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Of fun indoor activities for kids and ill-effects of coffee Are you cooped up indoors in this heat, and that too with a bored child? Ask any parent about this and there will be an outburst of parental woes. After all, it is not easy to entertain or keep children engaged without allowing them to go out and play. During the summer holidays, most children are stuck at home owing to the blazing sun. While Muscat offers quite a few options to keep kids amused — The Museum of Illusions and the Bowling Centre — where children and parents can have fun when the weather is not conducive for outdoor activities, the new Trampo Extreme Family Entertainment Centre is perhaps a new haven for entertainment. Located opposite Oman Exhibition and Convention Centre, this is the perfect place to get an adrenaline rush. Also on the list are Clip’N’Climb’ — a climbing area with 26 colourful theme challenges, Drop Slide — a slide raised to six metres off the ground which thrills rollercoaster enthusiasts, or Goal Jnr —15-minute mini football game, there are many indoor activities for families this summer. Trampoline Zone — Oman’s largest trampoline area and a soft play area for children with its own trampoline zone and foam pits is something to look forward to as well. Children can have the time of their life with Skate ’n Ride — Oman’s only indoor scooter and skate park. Also, don’t miss the indoor cave. And after a long day of fun and activities, if you are thinking about sipping on your fourth or fifth cup of Omani coffee, think again. Medical experts in town talk about the ill-effects that an excess of Omani coffee can have on our health and well-being. — 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 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 Graphics Editor: Antonio Farach Design Editor: Sahir K.M. Lead Designer: Geri B. Sonny Designer: Gregory Fernandez Photography: MMG Photographers On The Cover: Design by Geri B. Sonny 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
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WHAT’S ON 01 THIS WEEK SUNDAY
8.00pm Eat Local Street Food One of the most exciting local street treats is the mishkak, a delicious, fire-kissed meat-ona-skewer that’s marinated in tamarind sauce and a bunch of local spices, and served hot. It’s a favourite for both Omanis and expatriates, and can be found almost around every corner of Muscat.
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THURSDAY
4.00pm Explore the Omani Heritage Head over to the National Museum in Old Muscat (opposite the palace) and explore Oman’s beautiful heritage in a contemporary atmosphere. The museum showcases a variety of Omani artefacts and vintage items. A must-visit.
5.00pm Drive Along the Corniche If you love driving around town, then visit the Seeb Corniche in Sur Al Hadeed, where you’d enjoy a scenic stretch full of beachy views, beautiful trees and lots of families. Make sure to roll your car’s windows down, as the oceanic scent is just refreshing.
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4.00pm Shop at Nizwa Souq Take a quick trip to Nizwa in Al Dakhiliyah and visit the timehonoured Nizwa Souq where they sell traditional clothes, crafts, swords, and a whole load of other exciting varieties. The place gets packed with both locals and tourists, so come here early.
5.30pm Play at Marah Land How about a fun-filled session at Marah Land amusement park in Qurum? The place offers a variety of games and rides for the whole family. Make sure to visit the adjacent garden afterwards for a breath of fresh air, literally.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
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09.00am Go to the Grand Mosque There’s no way you’d pass by the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Azaiba without admiring its iconic architecture. How about exploring what’s inside? Nonmuslim expats are allowed for a visit, so add it to your list.
10.00am Visit Muttrah Fort The Muttrah Fort has been recently re-opened after taking some time off for renovations. The place still has its beautiful Omani charm that will fascinate you the minute you step a foot into the fort.
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PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING (FILM) Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Cast: John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Cailee Spaeny
Midnight Sun (Film) Genre: Romance, Drama Cast: Bella Thorne, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Rob Riggle
The Death of Stalin (Film) Genre: Comedy, History Cast: Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Jeffrey Tambor
Jake Pentecost, son of Stacker Pentecost, reunites with Mako Mori to lead a new generation of Jaeger pilots, including rival Lambert and 15-year-old hacker Amara, against a new Kaiju threat.
A 17-year-old girl suffers from a condition that prevents her from being out in the sunlight.
The film follows the Soviet dictator’s last days and depicts the chaos of the regime after his death.
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Temperatures in Oman are soaring, and families with children will have a difficult time keeping them busy and entertained indoors. So this week we bring you different ways to make sure your children do not get bored while cooped up inside your house. Forget your outdoor activities and indulge in some fun indoor activities that the Sultanate has to offer.
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PHOTO SHABIN E.
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or many people in Oman, including children, summer time becomes excruciatingly and unbearably hot, and enjoying an outdoor activity is almost impossible. But don’t fret, all is not lost, as several centres, designed to entertain your children in the comfort of air-conditioned spaces, have opened in Muscat. Whether your kids love to spend time swimming in an indoor pool, get a kick out of video games or simply like some other fun-filled physical activities, we’ve got you covered. Jump with joy A unique attraction that has recently opened in Oman is the Trampo Extreme, a family entertainment centre for those looking for indoor thrills and challenging action. There are so many exciting things to do in this 4,700sqm arena that one day isn’t really enough to explore all that it has to offer. On offer are several things that will keep your kids busy and entertained. Skytrails, trampolines, climbing facilities, caves and tunnels, foam pits and other attractions will keep your kids constantly jumping in excitement, or simply because of the bouncy trampolines. If your child is competitive, they can try out games, as well as obstacle courses, apart from the mini football and basketball that this centre has to offer. And since no entertainment centre in 2018 feels complete without some AI or VR, this comes equipped with a digi zone and a virtual reality area for digital activities. Also, make sure to take your kids to the indoor skate park, Skate ’n Ride, where they can enjoy a fun-filled scooter-riding session.
PHOTO SHABIN E.
Have a cool summer If jumping around isn’t your child’s cup of tea, there are other fun recreational activities, such as ice skating, for instance. While your kids have fun skating, the cool indoor atmosphere also gives them a big break from the blazing summer sun. And FunZone in Muscat has a nice skating rink that’s usually packed with folks of all ages. And there are other rinks that will be opened in malls across town. Bowl away your boredom If your older children, say above 13 years of age, want to try out something new, they can always head for some bowling fun. Bowling might not sound that exciting, but when the whole family gets involved it can get pretty interesting. You
can visit the Al Masa Mall or FunZone for some bowling activities, but hey, watch out for that ball! Another activity for older kids is the action-packed game of Laser Tag at Panorama Mall, where people fight a futuristic battle with laser guns to collect points in a dark, combat, boot-camp. The game is one of the most exciting experiences, especially if you are a fan of battle-in-an-arena kind of games, such as paintball, except it does not leave weird purple bruises on the body. Videogame madness If laser tag is a bit too extreme for your kids, you can move to a more comfortable set-up and explore alternative realities, full of spectacular graphics and interesting storylines: Video games.
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In Muscat, video games have massive followers who exist only to play. But instead of playing inside your house, take your kids to gaming centres where they get to play with other kids of their age group. Gaming centres are spread across town and offer a variety of genres for the pickiest of gamers. Illusion fun For kids who like something quirky, there is always The Museum of Illusions, a wonderland of creative visuals and mindblowing effects that will get you to dive into a beautiful maze. The museum hosts more than 70 exhibits that use optical illusions, such as holograms to produce an interactive and educational experience. The Croatian franchise serves as a great outlet for various games, puzzles and activities, which are suitable for people of all ages, and to top it all off, it has a variety of attractions that will keep you coming back for more. Cool down by a pool Nothing beats the heat like a nice dip in a cool pool. But, with the water in outdoor pools getting hot, as well, your kids are left with just one choice — indoor pools. Apart from helping your child beat the heat, the benefits of swimming are endless. It is an extremely important life skill, especially in countries surrounded by beaches. It is always better to learn any skill at a young age, and the same applies for swimming. There are a number of indoor swimming classes for those who want to learn, and for those who want to do something fun, at a time when it is nearly impossible to step out without getting a sunburn.
PHOTO SHABIN E.
For the bookworms But, if your child is someone who likes to keep their nose buried in a book, we have them covered, too. “Access to knowledge is our right,” says the Children’s Public Library, which opened in Oman last year. In an attempt to instil the wonderful habit of reading among children, many volunteers and authorities have been working to develop the library. It is a pleasant place, filled with books of different genres, where kids would enjoy spending a lot of time. Apart from having interesting books, there is also a colourful play area, which the children can use should they require a break from reading. This spacious, colourful space is where most parents should be taking their kids during summer breaks in order to brush up on their reading skills in a fun way. With peak summer in Oman, work out a new summer plan for your children that involves paying a visit to some of these cool indoor places. So what if you couldn’t go out on that wonderful holiday. With so many indoor places, you can have fun right here.
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OMANI COFFEE: STIRRING UP THE POT OF YOUR HEALTH
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Young, old, male or female – there are very few who can resist the temptation of the legendary Omani coffee. Strong and simply delicious, this traditional drink, however, has a dark side brewing, with doctors warning that an excess of Omani coffee could lead to potential health problems.
Love for Omani coffee Omani coffee or kahwa plays an important role in the lives of citizens, especially those living away from home. Take for instance Sabrina Al Busaidi who studied in Sheffield, England for four years. During that time, Sabrina says, the presence of Omani coffee at student gatherings was prominent. She says, “I first tried coffee when I was 10 years old, but I began drinking it regularly when I was in the UK. My Omani colleagues would bring back coffee beans from home and we would have coffee at all our gatherings.” Abdullah Al Maqhusi a self-confessed lover of coffee says that he consumes a minimum of nine cups a day: Three every morning, afternoon and evening. And even though he cannot do without it, Abdullah says, “If not made well coffee causes acidity, which can be very painful, so I am very careful about the quality of the coffee I have.” Leaving a mark behind So what makes Omani coffee so different? Talking about this Dr Nabeel Yousif Saleh, General Physician at Burjeel Hospital, says, “Omani coffee is stronger because of the way it is prepared, it is dark and is highly concentrated. When coffee is boiled for a longer period (as is the case of Omani coffee) more amount of caffeine is extracted.” While kahwa leaves an amazing aftertaste, it’s not the only thing it leaves behind. Shedding more light on the effects that it has on oral health, Dr Laila Harub a dentist in the Sultanate says, “From a cosmetic point of view, coffee stands out as a negative drink. It causes a lot of staining and discolouration of the teeth.” She adds, “Some patients also reported bad breath (halitosis) and a change of taste due to the alteration in papillae on the tongue that is responsible for taste. In minor cases, when coffee is consumed when it is burning hot, patients could develop traumatic thermal ulcers, which could take at least seven to 10 days to heal.” Dr Priya Rajeev, from Al Essa Dental Clinic, says, “The main issue with the daily intake of coffee is staining. We advise cleaning twice a year at a cost of OMR20-30.” But that’s not the only side effect that an excess consumption of coffee can have on the human body. Doctors say that problems could range from something as small as indigestion to much more severe issues like sleep deprivation and in some cases heart-related problems as well. According to a statement by the National Business Centre, Oman, globally, the substance that is used the most daily after oil is coffee. And Dr Saleh says, “The common issue with excess consumption of coffee is sleep deprivation. Usually 70 per cent of people suffer from disruptive sleep patterns when they consume coffee four hours before they go to bed. However, there are some whose body gets used to high levels of caffeine, due to excess consumption, and in order to feel the effect of coffee they increase their intake.” The stomach is another organ that can be affected due to excess caffeine. “When people drink coffee on an empty
stomach it could lead to gastric irritation and gastritis which is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It could also cause dyspepsia or indigestion,” says Dr Saleh who adds that caffeinated drinks like this disrupt the absorption of iron and could lead to an iron deficiency. In some cases, people tend to have heart palpitations too because the more caffeine they consume the faster their heart races. Dr Saleh says, “Some people suffer from palpitations (where the heart beats faster than normal) due to a high intake of coffee. Because of the increase in the heart rate, people could develop high blood pressure and this further puts more pressure on the organ.” Studies have also shown that coffee is bad news for those suffering from anxiety issues and too many cups could leave one feeling jittery and nervous, adding to the body’s constant “flight or fight mode”. So what then is the suggested amount of coffee that one can safely consume? As is with everything doctors believe sticking to moderation is the key. “The suggested amount of coffee is one to two cups a day. What is important is to note that the meaning of “a day” is 24 hours and not just daytime,” adds Dr Saleh. Omani coffee is a fundamental part of Omani tradition, but the next time you pick up your fifth or sixth cup of coffee in one day, ask yourself if it is worth all the trouble.
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imilar to music and painting, cooking is a form of art celebrated by food-loving chefs, and appreciated by people from around the globe for its aromatic whiff of fresh ingredients that mingle with spices, carry exotic flavours and vibrant colours. I had the pleasure of meeting an inspirational cook who’s known for serving nothing but gastronomical beauty on a platter — celebrity Chef Hala Ayash. I caught up with Chef Hala during the launch of Mint & Coco, Al Khuwair, the menu of which was engineered by her. We had a quick chat about her culinary journey that started out as a passion and later transformed into a fruitful career full of excitement and fun. Chef Hala is a passionate, hardworking woman who took baby steps to turn her dreams into reality. Her story has inspired many young cooks and she is admired by people across the region. She has proved that her love for the kitchen was never a mistake nor a phase, but rather the beginning of a new adventure full of culinary art. Hala was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, and has been residing in Dubai for the last 10 years. She always had a special place in her heart for cooking. Her passion started to take shape when she gave birth to her daughter in 2003. She felt a sense of obligation towards making healthy food, and wanted to be a great role model for her little one. So she learned everything about ingredients and began experimenting and cooking in the kitchen. Her choice of ingredients were based on quality, which resulted in shaping her kitchen aesthetics as a professional chef.
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Chef Hala travelled around the globe, exploring new cultures and tasting new flavours. But she found her passion within the Mediterranean cuisine and fell in love with it, especially with olive oil, which tops her list of ingredients. After diving into various cuisines, she mastered the art of cooking, and in 2008, she officially became a professional chef. Hala is a firm believer that the title of “chef ” is not given, but rather one must earn it by learning and equipping oneself with the necessary tools. So, she took courses in Spain, Italy, and France that contributed to perfecting her culinary skills. “The title of chef is earned by training and hard work, it’s not just about the passion, it’s a profession,” she said.
After taking several courses, Chef Hala then enrolled at a culinary institute and graduated with a relevant diploma that focused on a variety of areas, from kitchen to hygiene. By the time she got her diploma and became a force in the field, she embarked on another exciting adventure. This time around, it was in television. She was on the first season of Top Chef on MBC, where she competed alongside fellow chefs for the title, while sharpening her skills in some of the most difficult situations. She described her Top Chef journey as “a life changing experience” because it pushed her and the other chefs outside their comfort zone; she felt as if she had graduated from another culinary school with a bag full of new cooking expertise.
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Today, Chef Hala is a celebrated master chef with a great following of aspiring cooks and admirers of the art of cooking from the Middle East and beyond. Hala urges young chefs who face the fear of taking the next step in their culinary journey, or who are doubting themselves or questioning their talent, to know what their goal in life is and to work hard towards it. Hala also believes that there isn’t a dream that’s far from reality, especially if that dream is met with hard work and lots of determination. As she works on publishing her cookbook, people continue to admire her work and try out her lip-smacking recipes. Chef Hala’s culinary journey, in every sense, is a true success story. — salim@timesofoman.com
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How to Get Luscious Lashes We mean without the fake extensions and layered lashes because that wouldn’t be completely natural, right? But we’ll go a little easy and let you keep the mascara. Here are 10 things you can do to get fuller, longer and luscious lashes. STORY ANTARA BOSE
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TAKE GOOD CARE Probably the most fundamental thing to do if you want your lashes to look naturally pretty is to give it some TLC before piling on anything cosmetic. Applying castor oil, coconut oil and other oils enriched with Vitamin E can go a long way to make your lashes look more flutter-ready.
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PRIME IT The principle is the same as with any other makeup. When we want our makeup to last longer or look more flawless, we use a primer. Lash primers work the same way with eyelashes. Opt for primers which have conditioning properties to help reduce lash breakage.
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CURLING Lash curlers aren’t as intimidating as they look, trust us. But there are a few things to keep in mind. Always curl your lashes before applying mascara. Follow these three simple steps — start with priming those lashes, curl them, and finish with oodles of mascara.
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BREAK BETWEEN MASCARA Don’t rush through your makeup routine. After applying your first layer of mascara, give it some time to settle before going in for the next layer.
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BEST OF BOTH Waterproof mascara always seems to be the norm. But the truth is it does more harm than good unless you know how to take it off the right way. If you really must use waterproof mascara, use it when applying the second coat. Start with your normal mascara for the base coat so it forms a layer over your lashes and then use your waterproof mascara to finish.
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USE A GRADIENT What do we mean, you ask? To make lashes look longer, use two colours instead of one. Start with your regular black and touch the ends with a deeper brown.
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BRUSH OFF Always keep an empty bottle of mascara at hand. Ensure it has a clean wand too. After applying mascara, simply comb your lashes with the clean wand. It’ll help get rid of the clumps that would have otherwise formed.
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DON’T MIX Voluminous, lengthening, curling, lashdefining, non-clumping… there are always so many options to choose from. But let’s not get too excited. Mixing different formulae is never a good idea. You just don’t know how they’ll react together. So decide what it is that you are aiming for and pick one formula.
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EFFECTIVE MAKEUP REMOVAL The area around the eyes is the most delicate. Rubbing brittle lashes, scrubbing lash glue or picking at lash roots will only result in fallen lashes. Use an eye-makeup remover or even simple petroleum jelly to take off makeup.
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GIVE IT A BREAK We know, even if we are sporting the ‘no-makeup’ look, the mascara remains essential. But every now and then, your delicate lashes need a break too. So skip the eye makeup sometimes and go natural — in the truest sense.
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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SICARIO 2: DAY OF THE SOLADO Cast: Benecio del Toro, Josh Brolin The CIA sends Matt Graver and former undercover operative Alejandro Gillick to deliberately incite all-out war between rival drug syndicates. Along the way, Alejandro revisits his old nemesis to settle scores.
LOVING PABLO Cast: PenĂŠlope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Peter Sarsgaard
ESCAPE PLAN 2 Cast: Dave Bautista, Jaime King, Sylvester Stallone
A journalist strikes up a romantic relationship with notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar.
Sequel to the 2013 ďŹ lm that featured a security expert named Ray Breslin, who used his skills to test out the reliability of maximum security prisons.
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OCEAN’S 8 Cast: Cate Blanchett, Sandra Bullock, Mindy Kaling, Anne Hathaway, Awkwafina, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, and Helena Bonham Carter
Five years, eight months, 12 days... and counting. That’s how long Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) — just released from prison — has been concocting the greatest heist of her storied career. She knows what it’s going to take — a team of the best in their field, starting with her former partner-in-crime Lou (Cate Blanchett). Together, they recruit a crew of specialists: Jeweller Amita (Kaling); street con Constance (Awkwafina); expert fence Tammy (Paulson); hacker Nine Ball (Rihanna); and fashion designer Rose Weil (Bonham Carter). The target is $150 million in diamonds — diamonds that will adorn the neck of world-famous actress Daphne Kluger (Hathaway), who will be centrestage at the event of the year, The Met Gala. Their plan appears rock solid, but it will need to be flawless if the team is to get in and get away — all in plain sight. “Ocean’s 8” also stars Richard Armitage as Claude Becker, Kluger’s unwitting date at the Gala, and James Corden as John Frazier, an insurance investigator trying to put the pieces together.
Running at: Vox Cinemas, City Cinemas, Al Bahja Cinema
This comedy drama follows the life of Plachottil Kuttan Pillai, an honourable police man who loves his jackfruit tree. Kuttan lives a content life with his wife and they have three children, all married and settled.
SANJU Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Manisha Koirala, Sonam Kapoor Sanju is a hilarious and heartbreaking exploration of one man’s battle against his own wild self and the formidable external forces trying to crush him. It depicts the journey of a man through everything that life can throw at him.
COMING SOON
KUTTANPILLAYUDE SIVARATRI (Malayalam) Cast: Asha Madathil, Mithun Ramesh, Suraj Venjaramoodu
THE FIRST PURGE
ANT-MAN & THE WASP
Cast: Lex Scott Davis, Marisa Tomei, Y’Lan Noel
Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Micheal Pena
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Ooredoo provides a 360-degree viewing experience for the ongoing FIFA World Cup at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Himachal Wing, Indian Social Club Oman organised a workshop on Team Building at Qurum beach.
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SMART, EFFICIENT TECH FOR A SMOOTHER LIFE DOUBLE DUTY Let’s face it, whether you like it or not, you have to wash that huge pile of dirty clothes that’s been collecting in your room. And while you can’t wish it away, you can use the TwinWash machine that washes two loads of clothes at the same time. This machine design has a main and a mini washer that can be operated independently or simultaneously and it cuts down on washing time by up to 30 minutes. The mini washer is ideal for washing a smaller pile of clothes and can be used without operating the main washer. The TwinWash also comes fully equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, which means users can monitor the load, start and stop cycles and diagnose any problems from their phone.
KNOCK, KNOCK Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just look into your refrigerator without having to open it? Well, that thought is now a reality as LG Electronics has introduced its latest refrigerator line-up. The InstaView Door-in-Door technology allows users to simply knock twice and scan the contents of their refrigerator without the need to open it. This feature also offers optimal energy-efficiency by reducing cold air loss up to 41 per cent, which means that food can remain fresh for longer. The large Doorin-Door can be accessed through a hidden button under the refrigerator door, or by moving your foot in front of the smart sensor. The drawers are also equipped with soft-touch which automatically slides open the draws.
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ver imagined how much easier life would be, if you could do simple things like finding out the contents in your refrigerator without having to open it, putting two loads of clothes in the washing machine at the same time and wait, even making yoghurt in your microwave? Making life’s small inconveniences disappear are LG’s new line of products. And we were taken on a “Charlie and the Chocolate”-style tour of their factory and headquarters in South Korea. Here’s all that you need to know about their latest products.
JUST CHILL The DualCool air conditioner is LG’s latest residential air conditioner (RAC) and comes with a Dual Inverter Compressor, which saves energy without sacrificing cooling performance. This unit consumes up to 70 per cent less electricity while providing up to 40 per cent faster cooling in comparison to typical non-inverter RACs.
THINGS ARE HEATING UP Ever imagined a microwave that can cook food, make yoghurt, and be cleaned with just three wipes? Well, the NeoChef does all of that. Apart from the sleek look, this microwave has a linear power of up to 1,200 watts to evenly cook or defrost food. The microwave can also be used to make healthy dishes with less oil and 72 per cent less fat, in addition to making lactobacillus-infused healthy yoghurt. Moreover, you only need three wipes to thoroughly clean it unlike other conventional microwaves. EASY BAKE The LG gas oven comes equipped with UltraHeat burners with an output of 3.3 KW that reduces cooking time by as much as 30 per cent. The Dual Heating technology also allows the oven to preheat three times faster. In addition to that, it comes equipped with an EasyClean button. This makes cleaning the oven easier, as all you have to do is spray water inside the oven, press the button and once done, you can effortlessly wipe away the residue. The result is a spotlessly clean oven in 10 minutes using only water.
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Bank Muscat showcases contact center to highlight banking excellence
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ank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in line with its vision ‘To serve you better, everyday’ and commitment to setting new standards in banking excellence, has reinforced operations of the state-of-the-art contact center. The bank hosted a media tour of the world class facility to showcase the dynamic operations of the largest call centre in the banking sector in Oman. Amjad Al Lawati, AGM – Cards & eBanking, said: “Aimed at achieving the customer-centric objective, the bank has embarked on innovative solutions to add convenience and enhance service. Bank Muscat is a first mover in the Oman market in deploying various alternate banking channels to add convenience and provide remote banking access. The contact center extends support to all alternate banking channels, including Internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and CDMs. The
bank is proud to operate the top-notch call centre as part of its commitment to excellence in providing innovative banking solutions. A keen perception of customer requirements enables the bank to develop and sustain products and services in line with the current and emerging needs.” The contact center operations are driven by integrated voice response (IVR) systems for a host of services. With the best in class technology, the call centre handles an average 10,000 calls a day and serviced over 3 million calls in 2017. The language options for the IVR facility include Arabic, English, and Hindi. Using the robust IVR system, customers can help themselves to obtain all information or make requests for services and products. Notably, customers can report card loss and block themselves their cards through the IVR system. The contact center is the first contact for
risk mitigation in the event of card loss or card block and dissemination of product and service information. To use the IVR facility, callers contacting the contact center are required to follow the audio instructions. The instructions to press relevant numbers on phone facilitate the required options on information and services. To enhance the IVR facility, Bank Muscat offers the use of debit card and ATM pin as a unified pin for IVR services, which is a unique service provided only by Bank Mus-
cat in Oman to facilitate 24x7 phone banking service. The 100% Omanised call centre is manned by 140 Omani employees with an equal ratio of male and female staff. The phone bankers are professionally trained in soft skills and customer relations to handle the operations. The contact center activities mainly cover inbound operations, solutions, fraud monitoring team and card merchant support. The call centre has dedicated teams on constant vigil to monitor card fraud and high risk PoS transactions. The contact center provides assistance to customers for hot-listing of cards, account opening, enquiries on account balance and transaction details, credit card transactions, loan details, issue of cheque book, fixed deposit interest rates, currency exchange rates, etc. Customers can also obtain information on account statements, credit card statements, money transfer and loan status.
BANKDHOFAR AND OMANTEL SIGN MOU FOR FIRST OF ITS KIND CO-BRANDED CARD W ith the aim of providing best banking services and products to enhance customers’ experience, BankDhofar and Omantel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch a co-branded rewards card. The MoU, was signed by Abdul Hakeem Omar Al Ojaili, Chief Executive Officer of BankDhofar and Talal Said Al Mamari, CEO of Omantel at Omantel headquarters. On the initiative, Abdul Hakeem, said: “At BankDhofar we are always keen to provide our customers with state-of-the-art services and products that are tailored not only to meet their needs, but to exceed their expectations. We are proud to partner with Omantel and provide our customers with a first of its kind co-branded rewards card, which comes with a lot of benefits for both BankDhofar and Omantel customers. Such partnerships translate our efforts to offer
innovative products to our customers.” Talal Al Mamari, said “We are proud to cooperate with Bank Dhofar. This collaboration will add real value to the services offered by Omantel and Bank Dhofar alike, as well as strengthen our relationship with Makasib members and further enrich their experience.” Haitham Al Kharusi, Vice
President of Consumer Business Unit, commented “We strive at Omantel not only to fulfil our customers’ needs, but also to go the extra mile and exceed their expectations. We are glad to be the first telecom company in Oman that inks an agreement with a leading bank to issue a bank card for a loyalty programme which can be used at
millions of Points of Sales across the globe. We are also working on bringing additional value-added services to our customers to reward them for their loyalty.” The co-branded rewards card will enable customers to rack up points from Bank Dhofar (Rewards) programme and Omantel (Makasib) programme, which can be redeemed. BankDhofar and Omantel customers may avail for the card from any BankDhofar branch. With BankDhofar Rewards programme customers can earn points when they use their credit cards. These points can then be redeemed through the website, allowing customers to choose from more than 300 airlines and destinations worldwide. They also have the choice of over 180,000 hotels across the globe to use the points. The rewards programme allows customers to redeem points at a lot of places.