T weekly may 3 2018 by Muscat Media Group

VOL 11 ISSUE 20 / MAY 3, 2018

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Gadgets, tennis, and brisket

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 Associate Editors: Salim Al Afifi, Shruthi Nair Copy Editor: Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan Online Editor: Christopher Isaac Chief Sales Officer: Richard Pakenham Production Manager: Shafi Shaik

WALK INTO A CAFÉ any time of the day and look around. While a handful of people would be sipping their choice of cuppa, others would be either glued to their smartphones, busy texting or tweeting, or tapping away on their laptop keyboards. In a corner, you might ﬁnd a teenager peering at his Ebook reader or a tablet. These gizmos are everywhere and their popularity is ever increasing. This was quite evident at the recently held Comex exhibition. The six-day event showcased some of the latest IT technologies and gadgets in the Sultanate. From the latest in Robotics, Artiﬁcial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality to the latest high-end technology devices, it had everything one could ask for. Our cover story this week focuses on some of the latest, most sought after gadgets that have slowly crept into our lives. Though one might argue that we are becoming a generation truly outsourcing our lives to technology, one cannot deny that our lives become easier with the push of a button. From something as basic as a toothbrush to something as unique as Amazon’s voice service Alexa, welcome to the world of intriguing gadgets. From the world of geeks we head to the tennis court where two sisters are busy making a mark on Oman’s tennis scene. Just like the Williams sisters who dominated women’s tennis and changed the game forever, Sarah and Maryam have made a mark on the game in Oman. Meet the duo off the court and know what makes them so special. And when done with all the meeting and greeting, visit Mr. Dwich and sink your teeth into your favourite beef brisket. — Swati Dasgupta

Graphics Editor: Antonio Farach Design Editor: Sahir K.M. Lead Designer: Gregory Fernandez Designer: Geri B. Sonny 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 Ext 432 ajayraj@timesofoman.com

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

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 14 MARCH 22, 2018

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WHAT’S ON 05 THIS WEEK SATURDAY

07.00am Stretch and Kayak Can you hold a yoga posture on kayaks? Well, you’ll find out at this event that combines yoga and sea kayaking. The event is a fun-packed stretching session that ends with watersports. A must-try. The session costs OMR 40 per individual, breakfast included. PDO Public Beach, Qurum +968 7190 6060 +968 9747 1484

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THURSDAY Party with Thomas Gold Thomas Gold, a name that needs no introduction is performing live in Muscat. The DJ has worked with Afrojack and Avicii, so you know you’re in for an EDM treat. Ladies walk in free, and couples free before 11pm. The event is for 21 and above. On The Rocks, Golden Tulip Seeb Exhibition Street, Muscat +968 9798 3333

05.00pm Pay Tribute to Bob Marley Join the party to honour the late Bob Marley and his unique music, where good music will be played, and trivia sessions will take place. The ticket is priced at OMR 15 for singles, and OMR 20 for couples, including one beverage. Park Inn Roof Top, Al Khuwair, Bousher +968 9779 8111

04.00pm Learn to Salsa Experience the Latin movement of Salsa while warming-up with the basics of salsa dance and turns. No previous dance experience needed.

07.30pm See Peter Pan Live One of the most beloved childhood characters, Peter Pan, is here in town to offer an action-packed and exciting performance at the Royal Opera House. The awardwinning production is for people of all ages.

Vantage Oman Mega Centre, Ruwi +968 9343 5226

Royal Opera House Muscat Qurum, Muscat +968 2440 3300

FRIDAY

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07.00pm d Laugh Out Loud tion’s anniversary Join Humor Infection’s ere your ribs will comedy show where be tickled with funny nny jokes and lots of good times. Thee venue, Rumba Lattina, will offer 15% discount on food and buy one get one free on selected beverages. es.

MONDAY 12.00pm Visit Oman Plast 2018 The 5th edition of Oman Plast has arrived to offer exclusive peek into international plastics, rubber, petrochemicals, printing, and packaging industries. The prestigious exhibition displays and demonstrates the products and services pertaining to the industry. The event starts from May 7 to 9. Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre Madinat Al Irfan, Muscat +968 2423 3800

Rumba Lattina, The Cave +968 9698 1393

S TREA M YO UR FAVO UR IT E S HOW S

Paddington 2 (Film) Genre: Animation, Adventure Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant Synopsis: Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.

Shameless(Season 8) Genre: Comedy, Drama Cast: Emmy Rossum, William H. Macy Synopsis: An alcoholic man lives in a perpetual stupor while his six children cope as best they can.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure (Film) Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Ki Hong Lee Synopsis: Young hero Thomas embarks on a mission to ﬁnd a cure for a deadly disease known as “The Flare”.

Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (Film) Genre: Drama, Romance Cast: Annette Bening, Jamie Bell Synopsis: A romance sparks between a young actor and a Hollywood leading lady.

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099

THE WORLD IS GOING THROUGH A RAPID TECH BOOM, WHERE TOWNS ARE TURNING INTO SMART CITIES, HUMANOIDS ARE BEING CALLED AS GUESTS ON CELEBRITY CHAT SHOWS, AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ISN’T JUST SOMETHING YOU SEE IN SCI-FI MOVIES. THE FUTURE IS NOW, OR SO THEY ALL SAY.

IN THIS ERA OF A WIDESPREAD TECH CIVILISATION TAKING OVER THE WORLD AND MAKING LIVES CONVENIENT AND FASCINATING AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS PARAMOUNT TO “KEEP UP” (AS MOST MILLENNIAL KIDS WOULD TELL THEIR POOR OLD PARENTS).

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here has been active digitisation in almost all spectrums. Starting from home appliances to travel, every sphere of life you can think of can be associated with technological gadgets that can enhance your experience, or simply make it more efficient. Gone are the days when tech was just limited to phones and laptops. Comex this year was clearly an eye-opening example of how much science has evolved, to gift us with some mind-blowing implements. Here are some of the gadgets you can use at home that you need to look out for:

RECHARGEABLE TOOTHBRUSH Arguably, we have all become lazy and spoilt with the advent of technology. So much so, that the simple task of brushing our teeth ﬁrst thing in the morning might seem like a bit of a task. Here’s a toothbrush that can do some of the work for you. The battery-operated rechargeable toothbrush has bristles that vibrate and rotate, and all you have to do is just hold it in place. Many dentists claim that these do a better job at cleaning your teeth, as not a lot of people have really mastered the technique of brushing in the most effective and hygienic way.

ALEXA

APPLE AIRPODS It’s time to dump the circular earphones that won’t ﬁt in your ears and keep falling off. Most people were happy with the Apple earphones made to ﬁt the ear according to its shape, but the latest advancement that is the rage now are the AirPods. Once in the case, they start charging, once out of the box, they automatically connect to the Apple device (iPhone, watch, iPod, etc). Once they’re in your ears, music starts playing and once they’re out, it stops. And the best part is that they are wireless. Smart and hassle-free, they’re a must-have.

FIRE TV STICK For all those who are glued to their televisions and want to take their idiot boxes everywhere they go, there’s an easier solution. The Amazon Fire TV Stick can store all your movies, series, music, and games and be connected to the HDMI port of any television set. It comes with a remote, so don’t stress about changing channels.

It’s time to move on from smartphones to smart homes. And a step towards this would be to own an Echo speaker that will feel like the perfect help you need at home. Apart from acting as a speaker, which by the way, responds to your voice, it can be integrated to your smart home products and controlled, you can make a shopping or to-do list and set other reminders, browse and search the web for those instantaneous doubts and get them cleared, and even get weather updates. Basically, it is going to be like a member of your family, just smarter that most of them.

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HTC VIVE

If you’re looking for the ultimate VR experience, then look for no other than the new HTC Vive. The Vive is one of the most talked about VR headsets at the moment. Why you ask? It sports intuitive controllers, and the resolution is magniﬁcent. The device offers premium virtual reality for those who love a little bit of adventure.

SAMSUNG S9 AND S9+ Is this smartphone worth the hype? You bet. It’s everything a gadget lover could ever dream of. Great low-light camera functions, high-end build, great ﬁlmmaking capabilities, stereo speakers, and dubbed as the fastest android to date, to name a few. It’s sure giving other brands a run for their money.

TRACKING DEVICE If you’re looking for your phone, which is lost somewhere in your bag, all you have to do is call it and find it. What if you lose your keys or wallet? Now, you won’t have to resort to the good old ways of putting everyone around you on a treasure hunt mission to track them down. Instead, you can just use a Bluetooth tracking device such as the TrackR to find the misplaced valuable. Basically, you pair the tracker with your phone and attach it to an item you are most likely to lose. Over time, when it is lost, use an app to find it and it will emit a noise that will help you find it. These aren’t GPS trackers and work solely based on noise signals caused by the Bluetooth connection. Also the range is usually only 200 metres, so don’t expect it to start ringing if your wallet has been stolen and taken to another country.

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“We complement each other in a way that makes us better athletes. During training, we push each other by competing, g, and during games, we support each other from thee stands.” Meet Sarah Al Balushi and Maryam Al Balushi, lushi, Oman’s Williams sisters and learn how competitiveness mpetitiveness has brought them together rather than an driving them apart.

SARAH AND MARYAM, OMAN’S OWN TENNIS SISTERS B

undles of talent nt and energy, Sarah and Maryam ryam started playing tennis as a weekend hobby. They have ave now represented the Sultanate tanate in more than 60 international and nd national tournaments, including the just-concluded Asian Games. “I started playing tennis nis at the age of seven. My sister and I were lured into the sport by our mother. r. We used to play tennis every weekend att Grand Hyatt Hotel just for fun,” reminisced inisced Sarah. Maryam began playingg tennis at the age of four. “I never feltt the pressure to play tennis because my sister was already playing it. I simply ply liked the sport,” she added. Sarah was overweightt as a child and took up the sport to improve prove her fitness and health. Soon, Maryam am also joined

her for the love of it. Off the court, 22-year-old Sarah is studying for a bachelors degree in Accounting and Finance and is in her last year at the College of Banking and Financial Studies. Maryam, who is 18, is studying Business and is in her ﬁrst year at The Modern College of Business and Science. Sarah has won several medals and trophies. At Rabat, Morocco, in 2016 she won Gold in the team’s category and Bronze in the doubles. She won Gold in the doubles, Gold in the team’s category and Bronze in the singles category of the GCC tennis tournament in 2015. “I have participated in around 60 tournaments internationally and nationally. It means a lot to me to be able to represent my country,” said Sarah. The pressure can be overwhelming at times when training for international

PHOTOS SHABIN E.

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to tournaments. ourname “It is hard sometimes b ecause yyou’re under a lot of pressure because b ecause sso many people expect a lot. because Apart from A fro that, there are so many people watching you,” said Sarah. w Maryam said that over the years tennis had been n be great in developing her as aan n individual. individ She stressed that before eentering ntering tthe court, a player should always b prepar physically and mentally. bee prepared Maryam has participated in more national ttournaments than her older n si ister. “It is difficult to put a number on sister. itt because I’ve been playing tennis for nearly 14 years now. Locally, I play more, n b ut she [S but [Sarah] participates in more inte ernation tournaments,” said Maryam. ternational a Maryam have both been Sarah and well accepted w acce by the Omani society aass professional profes female tennis players. “In “I In the beginning, be there were negative ccomments, omment especially about the way we dress, but apart from that everyone have d b een very supportive of my sister and been me. At the m th end of the day, there is always negativity but most of it is a positive n response,” re esponse said Sarah. mea a lot to be able to represent “It means Oman. W O We don’t have a lot of players who gget et the chance ch to represent the country, aand nd so the they depend on us a lot. To be able to o break ssome records would be great,” aadded dded Sar Sarah. Being a part of the national team aand nd findin finding time for academics can be cchallenging. hallengi However, these two have managed their time well. “I am trying to m b alance between b balance my last year at universi ity and ttennis,” said Sarah. “I am looking sity fo orward to t graduating, as I feel I’ll have forward more opportunities m opp to participate in tournaments abroad. Being in university, it is n vvery ery diffi difficult for me to travel and when yyou ou want to improve your level in tennis it t’s all about abo exposure. You have to travel it’s aand nd experience exper to get points. That is how yyou ou get re recognition,” she added. gir train three hours a day to The girls maintain their level of performance and m eendurance. nduranc “I train six days a week, so my day starts m st with college in the mornin ng, then I come home for lunch, then to ing, th he gym for f an hour, then to the stadium the fo or tennis practice. After that I go home, for work on assignments, w a sleep and repeat th he same thing the next day,” said Sarah. the i Al Ghubra means that the Living in ggirls irls are only o 10 minutes from the stadium, which d wh saves them time. Having fa amily around aro family during difficult times can b he bee very helpful in staying positive. Maryam said, “When I am playing a

match, she [Sarah] is by the court with me, so if I am ever down, she is there to motivate me to do better.” She added, “We complement each other, in a way that makes us better athletes. For instance, during training we push each other by competing against each other, and during games, we support each other from the stands.” Sarah has a slightly different view. “I am a good support system for my sister, but not the other way around. It could be because I know how to talk to her when she is down, to make her feel better. It doesn’t work the other way around,” said Sarah. Though she is a serious young athlete, Maryam still enjoys doing the things teenagers do. “Honestly if I am ever free, I really love just sleeping or watching serials.” Although football and not tennis is the most popular sport in the Sultanate, all the athletes in the national team are treated equally, the sisters said. “For the Asian Games, when we travelled with the football team, we were all treated equally,” they said. So how do they stay upbeat and motivated? “My parents are definitely my biggest support. Sometimes when I get bored of doing the same thing daily, they are always there to push me and motivate me and show me how far I’ve come,” said Sarah. Many a time, what makes an athlete great is the ability to learn from mistakes. “Recently we had a tournament in Bahrain, and I had a match point against Iran and I lost that match. It was devastating as it was our only loss in that tournament. So, I learned to push myself during training to make up for the mistakes that I’ve made in the past,” said Sarah. “I always play against an Ecuadorian girl; sometimes I would win and sometimes she would. In a recent match we had, I was close to winning but then she beat me. I learned so much from that match, like how to avoid making silly mistakes, and especially not to freak out when there is a match point,” said Maryam. Sarah hopes to continue to represent Oman globally, in addition to improving as a tennis player. “Playing two to four tournaments a year, it isn’t going to make much of a difference. There are so many people my age who have won grand slams and very big tournaments, so I have kind of lost hope in being a top-level professional tennis player. However, I want to improve my level just to represent my country,” she said.

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We have become a nation full of burger aﬁcionados who celebrate this classic American culture in all its glory. With new joints spotted around every corner of the Sultanate, the culture is undeniably at its highest peak. With that said, these places have become predictable and somewhat uninspiring with their burger joint staples (looking at you, dynamite fries) which are ever so typical. For this week’s dining, we are taking you to Mr. Dwich, where they shake things up and serve meaty sandwiches and dishes topped with perfectly seasoned pulled brisket. STORY AND PHOTOS SALIM AL AFIFI

r. Dwich is mainly a takeaway, This was the pinnacle of all sandwiches. Replacsituated in Souq Al Khoudh in ing the buns with toasted bread gives the burger Seeb, which serves burgers, a different taste. It was meaty, juicy, cheesy, and buttered-toast sandwiches and just perfect. New York-style hot dogs. After savouring the meats, we dived into a What caught my attention French poutine-inspired dish, a basket of thin-cut immediately was the brilliant French fries topped with a creamy, milk-infused black-and-yellow decor of a proper cheddar cheese cream, jalapeños, and a massive burger joint. It has a few seats at portion of pulled brisket, and drizzled with a mildly the counter, where you can watch spicy mayonnaise-based rapture sauce. the chefs work their magic and preI personally have had enough of typical dynapare your sandwich. The place has mite fries, and was dying for a change, so this was a classic, on-the-move atmosphere that makes it a definitely something adventurous that ended up great spot for a quick lunch or dinner with friends. being a highlight. The creamy cheese mingling with And, the trays by the counter are removable and the brisket and the fries offered a taste to rememcan be placed on your car hood. ber. And, it was super filling, too. The menu is short and to-the-point. There As a side dish, we enjoyed burger bombs: Mr. Dwich are burgers, melts (melted cheese served Crispy, deep-fried, miniature balls of meat, Souq Al Khoudh, with toast), hot dogs, and French fries. filled with cheddar cheese and jalapeños. Al Khoudh, Seeb The aroma of grilled burgers is in the These bite-size treats were a great addition Follow them air, and the waiters are helpful. They to the dining session. The moment you bite on Instagram at guided us on what to order. You can into the burger, a cheesy explosion takes @mrdwich customise your burger or sandwich. I got place and entertains your tastebuds. It’s a creative with my order and made the best must-try. sandwich ever. After indulging in all of these treats, my stomThe first main was the grand cheeseburger: A ach was full, but I was eyeing the hot dogs served beef patty grilled with cheddar cheese and topped on soft rolls. One was a hot dog filled with cheddar with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and pickled cheese and wrapped in meat. I will definitely order onions. It’s then adorned with perfectly seasoned it the next time I visit this gem of a place. pulled brisket and drizzled with a special mild, In the drinks department, the place concocts mayonnaise-based Dwich sauce. The burger was fresh flavoured lemonades with season fruits, as fatty and perfectly juicy. And, the brisket added well as popular imported sips like Dr Pepper. I tried a ton of character that elevated the burger to a a cup of strawberry lemonade, and it was to die for. whole new level. It tasted homemade, something At Mr. Dwich, the portions are quite filling and many of us truly enjoyed. the prices start as low as OMR1.6 for sandwiches, The second sandwich was a tower of patty melts: making it one of those rare value-for-money places. Three beef patties grilled with cheddar cheese, Overall, it’s set to become one of the best dining crowned with slightly crispy bacon, caramelised options in town as it’s entered the game with a new onions, and French fries, topped with Dwich sauce, burger concept that will definitely keep the diners and sandwiched between crispy buttered toast. coming back for more. —salim@timesofoman.com

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BEAUTY WITH A DASH OF LEMON STORY ANTARA BOSE

There are so many things you can do with lemons. Yes, juggling them could be one (that’s a skill in itself) but let’s talk more beauty than skill, shall we? The beauty beneﬁts of lemon are innumerable, whether applied topically on its own or mixed with other organic ingredients. This issue we’ll go over some popular skin and hair remedies with lemon.

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SKIN The most popular use of lemon is to lighten the skin as it works as a natural bleach. Whether a scar from a stubborn pimple that you didn’t handle too well or a tan that you didn’t intend, applying lemon juice is an excellent way to counter skin darkening. Here are two homemade remedies you can try. Lemon juice with yoghurt and honey — Take a tablespoon or two of each and mix well to get a liquid-like consistency. Apply all over your face and neck and leave on for 15-20 minutes. The mix ensures your skin retains its moisture while giving it a fresh glow. Though it takes a few applications for the skin to lighten, doing this repeatedly helps clear the skin of blemishes eventually giving it a fairer, more reﬁned, and even tone. Lemon juice with cucumber juice and rose-water — We are prone to tanning every day; but this simple home remedy en-

sures you have a way to counter that which is as easy as applying sunscreen (which we tend to forget more often than not). Mix an equal proportion of each ingredient and apply it all over your tanned areas. After 10 minutes wash it off with cold water. You can do this every day if you spend a lot of time outdoors. A less known use of lemon is for your nails and it can come quite handy (no pun intended) if you want to get rid of the yellowish tinge on your nails. To whiten nails, simply soak your ﬁngers in a bowl of lemon juice for a minute or two. Alternatively, you can dip a cotton ball in lemon juice and apply it from base to tip. Doing this also lightens the area around the nails, making your hands look prettier.

HAIR Rich in vitamins, minerals, and folic acid, lemon is an excellent solution to counter common hair problems like dandruff, hair fall, and dull hair. A simple, inexpensive and quick way to get rid of dandruff is by massaging the scalp with lemon juice and washing it off with an anti-dandruff shampoo after 10 minutes. But if you want to take it a notch higher, add some coconut and camphor oil to the concoction and let your hair soak it in overnight before washing off. Lemon oil with a little olive and castor oil is excellent for hair growth if applied once or twice a week. Massage into the scalp and leave it overnight before washing it off with an organic shampoo. Not only does it help growth, but it also makes hair stronger and more lustrous. The bleaching properties of lemon can even be used on your hair. Wondering

why people scrub lemon on their hair and soak in the sun? Well, the heat opens up hair cuticles letting the lemon juice seep in, lightening each strand as it does. Now you know how it works. For highlights, single out your desired locks and apply the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon. Alternatively, if you are looking for a complete coverage, mix some lemon juice with a small amount of essential oil in a spray bottle and spurt generously all over your hair (don’t forget the roots). Step out in the sun and let the transformation begin! Tip: Even though lemon is a natural way of bleaching hair, our advice is to practice a little caution while doing this as lemon juice and heat can make the hair very dry. Despite the essential oils, make sure you moisturise your hair well with a hair mask, especially if you’ve spent too much time outdoors.

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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OVERBOARD Cast: Eugenio Derbez, Anna Faris, Eva Longoria

I FEEL PRETTY Cast: Emily Ratajkowski, Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams

The story follows Leo, a spoiled playboy from one of Mexico’s wealthiest families who falls overboard off his yacht and develops amnesia. As Leo’s story makes the local news, Kate’s boss Theresa sees a golden opportunity to help her.

A woman struggling with insecurity wakes from a fall believing she is the most beautiful and capable woman on the planet. Her new conﬁdence empowers her to live fearlessly, but what happens when she realises her appearance never changed.

THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF THE GIANT PEAR Voice Overs: Alfred Bjerre, Liva Elvira, Jordan L Life peacefully passes by in Sunnytown until Mitcho and Sebastian ﬁnd a message in a bottle by the harbour. The bottle is from the missing mayor of Sunnytown with a message that he is on The Mysterious Island.

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102 NOT OUT Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor The film’s plot is based on a Gujarati play by the same name. Amitabh Bachchan will play a 102-year-old man and Rishi Kapoor will play his 75-year-old son. The plot revolves around the 102-year-old man trying to break the record for the oldest person in the world, held in the movie by a Chinese Man. Running at: Vox Cinemas, City Cinemas, Al Bahja Cinema

Marlo, a mother of three, is gifted a night nanny by her brother. Hesitant to the extravagance at ﬁrst, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully.

SWATHANTHRYAM ARDHARATHRIYIL Malayalam Cast: Tinu Pappachan, Antony Varghese, Chemban Vinod, Vinayakan Antony plays Jacob, a guy who works in a private ﬁrm. In fact, the story is rooted in his perspective. This is a thriller with some high-voltage action scenes. Chemban will play a funny guy. Swathanthryam Ard-

COMING SOON

TULLY Cast: Jason Reitman, Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Dav

LIFE OF THE PARTY Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Maya Rudolph

ISLE OF DOGS Voice Overs: Wes Anderson, Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Edward Norton

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Deepam Odissi Academy, conducted a four-day workshop with renowned Odissi dancer, Arushi Mudgal, at Kings United Dance Academy.

Michael XI stuns Sarco to win Stassen Tea Lounge T10 Challenge Trophy.

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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

6 8

1 2

Level | Moderate

2 1

5 6

8 9 3

1 4

Level | Difficult

6 2

9 4

8 9

5 1

Difficult

9 7 4 3 1 5 6

7 8 5 6 9 3 2

2 9 8 3 1 4 7 6 5

6 3 5 2 7 9 8 1 4

9 4 2 5 3 7 6 8 1

7 8 3 6 2 1 5 4 9

1 5 6 4 9 8 2 7 3

Medium

Easy

1 5 9 7 2 8 6 3 4

3 9 4 6 8 1 2 5 7

8 7 2 9 3 5 4 6 1

5 1 6 2 7 4 8 9 3

9 8 1 3 6 2 7 4 5

7 2 3 4 5 9 1 8 6

6 4 5 8 1 7 3 2 9

9 2 1 5 7 4 3 8 6

2 4 8 1 6 7 5 9 3

7 3 5 4 9 2 6 1 8

1 6 9 8 3 5 2 4 7

8 5 7 6 2 9 1 3 4

6 1 2 3 4 8 7 5 9

4 9 3 7 5 1 8 6 2

THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

alive, then that’s what must be done. If it REMEMBER the days when stories means there is little food and few clothes always ended with “and they lived happily to keep out the ravages of the elements, ever after?” so that the generator is kept alive, then It’s been a while since we’ve seen those that is a decision you have to make — the sorts of happy stories, the ones that spoke cold will get to you anyway if your genof idealism and the triumph of good over erator isn’t running. evil. There was always a certain guaranAround this central heating behemoth tee. Good would banish evil. is built your city. Frostpunk’s dystopian That idealism, though, has since given landscape needs workers to keep the way to realism that makes us realise that city functioning. evil is like the tide, sometimes weak, Workers live in shelters to keep out sometimes strong, but always there. That the cold — the better the shelter, the is the tale of Frostpunk. warmer they are — while factories churn The latest game by out the tools they need to Polish studios 11 Bit, who survive and hunt. specialise in games that But the more people you THE SHORT AND show the hidden costs have building your city, of survival and suchealing the wounded in SKINNY Name: Frostpunk cess, Frostpunk was made hospitals and manning your Genre: Fantasy/City-building available for purchase on factories, the fewer people Produced by: 11 bit studios April 24, and this citythere are to feed the beast. What it’s about: A new Ice Age has building survival game is Short of workers, you are come to haunt mankind. In search sure to be a success with faced with two options — do of a better world, you lead a group gamers everywhere. you let your people succumb of desperate survivors away Having already sold to the cold or are you ruthfrom the cold. You have more than 250,000 copies lessly going to pull children but one job – survive. in the first three days of its from school, so that they Where to buy: Steam, GOG games, release, Frostpunk is eascan power your relentless FrostPunkGame.com, instantily the most anticipated machine? gaming.com game for the first quarter While most would be left Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4 of 2018, and with its (literaghast by the latter, it is a (Coming Soon), Xbox One (Coming ally) chilling premise, it’s choice you would not enjoy Soon) not hard to see why. (okay, maybe you do), but IGN Rating: 9/10 The game is set in an alirrespective of whatever ternative timeline, where else you do for your people, a new Ice Age has dawned. delaying their inevitable The year is 1886, and you play the leader death by frostbite is always going to be of a group of people who are searching for your ultimate priority. refuge from the merciless cold and biting You wouldn’t think that this is a game frost. The fate of your followers literally that would attract takers, but its tremenrests in your hands. dous success has shown the world just Your group’s first task is to stave off the how keen people are to see something cold by building a generator. They may do different. other things once that’s done, but your job Jakub Stokalski’s richly designed is always the same — the generator must be graphics show the game’s stark landscape, kept running at all times, no matter the cost. and Frostpunk’s haunting theme music If this means your people must feed it by composer Piotr Musial add plenty of coal throughout the night instead of restdepth and realism to this game, making it ing their weary bones, so be it. one of the best of the year already. If it means your miners must traverse When the lists come out for the best the dangerous and treacherous landscape games of 2018, don’t be surprised to to find precious fuel to keep your people find Frostpunk very near the top.

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FROSTPUNK

VOLUME 11 ISSUE 20 M AY 3 , 2 0 1 8

ARAB FINANCIAL INCLUSION DAY CELEBRATED THE OMAN BANKS Association (OBA), organised a seminar at Bank Muscat’s head office. This seminar came as part of activities lined-up to mark the annual Arab Financial Inclusion Day. The event was attended by a group of students representing universities and colleges in the Sultanate. The aim of this event was to introduce, and educate young people on the fundamentals of the Omani economy, and the role of the banking sector in economic development to enhance the financial culture of this segment of society. During this event, a number of working papers were presented. Adil Al Saadi, Manager of Banking Credit & Statistical Data Department at the Central Bank of Oman, presented a working paper on the credit registry at the banking sector, and its usage by banks. Adil also spoke about the role of the Central Bank of Oman in enhancing financial inclusion in the Sultanate. Thereafter, Majid Al Kiyumi, Director of Trading Surveillance at the Capital Market Authority, presented a working paper that included an overview of the Capital Market, and the Insurance sector.

Ali Hassan Moosa, Chief Executive Officer at the Oman Banks Association, presented a working paper that defined financial inclusion as the society having access to quality, and affordable financial services provided in a fair, in a responsible manner. He continued to state the definition of financial inclusion that has three main pillars; Access to financial services, usage, and quality.

Ali spoke about the importance of financial inclusion to maintain financial stability, economic growth, social stability, and the creation of job opportunities in the society. The paper discussed some of the banking sector data, and the various services that banks offer. The paper also covered the number of banks operating in the Sultanate anate that are licensed by tral Bank of Oman, which the Central

BANK MUSCAT AL WATHBAH ACADEMY TO ENROL NEW BATCHES IN MUSCAT, SHARQIYAH BANK MUSCAT, has announced enrolment of two new batches at Al Wathbah Academy targeting entrepreneurs in Muscat and Sharqiyah governorates. The training programme is targeted at Omani entrepreneurs promoting 100 per cent Omani-owned SME enterprises with existing relationship with Bank Muscat. The business should have a track record of profitability over the last 2 to 3 years. Interested applicants are required to register online at alwathbah@bankmuscat.com and the last date for receiving the applications is May 24, 2018. Fatma Al Maskiry, AGM – SME Credit, Marketing and Regional Corporates, said: “In line with the objective of the government to diversify the economy and create job opportunities for the country’s youth, Bank Muscat is proud to play a key role in the development of successful SMEs in the Sultanate. Following successful Al Wathbah Academy programmes in Muscat, Sohar, Salalah and Nizwa, the bank is widening its reach to benefit entrepreneurs in Sharqiyah governorate. The unique Al Wathbah Academy programme reflects the bank’s commitment to sustainable

social development, strengthening the role of SMEs in the economic development of Oman. Al Wathbah Academy programmes across Oman impart the required skills and guidance for entrepreneurs drawn from diverse fields to embark on successful SME business ventures. The programme leads to accredited international certification by Project Management Institute (PMI).” Al Wathbah Academy was launched by the bank in 2014 as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to equip youth with self-employment skills. Fifty-six enterprising entrepreneurs who completed the SME training programme in the previous batches of Al Wathbah Academy till 2016 are successfully following their business dreams, contributing to the country’s progress and development. Notably, the SME training programme is benefiting entrepreneurs across the regions to acquire the required skillset and knowledge to chart successful business ventures. The bank’s Al Wathbah SME department offers a comprehensive suite of tailor-made finance solutions and non-financial services targeted at small and medium enterprises. Credit facilities,

both short-term and long-term in nature, are available to all sectors. Further support is extended through non-financial services in areas of education, coaching, networking opportunities, and workshops. Serving as building blocks for existing and prospective entrepreneurs, all these initiatives assume importance in the backdrop of the priority accorded by the government to develop the SME sector in Oman.

include Conventional that are locally incorporated and foreign banks, Islamic, and specialised banks, and their roles and initiatives in corporate social responsibility. The event was concluded with a panel of discussion session that was moderated by Ali Hassan Moosa from the Oman Banks Association, with the participation of Fawzi Al Kiyoumi and Adil Al Saadi from the Central Bank of Oman, Majid Al Kiyumi from the Capital Market Authority, Zalia Al Balushi from Ahli Bank, Jamil Al Zadjali from Al Yusr at Arab Bank of Oman, and Sami Bait Rashid from Meethaq Islamic Banking, where all the matters presented in the working papers were discussed, and the audience was engaged in an open discussion about various topics related to the banking sector, and the Omani economy in general. The seminar witnessed a distinguished attendance of students from universities and colleges in the Sultanate. Student interactions with the seminar activities by asking question showed the great success of organising such specialised seminars.