T Weekly for December 27, 2018 by Muscat Media Group

VOL 11 ISSUE 52 / DECEMBER 27, 2018

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Invest in health today to live a richer tomorrow

hen a report was recently released by Oman’s Ministry of Health stating that more than two-third of expatriate families in Oman don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, leading to nutritional disorders, it raised serious concerns among health conscious people in Oman. As per The National Survey on NonCommunicable Diseases report, 69.3 per cent of non-Omanis do not eat the required amount of fruits and vegetables each day. The number was signiﬁcantly lower for Omanis, of whom only 57.5 per cent did not eat enough fruits and vegetables. The survey was conducted among 9,053 Omani and non-Omani families, and distributed within all governorates of the Sultanate, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation. The concept of 5 A Day, that is 5 portions of fruits and vegetables, is essential because it contains combinations of ﬁbre, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Research

suggests that eating ﬁve portions of fruit and vegetables every day saves lives, preventing heart disease, cancer and stroke. Our Cover story this week talks to health experts in town who tell us about the importance of 5 A Day diet and warns of the consequences of unhealthy diets. Dr Nuthaila Al Kharousi, a psychologist at Al Harub Medical Centre, also talks about the menace of fast food. And as year 2018 comes to an end, let us step into the new year with a promise to better ourselves everyday and pledge to lead a healthy life. When it comes to pledges and promises, it’s also that time of the year when we make our new year’s resolutions. Making resolutions are easy; the real challenge is to stick to them. If you are serious about your resolutions, then take your cue from our columnist, Antara Bose, who gives us some easy tips, so we can stay ﬁrm with our promises. This and lot more as we gear up for a new year, a new beginning. —Swati Dasgupta

Founder: Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali Editor: Charles Lavery Features Editor: Swati Dasgupta Research Editor: Ashish Dubash Copy Editor: Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan Online Editor: Christopher Isaac

Graphics Editor: Antonio Farach Design Editor: Sahir K.M. Lead Designer: Geri B. Sonny Designer: Gregory Fernandez, Jerrard Cedro Production Manager: Shafi Shaik Photography: MMG Photographers

On The Cover: Design by Gregory Fernandez

For general enquiries or comments: swati@timesofoman.com

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WHAT’S ON 27 THIS WEEK 28

THURSDAY Visit the Iranian Cultural and Commercial Exhibition Soak in some Iranian culture and traditions at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre from December 24 to 28. The Iranian Cultural and Commercial Exhibition encourages cultural and civilisational exchange through various events which reﬂects the cultural and historical heritage of Iran, which will be in harmony with the cultural and heritage of the Sultanate of Oman through various events during the exhibition.

FRIDAY Enjoy your dive at Bandar Khairan It takes about half an hour to arrive by boat, from the docks, where dolphins swim near the shore. Also enjoy the various types of coral reefs when you are underwater.

29 SATURDAY It’s a great day to spend time with the kids There’s plenty to see and do in Muscat, and Saturday is a great day for you to get the little ones out of the house. Winter is officially here, and there’s little to be gained by sitting indoors when it is just so lovely outside.

SUNDAY Vittorio Grigolo, one night only at ROHM Having performed at some of the world’s greatest opera houses, Grigolo now brings his inimitable talent to Oman. He will be accompanied by the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra at the ROHM at 7pm.

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01 TUESDAY

Pop in to a friend’s home to ring in the New Year Ring in 2019 by popping round to a friend’s home and renew old friendships, as well as start some new ones. It’s a great way to look forward to a renewed year ahead.

MONDAY Celebrate New Year’s Eve with family and friends There is no better way to welcome 2019 than with an intimate party among family and friends. Celebrate New Year’s Eve by throwing a house party for those near and dear to you.

The Orville (TV Series) Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama Cast: Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald An exploratory ship from Earth faces intergalactic challenges 400 years in the future.

Galveston (Film) Genre: Action, Crime, Drama Cast: Ben Foster, Jeffrey Grover, Christopher Amitrano After escaping a set up, a dying hitman returns to his hometown of Galveston where he plans his revenge.

WEDNESDAY Make (and stick to) your New Year’s resolution We make New Year’s resolutions, but never actually stick to them. Be it photography, learning to play the guitar, or even taking helicopter lessons, there’s no New Year’s resolution that’s too hard to maintain, or too tall to take up.

Instinct (TV Series) Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery Cast: Alan Cumming, Bojana Novakovic, Daniel Ings A former CIA operative, who has since built a “normal” life as a gifted professor and writer, is pulled back into his old life when the NYPD needs his help to stop a serial killer on the loose.

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EATING HEALTHY TODAY WILL HELP YOU LIVE A BETTER TOMORROW STORY GAUTAM VISWANATHAN

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Sixty-nine per cent. That’s a big number isn’t it? Although I guess that would depend on what this ﬁgure represents.

t’s not the latest stat on how likely you are to “forget” your New Year’s resolution within the ﬁrst month, nor is it the latest stat on Omanisation. What it is, is the number of expatriate families in Oman that don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. Oman’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation recently conducted a survey on the threats posed by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Sultanate, and while healthcare services in the country are doing much to address those areas that are a cause for concern, data showed that 69.3% of expatriates in the country did not consume enough fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. The reality is that three-ﬁfths of the people in Oman do not consume the required amount of fruits and vegetables every day, which could lead to health problems in the long-term. In addition, 57.5% of all Omanis surveyed admitted they did not consume their dailyexpected quota of fruits and vegetables. Men were more likely to ignore eating their greens, with 63.9% of men admitting they didn’t pay as

much attention to it as they needed to, while the number was significantly lower – 57.3% - for women, but still high enough to cause concern. Overall, data showed that 60.7% of people in the country did not eat enough fruits and vegetables. That means nearly three million people among Oman’s population of 4,646,655 don’t get their daily quota of five daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables, as laid down by the World Health Organisation. A total of 9,053 adults participated in the survey, which was then used to extrapolate for the entire population, of which 6,833 adults responded, leading to an overall response rate of 75.5%. To find out why so many were unwilling to eat or unaware of the benefits of fruits and vegetables, T Weekly spoke to Dr Nuthaila Al Kharousi, a psychologist at Al Harub Medical Centre. “In most countries, among all age groups, there has been an increase in fast-food consumption, especially amongst teens and young adults,” she explained. “This may be attributed to the fact that such foods are fast to prepare, convenient, and

relatively inexpensive. In addition, highschool adolescents become relatively more autonomous and have easy access to unhealthy dietary choices. Social norms and friendship are motivating factors for fast food consumption, in that, eating in fast food restaurants is a way to socialise with friends.” “Moreover, eating fast food is attributed amongst many as a type of food that is globally popular with a sense of modernism and belonging to a higher social class,” added Dr Kharousi. “Since fast food is easily prepared and cooked in large amounts, it tends to be highly processed with additives, artificial flavourings and chemicals to preserve its palatable appeal. The possible side effects on mental health are a high tendency to develop depression, jitters and anxiety in children, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, a shrunken hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory and cognition.” “What’s important to understand is that the dietary habits of the youth are of significant importance because these dietary habits are likely to remain stable for their entire life

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KEY FACTS TO PURSUING A HEALTHY DIET A healthy diet helps protect against malnutrition in all its forms, as well as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. An unhealthy diet and a lack of physical activity are leading global risks to health. Healthy dietary practices start early in life – breastfeeding fosters healthy growth and improves cognitive development, and may have longer-term health beneﬁts, such as reducing the risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing NCDs later in life. Energy intake (calories) should be in balance with energy expenditure. To avoid unhealthy weight gain, total fat should not exceed 30% of total energy intake. Intake of saturated fats should be less than 10% of total energy intake, and the intake of trans-fats less than 1% of total energy intake, with a shift in fat consumption away from saturated fats and trans-fats to unsaturated fats, and towards the goal of eliminating industrially-produced trans-fats. Limiting intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake is part of a healthy diet. A further reduction to less than 5% of total energy intake is suggested for additional health beneﬁts. Keeping salt intake to less than 5g per day (equivalent to a sodium intake of less than 2g per day) helps prevent hypertension, and reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes in the adult population. WHO member states have agreed to reduce the global population’s intake of salt by 30% by 2025; they have also agreed to halt the rise in diabetes and obesity in adults and adolescents, as well as in overweight children by 2025.

span,” she said. “Therefore, to control fastfood consumption, policy makers and health campaigns should pay special attention to interventions designed for adolescents.” According to the WHO, the worldwide prevalence of obesity nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016. In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight. Of these, over 650 million adults were obese. In 2016, 39% of adults aged 18 years and over (39% of men and 40% of women) were overweight. Overall, about 13% of the world’s adult population (11% of men and 15% of women) was obese in 2016. In 2016, an estimated 41 million children under the age of five years were overweight or obese. Once considered a high-income country problem, being overweight and obesity are now on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. In Africa, the number of overweight children under five has increased by nearly 50 per cent since 2000. Nearly half of the children under five who were overweight or obese in 2016 lived in Asia. Over 340 million children and adolescents aged five to 19 were overweight or obese in 2016. The prevalence of excess weight and obesity among children and adolescents aged five to 19 has risen dramatically from just 4% in 1975 to just over 18% in 2016. The rise has occurred similarly among both boys and girls: in 2016, 18% of girls and 19% of boys were overweight. “More than six billion people live in countries that don’t protect their citizens from the harmful effects of industrially produced trans-fats,” admitted Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organisation. “Imagine if an epidemic threatened to kill 41 million people every year. It’s already happening. This year. Last year. Next year, too. Noncommunicable diseases are the world’s

biggest killers. That’s why, this year at the UN General Assembly, we are joining forces to beat NCDs.” The prevalence of eating junk food is such a global threat that the United Nations has decided to step in and act on a worldwide scale. On September 27, 2018, the UN General Assembly staged the third high-level meeting on the prevention and control of NCDs. The result was heads of state and governments committing to 13 new steps to tackle non-communicable diseases, including cancers, heart and lung diseases, strokes and diabetes, and promote mental health and wellbeing, in the form of calling upon food manufacturers to reformulate products to reduce salt, free sugars and saturated and industrially produced trans fats, using nutrition labelling on packaged food to inform consumers, and reduce the exposure to, and curb the impact of, the marketing of foods and non-alcoholic beverages on children. In addition, policy recommendation includes public education and awareness campaigns to promote healthier lifestyles. “A key priority for me is to enhance our approach to resource mobilisation among donors, old and new,” said Ghebreyesus. “That has to start by building conﬁdence among partners, that WHO will deliver results and impact. I want WHO to be synonymous with results. And that is doable. At the same time, we must recognise that WHO is the world’s platform for global health. It’s the only venue where all governments, along with other stakeholders, come together to discuss and decide fundamental issues with regard to global health.” “If the platform did not exist, we would need to create it. This global governance function is the infrastructure of global health and the global public good,” he added. “WHO is committed to promoting healthy, sustainable diets globally. We’re working

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WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A HEALTHY DIET FOR ADULTS A healthy diet includes the following: Fruit, vegetables, legumes (e.g. lentils and beans), nuts and whole grains (e.g. unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat and brown rice). At least 400g (i.e. five portions) of fruits and vegetables per day, excluding potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava and other starchy roots. Less than 10% of total energy intake from free sugars, which is equivalent to 50g (or about 12 level teaspoons), but ideally is less than 5% of total energy intake for additional health benefits. Free sugars are all sugars added to foods or drinks by the manufacturer, cook or consumer, as well as sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices, and fruit juice concentrates. Less than 30% of total energy intake from fats, unsaturated fats (found in fish, avocados and nuts, and in sunflower, soybean, canola and olive oils) are preferable to saturated fats (found in fatty meat, butter, palm and coconut oil, cream, cheese, ghee and lard) and trans-fats of all kinds, including both industrially-produced trans-fats (found in baked and fried foods, and pre-packaged snacks and foods, such as frozen pizzas, pies, cookies, biscuits, wafers, and cooking oils and spreads) and ruminant transfats (found in meat and dairy foods from ruminant animals, such as cows, sheep, goats and camels). It is suggested that the intake of saturated fats be reduced to less than 10% of total energy intake and trans-fats to less than 1% of total energy intake. In particular, industrially-produced trans-fats are not part of a healthy diet and should be avoided. Less than 5g of salt (equivalent to about one teaspoon) per day. Salt should be iodised. FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN • In the first 2 years of a child’s life, optimal nutrition fosters healthy growth and improves cognitive development. • It also reduces the risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing NCDs later in life. • Infants should be breastfed exclusively during the first six months of life. Infants should be breastfed continuously until two years of age and beyond. From six months of age, breast milk should be complemented with a variety of adequate, safe and nutrient-dense foods. Salt and sugars should not be added to complementary foods.

with the Food and Agricultural Organisation to develop guidance on healthy and sustainable diets to ensure that people eat nutritious food that is safe and produced in a sustainable way.” Consuming a healthy diet throughout the life-course helps to prevent malnutrition in all its forms, as well as a range of noncommunicable diseases and conditions. However, the increased production of processed foods, rapid urbanisation and changing lifestyles have led to a shift in dietary patterns. People are now consuming more foods high in energy, fats, free sugars and salt/ sodium, and many people do not eat enough fruits, vegetables and other dietary ﬁbre such as whole grains. The exact make-up of a diversiﬁed, balanced and healthy diet will vary depending on individual characteristics (e.g. age, gender, lifestyle and degree of physical activity), cultural context, locally available foods and dietary customs. However, the basic principles of what constitutes a healthy diet remain the same. “While we must sow the seeds of peace in order to achieve food security, improve nutrition and leave no one behind, we also need to redouble efforts to build climate resilience for food security and nutrition,” added Jose Graziano da Silva, the Director General of the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation. “The food insecurity we are witnessing today also contributes to excess weight and obesity, which partly explains the coexistence of these forms of malnutrition in many countries.” “In 2017, over 38 million children under the age of five were overweight, with Africa and Asia representing 25 per cent and 46 per cent of the global total, respectively,” he added. “The problem of obesity is most significant in North America, but it is worrying that even Africa and Asia, which still show the lowest rates of obesity, are also experiencing an upward trend.” “Furthermore, being overweight and obesity are increasing the risks of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks and some forms of cancer. If we are to achieve a world without hunger and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030, it is imperative that we accelerate and scale up actions to strengthen the resilience and adaptive capacity of food systems and people’s livelihoods in response to climate variability and extremes.” Locally, hospitals are also taking more steps to ensure that young families start their children eating healthy at the right age. “Now, in maternity hospitals, doctors tell mothers and fathers of young children about the importance of breastfeeding,” said Dr A. Basheer, a senior internist and diabetologist at Badr Al Sama’a Hospital. “The practice of eating healthy and raising awareness therefore starts right from birth. The initial few months of development are very important, before switching to regular foods. This period is called the weaning period. This kind of education is now a regular practice. It starts while patients get admitted for delivery, and it continues until the patient is discharged.” –gautam@timesofoman.com

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A N TA R A S TO RY

BOSE

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DECLARE IT – This is a perfect time to actually put social media to good use. There’s no point of keeping your resolutions to yourself – the pressure isn’t enough, honestly. Let your colleagues, friends, and family in on your plans. If you’re trying to lose weight, for example, they definitely cannot run for you, but at least they’ll stop tempting you with cinnamon buns every morning. BE SPECIFIC – Just saying ‘I’ll learn something new’ isn’t enough. New could be anything – a language, a sport or a musical instrument; and that learning might take longer than you expect. Set measurable goals, give it a time frame, and figure out the means to achieve it. ADDRESS ONE AT A TIME – Don’t commit to too many things in one shot. Give yourself time to get used to a new change before commencing the next. BE FLEXIBLE – So the first day of the year is significant, but if you think about it, it’s just a date. For some unfortunate reason, if you can’t implement your life-changing plans immediately, or end up breaking your resolution only a week later, don’t fret over it. It’s perfectly alright to start again, even if it’s in the middle of another week. SET REMINDERS – It’s easy to go astray when you don’t have reminders. You can put technology to use, but it’s a good idea to also get your close ones involved. Having a real person tell you something repeatedly is harder to ignore.

REWARD FREQUENTLY – Be generous with your rewards when you’ve really earned them. Instead of a single reward at the very end of the journey, motivate yourself with smaller, more frequent rewards on the way. REFLECT ON WHAT DIDN’T WORK – This is probably not the first time you are making a resolution. Give yourself some time to figure out why you weren’t able to meet particular aims the last time. Avoid repeating the same mistakes. As they say, sometimes failures are the best teachers. FIND PARTNERS – We all need the occasional pep talk. Others who share your interest will help you to stick to your goals. Take time out to discuss common goals, plan ahead, and keep a check on each other’s progress. VISUALISE – See yourself actually accomplishing those goals. Manifestation is said to work wonders. Besides, the clearer you see it, the more you’d want it; that’s motivation right there. SELF-MOTIVATION – To accomplish anything, one must stay focused. Though finding things and people to motivate you on the way is essential, the real motivation must be from within.

Antara Bose is a model turned fashion and beauty consultant. A popular blogger, anchor, and voice over artist, she maintains a deep connection with the local fashion industry and is passionate about discovering and celebrating aspiring talent as well as promoting animal rights. For fashion updates with a side of humour and sarcasm follow Antara on instagram @antarabose and on Facebook: Antara Bose.

HOW TO STICK TO Y NEW YEA OUR RESOLUT R’S IONS

Reso mak lutions e bu are e t So if hard asy to up y you’re to kee 2019 our res drawi p. ng olut , her i o e n is mak s ing t our gu for hem ide t stick o .

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USHER IN THE NEW YEAR WITH

FESTIVE FOOD RECIPES ONEZA TABISH

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PESTO SHRIMP RISOTTO Creamy Parmesan risotto adorned with plump shrimps is a match made in heaven and the punch of pesto makes it absolutely irresistible.

SPICY POTATO SALAD A hot and spicy potato salad that doubles up as a lip smacking appetiser is a sure shot party pleaser at your New Year party. Ingredients •16 baby potatoes • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • 1 teaspoon brown sugar • Salt to taste • 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes • 2 green chillies, deseed and finely chopped • 1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper • 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup • 4 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped

Ingredients • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 1 cup Arborio rice • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish • 15 cooked large shrimps (shell removed) • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter • Salt as per taste • Pesto sauce (readymade) for serving Preparation • Preheat the oven to 200°C . • In an oven proof casserole, heat the olive oil. • Add the garlic and rice and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until very fragrant, 2 minutes. • Stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Cover and bake for about 20 minutes, until the rice is tender. • Stir in the 1/2 cup of cheese, the shrimp, butter and season with salt. • Serve with pesto and garnish with cheese.

Preparation • Preheat the oven to 180C. Peel the potatoes and prick with a fork and apply oil. • Roast the potatoes in a preheated oven for 35 minutes till tender. • Cut the potatoes in halves. • In a bowl take the lemon juice, sugar, salt, red chilli flakes, green chillies, pepper and ketchup and mix well. • Add the potatoes and toss. Serve the salad garnished with chopped coriander leaves. CINNAMON GINGER CAKE This cake is a must during this holiday season with the comforting flavours of cinnamon and ginger. It’s also a great gift for your loved ones. Ingredients • 200g butter • 200g brown sugar • 3 tablespoons finely chopped ginger • 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder • 1 tablespoon baking powder • 1/2 cup milk • 3 eggs • 200g all purpose flour CRISPY SESAME LAMB Juicy and tantalising strips of lamb deep fried to perfection with an overload of sesame makes it a crispy and crunchy delight. Ingredients • 100g (1 cup) boneless lamb, cut into thin strips • 3 tablespoons corn flour • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds • 2 teaspoons salt • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper • 1 cup breadcrumbs • Oil for deep frying Preparation • Combine all the ingredients, except the breadcrumbs and oil in a bowl. Mix well. • Heat oil in a wok on low heat. Toss the lamb in the breadcrumbs to coat completely and gently slip into the hot oil for deep frying. • Fry the lamb till it’s cooked through and is golden brown and crispy. • Remove and drain on kitchen paper. • Serve hot with honey chilli sauce.

Preparation • Preheat the oven to 180C. • Grease a loaf tin with butter and dust it with ﬂour. • Melt the butter in a pan and add sugar, ginger, cinnamon and stir well to combine. • Remove from heat and keep aside. • In another pan, stir in the baking powder into the milk and mix. Whisk the eggs into this and add the sugar, ginger cinnamon mix to the same. • Stir in the ﬂour to this and beat well with an electric hand blender ensuring no lumps are formed. • Pour the mix into a loaf tin and bake for 20 mins till cooked through and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.

Oneza Tabish is a food blogger, consultant, and columnist based in Oman. She is also the owner of Oman’s popular Facebook group ‘What’s Cooking Oman.’

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BUFFET BEHAVIOURS TIPS TO NAVIGATE A BUFFET GRACIOUSLY Whether at a private party or corporate event, buffets seem to be the preferred way of serving food these days. This is probably because they are time efficient, and require minimum staff attendance. A buffet, as you may know, is a form of dining service in which food is spread out on tables in a public area and guests generally serve themselves.

STORY CAROLANN PHILIPS

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he casualness and informality of the service however, does not provide an excuse for inappropriate behaviours. With the Christmas and New Year holiday season on, here are some tips for the buffet guest:

STANDING IN LINE A buffet line is meant to move in one direction only. Buffets are the popular choice at events because they allow for socialising and interaction. You can use the time to brieﬂy greet and chat with the others while waiting. When standing in line, give others enough personal space and elbow room. If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze in line, it’s appropriate to step out of the line to do so. If someone takes too long to serve themselves, simply ask permission to cross over and move along. Reaching around, or cutting the line is rude and can also cause an accident. Nibbling on food, while standing in line is wrong and unhygienic.

EATING FOOD Avoid leaving food uneaten in your plate. The unwritten rule is “you took it, so you eat it”. Of course, sometimes food doesn’t taste as you expected, and you must leave it aside. It is for this reason that serving small portions the ﬁrst time is recommended. If you are eating while standing, ensure you are not blocking access to the buffet table and serving line. Practicing appropriate buffet etiquette can help us, and others, enjoy a myriad of cuisines without embarrassment, and make this trendy style of eating a pleasant affair.

SERVING FOOD Don’t hover around the dishes for long. If unsure, move on and return later. Hold the plate as close to the dish as possible while serving to avoid spillage. For the same reason, avoid over loading the plate. Serve modest portions, as second helpings are permissible. Exercise choice, and arrange the food on your plate in such a way that it presents an appetising picture. Always use a serving spoon at a buffet, and place the spoon on the platter in front of the dish after serving. Do not leave the spoon in the dish. Avoid serving the last of the food. Wait for the dish to be refilled before serving yourself. If you wish to take a second helping, it is considered polite and hygienic to use a fresh plate for every food trip. However, if it is a private party being hosted, and you know the host is paying by the head, or if you are in a private home, you should retain your plate.

Carolann Philips is an award winning, certified management coach and organisational development coach based in Oman. She is also a talent developer, etiquette and protocol consultant. She specialises in behavioural skill development and professional performance enhancement.

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THE FIXIES TOP SECRET Cast: Jodi Eichelberger, Larisa Brokhman, Prokhor Chekhovskoy

SIMMBA Cast: Ajay Devgn, Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan, Sonu Sood, Abdul Quadir Amin

Seen only by kids, the Fixies are tiny creatures who mend broken appliances, gadgets and electrical circuits. When one of the Fixies gets a hold of special bracelets that transforms him into a super-powered cheeky person, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to his colourful little friends, a young boy and a lab professor to save the day!

While Simmba enjoys all the perks of being an immoral and unethical police officer, a twist in the tale transforms him and forces him to choose the righteous path.

NJAN PRAKASHAN Malayalam Cast: Fahad Fazil, Nikhila Vimal

This is the story of a man named Prakashan who changes his name to PA Akash just to sound cool. He detests working in Kerala even though he holds a degree in nursing. Njan Prakashan is a light-hearted movie that is set to entertain the audience worldwide.

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MARY POPPINS RETURNS Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Blunt Set in 1930s London, Jane and Michael Banks are now grown-up, with Michael still living in the house on Cherry Tree Lane. After Michael suffers a personal loss, Mary Poppins comes back to the Banks family with street lamplighter Jack, and eccentric cousin Topsy.

Running at: Vox Cinemas, City Cinemas, Al Bahja Cinema

SPEED KILLS Cast: James Remar, Jennifer Esposito, John Travolta, Jordi Molla

On the edge of the Antarctic circle, a steamship approaches a desolate island. On board is a young man, poised to take up the post of weather observer, to live in solitude far from civilisation. But on shore he ďŹ nds no trace of the man he has been sent to replace, just a deranged brute in the lighthouse who has witnessed a horror he refuses to name.

The action-packed story of Don Aronow, the larger-than-life speedboat champion and multimillionaire whose mysterious murder shocked the world.

COMING SOON

COLD SKIN Cast: Aura Garrido, David Oakes, Ray Stevenson

Mia & The White Lion Cast: Daniah De Villiers, Langley Kirkwood, MĂŠlanie Laurent

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World Cast: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Djimon Hounsou

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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.

Level | Easy

THE THIN BLUE LINE

5 2

9 8

Level | Moderate

4 3

2 7

6 3

Level | Difficult

4 8

6 8

2 1 9

Difficult

5 1 4 3 2 9 7

3 9 2 6 1 7 8 4 5

6 7 1 8 5 4 9 3 2

4 5 8 3 9 2 7 6 1

7 8 6 5 3 1 4 2 9

5 2 3 4 6 9 1 7 8

9 1 4 2 7 8 3 5 6

Medium

Easy

3 4 5 1 9 6 8 2 7

9 8 3 4 7 5 2 6 1

7 5 6 3 1 2 4 8 9

4 2 1 8 6 9 5 7 3

8 6 4 5 3 7 9 1 2

5 3 7 9 2 1 6 4 8

2 1 9 6 4 8 7 3 5

8 5 3 7 6 4 9 2 1

4 7 9 3 2 1 6 8 5

2 1 6 8 9 5 3 4 7

3 6 1 4 5 8 2 7 9

9 8 5 1 7 2 4 6 3

7 4 2 9 3 6 1 5 8

5 2 7 6 1 3 8 9 4

1 9 8 2 4 7 5 3 6

6 3 4 5 8 9 7 1 2

THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

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port, as we shall see, is like a halfbe Kevin Goody (James Dreyfus, who plays sucked sweet, not what it used to The Master from Doctor Who and Revbe,” is just one of many words of erend Roger in Mount Pleasant), who has wisdom from Inspector Raymond Fowler, very little idea of what being a police officer the lead character in The Thin Blue Line, actually entails, and signed up because he one of the best police comedy shows till date. thought he looked good in a uniform. Before there was Brooklyn Nine Nine His gormless, witless, horribly naïve and Castle, there was The Thin Blue Line, actions “Do you think they know they’re Britain’s version of the police sitcom, and supposed to get the round leather thing into like every other show produced on the little the big square net-y thing?” is one of his island just off the coast of Europe, it stands particularly inane comments, in this case, out by being unmistakably British, in that, it delivered at a football game he’s policing). is intelligent, well-thought out and witty. Goody has a crush on Habib, whom he is The Thin Blue Line was produced by the always trying to impress, and she rejects his BBC, and the police comedy sitcom is avail- advances by threatening to call his mum, able to watch and download for viewers who will come down to the station “and do across the globe. her raving na-na”. Set in the fictional English While Goody may have no town of Gasforth, which – idea of what it’s like to be a based on the uniforms and THE SHORT AND SKINNY copper, Constable Gladstone insignia – is located in Yorkdoes. The Trinidadian-born shire, the sitcom deals with Name: The Thin Blue Line officer is a veteran of the Genre: Comedy the everyday nuances of force, and is enjoying a quiet Produced by: Tiger Aspect Films policing, and doesn’t avoid beat in Gasforth as he moves Produced for: BBC speaking about social atcloser to retirement. Number of episodes: 14 (across titudes in the mid-90s, when That experience doesn’t two seasons) the show first aired. stop his inane prattle, though, What’s it about: Rowan Atkinson Rowan Atkinson, the having claimed to have once is Inspector Raymond Fowler in The comedic genius behind Mr been a boy soprano for Radio Thin Blue Line, Britain’s hilarious Bean, Johnny English and Trinidad, in addition to many take on procedural cop shows that is Blackadder, plays Inspector other irrelevant stories. simply a must-watch Raymond Fowler, an oldThese are not the only Starring: Rowan Atkinson, Serena fashioned policeman, who things Fowler has to put up Evans, Mark Addy, Lucy Robinson, according to his long-term with: Sgt Patricia Dawkins Joy Brook, Kevin Allen, Rudolph girlfriend, Patricia Dawkins, (Serena Evans) does love him Walker, Mina Anwar, James Dreyfus, was “born middle-aged”. dearly, but is so inept a cook Alexander Armstrong, Archie Panjabi, Some may consider him to that she once made instant Ben Elton be boring – his idea of an gravy instead of instant coffee, Where to watch: Amazon, various exciting night is a chapter of as well as Detective Inspector streaming sites. King Solomon’s Mines and a Derek Grim (David Haig), the IMDB Rating: 7.5/10 chocolate hobnob, his most buffoonish, rather daft head of stirring song is Ging Gang Gasforth Police Station’s CID. Goolie, and he can’t underDesperate for a promotion, stand why almond Mars bars came in when and displaying an inability to grasp English the original was nice enough – but Fowler phrases (local delinquents nick the cars is an honourable man who would rather and flog them on to Mr Big. He’s out there, uphold the spirit of the law than the letter. somewhere. A fat cat, spinning his web with Much of the comedy stems from his his tentacles in every pie). inability to understand modern trends, Grim’s idiotic antics have often gotten leading to much sniggering from the sharp the police into trouble, only for Fowler to and smart Maggie Habib, played by Mina pull him out of the fire. Anwar (Dr Sandra Malik in The Bill and Gita A show that showcases the best of British Chandra from The Sarah Jane Adventures), comedy, The Thin Blue Line is a show that who is easily the sharpest tool in Fowler’s warms the heart, tickles the ribs, and lets policing toolbox. the laughs out time and time again. – The bluntest among them would have to – gautam@timesofoman.com

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ROHMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Opera Galleria is providing a platform for budding talents to showcase their musical potential by allowing them to perform at its main atrium.

With the aim of reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases in the country, a senior cardiologist has established International Specialized Center for Heart and Vascular Diseases to deal with heart and vascular diseases in Oman.

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The highly-anticipated W Muscat hotel hosted a unique recruitment drive with a casting day that attracted over 200 Omani talents.

Indian School Wadi Kabir held its Annual Sports Meet at the ISWK Primary School grounds.

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GIVE YOUR TASTEBUDS A SPICY TREAT WITH A’SAFFA ZINGLE CHICKEN RANGE THIS WINTER

ive your tastebuds a spicy treat with A’Saffa Foods’, Oman’s largest fully integrated poultry, snacks and allied foods producer’s tasty and versatile range of chicken products from the Zingle chicken range this winter. Known for providing the sultanate with fresh, tasty, healthy and pure food products since inception A’Saffa’s Zingle chicken range comprise ﬁllets, drumettes, lollipops, popcorn and strips, that are available at leading supermarkets across the country. Marinated for optimal tenderness the A’Saffa Zingle Chicken Fillet is specially formulated to cook evenly and is a family favourite. Made from the middle and sometimes inner segments of chicken wings, the Zingle Chicken Lollipops, serve as an appetising and tasty starter at meal times. Part of a chicken wing that looks like a mini-drumstick the savoury Zingle Chicken Drumettes on the other hand is a perfect main-course accompaniment. A’Saffa’s Zingle Chicken Popcorn is a bite-sized snack that is made with marinated chicken, covered in an extra crispy coating and tossed with savoury ﬂavours

that deliver on taste in every bite. With the A’Saffa Zingle Chicken Strips customers can expect succulent strips of chicken, rolled into a crispy and delectable batter that can be fried to golden perfection, and

eaten together with a sauce of choice. “The Zingle range has been produced to provide a crispy and spicy dish for families, whilst keeping in mind our brand’s tasty, healthy, natural and pure stance. A

favourite with families that enjoy crispy and spicy chicken — the A’Saffa’s Zingle chicken range is quick and convenient to cook, and is hygienically processed from the purest, premium natural ingredients and aromatic spices”, mentioned Hamdoon Al Suqri, Head of Marketing and Sales, A’Saffa Foods. A’Saffa Foods has a strong market share in the poultry and snack food category in Oman and in the GCC due to the taste and quality of the company’s chicken products. Customers can buy any A’Saffa Foods product with peace of mind, as the company is an acknowledged market leader and pioneer in the production of quality poultry and snack-food products, that is rapidly growing its international presence in the GCC and beyond. It is worth mentioning that A’Saffa Foods’ Board of Directors have approved an expansion plan to raise chicken meat production capacity by 100 per cent and continue in their endeavour to foster and support food security, self-sufficiency and increased employment opportunities in the Sultanate. The total capital expenditure outlay of the expansion is OMR45 million.

MOTORSPORTS ENTHUSIASTS EXPERIENCE THE THRILLS OF PARTICIPATING IN GEELY RACING EVENTS IN CHINA

t is a dream for most motorsports enthusiasts to drive a racing car. Geely makes the dream come true by offering a rare opportunity to participate in motorsports in China. Drivers can now be a part of the Geely Speed Challenge Race, part of the Geely Emgrand GL Super Cup, and experience the thrills of the racing track. “Most motorsports fans don’t have an opportunity, since it is very expensive just to do one lap of the Shanghai Circuit. All that is changing now, thanks to the Geely initiative,” explained Jiang Shan, one of the lucky drivers to be in a real race, for the first time. Prior to the race, Geely holds two-day experience camps in various cities around China, providing motorsports and Geely fans a chance to try a Geely GL race car, along with other vehicles from the Geely range. Free to register and join, participants get basic race training along with driving experience. This year saw the introduction of the Emgrand GL Race Car. Based on the standard car which entered production in 2016, it is the first time a Geely 3.0 era vehicle has been used in Geely motorsports. With a drag coefficient of just 0.29 and class leading dynamics along with a 1.4 turbo engine that won a ‘China Heart’ 2017 award as one of China’s top ten engines, the standard GL is an ideal starting base. Race modifications include

a body kit to increase aerodynamics and down force along with improved cooling for the engines. To comply with FIA rules, the interior is stripped out and ﬁtted with a roll cage and racing seat with four-point harness. Another racing enthusiast, Zhao Bing, who often watches the Shanghai Circuit

from the stands, was excited with an opportunity of a lifetime to be selected for the Geely Speed Experience Camp. “My friend did it in Chengdu and suggested I try,” says Zhao, his ﬁrst step towards preparation for the race. Many of those attending the experience camps are Geely fans and owners.

Each experience camp attracts hundreds of participants and the best drivers get invited to Geely Speed Challenge Race events held in Zhuhai, Chongqing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Changsha, Shanghai and Ningbo in China. Geely Speed Challenge Race participants get a four-day experience. The ﬁrst two days involve training to handle the car and no-cost practice on the circuit. Track time on an F1 circuit like Shanghai doesn’t come cheap and yet thanks to Geely, motorsports fans get an opportunity to drive a total of well over twenty laps in a race car for free. Top drivers from the Speed Challenge Races get an invite for the ﬁnal Geely Super Cup Race held at Ningbo, later in the season. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group organises events such as the China Formula 4 Championship, China Formula Grand Prix Championship (CFGP), along with building the Ningbo International Speedpark. Now that’s truly Exploring a New World with Geely. In Oman, Geely is represented by Towell Auto Centre (TAC) and customers can explore the exciting Geely range at their 10 showrooms across the nation. They can expect the same high levels of performance and safety, as on the racing track.

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NEW PHASE OF MEETHAQ ‘LITTLE INVESTOR’ PROGRAMME BEGINS IN DHOFAR

ollowing on the success of ‘Little Investor’ financial literacy programme for school students, Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, in step with the vision ‘To serve you better, everyday’ and commitment to promoting sustainable development, has started the new phase of the programme in Dhofar governorate as part of its objective to reach 10,000 more school students across the Sultanate in 2019. The bank organised a workshop for teachers involved in extending financial literacy training to students. Launched in association with the Ministry of Education and Injaz Oman, the ‘Little Investor’ programme, aimed at developing a healthy savings habit as well as entrepreneurial skills from an early age, trained over 10,500 students across the Sultanate in the first year in 2018. The programme organised 370 sessions covering 130 schools with the involvement of 170 teachers and participation of 140 volunteers. At a time when Islamic finance is consolidating its role in supporting economic and social development, Meethaq reckons sustainable social development as a great opportunity to complement the country’s progress and development. The ‘Little Investor’ programme demonstrates the importance of building a strong financial

culture among Oman’s younger generation responsible for the country’s future development. The ‘Little Investor’ programme is a core component of the Imprints CSR initiative launched by the bank. The four pillars of the Imprints initiative include programmes to promote financial literacy, sustainable tourism, green environment and enriched lifestyle. The Ministry of Education is represented in the ‘Little Investor’ programme by the National Centre for Vocational Guidance. Injaz Oman is a not-for-profit organisation focused on enhancing skills of youth for participation in the economy by bridging the gap between knowledge acquired through education and skills required for the job market. Injaz supports students to develop leadership, entrepreneurial skills, problem-solving, communication and soft skills through a series of workshops conducted by volunteers. Meethaq is well positioned to provide Islamic financial expertise to diverse segments and thereby promote the good of society as a whole. Meethaq has adopted the best practices in Islamic banking and finance worldwide to combine a robust model which protects customers and complements the Islamic banking industry.

AL HASHAR AND PEUGEOT ANNOUNCE A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

l Hashar Group, launched the Peugeot brand with a glittering ceremony held at its head office in Azaiba. A leading name in the automotive industry of Oman, Al Hashar is now the exclusive distributor of Peugeot; the French car manufacturer. The launch event held under the patronage of Sheikh Sa’ad bin Mohammed Al Mardhouf Al Sa’adi attracted high-proﬁle dignitaries from the industry and media, and featured a state-of-the-art “French Car Catwalk” showcasing the latest Peugeot models. The partnership comes in line with Peugeot’s strategy to enhance its Gulf operations. It also consolidates Al Hashar Group’s vision to provide its customers with excellent customer service and world-class products tested as per Gulf speciﬁcations. Samir Cherfan, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing at PSA Group had

earlier highlighted the importance of the partnership and said: “Oman is amongst the most important markets for PSA Group and Peugeot, and with this partnership, we’re aiming to achieve tangible growth in Oman. We continue to adapt our Push to Pass strategy to the region with the latest innovative products including the SUV and LCV ranges. Al Hashar Group is not only well-known for its automotive legacy, but also for its commitment to providing highly-skilled team and exceptional customer service. Partnering with such a renowned group contributes to enhancing Peugeot’s presence locally and regionally.” Commenting on the partnership, Sultan Al Kharusi; Managing Director at Al Hashar Group, said: “With over fourdecades experience in the automotive industry in Oman, we are ready to take on another venture. Partnering with Peugeot is yet another milestone in the Group’s

success story. Through this partnership, we aim to bring the latest models of the French car brand to our customers and support them with consistent and competent after-sales back- up.” Peugeot’s SUV range, comprising 3 models – the all-new 2008, 3008 and 5008, will cater to different customers’ needs; suitable for urban landscapes and more than prepared for tougher terrains, Peugeot’s SUV range has been crafted with the road user at the heart of its design. Customers in Oman can also opt for Peugeot’s latest Passenger cars that are stylish in appearance and efficient in

performance. Peugeot 208 and 308 strike the perfect balance between design and ﬂexibility meeting the demands of everyday life. In addition to Peugeot’s SUV and Passenger ranges, Al Hashar brings the Peugeot commercial van range to the Omani market. With an extensive van range built for professionals, the new-generation Expert van, and the load-lugging Boxer and luxurious Traveller VIP. All Peugeot ranges have undergone hotweather testing with GCC spec to ensure durability and reliability in the environmental conditions of GCC countries.