preferably in Oil & Gas sector.

Interested candidates meeting above requirements may apply with recent bio-data to admin@cesoman.com.

Preference for candidates currently in Oman with NOC.

MANAGER Urgently Required: Project Manager with an experience 15 years in building construction, MUST have NOC and immediately join. Project Coordinator with an experience 10 years in building construction, MUST have NOC and immediately join.

Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com

SKILLED A construction company in Muscat urgently requires sub contractors for: plastering, tiling, and painting.

Interest parties Contact: 99344279 Email: biju@alzarraq.com Looking for experienced construction laborers as a subcontractor for a villa construction in Mawaleh.Contact: 96203333

SALES / MARKETING Kitchen cabinet manufacturing company is looking sales person, most have Oman D/L and must know any kitchen designed software and two years experience.

Contact: 93326636

SALES / MARKETING Insurance agency company require Sales Executive with experience Oman driving license.

Clearance available. Send CV to: ahiginsurance@gmail.com Urgently required Graphic Designer & marketing executive please forward your CV arshedkm@gmail.com We are looking for a Visa Consultant/sales consultant male for our office. Freshers can also apply.

Arabic and English speaking male.

Email CV at mozahamed786@gmail.com Wanted Marketing personnel for tours and rent a car. Email: almoosarentacar@gmail.com Fax: 24796040 Wanted building Materials sales exp sales executive male /female with D/L for an LLC Company.

Email: megtcbellanzaa@gmail.com Looking for Salesman (outdoor) experience in building material, consulting, Contraction Company.

Should have Driving license, must have good spoken English, should have working knowledge of computers. Please send your CV to alshayac@omantel.net.om

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED ARCHITECT

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Architect looking for freelance work in (design plans and 3dmax).

Contact: 96041201

Indian male , B.Com, 21 yrs, accountant with 1 and half years experience looking for suitable job for more discussion.

Contact: 96512733 Email: azazahemad968@gmail.com

MEDICAL Immediate Opening for Laboratory Technician. Should have MOH License to work in Medical centre in capital area. Excellent Package, Flexible Timings, Accommodation will be offered.

Contact Urgently: 99340135 Wanted GP Doctor with MOH license, job location in Muscat with good salary and benefits. Drop your cv at 0careerhr1972@gmail.com.

Need one Nurse for private clinic scientific clinic Salalah.

Contact: 99082092 Wanted a Male Nurse with MOH license, ACLS, BLS for desert posting (permanent) and a Dentist to work a Locom near Seeb both with NOC as soon as possible.

Contact 96386388 Deams Clinic - Muscat-Al Khoudh urgently required Medical Laboratory Technician salary + Accommodation, Minimum 3 years Experience in Sultanate of Oman GP Nurse salary +Accommodation minimum 5 years Experience in Sultanate of Oman.

Contact - towershr70@gmail.com Wanted Medical Lab Technician (male or female) for a reputed poly clinic. Kindly contact – 97101062 or send email to – arunjeni11@gmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male 25 yrs MBA finance/ marketing. Over all 2 yrs of exp in accounts/ finance field. Currently on visit visa in Oman, immediately available. Contact – 92989197 / 94786544 Email: abdulqhizer2004@gmail.com Accountant looking part time job.

Contact: 99867456 Email: ashkar7673@gmail.com Accountant Indian female, 26 yrs, B.Com 2 yrs experience in accounting, purchase vouchers, bank reconciliation.

Contact: 95690207 Email: pereira.rita08@gmail.com Finance Controller 15 yrs exp in Oman. Contracting, consultancy, trading oil & gas, tourism, IT etc.

Project financing feasibility ERP cost control.

Contact – 98571309 Young 24, ACCA affiliate, advanced diploma in Accounting and business, seeking suitable placement in accounts, finance or audit with valid driving license.

Contact: 92430152 Email: rau_dey@yahoo.com

Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa.

Immediately available.

Contact – 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, finance, banking, L/C, import, export & finalization seeks placement. NOC Available.

Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com 28/ male MBA – finance /B.com – accountant with 4 years of Dubai / India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 90187483 Email: shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Indian lady, bachelor degree in Preparatory Programme (BPP) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), completed training course in MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook from KTI looking for full time / part time job opportunity in Oman.

Contact 92437568, 96795853, Email: linda_navs@yahoo.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE B.Com, doing M.Com, Diploma in IATA, Tally PGDCA 2 years experience as Accountant seeking for placement currently in Oman NOC available. Contact: 99055820 Email Id: rohithpanamukkath@gmail.com Indian male Accountant looking for a suitable placement in Salalah/ Muscat. More than 20 yrs experience in Accounting job (upto the finalization of accounts). 8 yrs working experience in Middle East in Dubai, Muscat & Salalah.

Contact 91325029 Indian male good experienced in accountant ERP Tally 9 and admin in Indian &Oman currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94834687 Indian Male 32, MBA (Marketing & Finance) with 10 years experience in Marketing of Banking Products & Insurance Industry.

Seeking for a job in Oman.

Contact: 93576980, 97750460 Email: senthil.cbe83@gmail.com Indian male 22 BBM graduate with tally certified 5 month experience as accounts officer 2 looking for suitable job immediately now on visit visa.

Contact: 98949120 Email: mohammednazal93@gmail.com Male 24 MBA fresher in marketing and finance seeking immediate placement. Contact: 96112920 Indian male B.com accountant job 6 years experience in Oman looking suitable placement. # 95741442 navaskamaru944@gmail.com Accountant senior looking suitable job please call 91422074 Chief Accountant looking for full / part time job. Contact: 95598477/98803439 Chief Accountant / finance officer , Indian male , M.com 15 yrs experience , Qatar , Saudi good at account finalization statement analysis , budgeting , variable analysis, well versed in tally & accounting packages. Currently in Doha, seeking suitable position in Muscat. Contact: 0097455075643 Email: gijomthomas@gmail.com Indian Male, Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant, CISA from USA, 25 Years of experience, 10 Years in Dubai, Seeking Job in Accounts, Finance, Audit, Banking, Project IT etc. Contact Pawan Gupta on 00971504273221, 0096896123649. E mail address is pawan.praind@gmail.com and website is www.pawanpraind.com Indian CA, 8 yrs + Exp (6 yr in Oman & UAE) in Finance, Accounts & Auditing, seeking suitable position in Muscat/Dubai, Can Join Immediately, NOC Available, Contact #: 98707434 / casmart007@gmail.com

15 years GCC experienced in finance treasury management CPA, CMA, ACCA, MBA qualified chartered accountant available for immediate joining. Contact: 94872345 Email: mfta27@gmail.com Indian male B.com, 47 years old, 25 years, GCC experience in Finance, HR & Admin with valid Omani driving license looking for a suitable placement (NOC available) Contact: 93238378

ADMIN Egyptian woman resident has considerable experience in the administration and secretarial executive for companies.

Contact: 97221126 Indian male ,age 24, MBA –UK, 2 years exp in administration, fluent in English. Searching for a suitable position. Contact: 00968 -90369501 email: rahimep@gmail.com Indian female 20, 2 yrs experience in Oman in finance & office admin & sales & marketing seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 94440115 Indian having more 15 years of experience (7 years in UAE) in construction as site administrates for / document controller / HR assistant / store assistant presently on visit seek suitable placement.

Contact: 92196001/98598099 Indian female, MBA HR & Finance, having 1 year experience, seeking suitable placement. Currently in Oman. Contact: 96052366.

Indian male 12 yrs exp in Oman as administrator/ HR/ operation manager with D/L & NOC. Contact – 96055815 / shaiks111@gmail.com 10 years experience in secretarial / Admin job. Contact: 94868626 Indian male MBA- UK 18 yrs Gulf exp in Administration/ HR & Public relationship. Fluent in Arabic/ English with D/L. Looking for suitable position. Contact - 99897280 Indian female, Masters in HR, having 4 + years Oman experience in media management and HR, looking for openings in HR, Education, Admin, Corporate communications. Contact 98252030 Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa, looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235

CATERING Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

DRIVER ACCA, 8 years comprehensive experience of audit, Engineering/ Manufacturing & Trading-FMCG is looking for a change.NOC available Contact: 91147885 Chartered Accountant 15 yrs- UAE exp, seeking suitable job in Oman.

Contact – 0091 9446230586 / shamshad.pareed@gmail.com Chief / Senior Accountant having 12 years of Oman experience in reputed firms. Looking for suitable placement. Contact – 99513082 Experienced male accountant available 3 yrs & 9 months exp in Oman as accountant NOC available ready to join. Contact - 95368181 ACCOUNTS AND ADMIN MANAGER Degree in Accounts with minimum 8 years of experience in accounts/finance and administrative work. Good analytical and managerial skill to control and operate the department independently. Contactvacancyforoman@gmail.com ACCA /B.com (3.7 years experience) looking for accounts / audit job. Contact: 97769145 Email: mnaem02@gmail.com

Experienced Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic Well knowledge of Oman Areas Seeking Suitable placement 97950869 Looking for job driver with car.

Contact: 99154473 Light driver with car.

Contact: 96379697 Looking for driving job.

Contact: 98219182 Exp driver (Keralite).

Contact: 93412587 Indian light driver having 2 years experience in Oman Know language Hindi, English , Arabic need job. Contact: 97366822 B.Com Qualification experience Saudi 5 years Saudi light driving license. Contact: +919994321140 Email: thamimkgg@gmail.com Driver with Car looking for Job. Contact 95560701.

Bangladeshi male 48 yrs, light driver 14 yrs of exp, need job & visa. Contact - 98236656

Indian male 11 yrs exp in accountant (4 yrs in Oman with D/L & NOC) seeking suitable placement in Sohar area .Contact: 91212471 / 94049967 Email: rennyj6@gmail.com

Driver looking for a job with visa NOC available.

Contact: 91039598

Part time Accountant services, yearly finalization works, monthly report, profit& loss report, consulting and audit works.

Contact: 96247295

Driver with experience of 10 years in Oman seeks suitable placement. Contact: 92191698

Indian light driver.

Contact: 92279370

Driver with car. Contact: 91452930

S AT U R DAY, D E C E M B E R 2 6, 2 0 1 5

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED DRIVER Light driver. Contact: 96313100 Driver with car available.

Contact: 93015630 10 yrs exp in GCC driver.

Contact: 93722881 Looking for Job driving.

Contact: 97418036 Driver with new car looking for job.contact: 95873286 Driver (light & heavy duty) valid gulf /Indian) looking job.

Contact: 95175192

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Multimedia and graphic designer Filipino male 25 , looking for job in Muscat 3 years experience in 6 graphic and 3D design on visit visa immediately available. Contact: 95844940 Email: chrisrimas@gmail.com Interior designer 4+ exp, turnkey projects & freelancing for flats, office & corporate. Contact – 93140552/ ajayjangir.id22@gmail.com 25 years male BA. English , Qualified as mast in digital animation having 5 yrs ex in character animation specialized Auto Desk mago and motion building software knowledge, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97917357

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. B.Tech (Eng. AMIEI) Electrical Engineer with 5years experience in the field of electrical power system (transmission & distribution) aver expertise in design Ele-slid preparing BOQ, LS & estimation transformers switchgear selection installation testing & commissioning in all sectors. Contact: 94638744 Email: ceng.shaz@gmail.com Civil Engineer 5 Years exp 2 years in Oman as QS. Seeking part time job as QS. Contact - 91507508 Mechanical Engineer ( B.E) passed out in 2014 first class , who has done certificate course in AutoCAD 2D , seeks employment in core mechanical field.

Contact: 93850221/97400106 M.Tech (Civil Engg) graduate , Indian male , 19 years experience in construction field , 8 years gulf experience , 4 yrs in Dubai and 4 yrs in Oman , handled luxurious hotels and waterfront properties is looking for project manager job.

Contact: 91158903 Email: luminousmercury@gmail.com NOC is available Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com Indian 43 yrs B.E Civil experience 16 yrs gulf exp 4 yrs Saudi Arabia Qatar Oman skill project coordination supervisory quality control planning & procurement monitoring the work activities NOC available seeking suitable area.

Contact: 92910646 Email: murugan641972@gmail.com

Property Facility Operations Manager 25 years experience, holding GCC driving license (Oman, UAE, Bahrain) With NOC. Looking for suitable openings.

Contact - 91283701 Email -

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact: 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Indian male, 25years, B-Tech Graduate with two years experience in Oman as Civil Engineer in a reputed construction company. Looking for suitable jobs. Resident card will expired on 06-01-2016.NOC available.

Seeking immediate placements.

Contact: 96179737/97076972, email:robinsj.sj@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer with 2 yrs exp in the field of manufacturing, on visit visa, looking for suitable job. Contact – 91417949 / dannyrangde@gmail.com B.Sc Civil Engineer. Work Experience 11 years 11 Months. Last 7 years have been working in Oman in the field of Civil Construction. Present Position: Resident Engineer of a Consulting Company.

Looking for the post of Project Manager/Coordinator/Resident Engineer. Have driving license.

Visa could be transferable.

Contact: 93592334, e-mail: tipucee34@gmail.com B.Tech Civil Indian female(2 years of teaching exp;on family visa) looking for engineering job.

Contact: 96289945; E-mail: athirasree1@gmail.com B.SC civil Engineer having 10 years experience s, 7 years in Oman in building construction with Oman valid D/L, looking for suitable placement. Contact: 93493547 Civil Engineer, Indian, 10 years GCC experience with Oman D/L. Contact: +919961800496 Building construction site supervisor with Omani D/L since Mar .2010 in Oman looking placement in good company. Contact: 93061107 B.Tech (IT) Indian Male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement.

Ready to join immediately. NOC available. Contact: 92462578 Electrical engineer Indian male 30 years , having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in Indian ( MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im

Dynamic Indian chemical Engineer (NITW) with 1years experience in business development & valid Oman D/L. Seeks suitable opportunity.

Contact: +96896141612 Email: anjana.uanda@outlook.com

Civil Engineer having total 5 years experience in building construction, looking for suitable placement. D/L available.

Contact – 94450270

Indian Male, 28 Yrs, M.Tech having 5+ years experience (3 Year Industry+2 years Lecturer), Now on visit visa, looking for suitable position, please contact: 99249131 Indian male, 26 yrs, 4yrs experienced as Telecom engineer in ooredoo FTTX project in Qatar with valid GCC driving license, currently in Oman, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 90194856 Email: azeezvallikkad@gmail.com

A result oriented professional B.E.(Mech), 30+ years experience in Oil & Gas Projects, Fabrication, R & M and Services. Seeking job as GM, CEO, Country Head.

NOC & immediate availability.

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact – 96789711

Bachelor Civil Engineer 6 Years in Oman experience Valid Driving License seeks suitable placement Phone 97619722 Email – golamrob@yahoo.com

Hardware & net working, 2 years exp. Contact: 96244031

Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975518

Indian Female, 24 Years - MSc Biotechnology. Worked in International Crops Research Institute For The Semi Arid Tropics for project work as trainee. Looking for suitable job. Mobile: 92619048, Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Scaffolding Manager 16 yrs experience in Oil & Gas projects & constructions.

Contact: 99789507/99551437

Phone : +91 9773828663, Email : jvp291367@yahoo.com

IT

thonoorramesh@gmail.com

Indian male Mechanical Engineer with 6 yrs experience in MEP field seeking a job have GCC license.

Contact: 98086267 Email: khaleel1586@gmail.com

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, 36 years, Male, Indian, having 16 years of experience in machine maintenance & machine breakdown, worked with reputed companies in India, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact - 99011507 E-mail: rsdengroman@gmail.com

Well experienced team available to provide feasibility reports & business solutions, product development, risk management methods for startups, progressive, defunct operations.

Creating of ERP modules.

Contact - 93343251 Email: profitoman@gmail.com

Indian 27 years, Procurement Engineer with 7 years of experience including 3 years in Oman looking for a suitable. NOC & driving license available. Contact: 95852033.

Diploma in Electrical Engineering with 6 years’ experience in Electrical Automation , Programming, Project, Power, Energy and Supervision in Civil Work.

Currently in Oman and looking for suitable position, Please contact 94873560/92406652 Electrical Engineer with 18 years exp in UAE. Contact: 98148034 Email: shassalih66@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Engineer with 5 years experienced AutoCAD primavera & GIS Arabic & English language looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 91340584

B.E Civil Engineer having 10 years experience (04 years in Oman) looking for a suitable placement NOC available. Contact: 98065360 Email: shafeeqahmedr@gmail.com Electrical Engineer Indian male having 5 yrs of exp in designing, execution & planning in electrical field. Having valid GGC driving license. Looking for a suitable job.

Contact – 98052942 / azamjeelani@gmail.com

Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com

EDUCATION

Indian female, 31 yrs, 7 yrs experienced as AutoCAD civil draftsman (2 yrs experience in Oman) currently in Oman seeks suitable.

Contact 96789441 Email: simi5304@gmail.com

Sri Lankan female 26 years of age, seeking suitable position in a reputed firm .Holds BSC in computer applications. 3 years of experience.

Has experience in the teaching field too. Contact: 92006612

Indian male 23 years BE degree in electronics & telecommunication, diploma in industrial control & automation, holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 95726383 Email: christosvaidyans@gmail.com

Indian female M.SC B.ED qualified TEFL two years experience in gulf seeking suitable job in teaching.

Contact: 91706466

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1Year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97416564, Email: jovinmathias@gmail.com Indian, looking for work building maintenance electrical & plumbing. Contact: 99365092 An Indian male HSE professional 9yrs experience out of 6yrs in Oman 3 yrs in India. Graduate, safety diploma, IOSH & NEBOSH . Working as Sr. HSE officer in a reputed MNC in MCT. NOC available, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 90187224 7 Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the field of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598 29 yrs Indian male B.E (ECE) with more than 5 yrs experience in Oman with valid D/L. # 96652145 Electronics & Communication Engineer : Master degree in VLSI & Embedded systems , looking for electronics/telecom/embedded jobs or teaching in colleges or schools or institutions . Currently on family visa. #97092459 or 91342287 remyaramaswamy1991@gmail.com Electrical Project Engineer 5 years experience in primacy substation cables and OHL valid driving license. NOC available.

Contact: 91204243 Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement. Contact:- 95042656 Diploma in Mechanical Eng piping system in AutoCAD work, 21+ years experience with Driving license. Contact: 95267113 Email: rkakkaryil@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience as HVAC design engineer rev IT M.E.P AutoCAD. Contact: 91050913 Email: rahmanmechengg@yahoo.com Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97646908 Mechanical Engineer with 3 Yrs experience in international Oil & Gas company looking for job Contacts: Tel: 90164236 Email: mustafaoshi-62@hotmail.com Civil Engineer (BE) having total 5 years experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available Contact# 94450270 Indian female civil engineer B.Tech having 3 years experience sound knowledge of software, REVIT STAD PRO structural detailing currently on family visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95345591 Civil maintenance painting, tile works decor works, plumbing, electric, shop furnishing carpentary works and all other maintenance. Contact 97897831, 92112094 (Indian, Keralite)

Computer Teacher M.SC Indian male 10 years teaching exp in Maldives as O level computer teacher presently located at Berha on family visa.

Contact: 94867456 / 95262691

HOSPITALITY Indian male 42 B.A Degree & diploma in hotel management with 16 yrs experience in India Abroad having V/L Oman D/L looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91575956 Email: lijasaju@yahoo.com Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/COO/CEO/Business Head. (NOC available) Contact: 96059470 Dutch male qualified commercial pilot (Faa-ME-IR certified) is looking for job openings in middle east. rutjestom@outlook.com

IT 7 years Gulf experienced Automatic door system technician. All type of automatic door, gate barrier, Access control, CCTV, working in Oman (NOC available).

Contact 96707646 Email: pramod.raj.p@gmail.com An Indian male 27yrs, B. Tech in (Computer Science) 6 years of exp in technical support, troubleshooting and managing seeks suitable placement. Contact:- 97483775, email:- mir.jak89@gmail.com MCA graduate Indian male 2 years experience in software development knowledge of JAVG net C# ASP NEP V.B CTT currently working in Techno Park Trivandrum Kerala.

Contact: 99210940 IT support 9 years experience servers network, hard / software maintenance Web design CMS. Contact: 97603094 NEBOSH, IOSH Indian male HSE officer experience 8 yrs, 6 yrs GCC. Contact: 93235457 Email: srecjithsurcndran3@gmail.com Network Professional, CCNP with 6 years experience and Bachelors degree on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 96760618, varghese.manthara@gmail.com Female 26 years B.Tech computer science with 4 yrs exp in India Tableu Qlik view hive and software testing. Looking for suitable placement. Contact – 97139075 anand20789@gmail.com B.Tech (IT) Indian Male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement.

Ready to join immediately. NOC available. Contact: 92462578

MISCELLANEOUS

Sudanese male with a college degree looking for suitable placement. Contact: 94235133 Seeking suitable job for QA/QC Inspector multi discipline, having 8 yrs exp with CSWIP 3.1 AWSCWI BGAS Grade II B.E Mech. NOC available. Contact – 97312558 / avittathoorak@gmail.com Indian male 42 years 13 years experience with Oman driving license in MEP contracting looking job store keeper / purchaser.

Contact 95197065 Indian 28 yrs, 5 years experience in purchase looking for a suitable NOC available, driving license available. Contact: 96772166 Indian male having more than 10 yrs exp in sea fright & air freight, having GCC D/L looking for suitable placement. Contact – 91714980/ medileep@gmail.com Indian female on visit MBA (International Business- Marketing & Logistics), BE (Computers & Science Engg.) Trained in SAP-BI/ BW with 1 year experience seeking for job Contact: 90228586 Email:fathimasha16@gmail.com Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement.

Gsm 9880-5474

MEDICAL Prometric passed male nurse with ACLS & BLS closured, looking for suitable placemen.

Contact: 93831951 Indian young male B.Tech Graduate with strong academic history six month experience in biomedical seeks suitable placement in instrumentation field preferred presently under visiting visa.

Contact: 91053004

Result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years management experience in Oman and other gulf countries looking for a suitable vacancy in hotels, restaurants and catering companies.

Contact: 968 97204636 Result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years management experience in Oman looking for a suitable vacancy hotels, restaurants & catering companies.

Contact 97204636 Restaurant Manager having 13 years experience in fast food restaurant in Oman & UAE, seeking for suitable placement, holding NOC letter & Oman driving license.

Contact: 99874953 MBA (marketing) with 17 years experience in freight forwarding/ logistics industry in GCC & Oman.

Presently working as branch manager in Muscat. Looking for a suitable position. Release and NOC available. Contact: 99856331 The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualified to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash management of the company & marketing projects & investments& tenders & real estate. Contact: - 92385033 Building maintenance foreman looking for suitable position with driving license. Contact: 99526958 20 yrs experienced MEP Manager seeks suitable placement (NOC available). Contact: 97892269 Manager Post of Family Visa, MBA 14 years Experience in Multinational Groups in Sales & Marketing. M.Z. 96220975

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Looking for job as Mason, steel fixer, electrician. Contact: 93015630 Masonry / finishing foreman 20 years experience NOC available.

Contact: 98435309/ India + 91 9446958838 Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192 Electrician, plumber (exp gulf / Indian) looking job. Contact 95175192

SALES / MARKETING

Indian female M.Sc. Biotechnology, 1st rank holder, NET qualified, SRF -doing PhD in Biochemistry Amala cancer research Centre (Calicut University) on family visa seeking suitable placement.

Gsm-90153917

Capable confident hard working Indian male B.Com MBA looking suitable jobs. Contact – 93279943

MOH Licensed Indian Female Dentist, presently available in Oman seeking a suitable placement anywhere in Muscat.

Contact: 91410733 / 99310630.

Indian male 28, 6 yrs experience in Oman, in sales & marketing & office admin, seeking for suitable placement (valid driving license) Contact: 99142314

Experienced Indian female Dentist with MOH licence looking for job. Contact 98437191

34years experienced Sales Oman Marketing in Oman NOC available.

Contact: 99868330 Email: rwahedi458@gmail.com

An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact: 96436517 /97396088

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Indian male, with experience in operations management, information security, purchase & stores mgmt, hold UAE driving license, on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact 91904541 Email: naushers@yahoo.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments& transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business.

Contact :- 92385033 Indian male 8 yrs exp in Oman working as housekeeping supervisor in star hotel, seeking for a job NOC available.

Contact – 91753210

5 years experience in Sales currently looking for a placement.

Contact: 93458869

Looking for immediate Sales & Marketing Job, 10 Years Experience, MBA Peter -93747126/ E-mail forlakei@yahoo.com American Male (speaks Arabic) looking for a job in Marketing & Sales, Contact 94076032 Indian, 38 years with 15 years in sales & marketing filed with GCC valid license. Contact: 94744746 28 years old Indian male looking for job in Oman six years of marketing experience in India currently staying on visiting visa qualification, BSC degree.

Contact: 94855667/92255983 Omani employee looking for a job as Sales with experience in this field .Contact: 91161736 Indian male, MBA Finance & Marketing 28 yrs,6+ Exp, with Driving license, Hospital Phrma Herbal Marketing, construction A/c & sales , F&B industry, Contact : 93379044

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S AT U R D AY, D E C E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SALES / MARKETING Indian male 29 yrs, BHM, 3 yrs exp in Oman in sales with D/L & NOC. Contact: 92594055 Indian young male BBA graduate with good academics seeks suitable placement in marketing sales finance mainly prefers white collared jobs driving license issued in Muscat. Contact: 97853013 Indian male, MBA , 25 Yrs, 1 years experience in auditing and 10 month in sales. Currently on visit visa seeking suitable placemen.

Contac: 92054304 Indian male 23 years with 4 years experience in Purchase and Sales, graduate in EC, currently on visiting visa, seeking suitable job in Oman. Contact: 96761020. Email: adikmuthumuttam@gmail.com Male B.com 8 month experience in sales seeking suitable placement. Contact: 98371144 Indian male graduate with 7 yrs exp in sales & marketing immediate join NOC available.

Contact : 96746107

Sales & Marketing Executive MBA with 3 years experience in sales looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91345727.

Indian male with Oman driving license and 27 years’ Oman experience in FMCG sales /newspaper distribution across the Sultanate seeks job. No objection certificate/ release letter is available from the present employer.

Contact: 98962949 Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement.

Gsm 9880-5474 12 years of experience in Oman; marketing strategies & operations, logistics, government tenders, public relations & dealing with international companies -4 years of experience in UK, engineering CNC & industrial areas, have dual nationality, fluent in English & Arabic speaking and writing , (I can travel abroad easily without visa, for finalizing business or any other purpose). Contact: 94123939

Indian Male 32, MBA (Marketing & Finance) with 10 years experience in Marketing of Banking Products & Insurance Industry.

Seeking for a Job in Oman.

Contact: 93576980, 97750460 Email: senthil.cbe83@gmail.com Indian male, MBA Marketing having 2.5 years Sales experience immediately looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91415145, Email: shariqs88@gmail.com Indian male 46 years, Sales Manager experience in modular kitchens & furnitures. Contact 94522616 Indian male, 24, MBA Marketing and HR, I year experience. On visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94014073 Marketing Executive/Merchandiser, Omani License, BA 8 years Experience in Multinational Groups. Contact 97601343 Sudanese male, 31 year old, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer 5 year experience in different activities. Contact - 94549609

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED TECHNICIAN /MECH. Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license call Ph:+968 99450811 Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com

TOURS & TRAVELS Indian female BSC IATA, 14 years exp in travel & tourism in Oman looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 96433490 Email: indu623@yahoo.co.in Indian male auto cad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience .Seeking for part time job.Mobile no: 0096899070584 / Email: remluvp@gmail.com

INLAYS/ MOTIFS/ DESIGNS WORKS We have fully computerized state of the art water jet machines for marble/ granite/ porcelain/ ceramic tile. Inlays/ Motifs/ Designs at very reasonable rates.

HOME THEATER & KARAOKE BRING HOME - LIVE MUSIC & CINEMA GENERAL ELECTRONICS SERVICES LLC CONTACT: 99627299 / 93327841

To register your enquiries for above work contact:

Mr. Ravi 96529679 or Mr. Osama Hasan 99376020 Email: ravi@alliedoman.com or osamahasan7@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

GOOD NEWS AL RAZI AYURVEDIC CLINIC Near Khimji Mart, MBD Area, Ruwi Our Ayurvedic Treatment includes Abhyangam, Kizhi Massage, Shirodhara, Vasti, Udwarthnam 50% Discount on full body massage.

Contact 24814222 or 97112510 for appointment

RENT A CAR

X’Mas gift items- many varieties candles, fresh flowers, roses, jasmine, marigold. Many varieties Indian biscuits, namkeens & homemade sweets, glace cherries, dry fruits, tutti-frutti & charcoal for barbecue. Haridas Nensey Supermarket. Contact – 24750784 / 23291825 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www. siddhayur.com

Rental car. Contact: 92516090

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com

AVAILABLE

Silver car, car rental at good rate. Contact: 96166155/93530540

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

AVAILABLE Available office space in Prime location on 18th November Street, Azaiba Kindly. Contact: 99288664

Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting.

Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage steambath, obesity, Spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 98342990 Balloons beautiful design & Archie’s works for party, birthday & New Year functions all events.

Contact 95194801/ 96594592

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DAILY GUIDE TOURS

TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION 7 Ton/ 10 Ton- Trailer Local transport- MCT- UAE

Contact 96609857 Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636

CLASSES

Amir Ali Transport. Contact: 99077395 Transportation. Contact: 99664703 Transportation taxi mini bus.

Contact: 93091106 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation & tours.

Contact: 99324045 Pick & drop anytime in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99764307

IELTS PREPARATION Target Band 8.0

Classes for Spoken English TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / SAT Excellent Guidance and Coaching Satisfaction Guaranteed EAGLES INSTITUTE

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

92325542 | 93657915 | 93657917 | Email: engominst@gmail.com

WEBSITE

Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

IELTS & TOEFL Academic / General Target Band 8 TQT Institute.

Ph # 24480800 / 99347202

Transportation. Contact: 99099714 Transportation available Ruwi Seeb. Contact 99867456

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

Transportation. Contact: 98505294

DRIVING

in Azaiba and Ruwi

• Learn in two months • Satisfaction guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. CONTACT 98294551 Learn driving with professional.

Contact: 94022250

SERVICES FOR LADIES Home service for ladies only facial, waxing, body massage, (if you not waxing menicure pedicure) only 20 Riyal, Contact 9243 0239

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED MBA - (F), M.Com,B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for part time or full time job. presently on family visa. Contact :- 91892264. Email: yashicapandya@gmail.com

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

COMPUTER

Indian Male, 26 years, with 7 years of experience in Sales Field in Shipping company in Dubai looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. Contact: 90182494 manojmallya999@gmail.com

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130

Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. In IT/ networking/server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 HR & Admin Executive ( MBA) Indian male 26 year old, with more than 4 years of experiences in HR& Admin (16 month in Oman) looking for suitable placement, NOC available.Contact: +968-98757304 Email: nuroollah789@gmail.com Indian Accounts professioanl with 2 years of experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable job openings Contact: Gsm: 92395449 jaleelcabdul@gmail.com

Enetstorage offer!! Cloud based software & mobile responsive websites locally developed, hosting, hardware & cctv/networking solutions. Contact 94369696 or admin@enetstorage.com Repair desktop laptop, printer, scanner, networking &all software inst. Contact 99876547

Debt collection services your money we collect value commercial services. Fax: 0096824783669 Contact: 009682479815 /00968- 24701422 /00968- 94665476 Email: salim@valuedbtcollection.com

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Office boys, Cleaning Contracts, General cleaning etc.

Al Mudakhir National Est. LLC Contact : 94277020

House shifting. Contact: 99657644/98518013

Marble grinding resurfacing & ceiling crystallization / polishing general cleaning of villas & flats.

Terrazzo floor scrubbing, ceiling, polishing & buffing.

Contact: 98598280 /94134784

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/ 24792998

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact : 93769089 / 95323517 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064

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DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED DINING DELIGHTS

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiямБeds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624