44 267

DIGEST VIDEO

S CA N T H I S Q R CO D E TO I N STA N T LY L AU N C H T H E V I D EO

Top stories in one minute with our new daily Digest

TUESDAY, January 6, 2015 / 15 Rabi Al Awal 1436 AH timesofoman.com wtimesofoman.com facebook.com/timesofoman twitter.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

ePassports with more security features for Omanis this month FAHAD AL MUKRASHIfahad@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: To enhance the se-curity features in passports, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) is set to launch the electronic passport by the end of this month.

The process for the introduc-tion of ePassports began in April 2014 in compliance with the In-ternational Civil Aviation Organi-sation (ICAO) standards — the specialised agency of the United Nations.

“The ePassport will provide a citizen with enhanced protection since it cannot be forged. It will include photograph and personal information of the passport hold-er with high security features,” an ROP official told Times of Oman.

The official said that the ePass-port will use smart card technol-ogy, and will include a microchip that will not only detect manipu-lated documents but also confirm the identity of the person. The passport holder’s personal infor-

mation, photograph, biometric information and digital security features stored in the chip will help detect fraud if any.

The ROP has signed a contract with a German firm for the ePass-port project.

The official said that the elec-

tronic visa for expatriates was launched in mid-2014.

It aims at simplifying the pro-cess of online application without the need to go to the ROP, en-hances security, helps maintain visitors’ database and automati-cally collects the fee.

S M A R T C A R D T E C H N O L O G Y

A6 ROP marks annual day

OMANPassengers stuck

1Passengers on Air Arabia flight from Salalah to Chennai are reportedly

stranded at Sharjah airport. >A2

OMANTracking of patients

2Government hospitals and health institutions have begun tracking patients

using electronic health file. >A3

OMANIran’s exhibition

3Iran’s largest-ever exhibition in the GCC will open in Muscat on

Tuesday. >A5

T O P T H R E E I N S I D E S T O R I E S

Graphics

E-Passport anatomy Looks like a traditional passport, but it contains an electronic chip encoded with surname, given name, date of birth and sex. Also includes a digital picture of the bearer's face.

Electronic chip

Laminate

AntennaPerson ID

The electronic chip increases security, provides greater protection against tampering and reduces the risk of fraud.

HM receives thanksMUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania in reply to His Maj-esty’s congratulatory cable on his country’s 54th Independ-ence Anniversary. In his cable, President Abdel Aziz expressed his utmost happiness and sin-cere thanks for His Majesty the Sultan’s sincere feelings, pray-ing to Allah to grant His Majesty good health and happiness and the Omani people further pro-gress and prosperity. -ONA

M A U R I T A N I A

Corrigendum In the article titled ‘Government plans sale of stake to meet OMR2.5 billion deficit’, published in Times of Oman on January 5, there was a wrong reference to National Aluminium Products Co as one of the firms identified for share sale. The company is not owned by Oman government. The error is regretted.

MUSCAT: To keep abreast with the latest local, regional and international develop-ments and to provide people with timely news, Muscat Media Group will launch today, its new press service, Oloum Al Sha-biba (Al Shabiba News) Bulletin. The video bul-letin will be available at the Group’s channel on the Youtube, its web-site, and webpages of the social media. With latest news, the bul-letin will sum up major events and incidents three times a day.

Oloum Al Shabiba launch today

Oman ‘gets real’ over oil in the 2015 state budget

A E JAMESbusinesseditor@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Detailed plans for how Oman will make its money in 2015 -- and what it will spend that cash on -- have been officially released.

The State’s general budget was quietly released yesterday on the website of Ministry of Fi-nance and details everything from spending on education, defence and government operations to how much the Sultanate intends to borrow this year.

It also reveals how calls to re-vise oil revenue expectations for 2015 have been heeded, and even exceeded, with the budget relying on an estimated price of $55.9 per barrel, far below the $80 called for by the Majlis Al Shura.

That $55.9 figure is based on Oman’s plan to produce 980,000 barrels per day of oil, as indicated by Salim bin Said Al Oufy, the un-dersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas, back in November. That will add OMR7.7 billion to Oman’s coffers this year.

Natural gas will generate an-other OMR1.46 billion, OMR2.38 billion from current revenues, OMR25 million from capital rev-enues and OMR35 million from capital repayments, taking the to-tal revenue to OMR11.6 billion, ac-cording to a budget document re-leased by the Ministry of Finance.

The budget document also said that current expenditure al-location for defence and security will be to the tune of OMR3.8 bil-lion; civil ministries will get an-other OMR5.17 billion, OMR350 million for oil production, OMR210 million for gas produc-

tion and another OMR50 million for interest loans.

As far as investment expendi-ture is concerned, allocation for civil ministries is estimated at OMR1.69 billion, oil production and gas production estimates at OMR780 million and OMR740 million, respectively, taking the total investment expenditure to OMR3.21 billion for 2015.

The document also gave a break-up of subsidies given by the government to various sectors, which include an interest subsidy of OMR35 million for housing loans, allocation for participation

in domestic, regional and inter-national institutions at OMR200 million, support for government companies at OMR180 million, subsidy for essential food items at OMR35 million, electricity at OMR280 million and petroleum products at OMR580 million. In fact, there has been a decline in fuel subsidy as the recent plunge in crude price narrows down the gap between the rate at which oil is sold in the country and outside.

The government is going to rely on reserves and borrow-ing from within the country and overseas markets for meeting

a major chunk of subsidies. Of the total OMR2.5 billion deficit, OMR200 million will be by way of net grants, OMR200m net for-eign borrowing, OMR400m net domestic borrowing, OMR1b fi-nancial surpluses allocation and reserves of another OMR700m.

According to the Ministry of Finance, taxes and fees will fetch OMR1.334b, which in-clude OMR500m by way of taxes, OMR330m customs duty, OM-R245m from fee on foreign work-ers’ labour licences, OMR50m from telecommunication royalty fee and OMR30m from transport licences.

The annual budget

document released

shows details how

much Oman expects

to make from oil, plus

what it will spend

Crude oil

7,700Natural gas

1,460

Current andother revenues

2,440

Defence andSecurity

3,800

CivilMinistries

5,166

Investmentexpenditure

3,214

Interestin Loans

50

Gasproduction

210

Subsidies andparticipation

1,310

Oilproduction

350

State Budgetbreakdown(in million OMR)

TOTAL REVENUEAND DEFICIT

14,100TOTALEXPENDITURE

14,100

Revenue11,600

Deficit2,500

Current Expenditure9,576

A. E. JAMESbusinesseditor@ timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Oman is predicted to close 2014 with a deficit of around OMR600 million, in view of a 7 per cent growth in public expenditure (over the initial approved budget) and the drastic fall in crude oil prices in global markets. >A6

OMR600m budget deficit in 2014

A2 T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

OMAN

Salalah-Chennai flight hit by fog

REJIMON Kreji@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Passengers on Sat-urday’s Air Arabia flight from Salalah to Chennai are reportedly stranded in Sharjah airport as the airline had to cancel its flight due to bad weather late night on Sunday.

“The flight was delayed for nearly three hours in Salalah. When it reached Sharjah, its stopover, the airline officials told the passengers that due to bad weather the flight was being can-celled and the passengers would be flown on other flights,” Unni-than, the father of a stranded pas-senger, told Times of Oman.

“As my son had to appear in an examination, he opted for an-other flight of the same carrier to Ahmedabad. From there he has to purchase another ticket to Chen-nai. An Indian family, who are on an emergency trip, has also opted for the same plan and are with him,” said Unnithan.

According to some of the stranded passengers, there were Bangladeshi nationals also on board of the cancelled flight and food was provided only after sev-eral requests.

The airline’s online flight status from Salalah to Chennai revealed that there was no information

available. However, an official from the airline told Times of Oman that bad weather may have been the reason for the problems.

“There was a delay in Salalah, but we have to check for the re-ported issues in Sharjah,” said the official. Meanwhile, Etihad Airways expects to operate a nor-mal flight schedule by Tuesday (6 January 2015), as operations are restored following the major dis-ruptions caused by severe weath-er over the weekend.

A statement from the airlines said, “It is also operating four additional relief flights, Jakarta and Jeddah on Monday (5 Janu-ary), and Bangkok and Phuket on Tuesday (6 January) which will assist passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted.

Severe fog It is expected that more than 95 per cent of passengers delayed by the severe fog, which caused the closure of Abu Dhabi Interna-tional Airport, will have departed Abu Dhabi by tomorrow morning, with the remainder having de-parted by the end of the day.

Efforts have been helped by passengers originally scheduled to travel Monday and Tuesday (5 and 6 January), who took advan-tage of Etihad Airways’ offer of

free flight changes, to shift travel plans to later in January.

Etihad Airways mobilised more than 500 additional staff at the airport and city locations over the weekend, to assist guests stuck in Abu Dhabi as a result of the fog. The airline served more than 15,000 meals to guests at the airport, and provided more than 2,000 hotel rooms across the city.

The airline has announced it is to review its policies on the length of time aircraft can remain on the ground, with passengers aboard, while waiting for a take-off slot.

Whilst the departure of passen-gers to their onward destinations was a priority over the weekend, it has acknowledged customer concerns and has committed to a review of its procedures as soon as is feasible.

Abu Dhabi International Air-port had to suspend operations for a period on January 3, 2015, as visibility fell below General Civil Aviation Authority-mandated safety limits.

“We apologise to its guests for any inconvenience caused as a result of this airport closure, for mandated safety reasons, and thanks them for their patience during these extremely challeng-ing few days,” the Etihad state-ment said.

When the flight

reached Sharjah,

the airline officials

told the passengers

that the flight was

being cancelled due

to bad weather

Oman Air launches ‘Shape and Size’ efficiency programmeTimes News Service

MUSCAT: Oman Air has launched an efficiency programme, titled ‘Shape and Size’, with the aim of achieving substantial reductions in the airline’s expenditure.

The move is timed to coincide with the start of 2015 and the on-set of new budgets for the year.

The ‘Shape and Size’ efficiency

programme is targeting cost re-ductions across all activities un-dertaken by the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman. None of those reductions will affect the airline’s safety or the high stand-ards of service offered to valued customers. A total reduction in ex-penditure of more than OMR100 million should be achieved by Oman Air over the next three

years, bringing the company to an operational break-even point by the end of 2017.

The Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air, Paul Gregorow-itsch, said, “We are determined and committed to reshape Oman Air to become a more modern business-driven enterprise and one that does not solely rely on financial injections from the

Government of Oman. Oman Air contributed almost OMR420 million to the Gross National Product of the Sultanate during 2014. We are also aware that we have to contribute to the infra-structure of the country by serv-ing domestic airports like Sohar. Furthermore, and in line with the nation’s Omanisation policy, we are committed to developing for

the future the educational and ca-reer potential of young Omanis.

These important duties do not, however, constitute an excuse to run the airline as though it is a hobby.

Hard work“We all have to work hard and to make sacrifices to become an even better, service oriented, but

a self-supporting airline. We are in the business to be customer and profit-driven.

On January 15, 2015, more than 400 Oman Air employees will at-tend ‘To become the best’, a global event to be held in Muscat.

Here they will be briefed on how to contribute more effectively to the development of an efficient, profitable and respected airline.

C I V I L A V I A T I O N

WEATHER SNAGS: Etihad Airways expects to operate a normal

flight schedule by Tuesday.–Supplied photo

Palestinian judicial team meets Busaidi

MUSCAT: Sheikh Dr. Ishaq bin Ahmed Al Busaidi, Chairman of the Supreme Court, Deputy Chairman of the Judicial Su-preme Council and Head of the Judicial Administrative Affairs Council on Monday received a Palestinian judicial delegation headed by Ali Al Muhanna, Head of the Supreme Judicial Council in the State of Palestine, who is currently visiting the Sultanate.

The two sides discussed mat-ters of common interest be-tween the two countries in the judicial field and touched on the role played by the courts.

The conversation dealt with the experience of the Sultanate in the independence of the ju-diciary and discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of justice, law and the exchange of differ-ent experiences in this regard.

The delegation also visited the Ministry of Legal Affairs, met with Dr. Abdullah bin Mo-hammed Al Saeedi, Minister of Legal Affairs and were briefed on the legislative system in the Sultanate and the role of the ministry in the development of laws and regulations in coordi-nation with the ministries and government agencies by making the legal opinion, issuing fat-was and official interpretations adopted by the Sultanate of roy-al decrees, laws and ministerial decisions. –ONA

J U D I C I A R Y

A3

OMANT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Share your world with us on Instagram

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY SHARE YOURPHOTOGRAPHS

Electronic health data link to boost medical facilities

FAHAD AL GHADANIfahadnews@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: With all government hospitals and health institu-tions in Oman linked electroni-cally with effect from January 1, and private hospitals next in line to plug into the same database, health care delivery in the Sul-tanate is set to see a new phase of modernisation while reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.

Private hospital doctors in Oman have also called for all the government and private hospitals to be electronically linked to fur-ther improve the state of health care services in the Sultanate.

The purpose of the electronic national health file is to register patients using their civil number, thus allowing all hospitals in the Sultanate to share files and health histories of patients, as per inter-national standards.

Dr K P Raman, owner and chairman of Al Hayat Hospital, said the move will help improve the health care system, benefit-ting Omanis and expatriates. “It will the help the patients by avoiding duplication of diagnosis and thus bringing down the cost of treatment,” he said.

Elaborating further, he said the private and the government hospitals sharing health related data base will enable hospitals to store and retrieve detailed patient information that health care pro-viders can use whenever a patient is hospitalised.

“This will also help hospitals in

case of road accidents and other emergencies. It would provide safer, more effective care than is possible by relying on memory and paper-based systems. Also, this will help the hospitals to monitor, improve, and report data on health care quality and safety,” he said.

The medical director at the At-las Hospital in Ruwi, Rajagopal T. Naganathan, said that right now, all the health records are being stored on e-files system in case of all patients as directed by the Ministry of Health. “We are now trying to link these with other branches of Atlas,” he said.

Another doctor said that things are changing as healthcare pro-viders are heading towards cloud computing and virtualisation. “Gradually, we will find that all private and government hospitals are linked together,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Health, 86 per cent of the its in-stitutions, including government hospitals and health institutions, in the Sultanate are covered by the new system. In the last phase of the programme, private health institutions’ records will be brought online.

In an Oman TV phone inter-view with Abdullah Al Raqadi, the General Manager of the IT department at the Ministry of Health, it was reported that al-most 139 health institutions reg-istered 90 per cent of their pa-tients on the first day. “A total of 908 were registered in the Royal Hospital, 663 in Al Nahdha Hos-

pital and 780 in the Nizwa Hospi-tal,” Al Raqadi said.

He also explained that most patients’ histories recorded be-fore the new system went online will appear in electronic health files. “The system will reduce the time patients spend in differ-ent health institutions,” said Al Raqadi. He added that the elec-tronic health file will help doctors in making decisions concerning patient care.

Common people, too, respond-ed favourably to the electronic health file system.

Medical reportsMany felt the system will help in better organising health care ser-vices in the Sultanate. “The new system will save us time and mon-ey,” said Saif Al Wishahi, work-ing in the government sector. He added that each hospital often only accepted medical reports from its own labs, rejecting those generated by other hospitals. “The electronic health file will save all my medical reports, and I can go to any doctor without hav-ing to undergo repeat examina-tions,” said Al Wishahi.

Huzaim Al Mani, working in the private sector, told Al Wishahi that the electronic health file sys-tem will save patients time and money. “It will save the hospital time and also the medicines pro-vided by government hospitals,” said Al Mani.

He explained that medicines often used to go waste as patients were bothered little by how much medicine they received from dif-ferent hospitals, especially gov-ernment hospitals, since medi-cines are part of free service for nationals. However, the electron-ic health file will list all medicines prescribed for patients, regard-less of the hospital they visit, said Al Mani.

Health care servicesin the Sultanate

GraphicsSource: Ministry of Health

Electronic national health file is to register patients using their civil number, thus allowing all hospitals in the Sultanate to share files and health histories of patients according to international standards.

Patients Registered

RoyalHospital

NizwaHospital

Al NahdhaHospital

86%of the health institutions in the Sultanateare included inthe new system

139Health institutions already registered 90 percent of their patients on thefirst day

908780

663

H AV E YOU R SAY AT T W I T T E R.CO M /T I M ES O F O M A N O R S CA N T H E CO D E TO I N STA N T LY P O ST YOU R T H O U G H TS .

Floating fuel station launchedTimes News Service

MUSCAT: Muriya, Oman’s lead-ing tourism development compa-ny, recently opened a floating fuel station at Jebel Sifah, designed to provide a refuelling location for boats and yachts.

The station adds a new facet to the 84-berth marina by allowing residents to fill up onsite, while encouraging passing boats to enter Jebel Sifah and explore the grow-ing array of dining, retail and ac-commodation options.

Marko Randjelovic, Marina Manager at Muriya’s Jebel Sifah destination, said, “The floating fuel station is an important new amenity in the ongoing develop-ment of Jebel Sifah that delivers fuel directly to residents and to

boaters around the area. This will help position our destination as a strategic stopping point for boats to explore nearby dive sites located along the scenic coastline.”

The station is operated in part-nership with Al Maha Petroleum and is equipped with two 50,000 litre tanks providing both diesel and Petrol fuel.

J E B E L S I F A H M A R I N A

Training plans reviewed by Sheikh Khalid

MUSCAT: Board of Direc-tors of the Institute of Public Administration held its meet-ing under the chairmanship of Sheikh Khalid bin Omar bin Said Al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Service and Chairman of the Institute. At the beginning of the meeting, the board re-viewed the special report on the follow up of the decisions taken by the board at its third meeting in 2014. It also reviewed a num-ber of reports on the activities of the Institute during last year.

The Board considered the Institute draft training plan for 2015 which includes 255 training programs in the field of public administration, finance, administrative jobs, public re-lations and media, in addition to 94 scientific programmes. A number of the training pro-grams will be implemented in cooperation with the Arab Or-ganization for Administrative Development. -ONA

P U B L I C A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

UNIQUE STATION: The fuel station has been engineered as a stable

platform with a 24 metre long pontoon.–Supplied photo

HEALTHCARE SERVICE: Things are changing as healthcare pro-

viders are heading towards cloud computing and virtualisation.

According to the Ministry of Health, 86 per cent of its institutions,

including government hospitals and health institutions, are cov-

ered by the new system. – File photo

The purpose of the electronic national

health file is to register patients using their

civil number, thus allowing all hospitals

in the Sultanate to share files and health

histories of patients. Hospitals sharing

health-related data base will enable them

to store and retrieve detailed patient

information for medical convenience

A4 T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

OMAN A reorientation in the strategies and efforts will

certainly make Oman one of the most fascinating

tourist destinations for ‘halal tourism’

Dr Dileep M.R., Asst. Professor, Salalah College of Applied Sciences

Video gamers to slug it out for ‘GCC King of Fighter’ crownTARIQ AL HAREMI

MUSCAT: Encouraged by the growing interest in e-Sports, Oman is all set to host the GCC King of Fighter tournament.

The first-of-its-kind tourna-ment, organised by Oman Fighting Game Community (Oman FGC), it will be held at Chef Inn in Athaiba on Friday.

“The hosting of the competition has been welcomed by the expand-ing the video game community in the Sultanate. Several competi-tors from the GCC have reportedly already booked hotel rooms,” said the organiser.

E-Sports, or electronic sports, is the term coined for organised video game competitions. Its massive popularity in the UAE has seen players from across the globe, including Oman, partici-pating in tournaments, namely fighting games, sports and role playing games for cash prizes and a prestigious status in the video game world. Players include pro-fessional gamers, working adults and youth.

“Video games in general are pop-ular among the youth and working adults. The youth in particular play video games to the extent of addiction,” said Ayman Khatib, organiser of the Street Fighter 3rd Strike Clash Tournament 2014, which was held in Abu Dhabi ear-lier this month.

Just like other communities, gamers are brought together through social events, competi-tions and gaming events such as Games ‘14, Comic Con and IGN Convention.

Competitive environment “There are many reasons why video games are an integral part of our lives. Firstly, they help us kill

time when we are free. But most importantly, it is the competitive environment, especially in fighting games, that surrounds the play-ers, from the focus of the player on winning to the cheer of the specta-tors,” said Khatib.

Though gamers are not taken too seriously, there are individu-als who are sponsored by video game production companies and

developers to play their games live online such as Daigo Ume-hara from Japan and Justin Wong from the USA. In other words, they are earning a living by playing video games.

Fighting games in general have technical names for moves and ac-tions, such as frame traps, set ups, one character victory (OCV) etc. just as in case of boxing or wres-

tling. Today, the global video game market is worth approximately $93 billion, which is the fourth largest industry on earth.

Abu Dhabi tournamentEarlier this month, the UAE 3rd Strike Fighting Game Community organised a Street Fighter tour-nament, a popular fighting game franchise since the late 80’s that

witnessed 30 competitors to battle it out for the top spot. Of the na-tionals arriving from outside the UAE included Japanese, Brazilian and two players from Oman.

“This is the third time I am par-ticipating in the UAE. Whenever I have the chance, I go there be-cause I love it. It is not just for fun, but because the competitiveness and the atmosphere make it that much more exciting,” said Nasser Mukhaini of the Oman Fighting Game Community (Oman FGC) and one of the competitors in the tournament. “I also benefit from socialising with the other players and learning new things about vid-eo games. The competition makes you a better player by increasing your thought and reaction process while playing,” he added.

When asked about the close-ness of the community in the GCC, Nasser said, “Once you get to know other players, they become like brothers and sisters as well as oth-ers outside the GCC. We also con-tributed to sponsoring the Japa-nese players to compete in this year’s tournament.”

Two Japanese players claimed the first and third spots of the competition, while second place went to a UAE national. Each went home with a trophy and a medal.

For participation, one may con-tact Oman FGC at facebook.com.oups/789053864479827/?fref=ts.Spectators are free to enter.

E - S P O R T S T O U R N A M E N T

This is the third time I am participating ... It is not just for fun, but because the competitiveness and the atmosphere make it that much more exciting

Nasser MukhainiOman Fighting Game Community

E-GAMES TUSSLE: The hosting of the competition has been welcomed by the expanding video game

community in Oman. Several competitors from GCC have already booked hotel rooms.– Supplied photo

Time to tap growing demand for ‘halal tourism’ segment

DR. DILEEP M.R. MUSCAT: Sultanate of Oman, one of the most astonishing tour-ist destinations in the Middle East region, has to tap the immense po-tential of ‘halal tourism’, which is one of the fastest growing tourism category the world over.

Many destinations across the world have already taken meas-ures to lure the surging Muslim travel propensity by ensuring ex-clusive services and facilities that can cater to the needs of this trav-eller segment.

In the GCC, Dubai and Abu Dha-bi are fast moving ahead with ‘halal tourism’ initiatives and branding efforts to take advantage of domes-tic cultural and religious environ-ments to entice this subcategory of the tourism sector comprising travellers abiding by Sharia rules.

Unlike the competing destina-tions with artificial attractions in the region, Oman certainly has an advantage as it is magnificent with enchanting natural features and splendid culture and herit-age. Oman enjoys all the reasons to promote ‘halal tourism’ as the most prominent category in the country, and the sector needs sub-stantial investment in building up facilities that match the require-ments and to brand it across the world as a competitive location for ‘halal tourism’.

The emergence of Muslim travel segment as a major one is indeed a natural evolution which occurred along with the overall economic development of the societies. Once upon a time, before the demise of the global imperialism, travel, rather called precisely as tourism, was limited to a few: the ‘rich and

the aristocratic’, the lucky lot of upper class of the colonial empires, and the religious missionaries.

Currently, the tourism indus-try, has penetrated into almost all the societies across the world, and thus identified newer market seg-ments at regular intervals. The lat-est addition to the whole gamut of tourism market is the Muslim seg-ment which has certain specific characteristics, with demands for exclusive services and facilities.

Realising the fast growing out-bound tourism from the Arab region, especially from the GCC, competing tourism destination countries are in a hurry to rope in this potential. Sultanate of Oman is no exception, and according to the UN World Tourism Associa-tion (UNWTO), Oman’s outbound tourism is growing rapidly.

In 2010, the expenditure made by Omani tourists in foreign countries increased by 36 per cent ($ 1768m) compared to the previous year.

The year 2012 saw an increase of 12 per cent and the next year, it was more than 10 per cent ($2184m).

‘Halal tourism’ represents the form of tourism in which specific arrangements are made for the in-coming Muslim tourists who are looking for services in accordance with their religious principles, such as restaurants serving halal meat and hotels with dedicated prayer areas, with the specified premises not serving any alco-hol. Moreover, they may also look for separate swimming pools or beaches for men and women. At the same time, it doesn’t mean that ‘halal tourism’ is all about offering

tourist attractions which are reli-giously associated.

Fast growing sub-segmentWorld Travel and Tourism Coun-cil (WTTC), the leading global professional body in tourism, has identified this type of tourism as a fast growing sub- segment. Ac-cording to them, this sub-category of the tourism sector is focused mainly on individuals abiding by Sharia rules. “Hotels here serve no alcohol, spas have separate ar-eas for men and women, religious programmes are offered as part of in-flight entertainment, and prayer timings are announced to all,” reports the WTTC. They es-timate that this segment not only represents 13 per cent of the global total, but is going to be worth $200 billion by the end of this decade.

The leading destinations are gearing up to rope in the fast grow-

ing Islamic market segment. Some, along with ensuring specific facili-ties and services, are already in a race to be branded as ‘Halal Tourist Destination.’ Turkey, for instance is far ahead in this respect as it has already ensured halal hotels that have come up fast in recent years. It offers a very wide range of Sharia compliant services, making it an ideal destination for Islamic tour-ism. Along with Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia and Morocco, too, have braced up to tap the Muslim travel market, thanks to the global Mus-lim population of some 1.6 billion.

According to the Crescent Rat-ing agency, this market segment is now worth $140bn (£84bn; 106bn euros), and may rise up to $192 bil-lion by 2020. Even GCC countries have also started to promote ‘halal tourism’. Abu Dhabi is leading by offering a range of holiday pack-ages adhering to Islamic beliefs

and practices. The authorities there are in a

hurry to rope in tour operators and hospitality groups to offer tailor-made packages to halal tourists who do not wish to compromise their Islamic values while holiday-ing. Dubai is already the world’s most popular family destination that offers necessary facilities for halal tourists, as well. Many Eu-ropean countries have realized the economic significance of this fast growing market segment and initi-atives are being launched to attract more Muslim tourists to visit their destinations.

Recently, Japan has come up with strategies to attract Muslim tourists. Halal food is being ar-ranged and special facilities are being ensured. South Africa has formulated plans to attract ha-lal tourists as it considers ‘halal tourism’ as a potential gold mine. In Asia, Malaysia is considered a pioneer in attracting Muslim tourists. Arab investors report-edly spent more than $300 mil-lion building two “Arab cities” in Malacca, Malaysia.

While Muslims engaging in in-ternational travel hail from both Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority countries, the list of the preferred countries is expanding. These tourists predominantly hail from Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arabic Emirates, Indone-sia, Kuwait, Turkey, Nigeria, Ma-laysia, Qatar and Egypt. Sultanate of Oman is a recent addition to this. Their preferred destinations are Malaysia, Turkey, the UAE, Singapore, Russia, China, France, Thailand and Italy, as such coun-tries cater to ‘halal tourism’. In Europe, according to Crescent Rating, France has become the most-sought-after destination, followed by England and Italy. The UK has been named the best halal-friendly destination by Crescent Rating and many hotels across Europe are now starting to provide exclusive services and facilities to cater to Muslim tourists.

For the Sultanate of Oman, the need of the hour is to invigorate the processes to tap the potential of ‘halal tourism’ effectively. Of course, some projects have been begun for Sharia-compliant ‘alco-hol-free’ hotels.

Moreover, many hotels and oth-er service centres have exclusive facilities as per the needs of this category of travellers. The local cultural environment is certainly an advantage for promoting this type of tourism. Yet, increased ini-tiatives can make the destination an ideal one for ‘halal tourism’. A reorientation in the strategies and efforts will certainly make Oman one of the most fascinating tourist destinations for ‘halal tourism’.

Dr Dileep M.R. is Asst. Professor, Salalah College of Applied Sciences

The latest addition

to the whole gamut

of tourism market

is the Muslim

segment which has

certain specific

characteristics,

with demands for

exclusive services

and facilities. Oman

needs to tap this

growing market of

‘halal tourism’

NEW AVENUES: Oman enjoys all the reasons to promote ‘halal tourism’ as the most prominent cat-

egory in the country, and the sector needs substantial investment in building up facilities.–File photo

Ministry refutes reports of zakat funds

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has re-futed the news reports which stated that extra cash from the Gulf zakat fund would be hand-ed over to Oman.

A reliable source at the min-istry said, “The news is incor-rect and there is nothing official about it.”

He clarified that the ministry did not have any discussions with anyone on this issue.

“The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to examine the issue as the report appeared in a newspaper and a TV channel,” said the source.

The ministry’s records show that the amount of zakat money that had accumulated since 2009 was OMR1 million and the money was spent on local and international charities.

Many people expressed un-happiness at the news getting such publicity in the media in the Gulf countries.

“Stories should be cross checked before publishing,” said a senior official.

He informed that this is not the first time these kinds of friv-olous reports have been carried out by the media.

“Some years back there was a report on a TV programme where they said that used com-puters in one of the Gulf coun-tries were being given to poor countries including Oman,” he added.

M I S L E A D I N G R E P O R T

The Awqaf Ministry requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to examine the issue as the report appeared in a newspaper and TV channel. Stories should be cross checked before publishing

Government official

Hotels here serve no alcohol, spas have separate areas for men and women, religious programmes are offered as part of in-flight entertainment, and prayer timings are announced to all. This segment not only represents 13 per cent of the global total, but is going to be worth $200 billion by the end of this decade.

World Travel and Tourism Council report

RAFO LAUNCHES HELICOPTER EXERCISE

Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) on Monday launched its helicopter exercise at Al Mesanaah

air base with the participation of a number of units from Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and

Sultan Special Force (SSF). The exercise was held under the command of Air Commodore

Saleh bin Abdullah Al Maamari, Director of Projects. The exercise aims at activating the

joint work for helicopters with SAF and other military and security services. It also aims

at enhancing the operational and training capacity for helicopter pilots, as well as training

on the joint work at the electronic warfare and its application in reality in cooperation with

other forces units. It is also aimed at assessing the efficiency of the modern systems used in

these helicopters. A number of RAFO helicopters supported by some units from SAF and SSF

will be implementing joint missions, including air landing operation, fire support, marine

recon, rope dropping, evacuation, and search and rescue. — ONA

A5

OMANT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Tweet all about it

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

Iran’s exhibition to set landmark

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: The largest exhibi-tion that Iran has ever held in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region will open at the Oman In-ternational Exhibition Centre in Muscat on Tuesday.

“Around 100 companies will be participating in the exhibition, and this is the first time that such an exhibition is being held with the participation of companies from all over Iran. The previous exhibits were limited to some provinces,” Iranian Ambassador Ali Akbar Sibeveih told a press conference on Monday.

Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Oman’s minister of commerce and industry, and Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Iran’s minister of industry, mining and trade, will attend the inauguration ceremo-ny. The exhibition will conclude on Saturday. According to the am-bassador, four models of Iranian-manufactured cars will be on dis-play at the show along with a wide range of other products.

Iranian companies supplying foodstuff and food-related ma-chinery, agricultural products and equipment, products and machinery used in the metal in-dustry as well as medical and pharmaceutical equipment will be displaying their products.

The exhibition coincides with the meetings of the Oman-Iran

Joint Economic Committee in Muscat, which is aimed at boost-ing economic relations between the two countries. The prelimi-nary meetings of the committee had been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday and the main meet-ing will be held at the ministerial level on Wednesday, said Sibeveih.

The official also noted that Iran is keen to invest further in Oman and has plans to establish a smelt-er and a hospital in Duqm along with a number of other projects. He called for further co-operation between Iranian and Omani com-panies, especially in the private sector, in all areas.

Asked whether Iran plans to contribute to Oman’s railway

project, the ambassador said that Iran has mastered advanced technology in the railway sector, which it is interested in sharing with the Sultanate.

According to the latest sta-tistics from Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the value of Oman’s imports from Iran stood at OMR215,774,867 in 2013, a 172.2 per cent in-crease compared to 2012, dur-ing which the value of imports from Iran to Oman was placed at OMR79,262,355.

Omani exports to Iran (ex-ports and re-exports) totalled OMR124,261,002 in 2013, an increase of 8.4 per cent against OMR114,673,887 in 2012.

The exhibition

coincides with the

meetings of the

Oman-Iran Joint

Economic Committee

in Muscat. Iran is

keen to invest in

Oman and has plans

to establish a smelter

and a hospital in

Duqm along with

other projects

India to train 100 Omanis in technical education this year

Times News Service

MUSCAT: The co-operation which India shares with Oman is heart-warming and amazing, and Omanis are receiving training in academic and technical fields in India, J.S. Mukul, India’s ambassa-dor to the Sultanate of Oman, said.

The Indian government will train around 100 Omanis in sever-al colleges in India for higher edu-cation in 2015, informed Captain Arjun Dev Nair, defence attache, Indian Embassy in Muscat.

He was speaking on board Indi-an Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Vijit,

which was making a friendly visit to Port Sultan Qaboos, to mark the 60th anniversary of India-Oman diplomatic ties, with the Indian Consulate in Muscat having first opened its doors in 1955.

“Around 183 Omanis are being trained for the last couple of years and this year we will be training another 100 for higher studies, in-cluding in the Indian army and the navy. The selection of students are being done by the Sultan Armed Forces,” he said.

“They are very eager learners and have very high potential,” said the defence attache.

He also said the visit of ICGS Vi-jit’ will boost bilateral ties between two countries.

“India and Oman enjoy long-lasting co-operation in various fields, which is strengthened by regular port visits between the two countries,” he said.

He also said that a series of events throughout 2015 will be

planned to celebrate the diamond jubilee of India-Oman diplomatic relations, and the visit of ICGS Vi-jit marks the beginning.

ICGS Vijit, the second in the series of 90-metre offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), was designed and built in India by Goa Shipyard Limited and was commissioned on December 11, 2010, in Goa. Vijit, meaning victorious, is a projec-tion of Indian Coast Guard’s will and commitment ‘To Serve and Protect’ the maritime interests of the nation.

ICGS Vijit has 19 officers and 120 other personnel under the

Command of Deputy Inspector General Rakesh Pal and is based at Porbandar in the state of Gujarat.

Since commissioning, the ship has spent 600 days at sea and logged 10,1537 nautical miles. “We arrived in Muscat after visiting Qatar, Bahrain and Dubai and from here we will again set sail for Por-bandar,” said Pal.

This OPV is equipped with the most advanced navigation and communication equipment, sen-sors and machinery with state-of-the-art technology. The ship also has several other special features. The sustenance and reach, cou-

pled with the latest and modern equipment and systems, provides her with the capability to ac-complish all coast guard charter of duties.

After joining the coast guard, the ship has been deployed extensively for the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) surveillance and such other duties as are enshrined in the coast guard Charter.

The vessel has been deployed largely in the North Western re-gion, more so along the Interna-tional Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), to safeguard India’s mari-time interests.

N A V A L D I P L O M A C Y

Around 183 Omanis are being trained for the last couple of years and this year we will be training another 100 for higher studies, including in the Indian army and the navy. The selection of students are being done by the Sultan Armed Forces

Captain Arjun Dev NairDefence attache, Indian Embassy

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADIelham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: A $1.5 billion multi-speciality hospital complex that Iran plans to establish in Barka will be ready by 2018, said Ira-nian Ambassador Ali Akbar Sibeveih.

The hospital complex will also include a four-star hotel for the convenience of patients and specialists, said Sibeveih at a press confer-ence on Monday.

According to him, the 400-bed hospital will be equipped with the latest medical facilities and has the potential to become a hub for patients from Oman, other

Gulf countries and beyond.Around 400 to 500 people

will be working at the hospi-tal, a majority of whom will be Iranians, he said, adding that the facility will also cre-ate many job opportunities for Omani nationals.

Iranian doctors based in Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom will also visit the hospital on a regular basis to perform certain operations, Sibeveih added.

The construction of the complex will begin soon, Sibeveih said, noting that there will be a well-equipped training department for Omani nurses and doctors as well.

Iran to set-up $1.5b hospital complex in Barka by 2018

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

ARTICLE, VIDEOW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

PEACE MISSION: A series of events will be planned throughout 2015 to celebrate the diamond jubilee of India-Oman diplomatic relations, and the visit of ICGS Vijit marks

the beginning. – Photos and Videos by AR Rajkumar/TIMES OF OMAN

Four models of Iranian-manufactured cars will be on display at the show

Ali Akbar SibeveihIranian Ambassador to Oman

A6

OMANT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Staff Reporter

MUSCAT: Under the patronage of Lt. General Said bin Ali Al Hilali, the chief of the internal security service, Royal Oman Police (ROP) celebrated its 37th annual day with a military parade at the Sultan Qa-boos Academy for Police Sciences in Nizwa on Monday.

The celebration kicked off with a parade by the ROP band staged by graduates from the 33rd batch of higher diploma and university officers, specialised officers, new recruits and policewomen, fol-lowed by a speech by Al Hilali ex-pressing his gratitude at being able to patronise the celebration.

Congratulating the ROP, Al Hi-

lali lauded its effective presence in the overall development process, led by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. He also affirmed the im-portance of this effort and the use of all available means to maintain the security and safety of Oman.

After that, the 37th batch of graduate officers handed over the banner of the Sultan Qaboos Acad-emy for Police Sciences to the 38th batch of candidate officers. The ROP band, then played the royal anthem, and the event concluded with the ROP cavalry parade.

Photographs were taken of Al Hilali along with the Inspector General of Police and Customs Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsin Al Shuraiqi with the officers’ batches.

The celebration kicked off with a parade by

the ROP band followed by a speech by Gen.

Saeed Al Hilali

ROP MARKS ANNUAL DAY WITH PARADE

Growth in government expenditure will add to deficitHowever, Oman’s budget surplus stood at OMR233.5 million for the first eleven months of 2014, a decline of 61.7 per cent compared to the same period of the previous year at OMR610.2 million, accord-ing to official statistics released by National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

This is against Oman gov-ernment’s deficit projection at OMR1.8 billion, which was an-

nounced early last year. However, there could be a deficit for the en-tire year due to a 7 per cent growth in government expenditure, over the initial budget estimate, said an economic analyst, who did not want to be named.

“There was a significant drop in oil prices towards the last quarter of 2014. Oman crude was quoting slightly higher than $60 per barrel in December. Further, the subsidy

estimate will go up at the end of the year,” said the economic ana-lyst, adding, “The deficit for the entire year could be around OM-R600m (which was estimated by the government).”

Actual revenueThe Oman government said the actual revenue for 2014 is esti-mated at OMR13.9 billion, against the initial approved estimate of

OMR11.7 billion, while actual ex-penditure estimate is OMR14.5 billion (7 per cent higher than the approved budget), which will leave a deficit of OMR600 million.

The government’s total rev-enue fell by 2.5 per cent to OMR12,468.7 million from OMR12,786.6 million, while net oil income alone receded by 3.2 per cent to OMR9,434.8 million from OMR9749.4 million during

the first eleven-month period un-der review. Although total crude oil production between January and November last year grew by 1.5 per cent to 286.18 million bar-rels, the average price of Oman Crude inched down by 0.7 per cent to $104.7 per barrel from $105.4 a barrel for the same period of 2013.

Government expenditureAlso, total government expendi-

ture surged ahead by 14.2 per cent to OMR11,135.2 million from OMR9,752.5 million dur-ing the eleven-month period under review.

Of the total expenditure, cur-rent expenditure from January to November surged ahead by 21.1 per cent to OMR7,031 mil-lion, while investment expendi-ture was up by 10.2 per cent to OMR2,667.4 million.

NCS I

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT ROP

PHOTO GALLERYW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

< FROM

A1

A7

REGIONT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

After consultations, both within the party and with other

parties, there is consensus around the name of Habib Essid as candidate for the post of head of government

Mohamed Ennaceur, Vice-president, Nidaa Tounes

Lebanon begins its visa restrictions on Syrians

BEIRUT: Overwhelmed by a mas-sive influx of desperate refugees, Lebanon began imposing unprece-dented visa restrictions on Syrians on Monday, including those fleeing their country’s civil war.

“Today we began implement-ing the new entry measures and Syrians at the borders have begun presenting their documents to en-ter,” a source at Lebanon’s general security agency said.

First in historyThe visa restrictions are the first in the history of the two countries and come as Lebanon struggles to deal with more than 1.1 million Syrian refugees.

The influx has tested the coun-try’s limited resources, as well as the patience of its citizens, par-

ticularly as security has deterio-rated. For months, Lebanon’s gov-ernment has sounded the alarm, warning the international com-munity that it could no longer deal with the influx.

In October, Social Affairs Min-ister Rashid Derbas said Lebanon would stop accepting displaced Syrians, with exceptions on hu-manitarian grounds only.

He said that the new visa re-quirement was intended to limit the flood of new arrivals.

“The goal is to prevent (Syr-ians) from taking refuge” in Leba-

non, and “to more seriously regu-late the entry of Syrians”.

Khalil Jebara, adviser to Leba-non’s interior minister, said the country would continue to pro-vide humanitarian exceptions, but that restrictions were needed.

“We respect our international obligations... we will not expel an-yone and there will be humanitar-ian exceptions,” he said.

“But it’s high time to regulate the issue of Syrians entering Leb-anon,” he added. “Their presence imposes a great security, econom-ic and social burden on Lebanon,

and pressure that the infrastruc-ture can no longer take.”

Unlike Jordan and Turkey, Lebanon declined to create refu-gee camps, meaning refugees are dispersed throughout the country.

It has also seen its fragile se-curity situation deteriorate, with militants from Syria briefly over-running Arsal -- a border town in eastern Lebanon hosting tens of thousands of refugees -- in August and kidnapping several dozen Lebanese police and soldiers.

A spokesman at Lebanon’s gen-eral security agency said the meas-ures would help track the huge refugee population, which the gov-ernment estimates at 1.5 million people. “We have a problem called 1.5 million Syrians and there is no magical solution for it, these meas-ures are the first step,” he said. “It’s a way to track Syrians... so we know where to find them.”

UN refugee agency UNHCR has registered 1.1 million arrivals, but many more are thought to be in the country unregistered, and thousands have entered Lebanon through illegal crossings.

Lina Khatib, director of the Carnegie Middle East Centre think-tank, said the visa measures were a result of Lebanon’s failure to implement a refugee policy ear-ly in the Syrian conflict.— AFP

The decision comes

as Lebanon struggles

to deal with more

than 1.1 million

Syrian refugees

Former interior minister to become Tunisia’s new PMTUNIS: Former interior min-ister Habib Essid, who held a number of posts under Tunisia’s ousted regime, has been tasked with forming a government as prime minister designate, he an-nounced on Monday.

Essid, a top interior ministry civil servant under toppled leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, made the announcement after a meeting with Beji Caid Essebsi who last month won Tunisia’s first free presidential election.

Honoured“I had the honour of being re-ceived today by the president who tasked me with forming the new government,” Essid told reporters at the presidential palace.

“Consultations with (political)

parties and civil society will be-gin,” he added, without giving a date for the launch of talks.

The prime minister designate has a month — renewable once — to form a cabinet and win parlia-mentary approval for his line-up.

His name was put forward by Essebsi’s Nidaa Tounes party which won October parliamenta-ry elections by securing 86 of the 217 seats. Essid, 65, held govern-ment positions without ever be-ing minister under Ben Ali’s iron-fisted regime but returned after Tunisia’s 2011 revolution.

After a stint as interior minis-ter, he served as security adviser to prime minister Hamadi Jebali of the Ennahda party.

“After consultations, both within the party and with oth-

er parties, there is consensus around the name of Habib Essid as candidate for the post of head of government,” Nidaa Tounes vice-president Mohamed Enna-ceur told reporters. “He is an in-dependent figure... who has skills and experience,” Ennaceur said, singling out his “knowledge of se-curity matters”.

Ennahda, which came second in the polls, has not ruled out join-ing a coalition with Nidaa Tounes.

The movement reacted posi-tively to Essid’s nomination and said it would be ready to join a cabinet under his premiership. “We have held a principled posi-tion since before the elections that we are in favour of a government of national unity,” said Ennahda spokesman Zied Ladhari. — AFP

G O V E R N M E N T F O R M A T I O N

Six militiamen injured as bomb targets Houthis in SanaaSANAA: A bomb wounded six Houthi militiamen in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on Monday, a secu-rity official said, the latest in spate of attacks on the Houthi fighters who overran Sanaa in September.

The blast left a hole in the wall of the building, which was used as a base by the Houthis, witnesses said. Photographs posted on Yem-eni social media accounts, which could not be immediately veri-fied, showed the front of a building in which the windows had been blown out and bricks were missing from around the door.

The blast hit the building in the Hayel district of Sanaa, an official said. It came a day after a bomb-ing claimed by Al Qaeda killed four people, including a journalist, at

a Houthi gathering in the city of Dhamar, south of the capital.

On Thursday, a suicide bomber killed 49 people at a religious cel-ebration organised by Houthi sup-porters in the militia-held but city of Ibb further south. The Houthis have met resistance from armed gunmen, including Al Qaeda loyal-ists, since they swept south from the capital into many areas late last year. A series of bomb attacks by AQAP in recent weeks have struck Houthi targets, — Agencies

V I O L E N C E

DAMAGED: Security members of the Houthi movement and emergency personnel gather outside a building used by the Houthi police

force that was damaged by a bombing in Sanaa on Monday. – AFP

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

ARTICLE, PHOTOSW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

LIMITING INFLUX: Mona, centre, a Syrian refugee woman, sits

beside her newborn twins inside a tent at a makeshift settlement

in Bar Elias in the Bekaa valley on Monday. – Reuters

NEW ROLE: Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, right, meets with prime minister designate Habib

Essid on Monday. – AFP

A8

INDIAT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

These are not easy issues to solve. I think it is important that a

great deal of importance be focused on curtailing the mechanism

by which money continues to go out of India. That has more chance

of success than getting very much black money back into India

Raymond Baker, GFI president

PROTEST AGAINST LAND ORDINANCEPolice lathi charge Youth Congress supporters at their protest against the BJP government’s land ordinance, near the BJP office

in New Delhi, on Monday. The union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had last week decided to amend the

Land Acquisition Act to bring under its purview 13 central legislations, including those relating to defence and national secu-

rity, to provide higher compensation and rehabilitation and resettlement benefits to farmers whose land is being acquired. - PTI

In Modi era, petrol costs

more than aviation fuel

NEW DELHI: Petrol for com-mon man costs more than the aviation turbine fuel used in planes, Congress said on Monday while seeking to paint the Nar-endra Modi government as anti-poor and questioning it for the “grave injustice”.

What is “more painful” today is the fact that the price of pet-rol paid by the common man is Rs61.33 per litre as against price of aviation fuel which is Rs52.42 per litre, Congress spokes-man Randeep Surjewala told reporters here.

Terming it as “most shocking”, he said the government is “anti-poor and anti-farmer” as he ac-cused it of “shameless profiteer-ing” and “betraying” the people by refusing to reduce the prices of petrol.

“Will the BJP and Modi an-swer the fundamental reason for this grave injustice to the people where they pay more for fuel in ordinary scooter/motorcycle/car/tractor as compared to the Aviation Turbine Fuel used by airplanes,” he asked.

Seeking to paint the govern-ment pro-rich, he said the “irony” is that the price of aviation fuel has been reduced by 31.24 per cent as against a “mere reduc-tion” of 15.73 per cent and 11.38 per cent in prices of petrol and diesel,respectively.

‘Most shocking, painful’This, he said, was “most shocking and painful” in view of the fact that since formation of the BJP government on May 26 last year, international prices of crude have fallen from $110.55 per bar-rel to $56 per barrel, a reduction of 50 per cent on May prices.

Posing a host of questions to the government and the BJP, he said, “To hide its complete failure in reviving the economy, boost in-dustrial production, bridge gov-ernment’s deficit and increase growth rate, BJP government is pre-occupied with feeding its empty coffers by burning a hole in the pocket of the common man and farmers through sustained imposition of excise and customs duty on petro products.” - PTI

C O N G R E S S C L A I M

BJP-ruled states cultivating narcotics, alleges SukhbirCHANDIGARH: With ally BJP raking up the drug menace issue in a big way, rankling Akali Dal, Dep-uty Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday sought to turn the tables saying BJP-ruled states were not ready to stop cultivation of narcotics though northern In-dian state Punjab was willing to compensate them.

As the relationship with Bharati-ya Janata Party becomes increas-ingly frosty, Sukhbir, who is Shi-romani Akali Dal (SAD) president, expressed unhappiness over “at-tempts to project Punjab as a ma-jor drug producing and consuming state”, remarks which come ahead of BJP Chief Amit Shah’s anti-drug campaign in the state.

Under pressureThe SAD is under pressure over the drugs issue, especially after the summoning of Revenue Min-ister Bikram Singh Majithia by Enforcement Directorate in a drug racket case, with BJP too demand-ing his ouster.

Sukhbir underscored that there is “no drug production” in Pun-jab.” Not even a gram of any drug is produced in Punjab and it is either coming from across the border or from neighbouring states,” the deputy chief minister said.

“Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (both BJP ruled states) allow pro-duction of drug related plants,” he said, adding Punjab had a number of times requested these states to stop this in national interest, but to no avail.

Referring to the three dharnas by SAD on Monday on the drug issue close to the Indo-Pak bor-der in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur districts, Sukhbir said, “Drug menace is a national issue.In fact we are fighting nation’s battle against the drug menace.Dharnas are against Pakistan and Afghanistan which are pumping drugs into India using Punjab as a transit point.”

Asked if SAD had raised the is-sue of production of drugs in Ra-jasthan and MP at their coordina-

tion committee meetings with the BJP, Sukhbir said they were told that this generated revenue for the two states.

“We were told by Rajasthan that they annually earn Rs20 billion from this to which we even told

them that Punjab will compensate them for the Rs20 billion loss,” Sukhbir said adding that the two states have licenced Opium Vends.

He mentioned that some states “involved in legal sale of drugs even mention it as “income in their

annual budgets, which is sad.There cannot be two set of laws

for two states in the same country.”Sukhbir said, “we act against

drug smugglers and prevent flow of drugs to other states... Despite this Punjab is described as hotbed of drugs.”

The number of those arrested in connection with drug trade and use is much more as compared with other states, including Goa, he said.

Conspiracy to defameHe said “a serious conspiracy has been hatched to defame Punjab on drug issue” and demanded that there was need to ensure greater vigilance at the international border to stop inflow of drugs into Punjab.

Besides, he said there was need to impose complete ban on cultiva-tion and sale of opium and poppy husk in Madhya Pradesh, Rajas-than and other states.

Sukhbir said that it was unfor-tunate that Congress Vice Presi-

dent Rahul Gandhi during a visit to Punjab some time back termed 70 per cent youth as drug users.

Terming Punjab as a victim of narco terrorism, Sukhbir said that the political parties should stop “politicising” this issue.

“Instead of supporting the Pun-jab government (on drug issue), some political parties are politicis-ing the issue,” he said.

BJP Chief Amit Shah is sched-uled to start his party’s campaign against drugs from Amritsar on January 22. Sukhbir said every po-litical party has its way of working and said that if invited, he would take part in BJP rallies too.

SAD is holding the sit-in near the international borders“to cre-ate mass awareness about drugs” and to also pitch for “greater vigi-lance along the border with Paki-stan” to stop flow of narcotics into the state.

“Those opposing SAD dharnas are indirectly supporting Pak’s narco terror war against India,” he said. - PTI

D R U G M E N A C E

ANTI-DRUGS AWARENESS SIT IN: SAD president and Punjab

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal (at podium) addresses

a gathering during an anti-drugs awareness ‘dharna’ at Dana Mandi

Attari near Wagah, some 35km from Amritsar, on Monday. - AFP

‘Boat was carrying suspected terrorists’

S. MOITRAOur Correspondent

NEW DELHI/AHMEDABAD: India on Monday said that a Paki-stani boat which was intercepted by the Coast Guard on New Year’s Eve was carrying “suspected ter-rorists” as they blew up the vessel to escape arrest.

“I think they were suspected ter-rorists as they committed suicide, a normal boat even carrying drugs can surrender,” Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told the media in Delhi.

Refuting rumours that the ves-sel was a fishing boat or even one that was carrying smugglers with contraband goods, he said: “I will not be a part of speculation.”

“The location was not the nor-mal sea route for fishing boats; even the smugglers normally take the busy route so that they can

mingle with boats. This was an iso-lated location,” the Defence Minis-ter said.

The Indian Defence Ministry had on Friday said in a statement that Coast Guard ships and aircraft had intercepted a “suspect” fishing boat on the night on 31 December near the maritime boundary of the two countries, some 365km from the city of Porbander in the west-ern Indian state of Gujarat.

This followed intelligence that the vessel from “Keti Bunder near Karachi was planning some illicit transaction in Arabian Sea”.

Explosion on boatThe crew “set the boat on fire, which resulted in explosion and major fire on the boat” after the Coast Guard ship managed to stop the vessel after nearly an hour-long chase, the statement said, adding four persons had been spotted on the boat, but they — and

the vessel — could not be rescued “due to darkness, bad weather and strong winds”. Pakistan has denied this, saying it had no information suggesting that one of its boats had been destroyed.

Circumstantial evidenceHowever, the Defence Minister stressed that “circumstantial evi-dence” pointed to the boat having a “suspected terror link”.

Meanwhile, in the wake of re-cent interception of a Pakistani boat said to be ladened with explo-sives offGujarat coast, security has been beefed up along the western-coast of India.

As many as 173 marine com-mandos have been deployed at 20police stations along the coast-line of Gujarat as part ofplans to enhance security cover in the re-gion. “After the incident of Paki-stani boats being chased by Coast Guard in Indian waters, we have

ordered 173 of our trained marine commandos to take positions at 20 marine police stations situated on state coastline today,” Deputy Su-perintendent of Police B. J. Nina-ma of the Marine Police said.

These commandos have been asked to keep a watch on each and every boat going into the sea and returning ashore.

They have also been directed to inform the Coast Guard as well as security officials of the Gujarat police in case they find any suspi-cious boat in the sea.

“Commandos have also been asked to check papers of every boat which leaves the nearby harbour or port, or arrives here from the sea. Besides checking merchandise on the boats, we will also verify people on boats by checking their identity proofs, permits and other licenses to make sure that no unauthor-ised person manages to land here,” Ninama said. - With inputs from PTI

Refuting rumours

that the vessel was a

fishing boat or even

one that was carrying

smugglers with

contraband goods,

Defence Minister

Manohar Parrikar

said, ‘I will not be a

part of speculation’

I think they were suspected terrorists as they committed suicide, a normal boat even carrying drugs can surrender

Manohar ParrikarDefence minister

Government should

focus on curtailing

black money outflow

WASHINGTON: India’s ef-forts to bring back black money stashed abroad may not succeed as major western economies, in-cluding the US and UK, are the main beneficiaries of illicit funds, a global think-tank has said, un-derlining that the government should instead focus more on curtailing its outflow which has jumped nine-fold since 2003.

“These are not easy issues to solve. I think it is important that a great deal of importance be fo-cused on curtailing the mecha-nism by which money continues to go out of India. That has more chance of success than getting very much black money back into India,” US-based Global Finan-cial Integrity (GFI) president Raymond Baker said.

In a report last month, GFI said that the outflow of black money from India to foreign countries has increased nine-fold from $10 billion in 2003 to $94.7 bil-lion in 2012.

Nine-fold increaseThese figures are on the conserv-ative side and the actual amount could be much larger, Baker said.

“Getting black money back for any country is a hard thing to do, because international mecha-nism does not basically support this,” he said, noting that the major western countries like the US and UK, which are the main beneficiaries of black money from countries like India would not like to stop this illicit flow of money into their economies.

“There is a global view that the money that has been stolen by government officials or corruptly acquired should be returned to

the country of origin, but there is no such global understand-ing with regard to the money generated in the commercial sector which was tax evading,” Baker said. The money generated through tax evasion is the bulk of the illicit money that has gone out of India, he said.

One of the things, Baker said, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could do “very effectively” is to put this issue much more ef-fectively and solidly on the agen-da of the G-20.

He said that it is not just the re-turn of the corruptly stolen mon-ey, but it is also the whole issue of cross border illicit flow of money that needs to be addressed.

“This issue is crying out for a major figure from the emerging market and developing world to insist that this must be addressed at the level of G-20,” Baker said.

The GFI chief noted that most of the outflow of illicit money is through misinvoicing, and with India’s international trade in-creasing in recent years, the black money going out of the country has also jumped.

However, he said, GFI has no idea or data on the amount of black money goes out of India through political leaders and government officials involved in corrupt practices, but an over-whelming majority is through commercial malpractices.

The issue of black money has been a matter of a serious politi-cal debate in India, including dur-ing the last general elections and the Modi government has said that it is committed to bring back illicit funds stashed in tax havens abroad. - PTI

G L O B A L T H I N K - T A N K

SCAN THIS CODE FOR

ON SIKH DEVOTEESPHOTO GALLERY

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

A9

INDIAT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Love us on Facebook

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Indian Diaspora conclave in Gujarat from tomorrowAFTAB H. KOLAOur Correspondent

BENGALURU: The thirteenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the pre-mier non-resident Indian (NRI) networking event, will be held in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat from January 7 to 9.

The event will be hosted along with the Gujarat government’s big investor summit, Vibrant Gu-jarat. This has come in for strong criticism from the Opposition, which has accused the Centre of showing a preference for Gujarat.

The Union Ministry of Over-seas Indian Affairs is expecting close to 3,000 Overseas Indian Citizens and People of Indian Ori-gin to attend the conclave.

The inaugural session of Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held on January 7.

On this day, Plenary Sessions on ‘Bharat ko Jano’ (Indian Dias-pora youth — inkage with tradi-tions, culture and philosophy)’ ‘Bharat ko Mano’ (Innovations in modern India)’ and ‘Gandhian thought in context of the 21st Century: A youth perspective’ will be held.

The inaugural session will be-gin on January 8 at 10:30am. That will be followed by the day’s first plenary session on ‘Opportuni-ties in India: Thrust on important initiatives, Namami Ganga, smart cities and urban planning, skill development and tourism de-velopment’ will be held. Plenary Session II will be on ‘Session with achievers of Indian Diaspora’ while the plenary session will fo-cus on ‘Soft power in India’s glob-al engagement.’

On January 9, there will be

a session on ‘Investment op-portunities in states’ which will be the chief minister’s session followed by separate parallel state sessions.

OpportunitiesPravasi Bharatiya Divas offers opportunities for exploring mu-tually beneficial trade and busi-ness relationships and network-ing among the community. It also symbolises willingness on the part of the Indian government in the progress and well-being of overseas Indians.

The conferences are to be held back-to-back in the twin cities of Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad re-spectively, with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 9, and Vibrant Gujarat on January 11, allowing delegates to attend both.

The prime minister, who made it a point to engage with Indian

Diaspora in almost all his foreign visits, will inaugurate the Divas on January 8 and is expected to interact with overseas Indians. The two-day event will be close-ly followed by Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit, which would be held by the Anandi-ben Patel government and pre-sided over by the prime minister on January 11.

Chief guestSushma Swaraj, minister for overseas Indian affairs, disclosed that Guyana’s India-origin Presi-dent Donald Ramotar would be the chief guest for the PBD 2015. Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the United Nations, and, John Kerry, US secretary of state are among the dignitaries who will attend the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors’ Summit.

Many of the NRI and PIO del-egates attending the Divas are also expected to stay back for the Vibrant Gujarat meet.

To connect India with its vast overseas Diaspora and bring their knowledge, expertise and skills on a common platform, the PBD Convention — the flagship event of the Ministry of Overseas Indi-an Affairs (MOIA), Government of India organises such an event every year since 2003.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on January 9 every year to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian commu-nity to the development of In-dia. January 9 was chosen since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.

1 3 T H P R A V A S I B H A R A T I Y A D I V A S

The prime minister, who made it a point to engage with Indian Diaspora in almost all his foreign visits, will inaugurate the Divas on January 8 and is expected to interact with overseas Indians

FLEEING TO SAFETYVillagers move to

safer places with their

belongings in the

view of shelling from

the Pakistani side,

at Chilyadiya village

in Samba district on

Monday. The situa-

tion along the border

in Samba and Kathua

has become grim as

the Pakistani side

resorted to heavy mor-

tar shelling, killing a

Border Security Force

jawan in Samba sec-

tor, after a day of eerie

silence. -PTI

Shoe hurled at Bihar CM, youth arrested

PATNA: A shoe was on Monday hurled at Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi by a youth dur-ing his weekly public interaction programme ‘Janata Durbar’ at his residence in Patna.

The youth, identified as Amri-tosh Kumar from Chapra district, however, missed his target as the shoe fell near the chief minister.

Jumping the queue at ‘Janata ke darbar me Mukhya Mantri’ pro-gramme, the youth shouted that the state government was dividing the society on caste lines.

When the security personnel on duty caught hold of Kumar, he flung the shoe.

He was then led out of the hall.

Kumar claimed that he came to the chief minister to complain about his being implicated in a false case by police. Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Jiten-dra Rana, who was present at the venue, said the youth has been de-tained and taken to Sachivalya Po-lice Station for interrogation.

Action would be initiated against him after detailed inquiry into the matter, the SSP said.

Manjhi later told reporters that the youth, a postgraduate student,

who was standing behind five or six persons in the queue, turned furious and created a scene before his turn came to talk to the chief minister about his problem.

Probe on“A probe is on into the incident,” Manjhi said. Asked about Kumar alleging that the state government was dividing the society on castes lines, the chief minister said, “I just talk about the poor who hail from SC, ST, extremely backward

classes, OBC, minorities and even from forward castes and stress on their welfare.”

Asked whether there was any political link to the incident, Man-jhi said he was not aware of the details which would emerge only after the probe.

Asked whether the incident pointed to security lapses, the Pat-na SSP said, “How can police pre-vent people from coming to events wearing shoes? Such incidents are accidental,” Rana said.

Manjhi was speaking to the media after his public interaction programme during which a shoe was flung at him by a youth.

“Are Maoists foreigners?... Peo-ple who have turned Maoists also belong to our society and they could be won back to mainstream not by brandishing guns but by development,” Manjhi, who was flanked by several ministers, told reporters.

Asked if he would invite Maoists for talks, he said, “Why not? Many CMs and even leaders like Lok-nayak Jayprakash Narayan met them and exhorted them to shun guns and return to the mainstream of society.”

After the incident frisking was intensified at the chief minister’s residence before people were al-lowed to go inside for the weekly programme. -PTI

The man, identified

as Amritosh Kumar

from Chapra district,

however, missed his

target as the shoe

fell near the

chief minister

DETAINED: Police take into custody Amritosh after he hurled shoe

at Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi during his Janata Ka

Darbar programme in Patna on Monday. - PTI

India reacts strongly

against Washington

pat to Islamabad

NEW DELHI: In a strong reac-tion to Washington’s pat to Is-lamabad for acting against terror groups, India on Monday said it does not believe Pakistan was showing “sustained commit-ment” in fighting such outfits.

India, however, said how Washington chooses to spend US taxpayers’ money “is entirely its prerogative”.

The ‘certification’ by the US makes Pakistan eligible for an aid package under the Kerry-Lugar Bill. The bill has “actions against terror groups” as one of the con-ditions that Pakistan must fulfil to be eligible for aid from the US. It authorises the release of $1.5 billion per year to Pakistan as non-military aid.

“India does not believe that Pakistan is showing sustained commitment or making signifi-cant effort or ceasing support or dismantling bases of operations of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, the Haqqani net-work and quite possibly the Al Qaeda,” external affairs ministry

spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said in a statement Monday.

“Also with increasing citings of Punjabi/Urdu speaking elements operating with terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, we now also know that these very groups also pose a significant threat to mem-bers of the international com-munity working in Afghanistan including to Indian diplomatic personnel working in the Indian embassy in Kabul and our four consulates.

“But as I said before — how the government of the United States of America decides to spend US taxpayers’ money is entirely its prerogative,” he said.

US Secretary of State John Kerry certified Pakistan’s action against terror outfits LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

The certification comes ahead of Kerry’s visit to India for the Vibrant Gujarat Summit this month and to Islamabad later in the month. Obama is to attend the Republic Day parade as the chief guest. - IANS

U S ‘ C E R T I F I C A T I O N ’

PDP hints at move to

join hands with BJP

NEW DELHI: After a nearly two-week stalemate over govern-ment formation in Indian-admin-istered-Kashmir, BJP on Monday said PDP has shown some “initia-tive” in joining hands with it and hinted that certain controversial issues could be set aside.

BJP also indicated that a com-mittee of some senior leaders is likely to constituted to hold further talks with the PDP lead-ership and work out a common programme for good governance.

The party’s core group leaders from the state met BJP president Amit Shah at his residence here and discussed the way forward with the PDP, led by Mufti Mo-hammad Sayeed.

Sources said the during the meeting that lasted 90 minutes, the J&K party leaders held dis-cussions with Shah on issues like the post of chief minister and the

party’s stand on Article 370 and AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) in case BJP goes along with PDP in the state. Their reservations on these key issues were also sought by Shah.

“There has been an initiative from PDP’s side. To take this forward, we discussed to hold further discussions on the issues (with PDP). At the moment, there is some forward movement on the issue,” BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav told reporters after the meeting.

“The issue has moved forward.Keeping in mind the mandate

in J&K, we have decided to take forward the talks,” he said.

Madhav later said efforts to form a stable government are being made but added that only “informal discussions” have been held with PDP and “structured talks” will begin later. - PTI

J & K G O V E R N M E N T F O R M A T I O N

A10

PAKISTAN T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

We are asking them (schools) to maintain registers for guests,

install CCTV cameras and carry out security drills. In the event of

an emergency, they also have an SOS system to alert the police

Ijaz Khan, Police officer

RALLYING AGAINST TALIBANPakistani civil society activists shout slogans against the Taliban during a peace rally in Lahore on Monday. Pakistan announced a national plan of action to

deal with terrorism in the wake of December 16 attack on an army-run school in Peshawar which killed 150 people, 134 of them schoolchildren. The national

plan of action included establishment of military courts for terror-related cases in order to accelerate trials, and the prime minister has also lifted a six-year

moratorium on the death penalty, reinstating it for terrorism-related cases. — AFP

Police launch Peshawar schools ‘security audit’

PESHAWAR: Police have launched a ‘security audit’ for schools and colleges of Peshawar district wherein a form with 23 questions is given to each institute to obtain vital information.

The principal of a local private school told The Express Trib-une policemen from different stations are visiting schools and collecting data.

“School/College Security Audit. You are required to provide the

name of the institute, principal’s name, number of male and female students and name of your secu-rity officer,” he said, adding that in addition to this, there are 23 ques-tions which need to be answered in the form.

The principal feared police will eventually ask schools to make certain security arrangements in order to obtain a no-objection cer-

tificate (NOC) to keep their insti-tutes open.

“These questions pertain to en-try/exit points; presence of three barriers at entry points; is there a dropdown barrier at the main gate or not; are there observation points at important positions; do you have CCTV camera at the front, back, left, right walls; num-ber of guards at the main gate; con-

dition of weapons; experience of guards to use these weapons,” said the principal while sharing the questionnaire’s content. He main-tained some of the mentioned se-curity measures were very impor-tant but others were worrisome for the administration.

“There are questions about whether your institute has sniffer dogs, walkthrough gates, metal de-

tectors, search lights, etc,” he said, claiming it was not possible for all schools to arrange sniffer dogs or buy walkthrough gates.

The principal said these were expensive accessories for small and medium schools and contend-ed the dropdown barrier was also unnecessary.

“We are really worried about the security situation these days and even more worried are par-ents, but security arrangements will cost extra money, which will be an additional burden for small and medium schools along with the parents.”

Rapid response forceCapital City Police Officer Ijaz Khan said there are 2,027 schools registered with the Peshawar Board alone. Besides these, there are institutes operating under the technical education board and the federal government, among others. He said the data collected from schools was for assessment purposes.

“We have made four rapid re-sponse force (RRF) teams for the district. These will act in the event of an emergency and we will pro-vide police guards to those schools located in a cluster. But others will have to make their own security arrangements,” said Khan.

“We are asking them (schools) to maintain registers for guests, install CCTV cameras and carry out security drills.

“In the event of an emergency, they also have an SOS system to alert the police.” — Express Tribune

A form with 23

questions is being

given to each

institute to obtain

vital information and

they are all required

to provide the name

of the institute,

principal’s name,

number of male and

female students and

the names of their

security officers

ASSAULT: Pakistani security forces take up positions on a road leading to the Army Public School,

which was attacked by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar, on December 16, 2014. — Reuters file photo

Man wages a dogged battle against the rats of PeshawarPESHAWAR: The people of Paki-stan’s northwestern city of Pesha-war have lived through countless bombings, shootings and kidnap-pings in recent years, but now a new peril stalks the streets — huge house rats.

Residents of the city, on the front line of Pakistan’s battle against homegrown Taliban mili-tants, say the rodents have eaten countless chickens, bitten dozens of adults, spread disease and even killed a baby.

But help is at hand in the stocky form of Naseer Ahmad.

Armed with a hoe, wheelbarrow and plastic gloves and accompa-nied by his three young daugh-ters, the 40-something Ahmad is waging a dogged battle against the rats of Peshawar — and says he’s

killed more than 100,000 in the past 18 months.

“It is my mission and I took it on after I saw my friend taking his wife to hospital because she was bitten by a rat,” Ahmad told AFP while on a mission in the city’s densely populated Zaryab neigh-bourhood.

Anti-rabies injection“Her medical treatment cost him Rs5,000 ($50) and she had to have an anti-rabies injection.”

The rats are 22 to 30 cm long, almost the same again when you include the tail.

“They are everywhere, in the streets, in markets and in shops,” Ahmad said.

The rat-hunter says they attack at night and escape before dawn,

damaging the fabric of houses and shops, contaminating food and bit-ing women and children.

In past, the rat numbers in the city were limited but monsoon flash floods in the surrounding countryside in recent years have driven them downtown.

Many make their home in an open sewer which flows through the city and come out at night, gnawing with their large teeth and scurrying about in poor neigh-bourhoods.

As night falls, Ahmad begins his hunt, tracking the rats on foot -- street by street, house by house and shop by shop.

He takes a piece of bread, sprin-kles sugar on it and sprays it with a chemical mixture.

“They are actually immune to

local poison now, so I have to apply my own formula,” Ahmad said.

While Ahmad and his daughters lay the bait, further down the nar-row grubby street, resident Gul Zada patches up holes chewed by rats in the floor of his house.

Infant killedOther than structural damage, Zada said rats killed his infant nephew.

“They bit my nephew last year, he was one and a half years old, but we took him to hospital and he died there,” Zada said. — AFP

B A T T L I N G P E S T S

ON A MISSION: Pakistani resident Naseer Ahmad, right, watches his

daughter as she collects dead rats in a residential area of Peshawar

on May 18, 2014. — AFP

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERYW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

Five death row prisoners acquittedLAHORE: The Supreme Court (SC) and Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday acquitted five death row prisoners, Express News reported.

The Rawalpindi bench of LHC acquitted four prisoners accused of a 2002 suicide attack on an Imambargah in which 11 people were killed and 19 were injured. They were sentenced to death on December 9, 2009.

Malik Rafiq, the advocate of the four men, had filed an application in the LHC, saying that the trial was unfair and his clients were subjected to injustice.

The high court bench said the death sentences were not based on justice and ordered the release of Habibullah, Fazal Hameed, Tahir Hussain and Naseer Ahmed.

The investigation officer at the time, Raja Saqlain, was also shot dead in an attempt to allegedly weaken the investigation.

A three member bench, head-ed by SC’s Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, also acquitted one death row prisoner.

The convict, Mazhar Hussain, was given a death sentence by an anti terrorism court (ATC) in a kidnapping-for-ransom case in 2012.

A divisional bench headed by Justice Abdul Sami Khan and Jus-tice Sadiq Ali Khan suspended the death warrant of a prisoner who was scheduled to be hanged on January 14. — Express Tribune

C O U R T R U L I N G S

Bounty put on 615 high profile rebelsPESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government on Monday announced bounty worth Rs770million for as many as 615 high profile militants and proclaimed offenders including Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah and Lashkar-e-Islam chief Mangal Bagh.

The bounty set for these men is Rs10 million each. Addition-ally, the government has set similar bounties for Qari Bashir aka Samiullah, highly placed official sources told The Ex-press Tribune.

The list issued by the gov-ernment on Monday contains names of militants and pro-claimed offenders from 22 dis-tricts of the province and tribal areas except for those from Karak and Torghar.

Officials revealed that the minimum head money an-nounced by the government was Rs0.5million, while the maxi-mum was Rs10 million.

According to a copy of the of-ficial document available with The Express Tribune, the larg-est concentration of militants and proclaimed offenders is in Peshawar district with a total of 213 names. Swat follows with 59 names, 46 from Kohat and DI Khan each along with 31 from Upper Dir district.

It further reveals names of 26 militants who hail from Mardan district, 25 from Charsadda, 20 each from Nowshera and Bun-er, 18 belong to Bannu, 15 each from Lakki Marwat, Hangu and Dir Lower. — Express Tribune

R S 1 0 M I L L I O N E A C H

A11

WORLDT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Stay ahead of the curve with

WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Suicide blast kills passer-by as EU vehicle hit in Kabul

KABUL: A Taliban suicide bomb hit a European Union po-lice vehicle in Kabul on Mon-day, killing at least one pas-ser-by but not wounding any passengers, officials said, days after the Nato combat mission ended in Afghanistan.

The blast, which was heard across the city, was the first major attack since new year when US-led Nato forces downgraded from a combat mission to support and

training duties helping the Afghan army and police.

Improve police forceThe European Union Police Mis-sion in Afghanistan (EUPOL) works to improve the country’s ci-

vilian police force, one of the many efforts to try to boost security as international troops withdraw. “A EUPOL vehicle was involved in a vehicle-borne suicide attack whilst it was travelling east on the Jalalabad Road in Kabul,” the mis-

sion said in a statement. “The ve-hicle’s occupants were uninjured.” “Six civilians were wounded, one later died of his wounds in hos-pital,” Kabul police spokesman Hashmat Stanakzai said.

The Taliban, who have waged

an insurgency against the interna-tional intervention in Afghanistan since 2001, claimed responsibility for the blast via a recognised Twit-ter account. EUPOL was estab-lished in 2007 and has 240 inter-national staff and 187 local staff in Afghanistan.

Kabul’s Jalalabad Road, where many military bases, security fa-cilities and foreign compounds are housed, has been hit by regular suicide blasts over the last year.

‘Extend US involvement’President Ashraf Ghani and US military leaders have been push-ing President Barack Obama to extend US involvement.

“There should be willingness to reexamine (the) deadline,” Ghani told the CBS news channel in an interview broadcast on Sunday.

Ghani has struggled to form an administration since emerging as leader of the “unity government” after an election marred by fraud.

He will mark 100 days in power on Tuesday, but has yet to name any new ministers. — AFP

It was the first major

attack in new year

when US-led Nato

forces downgraded

from a combat

mission to support

and training duties

helping the Afghan

army and police

SCENE OF SUICIDE ATTACK: Afghan security personnel inspect the scene of a suicide attack on a European Union police vehicle along the Kabul-Jalalabad road in Kabul on Monday. - AFP

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERYW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

Movie on book by Hollande’s ex-girlfriend being madePARIS: A movie adaptation of a kiss-and-tell bestselling book that deeply embarrassed French Presi-dent Francois Hollande is in the works after his journalist ex-girl-friend who wrote it agreed to team up with a producer friend.

The producer, Saida Jawad, told French celebrity magazine Gala in an interview published on Mon-day that she and Hollande’s ex, Valerie Trierweiler, “are currently developing the movie adaptation of the bestseller and are looking at co-productions with French and international companies”.

The news will be a fresh blow to Hollande, who was embarrassed by Valerie’s book, Thank You for this Moment (Merci Pour Ce Mo-ment in French), which first came out last September before being translated into 12 languages in-cluding English.

The memoir lays bare the tur-bulent, six-year relationship that Valerie experienced with Hol-lande, including 18 months by his side after he became president in 2012.

It portrays France’s unpopular Socialist head of state as a callous egotist and — perhaps most dam-agingly — alleges he once insulted the poor as “toothless”. — AFP

S I Z Z L I N G A C C O U N T

Naval captain ‘spots’ AirAsia jet’s tail sectionPANGKALAN BUN/JAKAR-TA (Indonesia): An Indone-sian naval patrol vessel has found what could be the tail of a crashed AirAsia passenger jet, the section where the crucial black box voice and flight data recorders are lo-cated, officials said on Monday.

News of the possible break-through came as the transport ministry in Jakarta said some of-ficials on duty at the time of the accident will be moved to other roles. It also announced it was tightening rules on pre-flight procedures.

Ships and aircraft scouring the northern Java Sea for debris and bodies from the Airbus A320-200 have widened their search to allow for currents eight days after Flight QZ8501 plunged into the water en route from Indonesia’s second-biggest city of Surabaya to Singapore with 162 people on board.

“We found what has a high probability of being the tail of the plane,” Yayan Sofyan, captain of the patrol vessel, told reporters.

He was speaking after his ship returned to the port in Surabaya on Monday, and it was not imme-diately clear if he was referring to one of the five large objects pinpointed by search vessels over the weekend.

Tropical stormsIndonesia’s meteorological agency has said seasonal tropi-cal storms probably contributed to the December 28 crash and the weather has persistently ham-pered efforts to recover bodies and find the cockpit voice and

flight data recorders that should explain why the plane crashed into the sea.

The recorders are housed in the tail section of the Airbus, making retrieval of that part of the aircraft crucial.

“I am not saying it’s the tail yet,” the head of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency, Fran-siskus Bambang Soelistyo, told a news conference in Jakarta.

“That is suspected. Now we are trying to confirm it.”

The transport ministry said some officials at the country’s airport operator and air traf-fic control agency who were in-volved with the AirAsia flight will be moved to other duties while the accident investigation is completed.

The ministry gave no reason.It also said that, three days

after the crash, it had issued a directive making it mandatory for pilots to be briefed in person by an airline official on weather conditions and other operational issues before every flight.

“A circular has been signed by the transport ministry on De-cember 31, stating that pilots must have a face-to-face briefing with a flight operation officer so the briefing officer will know the pilot is in a healthy condition and so on,” said Djoko Murjatmodjo, acting director general of air transportation. — Reuters

S E A R C H O P E R A T I O N

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERYW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

Sri Lanka unrest flares before pollCOLOMBO: Three supporters of the challenger for Sri Lanka’s presidency were injured by uni-dentified gunmen on Monday, the latest in a series of violent inci-dents ahead of election this week.

Over the weekend a volley of shots were fired at a campaign meeting just after Mithripala Sirisena, who has emerged as a serious threat to President Ma-hinda Rajapaksa’s bid for a third term, had left the stage in his ru-ral heartland home district.

Two Election Commission of-ficers were also attacked in the eastern port district of Trinco-malee by backers of Rajapaksa’s party, the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence said.

“Violence is on the rise and it seems to be a well calculated strategy to prevent the opposi-tion campaign,” Keerthi Tenna-koon, executive director of the Campaign for Free and Fair Elec-tion (CaFFE), told Reuters.

Sirisena left the government to take on the president. Since then more than two dozen Rajapaksa loyalists in the 225-seat parlia-ment have defected.

Many Sri Lankans still back the president but his popularity has waned amid complaints of corruption and nepotism.

Tennakoon said the three Siri-sena supporters were shot at be-fore dawn as they prepared a rally stage in Ratnapura. — Reuters

P R E S I D E N T I A L E L E C T I O N

COMMEN ARYT I M E S O F O M A NT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Founder: Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman and Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al ZadjaliDeputy Editor-in-Chief: Anees bin Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Officer: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali

Printed and published by: Muscat Press & Publishing HouseP.O. Box 770, Ruwi, Postal Code: 112, Sultanate of Oman.

Subscription: RO70 per year.

Editorial: 24726666, Fax: 24813153; E-mail: editor@timesofoman.com

Advertising: 24726666, Fax: 24812624

Circulation: 24726600, Fax: 24818270; E-mail: circulation@timesofoman.com

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

T I M E S O F O M A NA12

The closing weeks of 2014 spelled disaster for US leadership and the rule of law. During the last two weeks of December, the US coun-tered three different efforts de-signed to affirm Palestinian rights. It was unfortunate since in doing

so the US undercut its stated commitments to uphold the rule of law in international relations and to sup-port a non-violent resolution to the Israeli-Palestin-ian conflict.

On December 17, 2014, representatives of 126 countries who had endorsed the Fourth Geneva Con-vention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (Convention) met at the invitation of the Swiss government and, by consensus, passed a 10 point Declaration reaffirming the applicability of the Convention to the territories occupied by Israel in 1967. After working behind the scenes for months pressuring the Swiss to cancel the session, the US was one of a small number of countries that declined to at-tend the meeting. The consensus declaration issued at the meeting’s end called on the Occupying Power (Israel) to “fully and effectively respect the Fourth Geneva Convention in the Occupied Palestinian Ter-ritory, including East Jerusalem”. Since the US has, in the past, affirmed the applicability of the Fourth Ge-neva Convention to the occupied territories and since there is indisputable evidence that in the past four and a half decades Israel has repeatedly violated each of the Convention’s provisions, US effort to block the meeting and then its refusal to attend the session calls into question its commitment to the Convention and reinforces Israel’s sense that it can act, with impunity, against the Palestinians.

Also on December 17, 2014, the Royal Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan submitted an Arab League en-dorsed resolution to the United Nations Security Council reaffirming the right of Palestinians to self-determination, calling for renewed negotiations to conclude with a two state solution to the Israeli-Pal-estinian conflict, and “affirming the need to attain, no later than 12 months ...a just, lasting, and comprehen-sive peaceful solution that brings an end to the Israeli occupation since 1967 and fulfils the vision of two in-dependent, democratic and prosperous states, Israel and a sovereign, contiguous and viable State of Pales-tine living side by side in peace and security”.

As expected, the US objected to the resolution call-ing it “deeply unbalanced” and “unconstructive” since it included “deadlines that take no account of Israel’s legitimate security concerns”. The US lobbied the Arabs not to submit the resolution and then pressed other countries to oppose it or to abstain. Then, on December 30th, the US voted against the resolution.

In acting as it did, the US ignored the fact that much of the language of the resolution comes from posi-

tions they have previously endorsed. Far from being unbalanced, it included language condemning ter-rorism against civilians and acts of incitement, and included a call for the implementation of security ar-rangements to guarantee peace.

What the US also ignored in opposing the resolu-tion was that it was the Palestinian’s frustration with the US-led peace-making effort that prompted their leadership to submit it in the first place. In the 21 years since the signing of the Oslo Accords, the US has shown itself to be incapable of acting as an “hon-est broker” in the peace process.

Successive Administrations have turned a blind eye to Israeli abuses of Palestinian rights, allowing Israel to have its way with the people whose lives they control — dictating terms and imposing condi-tions, frustrating not only the chances for peace, but also humiliating the moderate Palestinian leadership with whom they were supposed to be negotiating in good faith. The result is that 21 years after Oslo, all we see is “all process and no peace”, while the number of Israeli settlers in occupied territories has tripled and the Palestinian Authority has become a dependency, lacking authority and legitimacy.

It was in a last ditch effort to assert themselves and demonstrate that their non-violent political approach to a solution could bear fruit, that led the Palestinian leadership to advance this resolution at the UN. By slapping it down, the US reinforced the intransigence of the Israelis and sent Palestinians the wrong mes-sage, at the wrong time.

Reeling from this blow, the Palestinian Author-ity made the decision on December 30th to sign onto the Rome Statute and 19 other international agree-ments. In response, Israel threatened to withhold tax transfers, it is obliged to send to the PA, and to deny PA officials the right to travel — demonstrating, ever so clearly, their complete control over the lives of the people they hold subject.

The US reaction was predictable, with the State Department calling the move “counterproductive”. As predictable were calls by some members of Congress to suspend US assistance to the Palestinians.

Also of concern is the inability of the US to affirm the very framework of international law it claims to uphold. Far from the Arabs “singling out Israel for criticism”, as Israel’s supporters are quick to charge, US actions end up singling out Israel as the one coun-try that escapes criticism for its illegal behavior. By making this Israel exception, the US undercuts not only its stated commitment to the rule of law, it makes a mockery of the law itself.

The author is the President of Arab American Institute. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman.

In the 21 years since the signing of the Oslo Accords, the US has shown itself to be incapable of acting as an ‘honest broker’ in the peace process. Successive administrations have turned a blind eye to Israeli abuses of Palestinian rights

Letters, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi), by fax (24813153) or by e-mail (times@omantel.net.om)

Of course, Pakistan needs its military for a great many things. It needs to protect the borders and maintain internal security. But whether we in Pakistan need it to run our judicial system

and handle cases involving terrorism is a matter for much debate. It is unfortunate this debate did not take place before the 21st

Amendment Bill setting up military courts was tabled in the National Assembly on January 3.

The Bill will almost certainly be passed by parliament by two-thirds majority, required for a constitutional amendment, given that none of the political parties have spoken out against the dangers of such a measure and the handing over of key judicial powers to the military.

At the All-Parties Conference held on January 2, each and every one of them essentially backed the creation of military courts, altering their previous position on the matter.

The fear is that courts run by military officers could lead to a vio-lation of basic human rights. This often happens when attempts are made to bypass the judicial system, which for all its faults is designed to ensure fair play and run by persons highly trained in the nuances of the law and all that it involves.

This may not be true in the case of the officers who will now preside over the new tribunals to be set up after Article 175 is duly amended to allow for this. There are also of course other risks. Power handed over to the military has not produced positive results in the past.

Of course we face a crisis. As the Chief of Army Staff, General Ra-heel Sharif, said, the military courts come because of the needs we currently confront in leading the war against militants. This may not be inaccurate. But any misuse of authority or distortion of the judi-cial system could only make matters worse in the long run and that is not a prospect any of us would like to consider as we continue a battle against terrorism that must be won if we are to save our country and prevent further damage from being inflicted on it. - The Express Tribune

Military matters

The human toll of the economic crisis in Greece has been sig-nificant: Rates of hunger, suicide and unemployment have increased sharply, thanks to years of misguided austerity poli-

cies. So it is hardly shocking that polls are showing that voters are likely to give control of Parliament to the leftist political party Syriza. Whether Syriza can make the lives of average Greeks better is an open question. The party and its charismatic leader, Alexis Tsipras, have promised to renegotiate government debt, cut taxes, reverse pension cuts and increase spending on public services.

But to achieve this ambitious agenda, Tsipras will have to persuade leaders of the so-called troika — the European Commission, the Euro-pean Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund — to ease the terms of the country’s debt.

That will be no easy task. Germany’s finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, has already declared that the elections will “change noth-ing” about the agreements between Greece and the troika. It is not surprising that Schäuble, who has been one of the biggest proponents of austerity in Europe, is taking such an absolutist position before the election, perhaps in an attempt to sway Greeks away from casting votes for Syriza. But insistence on pummelling Greece does nothing to help that country carry out its reforms faster.

The troika leaders need to take a more pragmatic approach — by, for example, postponing debt repayments that come due next year. In a positive sign, leaders of Syriza have said they want to keep Greece in the euro currency zone. A departure from the monetary union would be highly destructive to the country’s weak economy. And while in-vestors do not seem as worried about what a Greek exit from the euro might mean for other countries like Spain, Portugal and Italy as they were a few years ago, they do have some concerns.

More suffering will not stabilize Greece or allow it to pay off its debts. Its unemployment rate was 25.5 per cent in the third quarter of 2014. That is only modestly lower than the average rate of 27.5 per cent in 2013. Deflation is a reality; consumer prices fell 1.2 per cent in November after a 1.8 per cent drop in October. Although the economy is growing again — gross domestic product increased 0.7 per cent in the third quarter from the previous quarter — most people are not see-ing improvement in their lives.

There is no question that the austerity policies, like cutting spend-ing and raising taxes, that the troika demanded in exchange for help-ing Greece and other troubled eurozone countries have prolonged and deepened their economic slump. Another major flaw in the troika’s approach was that it left Greece with much more debt than the coun-try could ever hope to repay, something even the IMF acknowledged last year. - The New York Times News Service

A weary Greece now weighs its options

Companies should offer balanced diet in campsThis refers to the news story, ‘Oman labour camps should have medical facilities’ (January 5). While that goes without saying, I also hope the companies provide a balanced diet to the workers living in labour camps. I once gave education on healthy eating in one of the camps somewhere in the interior at the request of a company. This is a sensitive issue and difficult to implement given the limited food choice that those living in the labour camps normally have.Shabib Al Kalbani Muscat

Modern dress codes are vulgar and irrationalThe modern obsession with de-signer products sold at ludicrous

prices beats rational under-standing. Some young men with multiple partings in their spiked hair sporting a loud T-shirt with torn jeans in perfect harmony with the pierced eye brows, nose, lip etc. are not sporting any at-titude. They are simply epito-mizing the fall of man to a level of vulgarity which is worse than bestial. We teenagers proudly sport T-shirts with slogans like “Irreverence justified” and live in a global world glorifying the “greed in good” mantra and at-titude above everything else.Joy ChatterjeeMuscat

To defeat terrorism, we need a pragmatic policyThe United States and its cronies in the war or terror have evidently failed in the spread of

counterculture fanned across the world by technological tools. Recruiting tomorrow’s bomb-ers in camps and secret meeting rooms is passé today. Recruit-ment is more effectively done on Internet chat rooms and on social media. Therefore, when US President Barack Obama says that the “values the United States will hold and will ulti-mately defeat the terrorists”, it sounds like a wonderful piece of rhetoric worthy of applause. The ground realities, however, will never ever corroborate Obama’s optimism. The need is to change the policies and address the nar-ratives that inspire individuals to become extremists and ter-rorists. Killing them at random will not help and terrorism will not subside in this way. FrancisMuscat

Was Arab Spring a cynical conspiracy against Arabs?We now have the advantage of hindsight in our favour and we now know for certain that the Arab Spring wasn’t a sponta-neous revolution. Nor was it a popular outburst fuelled by decades of misrule, autocracy, corruption, concentration of all power and national wealth by a few, or oppression and trampling of human rights. It was never a movement for equality and democracy but was a manufac-tured reality — made in Wash-ington and Tel Aviv, fanned to become a contagion. Pithily, it was a veritable takeover of an entire region with sinister inten-tions. Was it then a conspiracy — one of the most cynical of all ever contrived in history?Venu SeshanWadi Kabir

READERS’ FORUM

A single day is enough to make us a little largerPAUL KLEE

website: www.newindiaoman.com

NEW INDIA ASSURANCENew India’s PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE offers you world-wide cover/protection and TRAVEL INSURANCE that ensures you tension-free travels.

J A M E S J . Z O G B Y

A bad year for the US ended on a bad note

WASHINGTON WATCH

PERSPEC IVET I M E S O F O M A N T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5T I M E S O F O M A N A13

TODAY IN HISTORY

OPINION POLL

1066 Harold Godwineson is crowned crowned King Harold II – King of England.

1540 Henry VIII of England marries his

fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. The marriage will last six months.

1904 Japanese railway authorities in Korea

refuse to transport Russian troops. 1918 Germany acknowledges Finland’s

independence.

1937 The United States bans the shipment of arms to war-torn Spain.

1946 Ho Chi Minh wins in the Vietnamese elections.

96 PER CENT OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Y2K-READY, SAYS MoHMUSCAT: Ministry of Health has taken all necessary steps and precautionary measures to ensure that health services are not affected by the millennium bug. According to the Undersecretary of Planning Affairs at the Ministry, work on the Y2K issue has been going on since the last two years. A statistical analysis of all medical equipment has been made and classified according to their ability to conform to the Y2K solution.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

Countries like the Philippines continue to demonstrate the benefits of investing in preparedness, especially when done as part of a larger risk-mitigation effort. Typhoon Hagupit is just the latest event to showcase this

When Typhoon Hagupit made landfall in the Philippines on December 6, memo-ries of Typhoon Haiyan, which killed

more than 6,300 people, were fresh in people’s minds. Some 227,000 families — more than a mil-lion people — were evacuated ahead of Hagupit’s ar-rival, according to the United Nations. The typhoon, one of the strongest of the season, killed some 30 people. All deaths from disasters are a tragedy, but the fact that this number was not much higher at-tests to the efforts that the Philippines has made to prepare for natural disasters.

As Administrator of the United Nations Develop-ment Programme, I have seen first-hand the devas-tation and heartbreak caused by disasters around the world. Since the beginning of the century, more than a million people have died in storms like Hagupit and other major disasters, such as the 2010 Haitian earthquake, with economic damage total-ling nearly $2 trillion.

These losses are tragic, but they are also avoid-able. They serve as a reminder that disaster pre-paredness is not an optional luxury; it is a constant, intensive process that is necessary to save lives, protect infrastructure, and safeguard development.

The argument for investing in disaster prepar-edness is simple. If countries expect to experience natural hazards, such as violent storm seasons or major earthquakes, then investing time and re-sources in preparing for shocks will save lives and protect communities from other losses.

Unfortunately, governments often put different priorities ahead of disaster preparation. Other in-vestments often take precedence, and donors have historically funded emergency relief much more readily than pre-disaster preparedness. The meas-ures that are implemented tend to be stand-alone and piecemeal, rather than part of a larger, system-atic risk-reduction plan.

That needs to change. Countries like the Phil-ippines continue to demonstrate the benefits of investing in preparedness, especially when done as part of a larger risk-mitigation effort. Typhoon Hagupit is just the latest event to showcase this.

The Philippine government’s quick, effective response saved many lives. But it is important to note that its efforts were not simply an overnight

reaction to the oncoming storm. They were part of a national, comprehensive effort that was long in the making. Officials were wise to acknowledge their country’s vulnerabilities and to commit the resources and capital needed to build resilience.

The Philippines includes preparedness as a core component in its overall strategy for reducing dis-aster risk. Over the last decade, the country’s au-thorities have raised awareness, established and strengthened disaster-management institutions, and worked on recovering from past disasters, in-cluding Typhoon Haiyan. National and local disas-ter plans have been improved, standard operating procedures have been developed, and early warning systems have been put in place. The end result has been nothing short of a transformation of how the Philippines reacts to disasters.

The UNDP, and the wider UN system, is support-ing governments as they place greater emphasis on disaster-risk reduction, including preparedness, by strengthening their institutional capacity to plan and act when needed. In addition to assisting with emergency relief, it is crucial that the international community help to introduce basic procedures for responding long before disaster strikes.

First responders, for example, need training and tools. Emergency shelters and evacuation routes must be planned and established using risk assess-ments and actual simulations.

If communities are to be expected to make use of available resources, they need to be involved in the design and development of emergency plans. Risk reduction, including preparedness, is also, first and foremost, rooted in responsive governance.

In March 2015 a new global framework for dis-aster reduction will be agreed in Sendai, Japan. It is crucial that delegates push for transformational change that enables preparedness and saves lives. Furthermore, risk reduction needs to be integral to sustainable-development strategies.

The Philippines can serve as an example. The archipelago will always be in the path of tropical storms. There is little officials can do about that. But what they can do — and have done — is emphasize risk reduction and strengthen preparedness, there-by saving lives and building greater resilience. That is a lesson that all of us must learn. - Project Syndicate

HISTORYNET.COM

Summary of CIA torture report A US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) report calls into question the legal foundation of the CIA’s interrogation techniques on suspected terrorists followingAl Qaeda’s attacks on 9/11

GraphicsGraphic News /Source: McClatchy Washington Bureau

On taking office President Obama signsExecutive Order 13491, outlawing torture. At same time, SSCI chairwoman Sen. Dianne Feinstein initiates investigation into CIA enhanced interrogation

Enhanced interrogationUse of simulated drowning known aswaterboarding, sleep deprivation,humiliation and other techniques usedagainst Al Qaeda prisoners

BrutalityTechniques and conditions were far worsethan agency told policymakers

WaterboardingCIA reportedly waterboarded Al Qaedamember, Abu Zubaydah,83 times, claimingthey extracted intelligence that led tohunting down Osama bin Laden. Principalarchitect of 9/11 attacks, Khalid SheikhMohammed, was reportedly waterboardedmore than 180 times

Conventional intelligenceAccording to Feinstein, it was conventionalFBI interrogations of Abu Zubaydah – priorto CIA waterboarding – that led tobin Laden’s whereabouts

ConclusionCIA’s use of torture damaged US’s globalreputation and came with heavy costs, bothmonetary and non-monetary

Origin of programmeTwo contract psychologists – with noexperience of interrogation methods –devise techniques based on Air Force’sKorean War-era Survival EvasionResistance Escape programmeOversightReport concludes that CIA’s enhancedinterrogation programme began in 2001and was not approved by US JusticeDepartment until August 2002Distorted intelligenceCIA knowingly misled White House,Congress and Justice Departmentabout effectiveness of programmeto justify its use

2009

LAST POLL RESULTShould the government of Oman now raise taxes on all luxury items?

Do you think that even medium-scale companies should now be made to pay taxes?

Visit timesofoman.com to cast your vote

Yes60.4%

No39.6%

Britain is most landlord-friendly nation

H E L E N C L A R K

The day after Christ-mas, a shooter ter-rorised the streets of

a Chattanooga, Tenn., neigh-bourhood. According to the local newspaper, the shooter was “wearing body armour” and “firing multiple shots out her window at people and cars.” One witness told the paper that the shooter was “holding a gun out of the window.”

There’s more: “Officers found two people who said they were at a stop sign when a woman pulled up in a dark-coloured sedan and fired shots into their vehicle, hit-ting and disabling the radia-tor. Then more calls reported a woman pointing a firearm at people as she passed them in her car, and that she fired at another vehicle in the same area.”

When police officers came upon the shooter, the shooter led them on a chase. The shooter even pointed the gun at a police officer.

Surely this was not going to end well. We’ve all seen in recent months what came of people who did far less. Sure-ly in this case officers would have been justified in using whatever force they saw fit. According to the paper, the shooter was “taken into cus-tody without incident or in-jury.” Who was this shooter anyway? Julia Shields, a 45-year-old white woman.

Take a moment and con-sider this. Take a long mo-ment. It is a good thing that officers took her in “without incident or injury,” of course, but can we imagine that re-sult being universally the case if a shooter looks dif-ferent? Would this episode have ended this way if the shooter had been male, or black, or both?

It’s an unanswerable question, but nevertheless one that deserves ponder-ing. Every case is different. Police officers are human beings making split-second decisions — often informed by fears — about when to use force and the degree of that

force. But that truth is also the trap. How and why are our fears constructed and ac-tivated? The American mind has been poisoned, from this country’s birth, against mi-nority populations.

People of colour, particu-larly African-American men, have been caught up in a twister of macro aggressions and micro ones. No amount of ignoring can alleviate it; no amount of achieving can ameliorate it.

And in a few seconds, or fractions of a second, be-fore the conscious mind can catch up to the racing heart, decisions are made that can’t be unmade. Dead is forever.

It is no wonder that whites and blacks have such diver-gent views of treatment by the police. As The Wash-ington Post noted recently about a poll it conducted with ABC News, only about two in 10 blacks “say they are confident that the po-lice treat whites and blacks equally, whether or not they have committed a crime.” In contrast, six in 10 whites “have confidence that police treat both equally.”

Michael Brown was un-armed. Eric Garner was unarmed on a Staten Island street. Tamir Rice was 12 years old, walking around a Cleveland park and hold-ing a toy gun that uses non-lethal plastic pellets, but he didn’t shoot at anyone. John Crawford was in Ohio hold-ing, but not shooting, an air rifle he had picked up from a store shelf. The police say Antonio Martin had a gun and pointed it at a police of-ficer in Berkeley, Mo., but didn’t fire it.

But none had the privilege of being “arrested without incident or injury.”

They were all black, all killed by police officers. Brown was shot through the head. Garner was grabbed around the neck in a choke-hold, tossed to the ground and held there, even as he pleaded that he couldn’t breathe; it was all caught on video. Rice was shot within two seconds of the police of-ficers’ arrival on the scene.

Crawford, Martin and Reid were also cut down by police bullets.

Maybe one could argue that in some of those cases the officers were within their rights to respond with lethal force. Maybe. But shouldn’t the use of force have equal application? Shouldn’t it be colour and gender blind? Shouldn’t more people, in equal measures, be taken in and not taken out?

Why weren’t these black men, any of them, the recipi-ents of the same use of force — or lack thereof — as Ju-lia Shields? - The New York Times

News Service

The blacks in the USA are lesser mortals

C H A R L E S M . B L O W

It doesn’t matter who comes into power at the next elec-tion — Britain is the most

landlord-friendly nation in Eu-rope. This is a huge problem. What used to be a way for people to make some money from their property has begun to crush an entire generation of young people in the UK. But there is a solution: rent controls.

There are many ways to imple-ment rent controls. But one way would be to cap the cost of rent for tenants, preventing landlords from making unethical profits on housing.

Additionally, by lowering the price landlords have to pay for a property, the heat will be taken out of the housing market, which will allow first time buyers to es-cape the exploitation of renting.

If you’re unsure about whether this is the right thing to do, then just ask the British public: not only are rent controls necessary and effective, but they’re popular too. A recent poll showed that 59 per cent of people support rent controls and 6.8 per cent of people oppose them.

Surprisingly, this overwhelm-ing support for rent control ex-tends to people of all age groups, to homeowners as well as renters and to the supporters of all politi-cal parties — including the Con-servatives and Ukip.

Yet mysteriously, none of the main parties support such a measure. If MPs are wonder-ing why people are turned off by mainstream politics it’s because of their quiet consensus to op-pose anything that would make a real, positive difference to people’s lives.

Extortionate rental costs might be the norm now, but they haven’t always been. The Private Rented Sector (PRS) used to be a tiny por-tion of the housing market. Long-term renting was unusual outside of social housing, and the private sector was generally where you stayed while studying or saving up to buy a home.

But since the emergence of buy-to-let mortgages 18 years ago, the PRS has ballooned in size to over 10m people, making the laws around renting no longer fit for purpose.

While landlords rake in huge returns on low-risk investments, tenants are being squeezed for everything they can pay. Renters have no choice; they can’t get into social housing because so little has been built in the last 30 years. But then there’s rapidly increas-ing rents and house prices to over-come. Unless you’re privileged enough to have rich and generous parents, this means that saving for a deposit to buy a home is close to impossible.

It’s the simple and depressing fact of renting today: if you need to live near where you work, you’re expected to pay whatever it takes to live comfortably, or pay less and live in awful conditions. The rea-son for this is simple economics.

Landlords can make so much money — not just in rents but also in capital gain — that it’s worth-while for them to outbid anyone who wants to buy a home.

Consequently, it’s no coinci-dence that 80 per cent of the in-crease in the national housing stock since 2000 is in the hands of landlords.

The unwillingness of the state and the private sector to build new homes means that housing in the UK is a limited resource wher-ever there are jobs. Not only is this unethical, but it is also fuelling a generational divide. Most peo-ple born since the mid-1970s are being fleeced, while many older homeowners are benefiting from the lucrative bubble this creates around their properties.

As a renter facing a lifetime of insecurity and exploitation, it no longer matters to me which fla-vour of government we have while I’m being exploited.

And most people born since the mid-1970s will be in the same position until one party — any party — decides to champion rent controls. - The Independent

A L E X H I LT O N

People of colour, particularly African-American men, have been caught up in a twister of macro aggressions and micro ones. No amount of ignoring can alleviate it

Of development, disaster, and the natural vagaries

A14

GLOBAL EYET U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERYW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

INDIA: A child rides in a remote-operated toy car at the India Gate in New Delhi on Monday. – Reuters

LONDON: A zookeeper poses with a Vietnamese giant magnolia

snail during the annual stocktake photocall at London Zoo on Mon-

day. The annual count is required as part of the zoo’s licence. – AFP

EGYPT: Artifacts found around the tomb of Khentakawess III, a

queen believed to have been the wife of Pharaoh Neferefre who

ruled 4,500 years ago, after its discovery by Czech archaeologists

in the Old Kingdom necropolis of Abu Sir, Cairo. – AFP

FRANCE: French general practitioners are gathered after setting

fire to medical outfits, on Monday in Lyon, as they demonstrate to

protest against an upcoming health bill centred around a change to

the system of payments. – AFP

GEORGIA: Lida Maisuradze, left, 82, and Zurab Gogidze, 82, celebrate after wining the ‘Super Grandmother and Super Grandfather’

contest in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Monday. Twenty-two participants aged over 70 from all over Georgia competed in the annual contest

organised by charity house Catharsis. – Reuters

SOUTHERN ENGLAND: The cargo ship Hoegh Osaka lies on its side

after being deliberately run aground on the Bramble Bank in the

Solent estuary, near Southampton in southern England on Monday.

The vessel was deliberately run aground on Saturday evening after

it began to list, according to its owners Hoegh Autoliners. – Reuters

CHINA: A woman rides a horse-shaped ice sculpture during the opening day of the 31st Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in the northern city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on Monday. The annual

Ice and Snow Festival, organised by China National Tourism Administration and local governments, kicked off on Monday in Harbin, one of the coldest cities in China. – Reuters

A15

WORLDT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

We’re really racing against time to try to make sure that

we get as much of this contained before the hotter weather

and the stronger winds expected later in the week

Jay Weatherill, South Australia state Premier

PRIZED WIN: President of the sushi restaurant chain Sushi Zan-

mai, Kiyoshi Kimura removes the fin of a blue fin tuna outside his

restaurant at the outer Tsukiji market, in Tokyo on Monday. – Reuters

Bangladesh election anniversary protests turn violent, two killed

DHAKA: Bangladesh was on edge on Monday after two protesters were shot dead and scores injured in clashes between the ruling party and opposition activists, a grim marking of the first anniversary of last year’s controversial and vio-lent national polls.

The normally clogged streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, were nearly empty on Monday after-noon, as authorities cut off bus, rail and ferry services in to the city and thousands of riot police were deployed in anticipation of more unrest. “Security has been ramped up across the country, including Dhaka, to thwart any untoward incidents,” Dhaka district police chief Habibur Rahman said.

Political uncertaintyBangladesh has been a state of polit-ical uncertainty since last January, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasi-na’s Awami League came to power for a second consecutive term after a bloody parliamentary election that was boycotted by the main opposi-tion Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and deemed as flawed by in-ternational observers.

On Monday, despite police warnings, opposition leader Be-gum Khaleda Zia refused to call off

rallies planned in Dhaka to mark what the BNP has dubbed “democ-racy killing day”.

Khaleda, a former prime min-ister herself, has demanded fresh polls under a neutral administra-tion, calling Hasina’s government “undemocratic and illegal”.

The opposition leader says she has been confined to her office in Dhaka’s diplomatic enclave since Saturday, according to BNP’s party officials, with armoured vehicles equipped with water cannons outside.

In protest, Khaleda called for an indefinite nationwide blockade of roads, railways and waterways.

“The government has turned the whole country into a prison,” Khaleda told reporters.

The government denied Khale-da was being held against her will, and says it has deployed extra se-curity at the opposition leader’s office for her protection.

“Who has confined her?” media quoted Hasina as asking at a party

meeting on Sunday. “She can go to her residence any time.”

Hasina and Khaleda, both re-lated to former national leaders, have nursed a long and bitter rival-

ry, and have dominated politics in Bangladesh for more than two dec-ades. Police said two protesters in their 20s were killed in Natore dis-trict during clashes between rul-

ing and opposition party activists. The opposition said the victims were BNP activists, though police have not confirmed their identity.

BNP officials said hundreds

of their supporters had been de-tained since Saturday. Scores of protesters have been injured in clashes in Dhaka, the port city of Chittagong and elsewhere. — Reuters

Two protesters were shot dead and scores

were injured in clashes between the

ruling party and opposition activists

Australia races to control major blazeKERSBROOK (AUSTRALIA): Firefighters raced on Monday to contain a major blaze before the forecast return of strong winds and a heatwave, following the loss of 26 homes in the worst bushfire conditions in South Australia for three decades.

The state fire service said prop-erties were still at risk after nearly 13,000 hectares (32,124 acres) of scrub and farmland were razed in the Mount Lofty Ranges, east of Adelaide, over the weekend.

South Australia state Premier Jay Weatherill said that with cool-er weather and calmer winds it was now a race against time before dangerous conditions expected Wednesday in the Adelaide Hills.

“There is still clear danger,” he

told reporters as water bombing aircraft dropped hundred of thou-sands of litres of fire retardant on the blaze that has a 238-kilometre (148-mile) perimeter.

“This is by no means over,” Weatherill added.

“We’re really racing against time to try to make sure that we get as much of this contained before the hotter weather and the stronger winds expected later in the week.”

He confirmed the loss of 26 homes and 41 outbuildings.

The latest figures were reported

after checks on just 20 of 59 af-fected areas.

At least 29 people, mostly fire-fighters, have suffered minor inju-ries from the fire, police said.

Worst-hit villagesIn Kersbrook, one of the worst-hit villages in the Adelaide Hills, resident Dave Miller surveyed the scene of destruction where his home once stood.

The 60-year-old told the Aus-tralian Associated Press he had very little left. “No house, not very much of anything, mate.”

“I’ve got a diesel tank still stand-ing with 4,000 litres of diesel in but I’ve got nothing else,” he said.

But like most residents Miller vowed to rebuild and has no inten-

tion of leaving, despite the annual bushfire menace.

“I’ll stay up here. I’ll get a cara-van or something to live in and just keep going.”

Temperatures were forecast to soar again above 38 degrees Cel-sius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday after highs of well over 40C at the weekend in the Adelaide Hills, which has a popu-lation of 40,000 and is dotted with scenic villages known for farming produce and wineries.

Country Fire Service chief Greg Nettleton said the winds would be crucial to the next stage of the operation. “At the moment I think they’re predicting (winds of ) about 35 kilometres per hour (21 miles per hour). — AFP

B E F O R E W E A T H E R W O R S E N S

Giant bluefin tuna fetches $37,480TOKYO: A giant bluefin tuna sold for more than $37,000 in the first auction of the year at a Tokyo fish market on Monday, as Japan faces growing pressure to cut back on consumption of the threatened fish.

The 180.4-kilogramme (380 pound) tuna, caught off Japan’s northern region of Aomori, fetched a winning bid of $37,480 (4.51 million yen), said an official at the Tsukiji fish market.

The bid marked the second consecutive decline at the an-nual new year sales, after a re-cord 155.4 million yen was paid in 2013 -- driven by a bidding war led by a Hong Kong restaurant chain -- for a slightly larger fish of similar quality.

SurprisedMonday’s winner, Kiyoshi Kimu-ra, president of the firm behind the popular Sushi-Zanmai res-taurant chain, said he was “sur-prised to win the bid at such a low price”.

“But it’s the best quality,” he told local media.

“I’m satisfied with buying the

best one -- it has a good shape and great fat.”

The price decline was due to a “lack of rival bids” and a higher number of bluefins in the wa-ters off Japan’s northern coast, a prime spot for tuna fishing, re-ports said.

Bluefin is usually the most ex-pensive fish available at Tsukiji, the biggest fish and wholesale seafood market in the world.

A piece of “otoro”, or the fish’s fatty underbelly, can cost up to several thousand yen at high-end Tokyo restaurants.

The growing popularity of Jap-anese sushi worldwide has also stoked demand.

The auction came as Japan, the world’s largest bluefin tuna con-sumer, faces growing calls for a trade ban on the fish, which envi-ronmentalists warn is on its way to extinction.

In November, the Internation-al Union for the Conservation of Nature updated its “red list” of threatened species, warning that surging global demand for the fish was placing “unsustainable pressure” on the species. — AFP

T O K Y O N E W Y E A R A U C T I O N

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

ARTICLE, PHOTOSW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

ARTICLE, PHOTOSW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

VIOLENT CLASHES: A Bangladeshi policeman, left, looks on as government party activists, right, wield sticks against activists of the

Bangladesh National Party (BNP), centre, during a clash in Dhaka on Monday. – AFP

BMARKE

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

DIGEST VIDEO

S CA N T H I S Q R CO D E TO I N STA N T LY L AU N C H T H E V I D EO

Top stories in one minute with our new daily Digest

Oman Fiber’s OMR13m plant to go on stream by year-end

A. E. JAMESbusinesseditor@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Oman Fiber Optic on Monday said that its state-of-the-art plant to manufacture fibre optic cables will be ready for com-missioning by November this year.

The pioneer fibre optic cable manufacturer is investing OMR13 million for building two plants — one with an installed capacity to produce 14,000-18,000 kilome-tres of cable and another for the manufacture of 1.6 million fibre kilometres per annum — and other

facilities, Mohammed Al Barash-dy, chief executive officer of Oman Fiber Optic, told journalists.

The cable plant was commis-sioned in March 2014, while the fiber optic cable plant will be ready in November, he added, while ad-dressing the media to launch the company’s new logo.

Rebuilding plantsOman Fiber Optic chief noted that the company used to pro-duce 350,000 fibre kilometres per annum before a massive fire destroyed the entire plant. “After

the fire, we have decided to build a completely new plant. We have a technological tie-up with Su-mitomo. It took ten months for the company to build the cable plant.”

Apart from fibre optic cable plant, the facilities coming up at Rusayl include a headquarter building and a warehouse.

Proceeds from insurance claim

and additional capital injected by stakeholders helped the company to generate the required fund for the massive expansion.

Al Barashdy said the company will sell 35 per cent of its output in the domestic market, with the remaining 65 per cent for export markets. The firm’s export markets include Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Arab countries, Iran, cen-tral Asia and Eastern Europe.

Telecom, oil and gasOman Fiber Optic caters to the needs of various sectors, including telecommunication, oil and gas, government utility and other re-lated projects. Oman Fiber Optic’s sales revenue touched OMR26.95 million in 2013, from OMR5.29 million in 2007.

Apart from manufacturing fiber optic cable, the company has other divisions like telecommunication solutions division to cater to the specific needs of customers.

Referring to Oman Broadband Company’s initiative to provide fibre optic cable connection to homes, he said the company is in-volved in the project over the last three years and have provided over 40,000 home connections in several residential areas, includ-ing the Wave, Muscat Hills and Shatti Al Qurum.

The launch of the company’s new commercial identity shows its new strategy and aspirations.

Al Barashdy said that the com-pany’s new logo consists of the ini-tial letters of ‘Oman Fiber Optic.’ The new logo also has red, green and blue colours. The overall Om-anisation within the company is around 47 per cent.

Apart from fibre optic cable plant, the

facilities coming up at Rusayl include a

headquarter building and a warehouse.

IMPROVING CONNECTIVITY: Mohammed Al Barashdy, chief execu-tive officer of Oman Fiber Optic, said that the cable plant was com-missioned in March 2014, while the fibre optic cable plant will be ready in November. - TALIB AL WOHAIBI/Times of Oman

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

B2 T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

MARKET

www.facebook.com/timesofoman

SEND US YOUR VIEWS AND COMMENTS Crude extends slump

LONDON: Oil fell for a third day, extending its drop from the low-est close since 2009, as record supplies from Iraq and Russia bolstered speculation a global glut that’s driven crude into a bear market may persist this year.

Futures slid as much as 2.1 per cent in London, after losing 5.1 per cent last week. Iraq, the second-largest producer in the Organi-sation of Petroleum Exporting

Countries (Opec), plans to boost crude exports this month, the Oil Ministry said. Russia’s output rose to a post-Soviet record of 10.667 million barrels a day in De-cember, according to preliminary

data e-mailed by CDU-TEK, part of the Energy Ministry.

Brent slumped 48 per cent last year, the most since the 2008 fi-nancial crisis, as Opec resisted calls to cut output amid a battle

with United States shale pro-ducers for market share. The 12-member group, which supplies about 40 per cent of the world’s crude, pumped above its target for a seventh straight month in De-cember, according to a survey.

“Iraq’s crude production is one of the contributors to the glut we’ve been seeing,” Hong Sung Ki, a commodities analyst at Sam-sung Futures in Seoul, said by phone. “The glut is expected to continue if demand fails to catch up with supply.”

Iraqi suppliesWTI for February delivery dropped as much as $1.29, or 2.5 per cent, to $51.40 a barrel in elec-tronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It slid 58 cents to $52.69 on January 2, the lowest close since April 2009. The volume of all futures traded was about 89 per cent more than the 100-day average.

Iraq plans to expand crude ex-ports to 3.3 million barrels a day this month, Asim Jihad, a spokes-man, said. - Bloomberg News

Oil fell for a third

day, extending

its drop from the

lowest close since

2009, over record

supplies from

Iraq and Russia

Global technology spending sputters amid slowdownLAS VEGAS: The outlook for global technology spending is un-certain after nearly flat growth in the past year, with turbulent eco-nomic conditions making a fore-cast difficult, an industry gather-ing has been told.

At the media preview for the massive International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, United States, data presented showed just one per cent growth in 2014 to bring spending on technology to $1.024 trillion.

But analyst Steve Koenig of the Consumer Electronics Associa-tion, which organises the event, said economic conditions around the world forced the group to de-fer its forecast for 2015.

“We have a very mixed spend-ing picture,” Koenig said.

The market is being driven by strong demand for new products like tablets and smartphones in emerging economies in Asia, and by modest economic growth in North America. The picture is clouded by economic stagnation

in the eurozone and Japan and ‘weak expectations’ in big emerg-ing economies such as Brazil, Koenig explained. Russia, an-other large emerging economy, is being hit by economic sanctions that could dent tech spending.

PersonalNew technology is getting more personal. So personal, it is moving to connect and analyse our move-ments, our health, our brains and our everyday devices. Welcome to the so-called Internet of Me. One of the major themes at show is connecting thousands of ob-jects that people use each day — clothing, cars, light bulbs and home appliances.

But the challenge facing developers is making that infor-mation useful. - AFP

E L E C T R O N I C S S H O W

SINGAPORE: Saudi Arabia will probably offer smaller discounts to ship crude to Asia amid speculation demand will increase after benchmark prices dropped almost 50 per cent last year.

The world’s biggest oil exporter will announce Feb-ruary official selling prices to buyers in Asia in coming days, after offering its Arab Light grade at the biggest discount in at least 14 years the previous month. Opec’s

largest producer may narrow the discount, according to 12 of 15 traders and refiners in a survey. Three respondents forecast price differentials to be unchanged.

Saudi Arabia led the Opec in maintaining production quotas while offering deeper discounts for its own car-goes, prompting speculation that it’s prepared to let prices fall to defend market share against more expensive US shale supply. - Bloomberg News

Saudi offers discount to Asia

GREEN TECHNOLOGY: An XYZ printing Green Box at the 2015

International Consumer Electronics Show on January 4, in Las

Vegas, United States. The product grows organic lettuces and

herbs in about three weeks. — AFP

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERYW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

B3T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

MARKETChina dealers to get $820m from BMW to cover up lossesBEIJING: Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) agreed to pay 5.1 billion yuan ($820 million) to its distributors in China to help cov-er their losses after the retailers stopped ordering cars from manu-facturer, a dealer’s group said.

The subsidies are the largest by an automaker to its retailers in China and will be paid by the end of February, said Song Tao, a dep-uty secretary general of the China Automobile Dealers Association, which represented the BMW dis-tributors in the negotiations. The dealers are still in talks with the Munich-based carmaker over this year’s sales targets, he said.

Auto dealers have complained of meeting unrealistic sales projec-tions in order to qualify for year-end bonuses as foreign automakers expand their manufacturing ca-pacity and number of distributors to chase market share. The BMW payout may increase pressure on other automakers to extend simi-lar support to their retailers, in-cluding Toyota, whose dealers are threatening to quit one the sales network of its Chinese ventures because of mounting losses.

“This is an unusual move by au-tomaker to give funding of such big scale,” said Han Weiqi, an analyst with CSC International Holdings. “But in the long-term, a smooth relationship with dealers is in car-maker’s best interests and they have to meet dealers half way.”

Slowing sales growth means a ‘new normal’ is emerging in the country’s auto market, BMW said in an e-mailed statement. The car-maker and dealer group “reached

consensus on the structure of op-timised business measures and fi-nancial allocation for the dealers,” according to the e-mail.

Vehicle quotasAutomakers are increasing the number of factories even as more cities in China impose purchase restrictions on vehicles to con-trol congestion and air pollution. Shenzhen, the large metropolis bordering Hong Kong in southern China, on December 29 followed other Chinese cities including Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou in setting quotas on new vehicles.

Unsold stock on dealer lots rose to the highest level in November since August 2013, according to the association’s data.

Baoxin Auto, the dealership group that accounted for almost 10 per cent of BMW’s sales in China in 2013, gained as much 4.5 per cent.

BMW’s payout increases pres-sure on other automakers facing similar demands by their dealer-ships for financial support. Ten per cent of dealers for one of Toyota’s China ventures are poised to drop out of the network because they can’t make money. - Bloomberg News

A U T O M O T I V E Corporates targeting sukuk amid oil shock

DUBAI: The busiest year on re-cord for sovereign Islamic bond sales is poised to be eclipsed as a revival in corporate issuance takes hold in 2015.

Companies in the UK and Hong Kong may be among those sell-ing sukuk this year as they follow debut issues from their govern-ments, according to National Bank of Abu Dhabi, the biggest Middle Eastern underwriter of Is-lamic bonds in 2014.

Government borrowersCorporates in the Gulf Coopera-tion Council (GCC) will be en-couraged to tap the market as bank liquidity and credit condi-tions deteriorate amid declining oil prices, Moody’s Investors Ser-vice said last month.

Islamic bond investors have

been starved of options as es-tablished corporate issuers, led by those in the six-nation GCC, which accounts for about a third of all global sales, opted for bank loans over public debt. That’s in contrast to sovereign borrowers, which raced to tap an industry whose assets may climb to $2.6 trillion by 2017, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Government borrowers sold 215 Sharia bonds last year as the number of company sales dropped to the lowest since 2004.

“I expect 2015 to witness a further maturing of the market as sukuk becomes increasingly relevant to global issuers,” Andy Cairns, global head of debt origi-nation and distribution at NBAD, the United Arab Emirates’ big-gest bank, said by phone from Abu

Dhabi on December 29. Govern-ments including in the UK and Hong Kong sold sukuk “to estab-lish proof of concept for Islamic issuance, achieve investor diver-sification and encourage follow-on supply,” he said.

Forced outIn Asia, Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering has approval from the country’s securities commission for a 1 billion ring-git ($284 million) Islamic bond. In the Middle East and Africa, Al Baraka Banking Group plans to raise 300 million rand ($26 mil-lion) in South Africa, according to the chief executive officer, and Turkey’s Dogus Varlik Kiralama has approval from the Capital Markets Board to sell as much as $370 million in sukuk.

“The tightening of bank liquid-ity and credit conditions in the GCC may force more of the larger, quality corporates out to the pub-lic markets,” Khalid Howladar, the Dubai-based global head of Islam-ic finance at Moody’s, said.

The UK became the first non-Muslim sovereign government to issue sukuk when it sold a £200 million bond in June. In Septem-ber, Luxembourg sold €200 mil-lion of five-year Islamic bonds, Hong Kong raised $1 billion and South Africa tapped the market for $500 million. - Bloomberg News

Corporates in GCC

will be encouraged

to tap the market as

bank liquidity and

credit conditions

deteriorate amid

declining oil prices,

said Moody’s

Investors Service

Samsung takes challenger to TVs as smartphone flopsSEOUL: Samsung’s challenger to Google software is moving from phones to big-screen TVs as the South Korean company tries to capitalise on the burgeoning in-terest in smart homes.

The world’s biggest maker of TVs will unveil the first sets powered by Tizen software at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week, and all the Web-connected models it sells this year will run the operating system. The company also may demonstrate at CES how the TVs communicate with its washing machines, refrigerators and vac-uum cleaners.

The controlling Lee family is trying to reinvent Samsung as a purveyor of Internet-connected appliances to grab share of a market that may be worth $7.1 trillion by 2020. Samsung wants to generate revenue from Tizen applications and services just as Apple and Google do from their operating systems, and the Su-

won-based company is empha-sizing TVs and consumer elec-tronics after falling a year behind schedule on a Tizen-based phone.

“In smartphones, there’s no chance that Samsung’s Tizen can edge out the two dominant oper-ating systems,” said Claire Kim, a Seoul-based analyst at Daishin Securities. “But in TVs, Samsung may have a chance.”

Samsung’s rise to number one in global phone sales depended on Google’s Android. Nearly all of the 243 million smartphones Sam-sung shipped through September 30 ran the software.

Phone supremacySamsung faces the strongest chal-lenge to its phone supremacy af-ter posting the smallest quarterly earnings in more than two years. Operating profit at the mobile-phone unit, the firm’s biggest cash generator, slumped 74 per cent in the September quarter and sales fell about 33 per cent.

That’s prompting the company to look for new sources of rev-enue. Tizen emerged after Sam-sung joined Intel and NTT Doc-omo, among others, to develop an alternative to Android and build its software capabilities.

Helped by Samsung, LG and dozens of other producers, An-droid runs about 84 per cent of smartphones. - Bloomberg News

S M A R T T E C H N O L O G Y

NEW OPTION: Companies in the UK and Hong Kong may be among those selling sukuk this year as

they follow debut issues from their governments, according to National Bank of Abu Dhabi, the big-

gest Middle Eastern underwriter of Islamic bonds in 2014. – Bloomberg News

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

TIZEN SOFTWARE Samsung will unveil

first TV sets powered by

Tizen software. All the

Web-connected models

it sells this year will run

the operating system.

It may show how TVs

communicate with its

washing machines,

refrigerators and vacuum

cleaners at the CES

B4

MARKETT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

MSM index ends lower

MUSCAT: Amid weak trading activity, the MSM 30 index end-ed on a negative note at 6,311.77 points, down by 0.66 per cent. MSM Shariah index also declined by 0.14 per cent at 964.63 points.

Dhofar International Devel-opment & Investment Company was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. The top gainer was United Power, up by 7.17 per cent, while Al Madina Investments, down by 9.33 per cent, lost the most.

As many as 536 trades were executed in the session generat-ing a turnover of OMR4.1 mil-lion with more than 11.1 million shares changing hands. Out of 37 traded stocks, three advanced, 20 declined and 14 remained unchanged. Arab and GCC in-vestors were net buyers to the tune of OMR248,000 followed by Omani investors at OMR52,000. Foreign investors, who were net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR300,000.

Financial Index down by 1.44 per cent to close at 7,616.22 points. Al Madina Investments, DBIH, Oman & Emirates Hold-ing, Al Sharqia Investments and Gulf Investment Services de-creased by 9.33 per cent, 9.23 per cent, 8.87 per cent, 7.46 per cent and 6.29 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index ended today’s session at 8,358.66 points, down by 0.71 per cent. Gulf Interna-tional Chemicals was the only gainer in the sector, up by 1.32 per cent. Galfar Engineering, Al Maha Ceramics, Al Hassan Engi-neering, Oman Fisheries and Na-tional Aluminium Products de-creased by 5.29 per cent, 4.60 per cent, 2.97 per cent, 2.86 per cent and 2.47 per cent respectively.

Services Sector Index de-clined by 0.55 per cent to close at 3,459.79 points. United Power and Al Batinah Power increased by 7.17 per cent and 1.18 per cent respectively. Renaissance Ser-

vices, Sembcorp Salalah, OIFC and Al Suwadi Power fell 2.50 per cent, 2.05 per cent, 1.95 per cent and 0.58 per cent respectively.

Gulf stocks tumbleThe DFM General Index tumbled 3.4 per cent and Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index lost 3 per cent. Nigeria’s gauge dropped 2.1 per cent. South Africa’s Sasol slid 4.2 per cent. Petroleo Brasiliero tumbled 4.7 per cent.

Emerging stocks slipEmerging-market stocks fell for a third day and currencies slid as speculation that Greece may drop the euro reduced demand for riskier assets. A gauge of 20 developing- nation currencies slid 0.5 per cent to a 12-year low.

Sasol, world’s biggest maker of motor fuel-from-coal, dropped the most in two weeks and Pe-troleo Brasileiro paced a slump in Brazilian stocks. Dubai’s DFM General Index led losses in the Gulf region as Brent crude re-treated to the lowest level since May 2009.

The rouble tumbled 5.4 per cent. Turkish bonds and stocks climbed after a report showed the nation’s inflation rate dropped more than economists forecast.

The MSCI Emerging Market Index slid 1 percent to 944.06 in London. While Greece prepared for elections this month that Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said will determine the country’s euro membership, ‘Der Spiegel’ magazine reported that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is ready to accept a Greek exit.

Emerging-market stocks post-ed their first back-to-back annual decline in 12 years in 2014 as oil retreated to a bear market and prospects for rising U.S. interest rates curbed the appeal of higher-yielding assets. The rouble weak-ened in its first official trading of 2015. - United Securities/Bloomberg News

The top gainer was United Power, up by

7.17 per cent, while Al Madina Investments,

down by 9.33 per cent, lost the most

MUSCATSECURITIES MARKET

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 5

REGULAR MARKET .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................OM0000001822 ............UNITED POWER .................................................................682 .................. 968........................ 1 ............1.420 ........... 1.420 ...........1.420 ........... 1.420 ............. 1.325.............0.095 ..............7.170.................1.420 ..............1.420...................0.000 ...............2,840,000 ........1.000

OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............53,300 ...............8,222........................6 ............0.152 ........... 0.155 ...........0.152 ........... 0.154 ............. 0.152............ 0.002 ..............1.316.................0.155 .............. 0.154...................0.158 ................3,234,000 ........0.100

OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT .......................................................... 1,000 ............... 1,650........................ 1 ............1.650 ........... 1.650 ...........1.650 ............1.670 ............. 1.670............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................1.650 .............. 1.630...................1.700 ............. 334,000,000 .....0.100

OM0000001509 ............DHOFAR INT.DEV.AND INV. HOLD. ................... 4,327,098 ...2,163,549........................ 1 ........... 0.500 ...........0.500 ...........0.500........... 0.530 .............0.530 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.500............. 0.000...................0.000 .............116,600,000 ......0.100

OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 1,834,060 ......744,628........................ 1 ........... 0.406 ...........0.406 ...........0.406............0.416 ............. 0.416............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.406............. 0.400...................0.420 .............140,085,088......0.100

OM0000001897 ............MAJAN COLLEGE .............................................................. 316 ...................174........................2 ........... 0.550 ........... 0.550 ...........0.550 ........... 0.500 .............0.500 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.550 ..............0.500...................0.550...............15,000,000 .......0.100

OM0000002168 ............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................ 34,000 ............. 17,068........................8 ........... 0.502 ...........0.502 ...........0.502........... 0.502 .............0.502 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.502..............0.454...................0.502 ............. 123,916,057 ......0.100

OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 347,987 ............47,326........................ 1 ............0.136 ........... 0.136 ...........0.136 ............0.136 ............. 0.136............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.136 ...............0.131...................0.000 .............. 37,401,798 .......0.100

OM0000002572 ...........OMAN OIL MARKETING ..........................................10,000 ............22,400........................ 1 ........... 2.240 ...........2.240 ...........2.240 .......... 2.240 .............2.240 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ............... 2.240 ............ 0.000...................2.260 .............137,256,000 ......0.100

OM0000002614 ............ONIC. HOLDING .......................................................... 230,656 ............77,500..................... 38 ........... 0.336 ........... 0.336 ...........0.336 ........... 0.336 .............0.336 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.336 ..............0.332...................0.336...............58,270,212 .......0.100

OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR.................................................................... 5,000 ...............1,090........................ 1 ............0.218 ........... 0.218 ...........0.218 ........... 0.218 ............. 0.218............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.218 .............. 0.216...................0.223 ............ 249,392,000 .....0.100

OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO.........................................................................15,000 ...............9,420........................2 ........... 0.628 ........... 0.628 ...........0.628 ........... 0.628 .............0.628 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.628 .............. 0.612...................0.628..............408,792,976 .....0.100

OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING ...............................................9,821 ...............6,482........................ 1 ........... 0.660 ........... 0.660 ...........0.660........... 0.660 .............0.660 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.660..............0.660...................0.000 ............. 131,759,496 ......0.100

OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY .....................................................69,283 ............ 25,609......................11 ........... 0.370 ........... 0.370 ...........0.360........... 0.370 .............0.372 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.538 ...............0.370 ..............0.370...................0.408 ..............22,385,000 ......0.100

OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE .............. 348,831 ........... 69,945..................... 23 ............0.210 ........... 0.210 ...........0.200 .......... 0.201 .............0.205 ...........-0.004 ............-1.951 ................0.202 .............0.201...................0.205 ............. 40,200,000 ......0.100

OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 948,242 .........538,025..................... 72 ........... 0.580 ........... 0.580 ...........0.562........... 0.568 .............0.582 ...........-0.014 ........... -2.405 ...............0.562 ..............0.562...................0.564.............1,239,766,891 ....0.100

OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ...............35,500 .............11,240........................2 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.308............0.316 .............0.324 ...........-0.008 ........... -2.469 ...............0.308..............0.308...................0.320 .............. 10,608,578 .......0.100

OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES .......................................21,400 .............10,010........................5 ............0.478 ........... 0.478 ...........0.460........... 0.468 .............0.480 ...........-0.012 ........... -2.500 ...............0.470 ..............0.460...................0.470..............132,020,204 .....0.100

OM0000001087 ............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE .................................10,000 .............. 2,800........................3 ........... 0.280 ...........0.280 ...........0.280 .......... 0.280 .............0.289 ...........-0.009 ............-3.114 ................0.280..............0.273...................0.280 ..............28,000,000 ......0.100

OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 259,437 ............ 47,915..................... 43 ............0.188 ........... 0.188 ...........0.182 ............0.185 ............. 0.193............-0.008 ........... -4.145 ...............0.186 ..............0.184...................0.186 ...............24,142,500.......0.100

OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 538,645 ............86,521..................... 49 ............0.170 ........... 0.170 ...........0.155 ............0.161 ............. 0.170............-0.009 ........... -5.294 ...............0.160 ..............0.160...................0.163 ...............42,442,621 .......0.100

OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ...........................91,920 ............ 12,300......................16 ............0.137 ........... 0.138 ...........0.130 ........... 0.134 ............. 0.143............-0.009 ........... -6.294 ...............0.135 .............. 0.135...................0.139 ................ 7,884,991 ........0.100

OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 141,200 ............ 17,528......................17 ............0.126 ........... 0.127 ........... 0.121 ........... 0.124 ............. 0.134............-0.010 ............-7.463................0.127 .............. 0.125...................0.127 ............... 10,728,480 .......0.100

OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING ........... 194,716 ............22,044..................... 28 ............0.120 ........... 0.120 ........... 0.112 ............0.113 ............. 0.124 ........... -0.011 ............-8.871................ 0.114 .............. 0.114................... 0.115 ................13,771,875 .......0.100

OM0000001962 ............AL MADINA INVESTMENT .................................... 94,820 ...............6,458........................7 ........... 0.069 ........... 0.069 ...........0.068........... 0.068 .............0.075 ...........-0.007 ........... -9.333 ...............0.068 ............. 0.000...................0.072...............14,086,294 .......0.100

.............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 9,622,914 ........3,950,872 ..............340 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......25..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET ................................................................................................................................................................................. OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER ................................................ 197,609 .............33,697..................... 34 ............0.169 ........... 0.171 ............0.169 ............0.171 ............. 0.169............ 0.002 ..............1.183.................0.170 .............. 0.170................... 0.175 .............. 115,405,751 ......0.100

OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK..................................................... 500 .....................48........................2 ........... 0.095 ........... 0.095 ...........0.095 ........... 0.094 .............0.094 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.095 ..............0.090...................0.095...............94,000,000 ......0.100

OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 196,851 ............ 33,642..................... 34 ............0.171 ........... 0.171 ............0.170 ............0.171 ............. 0.172............-0.001 ........... -0.581................ 0.171 ...............0.171...................0.173 ..............122,163,484 ......0.100

OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 703,755 ............ 55,592.....................40 ........... 0.080 ...........0.080 ...........0.078 ........... 0.079 .............0.080 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.250 ...............0.078 ..............0.078...................0.079..............118,500,000......0.100

OM0000001855 ............MAJAN GLASS ...............................................................10,932 ............... 2,671........................2 ........... 0.248 ...........0.248 ...........0.240 .......... 0.244 .............0.248 ...........-0.004 ............-1.613 ................0.240 ............ 0.240...................0.260 .............. 10,253,685 .......0.100

OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH ..................................................2,962 ...............6,368........................2 ............2.150 ........... 2.150 ...........2.150 ........... 2.150 ............. 2.195............-0.045 ........... -2.050 ...............2.150 ..............2.160...................2.220 ............ 205,232,969 .....1.000

OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................77,600 ...............5,262........................7 ........... 0.068 ........... 0.070 ...........0.066........... 0.068 .............0.070 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.857 ...............0.070..............0.070...................0.071 ................8,500,000 ........0.100

OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING....................................77,344 ................7,581......................16 ........... 0.098 ........... 0.100 ...........0.098........... 0.098 ............. 0.101 ............-0.003 ........... -2.970 ...............0.098 ..............0.097...................0.100................ 7,370,384 ........0.100

OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................29,025 ............ 14,448......................19 ............0.510 ........... 0.510 ...........0.494........... 0.498 .............0.522 ...........-0.024 ........... -4.598 ...............0.500..............0.500...................0.508 ..............24,900,000 ......0.100

OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 229,810 ........... 27,042..................... 33 ............0.120 ........... 0.120 ........... 0.117 ............0.118 ............. 0.130............-0.012 ............-9.231................ 0.117 ............. 0.000................... 0.117 ................3,540,000 ........0.100

.............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 1,526,388 ...... 186,349................... 189 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......10..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS MARKET ........................................................................................................................................................................................OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 .......................... 4,978 .................. 525........................3 ............0.106 ........... 0.106 ...........0.105 ........... 0.106 ............. 0.106 ........... 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.105 .............. 0.105................... 0.110 ...............32,091,406 .......0.100

OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ........................................... 19,834 ...............2,238........................4 ............0.112 ........... 0.113 ............ 0.112 ............0.113 ............. 0.113 ............ 0.000 .............0.000 ................0.112 .............. 0.112................... 0.113 ............... 36,119,622 .......0.100

.............................................SUM: ....................................................................................24,812 ............... 2,763........................7 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 2..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

ISIN .................................................. SECURITY NAME ...............................................................................................VOLUME ..............TURNOVER ................... TRADES ...........OPEN PRICE ............. HIGH .................... LOW ............... CLOSE PR. ..........PREV. CLOSE.......... DIFF (RO) .................DIFF % ......................LAST PR............... LAST BID .....................LAST OFFER ................. MARKET CAP ........PAR VALUE

O M A N S T O C K S

INDICESIndex .................................................High .................Low ..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff %MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,353.50 ............... 6,311.77 .................... 6,311.77 ...................6,353.50 ................ -41.73 .................. -0.66Financial Index ......................................7,727.76 ............... 7,616.21 ....................7,616.22 ....................7,727.40 ...............-111.18 .................. -1.44Industrial Index ....................................8,418.54 .............. 8,355.80 ................... 8,358.66 ................... 8,418.54 ................-59.88 ...................-0.71Services Index .......................................3,481.47 ...............3,455.73 ....................3,459.79 ................... 3,479.09 ................ -19.30 .................. -0.55MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 966.14 ..................964.63 ...................... 964.63 ...................... 966.02 ...................-1.39 .................. -0.14

Trading SummaryVolume ................ Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up ............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded11,174,114 ................... 4,139,985 .....................536 ...............14,523,984,813 .................. 3 ..................... 20 .................... 14 .........................37

BSE Sensex snaps six-session gaining streak; rupee tumblesMUMBAI: In a variable trade, the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex could not able to sustain 28,000-mark registered nearly four-month ago in early trade and snapped its straight six-session of gaining string, declining by 46 points to end at 27,842.32 on selling mainly in IT and technology counters on the back of dismal trade on Wall Street last weekend and weak Asian closing yesterday.

Dullness in European open-ing trade too weighed on the local bourses in the later part of the day. IT stocks attracted profit-booking ahead of the announcement of the third quarter results by software bellwether, Infosys, on January 9 amid fall in tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index last weekend.

Contrary to this, auto, consumer durable and capital goods stocks attracted good buying interest. Fall

in the HDFC, TCS, Infosys, RIL, HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, Dr Red-dy’s Lab, SBI, Hindalco and SSLT mainly put pressure on the market.

Had there not been a rise in Tata Motors, L&T, Maruti Suzuki, ITC, ONGC, Axis Bank and Tata Steel, the fall in the Sensex would have been much more pronounced.

The BSE 30-share indicator re-sumed higher and crossed 28,000-mark to a high of 28,064.49, up by

more-than 175 points. But emer-gence of profit-booking pulled the index down at the fag end to a low of 27,786.85, before recovering some ground to end at 27,842.32, showing a fall of 45.58 points or 0.16 per cent. In last six days, it had flared up by 679.29 points or 2.50 per cent.

The wide-based 50-issue CNX Nifty of the NSE also fell back by 17.05 points or 0.20 pct to 8,378.40.

Rupee depreciates The Indian rupee yesterday re-acted downwards by 12 paise to log nearly one-week closing low of 63.41 against the Greenback on weakness in local equities amid fresh dollar demand from importers. A firm dollar over-seas too weighed on the rupee even as participants took heart from renewed capital inflows in the new year capped losses to

some extent, forex dealers said. The domestic unit commenced weak at 63.43 a dollar from last weekend’s close of 63.29. Soon af-ter, it touched a low of 63.50 before bouncing back to a high of 63.28.

The rupee later again fell back in the fag-end in sync with drop in domestic stocks to settle at 63.41 — logging a net loss of 12 paise or 0.19 per cent. This is its weakest closing since 63.67 on December 29. - PTI

I N D I A N M A R K E T S

B5T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

ROUND-UPA’Saffa Foods’ state-of-art production plant producing top quality products

MUSCAT: A’Saffa Foods, Oman’s leading home-grown food produc-er and the largest fully integrated poultry project, leaves no stone unturned in its commitment to de-liver products of the highest qual-ity and its state-of-the art produc-tion plant plays an important role in achieving that objective.

In poultry integration, infra-structure becomes the backbone of the operations, and A’Saffa un-derstands this, ensuring that a well-established infrastructure

supports their poultry operations end-to-end, resulting in quality control and optimised productiv-ity, says a press release.

The infrastructure at A’Saffa includes parent farms, feed mill, environmentally controlled sheds (EC Shed), hatchery, modern (fully automated, untouched by hand) processing plant, R&D cen-tre, disease diagnostics and feed analytical labs. A’Saffa birds are fed with 100% natural feed (yellow corn and soya) ingredients that are

also manufactured at the A’Saffa Feed mill, all throughout the rais-ing period. As a principle following religious, healthy and ethical prac-tices, the company prohibits use of chicken byproducts and sub-stitutes for feeding the birds. Me-ticulous attention to details, high bio-security and stringent qual-ity control checks throughout the processes ensure that the chicken that reaches you is 100% natural, pure, tasty and safe.

Commenting on their plant and farm management systems, A’Saffa Foods Head Marketing and Sales, Sidhartha Lenka said: “Par-ent lines are reared by A’Saffa’s ex-perts with scientific management processes in a bio-secure environ-ment. With a keen understanding and insight of the requirements, the parent lines are reared to de-liver improved feed conversion rate, increased productivity, better performance and adaptability of

the chicken to Oman’s environ-mental conditions.”

He continued, “A’Saffa 100% natural and tasty chickens are bred in a closed controlled hygienic environment, and 21 million nat-urally-fed and hand slaughtered chickens reproduced every year. A’Saffa poultry does not contain added hormones, steroids, artifi-cial flavour and colour or chemical preservatives, synthetic ingredi-ent and no artificial injection of water to increase chicken weight. It’s all part of our effort to give you the most natural product — ascer-taining A’Saffa as your only 100% natural and tasty choice.”

A’Saffa Foods take pride in having the first technologically advanced sheds, that are one-of-a-kind in Oman and that have a capacity to house 32,500 chickens and each farm is automatically controlled through advanced cli-mate control systems. Optimal temperatures and humidity levels are programmed into the system and it maintains the conditions round the clock. In addition, the entire feeding and watering sys-

tems are fully automated. The entire farm is operated and con-trolled from a single computer-based system.

A’Saffa Foods has been a pioneer in the production of quality poultry products since the company estab-lished its operations in 2001 and is now an acknowledged leader in the poultry market in Oman and rapidly growing its international presence in the GCC and beyond. One of the keys to the taste and quality of A’Saffa Foods chicken products is the fact that all chick-ens at the state of the art facility in the south of Oman are fed natural feed – that plays a major role in the superb taste of the chickens and ensures that consumers are buy-ing a natural and tasty product.

Being pioneers in fully integrat-ed poultry production and farm management systems we have built our competence and exper-tise in food production, processed food technology and innovative food recipes helping us to deliver new, flavourful choices that con-sumers can enjoy anytime,” said Sidhartha Lenka.

The infrastructure at A’Saffa includes parent

farms, feed mill, environmentally controlled

sheds (EC Shed), hatchery, modern (fully

automated, untouched by hand) processing

plant, R&D centre, disease diagnostics

and feed analytical labs

Khimji’s Mart introduces pure coconut waterMUSCAT: For the food aficiona-dos of Oman, Khimji’s Mart has brought the new treat in the Sul-tanate. The largest supermarket chain in Oman announced the in-troduction of UFC Refresh, ‘100% natural coconut water’ sourced from the coconut belt in Thai-land where the world’s most deli-cious coconuts are grown, says a press release.

UFC Refresh coconut water is not made from concentrate. It is a healthy, natural rehydration bev-erage that contains no added sugar or additives. The sweet taste of

the drink comes straight from the plant and no additives means there is no caffeine, fat, cholesterol, or preservatives; just delightfully pure coconut water.

“Coconut water is highly nutri-tious. It is a functional food because it provides many additional health benefits. UFC Coconut Water is said to contain 5 essential electro-lytes: potassium, calcium, phos-phorus, sodium, and magnesium,” said Devendra Kumar, Head, Khim-ji Ramdas Retail Division. UFC Re-fresh coconut water is exclusively available in Khimji’s Mart.

F R O M T H A I L A N D

Nama Group hosts competition

to enhance volunteering cultureMUSCAT: Nama Group, for-merly known as Electricity Holding Company, has collabo-rated with Oman Network of Vol-unteers to launch a competi-tion called ‘Wiyakum’ aimed at raising the capabilities of in-dividual volunteers as well as volunteering groups.

The competition has brought together 95 different teams con-sisting of 3,800 volunteers from different parts of the Sultanate, and will focus on developing the abilities of these volunteers to bet-ter serve their community as well as inspire others to get involved in the volunteering culture, says a press release.

‘Wiyakum’ initiative was launched in Qurum Natural Park where 85 volunteers participated during the Sultanate’s celebration of ‘The World Volunteering Day’.

Social responsibility“We launched this initiative be-lieving that giving back to the community is a responsibility of both organisations and individu-als and we chose this competi-tion to help the youth showcase their talent and passion for giving. We aim to help the participants further by honing their skills in projects that will help serve their community. This competition fits perfectly into our sustainability pillars as it aims to provide long-term benefit to individuals and communities,” stated, Abdullah Al

Shukaili, sustainability manager, Electricity Holding Company.

WorkshopsAlong with the competition, the group has also conducted multiple workshops aimed to strengthen the volunteering cul-ture and encourage individuals to get involved.

Participants of the ‘Wiyakum’ competition will have the chance to showcase their ‘volunteer-ing project plans’ to a special-ised evaluation panel to choose the winning projects at a later ceremony.

‘ W I Y A K U M ’ I N I T I A T I V E

‘Wiyakum’ initiative was launched in Qurum Natural Park where 85 volunteers participated during the Sultanate’s celebration of ‘The World Volunteering Day’. Participants of the ‘Wiyakum’ competition will have the chance to showcase their ‘volunteering project plans’ to a specialised evaluation panel to choose the winning projects at a later ceremony

BMW claims more than 50 awards in 2014MUNICH: BMW has concluded the year 2014, in every respect a successful one, with more than 50 national and international awards. The prize winners were chosen by juries comprising readers of trade magazines or by specialised jour-nalists who selected the winners in various different topic areas and categories.

The spectrum of distinctions ranges from awards for design, sustainability, sportiness and in-novation to intelligent vehicle net-working, says a press release.

International success The most important international prizes include the renowned “In-ternational Engine of the Year Award”, with the winner being determined by a specialized jury consisting of 82 car journalists from 34 countries. The 3-litre straight six-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology was declared winner of the coveted prize in its respective category for the fourth time now. The same jury twice awarded the BMW i3 the title “World Green Car of the Year”, also acknowledg-ing its trendsetting design with the title “World Car Design of the

Year”. The amalgamation of the “Chicago Athenaeum, Museum for Architecture and Design” and the “European Centre for Archi-tecture, Art Design and Urban Studies” also honoured the BMW 3 Series GT and the BMW Pininfa-rina Gran Lusso Concept with the “Good Design Award”

The technological leadership of BMW ConnectedDrive in the area of assistance systems was verified by top rankings, both nationally and internationally. BMW received the ‘Euro NCAP Advanced Award’ for the Pedes-trian Warning feature with City Braking function, a driver assis-tant system that reduces the dan-ger of collision with pedestrians in urban traffic. Moreover, the new BMW Laser light technology was presented with the ‘Editorial Award for Technology 2014’, be-stowed by the AutoScout24 mag-azine within the framework of the Internet Auto Award, Europe’s biggest public Internet award for the automotive trade.

Last but not least, the BMW i8 was voted Top Gear magazine’s ‘Car of the Year’ by the British cult journal. In its appraisal, the magazine states that “the BMW

i8 is a milestone in the annals of automotive history and a glori-ous statement for an exciting and positive future”.

In Germany, readers of the trade magazine Auto, Motor and Sport were among those who voted the BMW i3, the BMW 4 Series Coupe and the BMW 5 Series ‘Best Cars’.

BMW design This year witnessed the award-ing of the ‘Red Dot’ to several BMW models. The ‘Red Dot

Design Award’ is bestowed by an international jury of experts within the framework of a design competition held by the North Rhine-Westphalia Design Centre for products with outstanding design quality.

The prize went to the BMW 2 Series Coupe, the BMW 3 Series GT, the BMW 4 Series Coupe and Convertible as well as the BMW i3 in the category ‘Best of Best’. The BMW i8 also received a ‘Red Dot Award’. Moreover, the car was also

honoured by the Industrie Forum Design e.V with the “iF product de-sign award 2014” in recognition of its innovative styling.

Major awards for sustaina-bility, efficiency and qualityBMW’s success in the “Green Mo-bility Trophy” competition held by the “Auto Zeitung” most impres-sively underscores the brand’s strong commitment to environ-mental and sustainability issues. In 2014, BMW won six out of a to-tal of seven awards.

Almost 14,000 readers of the trade magazine cast their vote in favour of sustainable and efficient automobiles and technologies. The BMW i3, the first purely elec-tric premium vehicle, seized two first places as the best electric car made from lightweight materials.

The BMW i8 was voted “Best Hybrid Car”. Furthermore, the BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition was honoured as “Best Economy Diesel” and the BMW 2-litre, 4-cylinder power unit as “Best Downsizing Engine”.

The BMW brand’s unique sus-tainability clinched victory in the “Green Mobility Trophy” in the category “Environmentally

Friendliest Brand”. In addition, BMW was awarded the “GTÜ Quality Trophy 2014” for the out-standing technical quality of its vehicles and for good service. The prize was bestowed by the GTÜ (Gesellschaft für Technische Überwachung) based on data ob-tained from around five million roadworthiness tests (MOT tests).

The BMW i3, the revolution-ary concept, which was newly conceived and designed for elec-tromobility and which features a lightweight, high-strength carbon passenger compartment, has en-thused trade journalists through-out the world.

For example, in addition to national and international de-sign awards, the car was also bestowed with the “Paul Pietsch Prize” awarded by the trade mag-azine “auto, motor und sport” for the most innovative technologi-cal concept.

The second model by BMW i, the unique BMW i8 hybrid sports car, also received accolades, in-cluding the “Auto Trophy” award-ed by the trade journal “Auto Zei-tung”. Readers voted the BMW i8 both “Best New Vehicle” and “Best Electric/Hybrid Car”.

S P E C I A L Y E A R

B6 T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

ROUND-UPLeading singer Humeira Arshad enthrals Muscat

MUSCAT: Humeira Arshad, a well-known Pakistani playback singer, enthralled the Muscat au-dience at a live concert organised recently by Modern Exchange, one of the oldest exchange com-panies in Oman, as part of their massive expansion plans, at the Muscat Club football stadium in Wadi Kabir.

Songs after songs, Humeira took her fans in Oman to a mesmerising world of hit songs and ghazals with her mellifluous voice and flawless rendition, says a press release.

Ayaz Hussain, Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, inaugurated the show while officials from UBL and HBL delivered a short speech.

The fully packed ground was seen chanting and screaming ‘once more’ in the several rounds of standing ovation that she received throughout the performance.

“This is our humble effort to

pay back our customers from Asia and we are happy that the concert turned out to be one of the largest live shows in the country,” said a Modern Exchange Co official.

“Modern Exchange Company, which is extending its network in Sultanate of Oman to 20 branch-es, is known for its Zero-Minute

remittance, which means money is credited to customers account in seconds as Modern Exchange believes in customer satisfac-tion,” he added.

It was an unforgettable evening for Pakistani fans who enjoyed the old songs sung by their favourite singer Humeira Arshad.

The fully packed

Muscat Club

football stadium

in Wadi Kabir was

seen chanting and

screaming ‘once

more’ in the several

rounds of standing

ovation that she

received throughout

the performance

Al Hayat welcomes

new endocrinologist

MUSCAT: Al Hayat Interna-tional Hospital, Al Ghubra has recently inducted Dr Masoud Yahya Al Maskari, M.D., Ph.D, as Senior Consultant Endocrinolo-gist, says a press release.

Starting his career as a junior house officer in the Glasgow Roy-al Infirmary, UK, in 1989, the year 1992 saw him being appointed as honorary registrar in the depart-ment of medicine (endocrinol-ogy) in the prestigious University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom, a post he held for the next five years. His subse-quent position of specialist regis-trar saw him handling special en-docrine cases, as well as running endocrine clinics.

Returning to Oman in 1997, he served as Assistant Professor in Sultan Qaboos University and subsequently as a Consultant En-docrinologist in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

He has also held the prestig-ious position of Assistant Dean in Oman Medical College and Dean, College of Health, University of Buraimi.

He is actively involved in teaching and training students, as well as junior doctors. His professional affiliations include membership of the National Dia-betic Committee, Oman, British Endocrine Society, and Ameri-can Diabetes Association. He has participated and presented pa-pers in a number of international conferences and organised work-shops and published papers and books on endocrine and diabetes management and gives talks on radio and television.

Dr Masoud specialises in di-agnosing and treating endocrine

disorders, which include diabetes, thyroid conditions, pituitary and adrenal diseases, as also calcium, growth and hormone disorders.

He also treats osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction in men (a condition which many affected men are embarrassed and avoid discussing with their doctor), problems related to menopause in women, high blood pressure caused by adrenal hormone over secretion, growth problems in children, problems related to pu-berty in adolescent boys and girls, male sex hormone deficiency in middle-aged men, and all compli-cations of diabetes and low blood sugar levels.

Though most physicians treat diabetes well, in many cases it is difficult to control the blood sugar and such cases should be referred to a consultant endocrinologist. Dr Masoud will be available for consultation every alternate Sat-urday, starting from January 10, offering 50% discount on his con-sultation fees and 20% discount on lab tests referred by him.

S E N I O R C O N S U L T A N T

Al Hashar declared best distributor by Ariston

MUSCAT: Al Hashar Electronics Group has received the Best Dis-tributor Award – Mena region for 2014 from Ariston, the leader in kitchen appliances and laundry, for their outstanding performance.

Sultan Al Kharusi, Managing Director, Al Hashar Group, re-ceived the award from Massimo D’Ascanio, International Area Commercial Director at a cer-emony held in Muscat recently. Rajeev Sharma, general manager, Al Hashar Electronics Group and Dany Kasbah, managing direc-tor, Mena region, Ariston, were present on the occasion, says a press release.

Massimo said that the award was bestowed on Al Hashar Elec-tronics Group in recognition and appreciation of its outstanding

performance in establishing Aris-ton brand in the Sultanate. The over three decades long ties be-tween Al Hashar and Ariston have touched greater heights with a

consistent growth in sales.“The innovative market-

ing strategies formulated by Al Hashar Electronics Group paved the way for winning the maiden award from Ariston. The support and patronage of our customers, the management of Ariston and our employees have resulted in our consistent growth” said Sul-tan Al Kharusi.

“We are really honoured as the award was presented to our group in sheer recognition of our strenu-ous and consistent efforts to pro-mote Ariston brand across the length and breadth of Oman,” said Rajeev Sharma.

With 45 years history of trust-ed innovation, Ariston aims at enhancing home and lifestyle through its latest appliances that

provide unmatched style. In fact in the manufacture of Ariston appli-ances design, innovation, technol-ogy and lifestyle merge effortlessly.

The excellent sales perfor-mance by a team of profession-als has earned Al Hashar Elec-tronics Group the respect of its principals as well as industry in Oman. Al Hashar’s strong sales focus helped them bag awards from renowned organisations around the globe.

As far as Ariston is concerned, eco-compliance and a constant drive towards quality and inno-vation turn into next generation home appliances. It has a tradi-tion of paying particular attention to product design aimed at obtain-ing products which are solid, in-novative and functional.

A C C O L A D E

www.facebook.com/timesofoman

SEND US YOUR VIEWS AND COMMENTS

ICEM to host 10th graduation ceremony on January 12MUSCAT: A total of 150 gradu-ates of International College of Engineering and Management (ICEM) of the 2013-14 academ-ic year will receive their awards in various disciplines at the col-lege’s 10th annual award cere-mony to be held at the Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa on January 12.

The graduates, over 40 of them females, will be conferred the degrees in the presence of Dr Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, CEO of the Public Au-thority for Civil Aviation; Dr Martin Brown, dean of ICEM; and Dr Robin Pollard, deputy vice chancellor of the Univer-sity of Central Lancashire. Dis-tinguished guests from across Omani business society will be present on the occasion, says a press release.

ICEM has awarded almost 2,000 awards to students dur-ing the last 10 years with nearly 80% of these being young Oma-ni men and women. ICEM grad-uates are working in national and international organisations across the economy including oil and gas, petrochemicals, aviation, construction, real es-tate, retail and the hospitality industries.

A C A D E M I C S

Dr Masoud will be available for consultation every alternate Saturday, starting from January 10, offering 50% discount on his consultation fees and 20% discount on lab tests referred by him

B7T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

ROUND-UP

SMARTEN UPDRIVE SAFE

A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

Kia Sorento now available with irresistible cash gift

MUSCAT: The latest New Year, news from Kia will definitely please those who have dreamt of owning a Sorento. It is now avail-able with a delightful offer — a choice of taking home an OMR750 cash gift or the flexibility of using it to meet payment commitments towards vehicle financing, says a press release.

“This is a good time to own a Kia Sorento,” says the spokesperson.

A marvel of modern technol-ogy, the 2015 Sorento offers equal measures of value and sophistica-tion, with its powerful 2.4 litre, 4 Cylinder, Dual C.V.V.T Engine pro-ducing 174 HP / 6000 rpm, with 23.1 Kg.M. of Torque at 3750 rpm. The powertrain is equipped with a steel timing chain and 6 speed

h-matic transmission. Luxuri-ous options in the 2015 Sorento include front and rear air condi-tioners, radio CD MP3 player with USB, iPod connectivity and aux with 6 speakers, steering controls (auto cruise/ audio/ bluetooth/ trip computer); power windows & outside side mirrors; keyless en-try system; overhead console with sunglass storage & map lamps; (2+3+2) seating configuration; 1st row seats; sliding & reclining seats with adjustable headrests; driver seat height adjuster; 2nd row seats; 60/40 split folding with cen-tre armrest; adjustable headrests; tumble seat; 3rd row seats - 50:50 foldable bench type for 2 passen-

gers and adjustable headrests.In addition to the above, the

2015 Sorento - 3.5 LX PWR A/T - offers spirited performance of a 3.5 litre V6, Dual C.V.V.T Engine producing 277 HP / 6300 rpm. The Sorento 3.5 EX PWR A/T offers a full view panoramic sunroof, dual front auto ac w/ clean air ionizer, 235 / 55 r 19 machine finished al-loy wheels, front parking sensor, colour TFT touchscreen for au-dio/bluetooth control settings & rear view camera imaging, auto light control, power folding outer mirrors, led side repeater on outer mirrors, leather wrapped steering wheel & TGS knob, LED rear com-bination lamp, mood lamp, illu-

minated door scuffs & sun visors, rear spoiler, chrome outer door handles & chrome accent-air vent knob, audio/heater dials, cluster ring, cup-holder and leather clus-ter housing.

The 2015 Sorento has also re-ceived the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority’s Overall 5-Star Crash Safety Rating. It has been voted for delivering better than average standard and option-al safety features and receiving the highly coveted 5-stars on the fron-tal crash, side crash and rollover crash tests.

“A dynamic design, outstanding performance and delightful fea-tures have made Sorento one of Kia’s most popular vehicles,” said Michael Sprague, Executive Vice President Of Sales and Marketing, Kia Motors America.

His words gained more weight ever since the 2015 Kia Sorento was recognised to be the ‘Best Family Vehicle’, by Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA).

“Winning the ‘Best Family Ve-hicle’ accolade from the NWAPA is further validation of the Soren-to’s appealing blend of all-around style and capability, with an abun-dance of safety features,” Michael Sprague acknowledged.

A marvel of modern

technology, the 2015

Sorento offers equal

measures of value

and sophistication

Infiniti’s Regional Marketing Head claims top honourMUSCAT: Building on the re-cent sales success of Infiniti, the region’s fastest growing premium car brand, Deputy General Man-ager, Marketing and PR, Franc-esca Ciaudano, has been awarded the industry’s top Middle East accolade — the EFFIE Mena Marketer of the Year.

The GMR Marketer of the Year Award honours the individual who, through innovation, strat-egy and communications excel-lence, has made a positive impact on the market place, evidenced through clearly quantifiable post-campaign evaluation and who has made a significant con-tribution to raising the standard of marketing in the Middle East, says a press release.

Commenting on the award, Ciaudano said; “It is a tremendous honour for me to receive this rec-ognition from my industry peers. Much as Infiniti’s philosophy is about taking risks, being bold and challenging the status quo, I have tried to bring and reflect these traits strongly in all of Infiniti’s marketing communication and to be awarded in this way alongside Infiniti recently becoming the re-gion’s fastest growing premium

automotive brand demonstrates it is a successful strategy.”

Ciaudano also spearheaded a campaign which led to Infiniti winning a New Product Launch - Bronze award in its own right at the Effies. “The KSA market is very important to Infiniti and we had to find a way to introduce the brand without being intru-sive. Our team’s insights into understanding the best way to put across our message in Saudi Arabia – by encouraging and acti-vating Saudi nationals to become brand ambassadors themselves – was key. The campaign focused on activating Saudi families, us-ing Infiniti cars, to showcase their heritage and demonstrate their pride for their country,” concluded Ciaudano.

E F F I E M E N A M A R K E T E R O F T H E Y E A R

One day workshop for Salalah auditorsSALALAH: ACL Services, the leading global provider of busi-ness assurance analytics to audi-tors, compliance professionals, and finance executives, will hold a one day certified workshop in Salalah. Al Osool Al Arabia will bring the best available informa-tion about the latest technology in audit using ACL on January 19, says a press release.

ACL is recognised worldwide as the leading software for data analysis, fraud detection and re-porting. It transforms the data into meaningful information, for analysing the fraud patterns and timely reporting. ACL provides business assurance that comple-ments and completes business intelligence. ACL’s whole solu-tion gives organisations access

to 100% of their data and enables them to analyse and independent-ly validate data and transactions for integrity in a fraction of the time once required. The exception can be pushed to GRC solution for a better management. Latest edi-tion of ACL comes with effective data visualisation. Data visuali-sation helps identify trends, pat-

terns, exceptions and relation-ships easily through a data driven GRC experience.

“This will be an excellent op-portunity for the existing users to brush up their knowledge in addition to freshers. Designed for those who need a helping hand in getting back on track with ACL latest edition, this course intro-duces you to ACL in an interac-tive, hands-on learning environ-ment. You will learn key data analysis concepts and the basics of working with ACL software. Examples used in class will il-lustrate how the software can add value to your audits. The tar-get group of participants for this workshop includes Financial, Op-erational, and External Auditors; Information Systems Auditors

and control professionals. The prospective ACL users will get an insight in using computerised au-dit tools,” said an ACL official.

In this group live interactive workshop participants are enti-tled to four hours of CPE cred-its and time limited version of ACL software. “You will want to be there to learn how ACL of-fers simple and flexible way to gain deeper insight into the Risk Management process including Fraud Risk Management, how audit management process can be effective by using powerful data-driven insight,” he added.

ACL one day workshop will en-hance participants with knowl-edge on effective fraud detection and prevention methodology through accurate data analysis.

L A T E S T T E C H N O L O G Y I N A U D I T

Full-box set of ‘Breaking Bad’ added to Go by OSNDUBAI: OSN, the region’s lead-ing pay-TV network, is redefin-ing the online entertainment ex-perience this January with the exclusive screening of the full box-set of the much-acclaimed series Breaking Bad and an im-pressive range of blockbuster movies on Go by OSN, says a press release. Available at just US$10 per month, Go by OSN subscribers enjoy unlimited premium Hollywood and Ara-bic movies and series on-the-go, contract and commitment-free.

“Go by OSN has set a new industry benchmark with its high quality streaming service matched by a remarkable array of premium content. With the interactive platform, we have brought a new dimension to de-livering exclusive content to on-the-go platforms,” said Emad Morcos, senior vice president, Business Development, OSN.

O N L I N E E N T E R T A I N M E N T

B8

ROUND-UPT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Love us on Facebook

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Promoting local talent: NBO leads the way with 9 key Omani appointments

MUSCAT: National Bank of Oman (NBO), the Sultanate’s leading financial institution, has recently appointed nine Omanis to key senior positions within the bank. The appointments represent the next step in National Bank of Oman’s journey to deliver service and operational excellence as well as its commitment to provide the best career path for Omani nation-als working in the financial ser-vices industry, says a press release.

The appointments were made following a review of NBO’s or-ganisational model to ensure it has the necessary structures and talent in place to capitalise on current and future opportunities at home and abroad.

Nasser Al Hajri has been ap-pointed as General Manager - Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of Corporate Affairs; Nasser Al Rashdi as General Manager – Chief SME Officer and Head of International Business; Salma Al Jaaidi as Chief Risk Officer subject to regulatory approvals; Hassan Shaaban as Head of Government Banking and Business Synergies; Sayyid Wasfi Al Said as Deputy Head of the Wholesale Banking Group; Hamood Al Eisri as Head of Internal Audit; Ibrahim Al Maamari as Acting Head of Com-pliance; Leen Al Atassi as Head of

Corporate Communications and CSR and Saleh Al Harthy as Acting Head of Information Technology.

These appointments re-affirm the bank’s commitment to devel-oping and promoting Omani talent to senior roles in support of the na-tion’s Omanisation efforts.

“The elevation of these nine employees recognises their enor-mous individual contributions to the bank during their tenures. National Bank of Oman is proud to offer the most fulfilling career opportunities for national talent and these appointments are fur-ther testament to this assertion. I am absolutely delighted that we have attracted such a high calibre of Omani business leaders to these strategic roles.

These are important appoint-ments that will add the necessary leadership, extensive experience, expertise and depth that will help us build business synergies, drive our transformation, deliver our strategic objectives and bring us a step closer to achieving our ambitious goals,” said Ahmed Al Musalmi, CEO of National Bank of Oman.

“We are committed to support-ing and promoting Omani talent across all levels of the organisa-tion, and we continue to identify and develop a strong pipeline of experienced local business leaders and banking professionals that will

shape National Bank of Oman’s fu-ture to continuously reach to new heights and become the Bank of Choice. We have introduced vari-ous talent management and suc-cession planning programmes to increase the representation of Omanis within the organisation, particularly at senior levels,” Al Musalmi added.

NBO is also committed to ad-vancing talented Omani women to senior leadership positions and creating a strong pipeline for sen-ior female managers. Salma Al Jaaidi is the first Omani woman in Oman’s banking history to be appointed to a Chief Risk Officer’s role. The bank’s Omanisation ef-forts and strong business perfor-mance are largely attributed to the robust training and leadership de-velopment programmes offered by its Academy of Excellence. As part of the bank’s integrated talent and leadership development frame-work, 28 business leaders recently graduated from the NBO transfor-mational leadership programme, which was delivered in collabora-tion with the prestigious London Business School over a period of 8 months, and which was designed to enhance business leaders’ skill-sets. For the first time in Oman’s banking history, National Bank of Oman has taken the lead through a unique collaboration with the re-nowned London Business School.

In addition, in support of the Sultanate’s job creation efforts, National Bank of Oman intro-duced the ‘Qadat Al Mustaqbal’ graduate development programme that underscores the bank’s fo-cus on attracting talented Omani youth in the banking industry.

Through the academic out-reach programme, National Bank of Oman aims to strengthen the skill-sets of Omani students and fresh graduates by working across different disciplines within the bank. This will not only provide them a ringside view of the op-erations of the banking industry but also enable them to pursue rewarding careers backed by their hands-on experience, and will fur-ther strengthen the bank’s mission to be the ‘employer of choice’ for Omani talent.

NBO, the first local bank in the Sultanate, is committed to attract-ing and developing Omani talent and providing opportunities for career advancement through its extensive bank-wide training, tal-ent management and succession planning programmes. The bank’s primary focus is to maintain its track record of sustainable growth through a strategy based on four key foundations: Putting custom-ers first, creating the best working environment for employees, yield-ing strong and sustainable returns for shareholders and investing in

the community, to achieve its vi-sion: To be the bank of choice.

Nasser Al Hajri: He combines the new position of Head of Corpo-rate Affairs with his current role of General Manager - Chief Human Resources Officer. Al Hajri’s ex-perience spans over two decades in key leadership roles and he will have overall accountability for Projects, Procurement, Facility management and the overall legal and administrative affairs of the bank. Al Hajri holds a Masters’ de-gree in Business Administration as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.

Nasser Al Rashdi: The newly formed role of General Manager - Chief SME Officer and Head of International Business is filled by Nasser Al Rashdi. Prior to his ap-pointment, he served as the bank’s Chief Internal Auditor. In his new role, Al Rashdi will lead the bank’s efforts to develop and implement an overall strategic and coordinat-ing framework that better facili-tates the strong focus and support the Bank delivers to its SME and International clients, especially SMEs in Oman with cross-border trading requirements.

Salma Al Jaaidi: With a career spanning over 29 years with vari-ous leading financial institutions,

Salma Al Jaaidi has led various di-visions within the bank’s risk man-agement group and until recently served as its Deputy Chief Risk Of-ficer. Al Jaaidi holds a Masters’ de-gree in Business Administration.

Hassan Shaaban: In addition to his existing responsibilities as Head of Government Banking, Hassan Shaaban’s new role in-cludes Head of Business Synergies. Shaaban will capitalise on business synergies to facilitate the delivery of a holistic and integrated banking model that will enhance customers’ banking experience.

Sayyid Wasfi Al Said: He takes on the newly created role of Depu-ty Head of the Wholesale Banking Group to provide additional senior resource in a fast growing area of the business. He previously served as Deputy General Manager - In-vestment Banking at National Bank of Oman and is a highly ex-perienced professional, with more than 14 years’ experience.

Hamood Al Esri: Recently ap-pointed as Head of Internal Audit, subject to regulatory approvals, he is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years’ banking experience. He previously served as the bank’s Financial Controller.

Ibrahim Al Maamari: Appointed as Acting Head of Compliance, subject to regulatory approvals, he has over 14 years’ banking experi-ence and holds a Masters’ degree in Business Administration.

Leen Al Atassi: Appointed as Head of Corporate Communica-tions and CSR, Al Atassi joins Na-tional Bank of Oman from HSBC Bank Oman, with over nine years’ experience, and holds a Masters’ degree in Business Administration.

Saleh Al Harthy: Appointed as Acting Head of Information Technology, Al Harthy has over 30 years’ banking experience, 20 years of which he served at NBO.

The appointments

were made to ensure

it has the necessary

structures and talent

in place to capitalise

on current and future

opportunities

at home and abroad

Bank Muscat extends lead support to Muscat FestivalMUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flag-ship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has extended lead support to Muscat Festival, the Sultanate’s annual tourism and cultural celebration to be held from January 15 to February 14.

Bank Muscat presence will prominently adorn the main festi-val venues in Al Amerat Park and Naseem Garden, providing the re-quired assistance for visitors. Dur-ing the 31-day festival, Bank Mus-cat services, including ATMs, will be available beyond the normal of-fice hours, serving as a boon to the large crowds visiting the festival every day, says a press release.

On average, over 2 million visi-tors, including foreign tourists, visit Muscat Festival every year.

Abdullah Al Rahbi, head –

Events and Sponsorship, said: “Over the years, Bank Muscat has extended lead support to Muscat Festival and remains commit-ted to ensuring the success of the most celebrated annual tourism and cultural event in Oman. Bank Muscat aims to fulfil its com-mitment to national initiatives, uniting citizens and residents in sharing the good times and dis-covering the joy of being connect-ed. The Muscat Festival partner-ship is an earnest attempt by the bank to propagate the core family values held dear by Omanis.”

Bank Muscat’s presence in the event highlights its role in facilitat-ing the exchange of traditions and culture between nations. The bank attaches importance to extending support to preservation of Oman’s

rich heritage and culture, thereby encouraging people to maintain a strong link to the country’s glori-ous legacy. The ethos of national events like Muscat Festival runs in parallel to the stated objective of Bank Muscat in serving the nation as the banking partner of choice. While Muscat Festival showcases varied expressions of Omani her-itage and culture, Bank Muscat aims to utilise the occasion to help people understand, appreciate and preserve Oman’s rich legacy.

Muscat Festival serves as a win-dow to Oman’s heritage and cul-ture, offering numerous avenues for fun and entertainment for chil-dren and families. The participa-tion of Bank Muscat complements in making the festival a memora-ble experience.

C U L T U R A L C E L E B R A T I O N

Free extra credit on Hayyak top up

MUSCAT: In a generous new promotion, Omantel, the leading telecommunication provider in the Sultanate, will give all Hayyak customers, who top up with OMR3, OMR5 and OMR10 or OMR3 and above electronically, 100 per cent free extra credit. The offer is available for just three days, from January 6 to 8.

The free credit is valid for sev-en days from the date of recharge and it may be used for local calls, international calls, SMS/MMS or Pay As You Go Data.

The bonus amount cannot be transferred to other customers, nor can it be used for subscrip-tions services or while roaming, says a press release.

“Omantel seeks to provide its customers with value added ser-vices and products. This promo-tion will offer our Hayyak custom-ers 100 per cent free credit when they top up with OMR3, OMR5,

and OMR10 cards or OMR3 and above electronically.

“The promotion applies to those who recharge their accounts dur-ing the offer period which is valid for three days only. The maximum free bonus is OMR10,“ said Shadli Al Abdulsalam, Senior Manager Product Development at Omantel Consumer unit.

“Omantel always seeks to meet the needs of its customers and en-

sure that they are connected with their world as well as delivering a unique, rewarding and exciting experience,” he added.

Omantel is the pioneer provider of leading edge telecommunica-tions services in the Sultanate of Oman connecting individuals, en-terprises and government across the country through a state-of-the-art network. Omantel is listed on the Muscat Securities Market.

3 - D A Y O F F E R

Customers continue to win big at Malabar Gold FestivalMUSCAT: Customers continue to cash in at the fourth edition of ‘Malabar Gold and Diamonds Fes-tival’, one of the biggest jewellery events in GCC, that will run until January 31.

The festival will display distinc-tive pieces of jewellery from across the world and offers massive gifts and irresistible offers, says a press release.

Customers get unprecedent-ed opportunities to win a total of 250,000 gold coins and up to OMR200,000 instant cash re-fund in this much-awaited festi-val. Customers have already won over 100,000 gold coins and over OMR100,000 instant cash refund through this promotion.

With the successful comple-tion of the 25 days of the festival, the customers continue to win big across all the outlets of Ma-labar Gold & Diamond. This great winning has created excitement among customers.

Malabar Gold and Diamonds

Festival, running in all GCC coun-tries and Singapore, stands apart from the usual jewellery exhibi-tions and promotions and as the tag line indicates, ‘Everyone Wins’, every customer gets a chance to be a winner through this festival.

A true shopper’s delight, Ma-labar Gold and Diamonds Festival captivates the customers by exhib-iting eye catching designs in gold, platinum, diamonds and precious stones from different parts of the world to flaunt any occasion or event and is well priced too.

For every purchase of gold jew-ellery above OMR200, the cus-tomers get a ‘Scratch & Win’ cou-pon through which they can win a guaranteed gold coin or up to 100 gold coins instantly.

With every diamond jewel-lery purchase, the customers get a ‘Scratch & Win’ coupon for a guaranteed cash refund and get a chance to win up to 100% cash back. The customers who buy dia-mond jewellery worth OMR200 or

above are eligible to get both the coupons. Furthermore, 8gm gold coins can be bought from their outlets with absolutely no making charge during this period.

The group also gives their cus-tomers the advantage of using their 0% easy instalment plan through which the customers can buy jewellery by using credit cards of Bank Muscat, Bank So-har, HSBC or Standard Chartered Bank and can pay the total amount in 3 to 12 instalments without any interest.

Keeping up with customer de-mands, the jewellery chain of-fers a fabulous collection of gold, diamond and platinum jewellery to suit the tastes of both resident and international customers, skil-fully crafted by jewellery special-ists from Italy, Singapore, Turkey, Bahrain and India.

Operating 124 retail outlets globally, the group is always at the forefront when it comes to promo-tions and celebrations.

P R O M O T I O N

BEST BRAINS: Senior NBO officials (from left) Ibrahim Al Maamari, Hassan Shaaban, Salma Al Jaaidi, Nasser Al Hajri, Ahmed Al Musalmi,

Nasser Al Rashdi, Sayyid Wasfi Al Said, Hamood Al Eisri and Leen Al Atassi pose for a photograph. – Supplied photo

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

SPOR SY O U R G A M E

SECTIONC T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

CAPTAIN KOHLI PROMISES POSITIVE APPROACHThrust back into the India captaincy after Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s shock decision to retire from tests last week, Virat Kohli hopes to put right some of the mistakes he made in his first match in charge against Australia.. >C2

S

Ali’s arrival boosts Oman

Times News Service

CANBERRA: The Sultanate’s na-tional football team, who are cur-rently training in Australia ahead of their participation in the Asian Cup, are boosted by the arrival of their talismanic captain Ali Al Habsi on Monday.

Frenchman Paul Le Guen-coached Omanis were a bit down after being hit with injury con-cerns followed by a surprise 1-4 loss to China in a friendly match in the run-up to the Asian Cup.

Five of the key players suffered severe to minor injuries, the worst case being that of second choice goalkeeper Muhannad Al Zaabi, who had to withdraw from the Asian continent’s soccer show-piece event.

The other injured players were defenders Mohammed Al Mus-allami, Saad Suhail, Jaber Al Owaisi and experienced forward Qasim Said.

Though Le Guen had already called up Suleiman Al Buraiqi to join the team as third custodian, Monday’s arrival of Ali Al Habsi would have certainly lifted the spirits among the Omani boys.

Ali, who arrived from England after a tough third-round FA Cup assignment with Wigan Athletic against his former club Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, did not take part in Monday’s training ses-sion, which began after a pep talk by coach Paul Le Guen.

But Ali’s understudy Mazen Al Kasbi and Suleiman Al Buraiqi underwent rigorous training ses-sions. Meanwhile, the good news emerging from the Omani camp is the fitness of the injured players.

With the exception of Moham-med Al Musallami, all the players

took part in the training and were seen in good spirits.

It may be mentioned that Al Musallami and Saad Suhail un-derwent MRI scans on Saturday while Al Awaisi and Qasim Said are reported to have suffered only ‘light injuries’.

Who dares wins Meanwhile, according to news agencies, with hosts Australia in a state of flux and holders Japan engulfed by scandal, the Asian Cup looks to be the most wide open in years.

Redemption for a humiliating 2014 World Cup beckons should Australia, Japan, South Korea or Iran win the Asian Cup, which be-gins on January 9 when the Soc-ceroos face Kuwait in Melbourne.

The quartet flopped badly in Brazil as Asia failed to register a single victory for the first time since 1990, a new-look Austral-ia arguably emerging with the most credit.

But coach Ange Postecoglou must find an alchemist’s touch to replace a golden generation of players who qualified for three successive World Cups -- or at the very least, a quick fix with his side short on firepower in attack.

Much of the responsibility will fall on talisman Tim Cahill, who lit up the World Cup with a stunning volley against the Netherlands but will need his supporting cast to step up.

“We have to be ruthless,” the former Everton forward told the Sydney Morning Herald. “If we are

ruthless, teams are not going to know what’s hit them.”

Australia have added incentive after being upset by Japan in the 2011 final in Doha, but the defend-ing champions will be a tough nut to crack, while 2002 World Cup semifinalists South Korea lurk for the hosts in Group A.

However, pressure will also be on Japan, whose Mexican coach Javier Aguirre is under investiga-tion following claims of match-fix-ing while he was manager of Span-ish club Zaragoza in 2011.

To what extent the furore unset-tles the Blue Samurai remains to be seen but Aguirre, who is sched-uled to appear in court in Valencia next month, has raised eyebrows with his team selection since tak-ing over after the World Cup.

Job risk “All my attention is focused on winning the Asian Cup,” Aguirre told reporters before flying to Aus-tralia. “I have nothing to hide and understand the media have a job to do, but that is my sole objective.”

Failure at the Asian Cup could end in the termination of his contract, however, although the four-time champions will be ex-pected to comfortably negotiate their first-round group, which also features Jordan, Iraq and war-torn Palestine.

Iraq overcame conflict and tur-moil to win the Asian Cup in 2007 but Uzbekistan could prove the best of the rest this time around, with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar also potentially danger-ous to the top sides.

But with no outright tourna-ment favourite, the title could come down to which team has the courage to abandon caution and take risks. South Korea last lifted the trophy in 1960 — the year Mu-hammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, won Olympic boxing gold — and will be hoping that the success of their Under-23 side in winning last year’s Asian Games rubs off on the senior team, despite their own lack of cutting edge.

Iran, led by former Portugal and Real Madrid coach Carlos Quei-roz, will also be looking to make an impact after a disappointing World Cup, but the three-time Asian champions have struggled to fill the void left by the likes of Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavikia and re-cord goalscorer Ali Daei.

Frenchman Paul

Le Guen-coached

Omanis were a bit

down after being hit

with injury concerns

followed by a surprise

1-4 loss to China in

a friendly match in

the run-up to the

Asian Cup. But Ali Al

Habsi’s arrival, after

his FA Cup outing

with Wigan, would

have lifted the spirits

of Omani squad

WARMING-UP: Oman players training in Canberra on Monday and appeared less worried on the injuries. Ali Al Habsi, who joined the team early Monday, did not train. – OFA

FAHAD AL MUKRASHIfahad@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad Al Busaidi, the chair-man of the Oman Football Association (OFA), said from Canberra that Oman team is capable to compete strongly and make history without being a favourite to win the title at the Asian Cup which kicks off in Australia on January 9.

Sayyid Khalid affirmed that there is no favoritism or sympa-thy with the French coach Paul Le Guen coach. He also named Qatar team as one of the strong fa-vourites following their triumph in recently held Gulf Cup 22.

Sayyid Khalid said Oman has a clear objective, which is to qualify for the second round in the Asian Cup, despite being in a tough group.

Lucky winnersMeanwhile, Oman Football

Association (OFA) and their water partner Tanuf announced the names of two lucky winners of all-paid trip to Australia to support the Sultanate’s national football team in their Asian Cup

match against hosts Australia.The Group A match is sched-

uled to be played in Sydney on January 13. The two lucky winners — Munir Al Hassani and Saleh Al Tamtami — were selected after

OFA and Tanuf ran a competition for the last two months.

The duo were invited to the OFA Headquarters on Monday where they were handed their prizes by OFA General Secre-

tary Sultan Al Zadjali and Tanuf Managing Director John Pugh.

The prizes included flight tickets, hotel accommodation and match tickets besides free water for a year.

Sayyid Khalid confident of Oman making history, lucky winners announced

TICKETS TO SYDNEY: Two lucky winners receiving their tickets to watch Oman versus Australia

match in Sydney on January 13. – OFA

CONFIDENT: Sayyid Khalid

bin Hamad Al Busaidi.

Groups A and B, team details and squad lists for the Asian Cup football tournament starting in Melbourne on Friday:Group A: Australia, S. Korea, Kuwait, OmanGroup B: Uzbekistan, S. Arabia, China, N. Korea GROUP AAUSTRALIACoach: Ange Postecoglou (AUS)Captain: Mile JedinakBest Asian Cup result: Runners-up (2011)Squad (numerical order): Mathew Ryan (Club Brugge/BEL), Ivan Franjic (Torpedo Moscow/RUS), Jason Davidson (West Bromwich Albion/ENG, Tim Cahill (NY Red Bulls/USA), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory/AUS), Mat-thew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers/AUS), Mathew Leckie (FC Ingolstadt 04/GER), Chris Herd (Aston Villa/ENG), Tomi Juric (Western Sydney Wanderers/AUS), Robbie Kruse (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Tom Oar (FC Utrecht/NED), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Aziz Behich (Bursaspor/TUR), James Troisi (S.V. Zulte Waregem/BEL), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace/ENG), Nathan Burns (Wellington Phoenix/NZL), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar/AUS), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United/AUS), Terry Antonis (Sydney FC/AUS), Trent Sainsbury (PEC Zwolle/NED), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town/ENG), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors/KOR), Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa/QAT) SOUTH KOREACoach: Uli Stielike (GER)

Captain: Ki Sung-YuengBest Asian Cup result: Winners (1956, 1960)Squad (numerical order): Jung Sung-Ryong (Suwon Samsung Bluewings/KOR), Kim Chang-Soo (Kashiwa Reysol/JPN), Kim Jin-Su (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim/GER), Kim Ju-Young (FC Seoul/KOR), Kwak Tae-Hwi (Al Hilal/KSA), Park Joo-Ho (FSV Mainz 05/GER), Son Heung-Min (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Kim Min-Woo (Sagan Tosu/JPN), Cho Young-Cheol (Qatar SC/QAT), Nam Tae-Hee (Lekhwiya SC/QAT), Lee Keun-Ho (Al Jaish SC/QAT), Han Kyo-Won (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors/KOR), Koo Ja-Cheol (FSV Mainz 05/GER), Han Kook-Young (Qatar SC/QAT), Lee Myung-Joo (Al Ain/UAE), Ki Sung-Yueng (Swansea City/WAL), Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton Wanderers/ENG), Lee Jeong-Hyeop (Sangju Sangmu/KOR), Kim Young-Gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande/CHN), Jang Hyun-Soo (Guangzhou R&F/CHN), Kim Seung-Gyu (Ulsan Hyundai/KOR), Cha Du-Ri (FC Seoul/KOR), Kim Jin-Hyeon (Cerezo Osaka/JPN) KUWAITCoach: Nabil Maaloul (TUN)Captain: Nawaf Al KhaldiBest Asian Cup result: Winners (1980)Squad (numerical order): Khaled Al Rashidi (Salmia SC/KUW), Amer Almatoug Alfadhel (Qadsia SC/KUW), Fahad Awad Shaheen (Ku-wait SC/KUW), Ali Hussain Fadhel (Al Wahda/UAE), Fahad Alhajeri (Salmia SC/KUW), Khaled Alqahtani (Qadsia SC/KUW), Talal Al-fadhel (Kazma SC/KUW), Saleh Sheikh Alhendi

(Qadsia SC/KUW), Abdullah Al Buraiki (Kuwait SC/KUW), Abdulaziz Alenezi (Qadsia SC/KUW), Fahed Al Ebrahim (Qadsia SC/KUW), Sultan Alenezi (Qadsia SC/KUW), Mesaed Alenzi (Al Orouba/KSA), Talal Al Amer (Qadsia SC/KUW), Faisal Alenezi (Salmia SC/KUW), Faisal Zayed Alharbi (Jahra SC/KUW), Bader Al Almotawaa (Qadsia SC/KUW), Khaled Ebrahim Hajiah (Qadsia SC/KUW), Abdulrahman Alshammari (Naser SC/KUW), Yousef Naser Alsulaiman (Kazma SC/KUW), Ali Almaqseed (Arabi SC/QAT), Nawaf Al Khaldi (Qadsia SC/KUW), Hameed Youssef (Arabi SC/QAT) OMANCoach: Paul Le Guen (FRA)Captain: Ali Al HabsiBest Asian Cup result: Group stage (2004, 2007)Squad (numerical order): Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic/ENG), Mohammed Al Musalami (Fanja/OMA), Jaber Al Owaisi (Al Shabab/OMA), Ali Hilal Al Jabri (Fanja/OMA), Nasser Al Shamli (Al Orouba/OMA), Raed Saleh (Fanja/OMA), Mohamed Ali Siyabi (Al Shabab/OMA), Eid Al Farsi (Al Orouba/OMA), Abdul Aziz Al Maqbali (Fanja/OMA), Qasim Said (Al Nasr/OMA), Amir Al Shatri (AlNasr/OMA), Ahmed Mubarak (Al Orouba/OMA), Abdul Sallam Al Mukhaini (Al Orouba/OMA), Yaqoob Al Qasmi (Saham/OMA), Ali Salim Al Nahar (Dhofar/OMA), Ali Sulaiman Al Busaidi (Al Nahda/OMA), Hassan Madhafar Al Gheilani (Al Orouba/OMA), Mazin Al Kasbi (Fanja/OMA), Ahmed Saleem Al Mukhaini (Al Orouba/OMA), Imad Al Hosni (Saham/OMA),

Mohsin Al Khaldi (Saham/OMA), Said Al Razaiqi ( Nahda/OMA) GROUP BUZBEKISTANCoach: Mirdjalal Kasimov (UZB)Captain: Server DjeparovBest Asian Cup result: Fourth (2011)Squad (numerical order): Eldorbek Suyunov (Nasaf/UZB), Egor Krimets (Pakhtakor/UZB), Shavkatjon Mulladjanov (Lokomotiv/UZB), Sardor Rashidov (Bunyodkor/UZB), Anzur Ismailov (Changchun Yatai/CHN), Bakhodir Nasimov (Padideh/IRI), Azizbek Haydarov (Al Shabab/UAE), Server Djeparov (Seongnam/KOR), Odil Akhmedov (Krasnodar/RUS), Jamshid Iskanderov (Pakhtakor/UZB), Igor Sergeev (Pakhtakor/UZB), Ignatiy Nesterov (Lokomotiv/UZB), Lutfulla Turaev (Lokomo-tiv/UZB), Shukhrat Mukhammadiev (Nasaf/UZB), Jasur Khasanov (Lokomotiv/UZB), Vokhid Shodiev (Bunyodkor/UZB), Sanjar Tursunov (Vorskla/UKR), Timur Kapadze (Aktobe/KAZ), Vitaliy Denisov (Lokomo-tiv Moscow/RUS), Islom Tukhtakhujaev (Lokomotiv/UZB), Akbar Turaev (Bunyodkor/UZB), Farrukh Sayfiev (Nasaf/UZB), Akmal Shorakhmedov (Bunyodkor/UZB) SAUDI ARABIACoach: Cosmin Olaroiu (ROU)Captain: Saud KaririBest Asian Cup result: Winners (1984, 1988, 1996)Squad (numerical order): Waleed Abdullah

(Al Shabab/KSA), Saeed Almuwallad (Al Ahli/KSA), Osama Hawsawi (Al Ahli/KSA), Abdulla Aldossary (Al Hilal/KSA), Omar Howsawi (Al Nassr/KSA), Mustafa Albassas (Al Ahli/KSA), Salman Alfaraj (Al Hilal/KSA), Yahia Alshehri (Al Nassr/KSA), Naif Hazazi (Al Shabab/KSA), Mohammed Al Sahlawi (Al Nassr/KSA), Waleed Bakshwn (Al Ahli/KSA), Hassan Muath Fallatah (Al Shabab/KSA), Yasir Alshahrani (Al Hilal/KSA), Saud Kariri (Al Hilal/KSA), Nassir Al Shamrani (Al Hilal/KSA), Motaz Hawsawi (Al Ahli/KSA), Taiseer Al Jassam Al Ahli/KSA), Salem Aldawsari (Al Hilal/KSA), Fhad Almuwallad (Al Ittihad/KSA), Nawaf Alabid (Al Hilal/KSA), Abdullah Alsdairy (Al Hilal/KSA), Abdullah Alenezi (Al Nassr/KSA), Majed Almarshadi (Al Shabab/KSA) CHINACoach: Alain Perrin (FRA)Captain: Zheng ZhiBest Asian Cup result: Runners-up (1984, 2004)Squad (numerical order): Zeng Cheng (Guangzhou Evergrande/CHN), Ren Hang (Jiangsu Sainty/CHN), Mei Fang (Guangzhou Evergrande/CHN), Jiang Zhipeng (Guangzhou R&F/CHN), Zhang Linpeng (Guangzhou Evergrande/CHN), Li Ang (Jiangsu Sainty/CHN), Wu Lei (Shanghai East Asia/CHN),) Cai Huikang (Shanghai East Asia/CHN), Yang Xu (Changchun Yatai/CHN), Zheng Zhi (Guangzhou Evergrande/CHN), Hao Junmin (Shandong Luneng/CHN), Yan Junling (Shang-

hai East Asia), Liu Jianye (Jiangsu Sainty/CHN), Ji Xiang (Jiangsu Sainty/CHN), Wu Xi (Jiangsu Sainty/CHN), Sun Ke (Jiangsu Sainty/CHN), Zhang Chengdong (Beijing Guoan/CHN), Gao Lin (Guangzhou Evergrande/CHN), Liu Binbin (Shandong Luneng/CHN), Yu Hanchao (Guangzhou Evergrande/CHN), Yu Hai (Guizhou Renhe/CHN), Liao Lisheng (Guangzhou Evergrande/CHN), Wang Dalei (Shandong Luneng/CHN) NORTH KOREACoach: Jo Tong-Sop (PRK)Captain: Ri Myong-GukBest Asian Cup result: Fourth (1980)Squad (numerical order): Ri Myong-Guk (Pyongyang FC/PRK), Ri Chang-Ho (Rimyongsu FC/PRK), Jang Song-Hyok (Rimyongsu FC/PRK), Jon Kwang-Ik (Amroksang FC/PRK), Han Song-Hyok (Rimyongsu FC/PRK), Ro Hak-Su (Rimyongsu FC/PRK), Ri Sang-Chol (Rimyongsu FC/PRK), Ryang Yong-Gi (Vegalta Sendai/JPN), Pak Song-Chol (Rimyongsu FC/PRK), Pak Kwang-Ryong (FC Basel/SUI), Jong Il-Gwan (Rimyongsu FC/PRK), Om Chol-Song (4.25 FC/PRK), Sim Hyon-Jin (4.25 FC/PRK), Kye Song-Hyok (4.25 FC/PRK), Jang Kuk-Chol (Hwaebul FC/PRK), Cha Jong-Hyok (FC Wil 1900/SUI), So Hyon-Uk (4.25 FC/PRK), Ri Kwang-Il (4.25 FC/PRK), Ri Yong-Jik (Tokushi-ma Vortis/JPN), Choe Won (Hwaebul FC/PRK), O Hyok-Chol (4.25 FC/PRK), Ju Kwang-Min (Rimyongsu FC/PRK). — AFP

To be continued

2 0 1 5 A S I A N C U P — G R O U P A A N D G R O U P B

C2

SPORTST U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Stay ahead of the curve with

WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

India’s aggressive Kohli promises analytical and positive approach

SYDNEY: Thrust back into the India captaincy after Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s shock decision to retire from tests last week, Virat Kohli hopes to put right some of the mistakes he made in his first match in charge against Australia.

The aggressive right-handed batsman had deputised in the in-jured Dhoni’s absence in the first Test in Adelaide, which India lost by 48 runs.

The 26-year-old has again been thrust into the leadership role for the fourth and final Test in Syd-ney, which starts on Tuesday, after Mahendra Singh Dhoni unexpect-edly called time on his Test career following the drawn third match in Melbourne.

“There were quite a few things that I sat down and analysed in Adelaide that can be improved on and I’ve thought about them in the past few days,” Kohli told report-ers at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.

“What are the things that I can correct from Adelaide, the mis-takes I made in that game?

“Hopefully I’ll get those right and try to make the right decisions in every situation out there in the middle.”

Australia have already won the series, rescheduled after the death of Phillip Hughes, after tak-ing the first two games in Adelaide and Brisbane.

“Dhoni’s decision to retire had come as a shock to people inside and outside the team,” said Kohli.

“We were all taken aback by his decision because it was so sud-den,” Kohli added. “We had no clue. We never saw it coming, so it was pretty shocking.”

Dhoni’s run as captain in over-seas Test cricket has been marred by his team’s inability to take 20 wickets.

It is the singular reason for this recent poor record and has evolved in this calendar year as India’s in-ability to grab their chances and latch on to moments that could win them a Test match

Given the thankless nature of this job, Kohli will perhaps soon re-alise that his bat might not always be the answer to all his problems. The hot-headed Kohli has been involved in a running verbal bat-tle with several Australian players during the series, though his chief target, Mitchell Johnson, has been ruled out of the Sydney match with a slight hamstring injury.

Kohli said he had hoped that some of Dhoni’s calm demean-

our had rubbed off on him a little bit, though he would continue his aggressive approach on the field and encourage his team mates to play positively.

“There’s so much to learn from him, especially in tough situations. His composure, his decision mak-ing at important times.

“These are the things which are priceless, any captain would love to have them. I hope I can be as calm as him, but everyone has different styles.

“It’s important for the players to know that we need to be in a posi-tive frame of mind, a line doesn’t need to be crossed.

“But we are not here to back down from any sort of confronta-tion or any sort of battle.” - Reuters

The 26-year-old has again been thrust into

the leadership role for the fourth and final

Test in Sydney, which starts on Tuesday, after

Dhoni unexpectedly called time on his Test

career following the draw in Melbourne

TALKING STRATEGIES: India’s coach Duncan Fletcher, left, chats with captain Virat Kohli, right, during cricket training at the Sydney

Cricket Ground. – AFP

SYDNEY: The memory of bats-man Phillip Hughes will linger over the Australian cricketers in this week’s poignant final Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) where he fell. A plaque honouring Hughes was installed outside the home dressing room at the SCG on Monday.

It means skipper Steve Smith and his team will be faced with a reminder of Hughes’s shock death at the famous venue every time they take the field in the Test that begins Tuesday.

“Particularly this week, it’s going to be great to be able to walk past that and see the little fella there and give us a bit of inspiration as we’re going out on the field,” Smith said on Mon-day, eve of the fourth Test.

“Hughesy was one of us, he was one of our good mates. We’ve just got to take care of each other this week.”

Smith said it will be impor-tant for the players to keep each of their team-mates in good spirits.

Emotional Test“It’s going to be another emo-tional Test match and hopefully we can do the Hughes family proud by playing well this week,” he said.

The occasion will be chal-

lenging for the entire team and their support staff.

But it will be especially taxing for Shane Watson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Brad Haddin and David Warner, who were

all fielding on November 25 at the SCG when Hughes, 25, was fatally struck by a bouncer.

“Coming back to the place where it happened, I thought it was going to be extremely tough

for the boys,” Smith said.“Particularly the ones that

were out there on the day.“It’s going to be a tough Test

match ... hopefully we can hold our emotions together well and

end this series well.”Hughes’s family are expected

to attend. “We’ve just got to make sure we’re very respectful to the Hughes family who are going to be down here for this Test match,” Smith said

Warner, who was fielding close to Hughes and then held his mate’s hand as he was car-ried off in a critical condition, says he won’t know how he will react until he walks out on to the field for the pre-match anthems.

“It’s going to be tough but I’ve got to try and hold back the emotions and do what I do for the team and try and score runs,” Warner said this week.

“But every time I come here, every time I walk out on the field, every time I’ve got noth-ing on my mind I’m going to be thinking about it.”

India skipper Virat Kohli, who was also close to Hughes, said he “couldn’t really imagine what the family must feel like coming to this Test match”.

“It is going to be a strange feeling, stepping on to the field knowing that the incident happened on this very ground,” Kohli said.

“As the game starts, hopefully we can not think about it and get on with the sport which the two teams have done really well in this series.” - AFP

Hughes plaque a reminder for Aussies at Sydney Test

REMEMBERING HUGHES: A plaque remembering the late Australian cricket batsman Phillip

Hughes is carried to the Member’s Stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to be mounted on a

wall, in Sydney. Hughes was struck on the head by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match on

November 25, 2014, and died two days later. – AFP

C3

SPORTST U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Gritty Williamson fights to keep New Zealand alive

WELLINGTON: Kane William-son and BJ Watling produced an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 94 to keep New Zealand alive on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Wellington on Monday.

New Zealand were 253-5 at stumps, a 118-run advantage with five wickets in hand, after the stubborn Williamson-Watling partnership recovered the innings from a perilous 159-5.

Williamson was on 80, in sight of his ninth Test century, and Wa-tling was on 48, nearing his ninth half century, giving New Zealand confidence a lead of 200 could be enough. “If these guys can keep go-ing for another hour or two hours it’s going to set us up quite nicely,” opener Tom Latham said.

“I think 200 is a reasonably tough chase on the last day. The wicket’s only going to get a bit harder. The ball’s only going to turn more in the next couple of days and whatever we get hope-fully we can defend it.”

However, despite their dogged fight, the odds remained in favour of Sri Lanka pulling off a series-levelling win after losing the first

Test in Christchurch by eight wickets. For New Zealand skip-per Brendon McCullum, returning to the Basin Reserve for the first time since his match-saving 302 against India a year ago, there were to be no heroics this time.

He was out for 22 while Jimmy Neesham, who scored a century in the India Test, was out for 19.

After McCullum’s departure it fell to Williamson to shoulder respon-sibility for keeping New Zealand afloat. He was dropped on 29 and again on 60 in an otherwise cautious innings in which the partnership has seen off the second new ball and ensured the Test should extend deep into the fourth day at least.

New Zealand had ended the first day of the Test in charge after mak-ing 221 on a bowler’s wicket and reducing Sri Lanka to 78-5 in reply.

Kumar Sangakkara’s imperi-

ous 203 on the second day led Sri Lanka to a 135-run first innings lead and gave the tourists the advantage.

Openers Latham and Hamish Rutherford started the New Zea-land second innings positively, reaching 75 before their reply was ripped apart in a 30-ball burst that claimed three wickets.

Rutherford could not resist slashing wildly during a barrage of short deliveries outside off and was caught in the third-man trap.

His dismissal unsettled Latham who shuffled around for a few more overs before being caught be-hind to give Nuwan Pradeep a sec-

ond wicket. Ross Taylor lasted just seven balls before he was bowled by Rangana Herath.

From 75 without loss New Zea-land were quickly 79-3 with the fourth and fifth wickets of Mc-Cullum and Neesham following

at 122 and 159. Pradeep, who was omitted from the Sri Lanka line up in the first Test, showed he should not be overlooked on New Zealand wickets with three for 57 to go with his career best 63-4 in the first innings. - AFP

New Zealand were

253-5 at stumps, a

118-run advantage

with five wickets

in hand, after the

stubborn Williamson-

Watling partnership

recovered the innings

from a perilous 159-5

SATISFYING DAY: New Zealand’s BJ Watling, right, and teammate Kane Williamson walk from the field at the end of play on Day Three of

the second international Test cricket match against Sri Lanka at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. – AFP

New Zealand 1st innings 221 (K. William-son 69; N. Pradeep 4-63, S. Lakmal 3-71)Sri Lanka 1st innings 356 (K. Sangakkara 203, D. Chandimal 67; J. Neesham 3-42, D. Bracewell 3-93)New Zealand 2nd innings (overnight 22-0)T. Latham c Jayawardene b Pradeep 35H. Rutherford c Chandimal b Pradeep 40K. Williamson not out 80R. Taylor b Herath 0B. McCullum lbw Prasad 22J. Neesham lbw Pradeep 19B. Watling not out 48

Extras (lb-6, w-2, nb-1) 9Total (five wickets, 101 overs) 253Fall of wickets: 1-75 (Rutherford), 2-78 (Latham), 3-79 (Taylor), 4-122 (McCullum), 5-159 (Neesham)Bowling: Lakmal 20-2-50-0 (1w), Pradeep 19-3-57-3 (1w), Herath 32-8-58-1, Prasad 19-1-53-1 (1nb), Mathews 11-3-29-0Toss: Sri LankaUmpires: Steve Davis (AUS), Richard Il-lingworth (ENG)TV umpire: Bruce Oxenford (AUS)Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)

S C O R E B O A R DSCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERYW W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M

Starc replaces Johnson for final TestSYDNEY: Australia replaced in-jured Mitchell Johnson with an-other left-arm paceman Mitch-ell Starc Monday in their only change for this week’s fourth and final Test against India.

Skipper Steve Smith said Johnson, who has a hamstring strain, would “probably” have played at the Sydney Cricket Ground match beginning Tues-day had the four-Test series been in the balance.

“I think there’s no secret there’s a pretty big summer coming up,” Smith said. “We want him to be fresh for the one-dayers and World Cup coming up. We don’t want to risk him.”

Johnson, 33, who bowled long spells during the first three Tests against India, had some right hamstring soreness dur-ing the Boxing Day Test and had not fully recovered since then, CA physiotherapist Alex Koun-touris said on Sunday.

Starc’s confirmation in the team puts him ahead of pace-man Peter Siddle and second-choice spinner Ashton Agar, who had been included in the squad. Australia regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy last week after India hung on for a tense draw in the third Test in Melbourne. Australia won the first two Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane.

Smith was forthright when asked if he expected the niggle between the two sides to taper off this week. “It’s still another Test match for us, we’ll be look-ing to win,” Smith said.

“We’re still going to play that aggressive brand of cricket that we’ve been playing the whole summer. “I don’t think we’re go-ing to change anything.”

Shane Watson was too ill to bat in the nets on Sunday, but he bowled and batted on Monday.

The allrounder was named in the starting eleven and is expect-ed to play on Tuesday. “I spoke to him last night. He said he was feeling better,” Smith said.

Having already sealed a series win, Smith added he would be “a bit more aggressive” regard-ing potential declarations at the SCG. Australia set the tourists a 384-run victory target off just 70 overs on the final day in Mel-bourne, after batting through-out the morning session and declaring at lunchtime.

The match finished in a draw with India on 174 for six.

Smith was questioned about his declaration call at his post-match press conference and said: “We really didn’t want to give In-dia a sniff (of victory).” - AFP

S Y D N E Y T E S T

LONDON: England must for-get about former captain Alastair Cook as they begin preparations for the World Cup, fast bowler James Anderson said in a British newspaper interview published on Monday.

Test skipper Cook lost his one-day role in December following a run of five straight defeats, with Eoin Morgan being handed the re-sponsibility of leading the team at

the World Cup in Australia, which starts on February 14.

Anderson admitted he was “gut-ted” about Cook’s dismissal, but said that England cannot afford to waste time worrying about the past as the tournament looms into view. “I’m gutted for my mate. However, as brutal or heartless as it may sound, I can’t go to Australia worrying about how Cooky is feel-ing or wishing he was with us,”

Anderson told The Sun. “My only consideration is to focus on help-ing the team in the Tri-series with Australia and India and then the World Cup that follows.”

He added: “Cooky has a couple of months now to try and get over the disappointment. I’m sure it will be hard watching the guys playing in the World Cup on TV, but he must look forward to the Test matches in 2015.” - AFP

C R I C K E T

Anderson tells England to move on from Cook

C4

SPORTST U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

MUSCAT: Junior tennis play-ers of all nationalities residing in Oman get another opportu-nity to take centrestage at the much-awaited ISC Open Jun-ior Tennis Tournament organ-ised by the Indian Social Club (ISC) Muscat.

In its continued endeavour to promote tennis and give bud-ding players in Oman a plat-form to showcase their talent, the ISC is organising the ISC/Muscat Pharmacy Open Jun-ior Tennis Tournament from January 20 at the club’s tennis court in Darsait.

Seeing the popularity of ten-nis and the successful tourna-ments that the ISC has organ-ised over the years, Muscat Pharmacy together with brands Pocari Sweat and Horlicks have come forward to sponsor this tournament exclusively for the juniors for the third year running.

The tournament is co-sponsored by Supa Sportsman LLC and Khimji Ramdas Watches Division.

A press note from the or-ganisers said that the tourna-ment is open to players of all nationalities, Omanis as well as expatriates residing in Oman. The tournament will include singles for boys and girls in the under-10, under-12, under-14 and under-18 years age group as well as a junior doubles event.

The deadline for submission of entries is set for 8.00 pm on January 15. For further de-tails contact the Indian Social Club in Darsait (Tel. 24701347 or 24797921) from 11.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.

ISC to host junior open tourney from January 20

T E N N I S

Porterfield and O’Brien brothers carry Irish hopesDUBLIN: Experienced campaign-ers William Porterfield and broth-ers Kevin and Niall O’Brien were on Monday named at the core of Ireland’s squad for the World Cup.

The trio, along with Ed Joyce and John Mooney, will be playing at their third World Cup while the 15-man squad also includes six tournament debutants — Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Andrew McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Stuart Thompson, and Craig Young.

“It’s fantastic to be leading Ire-

land in another global tourna-ment,” said captain Porterfield, one of a number of players in the squad who earns his living in the English county championship.

“We’ve produced some won-derful performances over the years in World Cups, and there’s no reason why we can’t claim fur-ther successes in Australia and New Zealand.

“While we may have lost the sur-prise factor over the years, we’ve certainly gained a lot of respect

for our brand of cricket which has been pretty pleasing.

The Warwickshire batsman told the Irish Post: “There’s a great mix as always in the squad, and the younger guys coming through are all hungry which keeps the more experienced players on their toes. Competition for places has been fierce and that’s got to be good for Irish cricket.”

Ireland kick off their campaign on February 16 against West In-dies in Nelson before going on

to face South Africa, Zimbabwe, India, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates in their Pool B campaign.

Kevin O’Brien made history at the 2011 event in India when he hit the fastest-ever World Cup cen-tury against England in a stunning win in Bangalore.

Ireland, coached by former West Indies star Phil Simmons, are due to play four one-day in-ternationals in the United Arab Emirates against fellow-qualifiers

Afghanistan and Scotland, before flying out to Australia at the end of January.

The World Cup is being played in Australia and New Zealand from February 14 to March 29.

The squad: William Porterfield (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Alex Cusack, George Dock-rell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, John Mooney, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young. - AFP

I C C W O R L D C U P

Debutant Harmer and Steynspark West Indies collapse

CAPE TOWN: Marlon Samuels played one big shot too many and opened the way for a West Indian collapse on the fourth day of the third and final Test against South Africa at Newlands on Monday.

The West Indies collapsed from 182 for three to 215 all out, losing seven wickets for 33 runs in 15 overs.

South Africa were left needing 124 to win. They were nine for one at the close after Alviro Petersen was bowled by Suleiman Benn in the last over of an extended after-noon’s play, following a lengthy rain delay.

Samuels made 74, sharing part-nerships of 68 with Leon Johnson (44) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (50) before holing out to long-on against off-spinner Simon Harmer.

Samuels, who said after mak-ing a century in the second Test in

Port Elizabeth that he didn’t like to be dominated by spin bowlers, was highly aggressive against the debu-tant Harmer.

He faced 150 balls in making his 74 but hit 46 off 47 deliveries from the off-spinner. The assault in-cluded two sixes, one of them over a fielder at long-on.

But South African captain Hashim Amla persisted with Harmer, who switched ends. Samuels went down the pitch and

hit the ball high towards long-on. The ball held up just enough into the wind for Dean Elgar to make a good running catch close to the boundary.

The breakthrough achieved, Amla brought back Dale Steyn, who pro-duced a superb spell of fast reverse swing bowling. He bowled Jermaine Blackwood with a ball which swung in and then straightened to hit the off stump, and had Denesh Ramdin caught at square leg.

Harmer picked up two more wickets, with Jason Holder chip-ping to midwicket and Jerome Taylor hitting recklessly to deep midwicket. Steyn had Benn caught behind and Chanderpaul was run out by a direct hit from Temba Ba-vuma at backward point to com-plete a disastrous late afternoon for the tourists on a day when rain threatened to prevent any play.

Rain fell from early morning and continued until after lunch.

But the weather cleared and play resumed at 3 p.m. South African time, with a potential 53 overs to be bowled, all in one session. As it was, play stretched until 7 p.m.

Steyn finished with three for 75, while Harmer completed a highly successful debut with four for 82. Both bowlers had match figures of seven for 153. - AFP

The West Indies

collapsed from 182

for three to 215 all

out. South Africa,

needing 124 to win,

were nine for

one at the close

Yuvraj still in the frame for World CupMUMBAI: The out-of-favour Yuvraj Singh’s brilliant domes-tic form will weigh on the se-lectors when they meet here on Tuesday to pick the squads for the ODI tri-series against Aus-tralia and England besides the World Cup next month.

Yuvraj, who was not picked even in the preliminary list of 30 probables on December 4 last, has since come back into contention by striking three back-to-back hundreds against Haryana, Maharashtra and Sau-rashtra in the Ranji Trophy.

The hard-hitting left-hander, significantly the man of the 2011 World Cup that was won by India and scorer of over 8000 runs from 293 ODIs, also got among the wickets with his left-arm spin on the placid track in the match at Rajkot.

With there being a question mark over Ravindra Jadeja, un-dergoing rehabilitation for his throwing shoulder currently,

Yuvraj would weigh signifi-cantly on the selectors’ mind while choosing the Cup squad.

There is another player of similar style who is almost cer-tain to be picked, Gujarat’s Axar Patel, already in Australia as a late replacement for Jadeja.

It will all boil down to wheth-er the selectors, as well as cap-tain Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher, who will be on con-ference call from Australia, feel it makes sense in putting the clock back on Yuvraj — a proven customer in the shorter formats of the game. - PTI

C R I C K E T

West Indies 1st innings: 329South Africa 1st innings: 421West Indies 2nd inningsK. Brathwaite b Harmer 16D. Smith c De Villiers b Morkel 7L. Johnson c Amla b Morkel 44M. Samuels c Elgar b Harmer 74S. Chanderpaul run out 50J. Blackwood b Steyn 13D. Ramdin c Harmer b Steyn 0J. Holder c Amla b Harmer 2J. Taylor c Elgar b Harmer 0S. Benn c De Villiers b Steyn 0S. Gabriel not out 2Extras (b-4, lb-3) 7Total (all out, 79.5 overs) 215Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-27, 3-95, 4-182, 5-202, 6-204, 7-213, 8-213, 9-213.Bowling: Steyn 23.5-3-75-3, Philander 16-4-27-0, Morkel 14-7-18-2, Harmer 24-7-82-4, Van Zyl 2-0-6-0South Africa 2nd inningsD. Elgar not out 5A. Petersen b Benn 0Extras (b-4) 4Total (1 wkt, 2.3 overs) 9Fall of wicket: 1-9.Bowling: Taylor 1-0-1-0, Samuels 1-0-4-0, Benn 0.3-0-0-1

S C O R E B O A R D

THREE FOR: South Africa’s Dale Steyn, left, celebrates after dimissing West Indies captain Denesh

Ramdin during the fourth day of their third Test match at Newlands in Cape Town on Monday. – AFP

C5

SPORTST U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Love us on Facebook

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

NYDT impress in defeat to Muscat CT

MUSCAT: Oman Cricket’s newly formed National Youth Develop-ment Team (NYDT) gave a tough time to the highly experienced team of Muscat CT by manag-ing to play the full 50 overs with two wickets in hand after having put their opponents to bat first in a Muscat Pharmacy and Stores-sponsored 50 overs-a-side A Division match.

Muscat CT put up a mammoth total of 310 runs for the loss of five wickets in 50 overs, in which Ad-nan Ilyas and Jatinder Singh put on a stand of 116 runs when Ad-nan was dismissed for 87 made in 73 balls, aided by eight boundaries and four sixes.

Jatinder remained unbeaten for the second time in as many match-es with a personal score of 117 that included five boundaries and six sixes. Earlier Aaqib Ilyas made a

quick 46 in 28 balls with six hits to the rope and two over it. Jaspreet Singh and Mohammed Ali Akbar picked up two wickets each for the NYDT team.

In response, after the loss of the first wicket with just three runs on the board, opener Parth Trivedi and one drop bat Gayash Priyashan Dias stood firm for a superb 126-run partnership, the highest partnership for their side, in which the latter played a more supporting role and scored 26 be-fore being dismissed.

Parth played a highly matured and chanceless innings and teased the bowlers with his defence until he was dismissed for 96, a score that earned him the man of the match award.

NYDT were restricted to 177 for eight in the 50 overs to lose the game by 133 runs. Hemal Mehta with figures of three for 20 and VaibhavWategoankar with three for 40 were the two most success-

ful bowlers for Muscat CT.Brief scores: Muscat CT 310 for

5 in 50 overs (Jatinder 117 n.o., Adnan 87, Aaqib 46, Jaspreet 2/31, Mohd Ali Akbar 2/57) bt NYDT 177 for 8 in 50 overs (Parth 96, Gayash 26, Hemal 3/20, Vaibhav 3/40).

ISC, Sinha CT winIn the KhimjiRamdas LLC-spon-sored 30 overs-a-side B Division matches, Indian Social Club (ISC) beat Renaissance by 68 runs and Sinha CT got the better of Galfar Engineering in a 89-run win.

Batting first after winning the toss, ISC made 179 in 28.1 overs in which Nishit Punja made 61 runs in 46 balls, Puneet Singh 32 and Amandeep Singh 21. For Renais-sance, Tauseef Ahmed picked up three wickets and Chadith Lakmal bagged two.

After the loss of the first wicket early in the innings, Renaissance recovered as ThuwanDeen and Sajith Ahmed put on a 61 runs

stand for the second wicket when the former was dismissed for 33 and the latter immediately after that for 30.

Puneet and Ansar Ansari bagged three wickets each to re-strict Renaissance to 111 all out in 23.2 overs and to win the game by 68 runs.

Brief cores: ISC 179 all out in 28.1 overs (Nishit 61, Puneet 32, Amandeep 21, Tauseef 3/36, Chadith 2/36) bt Re-naissance 111 all out in 23.2 overs (Thu-wan 33, Sajeed 30, Ansar 3/16, Puneet 3/17, Amandeep 2/15).

The game between Sinha and Galfar Engineering produced a record breaking first wicket part-nership of 138 for the first wicket between Sinha’s openers Ranga-jeewa Perera (83) and Nalaka Pathum (61). Later Nalinda too made a superb 44 off 23 balls to help their side to score a mam-moth 267 for six in 30 overs.

Defending a huge target, Sinha bundled out Galfar for 178 in 24.3

overs in which only Khalil Ahmed and Rizwan Afnan contributed 40 and 46 respectively. Srikanth Achari remained unbeaten on 22. Prabhath Indika scalped four wick-ets giving away only 18 runs while Dhanut Asanka picked up two to see their side through by 89 runs.

Brief scores: Sinha CT 267 for 6 in 30 overs (Rangajeewa 83, Nalanka 61, Nalinda 44) bt Galfar 178 all out in 24.3 overs (Rizwan 46, Khalil 40, Nadeem 22 n.o., Prabhath 4/18, Dhanut 2/36).

Atkins down OasisIn an F Division game, Atkins won their encounter against Oasis Wa-ter by six wickets after contain-ing the latter to 142 for eight in 20 overs. Kannan P and Ratheesh PP made 42 and 32 respectively for Oasis. Ajayan Parambil captured three wickets for Atkins.

In reply, Atkins lost only four wickets while reaching the target with 17 balls to spare in which At-eef Al Balushi and M Asgar stood

good for an unbeaten 78-run part-nership. Ateef made 33 and As-gar 44. Earlier, opener Pushparaj Manoharan contributed 28.

Brief scores: Oasis Water 142 for 8 in 20 overs (Kannan 42, Ratheesh 32, Ajayan 3/16) lost to Atkins 146 for 4 in 17.1 overs (Asgar 44 n.o., Ateef 33 n.o., Pushparaj 28).

MSE edge Al AnsariIn an I Division, Mustafa Sultan Enterprises (MSE) overcame Al Ansari by two wickets, despite having been set a huge target of 185. Batting first, Al Ansari open-ers Sadid Tanwar and Sohail Khan provided a perfect start with a 104-run partnership until the lat-ter was dismissed for 64 made in 38 balls. Sadid was then involved in a third-wicket partnership of 40 runs before being sent back for 76 scored in 46 balls. Sweekrith re-mained unbeaten on 26 with the score board reading 184 for three in their allotted 20 overs.

MSE, in reply, lost four quick wickets but recovered well to win as Anumodh Nayar played a splen-did innings to score 76 in 44 balls. He also was involved in two stands, the first one for 46 runs with Ra-jendra Sawant, who made 22, and later with Hillary D Souza. Hillary remained not out on 31 to see his side through with a ball to spare. Ritesh captured four wickets con-ceding 35 runs while SajidTanwar picked up two.

Brief scores: Al Ansari 184 for 3 in 20 overs (Sajid 76, Sohail 64, Sweekrith 26 n.o.) lost to MSE 185 for 8 in 19.5 overs (Anumodh 76, Hillary 31 n.o., Rajendra 22, Ritesh 4/35, Sajid 2/21).

Muscat CT put up a

mammoth total of 310

runs for five wickets

in 50 overs. In reply,

NYDT lasted full 50

overs though they

were restricted to 177

for eight

Jatinder Singh Gayash Dias Parth Trivedi Hillary and Anumodh

B DIVISION: ISC team pose for a group photo after their win over Renaissance. F DIVISION: Atkins celebrate their victory over Oasis. – Supplied photos

Adams quits as Norwich manager

LONDON: Neil Adams has re-signed as manager of Norwich City but will return to work for the club later this year, the Eng-lish second-tier club announced via Twitter on Monday.

The 49-year-old stands down following Norwich’s 2-0 loss to Preston North End in the FA Cup on Saturday and with the club in seventh place in the Champion-ship, three points below the play-off places.

First-team coach Mike Phelan, formerly an assistant to Alex Fer-guson at Manchester United, has been placed in temporary charge.

“Norwich City can confirm Neil Adams has resigned as man-ager with immediate effect. The process of appointing a new man-ager to take the club forward is already underway,” Norwich said in a statement. “Former Canary winger and successful youth team coach Adams will take a break

from the game before returning to work for the club in July, in a role to be confirmed at a later date.”

Adams succeeded Chris Hughton towards the end of last season, but was unable to prevent Norwich’s relegation from the Premier League.

He said: “I firmly believe we are still on course for a crack at promotion back to the Premier League. That is where this club belongs.” - AFP

F O O T B A L L

French F1 driver Beltoise dies at 77PARIS: Former Formula One driver Jean-Pierre Beltoise, whose biggest win came at the 1972 Monaco Grand Prix, has died from a stroke in Dakar at the age of 77, family sources said on Monday

After a successful career in motorbike racing, Frenchman Beltoise switched to four wheels in 1966, eventually joining Ken Tyrrell’s Matra team alongside Jackie Stewart.

He took second place at the 1969 French Grand Prix, but had to wait three years to win his first Grand Prix under the rain at Monaco after his change to the BRM team.

He retired from Formula 1 at the end of the 1974 season.

After retirement, he turned his attention to touring car rac-ing in France.

He twice won the French title for BMW before entering ral-lycross in an Alpine-Renault with which he won another French title. - AFP

M O T O R S P O R T

C6

SPORTST U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Tweet all about it

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

YOUR BIGGEST ROAD HAZARD IS IN YOUR HAND A TIMES OF OMAN

HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

Murray troubled by shoulder pain as Britain beat France

PERTH: British No. 1 Andy Mur-ray conceded he was being troubled by a lingering left shoulder prob-lem after he opened his Hopman Cup account with a straight-sets win over Frenchman Benoit Paire at the Perth Arena on Monday.

The world No. 6 had few prob-lems with Paire, himself on the comeback trail after injury, and won their clash 6-2, 7-5 as Great Britain beat defending champi-ons France 2-1 at the mixed teams tournament.

Although the French levelled the tie when Alize Cornet thrashed Heather Watson, 6-2, 6-2, the Brits claimed the deciding mixed doubles in a match tiebreak, 6-4, 2-6, 10-8.

Murray suffered from soreness in the shoulder during and after

his emphatic victory over Rafael Nadal in the season-opening tour-nament in Dubai last week, which he won when Novak Djokovic for-feited the final.

The dual Grand Slam champion subsequently had a scan which cleared him of any serious prob-lems, however the shoulder again caused him discomfort in the win over Paire.

Just two weeks out from the year’s first Grand Slam, the Aus-tralian Open in Melbourne, where he has been a finalist three times, the 27-year-old conceded the pain was causing him concern.

“It is still quite sore,” he said.“If it was my right shoulder it

would probably be quite hard for me to play, I do not feel it on my groundstrokes as much but I feel it when I am serving.

“Maybe it was playing a match (in Abu Dhabi) after having a break or I just got it in the wrong position and tweaked something a little bit, but I should be fine.”

Murray said he would continue to have treatment on the shoulder.

Serena’s ‘miracle’ of coffee Earlier, world No. 1 Serena Wil-liams needed a shot of coffee to

regain her best form during her opening match at the tournament.

Perked up by a cup of coffee at the end of the first set, Williams recov-ered from a disastrous start to defeat Flavia Penetta as the United States beat Italy 3-0 in their Group A tie.

After Williams gave the Ameri-cans the lead, the towering John Isner then secured the tie with a grinding three-set win over Fabio Fognini.

Isner dropped the first set, but fought back to win 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) in two hours and 27 minutes.

The Americans then survived two match points to claim the dead

mixed doubles rubber in a match tie-break, 6-2, 2-6, 11-9.

Williams, who will be aiming for her 19th Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open later this month, had her hands full with 12th-ranked Pennetta in the early stages of her first singles match of the new year.

Pennetta raced through the first set in just 19 minutes, winning 6-0 as a listless Williams made a string of unforced errors.

After the fifth game, a weary Williams asked an amused chair umpire if she was allowed to have an “espresso” coffee delivered to her courtside.

At the end of the set, Williams received the coffee and it had an immediate impact, as she broke the drought by winning the first game of the second set.

Although Pennetta made an-other two early breaks to lead 3-2 in the second set, Williams then kicked into gear, rattling off the last 10 games of the match in an early-season reminder of her brutal power.

The American won 0-6, 6-3, 6-0 and said she needed something to perk her up, having only arrived in Perth on Saturday.

The 33-year-old praised the “miracle” of coffee after the turna-round. “I am a coffee drinker and I didn’t have mine this morning and I was just feeling it so, I had to get some coffee in me,” she said.

“I told them to just give me a shot of espresso. I asked if it was legal, I was like ‘is it legal to have espresso’ because I never did it before but I needed some espresso and I need-ed to wake up, it’s the jet lag.” - AFP

Murray is being

troubled by a

lingering left

shoulder problem but

had few problems

with Paire and won

their clash 6-2, 7-5

as Great Britain beat

France 2-1 at the

Hopman Cup

‘SHOULD BE FINE’: Andy Murray of Britain hits a return against Benoit Paire of France during their men’s singles match on day two of the Hopman Cup in Perth on Monday. – AFP

Pliskova spoils Azarenka comebackBRISBANE: Czech player Karo-lina Pliskova spoiled Victoria Azarenka’s comeback bid after an injury-marred 2014, winning a gruelling first-round match at the Brisbane International on Monday.

Pliskova displayed incredible fighting spirit to hold off the for-mer world No. 1 and win the match 4-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 in three-and-a-quarter hours.

Azarenka, who won her maiden WTA title in Brisbane in 2009, played only nine tournaments last year after suffering foot and knee injuries. She slipped to a year-end ranking of 32 and entered the sea-son-opening tournament unseeded.

Pliskova, ranked eight places higher at 24, withstood everything Azarenka threw at her, saving two

match points in the 84-minute second set before forcing a decider.

She finished the stronger of the two, breaking Azarenka in the ninth game of the third set to serve for the match at 5-4.

Azarenka refused to give in and had three chances to break straight back. But Pliskova saved them all, eventually clinching victory when a tired-looking Azarenka forehand sailed wide. Germany’s Angelique Kerber ended a run of defeats by the seeded players when she downed Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia in straight games 6-4, 6-3.

Fourth-seeded Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova had earlier crashed out to American Madison Keys 7-5, 6-2, joining fellow seeds Andrea Petkovic (5) and Jelena

Jankovic (6) as first-round losers.Eighth seed Garbine Muguruza

of Spain was forced to withdraw from the tournament on Monday with a left ankle injury.

There were no such problems for Kerber, who had too much fire-power for her French opponent, wrapping up the match in a shade under 90 minutes.

Kerber broke Garcia once in the first set and three times in the sec-ond to set up a second-round clash against Australian-based Russian qualifier Daria Gavrilova.

Keys has now beaten Cibulkova in all three of their meetings and said she was well-suited to the di-minutive Slovakian’s style.

“I think it’s just one of those things where (players) just kind of

match up a certain way,” she said.“I definitely usually play my best

against her since she’s such a great player, so I always go in knowing she’s going to get a ton of balls back and I’m going to have to play my absolute best.”

In the men’s draw, Australian young guns James Duckworth and Thanasi Kokkinakis both cruised to upset wins over higher-ranked French opponents.

Duckworth, 22, smashed sixth seed Gilles Simon 6-2, 6-2 at the Pat Rafter Arena before 18-year-old Kokkinakis downed Julien Benne-teau, the eighth seed, 6-4, 6-3.

There was some good news for the French, however, with Jeremy Chardy beating Kazakhstan’s An-drey Golubev 6-4, 6-4. - AFP

B R I S B A N E I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Karolina Pliskova

Gilles Muller survives French challengeCHENNAI: Last year’s finalist Eduard Roger-Vasselin went down fighting to eighth seed Gilles Muller 7-6 (11), 1-6, 6-7 (3) in an entertaining and high quality first round match of the Chennai Open here on Monday.

Muller, the 31-year-old south-paw from Luxembourg and ranked 42, survived two tough tie-breaks, while Roger-Vasselin, after taking the first set, gradual-ly faded against an opponent who improved as the two-hour and 23-minute match progressed.

On the outside court, Span-iard Marcel Granollers became the first casualty as the seventh seed retired against Austrian Andreas Haider-Maurer who was leading 3-6, 7-6 (6), 2-0.

Muller’s enviable variations in his serves besides aggres-sion made the difference while Roger-Vasselin failed to sustain the high standards he had dis-played in the first set and parts of the third before committing a double fault on the very first match-point.

“It is always tough in the first match of the new season es-pecially since I hadn’t played a match in the last two months. Ed-uard is a very competitive player and I am happy to win today,” he said. “In the first set, I was on the backfoot, but in the second, I decided to play aggressively and the early break gave me the con-fidence. I played well thereafter.”

There was nothing to sepa-rate the two in the first set that went with serve leading to the inevitable tie-breaker.

The 31-year old Roger-Vas-selin, ranked 116 as against his high of 38 last year, served that bit better in terms of angles while Muller had the power but not the consistency in his first serves. Yet, neither came close to breaking serve as they slugged it out from the baseline.

In the tie-break, Roger-Vas-selin blew four set-points as against two by Muller. At 10-10, the Frenchman came up with a forehand to move ahead 11-10.

Roger-Vasselin also earned the next point to pocket the set that lasted a little over an hour.

The second set was rather anti-climatic as Muller came up with three service breaks to push the match into the decider which too went with serve ex-cept in the middle when the duo traded a break apiece.

Muller served quite bril-liantly in the tie-break to take a 4-1 lead which proved decisive while Roger-Vasselin had no response and eventually lost the match with a double fault. - IANS

C H E N N A I O P E N

Radwanska aims for Grand Slams with Navratilova

PERTH: Polish world No. 5 Ag-nieszka Radwanska said Mon-day she hopes her new partner-ship with women’s tennis great Martina Navratilova can finally bring the maiden Grand Slam title she craves.

Radwanska recently joined forces with the 18-time Grand Slam singles winner to prepare for 2015 in a bid to end her frus-trating run in the majors.

Although the 25-year-old has been ranked as high as second in the world, she has only reached one Grand Slam final, at Wim-bledon in 2012 when she was beaten by Serena Williams.

Last year she appeared to be on target to break through when she reached the semifinals at the Australian Open, only to be upset by Dominika Cibulkova.

Speaking in Perth, Radwan-ska said the union was already paying dividends after a week on the practice court together in Miami. “I am very happy she is a member of the team and I was in Miami before here so we prac-tise together,” Radwanska said.

“She is coming to Sydney and Melbourne of course, so far so good and we will see how it is going to be. Grand Slams — I didn’t make it yet — so I’m try-ing everything to win those slams.... With that I think she can help me out a lot.

“We are going to try every-thing.” - AFP

‘ T R Y E V E R Y T H I N G ’

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMSECTIONC T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5LIFE & STYLE WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COMSECTION T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

One big argument for “all you can eat” music, video and book services is that they encourage people to sample new artists and ultimately develop a deeper relationship with a few of them. You listen to songs you have never heard before because there is

no additional cost, and then maybe you go to the concert and, perhaps, buy a T-shirt. Artists are rewarded at the end of the process, not in the beginning the way they used to be.The case against the services, made most eloquently by Taylor Swift, is that they teach people that

culture is not worth paying for on-line. As a result, artists must earn their keep with something more than their art — those T-shirts, perhaps. If artists do not want to or cannot interact with their fans, they might be out of luck.Traditional book publishers

have been reluctant to par-ticipate too much in reading-sub-scription services, for fear that in-dividual books, their authors and the editors who shape them will be devalued. But self-published writ-ers, also called independent or indie writers, many of whom have

just begun their careers, see little to lose. They are trying to move up the food chain, while established writers have been trying not to move down it.

Indie writers, despite their name, must rely to a greater

or lesser extent on Amazon, which felt it needed to start its own all-you-can-eat ser-vice, Kindle Unlimited, to re-main competitive with start-ups like Oyster and Scribd. Kindle Unlimited opened in July. In the six months since,

the amount of material on it has increased to 700,000 books from 600,000 — near-ly equivalent to the entire amount of material available for Kindle e-readers shortly after Amazon introduced them in 2007.

The vast majority of Kin-dle Unlimited books are self-published. In essence, it is one of the biggest experi-ments in reshaping reading ever undertaken. Will Kindle Unlimited foster a new gen-eration of readers, as Amazon

hopes, or will it drown them in bad work? Will it put most indie authors on a treadmill of writing and promoting that only a few can hope to escape, which would resemble the bad old system of publishing? Or will it be a tool for liberation? These questions are shaking up the independent publishing community.

Kindle Unlimited might change, but it will not go away.

The news late last week that Scribd had received an addi-tional $22 million in financing, bringing its total funding to $48 million, will not pass unnoticed at Amazon. Scribd began its ser-vice a little more than a year ago and says it had monthly sub-scriber growth of 31 percent.

Kathryn Le Veque has self-

published 44 `works of fiction since 2012. Her audience is pri-marily on Amazon, which means that when Kindle Unlimited came along, she either had to give up or make it work. So far, she has been able to adjust.

First, some background: Le Veque was born and raised and still lives in Southern Califor-

nia. Now 50, she has been writ-ing since she was 13 and has been rejected by traditional publishers since she was 28. Her favourite setting is Eng-lish medieval, which she calls a “sub-subgenre of historical romance.” Her first work ap-peared on Amazon in May 2012. Within three months, she was

“I am able to drop prices and, by sheer volume of sales, increase my income,” she said. “Most authors can’t do that because most of them don’t have 50 novels for sale.”When asked why people buy works they can borrow,

she says: “Most readers like to read their favourite books over and over. I’m getting a crowd that not only bor-rows my book, but will then buy that same book to keep.” Also, she says, some of her books are not available in Kindle Unlimited, “so there

are some they must buy in order to read.”To keep up with the de-mands of the marketplace, Le Veque now has a part-time editor and two part-time assistants. But she has to consider things that

writers never used to think about.“I am worried that I will have to drop my prices more to stay competitive,” she said. “I watch prices lit-erally daily.” -David Streitfeld/The

New York Times News Service

able to quit her day job as an ex-ecutive assistant.Before Kindle Unlimited, she says, she sold about 6,000 books a month. Since the novels were generally long, she set her prices at $4 or higher. At the moment, Kindle Unlimited pays $1.39 for each book that is borrowed and read. To turn those borrowers into buyers, Le Veque dropped

some of her prices to as low as 99 cents. The result — She is mov-ing three times as many books a month as she was before Kindle Unlimited. Her annualised rev-enue has gone up about 50 per-cent.In the old days, as artists be-came more popular, consuming their works got more expensive. You could hear a guy singing at

the local bar for the price of a beer; when he became Bono or Kanye West, a ticket to see him would cost hundreds of dol-lars. Writers would begin writ-ing cheap paperbacks and then graduate to pricier hardcovers as the acclaim built.But Kindle Unlimited is push-ing Le Veque in the opposite di-rection. She is getting more pop-ular by becoming less expensive,

which is making her more popu-lar. She is the embodiment of Amazon’s argument that “lower-ing e-book prices will help - not hurt — the reading culture.”To her, however, Kindle Unlim-ited is “a double-edged sword.” For one thing, as she read-ily concedes, not every writer is equipped to do what she did. She has a huge supply of

work from all those years she was unpublished.

of them don’t have 50 novels for sale.”When asked why people buy works they can borrow,

y book, but will then buy that same book to keep.” Also, she says, some of her books are not available in Kindle Unlimited, “so there

mands of the marketplace, Le Veque now has a part-time editor and two part-time assistants. But she has to consider things that

that I will have to drop my prices more to stay competitive,” she said. “I watch prices lit-erally daily.” -David Streitfeld/The New York Times News Service

C8

EXTRAT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

F acebook celebrated its 10th an-niversary in February and its 1.35 billionth user just nine months after that. (Stop here for a minute, because that number is worth con-

sidering: 1.35 billion. Billion. OK, continue. )Facebook acquired Oculus, makers of a

much-touted virtual reality headset, and WhatsApp, the massively popular messaging app. The company launched a steady stream of its own apps, too: Paper, Slingshot, Mentions, Messenger, Rooms. In late July, Facebook released a mobile app to provide free basic Internet service in regions of the world lack-ing what so many of us take for granted; that’s since rolled out in Zambia, Kenya and Tan-zania. And as if we needed further proof that the social network is a global powerhouse, the World Cup broke all-time records for the site: 350 million people posted about the games a total of 3 billion times.

And yet, even as Facebook strides boldly toward world domination, cracks have ap-peared in its once fresh-faced facade. Teens — the best indicator for Web zeitgeist — have fled the network for younger, hipper venues. In the past year, users have begun complain-ing about the insidious reach of algorithms, as well as the site’s every incremental change. A wave of anonymous apps has begun to erode the distinctly Facebookian notion that eve-rything you do online should be tied to your real-life name.

Perhaps most damningly, for the first time since Facebook launched in 2004, someone made a go at an overtly, intentionally anti-Fa-cebook network. Sure, Ello sputtered out in a span of months — but it gave voice to the con-cerns of a million wary Facebook users, first.

In the words of one industry analyst: “You look at Facebook and you say, ‘Wow, some-thing really changed in 2014.’

“Much of this is, of course, nothing more than predictable backlash to Facebook’s gar-gantuan growth. Only six or seven years ago, pundits were still dismissing it as the fringe sandbox of college students; now the compa-ny — valued at more than $200 billion — is as much a household name as Coca-Cola or Ford.

But the sheer number of controversies and culture wars that Facebook’s gotten tangled in over the past year would seem to suggest something more than run-of-the-mill contra-riness in the face of change.

Users practically rioted over an A/B testing experi-ment that, they feared, “ma-nipulated” their emotions and gave Facebook psychological powers it seemed destined to abuse. Soon after, they ob-jected to Facebook’s forced rollout of a stand-alone mes-saging app — “creepy” and “in-vasive,” critics ruled — and a series of changes to the News Feed that, while arguably val-uable, also increased the vis-ibility of Facebook’s mysteri-ous algorithmic filtering.

In May, Facebook rolled out an unabashedly nosy feature called “Ask,” which — practi-cally speaking — encourages users to publish more per-sonal details than they might otherwise. A few months later, the site found itself clashing with drag performers, rights advocates and others over an-other type of personal detail: Facebook has long insisted that users operate under their “real,” or legal, names regard-less of the context.

From a business perspec-tive, that policy makes sense: Your identity, with all the demographics and browsing data attached to it, is exactly what Facebook sells advertisers. But from any kind of personal POV, that seems pretty crazy: It’s essentially Facebook — a largely automated, al-gorithmic, non-human entity — tell-ing you who to be.

“You are the product that’s bought and sold,” intoned the widely shared manifesto of the social network-ing start-up Ello, which briefly billed itself as an ad-free alternative to Facebook. “We believe there is a better way.”

Ello is not the first or the only social network to challenge Facebook, of course

— though it was the first to do so explicitly. A series of new-ly trendy anonymous apps, from Whisper and Secret to Yik Yak and newcomer After School, have all questioned the identity ethos at the heart of Facebook. On Whisper or Yik Yak, you do not have to be friends with your college pro-fessor or your cousin’s neigh-bour or your office cubemate; you do not have to share your relationship status or your current location; you can be anyone or no one, and either is OK, and no one (or no thing) will tell you otherwise.

Tech writers were all too eager to anoint Ello the “Face-book-killer,” or predict it would “steal Facebook’s lunch.”

“Facebook may be the big-gest — social network around,” Jeremy Quittner wrote over at Inc. “But that doesn’t mean the competition isn’t giving it hot flashes.” (We interpret the odd reference as a commentary on the fact that Facebook’s audi-ence increasingly skews to-ward the middle aged.)

Ello has, of course, cycled out of the tech hype cycle just as fast as it cycled in.

But truth be told, maybe Facebook needs no killer: The site is doing quite enough damage to itself. Just last week, Facebook became embroiled in a new controversy af-ter it pushed a celebratory “Year in

Review” feature to all users’ pages. For the writer and Web consultant Eric Meyer, Facebook surfaced a

photo of his recently deceased 6-year-old. (“It’s been a

great year! Thanks for be-ing a part of it,” the pack-age’s tagline read, while partying clip art figures danced around Mey-er’s daughter’s face.)

“Yes, my year looked like that. True enough.

My year looked like the now-absent face of my little girl,” Meyer wrote on his blog. “And I know, of course, that this is not a deliberate as-sault. Algorithms are essentially thoughtless. They model certain decision flows, but once you run them, no more thought occurs. To call a person ‘thoughtless’ is usually considered a slight, or an outright insult; and yet, we un-leash so many literally thoughtless processes on our users, on our lives, on ourselves.”

It’s a criticism of Facebook, or at least an epiphany about Facebook, that many have apparently experienced this year: When hu-man relationships and identities are moder-ated by algorithm, particularly for profit, bad things happen. Inevitably! There are simply more variables in life than a string of code could ever account for. There are too many shades and expressions of personal iden-tity, too many internal irrationalities and inconsistencies, too many secrets and whis-pers and emotional baggage for an algorithm to encode. That shortfall can leave us feel-ing anxious. Or dehumanized. Betrayed by the site, even.

Of course, the hordes of people who left Facebook in 2014 didn’t usually articulate their concerns that way. A study out shortly before Christmas, by the research firm Frank N. Magid Associates, found that 6 percent of high-schoolers abandoned the site in the past year. A much larger survey, this one conducted by the Pew Research Centre last year, found that 61 per cent of all Facebook users have tak-en long breaks from the network; asked why they went on hiatus, users most frequently said they were busy or bored or considered Fa-cebook a “waste” of their time.

Facebook, unsurprisingly, sees itself in a different light. Early this month, the social network published a typically flashy, feel-good “year in review” for itself; the resulting video recounts the “moments, places and people that moved us in 2014” — a pretty bold claim, when you think about it, since Facebook is ba-sically equating the stuff you post on Facebook with the stuff that matters most to you.

After winding through a series of news events and celebrity deaths, the video ends on a screengrab of a Facebook status: “Feeling connected,” it reads. Thumbs up.

Alas, there may be no better symbol for Face-book’s long year of discontent.— Caitlin Dewey/The Washington Post

gis exactly

s advertisers. But rsonal POV, that : It’s essentially ly automated, al-

man entity — tell-

duct that’s bought the widely shared ial network-

which as an

to eve ”

st l

e e

But Facebook needoing quite eJust last weembroiled inter it pushed

Review” featuFor the writerEric Meyer,

photo o6-ye

greinapd

By allaccounts,2014 wasa prettyace year

for geniusMark

Zuckerbergand hisongoing

‘takeover’ ofthe world

OSCAR Wilde said, “The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it.”

Sometimes at the bridge table, the successful play is the least tempting; then it is very hard to find.

In this deal, South is in four spades. West leads a low diamond. What should East do after winning the trick with his queen?

In the auction, North’s four-diamond rebid was a splinter, showing four spades, game-going values and a singleton (or void) in diamonds.

At trick two, East did not like the idea of leading a club away from his king, or a heart into dummy’s ace-queen, or his singleton trump; so he played the diamond king.

Now, though, South ruffed in the dummy, played a spade to his ace (the right play to allow for either opponent holding all four trumps) and ran the club eight. The defenders had no answer. Declarer lost one spade, one diamond and one club.

West was not amused. He pointed out that East could see two minor-suit tricks, so had to hope that West had a spade trick and that they could gain a heart trick. With that in mind, East had to lead a low heart at trick two. West would have covered South’s card as cheaply as possible, and the defenders would have been ahead in the race.

Declarer probably would have won with dummy’s heart queen, played a spade to his ace, and taken the club finesse. But East could have won and led another heart, driving out dummy’s ace. South would have cashed dummy’s spade king and turned to clubs, but West would have ruffed the third round and played a heart to defeat the contract.

— By Phillip Alder

C9

ENTERTAINMENT

The winning play is not tempting

B I G N A T E

B O R N L O S E R

M A R M A D U K E

A C E S O N B R I D G E

C I N E M A S C H E D U L E

K I D S P O T H E A L T H C A P S U L EC R O S S W O R D

Ans

wer

to p

revi

ous

puzz

le

WITH LOVE

Previous puzzle Solution

HOW TO PLAY Fill the empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column and area. — Seven Galaxies

S U D O K U

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

28 Where the lion roars

29 Want-ad abbr.30 Putters with31 Carry on a trade32 Tallies34 Growing dim36 Whopper venue,

for short37 Allude to

38 Asian country39 Custer, to Crazy

Horse40 Loch — monster42 A relative44 Computer glitches45 Shock46 Tony-winner —

Hagen48 Eur. airline

ACROSS

1 Truck front 4 Make a sound like

a sheep 7 Duck or hue11 Tunnel digger12 Coffee brewer13 Natural impulse14 Ready to drop

(hyph.)16 Fundamental part17 Muscle cramp18 Shirt

measurements20 Bastille Day season21 Temporary state23 Winter Games grp.26 Some are sweet27 Husks28 Awards for valor31 Mars or Neptune33 Paraphernalia34 Move like a

butterfly35 Swarm around36 Burros’ bellows38 Oh. neighbour41 Half- — idea43 Steakhouse order

(hyph.)45 Miniseries “Shaka

—”47 Deep cracks49 Two fives for — —50 Actress — Hartman51 Ruby and garnet52 Memoir topic53 NFL linemen54 Express in words

DOWN 1 Pre-empt (hyph.) 2 Kelp 3 Gambles 4 Prickly seed case 5 Wrestling venues 6 Pampas backdrop 7 Fez wearer 8 Gully maker 9 Back when10 Allow11 Inventory wd.15 Force19 After yr. 122 Holds24 Poem by Keats25 Austin hrs.26 Average27 Butter serving

MOHAMMED ZAFEERJanuary 6, 2005

HUSSNAIN SIDDIQUIJanuary 6, 2014

AADESH R.January 6, 2005

E.P. ABHINAV KRISHNAJanuary 6

MOHD DHANISH BIN IRSHADJanuary 6, 2010

BAHJA CINEMA

STARS CINEMA

Film Information - 24540856 / Advance Booking - 24540855Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

For More Information 24789032, 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Film information 24791641 / 24786776

Swelter (Action / Thriller) (15+)Cast: Mindy Robinson, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Alfred Molina 6.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pmIronclad: Battle for Blood (Action / Adventure) (15+)Cast: Michelle Fairley, Roxanne McKee, Danny Webb4.00, 8.00 & 11.55 pmUnbroken (Drama)(15+)Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman4.30, 7.00 & 9.30 pm Camp X-ray (Drama) Cast: Kristen Stewart, Peyman Moaadi2.00 pm; CP No: 2673 (18+) The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Adventure / Fantasy) Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage 2.00 pm; CP No: 2574 (PG12)

Cousins (Mal) (Com)Cast: Kunchako Boban, Indrajit3:30 & 6:30 pm at Cinema Main, 9:45pm Cinema 3 PK (Hindi- Drama) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt3:45, 6:45pm at Cinema 3, 9:30pm Cinema MainLingaa (Tamil) (Act |Dr| Thriller) (PG)Cast: Rajnikanth & Anushka Shetty 6:45pm at Cinema 4Iyobinete Pusthakam (Mal) (Act)Cast: Fahad Fazil, Jaysurya3:30, 6:30 & 9:30pm Cinema 2Meagamann (Tamil) (Act)Cast: Arya & Hansika Motwani3:45 & 9:45pm at Cinema 4NEXT CHANGE: Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu (Mal)Chinnadana Nee Kosam (Telugu)

Vice (2D) Action | Adventure (15+) Cast: Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis5:30, 9:30 & 11:30 pmLegend Of Never Beast (2D) Animation | Adventure (PG) 2:00pmLegend Of Never Beast (3D) Animation | Adventure (PG) 4:15 & 5:45 pmSwelter (2D) Act | Thriller (15+) Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme3:30, 7:30 & 11:45 pmInto the Woods (2D)Com|Family (PG) Cast: Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep2:15 pmP.K (2D) Comedy | Drama(PG) Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma8:50 pmUnbroken (2D) Bio| Drama (15+) Cast: Jack O’Connell, Domhnall4:30 & 7:15pmLaggies (2D) Rom | Com) (PG) Cast: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell2:15 & 7:00 pmWoman In Black Angel Of Death (2D) (Horror | Thriller) (15+)Cast: Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine9:45 & 11:45pm

Legend Of Never Beast (3D) (Animation | Adventure) (PG) 2:00 & 5:15pmGold Class: 12:15pmSwelter (2D) (Act | Thriller) (15+) Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme3:30 & 6:45pmGold Class: 1:45pmP.K (2D) (Com | Drama) (PG) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Anushka Sharma7:15 pmGold Class: 8:15pmUnbroken (2D) (Bio| Drama) (15+) 11:00 am & 8:45 pmGold Class: 5:45 pmLaggies (2D) (Rom | Comedy) (PG) Cast: Keira Knightley10:30 am, 3:30 & 5:30 pmIronclad: Battle For Blood (2D) Action/Adventure (18+) Cast: Michelle Fairley, Roxanne McKee, Danny Webb11:45 pm

Vice (2D) (Act | Adventure) (15+) Cast: Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis1:30, 9:45 & 11:45 pmGold Class: 3:45 & 11:15pmLegend Of Never Beast (2D) (Animation | Adventure) (PG) 12:30 pm

SCREEN 1P. K (Comedy | Drama | Social) (PG )Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 pm

SCREEN 2Action Jackson (Act| Rom| Dr) (12+ )Cast: Ajay Devgan, Sonakshi Sinha3:45& 6:45 pmP. K (Comedy | Drama | Social) (PG )Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt 10.00 pm

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies -3D (PG12) (Adv| Fantasy)Cast: Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage7: 00 pmP.K. – 2D (PG) Com | Drama | FantasyCast : Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma8:30 pmSwelter – 2D (15+) Act | Dr | ThrillerCast:Jean-Claude Van Damme, 3:45, 7:45, 9:45, 11:45 pmVice – 2D (15+) Act | Adv | Sci-FiCast : Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis5:45, 9:45, 11:45pmLegend of the NeverBeast – 3D (PG) Animation | Adventure | FamilyVoice Overs: Ginnifer Goodwin, Rosario Dawson, Mae Whitman4:00, 5:30 pmLegend of the NeverBeast – 2D (PG) Animation | Adventure | FamilyVoice Overs: Ginnifer Goodwin, Mae Whitman3:15 pmThe Woman in Black 2 Angel of Death – 2D (15+) (Drama | Horror)Cast: Helen McCrory, Phoebe Fox4:40, 11:30 pmUnbroken – 2D (15+) Bio| Dr | SportCast: Jack O’Connell, Takamasa Ishihara, Domhnall6:30, 11:15 pmCousins – 2D (M) (PG) (Comedy)

Vice (Act | Adventure | Sci-Fi ) (15+)Cast: Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis3:30, 6:30, 8:15, 11:45 pmSwelter (Act | Dr | Thriller) (15+)Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme5:15, 7:00, 10:00, 11:30 pmP.K. (Com | Dr | Fantasy) (PG)Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt3:45, 8:45 pmLegend of the NeverBeast - 2D (Animation | Adv | Family) (PG)3:00 pmLegend of the NeverBeast - 3D Animation | Adv | Family) (PG)4:30, 6:00 pmCousins (Comedy) (PG)Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu7:30 pmThe Woman in Black 2 Angel of Death (Dr | Horror | Thriller) (15+)Cast: Helen McCrory, Phoebe Fox10:00, 11:45 pm

Swelter (Act | Dra) (15+)Cast: Jean-Claude Van Damme 08:00, 11:30 pmVice (Act| Adventure | Sci-Fi) (15+) Cast: Thomas Jane, Bruce Willis04:30, 06:15, 09:45 pm

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (3D/PG12) (Adv/Fantasy) 11:45pmVice (2D/15+) (Act/Adv/Sc-FI) 2:00, 5:45, 9:45, 11:45pm Swelter (2D/15+) Act/Dr/Thriller) 12:00, 7:45, 9:30pm Ironclad: Battle for Blood (2D/18+) (Action/Adventure) 3:45, 11:30pmLet the Bullets Fly (2D/18+)Act/Co1:30pmLegend of the Never Beast (3D/PG) (Action/Adventure/Family)4:00, 5:30pmLegend of the Never Beast (2D/PG) (Action/Adventure/Family)Voice Overs: Ginnifer Goodwin11:00am, 2:30pmUnbroken (2D/15+) (Ro/Comedy)4:00, 7:00pmP.K. (2D/PG) (Com/Dr/fantasy)9:00pmThe Woman in Black 2 Angel of Death (2D/PG) (Dr/Horr)12:30, 11:45pmCousins (2D/PG) (Comedy)6:30pm

Legend of the NeverBeast(3D) (Animation | Adv | Family) (PG) 05:00, 06:30 pmCousins (Mal) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu10:45 pmP.K (Hindi) (Co | Dr | Fantasy) (PG) Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt8:00 pm

SCREEN 3

Linga (Act|Drama) (Tamil) -(PG )Cast: Rajnikanth, Sonakshi Sinha3.30 & 6:45 pmAction Jackson (Act| Rom| Dr) (12+ )Cast: Ajay Devgan, Sonakshi Sinha10:00 pm

Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu9:00 pmLaggies – 2D (PG) (Com | Romance)Cast : Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace 03:15 , 05:00 , 06:45 pm

C10

FIND-IT-ALLT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

PHARMACIESRound the clockAl Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat RegionApollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080Dhofar RegionMuscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah. Tel: 23291635

HOSPITALSAl Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453Hatat Polyclinic LLC,Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780Capital Polyclinic: 24707549Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740Ceregem National Raak: 24485633Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217Elixir Health Centre: 24565802Emirates Medical Centre: 246045401st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274Hamdan Hospital: 23212340International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128, MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000

ROYAL OMAN POLICEEmergencies and inquiries: 9999General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603Directorate General of Customs: 24521109Traffic violations inquiries: 24510228Public Relations Admin: 24560099

ACCOMMODATIONAl Bahjah Hotel: 24424400Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311Al Qurum Resort: 24605945Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979Beach Hotel: 24696601Bowshar Hotel: 24491105Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660Crystal Suites: 24826100Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234Haffa House Hotel: 24707207Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123InterContinental Muscat: 24680000Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900Marina Hotel: 24711711Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565Mina Hotel: 24711828Muttrah Hotel: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199Oman Dive Centre: 24824240Park Inn: 24507888Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443Ruwi Hotel: 24704244Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666The Chedi Muscat: 24524400The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570

AIRLINE OFFICESMuscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223Aeroflot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Pacific: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines:

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033

MUSEUMSBait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fish market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pmNatural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pmMuseum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday - 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pmOman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pmBait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscatmuseum@baitalzubairmuseum.comOpen from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pmSohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pmMuscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr 12.17pm

Asr 3.19pm

Maghrib 5.39pm

Isha 6.54pm Fajr (Tomorrow) 5.30am

Sunset 5.34pm

Sunrise (Tomorrow) 6.50am

High tide 3:52pm 4:33am

Low tide 10:44pm 9:42pm

W E A T H E R

OMAN

Max 27Min 19

Max 25Min 18

Max 26Min 16

Max 25Min 12

Max 26Min16Max 25

Min 10

Max 27Min 14

Max 30 Min 20

Mainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate with chances of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches over governorates of south Al-Sharqiya,

north Al-Sharqiya, Al-Wusta and Dhofar and the coastal areas of Oman Sea.EXPECTED WIND: Wind will be northeasterly light to moderate during day becoming variable light at night along Oman Sea coast, whereas it will be easterly to southeasterly light to moderate over rest of the Sultanate.

SEA STATE: Slight along Oman Sea coast with a maximum wave height of 1.25 metres while slight to moderate along the southeastern coast with a maximum wave height of 1.5 metres.HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog formation.THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Mainly clear skies with chances of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches over governorates of south Al-Sharqiya, Al-Wusta and Dhofar and the coastal areas of Oman Sea.

Max Min

GULFAbu Dhabi 25 13Doha 22 13Dubai 24 16Kuwait 19 14Manama 23 16Riyadh 23 12

WORLDAthens 8 5Baghdad 19 8Beijing 3 -7Berlin 3 0Boston -1 -5Cairo 15 8Colombo 30 23Frankfurt 0 -2Hong Kong 23 16Istanbul 23 16Johannesburg 29 18Kuala Lumpur 29 24Lisbon 13 7Paris 5 2Perth 32 17Singapore 28 24Tokyo 11 4Toronto -3 -6

WORLD

Max 2Min -3

Max 22Min 7

Max -7Min -13

Max 27Min 14

Max 13Min 8

Max 32Min 20

Max -12Min -18

Max 30Min 21

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 Daily15:00 Sur 18:00 Daily15:00 Jaalan 19:30 Daily

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41)06:30 Sohar 08:50 Daily06:30 Buraimi 11:00 Daily08:00 Buraimi 14:30 Daily via Ibri13:00 Sohar 15:45 Daily13:00 Buraimi 17:40 Daily 16.00 Sohar 18.35 Daily 16.00 Buraimi 20:20 Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41)07:00 Sohar 08:55 Daily07:00 Ruwi 11:40 Daily13:30 Ruwi 20:20 Daily via Ibri13:00 Sohar 14:55 Daily13:00 Ruwi 17:40 Daily 13:00 Sohar 19:20 Daily 17:00 Ruwi 22:15 Daily

TO SINAW (Route 52)17:30 Sinaw 20:50 Daily

TO SINAW (Route 52)07:00 Ruwi 10:25 Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54)14:30 Nizwa 16:50 Daily14:30 Yanqul 19:30 Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54)06:00 Nizwa 08:40 Daily06:00 Ruwi 11:00 Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54)08:00 Nizwa 10:20 Daily08:00 Al Araqi 12:30 Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54)15:40 Nizwa 17:55 Daily15:40 Ruwi 20:20 Daily

TO SUR (Route 55)07:30 Sur 12:00 Daily14:30 Sur 18:45 Daily

TO SUR (Route 55)06:00 Ruwi 10:45 Daily14:30 Ruwi 19:00 Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62)06:30 Fahud 10:30 Daily06:30 Yibal 11:15 Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62)12:30 Fahud 13:15 Daily12:30 Ruwi 17:30 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201)06:00 Sohar 08:30 Daily06:00 Dubai 11:30 Daily13:00 Sohar 15:30 Wed,Thur13:00 Dubai 18:30 Wed,Thur15:00 Sohar 17:35 Daily15:00 Dubai 20:55 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201)07:30 Sohar 10:50 Daily07:30 Ruwi 13:40 Daily13:00 Sohar 16:15 Thur-Fri13:00 Ruwi 19:10 Thur-Fri15:30 Sohar 18:45 Daily15:30 Ruwi 21:35 Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100)07:00 Salalah 20:00 Daily10:00 Marmul 20:30 Daily10:00 Salalah 23:30 Daily19:00 Salalah 07:40 Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100)07:00 Ruwi 19:50 Daily10:00 Marmul 13:15 Daily10:00 Ruwi 22:30 Daily19:00 Ruwi 07:30 Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101)06:00 Marmul 16:50 Daily

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102)15:00 Dubai 07:00 Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101)06:00 Marmul 16:30 Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102)15:00 Salalah 07:00 Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily 07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily 07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204)Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 16:00 Sharjah 16:30 Daily 16.00 Fujairah 18.15 Daily16.00 Ruwi 23.00 Daily

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

LISTINGS

FLT NO DEPARTURES TO ETD AI986 BOMBAY  0005LX243 DUBAI-ZURICH  00209W539 BOMBAY  0025BA072 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW  0025SG062 AHMEDABAD  0030LH619 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT  0050WY685 RIYADH  0105WY251 MADRAS  0110WY201 BOMBAY  0120WY811 BANGKOK  0120WY235 HYDERABAD  0135WY601 DUBAI  0150WY241 DELHI  0155WY431 TEHRAN  0155WY643 KUWAIT  0200WY637 ABU DHABI  0205WY313 CHITTAGONG  0205WY657 BAHRAIN  0205WY667 DOHA  0220NL769 LAHORE  0230WY691 DAMMAM  0235TK775 ISTANBUL  0310PK282 SIALKOT  0325PK226 KARACHI  0330WY271 JAIPUR  0350WY267 LUCKNOW  0355ET625 ADDIS ABABA  0450EK867 DUBAI  0455FZ042 DUBAI  0510QR1133 DOHA  0520EY385 ABU DHABI  0525WY3301 MUKHAIZNA  0715GF561 BAHRAIN  0745WY603 DUBAI  0800WY903 SALALAH  0800WY813 BANGKOK  0805WY327 LAHORE  0920WY325 KARACHI  0920WY291 CALICUT  0920WY215 TRIVANDRUM  0920WY823 KUALA LUMPUR  0930FZ044 DUBAI  0935WY231 HYDERABAD  0955WY245 DELHI  0955G9115 SHARJAH  1005WY815 BANGKOK  1010WY283 BANGALORE  1010WY373 COLOMBO  1020WY203 BOMBAY  1030WY605 DUBAI  1030WY905 SALALAH  1030WY347 ISLAM ABBAD  1040WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM  1045EK863 DUBAI  1055EY383 ABU DHABI  1105WY655 BAHRAIN  1110QR1129 DOHA  1115QR8551 DUBAI WORLD CENTRE-DOHA  1130WY917 KHASAB  1140G9842 RAS AL KHAIMA  1210PK192 GWADUR-TURBAT  1305WY337 KATHMANDU  1310IX350 CALICUT  1310FZ038 DUBAI  1315WY253 MADRAS  1315WY3931 SOHAR  1315WY223 COCHIN  1325WY631 ABU DHABI  1325WY663 DOHA  1330WY101 LONDON HEATHROW  1330BG024 CHITTAGONG  1415WY405 CAIRO  1430WY3305 MUKHAIZNA  1515IX818 MANGALORE  1530WY609 DUBAI  1545KU678 ABU DHABI-KUWAIT  1625WY675 JEDDAH  1630WY913 SALALAH  1650FZ046 DUBAI  1700WY613 DUBAI  1700WY623 DUBAI  1820QR1127 DOHA  1845WY681 RIYADH  1845WY907 SALALAH  1850GF565 BAHRAIN  1855WY647 KUWAIT  1900WY661 DOHA  1900WY653 BAHRAIN  1910WY695 DAMMAM  1910EK865 DUBAI  1915WY821 KUALA LUMPUR  1930WY909 SALALAH  1940SV535 RIYADH  2000G9117 SHARJAH  2005WY611 DUBAI  2025WY635 ABU DHABI  2030TG508 KARACHI-BANGKOK  2040FZ048 DUBAI  2040WY915 SALALAH  2135FZ050 DUBAI  22256.00E+82 BOMBAY  2245AI908 MADRAS  2300AI974 DELHI  2310QR1135 DOHA  2320GF567 BAHRAIN  2325UL206 COLOMBO  2335EY381 ABU DHABI  2350WY901 SALALAH  2350WY673 JEDDAH  2350

FLT NO DEPARTURES TO ETD AI986 BOMBAY  0005LX243 DUBAI-ZURICH  00209W539 BOMBAY  0025BA072 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW  0025LH619 ABU DHABI-FRANKFURT  0050WY685 RIYADH  0105WY251 MADRAS  0110WY201 BOMBAY  0120WY225 COCHIN  0125WY235 HYDERABAD  0135WY601 DUBAI  0150WY345 ISLAM ABBAD  0150WY341 LAHORE  0150WY431 TEHRAN  0155WY241 DELHI  0155WY151 ZURICH  0155WY643 KUWAIT  0200WY313 CHITTAGONG  0205WY637 ABU DHABI  0205WY657 BAHRAIN  0205WY115 FRANKFURT  0215WY667 DOHA  0220WY123 MUNICH-PARIS  0220WY143 MALPENSA  02254H584 DACCA  0230WY691 DAMMAM  0235PK230 LAHORE  0315TK777 BAHRAIN-ISTANBUL  0350WY267 LUCKNOW  0355EK867 DUBAI  0455FZ042 DUBAI  0510QR1133 DOHA  0520EY385 ABU DHABI  0525WY617 KHASAB  0630WY3921 DUQUM OMAN  0715GF561 BAHRAIN  0745WY903 SALALAH  0800WY603 DUBAI  0800WY273 JAIPUR  0815WY215 TRIVANDRUM  0845WY325 KARACHI  0920WY291 CALICUT  0920NL769 LAHORE  0930FZ044 DUBAI  0935WY283 BANGALORE  0940WY245 DELHI  0955WY231 HYDERABAD  0955WY3301 MUKHAIZNA  1000G9115 SHARJAH  1005WY815 BANGKOK  1010WY203 BOMBAY  1030WY905 SALALAH  1030WY605 DUBAI  1030WY253 MADRAS  1040WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM  1045EK863 DUBAI  1055EY383 ABU DHABI  1105WY655 BAHRAIN  1110IX554 TRIVANDRUM  1110IX442 COCHIN  1115QR1129 DOHA  11159W533 COCHIN  1135G9842 RAS AL KHAIMA  1210WY631 ABU DHABI  1225IX350 CALICUT  1310FZ038 DUBAI  1315PA451 LAHORE  1315WY101 LONDON HEATHROW  1330WY663 DOHA  1330WY413 AMMAN  1330WY3303 MUKHAIZNA  1400WY927 SALALAH  1415WY609 DUBAI  1420WY405 CAIRO  1430WY331 KATHMANDU  1455WY913 SALALAH  1630WY675 JEDDAH  1630FZ046 DUBAI  1700WY613 DUBAI  1700WY623 DUBAI  1820QR1127 DOHA  1845WY681 RIYADH  1845WY907 SALALAH  1850GF565 BAHRAIN  1855WY661 DOHA  1900WY647 KUWAIT  1900WY653 BAHRAIN  1910WY695 DAMMAM  1910EK865 DUBAI  1915WY909 SALALAH  1940G9117 SHARJAH  2005WY611 DUBAI  2025WY635 ABU DHABI  2030FZ048 DUBAI  2040WY825 KUALA LUMPUR  2110WY915 SALALAH  2135AI978 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE  2200FZ050 DUBAI  2225KL442 DOHA-AMSTERDAM  22309W529 TRIVANDRUM  22406.00E+82 BOMBAY  2245AI908 MADRAS  2300AI974 DELHI  2310QR1135 DOHA  2320GF567 BAHRAIN  2325WY901 SALALAH  2350EY381 ABU DHABI  2350WY673 JEDDAH  2350

A I R L I N E S

—www.met.gov.om

TUESDAYFLT NO ARRIVALS FROM ETA WY406 CAIRO  0005WY682 RIYADH  0005WY682 RIYADH  0005WY676 JEDDAH  0005WY648 KUWAIT  0010WY816 BANGKOK  0015NL768 LAHORE  0130WY916 SALALAH  0150TK774 ISTANBUL  0215PK281 ISLAM ABBAD-SIALKOT  0225PK225 KARACHI  0230QR1132 DOHA  0345ET624 ADDIS ABABA  0350EK866 DUBAI  0355GF560 BAHRAIN  0405EY384 ABU DHABI  0405FZ041 DUBAI  0415WY902 SALALAH  0630WY638 ABU DHABI  0650WY658 BAHRAIN  0700WY412 AMMAN  0705WY668 DOHA  0710WY644 KUWAIT  0715WY122 MUNICH  0715WY114 FRANKFURT  0715WY692 DAMMAM  0725WY674 JEDDAH  0730WY154 MALPENSA-ZURICH  0745WY132 PARIS  0800WY602 DUBAI  0805WY202 BOMBAY  0815WY432 TEHRAN  0815WY102 LONDON HEATHROW  0820WY422 BEIRUT  0830FZ043 DUBAI  0850G9114 SHARJAH  0915WY236 HYDERABAD  0920WY242 DELHI  0935WY252 MADRAS  0940EK862 DUBAI  0940QR8550 DOHA  1000QR1128 DOHA  1010EY382 ABU DHABI  1015WY3302 MUKHAIZNA  1045WY272 JAIPUR  1100WY604 DUBAI  1110WY904 SALALAH  1110G9841 RAS AL KHAIMA  1120FZ037 DUBAI  1200WY314 CHITTAGONG  1210WY268 LUCKNOW  1210IX337 CALICUT  1210PK191 GWADUR  1220BG023 CHITTAGONG  1245WY918 KHASAB  1245WY606 DUBAI  1330WY326 KARACHI  1355WY918 KHASAB  1440IX817 MANGALORE-ABU DHABI  1440WY906 SALALAH  1445WY812 BANGKOK  1525KU677 KUWAIT  1525WY656 BAHRAIN  1530WY328 LAHORE  1550FZ045 DUBAI  1555WY632 ABU DHABI  1635WY204 BOMBAY  1710WY292 CALICUT  1720WY246 DELHI  1730WY232 HYDERABAD  1740WY216 TRIVANDRUM  1740WY348 ISLAM ABBAD  1745WY664 DOHA  1745QR1126 DOHA  1745EK864 DUBAI  1800GF564 BAHRAIN  1810WY284 BANGALORE  1810WY610 DUBAI  1845WY3306 MUKHAIZNA  1845SV534 RIYADH  1900G9116 SHARJAH  1915TG507 BANGKOK-KARACHI  1935FZ047 DUBAI  1945WY614 DUBAI  2030WY914 SALALAH  2055WY624 DUBAI  2125AI973 DELHI  21256.00E+81 BOMBAY  2130WY224 COCHIN  2140FZ049 DUBAI  2145WY374 COLOMBO  2150WY254 MADRAS  2155WY814 BANGKOK  2200AI907 MADRAS  2200QR1134 DOHA  2210UL205 COLOMBO  2225GF566 BAHRAIN  2240BA073 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI  2240EY388 ABU DHABI  2250WY908 SALALAH  2305AI985 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY  2310WY662 DOHA  2315LX242 ZURICH-DUBAI  23209W540 BOMBAY  2325LH618 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI  2330WY654 BAHRAIN  2330WY612 DUBAI  2335WY696 DAMMAM  2350WY636 ABU DHABI  2350WY910 SALALAH  2355WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM  2355

WEDNESDAYFLT NO ARRIVALS FROM ETA

WY682 RIYADH  0005WY406 CAIRO  0005WY676 JEDDAH  0005WY648 KUWAIT  0010WY816 BANGKOK  0015WY816 BANGKOK  0015WY824 KUALA LUMPUR  00554H583 DACCA-CHITTAGONG  0130WY916 SALALAH  0150PK229 LAHORE  0215TK776 ISTANBUL-BAHRAIN  0300QR1132 DOHA  0345EK866 DUBAI  0355GF560 BAHRAIN  0405EY384 ABU DHABI  0405FZ041 DUBAI  0415WY638 ABU DHABI  0520WY902 SALALAH  0630WY686 RIYADH  0700WY658 BAHRAIN  0700WY668 DOHA  0710WY644 KUWAIT  0715WY692 DAMMAM  0725WY674 JEDDAH  0730WY602 DUBAI  0805WY202 BOMBAY  0815WY432 TEHRAN  0815WY102 LONDON HEATHROW  0820NL768 LAHORE  0830WY342 LAHORE  0835FZ043 DUBAI  0850G9114 SHARJAH  0915WY236 HYDERABAD  0920WY918 KHASAB  0930WY226 COCHIN  0930WY242 DELHI  0935EK862 DUBAI  0940WY346 ISLAM ABBAD  0940WY252 MADRAS  0940IX443 COCHIN  1010QR1128 DOHA  1010EY382 ABU DHABI  1015IX549 TRIVANDRUM  10209W530 TRIVANDRUM  1035WY604 DUBAI  1110WY822 KUALA LUMPUR  1115WY3922 DUQUM OMAN  1115G9841 RAS AL KHAIMA  1120FZ037 DUBAI  1200WY268 LUCKNOW  1210IX337 CALICUT  1210WY314 CHITTAGONG  1210PA450 LAHORE  1215WY904 SALALAH  1215WY3302 MUKHAIZNA  1330WY606 DUBAI  1330WY326 KARACHI  1355WY918 KHASAB  1440WY918 KHASAB  1440WY906 SALALAH  1445WY274 JAIPUR  1515WY656 BAHRAIN  1530WY632 ABU DHABI  1535FZ045 DUBAI  1555WY216 TRIVANDRUM  1705WY204 BOMBAY  1710WY292 CALICUT  1720WY610 DUBAI  1730WY246 DELHI  1730WY3304 MUKHAIZNA  1730WY284 BANGALORE  1740WY232 HYDERABAD  1740QR1126 DOHA  1745WY664 DOHA  1745EK864 DUBAI  1800GF564 BAHRAIN  1810G9116 SHARJAH  1915WY254 MADRAS  1920WY144 MALPENSA  1930FZ047 DUBAI  1945WY614 DUBAI  2030WY914 SALALAH  2035AI977 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD  2105KL441 AMSTERDAM-DOHA  2120WY624 DUBAI  2125AI973 DELHI  21256.00E+81 BOMBAY  2130WY414 AMMAN  21359W534 COCHIN  2140FZ049 DUBAI  2145AI907 MADRAS  2200QR1134 DOHA  2210WY272 JAIPUR  2235GF566 BAHRAIN  2240BA073 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI  2240EY388 ABU DHABI  2250WY908 SALALAH  2305AI985 AHMEDABAD-BOMBAY  2310WY662 DOHA  2315WY124 MUNICH  2320LX242 ZURICH-DUBAI  23209W540 BOMBAY  2325LH618 FRANKFURT-ABU DHABI  2330WY654 BAHRAIN  2330WY612 DUBAI  2335WY116 FRANKFURT  2345WY928 SALALAH  2345WY636 ABU DHABI  2350W696 DAMMAM  2350WY717 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM  2355WY910 SALALAH  2355

BORN today, you have been endowed with tremendous talent, and you will be aware of it from your earliest years, when you experiment with how to use it to its fullest potential. It may seem to you as if you have no choice in life as far as the road you are destined to take — but that is, in fact, the point! Your sense of destiny is keen, and you are more than likely to accept your assignment in life without question, knowing that to do so will mean the full development of your skills and talents, and the application of them to endeavors that are more meaningful than most everyday jobs. The day-in-day-out grind is not for you; you want things to be special all the time!

You know how to take something that has been done before and do it in a way that makes it seem new and exciting — to you and to others. Indeed, it is your own personal stamp that will make what you do really count. Though you may imitate others while you are learning, you’ll no doubt come into your own very quickly.

Also born on this date are: Rowan Atkinson, actor and comedian; Eddie Redmayne, actor; Joan of Arc, soldier and saint; Nigella Lawson, author and chef; Danny Thomas, actor; Loretta Young, actress; Bonnie Franklin, actress; Carl Sandburg, poet and author; Howie Long, football player; Vic Tayback, actor; Tom Mix, actor; John Singleton, filmmaker; Anthony Minghella, filmmaker.

You may not be expecting things to develop quickly, yet the pace is likely to increase hour by hour until you cannot help but notice.

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22]

LIBRA [SEPT. 23-OCT. 22] LLLLLLLLLLLLLLL[S[S[S[S[[[S[[S[S[S[[S[S[SSS[SS[SSSS

SCORPIO [OCT. 23-NOV. 21] S[

SAGITTARIUS [NOV. 22-DEC. 21] S[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18]

You may feel as though you have been trapped by circumstances, but there was something you could have done, and you know it.

Simpler is better. You don’t want to make things so complicated that it becomes impossible to communicate effectively.

You may have some trouble sorting through your own emotions. Perhaps you’re overreacting to something that was inevitable.

A casual approach proves best, especially late in the day when reports are coming in about the results and impact of your efforts.

You can prove that you are after the same thing as a rival. As a result, you may be able to bury the hatchet before the day is out.

If it appears to you that things are out of whack, you’ll want to investigate further. Certain rhythms may prove misleading.

You’re eager to hear if your work has won the praise of those who are usually quite critical of you. Recent changes have proven effective.

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20]

What you are doing to avoid getting more deeply involved in a personal tangle is paying off, but do you really want to keep your distance?

GEMINI [MAY 21-JUNE 20]

CANCER [JUNE 21-JULY 22]

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22]

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19]

Y O U R B I R T H D A Y

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19]

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20]

You may have to work hard to meet a certain deadline, but only because recent commitments elsewhere have altered your timeline.

You’re not happy with the way things are going, but you know that the way they were in the past didn’t suit you either. Consider options.

You’ll want to reinforce what you are doing so that everyone is clear about your motives and methods.

C11

EXTRAT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Rotating night shift may cut your life short: Study ROTATING night shift work deteriorates health in general, enhances the development of lung cancer and cardiovascu-lar disease (CVD), and contributes to higher mor-tality, new research has confirmed. Women work-ing rotating night shifts for five or more years had a modest increase in all-cause and CVD mortality and those working 15 or more years of rotating night shift work had a modest increase in lung cancer mortality, the findings showed. Rotating night shift was defined in the study as working at least three nights per month in addition to days or evenings in that month. “These results add to prior evidence of a potentially detrimental relation of rotating night shift work and health and longevity,” said Eva Schernham-mer, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.Sleep and the circadian system play an important role in cardiovascular health and antitumor activity.

Table sugar is less toxic than fructose: Study

ALL added sugar” found typically in processed foods are bad but among them the fructose found in corn syrup may harm you more than table sugar, new research has found. “This is the most robust study showing there is a difference between high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar at human-rel-evant doses,” said senior author of a new study Wayne Potts, professor at University of Utah in the US. When the research-ers fed mice sugar in doses proportional to what many people eat, the fructose-glucose mixture found in high-fructose corn syrup was more toxic than sucrose or table sugar, reducing both the reproduction and lifespan of female rodents.

Aspirin’s powers to tackle dementia being probedAN Australian university has been commissioned by the US-based National Institutes of Health to investigate aspirin’s anti-dementia powers, local media reported. Demen-tia, where a person’s cognitive mind, function and memory dissolves, is one of the biggest medical challenges for elderly peo-ple. Monash University in Melbourne has begun a $41 million trial called AS-Pirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly, Xinhua reported. -IANS

H E A L T H N O T E S

Dozens of volcanoes form the backbone of the Indonesian island of Java,

many of them active

Playing with fire: The perilous practice of sulphur mining

There is a noise on the path behind us. I turn, swinging the light of my torch directly into a man’s face. Any-

where else in the world I would be alarmed, after all, it is the middle of the night and my friend and I are on a forest-lined track, miles from civilisation. However, the man, who greets us with a wide smile, is part of the reason why we are here, at the base of the Ijen volcano in East Java. We are in one of the few places in the world where travellers can witness the near-extinct practice of volcanic sulphur mining.

The island of Java sits at the heart of Indonesia, one of the most volcanic nations on earth, made up of some 17,000 islands. Java’s dense population – it is the world’s most populous island, home to more than half of Indonesia’s 250 million residents — and notori-ous pollution mean that it is often dismissed by travellers, but away from the urban pockets is a string of volcanoes stretching the length of the island, 45 of them active and plenty offering activities for the adventurous tourist.

Almost within sight of Bali, Ijen volcano offers the opportunity to share the 3 kilometre path to the

crater with miners, watching in wonder as they make the twice-daily trip to the summit, where they descend into the steaming crater and extract chunks of sul-phur. It is channelled from the heart of the volcano through pipes, in which volcanic gasses condense to produce dark red, moulten sul-phur. The sulphur spews out of the pipe where it cools and solidi-fies, turning bright yellow in the process. The miners then break it into chunks and carry it in wicker baskets up to the crater rim and down the side of the volcano to be weighed. The sulphur is used in the paper industry, to bleach sugar and to make matches and fertiliser.

The starting point of the trek is Pos Paltuding, in the middle of the Ijen Plateau, a sparsely populated highland area on the eastern tip of the island. There’s little at Pos Paltuding beyond a basic shelter where you can spend the night. Accommodation options close to the trek are limited to budget homestays; for mid-range options you need to stay further afield, such as along the east coast. My base is Arabica Homestay, on a nearby coffee plantation, from which we make a sleepy departure for our ascent at 4.30am — the tur-quoise acid crater lake is best seen

in the early morning, before cloud descends and obscures the view.

The path is good, a couple of metres wide in places, but steep in parts. It is minutes before we meet the first miner; he is keen to know where we are from and if he can practise his English on us. We are happy to oblige and as we pant our way up the steep trail there is a steady flow of conversation with our new friend and some of the other miners, who pause briefly as they stride past at twice our speed. I ask them about the physical de-mands and dangers of the job, which they shrug off nonchalant-ly, keen to talk instead about life in London. We are a quarter of the way up when we are greeted by a spectacular sunrise which allows us our first glimpse of the stun-ning Ijen Plateau. Alpine forest stretches over hills and dormant volcanoes as far as the eye can see, while a gang of gibbons breaks the silence as they swing noisily through the trees overhead.

After 90 minutes, the forest clears and we emerge at the lip of the crater. The acid lake, Kawah Ijen, is, frustratingly, hidden be-hind the clouds of sulphur fumes which billow in our direction. However, the sight is nonetheless impressive; a vast and barren cra-

ter rim dotted with miners who are weighed down with baskets filled with bright yellow chunks of sulphur.

As I move closer in towards the crater, the eggy stench hits me. Our miner friend grins and signals for me to cover my mouth and nose with a scarf. He offers to take me down into the crater to see where the sulphur deposits are mined but the fumes are overpowering so I decline. The fumes further down are so noxious that even the min-ers, who have no protection be-yond a face scarf, only enter it for 15 minutes at a time. We say our goodbyes and I watch him amble down the path. He quickly disap-pears into the smoke.

The eruption of Java’s Mount Kelud in February earlier this year was a reminder, if one was needed, of the mighty power of volcanoes. Seeing first-hand the highly dan-gerous conditions that the miners work in is sobering. My respect is only amplified when we make our way back down the slope. Every miner we pass as they make their way up for the second time that day gives us a smile or an enthu-siastic “good morning”; an expe-rience as alien to a Londoner like me as Ijen itself.— Heather Carswell/The Independent

C12

EXTRAT U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 6, 2 0 1 5

Just one in 10 may achieve their goals in 2015, say experts

Why we make (and break) our resolutions

On the 31st of Decem-ber every year, my father solemnly tells me that next year will be the one where

he will finally crack the habit, turn over a new leaf. He will, he bravely declares, bottom lip a-quiver, give up hang-gliding. Or bungee jump-ing, wearing sombreros or being a criminal mastermind. So far, he has achieved every goal he has set himself.

For the rest of us mere mortals, with real goals to stress less, lose weight, be healthier, be more or-ganised, following through on our new year resolutions is not so easy.

How many of us vow that this will be ‘my year’, where we will shed our bad habits and become better people? How many of us succeed?

The answer is — not many. Just one in 10 of us will achieve our goal, according to a study by Professor Richard Wiseman from the University of Hertford-shire — with most of us scrapping the good intentions as early as January 23rd.

So what’s the outcome? Scrap the resolutions and resign our-selves to another year with a tarnished halo? Or change our attitudes — and even the goals themselves — to achieve real re-sults? Here’s some advice from the experts:

Set a targetHave a very clear dateline for your goals. They should be set at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 1 year, and each one should have a specific target to achieve in order to avoid “drift” in your programme.

Matt Roberts, Personal fitness trainer Make it about more than youRewrite your resolution or goal into a “vision” that benefits some-one else you care about, not just you. Ie if its “to get fit”, turn it into “get fit so I can run around with my kids”. We are less likely to sabotage our resolutions if it means hurting or hindering people we love.

Nick Seneca Jankel, Author of Switch On: Unleash Your Creativity and Thrive with

the New Science & Spirit of

Breakthrough

Remind yourselfKeep a visual reminder of your resolution handy, whether it be a picture of your football idol on your phone or an inspirational message in your wallet. The only thing that stops you from sticking to your resolutions is yourself.

Dr Georges Petitjean,

Founder of Arthur Coaching,

whose mission is to promote the

coaching of young people.

Think what you’ll gainThe real issue with goal setting for most of us is that we tend to state them in the negative: I will give up smoking or I will give up drinking, for example. To stand the greatest chance of succeed-ing, we need to think about the benefits and focus our mind on those: When I give up smok-ing I will be healthier, fitter and richer. It is really important to give our brains something positive to focus upon, rather than suggesting we are about to lose something.

Carol Fox, Life coach

Pick the right resolutionWhen choosing a health resolution for the New Year, quitting smok-ing is the single best thing you can do to protect your heart. Research has shown that a smoker who gives up smoking on January 1, will see their risk of coronary heart disease cut in half by the end of the year. No Smoking Day is on March 11, 2015 and we urge smokers who want to quit to really quit.

Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at

the British Heart Foundation

Manageable goalsBuild up gradually to what you want to achieve rather than set-ting yourself a goal that is unre-alistic. For instance, start with 10 minutes exercise per day, building up to 20 minutes until you eventu-

ally increase to a full hour.

Ailsa Frank, Hypnotherapist and author of

Cut the Crap and Feel Amazing

Don’t over-commitTwo words — baby steps. And I mean seriously baby steps. If you want to create a habit that sticks, try breaking down your goal into the smallest possible pieces, then choose the easiest one to start with and allow yourself some time. The trick is to avoid the per-ilous cycle of over-commitment, misery, overwhelm and defeat.

Alison O’Leary,

Life coach

Think how good you’ll feelForget about losing weight; it’s not about how you look (that comes later), but how you feel. Eating a healthy and balanced diet will im-prove your immune system, organ function and general wellbeing, which results in shiny hair, bright eyes, clear skin, improved energy levels and a smaller waist.

Lily Simpson, Founder of The Detox Kitchen

delis and food (UK)

Make it your lifestyleThe best way to make a training or fitness goal stick in the New Year is to really try to make it part of your lifestyle. That way it becomes an integral part of what you do rather than something additional that you’re trying to squeeze in around everything else. If unhealthy snacking is an issue, make sure you buy some healthy snacks such as fruit, nuts and yo-gurt to keep at work that become your habit rather than a trip to the office vending machine. Plan-ning your nutrition,whether that’s lunches at work, food shopping in advance or having your dinner ready to go in a slow cooker will help you avoid last minute panic buys when you’re hungry and are more likely to make poor choices.

Janey Lee Grace,

Holistic life coach

Plan in advanceFail to Plan, Plan to Fail – this

statement is so true. Plan your week out in advance, make sure that you have put your workout kit in your car the night before, and be realistic — there is no point saying you will go to the gym every single day when you know, realistically, that is unlikely to happen.

Simon Alexander Ong, life designer and success

strategist

Think about your actionsBe mindful — is the food you are eat-ing nourishing or junk food? Is the portion size right? Are you eating when you are full? Are you eating for reasons other than hunger? Keep-ing these questions in the forefront of your mind can help with making choices about what you eat.

Chris Cheyette, Dietician and author

of 5:2 Diet Photos

Reward yourselfIt is so important to reward our-selves on the way to achieving our goals as well as once we achieve them. This will help us stick to the resolution without having to wait until we achieve our ulti-mate goal. You hold the keys to your success so it’s important to allow yourself to tap into your po-tential and to recognise when we have done so.

Penny Davenport, Career mentor

Don’t expect instant resultsIt can be overwhelming to simply state you want to have six packs abs or lose numerous dress sizes, so instead set mini and achiev-able goals. Too big a goal and you’ll likely give up when making miniscule steps towards achiev-ing it, but achieving 2 labs/week weight loss for a month or be-ing able to run that 5 kilometres morning run 30 seconds faster than you could the month, are all realistic goals. Remember, it takes approximately four weeks for you notice changes to your body, your partner about eight weeks to notice and twelve for the outside world, so stick at it! -Siobhan Nortan/The Independent

Big B increases security for weekly fan sessions

AMITABH BACHCHAN’S tradition of greeting his fans at his doorstep almost every Sun-day morning has survived yet another year. The actor says now he has increased security to stop “mischief makers” from entering inside. “The police con-tingent has been increased. Mis-chief makers too find their way

inside and have been the cause of embarrassment to those that come, as also the cause for the loss of some of their personal belongings. So dear all, do be careful,” the 72-year-old posted on his official blog srbachchan.tumblr.com on Monday. The ac-tor, who lives with his family in a bungalow named Jalsa here, also pointed out how women and children in the crowd were brought inside his premises for their safety.

Deepika Padukone turns 29; to star in varied roles

VARIETY HAS been the key in the career of actress Deepika Padukone, who turned 29 on-Monday. The New Year will be no different with three movies as different as Piku, Tamasha and Bajirao Mastani slated for release. In Shoojit Sircar’s Piku, she will be seen team-ing up with megastar Amitabh Bachchan. She will play his

onscreen daughter in the movie which is said to be about the father-daughter relationship. Then in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic period drama Bajirao Mastani, Deepika will share screen space with her rumoured boyfriend Ranveer Singh. This apart, she will also scorch the screen with her former beau Ranbir Kapoor in Tamasha. Deepika’s film career started off with a bang in Bollywood with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Om Shanti Om in 2007. She consolidated her spot among the top rung Hindi film actresses when she gave four back-to-back hits in 2013. In the year gone by too, Deepika continued to rule the hearts of many.

Nargis Fakhri calls birthday boy Uday ‘special’

ACTRESS Nargis Fakhri, who was once upon a time linked to actor Uday Chopra, described the actor-producer as special on his birthday on Monday. “@udaychopra Happy Birthday Chopra! Hope today is a day as special as you! & may all ur bday wishes come true,” she tweeted. Back in October, Uday Chopra

had also wished the actress on her birthday.

Preity Zinta doles out health tips to followers

AT 39, Preity Zinta is fit and glowing. She says it’s easy to be healthy as long as one checks portions of food, drinks water and controls carbohydrate in-take. The actress took to Twit-ter to share that it was last year that she sat up and took notice of the fact that she suffered back ache due to a lack of Vitamin D.

“I then found out that most Indians have this deficiency,” she tweeted on Monday. Now she wants her Twitter followers to be fit too. Here’s what she shared: Eat smaller portions of food and at least six to seven small meals. Drink lots of water. Avoid too much starch and carbohydrates like white bread, pasta and rice. Go for whole wheat or whole grains and brown bread. Avoid fruit juices and eat a whole fruit instead. Fruit juices have too much sugar in them. Too much sugar and salt are terrible for you. Try exercising in the morning on an empty stomach. Brisk walk is amazing for you. -IANS

BOLLYWOOD

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O MSECTION

CONNECT H E D A I LY G U I D E

D

D4 VACANCY CARGO D7

T U E S D AY, J A N UA R Y 6 , 2 0 1 5

RENT D2

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication.

* Subject to space availability

DAILY GUIDE Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.comTel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

2 BR flats with split A/C’s & internet

free & 2 BR fully furnished deluxe

flats available at Al Khuwair near

KM Hypermarket. Office space 115

SQ mtr with partition & cassette type

A/C’s available at Al Khuwair near

KM Hypermarket.

Contact 99460330

Premium 7 bedrooms villa with

built up area of 550 SQM is available

for immediate lease at Al Ghobrah

North. The villa is suitable for office/

residential accommodation and is

located adjacent to Hotels vicinity

area (behind private preparatory

science school). Interested party

contact owner directly 99411607

Barber Shop for Rent/Sale in Hail

North near Shell Petrol Pump.

Contact : 92864522 , 96448372

1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG

Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880

We have special villa in Bausher,

Al Muna, 5 bedrooms, rent RO 800/-.

Contact 99622885

1 BHK commercial, Darsait,

RO 225/-. Contact 97799175

1,2,3 BHK flats & Villas.

Contact 92144045

2 BHK Commercial Al Khuwair,

RO 375/-. Contact 97799175

Separate Villa, Al Athaibah, 3 BHK,

hall, living room, maid rooms, A/C

split, family only, RO 600/-.

Contact 92479515

Villa, Al Khuwair 33, 4 BHK, living

room, split A/C, family only, RO 600/-

Contact 92479515

Warehouse for rent : available for

rent in Rusayl Area 2400 SQM with

security. Interested parties please

contact 91137033, 99386759

Villa, Al Ansab, 5 BHK, living room,

split A/C, family only. RO 550/-.

Contact 92479515

Flat in Ghala, opposite Zubair,

2 BHK, living room, split A/C, family

only, RO 350/-. Contact 92479515

Fully Furnished ( A/C , Fridge, T.V,

Cooking Gas ) 3 rooms in a flat with

Kitchen at Azaiba. 2BHK Flats Un

furnished at Azaiba next to Al Meera

Hyper market ( Families) Contact

-99424470 Time : 9 am to 7 pm

Fabulous A/C flat Al Khoud, 3 rooms,

280 rials. Contact 99334699

2 single room flats available @ RO

160/- per month, including Electric-

ity & Water. Contact 99441798

New bldg 3 BR flats located at Dar-

sait, Muscat close to Kims Pvt Hospi-

tal. Contact 92020004 / 99800838

Building of 3 flats each 4 BR,

rent RO 2500/-. Contact 99776071 /

99057348

Villas & flats & stores. Contact

99776071 / 99057348

Basement for rent behind Bank

Muscat at Wadi Kabir. Contact

99373290, 24815012

3 office spaces available in RUWI

FOR RENT 450 OMR & 500 OMR.

96986132

Luxury 2 bed room villa at Bausher-

AL Ansab Phase 3.Call. 99324456

New Building in Muttrah, 2 B/D

Room Flat + Setting Room, 3 Baths+

Kitchen with split unit Ac’s. Behind

Khimjis main office/opposite to

Oman House Call 99419712

D2 T U E S D AY, J A N UA R Y 6 , 2 0 1 5

6 shops in Maabela Industrial Area.

Each Shop OMR 400 Monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

6 bedroom villas at Al Ansab (nr Ex-

press highway). Contact 99199365

Brand new 2BHK with split A/C near

SQU round about at Al Khoud, near to

Muscat highway, building no. 4558/1,

way no. 5350.

Contact 92850717

1 BHK with balcony new bldg, split

AC + curtains near Khimjis Mart,

MBD. Contact 99061408 / 99024039

Showroom in Barka Market (Souq),

600 sqm. Contact 99342661

3 BHK in PDO Heights, 2nd floor villa,

RO 350 with A/C. Contact 99342661

Abu Adnan Tower - flat for rent

available at Al Mabelah, 2 B/R,

1 hall, 2 toilets, 1 kitchen. Contact

95566475 / 99654252

300 SQR mtrs Labor camp or Store

for Rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99792181

We have 1 BHK, 2 BHK, 3 BHK flats,

4, 5 bedrooms villa, open space offic-

es & shops available in Ghala, Gho-

brah, Qurum, Mabela, Ruwi, Darsait,

Mumtaz, Wadi Kabir. All brand new

buildings & very affordable prices.

Contact 93782735 / 99208033

Villa 3 BR, 2 sitting room, store,

kitchen and 4 bathrooms with A/C in

Al Khoudh 3. Contact 94671441

BHK flats Muttrah near Oman

House. Contact 97007934 /

92629232

Villa 2 bedrooms & majlis,

2 toilets, kitchen in Mawaleh.

Contact 91376619

Flat for rent 2 bedrooms one hall in

South Al Hail. RO 270.

Contact 93221474

3 new Villas for rent, located in

South Ghubrah behind American

School, each has 11 bedrooms

including 2 Majlis, 8 bathrooms and

kitchen. For residential or institu-

tional rent. Contact 99233729 /

98539366

5 bedrooms villa with 2 halls, 4

bathrooms in Darsait behind Khimjis

Mart. Contact 24700120, 92584715

House in North Al Hail with 3 rooms,

Majlis & 3 toilets. Contact 99439568

2 BHK with A/C near ISM RO.325/-

1BHK Al Falaj without A/C RO.200/- 2 BHK with A/C near Kims hospital

RO.300/- Darsait commercial or res-idential with A/C RO.230/- Studio at

Al Falaj RO.170/-. 2 BHK without A/C

at Wadi Kabir RO.300/-

Contact - 92144045

2 BR, 2 toilets, kitchen at

Al Mawaleh. Contact 99444786,

99747560

300 Sqr mtrs store or labor camp for

Rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact - 99792181

1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in

Misfah Industrial area near to Khan-

co. OMR 1,500 Monthly. Electricty

and boundary wall will be provided.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Flat for rent in Al Khuwair consists

of 2 bedrooms and living room at

RO 350. Contact 99109094

Flats and shops. Contact

93009999

Fully Equipped Restaurant / Indus-

trial Kitchen for Sale with existing

catering orders, CR & Labour Clear-

ance, Restaurant space and Outdoor

sitting area on Sale at Mawaleh

Call: 9906 4589

Office space with cassette type A/C’s

with free internet at al Khuwair near

KM Hypermarket. Contact 99460330

One / Two BR, directly from owner

at Bausher. Contact 92158031

2 BHK available in Darsait, 1 B/R

and hall, 2 B/R and hall. Contact

99357586, 97500025, 97884787

2 Bedroom flat at Muscat OMR.180).

Call- 91393005

Studio flat in Ruwi.

Contact 99792181

For rent (flats), 2 bedrooms

+hall+kitchen, location: South

Al Mawaleh. Contact 99870020

1 / 3 BHK Flat Ghobrah, close to ISG

Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880

Villa, ground floor in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99743569, 97004265

Show room on the main road Saham

center total area 450 m sq. Contact:

99366558 / 99334226

For rent apartments: An apartment

in old Muscat at Oman Arab Bank’s

building. 3 bedrooms + 3 bathrooms,

dining room, living room and a

kitchen. Air conditioned apartments.

2 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms, living

room, dining room area and kitchen

in an excellent location in

Al Khuwair opposite the court of first

instance. For further information

call 97072976

Apartments in Al Khuwair new area

each apartment contains

(2 bedrooms + living room)

for RO 365. Contact 93181111

New deluxe building in Misfah Industrial Area, 11 shops with A/C,

huge spaces including kitchens and bathrooms which can be used for

Contact - 98880333

DAILY GUIDET U E S D AY, J A N UA R Y 6 , 2 0 1 5 D3

FOR RENT

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

NOTICE

Restaurant about 250 SQM @

5/- SQM, heart of Ruwi Market in

Plaza Hotel for sale / rent. Contact

99326339 / 24833314

Shop for sale near ONTC bus stand

Ruwi near Sun City Hotel on main

road.#99326339 / 24789801

HOUSEHOLD, SALES, Ghubra:

Sofa 3x3, King Bed, Multi Gym, Gym-

Bike, Microwave, Table, Racks, Mixi,

AttaKneader, Contact: 95053480

Sale!, all household items, like

fridge, freezer, cooking range, wash-

ing machine, window/split A/Cs,

LCD TV, Laptop, tab and many more

for attractive prices. Location : near

Toyota service Center, Honda Road.

Contact - 97048983, 95293643

Port cabins – New & refurnished

Porta cabin for sale and rent.

Contact 96723468

Tables, chairs & shfandish for sale.

Call 99368907

Well running Computer / Mobile

Sale & Service Shop. Good location

in Darsait with 2 clearances.

Contact 98523634

Household items on sale.

Contact 93833107

Darsait Business Office furniture,

Isuzu 4 ton brand new.

Contact 91391363

ACC. AVAILABLE

ACC. AVAILABLE

ACC. AVAILABLE

BUYING/SELLING

AVAILABLE

FOR RENT

Established Restaurant for rent

with sponsorship. # 97628242

Party & Wedding equipment rent-

als. Full line, from Tables, Linen

& Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers,

Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chaf-

ing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large

Sound Systems and spectacular

lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for

Catering and Croyden 9623 5555

for Sound & Light. www.tunesoman.

com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

Clean flat available for sharing, two

big rooms, independent bath, kitchen

sharing, quiet area RO 150, we actu-

ally near Al Falaj for small family.

Contact 93218110, semi furnished

Flat for rent in AlKhoudh Suq

3bedrooms, 3bathrooms, kitchen in

Ground floor Contact 95151522

Room with separate toilet and WiFi,

Wadi Kabir near pencil building.

Contact 93416854

Room with separate entrance & A/C

in Al Khuwair near Rawasco for non-

cooking Indian Bachelor, rent RO

125/-. Contact 97201100, 95397442

Office space near KFC, Al Khu-

wair, office basement near Mars, Al

Ghubrah, double & single bedroom

flat Al Ghubrah near Mars and Wadi

Kabir near Lulu. Contact 95755551 /

92222045

Room available in Al Khuwair with

sharing kitchen and bathroom for

matured person near Blu Radisson

Hotel. Contact 96930219

Single room at Walja, opposite MBD

area available for executive bach-

elors or single working woman for

OMR 100. Contact 93079877

Single room with sharing kitchen

for Executive bachelor or working

lady, Ruwi, in front of Apollo Hospital.

Contact 98232567 / 91673718

Furnished room in CBD Area for

non-cooking bachelor free Wi-Fi,

advance deposit call 99078540

New Villa for Rent Two floors

newly built villa in Maabillah, 8 Full-

fledged Residential Area

6 Rooms, 8 Toilets, excellent finish-

ing spacious Kitchen, Big Dining

Rooms in Both Floors, Easy Access

to Muscat and Sohar using Maabil-

lah Bridge. Contact 92828303

Flats ground floor, 3 Rooms & AC,

kitchen, hall, in Al Mabaila South.

Contact 99377290

1 BHK with attached toilet & bath-

room behind Bank Muscat at

Wadi Kabir. Contact 99373290,

24815012

1 BHK at Ghobrah - Near Indian

School. Contact: 99014885

2 B/ R Fully Furnished Executive

Apartment @ Al Khuwair 33 Near

Zaker Mall. 3 Bedroom Furnished

executive apartment @ Al Khuwair 25

5 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished villas

at Azaiba with servants, 3 Bedroom

Unfurnished Villa @ Mawalah South

Area 6 with Servant Quarter,

5 Bedroom Unfurnished Villa @

An Apartment that resembles a pent-

house has 2 rooms with 2 toilets,

living room & an elegant balcony.

Fully furnished, suited for families.

Final price RO.300/- Mabela 8 near

German University.

Contact – 99888400

Flats/villas owned by ROP pension

fund available for rent in Muscat.

Contact 99349526

Building of 3 floors with 20 rooms

in Mawaleh near Pizza Hut.

Contact 99044164

1 BHK & Single room in Wadi Kabir.

RO 180/-. Contact 99376454

Al Qurum heights Sea view.

Contact - 99249069 / 92888376/

93201688

For rent shops and offices in

Al Mabela. Contact 99355330

Furnished & unfurnished deluxe 2

BHK flats with split A/Cs, fixed ward-

robes, kitchen appliances, CCTV,

security access system & secured

car park, opposite Kims Hospital,

Al Falaj. Contact 99657906 or

24702141

Industrial Land in Misfah.

Contact 93009999

2 BHK at Al Azaiba, Building No.5145

Way 4470. Contact 99224748,

99425665

2 BHK with A/C, commercial

Al Khuwair. Contact 92144045

1BHK Flat For rent MBD area.

Contact 99737812

Looking for purchase of Used Portable Compressor (350 CFM,

7 Bar Pressure) powered

with Diesel run Generator.

Kindly Contact 99014686 or

operation@khancogroup.com

Looking for commercial lands for

sale in Al Ghobrah North (urgent

serious buyers, commercial lands in

al Ghobrah North (corners prime loca-

tion). Contact 91155779

Used household & office furniture and

electronic items. Contact 99834373,

97102699

OFFICES FOR RENT

Contact: 97377355 / 95530121, Email id: aaleem@ggcoman.com

- Premium offices to let a very good location on the main road very close to Zakher Mall, Al Khawiar. Business Center has offices with sizes of 50m2, 110m2, 180m2, 207m2, 230m2, 437m2.- Showroom also available at Business Center, Area 500m2 with central A/c. - Offices with Central Air-conditions, Security System with CCTV cameras, and Security presence in the building.

Running Electrical Building

Material Shop for sale in Muscat.

Contact 95330905

3 floor Commercial building in

Muttrah behind Police. Generating

income of OMR 20 Thousand annu-

ally. Neat and well maintained. Built

on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops

on ground floor and 6 flats.

OMR 207 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Flats for Sale in Boushar: OMR

35 Thousand 1 bedroom. OMR 45

Thousand 2 bedroom. Monthly

income 1 bedroom OMR 270 and 2

bedroom OMR 350. Tel: 99333479 or

95215360

23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land

with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479

or 95215360

Restaurant for leasing/sale in

Al Hail. Contact 94148970,

94148972, 97820877

Used household furniture and

other items for sale. Contact

91566996

Restaurant items on sale, like

plates, spoons, soup spoons etc.

please contact 93833107

A newly opened Barber Shop for

sale at upcoming industrial zone

in Misfah. Expat leaving Oman.

Genuine buyers call 93833107

(Sale Price Negotiable)

2 flats building in Al Khuwair 17/1.

Contact 99477009

Flat one bedroom at Al Khuwair 33,

owner. Contact 92800007

Sohar International for Supply & Subsistence L.L.C which is

recorded under the commercial

register in directorate general for

trade industry number 1115893 is

going to change its name to Sohar

International Achievement for Trad

L.L.C . This is to inform anybody

who concerns about that.

Samaa Syria for Trad ASSO which is recorded under the com-

mercial register in directorate

general for trade industry number

1154941 is going to change its

name to Mazaya Al yasmeen for

Trad ASSO . This is to inform any-

body who concerns about that.

Mrwan Al Eidi & Salmeen Al Balushi for Trad joint which is

recorded under the commercial

register in directorate general for

trade industry number 1007867

is going to change its name to Hu-

soon Al Soor United for Trad joint

. This is to inform anybody who

concerns about that.

Independent rooms in Qurum /

Al Hail. Contact 95529970

Single room with sharing kitchen

(expat only) couple / ex-bachelor at

Al Khuwair. Contact 94143636

Room + balcony + separate toilet for

non cooking single Indian Bachelor,

RO 140/-. Contact 98928458

Furnished single room with

attached bathroom near Mars

Hypermarket, Al Ghubrah. Contact

97312111, RO 150/- per month

Single room available for exclusive

bachelors in Azaiba and Ghubrah

and complete ground floor with

kitchen facility bedroom and hall

in Darsait. Contact 98048207,

99261773

2 Bedroom flat for offices with fur-

niture near Al Manaf Hotel, Ghala.

Contact 99525743, 99439705

Excellent 3 bedrooms , 2 sitting

rooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen & store

with A/C. 92817777

DAILY GUIDED4 T U E S D AY, J A N UA R Y 6 , 2 0 1 5

DOMESTIC HELP

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION VACANT

MEDICAL

MECH/ TECHNICALCAL

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

SIT. WANTED

Required House maid urgently in

Al Khuwair (Indian or Srilanka).

Contact. 96103792.

Required Housemaid for Indian fam-

ily, Visa will be provided. # 94291473

DRIVER

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.comTel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

Finance & Accounts manager based in Oman with multi-faceted

experience in Finance, Costing,

Audit ,Erp software implementation

with over 18 yrs of post qualifica-

tion experience in leading Gulf/

India based Companies involved in

Construction, Contracting, Manufac-

turing, Trading activities. I am seek-

ing suitable challenging position

in leading coys/Groups in Oman.

Please contact mobile no-+968

99601390 or 92209357 or email

vr6954@gmail.com for detailed

experience

Male Indian, 28 yrs MBA Finance,

3 yrs Building Material & Structural

Steel Sales experience Omani Driv-

ing License. NOC available.

Contact 98840669 / 97162513

Pakistani Male, 26 yrs, MS-Supply

Chain & Project Management, BS-

Finance & Business Administration,

+2 yrs experience in Trading Firm

responsible for Supply Chain &

Accounts. Skills including strong

operation managerial

Communication & interpersonal,

fluent in English, SAP and EPM.

Contact 94663827,

email : musadiqfayyaz@gmail.com

Accountant / Auditor, Srilankan

male 27, having 3+ yrs experience

looking for suitable placement.

Contact 93556320

Accounts Finalization, Part Time

Accounting, Audit Preparation,

Internal Audit, Onsite Tally Training,

Onsite Training for Accountants,

Inventory Management.

Contact : 94669089,

email : ibfcoman@hotmail.com

Accountant, 4 yrs experience in

Oman, NOC available.

Contact 96799714

Accountant, 2 yrs experience (pur-

chasing, coordinator) with D/L and

NOC. Contact 94174403

B.Com, 6 yrs experience in finance

& accounts operations at Mumbai,

currently on visit visa, looking for

suitable position. Contact 95941675

/ 94302309.

Email : mayurparmar83@gmail.com

Indian male, Accountant, 7 yrs

experience in Oman having valid

Omani Driving License seeking

suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact 91208949

Indian male MBA, 29 yrs having 3+

years of exp (India) urgently look-

ing for job in financial services,

accounting, administrator. Now on

visiting visa, NOC available, join

immediately. Contact 92187116

ADMIN/HR

ENGINEERS

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING

OFFICE/ SEC

STRUCTURAL ENGINEER (full

time) Responsibilities: To work with

architect, To provide of construction

issue documentation for a projects.

Desired candidate Profile: min of

3-5 years experience in Structural

Design, Should be AutoCAD compe-

tent. Please send your CV to Email:

info@pak2pak.com Tel. 99196733,

99419766

Light Driver having own visa

looking for job as driver #92303692

Driver with car. Contact 96954496

6 Years experience light duty driver.

Contact – 96736744

Indian driver need job with car.

Contact 91254539

Light vehicle driver available.

Contact 96756014 / 97938893

Light driver looking for job.

Contact 96794309 / 98335778

Bangladeshi male light vehicle

driver, looking for job. #93113447

Pakistani male light vehicle driver

2 yrs exp. Contact - 96342684

Light driver looking for job.

Contact 92791678

A logistics company located at Sohar, requires Candidate for the post of marketing and accounts. Valid Oman License and experience

is added qualification.

Contact: 99381 82, 24499091,

Email: info@excellenceoman.com

Required Marketing Executive with

experience female / male (Arabic or

English) in PR for a media &

advertising company.

Email : job08080@gmail.com

Highly reputed Perfume Company requires Omani Sales girl promoters. Contact 95663682, 92956876

Accounts Assistant B.Com having

4 yrs of exp in accounts, well versed

with computer languages like C, C++,

SQL, HTML, VB Networking. Seeks

suitable placement.#93995483

Finance Manager, CPA, with more

than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC.

Fully knowledgeable in Finance,

General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331

Indian Male, MBA 2 yrs experience

in Accounts, Admin & HR on visit

visa. Contact 92045306

B.Com Graduate, 5 yrs experience,

Indian male 26 yrs, looking for

Accountant job. Contact 93975526,

email : afsarsabith@yahoo.com

Indian male, 32 years, M. Com.7 out

of 9 years experience in Oman in

Accounts/finance. Having NOC and

valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143,

Email: anzarks@gmail.com

India Accountant: Male, M com,

7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to

finalization, having knowledge of

ERP, Tally, seeks suitable place-

ment. Contact:93950138

Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com

Indian Male, 28 yrs old B.Com hav-

ing 7 yrs experience (3 yrs in MCT)

looking for a suitable placement in

Accounts / Sales currently on visit

visa. Contact 93128830, email:

gopusree.gopu407@gmail.com

Urgently required an experienced person in gliding, fixing & instal-lation works at buildings, for a

well established advertisement

co.in Sohar. Send your CV to :

mohammed.tauseef2@gmail.com

younis.alshezawi@live.com,

Call : 96367342,95728453

Indian Male, qualified ICWA, M.com

with 2years experience in accounts,

costing, auditing & SAP in reputed

listed companies, seeks suitable

placements. Mob: 94619453

Email: cmashahidkt@gmail.com.

Indian male MBA 32 yrs having

10 yrs of exp seeking suitable place-

ment in Admin/ HR/ Operations/

Coordination/ Logistics etc.

Holding valid Oman D/L .

Contact - 99054786

Graduate Indian female having

5+ Years Oman experience in Ad-

min/Procurement/Logistics with

excellent computer skills(PGDCA).

Seeking suitable Placement.NOC

available.Contact:95382966

Indian Male MBA Graduate 9 years

experienced in Administration ,HR

,Operations, Finance /Accounts and

Marketing, seeking suitable position.

Currently on visit and ready to join

immediately. Contact: 92493110

Indian male having NOC with 7

yrs Oman exp in recruitment, on

boarding, general admin. Immediate

joining. Contact - 96684424

Indian Male MBA 32 yrs having 8+

yrs of Exp (GCC, AFRICA), urgently

looking job in HR/Admin/ /Opera-

tion/Purchase/Academics / BD. Now

on visit visa, NOC available, join

immediately. Contact 94535618,

95930705

Indian female with excellent

communication skills, confident,

dedicated to work and enthusiastic.

Knowledge about ms office. Has

6 years of experience in cus-

tomer service, telecommunication,

HR.Looking for immediate place-

ment. Contact # 97348819

Pakistani Male, 27 yrs, MBA in HR,

BBA in Marketing and Finance hav-

ing 2 yrs experience in Sales and

Admin, on family visit till 15 Febru-

ary looking for suitable position.

Contact 94543222,

email: wajid_rais@hotmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

General practitioner Doctor is

required to work urgently in Dreams

Clinic at Al Khoudh and must be

resident in the Sultanate of Oman.

Please send your CV to the follow-

ing email: towershr70@gmail.com,

balushi70@gmail.com &

info@towersinternationalgroups.

com, Mobile 99882340,

Tel: 24545914

Urgently required Male Nurses and Lab Technicians for a reputed

medical center in Muscat, email :

jobsoman001@gmail.com,

Ph : 93217982

Dentist required to work urgently in

dreams clinic at Al Khoud and must

be resident in Sultanate of Oman.

Please send your CV to the following

email – towershr70@gmail.com /

balushi70@gmail.com /

info@towersinternationalgroups.com

Mobile – 99882340 / 24545914

Urgently required temporary/per-manent General Physician & Gyne-cology Doctors. Contact 96064925,

kunoozghala@gmail.com

DESIGNER

Indian male, 8 yrs GCC experience

in 3D & Architectural Designing

with D/L. Contact 97263199

Interior Designer, UAE Experience,

Knows Photoshop, Corel draw etc..

Ph : 97103168

Interior Designer, UAE Experience,

Knows Photoshop, Corel draw etc..

Ph : 97103168

Urgently required light car drivers for a VIP service Company.

Preferred Philipino National.

Contact 98266319.

Email : lord.ofarts@yahoo.com

Needed 2 drivers, offering good sal-

ary. Contact 99441798

Required driver for a Company in

Ghala, preferably English speaking &

present in Oman. Contact 99454425

Wanted driver. Contact 95112461

Looking for an Interior Designer

with knowledge of AutoCAD 2D

& 3D, basic Microsoft Office and

can handle accounts. Contact

95342240, 97670666, Email CV at

bhatiahmed@gmail.com

DRIVER

DESIGNER

Required experienced Account-ant Tally, excellent English &

driving license. Contact –

omanlaw.om@gmail.com /

24497762 / 92192510

For reputed Consultancy at Al

Ghubrah, Muscat requires Bachelor

of Architect with minimum 10 yrs

experience. Send your CV to email

: almoheetgroups@gmail.com,

Mr. Gireesh : 95265198, Mr. Raju :

99102175, fax : 24499913.

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ARCHITECT

ADMIN

Looking for smart / dynamic, male

for front desk office, preference flu-

ency in English. Contact 95176500

(Salalah)

A reputed 3 star hotel in Muscat requires qualified Omani Nation-als for front office, security and

food and beverage departments.

Interested candidates

please contact 99061335,

email : agm@hotelgoasis.com

Omani Female receptionist wanted. Location Ruwi. -

Contact - 24781011/1101 Ext 107

Indian female, 25 yrs, bachelors

of businesses management, hav-

ing experience of 5 years as a

fund/financial administration, on

visit visa,looking for suitable place-

ment.#94662416

Apurwaverma@gmail.com

26 hrs Indian Accountant with

2 years experience, B.Com, seeking

suitable position, available immedi-

ately, contact No:9821 3292,

e-mail: Indite2faraaz@gmail.com

Looking for smart/ dynamic male

for front desk office, pref. fluency in

English.# 95176500 (Salalah)

A reputed Oil & Gas Supplies Com-

pany is looking for Sales/Marketing in-charge personnel. Send your CV

to : rahbi_mohd@yahoo.com

A leading Fibreglass Products

Manufacturing Company, required

experienced GRP Technicians, Fac-tory In-charge and Sales Executive. Interested candidates please email

CV to cvjobsmuscat@gmail.com

Required an experienced person who has ideas to start a new

business in electrical field or supply

with minimum cost.

Contact 99426421

DRAUGHTSMAN

Auotcad, Well Experienced, Arch,

Stucture, knows 3D, Revit Photoshop

Ph : 97103168

Civil Draughtsman, Indian Male,

23 yrs with 3yrs experience in Au-

toCAD 2D & 3D, MEP, HVAC, 3Ds Max

and Photoshop looking for suitable

position, presently in Muscat,

Oman on visit visa. # 91764358,

mohdsiraj02@yahoo.com

Omani Man looking for a job

with experience in HR/ Admin/

accounting. kindly contact me on:

99767666

Indian Male 25 years B.Com hav-

ing 3 years of exp of Oman in Ac-

counts/Administration.Well versed

with computer knowledge looking

for suitable position. Immidi-

ately available. Contact:93207867

email:tambeazhar@gmail.com

Indian female, 25 yrs, B.Com with

computer Application, 1 yr experi-

ence as Accountant, looking for

suitable job. Contact 98847165

Required Salesman, Tailor and barber. Contact 91114884

Pakistani male 32 years IT network

+ Computer Hardware professional

A+ MCSE Termination Technician

work Experience in Salalah airport.

10+ years experience in IT field and

2 years Oman working experience

looking for a suitable placement

contact no 96733205 Email

faisalzaman24@gmail.com

Indian Male, 23 years MBA (Mar-

keting) (6 months experience as a

Sales and Operation Officer looking

for suitable job. Contact 99106181,

Email: akram8145@gmail.com

Civil Engineer, Indian Female, having

one year experience in Quantity Sur-

vey, also knows AutoCAD, primavera

etc seeks placement.

Contact 91690345

IT software professional looking for

a suitable position in Desktop/Web

application development. Visit www.

muhammedswafuvan.weebly.com for

more details. Reach me on

(+968) 98395032.

Indian female with nine years of

experience in 5 Star hotels as As-

sistant Food & Beverage Manager

looking for a suitable placement in

a reputed Star hotel. #91219787

Over 19 years of qualitative expe-

rience in automobile field. Expert

in providing technical advice on

repairs and servicing. Seeking jobs

in sales/ servicing/managerial

field. Contact 968-91176187,

0091-7736048460,

yamaharajesh@gmail.com.

Indian male 27, CA inter 3years

experience in accounts seeking

placement. Contact 98494423.

Email. juss619tin@gmail.com

Indian B.E Mechanical Engineer with level 2 certification in QA/

QC having experience in mainte-

nance engineering,piping,pipe line

engineering and welding inspection.

Looking for suitable job

Contact : 91360997/99257867

Email: binukoshydaniel@gmail.com

Indian female looking for a part

time accounts job in capital area

only. Knows Tally. # 95482970.

20 years experience in Indian Air

force with Mechanical Engineering

diploma. 5 years in Administration

5 years experience in handling

general engineering tool store man-

agement. 8 years in banking cash

management service. #95451097.

jacobsam2010@gmail.com

Telecom Engineer with 8 yrs exp

from India in IT Networking seeks

suitable opportunities now in

Oman. Contact 99002635 Emal :

sibinkumar.acharya@gmail.com

Indian Male: B.COM, 4 years experi-

ence in Accounts, in Manufactur-

ing Co Oman, Working Knowledge

With Tally ERP- With Oman valid

D/L,Presently working in Muscat

NOC Available Looking for Suitable

position in Reputed Company,

Contact; 95745287 and Email:

raiforeveryone@rediffmail.com

Civil Engineer Diploma, 6 years

experience in Oman #97415597.

Diploma in civil engineering having

an experience 23years (19years in

Oman) experience in Estimator /

quantity surveyor looking for a

suitable placement.

Willing to join immediately

Contact: 96328687.

DAILY GUIDET U E S D AY, J A N UA R Y 6 , 2 0 1 5 D5

DAILY GUIDESITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

EDUCATION

Indian male, 26 yrs B-Tech (ECE)

with MBA in Marketing / HR looking

for a suitable placement. Currently

on visit visa valid up to 30 January

2015. Contact 93754428,

email : shijosirius709@gmail.com

Sudanese Civil Engineer, 10 yrs

experience 4 yrs in Oman in Govern-

ment Projects Supervision looking

for a job with D/L.

Contact 96966790

Civil Engineer (Diploma) looking for

an urgent placement.

Contact 95200650

Civil Engineer (Fresher from NIT)

skilled in Autocad & Primavera,

holding oman D/L seeks suitable

placement. Contact -97309804,

Email-nizam.m5@hotmail.com

Diploma of Associate Civil Engi-

neering, Diploma of AutoCad, having

3.5 yrs experience, 2 yrs experience

of Oman in Building Construction,

valid transferrable ID Card.

Contact 94378581

B.Tech Civil Engineer, Indian, 16

yrs in Oman with experience in PDO

Road Pipelines building with Omani

D/L looking for suitable placement.

Contact 98005456

A , M Tech GEO TECHNICAL ENGI-

NEERING Lady Engineer PRIMA-

VERA - STADD holder on visit seeks

suitable opening - preferably Sohar

area Contact 91277256

satishcharuvil@gmail.com

BE Civil Engineer, 5 yrs experience.

NOC available. Contact 98970233

Diploma in Civil Engineer, 15 yrs

Oman experience (total 28 yrs) look-

ing for senior position with valid D/L,

NOC available. Contact 99013465

B.Sc in Civil Engineering, 2 yrs

experience (1 yr 3 months in Oman +

10 months in Bangladesh) knowing

AutoCAD, MS Office & detailing, flu-

ent speaker in English,

Hindi and Bangla. # 94038642

Email : shaikhhasib.ce@gmail.com

Indian male, 24 yrs, BE (Electronics

& Electrical) with 2 yrs experience

seeking suitable placement.

Contact 98201244

DAE (Civil) having 3.5 years Experi-

ence 2 years from Oman with driv-

ing licences, seeking for suitable po-

sition in Construction field NOC and

release available Contact 96968554

mehranahmad26@yahoo.com

M. Tech Electrical Eng. Female, now

in visit visa. Contact +968-94654481.

B. Tech Civil Eng. 3 yrs exp in Oman

with driving license.

Contact +968-93733627.

Mail id : joinvisam@gmail.com,

neethusprakash@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer, Gold Medalist,

B.Tech with 3.5 yrs experience in

Thermal Gas Power Plant in LDO, HFO

Pipeline Fabrication erection boiler

banker turbine. GSM: 97025338

Email : warisheyat329@gmail.com

Presently in Oman on visit visa.

Civil Engineer B Tech , Site engineer

Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa

Ph : 91642050

Indian Male, IT Support Engineer,

2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experi-

ence. Contact 97311847

Quantity Surveyor (Civil Building)

looking for Part time job Contact

no:-94391712 E-mail address-

inayathhussain@yahoo.com

B.Tech Engineer QA/QC, 7 yrs GCC

Oil & Gas experience API.570 CSWIP

3.1 NDT Level 2 seeking placement

in Oman. NOC available.

Contact sajinrj009@gmail.com

Female, 26 yrs, B.Tech in Mechani-

cal Engineer with 3 yrs experience

in Piping Stress Analysis in Oil & Gas

Sector, currently on family visa, look-

ing for a placement. #95890939,

email : rita.debnath682@gmail.com

BE Mechanical, 9 yrs experience in

Sales & Business Development, Oil

& Gas equipments like pumps etc.

Contact 91139771

Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian

Male, 24 yrs with 1+ yrs Indian

experience (Certified in Quantity

Survey/Primavera/AutoCAD) look-

ing for a suitable position, available

in Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on

visit visa. Contact 91303860,

email: mdayubmak@gmail.com

Jordanian Engineer Electrical 7 yrs

exp. Consulting, site & shop drawing

works. Ready to join immediately.

Worked in UAE & Saudi Arabia.

Contact - 00971555594733

Currently working as Lecturer of IT,

(M.Sc IT) (M Phil computer Science)

having experience for more than 5

years, looking for suitable place-

ment. Contact 91105949

MEDICAL

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Indian male Graduate with 20+

years of Administration, Operations

& Management experience in IT,

Oil & Gas & Hospitality Industry. 12

years in Oman with vast contacts,

very strong management, operation-

al, communication and interper-

sonal skills, can handle any size of

business and projects whether it’s in

initial stage or established. Can join

immediately. Local release available

on request. Contact: 9906 4589

Indian male Graduate with 20+

years of Administration, Operations

& Management experience in IT,

Oil & Gas & Hospitality Industry. 12

years in Oman with vast contacts,

very strong management, operation-

al, communication and interper-

sonal skills, can handle any size of

business and projects whether it’s in

initial stage or established. Can join

immediately. Local release available

on request. Contact: 9906 4589

Looking for job, holding valid Oman

Driving License, experience in food

& beverage, McDonalds & Retail

Starbucks Coffee, UAE. Working now

as House Manager in HB Excellency

house Muscat. Contact 93407470,

email : sanjeevmulla@gmail.com

General Manager / working partner

20 years in Dubai adverting agency

experience. Contact 93031168

Management Professional, exper-

tise in team building operations,

project management, leadership,

writing on visit visa till 19th January

2015. Contact 93516436,

email: dsouza.amit@gmail.com

Qualified Manager: (12+ yrs. Oman

Exp.) Vast knowledge in A/c & Ad-

min, Costing, Banking, Credit Control,

Insurance, International Purchase/

Logistics & Finance, With D/L look-

ing for suitable position. Contact:

jskanchan01@gmail.com ,

Gsm: 93826090

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE

Indian male, 44 yrs, experience

22 yrs office boy, job required, NOC

available. Contact 96162171

Indian female, well experienced

in secretarial, administration,

customer care & supervisory jobs.

5 years experience in Muscat.

Immediately available for joining.

Contact: 92139298

Civil Engineer B Tech, Site Engineer

Experienced, Drafting on Visit Visa

Ph : 91642050

Sudanese Mechanical Engineer,

3 yrs experience as Sit Engineer,

HVAC System, and driving license,

easy to transfer immediately.

Contact 91135140

B.E Civil 5 yrs exp (2 yrs in India)

2 yrs Oman & 1 year in Qatar. Salary

expected RO.500/- above.

Contact - 94412557

B.Tech Indian Female, Electri-

cal Engineer, 2 yrs experience in

Kiriloskar Electric Co. & KSEB look-

ing for suitable position.

Contact 94564078,

Email: elnaj19@gmail.com

Looking Part time Job in HVAC-

93198128

Indian Male, 22 yrs, B.Tech, Marine

Engineer, presently on visit visa

seeks suitable placement.

Contact 93191777,

email: ask.akash@gmail.com

Experienced female Electrical

Engineer.Contact 93800906

IT Technical Support Engineer, 3 yrs experience in Networking, spe-

cializing in DHCP,DNS,NTP etc also

Desktop level 3 helpdesk. jeni_per-

sonal@yahoo.co.uk 94525630

B.Tech IT Professional, Indian

Male with 3 yrs of Exp. In System

Admin, IT Support, Networking,

Installing Active Directory, DHCP,

DNS,RAS, configuring maintaining

and managing servers, configur-

ing cisco routers, Exp in handling

SQL database, With Valid Driving

Licence. Contact - 968 98863507

Indian Male 23 yrs – IT / Pre-

post Sales Consultant / Business

Analyst / Web Designing. 2 yrs.

exp. Languages-HTML5, WebRTC,

Java, CSS, C++, .Net, SQL, Oracle,

ERP-Microsoft Dynamics CRM.

Looking for suitable job. Contact:

98802504,

email:shrihari26@gmail.com

Indian male, 23 yrs, having

1 yr experience in IT hardware &

networking & 3 months in Oman,

currently on visit visa,

qualification B.Sc Electronics

CCNA, MCITP, RHCE.

ph : 92089719 Email :

sujithvijayan119@gmail.com,

Dual expertise – programming /

networking, Indian male, 25 yrs,

B.E, Computer Science, CCNA, cer-

tified, 2 yrs experience in program-

ming, databases, server / network

support & administration. Contact

91770547, mudassirdf@gmail.com

IT Professional, Indian male, B.Sc

Graduate with 4+ yrs Gulf (UAE)

good exp in System Administration,

IT Support, Server Desktop, laptop,

smartboard, datashow biometric,

CCTV, currently on visit visa.

Contact 98936548,

vaseemj@yahoo.com

Female, B Tech (Software Profes-

sional), Oracle SQL .NET Database,

Experienced (Teaching & Engg)

Ph: 94550127

IT Prof, MCA having 6+ yrs exp,

seeks suitable position.

Contact 94543668

INFORMATION TECH

Indian male Pharmacist (B.Pharma) 5 1/2 years experience

in Oman seeking suitable placement

in Muscat. NOC from the present

employer available.

CONTACT +968 98525100

Indian female Nurse, prometric

passed, 64%. Contact 97916986,

96146016, 22068598

Indian Female, Dentist fresher look-

ing for suitable placement.

Contact 98857686,

email : drsumbulahmad@gmail.com

Pharmacist-Indian female having

MOH license looking for new oppor-

tunities. On family visa valid up to

Aug 2016. Contact: 92247993

Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf

experience) looking for a suitable

job (NOC available)

Contact-93344378

MISCELLANEOUS

MISCELLANEOUS

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

Welder 6g, 3g, Tig, KSA Experi-

enced Ph : 97103168

Logistics Officer, Experience in

Store keeping. Contact : 99505934

Building Caretaker, Gulf exp, knows

Arabic, Hindi Ph : 91218278

Welder 6g 3g, Gulf Experienced

Ph : 97103168

Autocad 3Dmax , Photoshop

Ph : 97103168

Pakistani male, 34, College 2 yrs, 2

yrs experience as Sales Representa-

tive, 3 yrs experience as Clerk /

Office Assistant, 3 yrs experience as

Salesman in Oman, Computer Skill :

Excel, BUSY, ERP, languages known

– English, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu.

Contact 96763346

18 yrs Oman experience in Building

Materials seeking suitable place-

ment, NOC available.

Contact 93105775

15 years experience in Business

Development , marketing, purchase –

UAE & Oman-staff coordination, doc-

umentation, civil & technical mainte-

nance, -valid GCC license-looking for

working partnership or management

post. Contact:91568362 /

Email vpj555pem@gmail.com

Sales Executive with driving

license, 5 yrs experience in IT seeks

job. Contact 94263243, website :

www.gulzeb7.webs.com

Indian Male, B.Tech E&I, 10 yrs

experience in Sales, Procurement,

BDM. 6 yrs Oman experience in

Oil & Gas Sector. Seeking suitable

placement. Oman D/L, NOC

available. Contact 97233074

Indian Male, MBA in Marketing and

Finance, 10 years’ Sales & Business

Development Experience with valid

D/L of Oman & UAE looking for a

suitable placement. NOC Available.

Contact: 93969961

e-mail abhilash.pvrk@gmail.com

Filipino Accountant with 13 years

working experience in the field of

accounting looking for a suitable

job in Muscat. Contact: 94547323

Tunisian women looking for

job, khnows english, frensh, Italian

and arabic. Contact: 91171838

28 year Indian male with

7yrs(5yrs in Oman) of experi-

ence in Accounts & Finance up

to finalisation in Construction Oil

& Gas and also in Manufacturing

industries with Oman D/L

seeking suitable placement.

Contact me on 97104364 email:

Moorthy_cbe@hotmail.com

Structural Engineer with 14 years

experience in structural design

and supervision fields with full

knowledge of structure design

programs, Omani D/L, seeking a

reputed engineering consultancy

office vacancy Tel. 96248598.

Indian female dentist with 4 year

experience. Call Nazia 96488737

Manager Maintenance/Engi-

neering/Purchase, 31 yrs. exp. in

mechanical, electrical, electronics,

parts fabrication, purchase deptt,

oman exp. 5yrs, have NOC,

looking for job. Contact -

pkv2k3@yahoo.com, 99331289

Indian Male, 31 years of Rich

Oman experience in Multifunction-

al Management, Administration,

Business Development, Purchase

& Operations seeking suitable

Manager/Supervisory Position.

Visa transfer/NOC Available.

GSM: 95036410

Indian Male, B.COM, ICWA, CMA

Australia, 24 years experience in

finance, costing, accounts, internal

audit. Valid Oman driving license.

NOC available.

Can join immediately.

Contact 97917136

Civil foreman maintenance D/L,

12 yrs in Oman, 2 yrs in Kuwait.

Contact 96405865, 99534138,

India - +91 7589248550,

+91 9464255409, email:

sukhwinder9@yahoo.com

3 Years experienced Administra-

tive Executive seeking for Virtual

Admin Opportunities. Can work for

6 hours/day from a virtual location

for 100 RO/month.

Call: 95811820

Indian female with nine years of ex-

perience in 5 Star hotels as Assistant

Food & Beverage Manager looking

for a suitable placement in a reputed

Star hotel.Contact: 91219787

Indian male, 22 yrs, BBM Gradu-

ate looking for suitable job in sales/

marketing, currently on visit visa.

Contact 91757222, email :

danishdani460@gmail.com

Male, 26 yrs, M.Com, last 1 yr & 9

months in sales with Oman Driving

License seeking for sales job.

Contact 95116991

Sales & Marketing Indian male

MBA (marketing & sales) business

development experience at all levels

of management. Currently on visit

visa. Contact – 91272819

Indian Male, 7 yrs experience in

building materials trading having

Oman D/L, immediate release avail-

able. Contact 98676713

More than 10 years experience

in Sales & Marketing, Insurance,

Direct marketing, Advertisement,

Credit Control & logistics.

Contact: 99322748, 91071097

Post Graduate Engineer with 5+

years experience in Project Plan-

ning & Management currently

on visit visa looking for a Project

Co-ordinator/Planning Engineer

position in reputed organizations.

Please contact (968) 96105079

MECHANICAL ENGINEER (B

Tech), Indian Mail, with NDT

Level 2(ASNT), Autocad, Solid-

works, 2 year above experience

(as Mechanical Site Engineer and

Design Engineer), Seeking suitable

placement(on visit visa). Contact:

91591548, 00919447300022,

Email: vishnu300022@gmail.com

3 Years experienced Administra-

tive Executive seeking for Virtual

Admin Opportunities. Can work for

6 hours/day from a virtual location

for 100 RO/month. Call: 95811820

Indian Female, Graduate having

good experience looking for suit-

able job. NOC available.

Contact 91774397

Indian male, 28 yrs in Civil Engi-

neer (Diploma), 3 yrs experience

in Gulf seeking suitable chances.

Contact 92063150

22 Indian Female, BCA (MCA),

4 Years’ Experience in Teaching,

Training & Management of Office

and Computer Applications, look-

ing for suitable vacancy in the field

of Teaching/IT/Office Manage-

ment Contact – 94540768, Email

– paipreethi01@gmail.com

Indian Male Graduate 20 yrs in

Oman, Accountant / Business

Property Management seeking

suitable position in Accounts / Ad-

ministration working knowledge

with TALLY. Valid Omani Driving

License. Contact 99817183

Indian male 2 years experience in

Light & Heavy motor vehicle Me-

chanic. Diesel & Petrol. Seek suit-

able placement Contact 99421537.

Indian Female 23 years M.Com

Graduate on visit visa hav-

ing four month experience as

an Accountant in a company

at Muscat. Looking for a suit-

able job. Immediately available

for joining. Contact: 95846642,

Email:shreedhanya916@gmail.com

28 years male, MBA in Marketing,

5 years experience in Marketing

and Brand Promotion. On visit,

looking for job. Contact: 96104833

B.Tech. (Civil), 2 years experience

in designing, and training corporate

professionals in Dubai in software,

presently working in India, seeks

suitable job opening.

madhunambiarm@hotmail.com

Indian female, 34 yrs, B.A, B.Ed

(S.S), DCA, Doing M.A by distance,

having 6 yrs experience in School

(5 yrs in Indian School, Oman).

Contact 98728700, 92458872

Indian female 24 yrs, MBA

(finance) (1 year experience as

administrator cum junior level

accountant looking for suitable job

& holding visiting visa. Contact

97481488, Email:

ayeshaowasi12345@gmail.com

Indian Female, IATA, BSc looking

for suitable placement.

Contact 95514305.

Email-jitureshmi@gmail.com

Hotel Manager, Indian male,

25 years exp. in Budget & 3 Star

Hotel, with Omani Driving License

, Seeks Placement. NOC/Release

Available. Contact: 99799774,

Email: smoin_moinsb@yahoo.co.in

M. Sc. Medical lab technician (Prometric passed) having 6 years

experience in India. Currently on

visit, looking for a suitable place-

ment. Please contact 97248144,

samiullah_ar@yahoo.co.in.

Project Manager civil, Indian,

seeking suitable placement, hav-

ing 18 yrs exp (13 yrs in Oman)

in tendering, contracting and

managing projects, available

with release. Contact: 99244245,

95321251

Admin Executive, 31, Indian Male,

having 8+ years exp. in reputed

companies, seeking suitable place-

ment in any gulf region. Contact

+968 99276601 & 97693456. Email:

muralimahdav77@gmail.com

Indian male -39, Graduate 15 years

experience in FMCG sales and

marketing and logistics operations

with valid driving license look-

ing suitable placement. Contact

92090949

Mechanical Engineering Post

Graduate with 10+ years work

experience looking for a suitable

immediate opening in construc-

tion, oil& gas, and other related

companies, currently on visit visa.

Contact: 92975815

Indian Male 26years BCOM having

5years rich experience in Accounts

and Admin looking for suitable

placement. Contact : 96897914340,

00919902200486 Email:

sudhakaranchan06@gmail.com

Indian male QA/QC Engineer-Civil

(BE,ACQE)on visit visa, 10 years of

experience in building construc-

tion projects in Qatar & U.A.E.,

holding valid GCC driving license.

Mobile: 93958533,

E-mail: sheikhnavid@yahoo.com

Indian Male 24 years, looking for a

Suitable Job in Telecom / Network-

ing. 1 year sales experience. MSc.

Communications Engineering &

Valid Driving license. Ph: 99027504.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com

BCA graduate, 2 years experience

in JAVA and .NET development

looking for a suitable job. Mob.

98395032.

For CV visit ‘http://muhammeds-

wafuvan.weebly.com

Indian male executive secretary

having vast experience in Admin,

Logistics & procurement well

versed with computer .

seek suitable placement.

Contact: 99514286

Manager Maintenance/Work-

shop/Purchase, 31 yrs. exp. in

mechanical, electrical, electronics,

parts fabrication, purchase dep’t,

oman exp. 5yrs, have NOC, looking

for job. Pls. contact -

pkv2k3@yahoo.com, 99331289

Senior Accounts Professional,

Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com,

MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with

valid Oman DL and NOC available.

Capable to handle accounts up to

finalization. Contact 9602 3965.

Civil engineer B.E, Indian male,

having 18 yrs exp 11 yrs in Oman,

with valid D/L, seeking suitable

placement release available.

Contact_95321251, 99244245,

kader_fz99@yahoo.co.in

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com

D6 T U E S D AY, J A N UA R Y 6 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com

EVERY FRIDAY 2.00PM ON INDIA’S KAIRALI PEOPLE TV

● Worldwide ● Air Ticket ● Car Rental ● Holiday Packages ● Hotel Reservations ● Travel Insurance

Call: 0096824790400, 0096898569830 Email: info@omanorienttravels.com

SITUATION WANTEDSITUATION WANTED

26,male, ACCA finalist, exp. upto

finalisation of accounts, statu-

tory and internal audit, expertise

in using tally and focus & oracle

software, have 2 years exp. in ac-

counts till finalisation and statu-

tory audit, seeking fill time / part

time job,GSM-97654769,email id-

abdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com

MBA & chemical Engineer having

20 yrs Purchase & Logistic

experience in Petrochemicals &

oil field seeking jobs in Oman/

Abudhabi/ Qatar/ SA .

Contact 97813849

Indian male 22 Yrs, diploma in fire

& safety, special Trainings com-

pleted from Cochin Port Trust Fire

Service & The Travancore-Cochin

Chemicals Ltd searching for a suit-

able placement, now on visit visa,

Contact No. 96722632

Indian Male 26 years B.Com

having 5years rich experience in

Accounts and Admin looking for

suitable placement.

Contact: 96897914340,

00919902200486, E mail:

sudhakaranchan06@gmail.com

Indian Male, 24 yrs, MBA in HR/

Marketing. More than 1 years

experienced in retail Banking (Axis

Bank) Presently in family visit in

Oman seeking for a suitable place-

ment.#99892082 / 997 43 709

26,male, ACCA finalist, have

professional experience up to fina-

lization of accounts, statutory and

internal audit, expertise in using

tally and focus & oracle software,

2 years experience in accounts till

finalization, seeking job,

GSM-97654769,email id-

abdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com

Indian Male 26 years BCOM

having 5years rich experience

in Accounts and Admin looking

for suitable placement. Contact:

96897914340, 00919902200486,

E mail:

sudhakaranchan06@gmail.com

Operation Manager, Indian male,

30 yrs exp. In Front Office Hotel

Industry with Omani driving

license seeks placement.NOC /

Release Available. #99799774

Indian Male, B.COM, ICWA, CMA

Australia, 24 years experience in

finance, costing, accounts, internal

audit. Valid Oman driving license.

NOC available. Can join immedi-

ately. Contact 97917136

Indian female M.A B.Ed. with One

year three months teaching experi-

ence. Subject: English seeking for

a better placement. Now working

in Oman #93961142, 92184408

Email:anoopkesavan78@gmail.com.

Part- Time Accountant well versed

with all accounting, Finalization,

Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439

B.Sc. Computer science graduate

with CCNA certification and also

with a working 2 years experience,

looking for a suitable position in

IT sector. Please contact: +

96892595819

Diploma in Civil engineering, male,

5 yrs experience in Oman, worked

as Site Engineer at Hyundai Engi-

neering & Construction Company.

Beximco Engg Const Company, PHP

Steel Mills Ltd seeking job urgently.

Contact 97140857

Indian male 27year B.Com gradu-

ate 2year experience in marketing.

Looking for good placement in any

field, since from 4year in Oman.

Contact 98765838

Indian Male 23years B.E Electrical

and Electronics Engineering having

1 year experience in Admin, Electri-

cal Engineer, Electrical supervi-

sor and Project Engineer looking

for suitable placement. Contact :

+96899682689, +91 8136994996.

Email: thalus09@gmail.com

Indian Male, 22 years, B.Tech

Mechanical (Fresher) from NIT,

Calicut. Software skills – ANSYS,

PRO-E Solid works. # 91294510 /

99437002,

email: nsp1618@gmail.com

Pakistani Male with 18 yrs of

experience in GCC in Sales & Mar-

keting, excellent English & Arabic

speaking, NOC available, looking for

suitable placement. #96383958

Diploma in Civil Engineering,

Bangladeshi Male. Oman 5 yrs

experience, seeks suitable place-

ment. Contact 97140857

Indian female, well experienced

in secretarial, administration,

customer care & supervisory jobs.

5 years experience in Muscat.

Immediately available for joining.

Contact: 92139298

Civil draughtsman part time work

for job mob: 96023726

20 years experience in Indian Air

force with Mechanical Engineering

diploma. 5 years in Administration

5 years experience in handling

general engineering tool store man-

agement. 8 years in banking cash

management service. #95451097.

jacobsam2010@gmail.com

Indian Male, Post graduate with

experience as Document control-

ler on visit seeking a suitable job.

Please contact 97248144.

samiullah_ar@yahoo.co.in

Indian Male having 10 years of

Experience in Oman having Valid

Omani Driving license working in

Purchase Dept looking for a suit-

able position. Salary is negotiable.

obarla313@gmail.com

Mob: 92654817/ 97490313

B. Pharm, Indian Female, Oman

MOH License holder, seeking job.

Email:shivallath@gmail.com

Contact no: 99665183

Indian Male, 24 yrs, MBA in HR/

Marketing. More than 1 years

experienced in retail Banking(Axis

Bank) Presently in family visit in

Oman seeking for a suitable place-

ment. #99892082 /997 43 709

Experienced Salesman with 5 years

experience vehicle looking for job.

Contact 93079087

Post Graduate with experience

in sales and marketing on visit

seeking a suitable placement. #

94562734,dyasaakhan@gmail.com

Indian Experienced Driver, can

work also as Salesman. looking for

a suitable job Contact 99551310

Senior Accounts Professional,

Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com,

MBA (Fin) 8 years in Oman, with

valid Oman D/L and NOC available.

Capable to handle accounts up to

finalization. Contact 96023965

MBA in HR, 6+ years work ex-

perience in HR & Admin in MNC,

Indian Female, 26, Good commu-

nications skills seeking suitable

placement. Contact 97914669

Male 25 Pakistani MA Econom-

ics/CAT.4 years experience in

utility sector flexible to do any

role in finance/HR & supply chain.

https://www.linkedin.com/pro-

file/view?id=186570782.cell no

94626209

MBA in HR, 6+ years work ex-

perience in HR & Admin in MNC,

Indian Female, 26 Good commu-

nications skills seeking suitable

placement. Contact 97914669

Male 30, 6 years Oman experience

in Sales, Currently working with an

UAE based Company operating in

UAE and Oman Market with valid

UAE and Oman D/L looking for

suitable placement. Contact +968

91212407 (NOC not required)

Diploma in civil Engineer, Male, 5

years experience in Oman as a Site

Engineer, worked at Hyundai Engi-

neering & Construction Company,

JMB-1, 20 storied high rise building,

Industrial building, sub-station,

roads & highway at Indian Railway

Construction Company, looking for

suitable placement. #97140857

BUSINESS

Licensed Engineering Consultancy

(Chemical) Company looking for In-

ternational or local partners to start

operations in Oman. For enquiries

call 99264162

Wanted dentist or investor to buy a

well-running dental clinic in Sohar

immediately. Contact 92625962,

95904234

Omani National looking for expat

investing partner in Restaurant in

Al Amerat. Infrastructure almost

ready. Jamal Adan Trading.

Contact 98711083, email :

faisal.patel0038@gmail.com

We assist in new business set up

local sponsorship, real estate ser-

vices, assist in company formation

services. Contact - 93166088

MATRIMONIAL

Indian Muslim Parents Invites

Proposal for their daughter age 26

(Aalima, MBA, B.ED) On Muscat

Visit. Please contact on 99878354

& 93062481.

Parents of Christian girl (Roman

Catholic),27yrs,fair,5.5”, from Ker-

ala working in TCS, Bangalore as

Systems Engineer seeks suitable

alliances. Call: +968 92010215 /

+968 99278649

Christian Boy, 32 yrs Muscat Busi-

ness looking for suitable alliance

from reputed family.

Contact 98003111

Proposals are invited from parents

of professionally qualified Nair Boys

for 24 year old Upper Middle Class

Nair girl hail from Trivandrum, (171

cm, Star-Bharani) employed in a

reputed Company in Oman. Contact:

0968-9950 2593 /99798041.

(KM ID.2844689)

Urdu speaking Sunni Muslim

boy working as physiotherapist

in MOH hospital seeking suitable

bride. Cont: 93753655, Email:

inayath777@yahoo.co.in

Indian Female 31, B.Com, TALLY

having 6 years experience in

Accounts department in Oman,

seeking suitable placement.

Email: naibyjoshy@gmail.com,

GSM: 92056034

Fish farming and inland pond

development, management and

research 5 years plus 1 year

experience in Oman, fisheries

training manual development.

+98698262184.

OPERATION MANAGER, Indian

male, 30 yrs exp. In Front Office

Hotel Industry with Omani driving

license seeks placement.NOC /

Release Available. #99799774

26 years Indian male with MBA &

PGDFM, Total 3.4 years experience

in Administration seeking suitable

placement in Muscat. Holding

Oman valid driving license.

Contact: 93359371,

Indian Male, B.Sc Fashion & Apparel

Design having 4+ yrs of experience

(in Retail Sector as Designer-Visual

Merchandising & Marketing) seek-

ing suitable placement in any sec-

tions. Contact 94535866,

Email: tomsjon@gmail.com

Accountant, Indian male, 25 yrs,

BBM CA, Computer proficiency:

TALLY9, C+, 1 yrs Experience in

Oman, Seeks suitable placements.

mob: 97145531

Indian Male, 24 years old on visit

visa, 3 years Diploma in Civil Engi-

neering, 3 yrs experience.

Contact 98515106

Indian Male, 22 years, B.Tech

Mechanical (Fresher) from NIT

Calicut, Software skills –

ANSYS, PRO-E solid works.

Contact 91294510 / 99437002.

Email: nsp1618@gmail.com

Indian Female, BSC Nurse, on

visit having 4 years experience in

Medical Surgical with Prometric

Certificate looking for a suitable

placement. Contact: 98329941/

Email: ancyanish2011@gmail.com

Indian Male, 23 yrs MBA Market-

ing & Finance, 6 months experience

as a Sales and Operations Officer

looking for suitable job.#99106181,

email : akram8145@gmail.com

Civil Engineer, Diploma, Male 25,

3 years experience in site, CAD, 3d,

MS Project, Seeking job in Oman.

Contact 92887561,

jubincivileng@gmail.com

Required Accountant job 4years

experience visa exp 3.dec.14 Hold-

ing D/L. Contact - 98283400

Indian female 25 Yrs, IATA, B.Sc

looking for suitable Placement.

Contact-95514305.

Email:raveendranmala@gmail.com

Indian Female, M.Sc Software

Engineering having 2 yrs experience

in IT & Admin seeks suitable place-

ment. Contact 94391214,

anucherian@gmail.com

Senior Accounts Professional, Indi-

an Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin)

8 years in Oman, with valid Oman

DL and NOC available. Capable to

handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

Marketing Executive male 23 years,

2 years exp with NOC available, GCC

driving license, working in sales and

warehouse management looking for

suitable opening please #94030909

Indian male-26 having 2 years ex-

perience in Oman as a store keeper

looking for the good placement, NOC

available by the current company.

Contact 96671102, email:

mohdparvez656@yahoo.com

Indian Male, 22 years, B.Tech Me-

chanical (Fresher) from NIT Calicut,

Software skills – Ansys,

Pro-E solid works. Contact 91294510

/ 99437002.

Email: nsp1618@gmail.com

MBA, Indian Male, 28 yrs, HR &

Admin, Marketing sales, 1 yr experi-

ence in India. I have release looking

for any suitable job in Oman.

Contact 97484159

Infosys experienced male with

engineering degree in Electronics

and communication from a reputed

University seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95786295/

azhar.mumtaz90@gmail.com

57 Yrs. Old healthy person seeking

an opportunity in any area of works

(Shop sales man, Painting, Store

asst, traffic controller, Foremen,

Controller) .Saudi experienced.

Contact-97239854-Asher

Indian male Engineer (B.E in E&C,

MBA) with 5 years admin/profes-

sional experience looking for a

suitable placement in a reputed

company. Contact 91387463

email: i.career543@gmail.com

Indian Male 38 years, Electronic

Engineer with 14 yrs of Oman

experience and proven track record

as Sales & Marketing Manager

(Electronics, Electrical & Electro-

Mechanical Products) with valid

Oman D/L looking for a suitable

placement in a reputed Organiza-

tion. Please contact 92208744,

Email: ebpadmakumar@yahoo.com

Eight years experience in the field of

Sales, Marketing & Branch in charge

& Having Valid Oman Driving License

with NOC.Presently in Oman. Seeking

for Placements # Sumesh: 92718716

onsumesh@gmail.com

B.Sc (Bio-Technology) & MBA hav-

ing 4 years experience in Marketing

and Sales currently on visit visa

seeking suitable placement in Oman.

Email: meersameer768@gmail.com,

GSM: 94517678

29 yr old indian male graduate 5yrs

oman exp in sales and marketing with

valid oman driving license looking

for suitable job.Noc available ready to

join immediately #95136784

Indian Male, 38 years, Electron-

ics Engineer with 14 years of Oman

experience and proven track record

as Sales & Marketing Manager (Elec-

tronics, electrical & electro mechani-

cal products) with valid Oman D/L

for a suitable placement in a reputed

Organization. Contact 92208744,

email : ebpadmakumar@yahoo.com

Indian Male, 24 yrs, MBA in HR/

Marketing. More than 1 years experi-

enced in retail Banking

(Axis Bank) Presently in family

visit in Oman seeking for a suitable

placement. Contact 99892082/

997 43 709

Indian Male having 20 years Ex-

perience in Travel Agency in Oman.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact 95692050.

Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 35 years, M.Com, MBA

(Fin) 8 years in Oman, with valid

Oman DL and NOC available. Capable

to handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

Part time accountant available.

Accounting experience up to finaliza-

tion and tally also. Contact 96423671

Indian male with over 19 years of

qualitative experience in Automobile

field, expert in providing techni-

cal advice on repairs and servicing

seeks jobs in sales/ service in mane-

gerial capacity. #91-7736048460.

yamaharajesh@gmail.com

DAILY GUIDET U E S D AY, J A N UA R Y 6 , 2 0 1 5 D7

DAILY GUIDESITUATION WANTEDCARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with

Buffet, & Land Tours

Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact-

98029602, 92808636

TOURS

RENT A CAR

DRIVING

NRI

10 cent (404.7m2) residential land

for sale at kalamassery (kochi)

for immediate sale contact Biny

95298395

Villa for sale 2200 sq ft in 8 cent.

Kottayam. Contact: 92652534

For Astrological consultation,

Jathakam. #99860435 / 97102599

M.V.WANTED

Required Nissan Tida / Toyota

yaris / Suzuki swift / hyundai/Kia

hatchback car in good condition.

Contact 95405033

M.V. FOR SALE

Car for sale : Honda Civic LXI 2008,

good condition, 119000 km.

Contact 92726558

Pathfinder silver 2008, Gulf, full

option, No.1, in very good condition.

Contact 91376619

For sale, Ashok Leyland Bus, 66

seater, white color, model 2012.

Contact 99413089, 99235411

For sale, Nissan X-trail, white color,

model 2009. Contact 99413089,

99235411

Pajero 3.8 v6 full option, 2008

model expat driven single owner, ex-

cellent condition, accident free, 217k.

Contact - 92590781

Lexus IS 250, model 2007,

good condition.

Contact 95530560

Renault Safrane, model-2010 kms-

100000, full option, good condition.

price-2900/- negotiable

CONTACT-97881927

Lexus GS300, 2006 for sale.

Contact 93218349

TRANSPORTATIONTRANSPORTATION

Driver with car. Contact 92179395

Pick & drop anytime in al Khuwair.

Contact 99764307

Transportation. Contact 98505294

Transportation available. Contact

97924934

Transportation. Contact 91379976

Transportation with car & driver.

(VIP’s only). Contact 95040768

Transportation. Contact 93425167

Pick & Drop any time. contact

97014786

Transportation. Contact 99664703

Transportation available

99159277

Transportation. Contact 96538078

Transportation Available

Contact 97180655

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com

D8 T U E S D AY, J A N UA R Y 6 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com

MANPOWER

SITUATION WANTEDSERVICES

SITUATION WANT-SERVICES

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing,

Contact 99314807/24792998

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your

marble. # 24793614/ 99314807

Pest Control Treatments!!! Termites! Cockroaches! Bedbugs!

Ocean Centre LLC.

Contact 99344723

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles

polishing, carpet shampooing,

maintenance. Contact ABU QA-

BAS- 99320217 /24788722

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles

polishing, carpet shampooing,

maintenance. Contact ABU QA-

BAS- 99320217 /24788722

Door to Door Computers repair

specialist laptop software Website

cartridges. Contact 99199376

A.M Trading Pest control. Contact 99067923

Waterproofing, light weight Screed,

Antitermite and MS Fabrication.

Contact 92888337

Carpet & sofa cleaning, house

cleaning. Contact 99542979 /

98855815

Contact: 91262820 / 96458007

For All Your Maintenance Solu-

tions, A/c Servicing & Fixing,

Painting, Cleaning, Electric. Contact.

99002390

Water proofing ABUQABAS-

Contact 99320217/24788722

GULF INTERNATIONAL LLC

all kind of pest control.

Contact 92326955

Window & split unit A/C servicing &

maintenance. Contact 96236476

Civil Maintenance, Painting Elec-

tric, Plumbing, Decor, Tile Fixing,

Lecithin Copra Board flat stifling ,

Carpet Cleaning and A/C Servic-

ing.Contact 97897831 (Indian

keralite)

Split & window A/C servicing &

maintenance. Contact 93769089

For all your maintenance needs

including, Painting, Plumbing,

Electricity, Laying of Interlock

Tiles, Marbles etc. Tel: 99383574

Mr. Chandran

Electrical Plumbing Painting

Contract and Maintenance.

Contact 98456535

CLASSES

WEBSITE

WEB, ERP and Business Intelli-

gence (BI) creation and man-

agement at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

COMPUTER

Al Manar Vocational pleased to an-

nounce at vocational short and long

term courses in tailoring, cooking

and internal design. Contact us now :

24698070 or 91144335

Split & window AC servicing and

repairing. Contact 99557080

Window & split unit AC servicing &

maintenance. Contact 96236476

Civil maintenance, electrical &

plumbing work. Contact 99557080,

96236476

Building Caretaker, Gulf Expe-

rienced, knows Arabic, Hindi

English Ph : 94304348

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT IS-LAM. If you would like to know more

about Islam, please call: 99425598,

96050000, 99353988, 99253818,

99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360,

99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com

Ayurvedic treatment for backache,

paralysis, arthritis etc & massage,

All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 /

92504980 , www.siddhayur.com

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain,

backache, paralysis, massage, steam

bath, obesity, spondylitis, ideal

care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November

Street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 /

99117987

GOOD NEWSCatering services We do industrial

catering service, Canteen/ mess,

3 times packed meals, and all types

of catering events.

Contact 92188777/ 99249899

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile

polishing, pest control & anti-ter-

mite treatment, general cleaning

painting, Plumbing, Electrical,

shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-

Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137,

99450130

For HT cable jointing and

termination works 33KV/11KV.

Contact 99056438 /

Email: npgoman@gmail.com

House shifting transport. Contact

99657644, 98518013

For All Your Maintenance Solu-

tions, A/c Servicing & Fixing,

Painting, Cleaning, Electric. Contact

99002390

Painting Interlock plumbing

maintenance. Contact 92142319

Carpet & Sofa Shampooing.

Ocean Centre LLC.

Contact 99884591

Maintenance – 1) A/C Mainte-

nance, 2)fridge, washing machine

& dish washer repairing, 3)paint-

ing & cleaning services, 4)electri-

cal & plumbing carpentry work.

Contact 99447257 / 97014234 /

24504281

BEAUTY

Varkey’s Gents Salon & Spa – Offer 25% on all spa facilities like hamam

spa, massages with steam bath, Jacuzzi, aroma therapy, pedicure & mani-

cure, facial treatments. Contact 92935679

PRO services. Contact 99368907

Fast & Right Way - For all PR

related works – permanent Visa

stamping, family visiting visa

holders, clients contacts – with

NOC letter with signed & sealed

photocopy documents –

Contact: 91568362

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text,

should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication.

* Subject to space availability

FOR HIRE

TRUCK FOR HIREIsuzu 10 ton cargo body truck

(2012 FVR) with UAE experienced driver

available for long term / short term rent.

Contact: 95346950

Running truck wash for rent in

Ouhi Sunia Sohar. Serious people

can. Contact on 97864747

50 seater bus with PDO specifica-

tion for rent or lease.

Contact 99839898