September 27, 2018 T Weekly

VOL 11 ISSUE 40 / SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

WORLD HEAR DAY

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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 40 S E P T E M B E R 2 7, 2 0 1 8 Founder: Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali

‘For my heart, for your heart, for all our hearts’ IN A PROFOUNDLY STRESSFUL WORLD, driven by our relentless aspirations and desires, along with a poor quality lifestyle, we are more susceptible to heart disorders. As we celebrate World Heart Day, let us find out how we can take care of our hearts and look at the risk factors, how to prevent them, and how we can take charge of our family’s heart health.

World Heart Day, celebrated on September 29, was initiated in 2000 by the World Heart Federation in partnership with WHO to make people aware of the world’s leading cause of death — heart disease and strokes. The federation, along with its members, tries to generate awareness on heart health and passes on an important message that says that at least 80 per cent of premature deaths from heart disease and strokes could be avoided if the main risk factors—tobacco, an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity — are controlled.

This year, they are asking us to make a promise — a promise to eat healthy, to get more active, and to say no to smoking.

By adopting a few healthy habits, people all over the world can have longer and better lives through the prevention and control of heart diseases and strokes. From quitting smoking to incorporating more activities in our day-to-day lives and eating more fruits and vegetables, our heart health is surely in our hands.

But talking about the heart, we take a straight jump from health onto something that’s quite hearty for foodies. We go on a halwa trail this week with Oneza, who shares some lip-smacking recipes that can be easily prepared at home. This decadent dessert has always been a favourite in many homes.

This week we start with a new column that would educate us on those finer things in life that we often tend to ignore. Our new life coach columnist, Carolann Philip, tells us how to resolve conflicts, as when they are mismanaged, they can cause great harm to a relationship, be it at the workplace or at home.

— Swati Dasgupta

Editor: Charles Lavery Features Editor: Swati Dasgupta Research Editor: Ashish Dubash Associate Editor: Shruthi Nair 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 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

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

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WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK

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FRIDAY Weekend Starts with Shopping Visit the international consumer exhibition at Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre that offers an extensive range of unique and high-quality products from all over the world — from shoes, bags, and other accessories to toys, handicraft, home decor, food and kitchen products. The exhibition is on till Septem September 30.

THURSDAY Enjoy a Coastal Climb Take a stunning 50km road trip from Muscat to Jebel Sifah via Yiti and Bandar Al Khayran. Take a turn from Yiti road to Jebel Sifah and stop your car to have a look at the lush mangroves.

This route is all about manoeuvring the climbing roads and enjoying the coastal view.

SATURDAY

Free Health Check Up On the occasion of World Heart Day, SPAR Oman in association with Apollo Hospital Oman will provide free health check-up for shoppers. Basic health check up will include blood pressure, blood sugar and BMI. Interested shoppers can register online: http://bit.ly/2plUTgJ

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SUNDAY Spring is Here If you missed visiting Salalah during Khareef here is your chance. The spring season, or ‘Asurb’ as it is locally called, has started in the Governorate of Dhofar. It is time for the flowers to bloom as the cool air carries the smell of the floral richness that the mountains are blessed with.

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MONDAY Join a Pilates Class Pilates is a fitness regime that involves controlled body movements, improves flexibility, builds strength and develops control and endurance in the whole body. Join one of the many classes held in Muscat.

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TUESDAY

Awakening Love and Forgiveness Indian Embassy along with Raja Yoga Centre for Self Development will be celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and UN International Day of Nonviolence at Grand Millennium, at 7pm. Sister Shivani, world renowned motivational speaker will be addressing the crowd. For invitation email secyamb.muscat@mea.gov.in

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WEDNESDAY Go to Qurum Beach The beach at Shatti Al Qurum is generally busy on weekends. So why not plan an evening outing on a weekday? It’s a beautiful spot where you can unwind, soak up in the tranquillity, gaze at the setting sun, and sip a cup of coffee.

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Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (Film) Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rafe Spall When the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.

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Damsel (Film) Genre: Comedy, Drama, Western Cast: Robert Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska, David Zellner

American Horror Story (TV Series) Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller Cast: Lady Gaga, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett

It’s the Wild West, circa 1870. Samuel Alabaster, an affluent pioneer, ventures across the American frontier to marry the love of his life, Penelope. As his group traverses the west, the oncesimple journey grows treacherous, blurring the lines between hero, villain and damsel.

An anthology series centering on different characters and locations, including a house with a murderous past, an insane asylum, a witch coven, a freak show, a hotel, a possessed farmhouse, a cult, and the apocalypse.

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Home is where heart is. Many of us diligently spend several hours a week dedicated towards cleaning our homes, wiping down the windows, scrubbing the oors, and giving the tiles a good polishing, so much so that we can sometimes see our own faces in them.

But if we spend so much time keeping our homes clean, shouldn’t we do the same for our hearts? They do, after all, beat at the centre of all we do, and it is safe to say that without their rhythmic, steady pumping, none of us would be alive for very long.

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his World Heart Day, doctors in Oman have asked people to show the utmost care and love to the most important muscle in their body. While it certainly may not be the biggest, it is definitely the most vital, a fact Dr Sathish Veluswamy, a laparoscopic surgeon at Burjeel Hospital, can certainly relate to.

“These days, people spend a lot of time at the gym because they want to build big muscles, but they are forgetting the most important muscle of all, the heart,” he told T weekly. “The heart needs regular exercise, otherwise it will not remain healthy. You don’t need to do a lot of strenuous exercise for the heart, all you need to do is walk for some half an hour to 45 minutes a day and that is good enough for your heart.”

Walking, of course, may sound simple, but nothing that’s worth doing is ever easy. Easy access to harm, though, some of it involuntarily or unknowingly selfinflicted, is increasingly common today, just as common as heart attacks are getting to be – a frightening and chilling state of affairs of the alarmingly poor health some people are in at the moment.

“I had to perform emergency surgery on a 20-year-old who came to us with an emergency heart attack,” revealed Dr Veluswamy. “As a doctor, you never want to see such things because it paints a very sad picture of the kind of health our young people are in these days. I see now that young people are increasingly developing more and more heart problems.

While people used to first develop heart problems at 45, now they are contracting them at 35.”

“One of the main reasons for this is the massive changes our lifestyles have undergone,” he added. “Marketing companies make restaurant food look very cool and attractive, and so young people are increasingly drawn to that. Once they taste this food, they’re hooked onto it and think it is not nice to eat healthy food and fruits, when in fact it is the opposite that is true. Junk food has absolutely no nutritional value and will cause so many problems in the long-run.”

These marketing campaigns and promotional offers restaurants bring in are only a front to bring in more customers through the door.

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“To the restaurants, food is a business,” admitted Dr Veluswamy. “You are their customer, and all they want you for is to get money and business. They do not care about your health and if you think they do, then you are sorely mistaken. When you eat outside food, fat from this food gets stored in the cells of the body. What energy is needed is stored as glycogen in the liver and the rest is stored in the form of fat.”

“When this fat comes into the heart, that is when heart problems develop because the supply of blood is cut off and the body cannot function,” he added.

“That is when you have to admit yourself to a medical facility immediately.”

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ways to keep you alive, said the doctor, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you are particularly well.

“These days, you can perform a bypass in some two hours,” he said. “Some medical hospitals do some 12 bypass surgeries a day, but just because such a solution exists, does not mean you have to put yourself through it. Once you have a heart attack, there are so many things you cannot do and your life will never be the same again. I advise people to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, drink a lot of water and stay off junk food.”

Dr Veluswamy added, “At home, I wake up at 5.30 in the morning and exercise, so that my day starts off on the right note. I do not allow my children a lot of screen

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time, because it is very important for them to go out and play. If you say it is too hot to go out and play in the daytime, I understand, but once the sun goes down in the evening, send your children to play, and you also go and get some exercise.”

Having spent 16 years in the Sultanate, Dr Benny Panakkal of Badr Al Sama’a Hospital had an equally icy tale to share.

“People who live in the Middle East, on an average, develop heart problems 10 years earlier than people in the western world do,” he revealed, expressing how much of a cause for concern this was. “I cannot stress just how dangerous this is for people because they don’t seem to be worried about what could happen. In the western world, the culture of eating junk food is slowly declining, but here in the Middle East, people are still not able to give it up.”

“Obviously, stress plays a very important role here,” added Dr Panakkal. “But lifestyle diseases are the number one cause of heart attacks, and more and more people are coming to get checked and they’ve found that they do have heart troubles, which wasn’t the case earlier, but that was also because back then, the awareness wasn’t there, so while the number of cases has been on the rise, it is also partially because more and more people are becoming aware and that is a good thing.”

He was also only too eager to remove the cloud of doubt that connected heart trouble to heavy smoking, one of the most dangerous causes of heart disorders.

“For a long time, there was a perception or a wrongly-held belief that smoking does not lead to heart problems, but it only leads to problems with your lungs,” said Dr Panakkal, hoping to clear the air on this matter once and for all. “Smoking is the biggest cause of heart attacks in people. I have had to give emergency care to a 24-year-old man who had heart troubles because of smoking. He didn’t have diabetes, he didn’t eat poorly, he wasn’t overweight, but his consumption of cigarettes had risen to two packs a day, and the price he paid for it was the harm he was causing to his heart.”

But what tipped the scales towards heart attacks was eating habits, with an increasing number of people suffering from obesity-related troubles.

“The number of young and obese people at the moment is simply too many,” he admitted. “People today say they have no time to cook for themselves or eat healthy food, but if something is important to you, then you will find the time for it. Today, people just order food from restaurants and this causes a lot of health problems, because restaurants are all about style and business, they use a lot of oil in their cooking and this causes so many problems.”

“This is particularly true in the case of fast food restaurants because they sell a lot of fried foods and use ingredients that are not good,” added Dr Panakkal. “If you want to live long, then please be careful and eat things in moderation. That is the way to lead a healthy life.”

—gautam@timesofoman.com

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LOOK SLIMMER WITHOUT LOSING WEIGHT

THE SECRETS TO DRESSING RIGHT While we won’t discourage you from workouts, we understand that it’s not always easy to maintain those perfect statistics all year round. Besides, even the best of us have those little battles with stubborn cellulite that simply won’t go. Simply master these tricks to look slimmer and you won’t be tugging at your dress uncomfortably again.

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STORY ANTARA BOSE

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GO FOR VERTICAL AND DIAGONAL STRIPES Whether skirts, long pants or dresses, vertical stripes give the illusion of longer legs and slimmer features. You can also experiment with wrap around dresses with diagonal stripes down the waist.

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BALANCE FITTED AND FLOWY Let me guess, someone told you that if you’re a little rounder than what you’d like to be, the best way to conceal the bulges are to cover it with loose-fitted clothes. The truth is, top-to-toe in loose, sloppy clothes will only make you look bulkier. If you’re wearing a flowy skirt wear a fitted shirt and if you want to sport a comfortable, airy top, team it with a pencil skirt or skinny jeans.

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DEFLECT ATTENTION Accessories are a great way to do just that. Long earrings and big statement necklaces draw attention to the face and neck while wearing chunky bracelets and stacks of bangles shifts the focus from heavier arms to wrists (which are obviously more slender).

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SPORT A SCOOP OR V-NECK Collarbones are attractive; it’s as simple as that! Show them off by wearing low cut or scoop-necked tops. It makes your neck and upper body look more slender.

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TRY HIGH-WAISTS Tired of fighting that lower belly? Hide it under a high-waist pant or a pencil skirt. Just ensure you pick the right fabric and not something too stretchy.

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DON’T SHY AWAY FROM SHAPE-WEAR There really is nothing wrong with it. And oh, reality check – celebs wear it too; because it isn’t possible to always get the perfect silhouette in every dress!

Shape-wears help to hide annoying bulges and enhance those curves.

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LAYER WITH DARKER COLOURS It’s a strange trick but seems to work well enough. Pair your sheer tops with dark (preferably even black) strap or tank tops.

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GO FOR A SIZE LARGER If you’re confused between two dress sizes, opt for the larger one. You can always pin it, add a belt or even tailor it to fit later. But wearing a dress that hugs you at all the wrong places won’t make you look any slimmer.

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SLIP ON A LONG CARDIGAN OR COAT Not the ones that end at your waist or higher, however. Go for the ones that extend below – to your knees, ankles or are even floor-sweeping. Make sure it’s lightweight and leave it open from the front.

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OPT FOR DEEPER COLOURS This is an evergreen advice. But it also means you don’t have to stick to black only. Dark blues, greens, reds, purples and maybe even an orange in a darker colour can work just as well.

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STAND TALL Last but not least, maintain your posture and stand tall.

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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HALWA HAPPINESS

When it comes to homemade desserts nothing can beat the range and taste of halwa. The word ‘halwa’ comes from the Arabic word, ‘hulw’ is a common sweetmeat and can be prepared in many ways.

RECIPES ONEZA TABISH

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CASHEW FLOUR HALWA CARROT HALWA PINEAPPLE SEMOLINA HALWA (PINEAPPLE SHEERA) A simple, semolina halwa with the goodness of pineapple is sure to woo your tastebuds with its sweet and tangy combination.

Ingredients • 1/2 cup ghee • 1/2 cup semolina • 1/2 cup pineapple, chopped • Water, as required • 1/2 cup sugar • Saffron strands, soaked in 1 tablespoon warm water • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder • 7 raisins • 7 pistachios, sliced • 7 cashew nuts, sliced Preparation First heat ghee in a wok and add semolina. Stir it continuously till it turns golden brown.

Add chopped pineapple and mix it well, cover the wok with a lid and allow it to cook for 2–3 minutes.

Now add water and give it a stir so that semolina doesn’t form lumps. As you keep stirring the mixture starts to cook, leave it on medium flame for another 2–3 minutes.

Once cooked add sugar, continue to stir the halwa so that the moisture is not there.

Before putting the flame down add saffron water, some cardamom powder and raisins, mix it well and remove from the heat.

Transfer the sheera to a serving bowl. Garnish with the nuts and serve hot.

It’s a bright orange carrot pudding that’s an absolute delight and the most loved dessert from the Indian subcontinent.

Ingredients • 3 cups grated carrots • 1 tablespoon cashews, chopped • 1 tablespoon sliced almonds • 21/2 tablespoons ghee, clarified butter or use unsalted butter • 11/2 cups evaporated milk • ¼ cup + 3 tablespoons granulated sugar • ½ teaspoon cardamom powder, some more to sprinkle • More cashews, chopped, to garnish Preparation Wash and peel the carrots. Pulse them in a food processor or grate them. Set aside.

In the meanwhile dry roast 1 tablespoon of chopped cashews and 1 tablespoon almonds till fragrant on medium flame, around 2 minutes. Set aside.

Heat 21/2 tablespoons of ghee in a pan on medium heat. Once hot, add the shredded carrots.

Cook for around 8-10 minutes on medium flame, stirring on regular intervals till the carrots change in colour slightly and there is no moisture.

Add evaporated milk and mix.

Cook the mixture on medium flame for around 15 minutes or till all of the milk is absorbed.

Now add sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder and mix.

Add nuts and mix and keep stirring the halwa for 4-5 minutes or till sugar is absorbed and halwa leaves the sides of the pan.

Sprinkle little cardamom powder on top and garnish with some chopped cashews. Serve hot.

This decadent halwa is a mix of cashews and flour made during festive occasions.

Ingredients • 1 cup cashew nuts (kaju) • 3½ cups water • 1 cup sugar • 3-4 saffron strands • ½ cup ghee • ½ cup whole wheat flour • ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder • ¼ teaspoon almonds chopped Preparation Add cashew nuts in a mixer jar, grind it into a fine powder, and keep it aside.

Pour the water to a heated pan and allow it to boil for 2-3 minutes on high flame.

Add sugar and mix well and bring to a roaring boil for 2-3 minutes again on a high flame.

Gently add saffron strands and allow it to boil for another minute. Remove the pan from the stove. Add ghee in a heated heavy-bottomed pan, leaving it to melt and heat well.

Now add the flour and the powdered cashew nuts. Stir continuously to avoid it from burning.

Cook it for 5-6 minutes on a medium flame, until the mixture turns brown. Once done, add the sugar syrup and mix well.

Stir continuously for 4-5 minutes until the mixture thickens and starts to leave the sides of the pan. Garnish with cardamom powder and chopped almonds.

Serve hot.

KARACHI HALWA It is made using corn flour, sugar, and water and is perfect for the festive season. Flavoured with cardamom and ghee, this dessert is a delicacy.

Ingredients • 2 tablespoons finely chopped mixed nuts of cashews, pistachios and almonds • 4 tablespoons ghee • 2 cups water • 1/2 cup corn flour • Food colour (optional) • 11/2 cups sugar • Big pinch of cardamom powder Preparation Gently sauté the mixed nuts in 1 tablespoon ghee and keep aside.

For making the halwa, add 2 cups (500ml) of water to the corn flour and mix well. Add the food colour and mix without any lumps.

Heat the remaining water in a pan over medium flame. Add sugar and stir until fully dissolved.

Bring to a boil and add the corn flour mixture and a big pinch of cardamom powder.

Stir well continuously. When it starts to stick to the pan, add ghee and stir again. When it has reached a halwa consistency and leaves the sides of the vessel, transfer to a greased tray.

Sprinkle the fried cashew nuts and allow it to set. Just before it sets completely, cut it into desired pieces.

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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LET’S GET ALONG, CAN WE?

3 STEPS TO RESOLVE CONFLICT WITH SOMEONE STORY CAROLANN PHILIPS

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MANY WOULD AGREE THAT THERE ARE FEW THINGS THAT ARE MORE DIFFICULT THAN ADDRESSING CONFLICT. PEOPLE CAN SELDOM AGREE ON EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME. BUT DISAGREEMENT IS ONE THING, AND CONFLICT IS ANOTHER.

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onflict is about either or both parties perceiving a threat from the other which may or may not be real. While there are a few who are comfortable dealing with conflict, and perhaps even relish it, the majority of us prefer to ignore it if we have a choice. However, addressing conflict is the only way to resolve it.

Knowing how to resolve a conflict is vital for relationship building and is fundamental to personal as well as professional success. Assuming that you appreciate, and would like to repair, build, and restore the relationship with a person you are in conflict with, here is a simple 3 step process you could use in an attempt to address conflict.

Step 1: State the expected future “Tina, I’d really like to be able to enjoy our time together at parties without feeling ignored. Do you think we could talk?” (Ensure your body language is positive and your emotions are in check. Be calm and breathe slowly. Keep your voice even and firm.)

Step 2: Clearly state your concerns “When I greeted you at the ‘ladies event’ yesterday, you moved away without giving me a look. At the buffet, I came over and enquired with you about the arrangements for next week, and you just walked away without responding. This makes me think that you are ignoring me and I feel hurt and confused. What do you think about what I’ve shared?”

(Listen to what the other person has to say. Chances are that they will explain their actions and say that they didn’t mean to make you feel that way.)

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

She specialses in behavioural skill development and professional performance enhancement.

Step 3: Summarise what was said; re-state the expected future “So what you’re saying is that you didn’t hear me greet you. And you were busy with serving food and so didn’t respond at the buffet. I’m glad I clarified this. I can now feel comfortable coming at our events without thinking that you are ignoring me. Thanks for clearing this up.”

Of course, there are other possibilities.

What if Tina really did mean to sideline you and make you feel ignored; and there was really no justification for her actions? Well, if that’s the case, she’s now bound to be cautious and will think twice about doing something like that again in the next event since you have confronted him with the issue.

What if Tina gets defensive and tells you that you are over thinking or over reacting? Well, in that case say something like, “So what you’re saying is that it wasn’t your intention to ignore me. It’s just my perception. I’m glad I clarified this. I can now stop thinking that you ignore me.”

Regardless of the outcome, taking steps to resolve conflict with someone opens up communication makes you feel better inside, and more importantly diffuses an otherwise potentially toxic situation.

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THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS Cast: Cate Blanchett, Jack Black, Kyle MacLachlan

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A wife questions her life choices as she travels to Stockholm with her husband, where he is slated to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature.

After David Kim’s 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a local investigation is opened and a detective is assigned to the case.

But 37 hours later and without a single lead, David decides to search the one place no one has looked yet, where all secrets are kept today: his daughter’s laptop.

A young orphan named Lewis Barnavelt aids his magical uncle in locating a clock with the power to bring about the end of the world.

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THE WIFE Cast: Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce

SEARCHING Cast: Debra Messing, John Cho, Michelle La

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SMALLFOOT Cast: Zendaya, Gina Rodriguez, Channing Tatum, Migo, James Corden An animated adventure for all ages, with an all-star cast and original music, “Smallfoot” turns a myth upside down when a bright young yeti finds something he thought didn’t exist — a human.

News of this “smallfoot” throws the simple yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village, in an all new story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.

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

CHEKKA CHIVANTHA VAANAM (Tamil) Cast: Arvind Swamy, Arun Vijay, Silambarasan, Vijay Sethupathi, Aditi Rao Hydari

A film about finding love and respect through self-reliance, Sui Dhaaga - Made in India is a heartwarming story that celebrates the spirit of self-reliance. The film’s plot is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and takes a leaf out of the hugely acclaimed Make In India campaign.

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Chekka Chivantha Vaanam is touted to be a powerful story about the gangster brothers played by Arvind Swamy, Arun Vijay and Silambarasan and their war against a cop portrayed by Vijay Sethupathi.

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COMING SOON

SUI DHAAGA - MADE IN INDIA Cast: Anushka Sharma, Varun Dhawan

VENOM Cast: Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Tom Hardy

ANDHADHUN Cast: Tabu, Radhika Apte, Anil Dhawan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Manav Vij

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SUDOKU

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TIMES DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

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THIS WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

mentality of your team.

The new game has modified FIFA et’s face it. We’ve all wanted to play the right down to its very nuts and bolts. If Champions League on FIFA. The lat- you want your overlapping fullbacks est edition of FIFA is but a few days bombing forward and your centre-backs away, and in anticipation of EA Sports’ spread out wide to cover for them, that’s latest blockbuster release, the good folks another aspect of the game that’s now at Electronic Arts brought out their demo under your control. to the game not so long ago. The FIFA 19 When you’re in charge of an attacker, demo provides a sneak peak into what the timing, as it turns out to be, is everything much-anticipated football game brings, – the correct touch will lead to the peracross PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. fect shot, and conversely, you might be Players can choose from a selection of waiting for the ball to burst the back of eight teams: Bayern Munich, AS Roma, the net, as you hold in a sharp intake of Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Manches- breath, only to see the ball bobble embarter City, Manchester United, Borussia rassingly wide.

Dortmund, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid The graphics have, as expected, also and last, but not least, Tottenham Hot- been significantly improved, with the imspur. There’s no Chelsea or – deep sigh – pact of floodlit arenas now reflecting the Arsenal in this year’s demo, weather patterns around so we’ll have to wait just a the stadium. The demo has THE SHORT AND SKINNY teensy bit more for Eden a few climatic options for Hazard and Mesut Ozil to you to choose from, includName: FIFA 19 take to the pitch. ing rain, autumn and clear, Genre: Sports But the demo has little to with matches being locked Produced By: EA Sports do with the players, and a to four-minute halves.

What it’s about: Ahead of the whole lot more to do with the But playing the demo is blockbuster release of FIFA 19, EA’s game mechanics. EA Sports only surely going to whet demo release will offer players the have brought in a whole host your appetite for what’s chance to experience all that is good of changes to suit gamers’ coming in the main ediand great about the newest football needs in FIFA 19, and the tion: UEFA’s Champions game up for grabs demo offers you the chance League and Europa League Where to buy: EA Sports, Microsoft to play with and tweak them campaigns are both availStore, PlayStation Store, Origin, Xbox to your heart’s content. able to play, and the glamMarketplace Game plans, for example, orous European nights in Platforms: Xbox One, MS Windows, are one of the most imporquestion come with all the PlayStation 4 tant factors introduced in bells and whistles, includIGN Rating: 8.2/10 the new game, much to the ing the fancy searchlights, delight of football lovers goosepimply music, and the everywhere. Are you a fan of commentary team of Lee the great Italian teams of yesteryear? You Dixon and Derek Rae. might want to ask your teams to sit back FIFA’s other big video game offering, the and defend once you’ve scored the game’s Journey, is also expanded this time, with opening goal. three players now available for gamers to FIFA 19 allows you to enable your team begin their career path to superstardom. to switch to an ultra-defensive tactic once A section of it is present in the demo, and you’ve gone 1-0 up, thereby making it Alex Hunter, the protagonist of the past much, much harder for the opposition to two seasons, is present this time around as break down your defence, emulating real- well. There are, however, another male and ity in many ways. (for the first time) a female lead to choose Of course, you can also undo the tac- from, should players want to go down a diftic should you so wish to: EA Sports have ferent path. brought in on-the-fly instructions with But irrespective of what the demo ofbetter responsiveness from players to al- fers, FIFA 19 will be a game that stays with low for a sudden change in tactic should gamers for a long, long time you need it, or are looking to change the – gautam@timesofoman.com

4

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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 40 S E P T E M B E R 2 7, 2 0 1 8

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IN FOCUS The International section of Indian School Al Ghubra celebrated its 8th Annual Day with a display of vibrant music and dance.

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VOLUME 11 ISSUE 40 S E P T E M B E R 2 7, 2 0 1 8

REASONS WHY THE NEW MAZDA 3 IS THE BEST COMPACT CAR YOU CAN BUY RIGHT NOW E

asy on fuel, stylish and fun to drive in both engine variants, the Mazda 3 is deservedly a popular car in the market and on the roads of Oman.

The Mazda 3 has been a firm favourite in Oman even before the new Kodo design and SkyActiv technology were adapted to it. Available in 1.6 & 2.0 litre four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models, Mazda 3 embodies all the elements of Mazda’s DNA which include distinctive design, exceptional functionality, responsive handling and great driving performance.

With a high level of performance, an amazing driving experience and good looks to go with it, the Mazda 3 1.6 litre comes well equipped with features such as commander switch, head up display, 16”alloy wheels and Xenon headlamps with daytime running lights. The 2.0 litre sedan luxury and hatchback models also come with paddle shift gears, electronic driver seat control and 18”alloy wheels The Mazda 3, in addition to its amazing features and stylish interiors and exteriors, comes at an unbelievable starting price of only OMR 5633 and EMIs starting as low as OMR 74. The Mazda 3 is loaded with exciting features like blind spot monitoring, rear parking camera with static line indicators, adaptive front lighting system and adaptive cruise control.

The Mazda 3 competes with and beats other vehicles in performance with supposedly more style and features compared to its own. Loaded with safety features like rear camera, i-ACTIVSENSE and re-

sponsive handling, the Mazda 3 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 3 is an excellent blend of polished dynamics, with fluent yet engaging steering and an agility that rules suburban streets and

roads leading to the interiors of Oman as well. It delivers an impressive and natural flowing feel as you drive across different terrains. The ride is smooth and at the same time delivers enough control for sharp cornering. On the whole the Mazda 3 features a sleek and clean design combined with the impressive SkyActiv engine recently introduced by Mazda. A revolutionary take on car engines that could change the way we look at engine performance in the future”

Mazda has brought quality to the roads of Oman, and TAC has made owning a Mazda an absolute joy, thanks to their excellent after-sales service, availability of genuine parts for all Mazda models, their efficient staff and amazing promotions for customers.

To find out more about Mazda’s new range, you can log on to mazdaoman.com, or just walk into any one of Towell Auto Centre’s 10 Mazda showrooms situated across the Sultanate of Oman.

Omantel launches 4th Special Number Auction T

he leading integrated telecommunication services provider in the Sultanate, Omantel, in collaboration with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority organises a 4th special number auction for those interested in acquiring VIP numbers.

Commenting on the launch of the 4th special number auction, Eng. Ahmed Said Al Riyami, General Manager Regulatory Affairs at Omantel, said: “We are happy to bring the 4th Edition of the special number auction to organisations and individuals in collaboration with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, where proceeds from the auction will be donated to charitable organisations.”

The actual auction that began on September 26 at 16:00 and will end at 16:00 on September 28, 2018. Those who partici-

pated in the previous special number auctions can reactivate their accounts and pay the fees through the same website.

“Since the launch of the 1st Edition of the special numbers auction in 2017, we have noticed great demand and interest from individuals as well as organisations to take part. Participants find it as a good opportunity to acquire a special number and contribute in donating to charity organisations” Al Riyami added.

Investing in the future of the nation, Omantel connects even the most remote communities of the Sultanate to each other and the rest of the world. Omantel is the Sultanate’s first and leading integrated telecommunications services provider, enabling the digital society to flourish, allowing new ways of doing business and delivering a world of information, news and entertainment.