T Weekly for Nov. 15

VOL 11 ISSUE 47 / NOVEMBER 15, 2018

CELEBRATIN

8TH N 4 S ’ N A G OM

ATIONAL DAY

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Celebrating Oman’s 48th National Day with pride and local delicacies “OMAN DEFIES EXPECTATIONS. It shouldn’t, according to the cruel logic of the world, exist, but it does, and it’s incredible.” These words from the late worldrenowned chef, Anthony Bourdain, sum up the love for this beautiful country.

Bourdain had travelled extensively and had savoured the unique hospitality of Oman. As we get ready to celebrate Oman’s 48th National Day, we realise Oman has indeed come a long way and found a significant place in the world map. Having received accolades from various parts of the world for its noteworthy achievements in maintaining political stability, steadiness in economic and financial growth, infrastructure expansion, advancement in healthcare services, modernisation in education and technology, there’s a plethora of reasons for us to swell with pride.

Oman was recently declared the safest tourist destination in the world for women and second internationally, according to a survey conducted by the German International network. In keeping with the spirit, we ask the expatriates who have grown up in Oman and have chosen to come back to work and live here, what makes their love grow so strong. From good infrastructural development, breath-taking locales and cleanliness to peaceful life and religious tolerance, everything here touches their hearts. Read our Cover Story where they share their love for Oman, a place they now call home.

Talking about the natural beauty of Oman, how can one not wax eloquent about the place, which has a surfeit of natural wonders. Get completely bowled over as you see Oman once again through the lens. And this weekend, as you go into festive mode, cook some delectable Omani dishes to commemorate the special day. If you are not sure of the recipes, take a cue from our columnist’s recommendations.

Happy Oman’s 48th National Day! — 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

Muscat Media Group AN ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED COMPANY Post Box: 770, Postal Code: 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman EDITORIAL 24726600/24726666 Ext 214 swati@timesofoman.com ADVERTISEMENT 24726600/24726666

CIRCULATION 24726600/24726666 Ext 135/136 circulation@timesofoman.com

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15 WHAT’S ON

THIS WEEK 16

FRIDAY Explore Qantab-Yiti Road Plan a combination of tarmac and 4x4 off-road adventure with a daytrip to Wadi Mayh. From the Qantab-Yiti road, exit onto the Al Amerat-Quriyat road. Enter the wadi and exit on Quriyat road. Be sure to make short stops in-between to explore the wonderful topography.

THURSDAY Beautiful Streets of Oman Watch the colourful lights from Muscat to Grand Mosque and the flags to celebrate the 48th National Day.

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SATURDAY The Best of Classical Arab Songs Mayada Al Henawi, the Syrian ‘Singer of a Generation’, is renowned throughout the Arab World. Acclaimed for her authentic performance of the songs of Umm Kulthum, Egyptian artist Reham Abdel Hakim has a beautiful voice and charismatic presence.

Show starts at 7pm. For further details contact Boxoffice@ Rohmuscat.Org.Om

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Watch the Fireworks There will be a 30 minutes fireworks in Amerat and Al Khoudh to commemorate Nationel Day. Find a good vantage point to watch the show.

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MONDAY Try Quad Biking If you want to get the ultimate adrenaline rush, there is nothing more exciting than Quad Biking on sand. Bump and bounce over the rugged sand dunes and make it a truly exhilarating experience.

Try at Bausher Dunes.

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TUESDAY Take a Stroll in Seeb Corniche Seeb Corniche is a beautifully developed 8-kilometre corniche located between Mabela and the Seeb fish market. It’s been renovated and adorned with trees and flowers along the interlocked walkway which also features a kids’ playground.

This quiet place is a must-visit in the cool evenings.

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WEDNESDAY Play Lazer Tag Play a competitive game of lazer tag, a gentler version of paintball that uses lazers and sensors in place of paint pellets at one of the play zones in town.

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Loving Pablo (Film) Genre: Action, Biography, Crime Cast: Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard A journalist strikes up a romantic relationship with notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.

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The Last Sharknado: It’s About Time (TV) Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy Cast: Ian Ziering, Tara Reid, Cassandra Scerbo Fin has to go back in time to rejoin his shark-battling friends to stop the first Sharknado and save humanity.

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Succession (TV Series) Genre: Drama Cast: Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox Succession follows a dysfunctional American global-media family.

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Oman is home to a significant expatriate population — those who have been here for years, have built their lives and have actively contributed to Oman’s development. As we gear up to celebrate Oman’s 48th National Day, we speak to the long-term expat residents of this country to know why their love for Oman is so strong.

“Where are you from?” For most of us, that is an easy enough question to answer. You’re from the country of origin. Be it Denmark or Dominica, Spain or Switzerland, Monaco or Morocco, that’s where you’re from.

But what if you’ve spent more time outside your homeland than within it? Does that then cease to be your homeland? Not quite, but then you have the privilege of calling one country your home, and the other your homeland. Oman is home to many expatriates and the country gives them a feeling of warmth and welcome that simply cannot be matched anywhere else.

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OMAN IS THE ONLY COUNTRY I CAN RELATE TO Mukund Manohar State General Reserve Fund

LIFE IN OMAN CAN ONLY BE EXPERIENCED, NOT EXPLAINED Syed Saadat Shakil Oman Airports Management Company

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first came to Oman back in 1997 during my summer holidays for about three months — I was around nine years old. We had to go back so I could finish my school year. I did my schooling in Pakistan School Muscat and later enrolled at the Modern College of Business & Science in Muscat.

Oman has been my permanent home since 1998 and I have not spent more than three to four weeks away from home. I feel at home — that sums up my feelings about this place. It’s something that cannot be expressed I have experienced the country from the eyes of a child, teenager and an adult it puts a smile on my face.

My two consistent passions have been gaming and driving, so my weekends and days off are spent either gaming or driving out. These are easily two of the best things to do in Oman. We have an endless list of amazing roads to go drive on and I have been out and about exploring those since I got my driver’s licence.

I am a fan of whatever the country has to offer except the hot summer days which I’m sure a lot of others relate to, but those represent the uniqueness of the place. Life in Oman can only be experienced, not explained.

Sometimes people say it is difficult to go to other cities in Oman because people are not welcoming and hospitable there. But on the contrary there has never been a time when I have not been offered assistance — be it the police or the local people.

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am an investment auditor, originally from India, but have spent the greater part of my life in Oman, and moved here along with my family in 1995. My parents have resided in Oman since 1995 and although I spent 12 years in the US for higher education and work, Oman has always been my home where I used to spend all my vacations. I returned back to Oman in 2016 after getting an amazing opportunity in Muscat. I got a chance to bring back my professional experience as well that I gained in the US. Whenever people ask me where I am from, I make it a point to let them know that Oman is my home because Oman is the only country I can truly relate to.

The culture here is very warm, and people are hospitable and respectful. Omanis always have a smile on their faces. Expatriates like me who have lived in Oman for the majority of our lives, often melt in this harmonious society and emulate some of the best qualities displayed by them.

The warm and the forthcoming nature of the Omanis get inculcated in our behaviour. Oman is indeed a unique country with a rich history and it creates a genuine eagerness amongst the expat community to be part of this wonderful nation.

Though I have lived in the US for 12 years, I never felt like home there, the way I do in Oman.

Oman is not just a place for me, it’s a feeling.

Living in this wonderful nation is a luxury and I am truly appreciative of making it even more luxurious than travelling the world.

THE CLEANLINESS HERE SPOILS US Tanu Bheda Armour Insurance Services

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um and Dad were true lovers of Oman, and thus my mum rushed me back here as soon as I hit two months after being born in Mumbai. I have been here for about three decades now and I did my schooling from Indian School Muscat.

I went to university back in Mumbai, since my mother wanted me to see the real world and burst the safety bubble that I had gotten used to while living here. Although I spent three years in Mumbai, I kept flying in and out of the country for several months. What brought me back every time had to be my parents and their warmth, the comfort here and most importantly, the cleanliness with which Oman spoils us.

I grew up with some very close Omani friends, and despite having differences in religion and food habits , we still stand connected as a family. I think being brought up here you hardly feel the different of being an expat. This place is home, a feeling that has nothing to do with being an expat.

So my simplest explanation to describe Oman to people abroad has always been, ‘Have you been to Dubai or heard of it? Well then we are just a tad simpler than them, and we love our natural mountains and beautiful beach sunsets a lot more than any other countries.’

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BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN WITH YOUR FAMILY Ashish Kumar Mallick Ericsson Oman

THEY HELPED US WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THEIR SAFETY

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Pooja Shah VFS Global Services

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was raised here and I work here now. Having lived here for more than 27 years, it has been a great experience. I did my schooling here and although I left Oman to do my graduation in Mumbai, where I spent three years, Oman felt more like home. It’s hard to explain, but I just had a feeling of wanting to be back.

If I try to put it in words, I can say that Oman is such a peaceful place, and honestly, you don’t really find this anywhere else. Everyone here are so helpful. I remember when I was about eight years old and my family and I had gone with a group of friends to Sur, it was raining really heavily at night.

The roads are now excellent, but we didn’t have this sort of facility back then, and all the roads had been blocked due to the rain.

Many of us were stuck in our cars through the night, but the Omanis were so helpful. They gave us food and water, and what really surprised me was that they physically pushed our cars through the mud and stones without thinking about their own safety.

THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF OMAN IS UNIQUE Ahmed Behlim Design Unit Engineering

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am a businessman and an engineer by profession. I was born in Oman, and I have lived here all my life. I completed my high school here and then went on to do my bachelors and masters in engineering from Cardiff University in the UK. I spent four years there before coming back. I received the Omani citizenship in 2009.

Oman will always be home to me, and the feeling I get here, no place can match it. I have travelled all around the world, but this place has a very different vibe. If you have a good job or a business, a group of friends to spend time with, the comfort level this place offers is difficult to match.

When I tell people whom I meet abroad about Oman, first I have to explain the location. Not many people have heard of this place . But the ones who have, they have a stereotypical way of thinking about an Arab land, where there are deserts, women and men conservatively dressed, and strict rules and regulations to follow. I always end up pulling my phone out to shown them Oman, and they get awestruck. I tell them about how the Omanis are very hospitable. The natural beauty of Oman is very unique. I find the Omanis to be the friendliest people in this region, and they never allow you to feel like an outsider.

hail from Chittagong in Bangladesh and came to Oman when I was four years old in 1993.

My dad has been working here since 1983 and have his own business. I have been here for more than 25 years now.

Initially we used to stay in Ibra but later I came to Muscat to complete my schooling. I have never felt like an outsider here because the locals are always welcoming and helpful.

Whenever we meet they are always happy to guide us. They are extremely tolerant towards our cultures and have a lot of respect for us.

When I finished school, I had many options, but then I found a good engineering college here and I decided to stay back in Oman. I would never want to leave this country, because Oman is very peaceful to live in. There is an utmost sense of peace here. Living here for so many years has shown me how safe and secure life is.

Also you get everything you want here, and get a lot of respect at work and treated equally. You can showcase your talent and your abilities. Your family also gets a peaceful environment to live in.

Oman is not just about the deserts. There are so many beautiful locations to explore across Oman.

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FEELS SPECIAL TO GIVE BACK IN A UNIQUE WAY Arvind Venkataraman Waterfarmers Aquaponics

I PROUD TO BE PART OF OMAN’S HEALTHCARE Dr Mathew Varghese Ministry of Health

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have been in Oman since 1978. My parents came here then, and I have done my schooling here. I left my school in 1991 to go back to India for medical education and for my post-graduate studies, and I came back to work in Oman in 2002. I have been here with the Ministry of Health in Oman since May 2002.

I have spent most of my life here. This place is extremely clean, the people are so friendly, respectful and peace-loving, and everyone here are law-abiding, so my family and I feel very safe here. There are really good facilities for education as well. Medical facilities are at par with the rest of the world. In the recent ranking of the World Health Organisation, Oman’s healthcare facilities were ranked eighth in the world, so I am very proud to be a part of this healthcare system. I have seen a lot of warmth and hospitality here. I am invited to a lot of people’s houses, because I am friends with many Omanis. I am invited to their houses, where we spend time with them for Eid, for their weddings, and for so many other functions. I go and join Iftar parties at their homes.

was born in Oman in April 1985. My parents were in Oman at that time and have been here for almost 35 years. I did my schooling, from kindergarten to my final grade, in Muscat before pursuing my higher studies in the US, and it took me about 10 years to come back when I was given an interesting opportunity to develop aquaponic farming in Oman.

Having spent a great deal of my childhood here it does feel extremely special to be able to give back in a unique way. We had offers to develop this technology in any of the GCC countries and I am glad we decided to choose Oman, as it had the personal connect. Today when we see that Oman has the most aquaponic development in technology in the Middle East, it makes me feel very proud.

I am usually in Oman for about three to four months every year, and I believe Oman has enjoyed the reputation of consistency both on the global front and in the Middle East. So we must give credit to the social and political evolution the country has seen over the past four decades.

The growth that Oman has made from the 80s till now is incredible.

OMAN HAS SOMETHING THAT GROWS ON YOU Tanvi Mohindra IEON IT Consultants

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y dad got a job opportunity in Oman and the family moved within a few months.

It was difficult initially coming to a country where we had no family but eventually it got better with time. I did my schooling here from 2004 onwards, and then went for my MBA in Pune, where I spent about three years.

I was looking for a job after my post graduation and my dad met someone who shared about an opportunity with a startup in Muscat. That’s how I settled back in this beautiful country.

Oman is a peaceful, laid back, no hurry kind of a place. No one is in a rush to do anything.

The people of this country are extremely hospitable, kind and helpful. Since it has a good number of expats you don’t feel like a complete stranger lost in a foreign land. This place has something that grows on you.

I am a crazy dog lover and initially I had heard that the Omanis don’t like dogs but surprisingly I came across many locals who are crazy dog lovers themselves.

—gautam@timesofoman.com

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NATURE’S GREATEST SPECTACLES PHOTOS GERIL VENTURA

From the majestic mountains, to the breathtaking oases, plains, wadis and beaches, Oman is blessed with a wealth of spectacular natural wonders, and man-made wonders as well. Here are some stunning pictures of Oman.

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STORY ANTARA BOSE

Sneakers are more often than not associated with only gym wear or maybe for a jog in the park. But these versatile little shoes can be styled in many other ways. And what’s more comfortable than a pair of trainers to carry you through the day?

Here are five outfit ideas that you can try.

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The right length pants : Jeans and sneakers are probably the go-to comfort wear for most of us. But making a little modification to the pants can make the duo a great fashionable combination. Simply make sure that your jeans, pants or leggings don’t go all the way to cover or even graze your snickers; cuff them at a length which leaves your ankle bone visible. Of course, needless to say, you’ll need to wear your invisible socks too. You’ll see the difference this small change can make.

A flirty summer dress: Who said summer dresses can’t be worn with anything else other than sandals? Long or short, you can always pair a pair of printed sneakers with your dress. After all, summer dresses are meant to have that breezy feel to them.

They are meant to be graceful too, and we can assure you that a pair of pretty, floral, low-top sneakers is perfectly graceful.

Don’t opt for sneakers that are bulky in this case; that would just ruin the attire.

An evergreen denim skirt: This is timeless, no debates there. A denim skirt, whether short or mid-length, can be comfortably paired with a pair of converse. A bright, bold and fun T-shirt is all you need to

complete this look. It’s a casual daywear that not only scores high on the comfort quotient but looks pretty stylish too. You can also throw on a denim jacket if the wind picks up or sling one across your shoulders to match another element with your skirt. If you want to take it up a notch, bring your love for synchronising colours to the table and match your sneakers to your top.

A smart pair of shorts: Whether you’re going picnicking amidst nature or just shopping with the girls, a pair of pretty sneakers with shorts is an effortless style to flaunt. If you’re bored of the regular denim shorts, try linen or khaki and opt for a pair of sneakers that is not too-over-thetop to complete the look.

A snug T-shirt dress: T-shirt dresses, especially in a single colour, go so well with sneakers. Throw on a cozy shrug or shawl for the winter months or tie your jacket around your waist – it’s all about looking chic yet comfortable. To attract more attention to your legs, slip on a pair of sneakers that is bright, bold and even patterned. It works great with pastel-coloured T-shirt dresses.

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.

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SAMBUSA A deep fried snack with a savoury stuffing of potatoes or meat has a strong presence in the Middle East. In this recipe, the humble sambusa has a Yemeni twist.

Ingredients • 1/2 large onion, finely chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 tablespoons oil • 1 tomato, chopped • 500g chicken mince • 3 green chillies, finely chopped • 1 teaspoon hawaij (Yemeni spice; mix of cumin, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom) • Finely chopped fresh coriander • Salt to taste • Sambusa wrappers (25) • 1 tablespoon water • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour Preparation • Sauté onion and garlic in oil over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes and add tomatoes. Cook till the tomatoes have softened.

• Add chicken mince along with the chillies, spices, chopped fresh coriander and salt. Cook till the chicken mince is cooked through and there is hardly any moisture. This would take around 15 minutes. Keep aside to cool.

• Begin to spoon a bit of filling onto the end of each sambusa wrapper. Then gently fold the sambusa over, keeping the filling tightly wrapped inside.

Continue until you reach the end of the wrapper.

• Seal the wrapper with the paste of water and all purpose flour to secure stuffing.

• Deep fry the sambusas in oil over medium heat until golden brown and serve hot.

FLAVOURS OF O RECIPES ONEZA TABISH

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We are all set to celebrate the most significant day of Oman and we take our happiness a notch up by offering a taste of patriotism. Let’s celebrate Oman’s 48th National Day with some mouthwatering Omani dishes.

OMAN MAN

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BAPALO (OMANI FISH SOUP) A comforting bowl of fish soup that’s easy to make and delicious to the core.

Ingredients • 1 tablespoon oil • 1 onion, diced • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 3 tomatoes, diced • 5 cups water • 3 green chillies, slit • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder • Salt to taste • 500g kingfish pieces • 2 tablespoons lemon juice Preparation • Sauté onions till light pink in oil in a large skillet. Add garlic, tomatoes and 1/2 cup water; and bring to a boil.

• Add chillies, remaining water, turmeric, salt and fish pieces. Simmer for about 20 minutes till fish is cooked.

Remove skillet from heat; stir in lemon juice.

• Serve hot.

CHAKLAMA Omani coconut macaroons that are quick to make and quick to polish off.

Ingredients • 1 cup desiccated coconut • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder • 1 teaspoon butter Preparation • Combine all ingredients in a large bowl to form a soft dough.

• Roll the coconut dough into small balls, place them in a greased baking dish.

• Bake in a 180°C preheated oven for 15 minutes until light brown. Allow to cool and enjoy.

MADROUBA Omani rice porridge fragrant with spices along with the goodness of chicken is a must try.

Ingredients • 750 g skinless and boneless chicken cut in cubes • 4 cups water • 2 bay leaves • 1 teaspoon Arabic mixed spices • 2 tablespoons oil • 1 medium onion, finely chopped • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped • 1/2 cup, garlic cloves, crushed • 1/2 cup fresh ginger, crushed • 2 tablespoons tomato paste • Salt and pepper to taste • 2 cups of rice- soaked for half hour and drained • 2 tablespoons dried lime powder • 2 tablespoons green chilli, thinly sliced • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • Coriander leaves for garnish Preparation • In a large saucepan, place chicken with water and add bay leaves, Arabic mixed spices and bring to a boil. Simmer for almost 40 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Strain the stock through a sieve and discard bay leaves. Keep the chicken aside.

• Heat oil in a separate saucepan and sauté onions until they are golden. Add tomatoes, garlic, ginger and tomato paste and cook to combine well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

• To this add the cooked chicken, stock, rice, green chilies, cinnamon and lime powder. Stir and simmer until rice is fully cooked and mushy, for about half an hour.

• Gently mash the mixture by using a potato masher, until chicken pieces are turned into shreds and rice is completely mashed.

• When Mardrouba is fully cooked, garnish it with fresh coriander leaves.

• Serve hot.

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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GALVESTON Cast: Beau Bridges, Elle Fanning, Ben Foster, Adepero Oduye, Lili Reinhart, MarĂ­a Valverde A crime thriller, Galveston centres on New Orleans hitman Roy Cady, diagnosed with lung cancer at 40. Before the cancer can do him in, however, he has more pressing concerns in the form of his mobster boss, who has decided to remove him from the business - and the world - via a set-up.

THIMIRU PUDICHAVAN TAMIL Cast: Vijay Antony, Nivetha Pethuraj Thimiru Pudichavan is the story of Murugav Murugavel, a sincere constable in Thirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. The movie portrays the life of an honest, hardworking police officer. Murugavel struggles his way to the top by ďŹ ghting criminals and serving his people.

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MARA Cast: Craig Conway, Javier Botet, Olga Kurylenko Criminal psychologist Kate Fuller is assigned to the murder of a man who has seemingly been strangled in his sleep by his wife and the only witness is their eight-yearold daughter, Sophie. As Kate digs into the mystery of an ancient demon which kills people in their sleep, she experiences the same petrifying symptoms as all previous victims and spirals through a chilling nightmare to save herself.

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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

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TIMES DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

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1 7 5 8 4 6 3 2 9

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.55)

2 9 4 5 1 8 7 3 6

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6 7 8 3 2 4 5 9 1

4 5 2 8 3 1 6 7 9

9 8 6 4 7 5 1 2 3

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THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

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Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.35)

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vil, it is often said, is like a Hydra. Cut of the Ciudad Guadalajara cartel, which off one head, and two others spring rose to power in the 1980s. forth, in an ever-expanding threat Much like Pablo Escobar did in Colomto all that is good and decent in this world. bia, the modus operandi of the GuadalaThe insidious and nefarious crime lords of jara cartel was simple – instead of fighting Narcos certainly seem to fit that picture. amongst each other, would it not be better Let’s pick up where the series has left to form a unified front, and take a share off, shall we? Smash narco-thriller series of the profits? All of those involved in the Narcos focused initially on the illegal running of the drug cartel would be socios drug trade in Colombia, where the United – partners – and they could then focus on States’ Drug Enforcement Administrashipping their product to world markets, tion (DEA) were hunting down the South while raking in the millions with little American nation’s crime barons in order bloodshed between them. to stop the smuggling of narcotics into the Kiki Camarena – who is played by MiStates, which brought with it a skyrocket- chael Pena of American Hustle, Ant-Man, ing increase in criminal activity.

The Martian and NYPD Blue among othThe last three seasons of Narcos ers – is tasked with hunting down Felix showed us how DEA agents Steve MurGallardo, the head honcho of the Guadaphy and Javier Pena tracked down Pablo lajara cartel and brains behind the drug Escobar and his infamous Medellin cartel, empire he is about to set up in Mexico. before putting paid to his riPlayed by Mexican actor val Cali operatives. Now back Diego Luna – best known THE SHORT AND SKINNY in the US, Pena is tending to for playing Enrique Cruz the crops on his father’s farm in The Terminal and Name: Narcos: Mexico near the Mexican border, Cassian Andor in Star Genre: Biographical Crime Drama when he is suddenly flashed Wars: Rogue One – GalProduced for: Netflix an evil grin by a smuggler, lardo may be suave and Produced by: Gaumont International who is bringing contraband sassy on the surface, but Television into the US from just south of those qualities only hide What it’s about: Netflix’s smash the border. far more sinister ones – a narco-hit series is back once again.

Sent to Mexico is DEA ruthlessness to win at all Locations may have changed, but agent Kiki Camarena, whose costs and an inability to the DEA’s task never seems to. The task it is to cut off yet another tolerate failure because of latest series of Narcos takes place head of the narco-hydra, the sharp pitfalls it could in Mexico, and follows the origins of setting the scene for Narcos: bring. the first drug war in the country.

Mexico. Originally billed to Kiki moves to Mexico Starring: Diego Luna, Michael Pena, be the fourth series in the with his recently-wedded Alyssa Diaz, Alfonso Dosal, Aaron sensational Netflix original wife and his young son, Staton, Matt Letscher, Lenny Jacobhit, the show will instead be expecting his time down son, Clark Freeman developed as a show that run south to be an easy jaunt Where to watch: Netflix, various parallel to the original. to justice, but as is the streaming sites Narcos: Mexico is out on case with most DEA IMDB Rating: TBA November, 16, 2018, and agents who embark overis available to exclusively seas on assignment, he watch and stream on Netflix, finds himself facing more the home of the hit crime series. than he could ever bargain for.

The ongoing drug war in Mexico is comCaught in an increasingly inextricable mon knowledge to anyone who follows the web of lies and deceit, Kiki finds himself news these days, having left in its wake a sitting on a social powder keg that is just bloody swathe of death and destruction, waiting for the spark to be lit to go off. He the likes of which have to be suffered by does, of course, expect to play a role in this hundreds of thousands of innocent people vast maze of crime, conflict and corrupwho have little or no association to the tion, but little does he know that he is the conflict, apart from living in areas where fire and tinder that will send the drug war the lawful and the lawless clash. This new in Mexico sky-high. An intriguing watch, series explores the origins of Mexico’s if there ever was one. long-running drug war, and plots the rise – gautam@timesofoman.com

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FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD Cast: Carmen Ejogo, Dan Fogler, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Katherine Waterston, Zoë Kravitz, Johnny Depp Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” is the second of five all new adventures in the Wizarding World created by J.K. Rowling. At the end of the first film, the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.

I STILL SEE YOU Cast: Bella Thorne, Dermot Mulroney, Hugh Dillon, Louis Herthum, Richard Harmon Bella Thorne stars in this spellbinding and romantic supernatural thriller. Ten years after an apocalyptic event left the world haunted by ghosts, Roni (Thorne) receives a threatening message from beyond the grave. Joining forces with a mysterious classmate, Kirk, Roni descends into a shadow world that blurs the bounds of the living and the dead-and begins a desperate race against time to stop a cunning killer.

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DOG DAYS Cast: Adam Pally, Finn Wolfhard, Jon Bass, Eva Longoria, Nina Dobrev, Thomas Lennon, Vanessa Hudgens Dog Days is a hilarious and heartfelt ensemble comedy that follows the lives of multiple dog owners and their beloved fluffy pals around sunny Los Angeles.

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COMING SOON

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

WIDOWS Cast: Carrie Coon, Viola Davis, Elizabeth Debicki, Garrett Dillahunt, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, Liam Neeson, Jacki Weaver

MALICIOUS Cast: Melissa Bolona, Jaqueline Fleming, Delroy Lindo, Bojana Novakovic, Josh Stewart, Yvette Yates

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 47 NOVEMBER 15, 2018

Ernst & Young Oman lifts the Auditors Cricket Cup for the fourth time in a row.

Mathlympics 2018 held at Azzan bin Qais International School to help students see Maths in a different light.

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BANK MUSCAT LAUNCHES FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TO SUPPORT LOCAL TEAMS Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in line with its vision ‘To serve you better, everyday’ and commitment to partnership in supporting youth and promoting Oman as a sporting nation, has launched a new sports initiative aimed at supporting local football teams.

The bank hosted a ceremony attended by Management Team members and representatives of local teams to announce the Bank Muscat Football Championship and draw of the teams participating in the championship.

The first edition of Bank Muscat Football Championship kicked off recently at Mina Al Fahal football field with the inaugural match played between Real Madrid and DGSL. Twenty teams are participating in the championship, divided into four groups consisting of five teams.

The bank has announced a total prize money of OMR 8600 to be presented to the top three teams and other special prizes and awards for the Best team in the championship, Best player, Best goalkeeper, Best scorer and Best team manager. The championship will conclude in January 2019.

Ahmed Omar Al Ojaili, Senior AGM – Information Technology, said: “Taking forward our commitment to promote Oman as a sporting nation, Bank Muscat is proud to launch the football championship to support Omani youth achieve higher levels of excellence in the game of football. The bank is a pioneer in supporting Omani youth in various fields. The success achieved by the Green Sports CSR

initiative of the bank through interaction and participation of local teams reiterates the bank’s support to promote the game of football as well as develop modern sports infrastructure across the Sultanate, complementing government efforts in building a sporting nation. We wish all

the participating teams good luck and the football enthusiasts in Oman an exciting championship.”

Bank Muscat is a major supporter of the national game of football. In all major tournaments, including the Gulf Cup, Bank Muscat has led by example, be-

ing the first private sector institution to announce support for the national team.

Bank Muscat aims to strongly convey the message of support to the national teams so as to motivate others to follow suit and provide the required impetus for them to excel in sports and games.

In keeping with the passion for football in Oman, Bank Muscat seizes every opportunity to promote the national game.

Central to the bank’s social responsibility initiatives is the Green Sports initiative to promote Oman as a sporting nation in general and football in particular.

Making significant contributions to sustainable development, the unique Green Sports initiative has benefited a total of 93 sports teams across the country to date in the past seven years. The programme has swept across the nation, reinforcing the bank’s leadership role in social responsibility.

The Green Sports initiative benefiting communities, especially youth, is aimed at contributing to sustainable development in Oman. The scope of Green Sports support for sports teams include greening of football fields with natural or synthetic turf, floodlights or water desalination equipment in areas facing problems of water salinity.

Ensuring wider representation, the Green Sports support is extended to develop sustainable sports infrastructure in all parts of the Sultanate. As the nation’s leading financial institution, Bank Muscat aims to provide the impetus for youth to excel in all arenas and thereby contribute to the development and progress of Oman.

PREMIUM COMFORT MEETS DRIVING PLEASURE: SAY HELLO TO THE BRAND NEW MAZDA 6 Mazda over the years has stayed true to their philosophy of making cars that enable people to celebrate the joy of driving or ‘Hashiru Yorokobi’, as put in Japanese.

Strongly enforcing this school of thought, the Japanese automaker’s flagship sedan, the brand new Mazda 6 is not only a beauty but a beast on the road as well.

More to it than meets the eye, the new Mazda 6, whose predecessor was a head turner too, has now gone further and improved on the overall performance, efficiency, style and has added several premium features to the model giving it a significant facelift.

A car that truly reflects what Mazda stands for, the new Mazda 6 is a humancentric product that is clearly the best of its generation and also serves as a bridge to the next generation of cars that Mazda are currently working on. Ingrained into the fabric of every car Mazda manufac-

tures, the new Mazda 6 is an amazing combination of driving dynamics, amazing technology, stellar design and beautiful craftsmanship.

The Mazda 6 embodies all the elements of Mazda’s DNA which include distinctive design, exceptional functionality, responsive handling and great driving performance. Available in a 2.5 litre engine, the new Mazda 6 luxury model embodies the ‘KODO – Soul of Motion’ design. The Mazda 6 sets a new benchmark in cabin comfort with its boldly sculpted exteriors and its plush interiors. The front seats are

new as they’re now wider with improved padding and the big difference being the all new ventilated seats, a first for Mazda.

As for the exterior, adding to the beauty that the Mazda 6 already is, a new grille with standard LED headlights on each side has been installed, giving the Mazda 6 a robust look. New 17 and 19-inch alloy wheels also roll in with this model.

The Mazda 6 is loaded with exciting features like Blind Spot Monitoring, Static Line Indicators, Adaptive Front Lighting System and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Some of the other parts and features include an eight-inch Mazda Connect infotainment display, stop-and-go capability and a cool head-up display. Another new and significant feature added to the Mazda 6 is the 360 degree view that four separate cameras give the driver.

The result being an accurate picture of the car and its immediate surroundings.

Loaded with other safety features like i-ACTIVSENSE and responsive handling, the Mazda 6 possesses a harmony to it that many vehicles today have dropped in favour of trying to cater to as many needs as possible. Overall, it›s the very essence of power, performance and innovation, all rolled into one.

According to Towell Auto Centre (TAC), the sole distributor of Mazda vehicles in the Sultanate of Oman, “The Mazda 6 is an excellent blend of polished dynamics, with fluent yet engaging steering and agility. It delivers an impressive and natural flowing feel while driving, which is down to its spectacular design, enhancements, elegance and sheer power.

The ride is smooth and at the same time delivers enough control for sharp cornering. On the whole the Mazda 6 features a sleek and clean design combined with the impressive SKYACTIV engine.”