1. religion and spirituality
2. islam

VOL. 34 NO. 88 | PAGES 32 | BAISAS 200
TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 10, 2015 | RABEE AL THANI 20, 1436 AH
P21 One year on, Nadella shifting focus at Microsoft
P29 Sam dominates Grammys
P25 South Africa edge Sri Lanka by 5 wickets
Chief Executive Officer
DR IBRAHIM BIN AHMED AL KINDI
Editor-in-Chief
ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI
Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising
PO Box 974, Postal Code 100, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
www.omanobserver.om
FOLLOW US ON:
OMAN
Norms on granting
land to colleges
MUSCAT: The Education Council
yesterday viewed a presentation by the
Ministry of Manpower on education
and vocational training, general
vocational education diploma parallel
to the general education diploma,
vocational student programme,
short courses and programmes for
the disabled. The council discussed
amendments to various regulations
to grant land to the higher education
institutions and the regulation and
mechanism for commercial investment
on governmental lands owned by these
institutions. These lands were provided
to the institutions through the Ministry
of Higher Education.
REPORT ON P4
REGION
Egypt to probe
stadium deaths
CAIRO: Egypt yesterday ordered a
probe into a stampede and clashes at
a Cairo stadium that left 19 dead, as
pressure mounted on authorities over
the country’s latest outbreak of violence.
Egypt suspended all major football games
indefinitely after Sunday’s violence,
which broke out when police fired tear
gas and birdshot at disruptive fans.
President Abdel Fattah al Sisi ordered an
investigation “to uncover the root causes”
of the violence.
REPORT ON P13
WORLD
EU delays new
Russia sanctions
KIEV: Europe yesterday postponed
sanctions against Moscow ahead of a
Ukraine peace summit as US President
Barack Obama and German Chancellor
Angela Merkel weighed options to
end 10 months of bloodshed. Merkel
was in Washington as cracks between
Europe and the United States seemed to
emerge over the White House’s mulling
of sending arms to Ukraine, an idea flatly
rejected by the German leader.
REPORT ON P12
INSIDESTORIES
P8
OBAMA’S UKRAINE
POLICY AT CROSSROADS
P12
GUNMEN FIRED AT
POLICE IN MARSEILLE
STARTING THIS WEEK EVERY TUESDAY OBSERVER BRINGS YOU
‘LEARN ARABIC’ IN COORDINATION WITH AMIDEAST.
SEE PAGE 30
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100 per cent
Omanisation of
customs jobs
STAFF REPORTER
MUSCAT
Feb. 9: Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser al
Bakri, Minister of Manpower, issued
a ministerial decision regarding
Omanisation of areas such as custom
clerk, custom clearance clerk, custom
clearance agent and custom clearance
broker jobs.
The report added that labour
permits and IDs issued for holders
of these professions will remain valid
till their expiry dates and will not be
renewed thereafter.
The decision comes in a bid by the
Ministry of Manpower to offer new
job opportunities for Omanis in the
private sector. The decision will protect
small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
against competition by expatriates.
Giving details, Joy, an agent dealing
with imports and exports, told the
Observer that most of these jobs are
already handled by Omanis. “It may
be possible that some of the old timers
were getting visa renewed, which will
be completely stopped now.”
Ismail, a cargo agent in Muscat,
too agreed that most of these jobs are
handled already by Omanis.
“He is not sure about any expatriates
who are old timers dealing with such
jobs.”
A key personnel who has more
than three decades of experience in
shipping and logistics field hailed the
move but raised concerns over sudden
implementation.
“We
are
following
strict
Omanisation policy of 78 per cent in all
our offices. The fact is that we need to
employ additional manpower to get the
assigned work done because of lack of
initiative. As it is, the costs of shipping
have shot up manifold as operations
were moved to Sohar Port let alone
the extra time consumed and delays in
clearing,” he said.
Suresh Kumar, General Manager
of Al Fayha Shipping Company, says
heftier fines and loss of business will
be outcome if adequate training and
orientation is not imparted to the semiskilled cargo staff.
“Lack of consistency and absence of
experience are two major challenges we
face with the recruits in a highly timebound operations of shipping sector.”
HM MILITARY ORDER CONFERRED
Iraq values its
relations with
Sultanate,
says minister
BADER AL KIYUMI
MUSCAT
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, conferred
Oman Military Order (2nd Class) on Gen Abdulrahman bin Saleh al Bunyan, Chief
of General Staff in Saudi Arabia, in appreciation of his efforts and contribution in
strengthening ties of the existing military cooperation between the two brotherly
countries. The order was handed over by Sayyid Badr bin Saud al Busaidi, Minister
Responsible for Defence Affairs, when he received him at his office in Muscat
yesterday.
REPORT ON P2
MARKET VALUE OF INDUSTRIAL
FIRMS RO 1,940 MILLION
KABEER YOUSUF
MUSCAT
of the industrial companies registered with
the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) was
rated at RO 1,940 million. “The industrial
Feb. 9: The industrial activities in Oman have sector is showing strong signs of growth
contributed RO 5.497 billion to the national and the contribution of industrial sector
to the national GDP was RO 5.497 billion
GDP by the end of 2013 out of which
by the end of 2013, as revealed by the
RO 3.267 billion is from manufacturing
NCSI (National Centre for Statistics and
sector with strong signs of steady growth,
Information). The share of manufacturing
according to Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy,
sector in the total is RO 3.267 billion. It has
Minister of Commerce and Industry.
been stated by the MSM that the market
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of
value of the industrial companies registered
the celebrations of 25th anniversary of His
Majesty’s visit to the Rusayl Industrial Estate with the MSM was at RO 1,940 million.”
in 1991, Dr Sunaidy said the market value
TURN TO P6
STUCK IN SNOW
UN-brokered
Yemen peace
talks resume
SANAA: Yemeni political factions
resumed UN-brokered talks yesterday
aimed at resolving the country’s
political crisis but one group quickly
walked out, underlining the difficult
path ahead.
The pan-Arab party left the talks
saying it had been threatened by a
powerful militia that grabbed power
last week.
The crisis escalated after the
Houthis last month took control of
key government buildings, prompting
president Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi
to tender his resignation.
The Houthis last Friday said they
had dissolved parliament and formed
a “presidential council” to bring the
country out of crisis.
— AFP
P14
MOHAMED AL BADI
MUSCAT
An MBTA green line subway train at a station during a winter snow storm in Brookline, Massachusetts, yesterday. Boston and
other areas of the Northeast, already buried under about a yard of snow, braced for up to two more feet through early today
while more rain and high winds were in store for parts of the Pacific coast.
— Reuters
Horrid time for passengers as little information provided at airport
WEATHER TODAY
MUSCAT
MAX: 250C
MIN: 170C
SALALAH
MAX: 280C
MIN: 170C
SUNRISE 06.41 AM
PRAYER TIMINGS
FAJR: 05:23
DHUHR: 12:20
ASR: 15:34
MAGHRIB: 17:58
ISHA: 19:28
NIZWA
MAX: 280C
MIN: 130C
VINOD NAIR
MUSCAT
Feb. 9: A technical problem
has left an Air India aircraft
flight (AI986) stranded at
Muscat airport since Sunday
night. The flight was supposed
to return to Mumbai at 12.05
am on Monday but had not left
and under maintenance till late
evening.
Passengers travelling by the
airline had horrid time with
little or inadequate information
provided at the airport.
Speaking to the Observer,
B P Kulkarni, country head,
Air India, Muscat, said, “The
Feb. 9: The Sultanate’s role of political
moderation through its good offices in
bridging differences among regional
and international allies based on the
development of common interests, is
hailed by Dr Ibrahim Al Jaafari, Iraqi
Foreign Minister.
Dr Jaffari stressed the good
relations between Oman and Iraq,
and deep rooted history between the
Sultanate and Iraq. He also shed light
on Omani role towards Iraqi people
during the crisis in the country and
the positive attitude and supportive
towards its government.
The Iraqi minister, during the
opening of the Iraqi Embassy in
Muscat, said: “My visit to the Sultanate
comes in the framework of bilateral
relations and mutual interests in view
of the positions of Oman and Arab
and Islamic countries, the Sultanate is
always the focal point. We are always
looking forward to good relations
with Oman because of its strategic
location in the region.” He hoped that
the coming period will witness greater
exchange of relations including trade,
economic and political. Meanwhile,
the Iraqi Embassy in Muscat was
opened yesterday, in the presence of
Dr Jaffari and Ahmed bin Yousuf al
Harthy, Foreign Ministry’s UnderSecretary for Diplomatic Affairs.
TURN TO P3
Recruiters hit
by ban on
Indonesian
workers
Technical glitch delays Air India flight
WATER HOLDS KEY
TO CUT ENERGY NEEDS
NEW EMBASSY
ILLUSTRATION PURPOSE ONLY
fault is being rectified and may
leave late night subject to all
clearances.”
Kulkarni added, “We tried to
accommodate some passengers
in other airlines like Oman Air
and Jet Airways, depending
on the availability of seats.
Some of them have been also
accommodated in hotels. We
are expecting the engineers to
arrive from Mumbai to resolve
the problem.”
Kulkarni said the incoming
flight (AI986) scheduled for
departure on Tuesday night will
leave on time at the moment.
When asked that this flight
AI986 has been regularly
getting delayed, Kulkarni said
that there is shortage of aircraft
and we are closely working with
the authorities in New Delhi
to resolve the problem. Things
may get better in the next two
months.
A ground official at Muscat
Airport said that a delay of an
hour or two is routine with this
flight even otherwise.
Meanwhile, Rosie Gabrielle,
a
stranded
Goa-bound
passenger said, “I slept on a cold
floor in the airport all night, it’s
5 am, all the Air India staff have
gone home. There is no one
here to tell us how we can get to
India. Or when the next flight
is or how long we will have to
wait.”
She was finally arranged a
seat on an Oman Air flight to
Mumbai but her luggage was
left behind.
Her baggage was however
left behind and would be
dispatched in the subsequent
Air India flight on Tuesday
morning, it was informed.
It was reported that a
number of passengers included
workers who were going on exit
had cancelled their visas.
These passengers were not
allowed to be accommodated
even in hotels.
Feb. 9: The interim ban on recruitment
of Indonesian domestic workers to
Oman to take effect on March 1 will
take toll on manpower agencies in the
Sultanate, said Abdul Aziz al Raisi,
Secretary at Recruitment Offices
Committee.
The Indonesian Embassy in Muscat
has informed manpower offices, in a
recent notice issued by the Consular
Affairs Department, that it will stop
legalisation of working agreements,
job orders and other domestic worker
related documents as of March 1.
“The decision has come at a tough
time and will certainly affect the
activities of recruitment offices here,”
said Al Raisi.
“We’ll be forced to close down
the office. The Indonesian female
domestic workers constitute a majority
of the workforce,” said another office
manager.
Finding other nationalities in
place of Indonesians is difficult in this
situation. “Sri Lankan recruitment
offices demand nearly RO 1,500 per
person. Imagine that’s the commission
to be paid only for the office in Sri
Lanka. What about other fees? It will
be a burden on the patron? Now these
rates will go naturally up.”
“The suspension is expected to
be till 2017. Hopefully, an agreement
will be reached by then between the
Government of Indonesia and Oman”,
said an official at the Embassy of
Indonesia.
TURN TO P6
2
FASHION DESIGNING CONTEST
T U E S DAY l F E B R U A R Y 1 0 l 2 0 1 5
OMAN
The fashion designing contest,
which was held as part of the
Omani Attire Show at Muscat
Festival, under the title ‘Heritage
and Civilisation’ saw hot
competition by a number of wellknown Omani attire designers.
The contest centred around the
designing of traditional Omani
outfit and Abaya.
CROWDS OF SPECTATORS FOR OMAN TEAMS
The Wave, Muscat opened
their 2015 Extreme Sailing
Series with a podium
place on the overall
leaderboard in Singapore
while Stevie Morrison’s
Oman Air saved their best
until last with a superb
double points win in the
final race.
Efforts to strengthen Oman,
Saudi military cooperation
MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos, the Supreme
Commander of the Armed Forces, conferred Oman
Military Order (2nd Class) on Gen Abdulrahman bin
Saleh al Bunyan, Chief of General Staff of Saudi Arabia,
in appreciation to his efforts and contributions in
strengthening ties of the existing military cooperation
between the two brotherly countries.
The order was handed over by Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin
Harib al Busaidy, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs,
when he received in his office at Mu’askar Bait Al Falaj
yesterday the Saudi Chief of General Staff, who is currently
on a several-day visit to the Sultanate.
The meeting reviewed the military cooperation between
the two brotherly countries within the framework of the GCC.
Meanwhile, Gen Sultan bin Mohammed al Numani,
Minister of the Royal Office, received Gen Al Bunyan in his
office yesterday.
The meeting exchanged cordial conversations and
discussed a number of topics of concern to the two brotherly
countries.
The meeting reviewed march of the good bilateral relations
binding the Sultanate and Saudi Arabia, besides touching on a
number of issues of common concern.
The meeting was attended by Lt Gen Ahmed bin Harith al
Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF),
and the delegation accompanying the guest.
Later, Gen Al Bunyan and his accompanying delegation
yesterday visited the SAF Museum.
Brigadier Saud bin Khalifa al Hatmi, Head of the SAF
Military Protocols and Public Relations, received the guest
and his accompanying delegation and escorted them in a tour
to various sections of the museum. — ONA
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 | 2015
OMAN
omandailyobserver
3
New Iraq embassy bldg opens
FROM PAGE 1
Dr Jaffari added that to celebrate
the opening of the embassy of Iraq in
Muscat is considered an addition to the
Omani diplomatic work. He said the
presence of IS in Iraq is posing a danger
not only to Iraq but also to the entire
region and the world.
He hailed the role of Oman in fight
against IS and he mentioned the speech
by Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah,
Minister Responsible for Foreign
Affairs, at the United Nation as “positive,
bold and direct.”
Ammal Moussa Hussain, Iraqi
Ambassador to the Sultanate, said
that the Iraqi Embassy building is
considered as a result of the fruitful
efforts between the foreign ministries of
the two brotherly countries.
She said that the Omani-Iraqi
relations started from the eighth decade
of the last century, as there had been,
prior to that date, relations which date
back to Sumerian era, in terms of ancient
monuments which exists between the
two countries. Since that period, and the
relationship between the two countries
has been developing and prospering.
Oman, Iraq parliamentary ties reviewed
MUSCAT: Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh
al Mantheri, Chairman of the State
Council, received in his office yesterday
Dr Ibrahim al Ja’afari, Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Iraq, and his accompanying
delegation within the framework of his
official visit to the Sultanate.
The meeting discussed issues of
common concern. During the meeting,
Dr Al Manthri commended the existing
relations between Oman and Iraq and
the strong, fraternal, historic relations
binding the two brotherly countries and
peoples.
He discussed with the guest means
of strengthening the parliamentary
relations between the two countries to
achieve further future cooperation at
all levels. He stressed the importance of
activating permanent cooperation and
coordination between the two countries.
On his turn, the Iraqi Minister of
Foreign Affairs expressed his utmost
thanks and appreciation to the
Chairman of the State Council for the
warm welcome. He affirmed the strong
relations between the two countries
and the fraternal ties between the two
brotherly countries, as well as the two
countries’ keenness to extend bridges
of cooperation at all levels to achieve
ambitions and aspirations of the two
peoples. He hailed the civilized progress
being witnessed by the Sultanate,
wishing it continuous progress and
prosperity.
The meeting was attended by Dr
Khalid bin Mohammed al Sa’eedi,
Secretary General of the State Council,
and the Iraqi ambassador to the
Sultanate. — ONA
4
omandailyobserver
OMAN
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
Tourism strategy outlines
comprehensive vision
Education, vocation training
programmes reviewed
MUSCAT: The Education Council
held its 1st meeting this year under the
chairmanship of Dr Rawya bint Saud al
Busaidiya, Minister of Higher Education
and Deputy Chair of the Council.
The meeting included a presentation
by the Ministry of Manpower on
education and vocational training
paths namely the vocational general
education diploma parallel to the
technical education diploma, the general
vocational education diploma parallel
to the general education diploma, the
vocational student programme, the
short courses program and the disabled
programmes.
These paths aim at enhancing
absorption of the general education
outputs and training and rehabilitation
of those working in vocational jobs.
The Council raised this vision
to the respective organisations to
conduct more studies and raise their
recommendations to the Council.
The Council also discussed the
amendments at the regulations to
grant lands to the Higher Education
Institutions and the regulation and
mechanism for the commercial
investment at the governmental lands
owned by these institutions. These lands
were provided to these institutions
through the Ministry of Higher
Education.
The Council also reviewed the
report prepared by its secretariat on the
performance in 2014.
The Council reviewed a number of
reports and other circular which were
raised to it by the respective agencies
and took appropriate decisions towards
them. — ONA
Support for private schools urged
ZAINAB AL NASSRI
MUSCAT
Feb. 9: Sultan al Abri, Majlis Ash’shura
member for Willayat of Ibri, during
the opening of second edition of
private schools exhibition at the Oman
Exhibition centre yesterday, stated that
support is needed for private schools as
they play an important role in promoting
educational scene in the Sultanate.
Over 28 schools, nurseries, libraries
and the stationery companies are
participating in the event, which
continues until February 11. It is
organised by Sham Company for
Organising Exhibition and Festivals
in cooperation with the Ministry of
Education.
Al Abri said he was impressed
by the modern services provided by
schools and called upon the Ministries
of Education and Social Development
to support these schools, especially
those outside of Muscat, financially
and spiritually. “We have heard from
them that they are suffering from many
issues including low teachers’ salaries.
Both ministries should support private
schools owners in order to provide good
motivations for people working with
them,” he said.
Jumaa al Uraimi, CEO of Sham
Company, said the aim of the expo is
to expose private schools roles in the
society through giving them the chance
to present their services and promote
their activities.
— Picture by Huda al Bahri
MUSCAT: The National Tourism
Strategy (2015-2040) currently begin
prepared by the Ministry of Tourism
is in line with the Sultanate’s strategic
planning and which was declared
by Supreme Council for Planning’s
comprehensive futuristic vision (Oman
2014) and the ministry of tourism is
keen on placing its tourism strategy as a
main tributary of this vision.
Among the major objectives targeted
by the National Tourism Strategy (20152040) is boosting the contribution of
the tourism sector to the gross domestic
product (GDP).
Furthermore, Omani Tourism
Strategy will update land development
agreements, the system of ownership
of properties by non-Omanis in
integrated tourism complexes (ITC)
and the alternatives available to the
ministry to deal with investors involved
in suspended or delayed projects or
ITC projects whose owners are likely to
withdraw.
The workshops discussed the main
objectives, goals and priorities of the
national tourism strategy and the
challenges facing the tourism sector in the
Sultanate. For that reason, in the internal
workshops they tackled the key issues by
strategy formulation and analysis.
The ministry’s touristic vision is
based on exploiting the Sultanate’s
competitive advantages in the field of
tourism such as the cultural heritage
and the other historic and civilisational
factors besides a unique national beauty.
The ministry had laid down the
main objectives and pillars for a
comprehensive tourism strategy and
specified the challenges that face Omani
tourism sector putting into account
achieving two goals, creating jobs
opportunities for nationals and boosting
tourism contribution to GDP.
The ministry of tourism attaches a
special attention to intensive dialogue
and consultation with tourist specialists
and experts through workshops and
seminars that saw enhanced discussion
of a number of topics which included
but not confined to the diversification
of tourist attractions, studying and
evaluating the tourism experiences,
boosting tourism competitiveness and
the provision of quality tourism services.
Seminars and workshops are being
held in all the governorates of the
Sultanate with a view to enhancing
participation and to include all the
parties concerned with devising the
tourism strategy as well as giving the
chance to the private sector to contribute
and participate in the process of tourism
development.
Among the key topics included in the
working paper which will be presented
in the current round of workshops is
the creation of job opportunities for
local communities, boosting tourism
competitiveness,
identifying
the
available investment opportunities in
tourism, ways of attracting tourism
investment to attain the tourist targets,
achieving sustainable competitive edge
in the tourism sector, engaging small
and medium enterprises in tourism.
Omani Attire Show displays
distinctive traditional wear
MUSCAT: The fashion designing contest which was held
Held under the title ‘Heritage and Civilisation’ the
as part of the Omani Attire Show at Muscat Festival, 2015 contest centred on the designing of traditional Omani
concluded under the auspices of Dr Khoula bint al Julanda outfit and Abaya and saw hot competition by a number of
al Said at Hyatt Regency Hotel.
well-known Omani attire designers.
OMAN
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
WASTE WATER REUSE: Harmful microorganisms poses major risks
Workshop addresses risks of
treated wastewater recycling
MUSCAT: A three-day workshop,
organised by the Water Research
Centre at Sultan Qaboos University,
in association with Oman Water
Society, is addressing the guidelines
and risk assessment associated with
recycling of treated wastewater in
Oman.
The opening ceremony of the
workshop was held yesterday under
the auspices of Prof Amer bin Ali al
Rawas, SQU Deputy Vice Chancellor
for Postgraduate Studies and
Research.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr
Mushtaque
Ahmed,
Associate
Professor in the Department of Soils,
Water and Agricultural Engineering
at SQU, gave an overview of the
objectives of the workshop and types
of wastewater generated in Oman and
Wastewater is generated
from households,
industrial operations, oil
production, hospitals.
However, there is a single
guideline in the form of a
ministerial decision with
regard to treatment and
recycling of wastewater in
the Sultanate.
treatment and recycling processes.
“Wastewater is generated from
households, industrial operations, oil
production, hospitals. However, there
is a single guideline in the form of a
ministerial decision with regard to
treatment and recycling of wastewater
in the Sultanate. The workshop
will examine if a single guideline is
adequate to make decision on waste
water reuse different uses at various
locations,” he said.
Dr Osman Abdullah, Director
of Water Research Centre at SQU,
spoke about the role of the Centre
in coordinating water scientists,
policy makers and business firms
functioning in this area. He also
stressed on the importance of
understanding
challenges
and
opportunities related to water
management in the Sultanate.
Dr Simon Toze from the
Commonwealth
Scientific
and
Industrial Research Organization
(CSIRO), Australia, spoke about
the importance of having proper
guidelines for Water recycling in
Oman. He explained the Australian
guidelines which covers human
health from pathogens and chemicals
and environment. “Formulation
of adequate guidelines in Oman
should be based on the needs and
requirements of the country. The
goal is to minimise the risks to an
acceptable level”, he said.
Dr Declan Page from CSIRO,
spoke about managing health and
environmental risks associated with
use of treated waste water. “Harmful
microorganisms are the major risks
associate with the specific use of
treated sewage and greywater. The
major environmental risks from
recycled water are caused by chemical
hazards,” he said. The workshop will
continue until February 11.
Groundbreaking ceremony
for new German embassy
MUSCAT: The German embassy will mark the
groundbreaking ceremony of its new embassy building in
the diplomatic area in Al Khuwair, on February 12 at 10:15
hours.
The ceremony will be held in presence of the Regional
Director Middle East and Maghreb, Ambassador Miguel
Berger, the German Ambassadors accredited to GCC
countries and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
the Sultanate.
After more than 30 years in Al Hamriya the German
Embassy is looking forward to move to the diplomatic area
in Al Khuwair upon completion of the buildings.
Sultanate to participate
in audit meet in Malaysia
MUSCAT: The Sultanate, represented by the State Financial
and Administrative Audit Institution (SFAAI) will participate
on Tuesday in activities of the 13th meeting of the General
Assembly of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit
Institutions (ASOSAI) and the 6th ASOSAI Symposium,
which will be hosted by the Office of the Auditor General of
Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
Shaikh Nasser bin Hilal al Ma’awali, SFAAI Chairman,
will head the Sultanate’s delegation at the meeting and
symposium.
The meeting will discuss the report of the Audit
Committee to review the ASOSAI accounts for the
years 2012-2014 and the adoption of the financial rules,
accounting policies and the strategic plan of the Assembly.
It will also review the report of ASOSAI activities in the field
of training, activity report of INTOSAI, and the report of the
Committee of the INTOSAI professional standards.
SFAAI will present a working paper on “Using of
Technology to Enhance Auditing and Quality Assurance,” at
the 6th ASOSAI Symposium.
ASOSAI holds a meeting every three years. The previous
meeting was held in India. — ONA
MUSCAT: A delegation from the University
of Southampton Health Sciences Faculty,
headed by Prof Jonathan Drennan, Professor
of Healthcare Research and Head of the
Centre for Innovation and Leadership in
Health Sciences, visited Sultan Qaboos
University yesterday and explored the
possibilities of partnership with the College
of Medicine and Health Sciences at SQU.
The delegation was received by Dr
MUSCAT: Muscat Securities Market (MSM)
general index 30 yesterday lost 34.20 points,
comprising a decline by 0.51 per cent to
close at 6,691.27 points, compared to the last
session, which stood at 6,725.47 points.
The trading value today stood at RO
Jordanian staff college
delegation received
MUSCAT: Air Vice Marshal Matar bin Ali al Obaidani, Commander of the Royal Air Force
of Oman (RAFO), and Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis al Raisi, Commander of the Royal
Navy of Oman (RNO), separately received in their offices at Mu’askar Al Murtafa’a yesterday
a delegation from the Command and Staff College (CSC) of Jordan, currently visiting the
Sultanate.
The meetings exchanged viewpoints and discussed a number of matters of common
concern. — ONA
5
University of Southampton,
SQU explore cooperation
MSM down 34 points
OFIHC finalises
largest meat
production project
MUSCAT: The Founding Committee of White Meat
(poultry) Production Project, affiliated to Oman Food
Investment Holding Company (OFIHC) held its first
meeting under the chairmanship of Dr Rashid bin Salim al
Masroori, Chairman of the OFIHC Board of Directors, in
the presence of a number of representatives of investment
funds and companies to contribute to the project.
The meeting adopted a set of necessary procedures to
finalise the project, which is the largest of its kind in the
Sultanate, exceeding in its size the largest existing projects
for poultry production in the Sultanate.
The committee has taken important decisions related to
the number and percentage of shareholders in the project
and the role assigned to the Founding Committee. Currently
the basic system, establishing contract and the shareholders
agreement are under preparation. They are expected to be
completed by the end of the month.
The project will contribute in making a significant change
in the production of white meat sector in the Sultanate, and
will contribute to providing a high proportion of broiler
chickens, which increase in consumption in the Sultanate
with the increasing number of people, residents and steady
growth in the number of visitors to the Sultanate.
The project is a strategic one for OFIHC, which is the
investment arm of the government in the field of food
security. — ONA
omandailyobserver
Shahid al Balushi, Expert, on behalf of the
International Cooperation Office at the
University Council meeting room. This
was followed a meeting with Prof Omar al
Rawas, Dean of the College of Medicine and
Health Sciences at the college. The two sides
reviewed the possibilities of partnership in
medical education and research through
exchange of medical students and researchers
and collaborative research.
9.16 million, comprising a decline by 81.22
compared to the last session, which stood at
RO 48.77 million.
The market value declined by 0.21 per
cent to reach about RO 15.01 billion.
The value of shares bought by non-Omani
investors reached RO 1,686,000 comprising
18.42 per cent. — ONA
6
OMAN
omandailyobserver
Value of industrial firms RO 1,940 million
FROM PAGE 1
The ninth five-year plan will be a new
catalyst for the expansion of existing
industries and the establishment of new
industries.
Dr Sunaidy said that the Omanisation
percentage in industrial estates has
reached 38 per cent.
“The Omanis working directly in the
industrial sector, as of the end of 2014,
constitute around 11 per cent of the total
number of workers in the private sector
(about 22,000 of 200,000 Omanis),” he
said.
“The
Omanisation
percentage
in industrial estates has reached a
promising 38 per cent. Providing jobs in
logistics field is the best solution to keep
more Omanis in this sector and other
allied sectors.”
He further added that national
industries sector has succeeded
in attracting domestic as well as
international investments which is
showing a steady progress.
“We are happy with the growth of
industries in the country and we also
expect that the ninth five-year plan will
be a new catalyst for the expansion of
existing industries and the establishment
of new industries.”
The minister also said the
profitability of the sector against the
market value is 5.8 per cent; almost the
same percentage forecast for this year in
light of the preliminary data of almost
40 companies which have announced
their profits as of today.
The number of factories grew by
4.2 per cent in the first half of 2014
compared to 2013 to touch 1,468.
The gross value of investments in the
industrial areas also grew by RO 657
million in 2014 compared to 2013 to hit
about RO 5 billion, including 57.5 per
cent local investments.
After availing additional gas
quantities by the end of 2017, the
industrial sector is expected to grow
during the five-year plan.
“While the government is revising
gas prices for industrial sector, still
initial indicators point out that the effect
of gas price rise on existing industries
will be limited mostly to the energyintensive industries.”
The initial results of the current
study implemented by the ministry
on about 100 industrial companies in
different sectors to measure the effect of
the government’s previous decision to
change the liquefied natural gas tariffs,
point out that the increase in the cost
of sales will be between 0.01 per cent
to 6.3 per cent and that net profits will
be affected by 5 per cent to 7 per cent
at maximum. These percentages can
be contained through a number of
corrective measures, he added.
The minister called on Omani
businessmen and investors to maximise
their gains from the free trade
agreement between the Gulf countries
and Singapore, which came into force
from January 1, 2015. New industries
with joint investments may be set up to
benefit from this agreement, as well as
the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with
USA. (With ONA inputs).
Need to raise awareness about
high quality of Omani products
MUSCAT: As part of the events
organized to mark the Omani
Industry Day, Dr Ali bin Masoud
al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce
and Industry, opened at Oman
International Exhibition Centre in
Al Seeb yesterday the 3rd version of
Oman National Products Exhibition
(ONEX), organised by Oriental
Coast Event Management LLC.
Fourty-four
companies,
SMEs
alongside with a number of public
organisations, such as the Ministry of
Commerce and Industry, the Ministry
of Manpower and Al Raffd Fund took
part in the exhibition.
Ahmed bin Hassan al Dheeb,
Undersecretary of the Ministry
of Commerce and Industry for
Commerce and Industry, said that
a number of Omani
companies
and factories that produce items
that have access to 70 world markets
besides the Sultanate took part in the
exhibition.
“The Omani products quality is
improving. Such exhibitions are very products,” he said.
representatives of the Omani factories
important in raising awareness of the
A number of undersecretaries, and companies attended the opening
high quality and standards of the Omani private and public officials, as well as ceremony. — ONA
Manpower agencies rattled by
ban on domestic workers
FROM PAGE 1
Steps to allocate tenders to SMEs
MUSCAT: Dr Rasheed bin al Safi al Huraibi, Chairman
of the Tender Board, yesterday met with a number of
entrepreneurs within the framework of communication with
the entrepreneurs, a follow-up by the Tender Board of its
orientation program of the procedures and mechanisms used
in the board, and discuss opportunities for the participation
of SMEs in the various projects according to the board’s
procedures and facilities to support these enterprises.
The meeting discussed and explained the terms of
reference of the Tender Board, its general secretariat, some
articles of the Tender Law, review the basic principles and the
general framework of the tender procedures, the main steps
and requirements, the support of Tender Board to small and
medium enterprises.
The Chairman of the Tender Board said that the meeting
comes within the framework of the efforts of the Tender
Board to continue its role with regard to the implementation
of decisions relating to the support and development of small
and medium-sized enterprises.
He pointed out that these meetings are a continuation
of the systematic work in the Tender Board, represented in
communication with the relevant authorities, those interested
in this respect of the concerned authorities, the private sector
and the community in general, and activating the role of the
board in the overall development to establish the fundamental
principles underpinning the work of the Tender Board, which
is focused on openness, equality of opportunity and the
freedom to compete.
Dr Al Huraibi focused on clarifying what the Tender
Board has taken practical steps and the efforts to implement
the decisions of Saih Al Shamikhat Symposium, represented
in putting the regulations and mechanisms for the allocation
of not less than 10 percent of government procurement and
tenders. — ONA
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
“We’re attempting to rectify
the circumstances of our national
workforce. There are issues pertaining
to minimum wage, working hours,
nature of work and regularisation of
recruitment of Indonesian workforce
from neighbouring country to work
in Oman will be on the table with the
authorities in Oman.”
“Indonesians are hired from another
country to work in Oman without
holding contracts signed and stamped
by the embassy here in Oman”, said an
official at the embassy in Muscat.
“The dilemma of the overseas
Indonesian workers is that they are
being smuggled to a country on the
pretext of visiting purposes. The
recruitment offices there would take
them to the labour market in Oman”,
Al Raisi said.
“The workers’ paper will then
be sent to recruitment agencies in
Indonesia for endorsement. Oman
and Bahrain are the only Gulf states
to employ Indonesians,” he said.
“Many stranded workers hold no
official documents. Those agencies
would exploit them. Instead of
repatriating them to their country, the
The announcement of the
embassy is perceived to
be part of its endeavour
to protect its nationals.
Unofficial statics estimate
that Oman is home to
around 30,000 Indonesian
expatriates.
workers find themselves in another
country.”
The plight of the Indonesian
domestic workers have worsened due
to this practice. Startled by the reality,
problems with new patrons arise and
the workers seek assistance from the
embassy.
The announcement of the embassy
is perceived to be part of its endeavour
to protect its nationals. Unofficial statics
estimate that Oman is home to around
30,000 Indonesian expatriates.
Earlier last year, the Embassy of
Indonesia circulated a notice that “nonexperienced domestic workers must be
employed with a salary of RO 100 and
experienced for RO 120.”
55 Infiltrators held,
120 deported
MUSCAT: The Royal Oman Police
(ROP) arrested last week 57 infiltrators
of different nationalities in various
governorates for entering the Sultanate
illegally.
The ROP also deported 120
infiltrators after taking the necessary
legal actions, in coordination with
their respective embassies. — ONA
Lecture on best
practices in HRD
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Civil
Service, in cooperation with Omantel,
organised a lecture under the
theme “Identifying Training Needs
as per Efficiencies System,” under
the auspices of Sayyid Salim bin
Musallam al Busaidi, Undersecretary
of the Ministry of Civil Service for
Administrative Development.
The lecture was given by Majid
Qatan, Head of Career Development
Team at Omantel, during which
he talked about types of technical
efficiencies, represented in knowledge,
skills, technical expertise required
to perform the job and professional
efficiencies in leader and administrative
skills. — ONA
Extreme Sailing Series: Oman Air hot on their heels as they look ahead to Act 2 in Muscat
The Wave, Muscat opens season with a podium place
MUSCAT: The Wave, Muscat opened
their 2015 Extreme Sailing Series with a
podium place on the overall leaderboard
in Singapore while Stevie Morrison’s
Oman Air saved their best until last with
a superb double points win in the final
race. Two-time series champion Leigh
McMillan had victory in sight when Act
1 in Singapore started on Thursday even
though the venue had not proved happy
hunting ground in previous years.
But he settled for third place after an
intense battle with SAP Extreme Sailing
Team and eventual winners Red Bull
Sailing Team who took their first win in
four years on the Extreme circuit. With
a whole year’s racing ahead, the 2015
contest looks set to be close, fast and
fascinating, McMillan said.
“It’s not a great result for us but hats
off to Red Bull and SAP who were solid
all weekend,” he said.
“We thought we might be able to reel
them in today and at times we got some
points back but it was hard when they
are performing at that level, race in race
out without any easing off.
“We will tweak a few things and
come back fighting in Oman which is
our favourite venue because it is the
The whole Oman Sail
programme is about
inspiring kids to get out
on the water so the idea of
having thousands of people
come and watch us is really
exciting.
home of our sponsor The Wave, Muscat.
We have won twice there and we really
enjoy having all our sponsors and fans
watching so for us Muscat is really where
There were four podium places today
for The Wave, Muscat including their
7th out-and-out win of the event from
32 races. Oman Air added another three
podium places to the Oman Sail tally
including the final double pointer win
which was their second of the event,
marking an impressive 5th place debut
for this new look line up.
“When I was growing up, my dad
used to say you are only as good as
your last race and we won our last race
today so we are going home happy,” said
skipper Morrison, the British Olympic
49er sailor.
“The word easy definitely does not
we will kick off our season.”
“We are very happy to be heading come to mind, but I think it is quite open
Omani bowman Nasser al Mashari off to our home waters and raising the and we have some work to do but we will
was also looking forward to racing in national flag. Hopefully we can do better be looking to put some pressure on the
teams above us as the season evolves.
front of his friends and family in Oman. there as we have done before,” he said.
“There are three very polished teams
on this circuit but it is tight and the
margins are tiny. Small differences make
a big difference. I think the top three
over the course of the year is a realistic
aim for us though it will be a big ask.
“It’s been great fun in Singapore
though I think I have a few more grey
hairs than when I came. I’m sailing
with a great bunch of guys — we are all
friends — and we’re trying to be the best
in the world at something we love doing
so what’s not to enjoy.
“Already we are really looking
forward to the next event in Oman our
home venue which is really exciting. The
whole Oman Sail programme is about
inspiring kids to get out on the water so
the idea of having thousands of people
come and watch us is really exciting.”
Since it started hosting the Extreme
Sailing Series in 2009, Muscat has
emerged as one of the sailor’s favourite
venues due to the hot sun, consistent
breeze and open seas offering a superb
arena for Extreme 40 racing just metres
from the beach. It all kicks off in less
than five weeks on Wednesday, March
11 with the final race set for Saturday,
March 14.
CHINESE PRESIDENT TO VISIT US
Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to pay
his first state visit to the United States
later this year, state media on Monday
quoted a top diplomat as saying.
The date has yet to be released but
arrangements are now being made
between Beijing and Washington for
Xi’s expected trip, Cui Tiankai, China’s
Ambassador to the US, told Chinese
reporters.
China executes
tycoon who
bid for miner
BEIJING:
A Chinese mining
billionaire said to have links with
disgraced former security tsar Zhou
Yongkang and who once launched a
bid for Australia’s Sundance Resources
was executed for multiple murder on
Monday, a court said.
Liu Han, his younger brother
Liu Wei and three accomplices were
condemned to death in May for
“organising and leading a mafia-style
group”, murder and other crimes.
Their appeals were unsuccessful
and all five were put to death on
Monday, the Xianning Intermediate
court in the central province of Hubei
said on its verified account on China’s
Twitter-like Sina Weibo.
The five met with their “close
relatives” before the execution, the
court said in a separate posting.
“The executed criminals’ legal
rights were fully protected,” it added.
Liu Han led private company
Hanlong, which is based in the
southwestern province of Sichuan
and launched a takeover bid of more
than $1 billion for Sundance, a listed
Australian iron ore firm, in 2011.
But the deal collapsed in 2013
after the Chinese firm failed to follow
through. Chinese media reports said
at the time that Liu Han had been
detained. Sichuan is one of the power
bases of Zhou, who once enjoyed vast
power as China’s security chief but
whose targeting in a corruption probe
was announced in July.
— AFP
Liu Han, former chairman of Hanlong
Mining, speaks during a conference in
Mianyang, Sichuan province, in this file
photo.
— Reuters
PHILIPPINES, INDONESIA SIGN AGREEMENT
7
ASIA
RUSHING HOME FOR SPRING FEST
S Korea’s ex-spy chief
jailed for poll meddling
People wait for their trains at Hongqiao train station in Shanghai, ahead of Chinese New Year, yesterday. Chinese Ministry of
Transport said a total of 2.807 billion trips are expected to be made during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, Xinhua News
Agency reported.
— Reuters
SEOUL: South Korea’s former spy chief
was jailed for three years on Monday
after an appeals court ruled that he had
intentionally sought to influence the
result of the 2012 presidential election.
Won Sei-Hoon, 64, had been
convicted in September last year of
illegally engaging in political acts
as head of the National Intelligence
Service (NIS).
The charges related to an online
smear campaign by NIS agents against
the opposition party candidate whom
the current president, Park Geun-Hye,
defeated in the 2012 poll by a narrow
margin.
A district court gave Won a two-anda-half year suspended sentence, ruling
that while there was clear evidence of
wrongdoing, there was not enough
proof that he had directly sought to
influence the outcome of the ballot.
The Seoul High Court, however,
dismissed the lower court’s distinction
and deemed the crime serious enough
to warrant a custodial sentence.
“It is fair to say Won had the
intention to intervene in the election,”
Judge Kim Sang-Hwan was quoted as
saying by the Yonhap news agency.
Before he was taken from the court,
Won insisted he had only ever worked
“for the safety of my country and its
people”.
The spy agency, which has changed
titles over the years, had a particularly
notorious reputation in the decades of
authoritarian rule before South Korea
embraced democracy in the 1980s.
The modern-day NIS has been
tainted by a series of scandals, most
recently the forging of documents to
build a false spying case against a former
Seoul city official who had escaped to
South Korea from the North in 2004.
— AFP
COBRA GOLD: The largest military exercise in Asia-Pacific has been held annually in Thailand for over 3 decades
Thailand and US start scaled down drills
NAKHON NAYOK: The United States
said on Monday its relationship with
longtime ally Thailand was going
through a “challenging” period as
the two sides began a major military
exercise, scaled down over Washington’s
concerns about the junta leadership.
Cobra Gold, the largest military
exercise in the Asia-Pacific, has been
held annually in Thailand for more than
three decades, but the United States
scaled the drill back this year after
sanctioning Bangkok for last year’s coup.
“We can’t deny that this period is a
challenging one and has necessitated
a modified Cobra Gold as Thailand
manages its return to democracy,” US
charge d’affaires Patrick Murphy told
the Cobra Gold opening ceremony at
a military academy in Nakhon Nayok,
east of Bangkok.
The Thai army took control last May
saying it needed to restore order after
months of political unrest that killed
nearly 30 people.
The United States responded by
freezing $4.7 million of security-related
aid and cancelling some security
cooperation.
Comments by a visiting US envoy
last month, including that Thailand
immediately lift martial law which has
been in place since May, further strained
ties.
Senior Thai ministers responded
by telling the US not to meddle in
Thailand’s political affairs.
Last week Prime Minister Prayuth
Chan-ocha, a former army chief, said
a general election would take place
in 2016 but stopped short of giving a
specific date.
His military government has
said martial law will remain in place
indefinitely.
Washington has sent 3,600 troops for
Taiwan pilots’ union questions move citing ‘combination of factors’
TransAsia pilots face test on
dealing with engine failure
TAIPEI/SINGAPORE:
Pilots
at
Taiwan’s TranAsia Airways are being
tested on how they handle an engine
failure and subsequent emergency,
days after the fatal crash of one of the
airline’s ATR 72-600s, an official from
the country’s aviation regulator said.
Initial data from the flight recorders
indicate that the plane lost power in one
engine just after take-off from Taipei’s
Songshan airport, Taiwan’s Aviation
Safety Council (ASC) said on Friday.
The crew then shut down the other
engine, which was working, and
attempted to restart it shortly before the
aircraft crashed into a river killing at
least 40 people.
Commercial aircraft can fly with just
one working engine, and the authorities
have not released any information from
the recorders that indicate why the
pilots shut down the working engine.
They said on Friday, however, that
a combined loss of thrust caused the
almost new aircraft to stall soon after
take-off.
The aircraft then lurched over
buildings and banked sharply to the
left before crashing upside down in the
shallow river.
T U E S DAY l F E B R U A R Y 1 0 l 2 0 1 5
Indonesia and the
Philippines on Monday
signed an agreement
on combating drug
crime, despite ongoing
efforts by Manila to
prevent the execution
of a Filipina on
Indonesian death row
for heroin smuggling.
Officials in Taiwan and
industry analysts say
evidence presented so
far raises questions over
whether the crew may have
accidentally cut the wrong
engine.
Officials in Taiwan and industry
analysts say evidence presented so far
raises questions over whether the crew
may have accidentally cut the wrong
engine.
“There must have been something
wrong with what the crew did,” said a
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official,
who did not want to be identified due to
the sensitivity of the matter.
“It’s a very big deal to turn off one
engine after take-off. It needs to be
double checked by the crew.”
This was the second TransAsia ATR
crash in seven months, and the fifth
crash involving the airline since 1995,
raising questions about safety standards
at Taiwan’s third largest carrier.
The CAA said that the flight tests
would only involve TransAsia’s 71 ATR
pilots, and not those who fly its Airbus
aircraft.
Pilots from China Airlines and EVA
Air, Taiwan’s two largest airlines, were
not being tested.
The CAA official said that the
results of the tests would be released on
Wednesday.
The move has been questioned by
Taiwan’s pilots’ union which said that
crashes happen due to a combination of
factors.
“The CAA and the ASC can’t just
jump to a conclusion like that,” said
Lee Ping-chung, Secretary General of
the Union. ‘‘It could be mechanical, the
weather, airline’s management of pilots
and how tired pilots are.”
TransAsia said on Sunday it would
cancel 52 flights today and on Tuesday,
in addition to the 90 already cancelled
following the crash.
Rescuers have recovered to 40
bodies, with three still missing.
Fifteen people survived.
A fuller preliminary report on the
crash will be available in next 30 days,
with a final one expected in the next
three to six months. — Reuters
Leelayudth, Thailand’s deputy Supreme
Commander, told attendees. ‘‘The
training shows transparency in terms of
these relationships.”
The exercise comes as Thailand
seeks to counterbalance its ties with
Washington by cozying up to regional
superpower China which says it
supports the Thai military government.
Ian Storey, senior fellow at the
Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
in Singapore specialising in Asian
security issues, said that cancelling the
exercise could have had major security
implications in the region.
“Cancelling them would have
created an opportunity for Beijing to
Thai soldiers carry national flags as they participate in the opening ceremony for
Cobra Gold at a military academy in Nakhon Nayok province, east of Bangkok,
strengthen its strategic ties to Bangkok,
yesterday. — Reuters
and that is clearly something that is not
in Washington’s interests in the context
this year’s exercise, down from 4,300 last
“Cobra Gold is a symbol of long- of US-China competition in Southeast
year, the US Embassy in Bangkok said in standing and continuous military Asia,” he said.
an e-mailed statement.
cooperation,” said General Wuttinun
— Reuters
Abe urges Thailand to
return to civilian rule
TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe urged Thailand’s military
rulers on Monday to return as soon
as possible to civilian rule as he met
his counterpart and former army
chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha in Tokyo.
The Thai junta chief is in Tokyo
after receiving his first invitation
from a G7 country since the coup
in May, which took place days
after democratically elected prime
minister Yingluck Shinawatra was
ousted by a court ruling following
months of street protests.
“Prime Minister Prayut is making
his best effort to recover democracy
in Thailand,” Abe told a joint press
conference.
“Japan expresses its strong
expectations for Thailand’s national
reconciliation and a return of civilian
rule as early as possible.”
Prayut said Thailand would speed
up action towards the creation of a
new constitution.
“We plan to hold elections in the
end of this year or the beginning of
the next year,” he said.
“I promise I will build a healthy
democracy in Thailand.”
The two sides signed a
memorandum on cooperation over
railway development in Thailand,
while “affirming the importance”
of promoting the Dawei special
economic zone project involving
Japan, Thailand and Myanmar, a
joint statement said. — AFP
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with two miko, or shrine maidens, of the
Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine as they pose before plum bonsai trees at Abe’s
official residence in Tokyo yesterday. — Reuters
Drone attack
kills IS-linked
commander
KANDAHAR: A Nato drone strike
in Afghanistan on Monday killed
a former Taliban commander and
Guantanamo detainee who was
suspected of links to the IS group,
officials said.
The missile attack killed Mullah
Abdul Rauf Khadim along with his
son-in-law and three others in their car
as they drove through Kajaki district
in the volatile southern province of
Helmand, Afghan officials said.
Local sources in Helmand said
Khadim, who returned to Afghanistan
after being released from Guantanamo
Bay in 2007, recently switched his
fighters’ allegiance to IS.
But a Taliban commander said
Khadim had “not formally joined
IS and IS had not recognised him”.
A Pakistani militant commander
said Khadim had been a key liaison
between various factions which have
broken away from the Afghan and
Pakistani Taliban movements.
A statement from Resolute
Support, the new name for the Nato
mission in Afghanistan, said “coalition
forces conducted a precision strike in
Helmand province today, resulting
in the death of eight individuals
threatening the force”.
It was not immediately clear why
there was a discrepancy between the
death toll given by Nato and Afghan
officials. — AFP
8
ANALYSIS
omandailyobserver
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
A DEFEAT IN DELHI
WILL HIT HARD BJP
A
defeat in the Delhi Assembly elections, as predicted by exit polls, is bound to
hit the BJP hard and shatter the aura of invincibility of Indian Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, analysts say.
Although the Bharatiya Janata Party has declared that the Delhi outcome
cannot be considered a referendum on Modi’s government, few think that it won’t
dent his or the ruling party’s shine. The results of the fiercely contested election for
the 70-member Delhi assembly will be known today.
Most exit polls released after Saturday’s polling have said the Aam Aadmi Party
of Arvind Kejriwal would win. The BJP, however, is still hopeful it will edge out
the AAP.
Political analyst Aswini K Ray said that if the BJP lost the Delhi battle, its
perceived invincibility under Modi will be undermined.
“(It will send out a message that the) Modi government is not invincible. The
Modi juggernaut, which appeared invulnerable, is no longer invincible. It will
have a major impact across the country.”
A former professor of political science at
Most exit polls have
the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Ray said a
BJP defeat would be a personal blow to the said AAP would win.
party’s president Amit Shah, considered a But BJP, however, is
master election strategist.
still hopeful it will
Veteran journalist and former diplomat
edge out. If BJP loses
Kuldip Nayar agreed.
He said it was the BJP which made the the Delhi battle, its
election a kind of referendum on the Modi
perceived invincibility
government by splashing his photograph and
under Modi will be
appeal to voters all over the capital.
Nayar said that if the BJP was defeated by undermined, reports
the AAP, it would signal that “the Modi wave
PRASHANT SOOD
has stopped”.
BJP leaders themselves admit that this
will partly be so because it were Modi and
Shah who picked Kiran Bedi, India’s first woman IPS officer, as the party’s chief
ministerial candidate, stunning the BJP unit in Delhi.
As a former Kejriwal colleague in the anti-corruption movement of Anna
Hazare, Bedi’s selection was tipped to be a “masterstroke”. In retrospect, party
sources say, the move failed to click with voters.
Subrata Mukherjee, who taught at Delhi University, said if the results mirrored
the exit polls, the BJP may have to rethink its slogan of “Congress-mukt Bharat”
(Congress-free India).
“They will realise that a Congress-mukt Delhi is working to its disadvantage,”
he said, because the city has been handed over to the AAP, which, like the old
Congress, has a Left-of-centre outlook.
In its maiden election December 2013, the AAP stunningly won 28 seats
compared to 31 of BJP and formed a government with Congress backing after a
hung assembly. The AAP government resigned after 49 days.
Mukherjee said the AAP had made promises to provide cheap water and
power but it will have to find resources to meet the expectations of the electorate.
“If they are in power, the law of diminishing returns will set in after a few
months. Criticism will be much more than what Modi faced till now (in eight
months),” he said.
A BJP loss would force Modi to reinvent himself and go for a more collective
leadership rather than leave the party affairs solely to Shah, Mukherjee said.
But if the BJP wins Delhi, Modi will reign supreme.
A BJP defeat will become a wake up call for the party, added A S Narang, a
professor of political science at the Indira Gandhi National Open University in
Delhi.
Modi led the BJP to a historic triumph in the Lok Sabha election last year.
The BJP then won power in Jharkhand, Haryana and Maharashtra and an
unprecedented number of seats in Jammu and Kashmir.
An AAP victory in Delhi would halt the blitzkrieg.
Six exit polls released hours after voting ended on Saturday indicated the
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had
comfortably beaten Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Although the polls have been inaccurate in the past, a loss for Modi would set
back his plans to consolidate power in the national parliament to push through
promised economic reforms.
Victory for Kejriwal would mark a stunning comeback for the anti-graft
champion who resigned following a chaotic 49-day spell in charge of the Delhi
state government a year ago.
US President Barack Obama looks out into the crowd during a visit at the Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Friday. — Reuters
Ukraine policy at crossroads
R
Yet tough rhetoric from some Obama advisers has
ussian-backed rebels’ violent offensive in eastern Ukraine
leaves President Barack Obama with perplexing and urgent raised expectations of a stronger US response.
“The Ukrainian people have a right to defend
choices, but aides say he will exercise his typical caution in
themselves,” Vice-President Joe Biden told a security
deciding his next move.
Should Obama provide lethal weaponry to the Western- conference in Munich on Saturday.
If history is a guide, however, Obama will refuse to be
backed Kiev government to staunch Europe’s worst conflict
in two decades? Many US lawmakers and some of Obama’s swayed by calls for swift action and rely on a small inner
circle of advisers in reaching his decisions.
own advisers are calling for that step, but it risks igniting
In summer 2012, for example, secretary of state Hillary
a proxy war with Russia and driving a wedge between
Clinton, Central Intelligence Agency chief David Petraeus
Washington and western Europe.
Should he impose tougher sanctions on Russia? While and Defence Secretary Leon Panetta all backed a plan for
sanctions have hurt the Russian economy, they have failed arming Syria’s rebels. Obama rejected it.
Obama set a “red line” against the Syrian government’s
to deter President Vladimir Putin and it is unclear if they
use of chemical weapons, and drew fire for not following
will do so in the future.
through with an implied military
Or should he throw his full weight
response after evidence of their use
behind a revised German-French peace
With diplomacy in
emerged.
initiative, even though US officials accuse
play, Obama seems
Obama has avoided laying down such
Putin of shredding a prior ceasefire
“red lines” in Ukraine, but the pressure
agreement signed in September?
unlikely to decide
is clearly building up for more decisive
US officials, speaking on condition
whether to authorise action.
of anonymity, say the president will
weapons for Ukraine
John Herbst, the US Ambassador to
weigh his options carefully and will
Ukraine from 2003 to 2006, said that
not be rushed into a decision. Obama’s
right away, writes
Obama’s “cautious instincts have served
administration has faced criticism that it
WARREN STROBEL
him and our country reasonably well
struggles to act decisively and project US
in the Middle East but he’s applied that
vision at the height of foreign crises.
same approach to Ukraine, where it
“The timetable is fluid. This is too
doesn’t make sense.”
important to make a snap decision,” one official said.
The difference is, Herbst said, that while Washington
Obama meets at the White House with German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, who discussed the peace has struggled to identify reliable allies in post-revolution
initiative with Putin on Friday and has made clear she Libya or in Syria, it has an “acceptable partner” in the proopposes providing lethal arms to the Ukraine government. Western Kiev government.
Herbst, now at the Atlantic Council think-tank,
Merkel, Putin and the leaders of France and Ukraine are
contributed to a report this month by former top US
due to meet tomorrow for further peace talks.
With diplomacy in play, Obama seems unlikely to officials which recommended providing weapons to the
decide whether to authorise weapons for Ukraine right Kiev government and $1 billion annually over the next
away. The US and German leaders may find some common three years to upgrade its defence capabilities. US officials
ground, however, on imposing further sanctions on say Obama has recommendations on his desk outlining the
pros and cons of supplying Ukraine with lethal arms, such
Russia, which have been Obama’s main tool in the nearly
as anti-tank weapons, small arms and ammunition.
year-old crisis.
Australia again trapped in political crisis management
A
ustralia’s frenetic leadership challenges,
fuelled by poor opinion polls and internal
party unease, could leave it trapped in
a cycle of political crisis management,
analysts say. Prime Minister Tony Abbott,
in the job for less than 18 months, survived
a backbencher revolt against him.
Had he lost, the country would have
had its fifth prime minister in as many
years. Politics has been roiled in recent
years by leadership changes initiated not
only through the ballot box but from
within the ruling political party amid
bitter infighting.
Labor leader Kevin Rudd was elected
prime minister in a landslide in 2007
only for his deputy Julia Gillard to snatch
power in a party room coup in 2010.
After narrowly winning the 2010 election,
Gillard herself was then ousted by Rudd in
2013 in another party room vote.
But he failed to turn around Labor’s
poor polling figures and lost the election
that year to Abbott.
“Australia seems to be going a lot
further than other countries in cycling
through the leaders,” said Wayne
Errington, a lecturer in politics at the
University of Adelaide, who cited the rise
of the professional politician as one factor.
“We’ve gone from never replacing a
leader in a first term in the two-party
system for about 100 years to suddenly
doing that twice in a row, so there’s
certainly a change.”
University of Western Sydney political
historian David Burchell said fear had
robbed the government and the opposition
of the ability adequately to explain often
difficult reforms to voters.
With national elections held every three
years and politicians facing constant media
scrutiny, both parties were struggling to
get their message across, he said.
“They have become paralysed by the
fear of fickle electorates, and trapped
in a cycle of endless political crisismanagement,” Burchell said.
Errington said there was no single
factor behind the increasingly common
leadership challenges, but more and more
backbenchers were entering parliament
viewing politics as a long-term career.
“If you’re a backbencher who is
relatively young and you think you’ve got
an entire career in politics ahead of you
Politics has been roiled in
recent years by leadership
changes initiated not only
through ballot box but from
within the ruling political
party amid bitter infighting,
notes MADELEINE COOREY
and suddenly you are looking down the
barrel of a government which is 10 points
behind in the polls you will just take that
very pragmatic decision and chop them
off,” he said. “Once you start doing this
it creates a cycle that you can’t stop... and
once you have this uncertainty and the
parties get in the habit of making these
changes relatively easily, it can all happen
very quickly.”
Such was the case with Gillard’s
removal of Rudd in 2010 — seemingly
overnight a new prime minister was in
charge, leaving the public stunned that the
man they overwhelmingly voted for had
been ousted.
In Abbott’s case, he has alienated
members of his back-bench by delivering
a budget last year widely seen as unfair and
making policy back-flips and so-called
“captain’s calls” — including creating
Britain’s Prince Philip a knight.
His polling has also been dire with
Abbott’s
Liberal-National
coalition
attracting only 43 per cent of the vote
compared to Labor’s 57 per cent, a
Newspoll showed yesterday.
“Everyone in politics is ambitious and
will stab you in the back at the drop of a
hat, so unless you can get that relationship
with the public, reflected in the polls, it
doesn’t look like you are ever going to be
safe any more,” Errington said.
Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott addresses opposition politicians during
question time at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday. — Reuters
ANALYSIS
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
omandailyobserver
9
New world order! — ‘Big brother’ is still watching
W
ALI AHMED AL RIYAMI
[email protected]
ith so many unexpected eventualities taking
place in recent history, where hope for
reconciliation, a brighter peaceful outlook and
a freer world were replaced by belligerency,
duplicity and hatred, we can all sit back and
wonder what went wrong?
The Orwellian future of ‘Big brother is
watching’ you, fashioned around totalitarian
state control, has literally been turned on its
head and is being high-jacked by extreme right
wingers on the one hand and religious fanatics
on the other.
Talk about a botch up, the eventualities have
really ‘taken the biscuit’ and in so doing have
gone almost completely overboard.
Where once there was at least a semblance
of understanding, tolerance and sense of
understanding, today we are all left wondering
what the future will hold and whether all we will
be seeing is further escalations of belligerency
and apathy towards human suffering that are
caused by these actions.
The escalation of ultra-conservatism,
considerable growth of extreme right wing
movements, especially in the West — that only
a decade ago where thought to be undesirable
with their neo-Nazi and fascist sentiments —
and the endless technological advancements that the world) — a trend which threatens the very
now permeate every facet of everyday life, are foundations of democracy.
What we are seeing today is ‘Big brother’
working in tandem in stifling liberal concepts
in reverse. We are all being stifled rather than
and ideals and the privacy of the individual.
The rise of the radical right in Western being given the much rated ‘freedom’ that is oft
European countries, particularly in France talked about.
As the inspirational and
and the Netherlands, has
acclaimed physicist Albert
been a large focus of media
Einstein put it: “Generations
attention. However, less
The escalation of
to come, it may well be, will
attention has been paid to
scarce believe that such a
the rise of the radical right in
ultra-conservatism,
man as this one ever in flesh
Eastern Europe and its links
considerable growth
and blood walked upon this
to the anti-austerity and antiof extreme right wing
Earth,” — with regard to
EU movements.
The incredibly successful
movements, especially the much revered Mahatma
and “It has become
right-wing party Jobbik in
in the West are working Gandhi;
appallingly obvious that our
Hungary has been receiving
in tandem in stifling
technology has exceeded our
more attention as of late
humanity,” — in relation to
from the media, but most
liberal concepts.
the growth of the former and
political commentators have
decrease of the latter.
focused on Jobbik’s rhetoric
These
two
quotes
and simply dismissed them
epitomise the real and urgent need for a unified
as contemporary fascists.
Ukraine and the rise of right wing extremism drive aimed at giving more, or at least just as
there cannot be seen, let alone understood, in much, attention to the needs of the people of this
isolation. Rather, it must be examined as part of world rather than on the abject sole pursuance
a growing trend throughout Europe (and indeed of products and detonation of weapons.
Restriction of enlightened free thought
brought about by fear of reproachment and
the level of invasiveness new technology
has brought into our lives, through ease
of surveillance — whether authorised or
not — are working to not only put out bright
sparks, but also to restrict individual liberty as
well.
Are we guilty of becoming that which we
most dread? Or are we simply running around
in circles of gloom and doom? In either case it is
the world’s loss and we are all left jumping at our
own shadows.
It seems as if apathy is the way of today.
There has been no serious movement’s
against escalating wars.
People have become numbed by the onslaught
of destruction, devastation and death that they
witness indifferently almost every day on their
TV screens, laptops and other broadcasting
devices.
What would have shocked previous
generations
into
demonstrating
their
disapproval, only has a limp response in today’s
world.
What a letdown this is! When will the
bloodlust end? And how will it end?
SEEKING UNITY
MAGGIE FICK
A
circular patch of land in Cairo’s central Tahrir Square poses a dilemma
for the government: how to honour the epicentre of the 2011 popular
uprising while pressing ahead with one of the fiercest crackdowns on
dissent in Egypt’s history?
After weeks of digging, workers put up a 20-metre pole carrying the
national flag in the space, something officials said they hoped would
help to unify a country torn by political turmoil since the revolt. It was
the latest attempt by authorities to define the narrative in a square where
hundreds of thousands of Egyptians staged protests that ended three
decades of rule.
“I have not heard any complaints about the flag up to this moment,
in spite of the state of uproar in Egypt and the differences of opinions
and all the issues. This is good,” Cairo Governor Galal Mostafa Saeed
said in an interview.
“It was appropriate for us to put a flag in this place because it is
unifying and makes people feel nationalistic.”
History suggests authorities must proceed cautiously in Tahrir.
The former headquarters of Mubarak’s ruling party, burned and
gutted during the revolt, is nearby on the River Nile, a reminder of the
power of the street just four years ago.
In November of 2013, Egyptian activists, who had been keeping a low
profile after the army seized power, returned to Tahrir and destroyed a
state memorial dedicated to protesters killed by security forces.
They accused the government of trying to paper over past bloodshed
and re-write history with a token statue.
This time, officials hope the flag will be a source of pride as the
government tries to rebuild an economy hit by political upheaval and
militant violence.
Critics accuse the state of crushing dissent since then-army-chief
Abdel Fattah al Sisi toppled Mohamed Mursi in mid-2013 after mass
protests against him.
The government faces the challenge of persuading Egyptians that
it respects the spirit of Tahrir despite widespread condemnation by
human rights groups which suggests otherwise.
Workers recently transported the white pole into the square on
horsecart and hoisted Egypt’s national flag.
So far it has not generated much controversy, or inspiration,
reflecting the country’s stale politics ahead of a parliamentary election
that starts in March. Some Egyptians view the government’s choice with
suspicion.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (L) and Austrian Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann in Vienna. — AFP
Rush to negotiate after Greece sticks to its guns
G
reece was locked in intense talks with its EU
partners after the country’s prime minister
stuck to his anti-austerity guns with the
deadline for a deal needed to avoid the risk
of default and a euro exit just days away.
In a rousing policy speech to parliament,
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Sunday
swore he would be “unshakeable” in
implementing his electoral promises and
refused to apply for an extension to the
much-loathed 240 billion euro ($270 billion)
bailout.
The
European
Commission’s
representative for the EU-IMF-ECB troika
and head of the Euro Working Group were
in Athens for talks with the finance ministry
in a bid to thrash out a last-minute deal
ahead of the emergency meeting of euro
zone finance ministers today.
Athens is expected to push for a new
debt deal with its international creditors, so
far something which its EU partners have
resisted, and its determination to rip up
the 2010 reforms-for-loans programme has
sparked fears the country could default and
exit the euro zone.
“With very little time to spare, Tsipras
let an opportunity pass to reassure Greeks,
the European partners and markets that his
government will do what it takes to keep
Greece in the euro,” Berenberg’s Christian
Schultz said.
The Greek stock exchange plunged over 5
per cent yesterday reflecting investor unease
after Tsipras’s speech, which pledged to
implement a series of social and economic
reforms outlawed under the bailout deal.
Stocks were down across Europe as alarm
bells rang across the financial sector, with
Berenberg tweeting “Greece on collision
course ahead of EU meetings 35 per cent
Grexit chance.”
ING Credit Strategy said that it was
“difficult to see how Europe can avoid fallout
from the weekend speech by Alexis Tsipras,”
adding, however, that while “the clock is
indeed ticking for some interim solution
whether Eurogroup will cave this week is
questionable.”
French Finance Minister Michel Sapin
summed up the dilemma for his EU
colleagues on his arrival at a G20 meeting
in Istanbul, saying that there needed to be
a way to ensure Greece would not be “at the
mercy of any sort of panic situation on the
markets.”
However, “we cannot simply say, we’ll
finance, we’ll finance” Athens without
“respect for European rules” in exchange, he
added.
Greece’s Finance Minister Yanis
Varoufakis was expected to hold a press
conference in Athens today.
He had earlier warned of the damage
a Greek exit could inflict on the zone,
telling Italian state television that
Athens’s departure would spark a domino
effect which would lead to the collapse of
the bloc.
“Greece’s exit from the euro is not
something that is part of our plans, simply
because we believe it is like building a house
of cards. If you take out the Greek card, the
others will collapse,” Varoufakis said in an
interview with Italian public broadcaster
Greece is expected to push
for a new debt deal with its
international creditors, so
far something which its EU
partners have resisted, and its
determination to up the 2010
reforms, reports ELLA IDE
RAI that was aired on Sunday.
Varoufakis also warned Europe that
Italy — a potential ally in the battle against
austerity — was not safe from financial
trouble despite its promises to tow the line
on reforms dictated by Brussels — and that
the country also had an unsustainable debt.
That sparked an immediate response on
Twitter from Italy’s Economy Minister Pier
Carlo Padoan who said the country’s debt
was “manageable”.
Tsipras was continuing the diplomatic
blitz of European capitals which took him to
Rome and Paris last week, meeting Austrian
Chancellor Werner Faymann in Vienna
yesterday.
He will hold his first face-to-face talks
with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at
an EU summit on Thursday.
So far Greece’s demands for more time
to renegotiate the country’s massive 240
billion euro EU-IMF rescue deal have hit
a wall, with European paymaster Berlin
vehemently opposed.
The European portion of the bailout is
due to expire at the end of the month, putting
Athens under pressure to do a quick deal.
The government has appealed for temporary
funding from its EU partners to tide it over
while continuing the negotiations.
A meeting of euro zone finance ministers
next Monday is seen as the last chance
for Greece to back down and request
an extension to the current bailout or
reach a deal interim financing if the new
arrangement is to be in place when the
current bailout expires at the end of the
month.
German Finance Minister Wolfgang
Schaeuble yesterday said that Greece needed
to agree a full programme with its creditors
if it wanted to secure European financial
help for its debt crisis.
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omandailyobserver
INDIA
BOOST TO SINGAPORE TIES
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
GDP growth for 2014-15
pegged at 7.4 per cent
President Pranab Mukherjee with his Singaporean counterpart Tony Tan as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tan’s wife Mary Chee look on during a
ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi yesterday. Tan is on a four-day state visit to India.
— Reuters
NEW DELHI: The government on Monday
said it expects the annual gross domestic
product (GDP) to grow at 7.4 per cent in
the current fiscal under a new method
for computing national accounts, thereby
resulting in the upward economic growth rate.
“Real GDP at constant (2011-12) prices in
the year 2014-15 is likely to attain a level of Rs
106.57 lakh crore, as against the first revised
estimate of GDP for the year 2013-14 of Rs
99.21 lakh crore, released on Jan 30, 2015,”
the central statistics office (CSO) said in its
advance estimates of national income 201415.
“The growth in GDP during 2014-15 is
estimated at 7.4 per cent as compared to the
growth rate of 6.9 per cent in 2013-14,” it
added.
The CSO, under the ministry of statistics
and programme implementation, had shifted
base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12, and had
come out with the new annual estimate of
national income and other macroeconomic
aggregates on January 30, 2015.
Under the new method, CSO measures
GDP by market prices instead of factor costs,
to take into account gross value addition
(GVA) in goods and services and indirect
taxes.
The base year of national accounts was last
revised in January 2010.
The CSO had earlier said that following
international
practices,
industry-wise
estimates will be presented as gross value
added (GVA) at basic prices, while GDP at
market prices will henceforth be referred to
as GDP.
The CSO has also revised the growth rate
for the first half of 2014-15 to 7.4 per cent,
from the 5.5 per cent it had reported earlier
under the old method.
At constant prices of 2011-12, the CSO has
revised the October-December GDP rate to
7.5 per cent.
While the growth rate calculated under the
new system for the second quarter has been
revised to 8.2 per cent, that for the first quarter
has been pegged at 6.5 per cent.
— IANS
BLACK MONEY ABROAD: Jaitley says the question is not about names but evidence that we need; veracity of new names will be verified
350 accounts assessed, 60 tax-evasion cases filed
NEW DELHI: The central government
has completed assessment of 350 foreign
accounts while tax-evasion proceedings
have been initiated against 60 account
holders as part of its crackdown on black
money, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
said on Monday.
“About 60 prosecutions have so far
been launched for wilful attempt to
evade taxes [S/276C(1)] and failure to
furnish accounts and documents etc
[S/276D],” the finance ministry said in a
release here.
“Show Cause Notices before
launching prosecutions have been issued
in a large number of other cases wherein
further action is underway,” it added.
Reacting to a media report that 1,195
Indians were in the list of clients who
held accounts in HSBC bank’s Geneva
branch from 2006-2007, Jaitley said:
“The details that have come out today
(Monday) are the ones we already have.”
“The question is not about names but
evidence that we need. Some new names
have been revealed whose veracity would
be checked by authorities,” he said.
Jaitley said the assessment of the
balance accounts will get completed by
March 31.
The finance minister said the
government could not proceed on the
“Swiss leaks” reports on the basis of
some names.
“Top hundred names have been
published in a newspaper.
Some of these names already figure
in the earlier list available with the
government.
Necessary investigation will be taken
“About 60 prosecutions
have so far been launched
for wilful attempt to evade
taxes [S/276C(1)] and failure
to furnish accounts and
documents etc [S/276D],”
the finance ministry said in a
statement.
up in all the new cases, expeditiously,”
the finance ministry said in its statement.
“Income Tax department is already
in touch with the whistle blower who
apparently brought out the names of
persons holding undisclosed bank
accounts in HSBC, Switzerland,” the
ministry said.
Tourist, girl abused; 8
held for Haryana murder
Why can’t blast
accused get
books, asks HC
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High
Court has sought to know from the
central and city government why it
cannot provide publications on
homoeopathy free of cost in jail to a
prime accused in 2006 Mumbai serial
train blasts.
Justice Rajeev Shakdher asked
both governments to inform about
the problem in providing the free
publications to the accused for study.
The court also asked the
government to inform it about
the status of case of Ehtesham
Qutubuddin Siddiqui, lodged in a
Mumbai jail.
Siddiqui had written a letter
to Delhi High Court, which was
converted into a PIL, seeking a
direction that he be provided 45
publications on homoeopathy free of
cost in jail for studying as he was too
poor to afford them.
Hearing the plea, the court
suggested
advocate
Rajdeepa
Behura, who appeared for the Delhi
government, that jail authorities can
purchase the publications and put
them in jail liberary from where the
accused can study.
“What’s the problem in providing
the books to accused? Jail must be
having a library.. it can purchase the
books and put there in library. Take
instruction on the issue and also on
the status of case in which accused
is lodged in the jail,” asked Justice
Shakdher.
— IANS
J A I P U R / K O L K A TA /
CHANDIGARH: A Japanese tourist
visiting Rajasthan and a teenaged
schoolgirl in West Bengal said they
were sexually assaulted, while eight
men have been arrested for their alleged
involvement in the gang rape and brutal
murder of a mentally challenged Nepali
woman in Haryana, police in the three
states said on Monday.
A 20-year-old Japanese woman, who
was visiting Jaipur, filed a complaint in
Dudu police station, 60 km from the
Rajasthan capital, accusing a man of
raping her.
“The incident occurred on Sunday
night. The woman was visiting tourist
places in Jaipur when a person on a
motorbike approached her and, posing
as a tourist guide, offered to show her
around. The man took her to several
tourist spots in the city and later to
a secluded place where, according to
her, he raped her,” Inspector General of
Police (Jaipur range) D C Jain said on
Monday.
In West Bengal, a 15-year-old
schoolgirl was allegedly raped twice by
a neighbour in Cooch Behar district,
police said on Monday.
The girl was allegedly raped on
January 27 and 29, but the incident
came to light on Monday after her
family filed a police complaint.
The Class 7 student, was allegedly
taken to Alipurduar by a neighbour on
the pretext that her father was admitted
to a hospital there, and raped.
In Haryana, police on Monday
claimed said eight people have been
arrested over the barbaric gang rape and
murder of the 28-year-old mentallychallenged woman from Nepal near
Rohtak town, 75 km from Delhi.
Director General of Police Y P
Singhal, who visited the spot on
Monday where the body of the woman
was found, said eight arrests have been
made so far and investigation was in
progress.
— IANS
“He has been requested to share
information available with him in
regard to undisclosed bank accounts of
Indians in HSBC, Switzerland and other
destinations.
His response is awaited,” it added.
Some prominent names in the media
report have reportedly denied having
the Swiss bank accounts.
The government had submitted a list
of about 628 such account holders to the
Special Investigation Team appointed by
the Supreme Court for the recovery of
black money.
The authorities, in December, said
that in case of money stashed in foreign
accounts, the disclosure relates to 628
Indians, who figured on a list of account
holders in HSBC’s Geneva branch that
India has obtained from the France.
Of these, no balance has been found
in 289 accounts, according to the SIT
report submitted to the Supreme Court.
“Out of the 628 persons, 201 are
either non-residents or non-traceable,
leaving 427 cases as actionable,” the
report said.”An amount of Rs. 2,926
crore has been brought to tax towards
the undisclosed balances in the accounts
(79).”
India has no official estimates of
illegal money stashed away overseas,
but the unofficial ones range from $466
billion to $1.4 trillion.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal Monday
urged the government to act against
HSBC Bank to unearth details of Indians
holding black money abroad while BJP’s
Kiran Bedi called it “stolen” money.
“Why doesn’t the BJP government act
against HSBC officials? They will spill
the beans.(The) US did precisely that,”
former Delhi chief minister Kejriwal
tweeted.
He added: “But (the) bigger question
is — what did first (the) Congress and
now the BJP do? Nothing? Why?”
Bedi, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s
chief ministerial nominee in Delhi, said
in a tweet: “Truly criminal, inhuman
when poor man’s money is stolen.
This has caused huge gap between
haves and have nots.
She said the Indian Express disclosure
was “evidence of where our national
wealth, meant for infrastructure (and)
nation building went... Truly criminal.
“All involved in HSBC scam must
get exemplary punishment,” she added.
— IANS
PROTEST RALLY
Protesters shout slogans during a rally by hundreds of Christians against recent attacks on churches nationwide, in Mumbai
yesterday. Five churches in New Delhi have reported incidents of arson, vandalism and burglary. The latest was reported last
week when an individual stole ceremonial items. — Reuters
The initiative has come from Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Mar Aphrem-II during his visit to Kerala
Warring factions of Syrian church move for truce
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After
warring for decades, the two factions
of Kerala’s influential Syrian Orthodox
Church, which have a combined
strength of over two million, have
indicated they are taking steps to sign
a truce.
The church’s majority group
known as the Orthodox faction has its
headquarters in the state’s Kottayam
city while the Jacobite faction’s supreme
leader, the Patriarch of Antioch, is based
in Beirut, Lebanon.
The first move came from visiting
Patriarch of Antioch Ignatius Mar
Aphrem-II.
On his first visit to Kerala after
being appointed as the patriarch, he
on Saturday set up a five-member
committee of the Jacobite faction to
open talks with the Orthodox faction.
On Sunday, the supreme head of the
Orthodox Church, Baselios MarThoma
Paulose II, welcomed the move, saying
necessary consultations will be held in
his church and a decision will be taken.
The feud in the Syrian Orthodox
Church in Kerala for power and wealth
The supreme head of the
Orthodox Church, Baselios
MarThoma Paulose II,
welcomed the move, saying
necessary consultations will
be held in his church and
a decision will be taken. A
five-member committee of
the Jacobite faction to open
talks was set up on Sunday
is legendary.
On many occasions, the squabble
has been taken to the streets and clashes
between members of the two factions
broke out, leading to protests even by
the bishops of the respective churches.
Incidentally, for a brief period from
1958 to 1970 following a Supreme Court
ruling, the factions remained under one
roof with Kottayam as the headquarters
of the church.
Since 1970, they have been at war
against each other again.
“Even though there are quite a few
court rulings that are in favour of the
Orthodox faction, no government
will take the risk of implementing
the court order, as it would certainly
lead to a bloodbath,” an Orthodox
church member said on condition of
anonymity.
“The most practical approach would
be to allow the two factions to go
their respective ways and to equitably
share the wealth of the nearly 10
churches that is the key to the present
squabbling,” said the Orthodox church
member.
— IANS
INDIA
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
AT DAGGERS DRAWN: Manjhi is encouraging horse-trading, alleges Nitish Kumar
Axed from JD-U, Manjhi seeks
floor test; Nitish stakes claim
Chief Minister Jitan Ram Majhi addresses a press conference after meeting Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi in Patna yesterday.
PATNA: Battle lines were clearly drawn
in Bihar on Monday as Chief Minister
Jitan Ram Manjhi, expelled from
the ruling JD-U, sought to prove his
majority on the floor of the assembly
even as his predecessor Nitish Kumar
staked claim to form the government
and accused Manjhi of “horse-trading”.
Days after Manjhi refused to quit and
dug in his heels, things came to a boil
on Monday, with Nitish Kumar meeting
Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi and
formally staking claim to form the next
government.
“Manjhi is encouraging and horsetrading,” Nitish Kumar told the media
outside Raj Bhavan here after he, along
with Janata-Dal United chief Sharad
Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief
Lalu Prasad, met the governor.
Nitish Kumar, along with 130
legislators of his JD-U, the RJD, the
Congress and the Communist Party of
India, marched to Raj Bhavan.
Manjhi, hand-picked by then
chief minister Nitish Kumar as his
replacement when he quit last year after
the JD-U’s rout in the Lok Sabha polls,
also met the governor and sought to
CURFEW CLASH
Kashmir
protester
killed in firing
SRINAGAR: A youth was killed and
another injured on Monday in Jammu
and Kashmir’s Baramulla district as
security force opened fire in a clash
with stone-pelting protesters during a
curfew, police said.
“Two people sustained injuries in a
firing incident in Palhalan (Baramulla)
area. One injured person identified
as Farooq Ahmad Bhat, aged 24, son
of Ghulam Ahmad Bhat, resident of
Bhagat Mohallah, Palhalan succumbed
to injuries on way to hospital,” a police
official said here.
Another injured person — Riyaz
Ahmad Bhat of Palhalan — is
undergoing treatment in hospital, the
official said.
“Police have taken cognisance of
this highly regrettable and unfortunate
incident. FIR has been registered
into the matter. The incident is being
investigated and all concerned are
being questioned to ascertain the
facts,” he added.
— IANS
RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav, JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar and JD (U) chief Sharad
Yadav address the press after meeting the Governor yesterday.
— IANS
prove his majority in the assembly but
by “secret ballot”. In the 243-member
assembly, the JD-U has 115 legislators —
most of whom are reportedly with Nitish
Kumar. It is backed by 24 legislators
of the RJD, five of the Congress, two
Independents and one from the CPI.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has
88 legislators and is supported by three
Independents.
Nitish Kumar accused Manjhi of
trying to organise defections to stay in
power. “It appears that Manjhi has got a
horse-trading licence after he met Modi
in Delhi,” he said, referring to the chief
minister’s meeting in Delhi on Sunday
with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“We, including Sharad Yadav and
Lalu Prasad, have informed Governor
Tripathi that majority is with us and we
are ready to prove it in the state assembly
any time either today (Monday), or
within 24 or 48 hours,” he said.
Nitish Kumar said they will wait for
the decision of the governor to invite
him to take oath and form the next
government.
But he warned that if the governor
failed to invite him soon, they will parade
their legislators before the president in
Delhi.
Manjhi was still defiant. “I am not
running away. I am ready to prove my
majority in the state assembly whenever
Governor Tripathi invites me for it,” he
told the media outside Raj Bhawan after
meeting Tripathi. Terming the ongoing
move to replace him “a conspiracy against
a Mahadalit”, he said he requested the
governor to provide him the chance to
prove his majority February 19, 20 or 23.
The assembly session will begin on
February 20.
Hours earlier, the JD-U expelled
Manjhi from the party, and blamed the
Bharatiya Janata Party for orchestrating
the episode.
“Manjhi has been expelled from
the party (for six years). He has been
indulging in anti-party activities,” JD-U
leader K C Tyagi said
“All the things that happened were
scripted. Operation Jitan Ram Manjhi
has been orchestrated by (BJP president)
Amit Shah,” he added.
In Patna, JD-U leader Shrawan
Kumar, who is considered close to
Nitish Kumar, said that the party has
also informed Governor Tripathi about
Manjhi’s expulsion.
Nitish Kumar was re-elected the JD-U
legislature party leader on Saturday.
JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Kumar
said the numbers are with Nitish Kumar
as he enjoys the support of the majority
of the party legislators and its allies, the
RJD and the Congress. According to
JD-U sources, only 12 party legislators
are with Manjhi.
Meanwhile, Manjhi’s loyalist JD-U
legislator Rajeshwar Raj on Monday
petitioned the Patna High Court against
Sharad Yadav who, he contended,
“illegally” and “unconstitutionally”
summoned a legislature party meeting
which elected Nitish Kumar as its new
leader. Manjhi had already termed
Yadav’s decision to call the meeting
illegal.
— IANS
omandailyobserver
11
Delhi count eve: AAP
confident, BJP cautious,
Congress downcast
NEW DELHI: The stage is set for
counting in the Delhi assembly polls
on Tuesday with the poll panel having
made all necessary arrangements
and candidates anxiously awaiting
the outcome of the fiercely-contested
election that has national ramifications.
The mood is upbeat in Aam Aadmi
Party with the exit polls saying that
it will win the polls to 70-member
assembly.
Bharatiya Janata Party workers
appeared apprehensive due to exit poll
results predicting a defeat but party
leaders have expressed confidence
about a comfortable victory.
The Congress appears reconciled
that it will finish third and party
leaders are hoping its tally is not worse
than eight it won in the 2013 election.
The Election Commission has made
elaborate arrangements for counting
across 14 centres in the national capital.
Counting will start at 8 am and
a picture about the likely winner is
expected in the next two hours.
Though it is a working day for
residents of the capital, the trends are
expected to be closely followed on
radio, television and the web.
The result will have wider political
ramifications, particularly for the BJP,
which is the party in power at the
centre and has had a good electoral run
since the Lok Sabha election.
Over 10,000 security personnel,
including from the paramilitary forces
have been guarding 20,000 electronic
voting machines (EVM) which
contain the votes cast in Delhi polls on
Saturday.
With margins expected to be slim
on many seats, political parties have
asked their candidates to keep a close
watch on counting and immediately
raise any suspicion.
Volunteers of AAP have been
keeping a round-the-clock watch
outside some centres where EVMs have
been kept. The process of counting will
be video graphed.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal,
who spent a relaxed day Sunday and
watched a movie with some party
leaders, Monday met party workers
and volunteers from New Delhi seat
which he is contesting.
AAP workers have planned massive
celebrations ahead for anticipated
victory.
Stages have been erected outside the
AAP office in East Patel Nagar for the
media and volunteers.
Four LED televisions sets have
been installed in the open by AAP for
workers to see trends and results.
Kejriwal is expected to arrive at
party headquarters in the afternoon to
address people.
In its maiden election December
2013, the AAP stunningly won 28 seats
compared to 31 of BJP and formed a
government with Congress backing
after a hung assembly.
The AAP government resigned
after 49 days.
AAP leader and former transport
minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said the
party was sure to get a majority.
“We will surprise everyone the way
we did in 2013,” he said.
BJP’s chief ministerial candidate
Kiran Bedi, who Monday addressed
BJP workers at Karkardooma
in her Krishna Nagar constituency
and expressed gratitude for their
support, said the party was expecting
a victory.
“Our workers have worked hard
and we are confident to win the polls,”
she said.
Bedi also who distributed a pictorial
book about her life to the workers,
saying it will inspire their children.
Congress, which exit polls have
predicted will finish a distant third,
is apparently not keeping too much
expectations.
P C Chacko, who is party in charge
of Delhi, said that the party did not
believe in exit polls and they were
waiting for actual results.
Party leaders said that they were
keeping their fingers crossed. — IANS
Afzal Guru’s hanging wrong, badly handled: Tharoor
NEW DELHI: Terming Parliament
attack convict Afzal Guru’s hanging
“wrong and badly handled”, Congress
leader Shashi Tharoor (pictured) on
said his body should have returned to
the family.
“I think the hanging was both
wrong and badly handled. Family
should have been warned, given a
last meeting and body returned,” he
tweeted on second death anniversary
of Guru.
Tharoor’s comments come after five
Congress legislators in Jammu and
Kashmir said in a signed statement
that Guru’s hanging was a “mistake”.
Guru, who was given a death
penalty in the 2001 Parliament attack
case, was hanged on February 9, 2013.
— IANS
Security personnel in large numbers deployed outside a strong room where EVMs
are stored after Delhi Assembly polls, in New Delhi yesterday. — IANS
The NITI Aayog has recognised the Indian diaspora as a great strength of our nation, says Modi
Premier to envoys: Utilise diaspora strength
R A K SINGH
NEW DELHI
Feb. 9: Prime Minister Narndra Modi
has described the Indian diaspora as
“great strength” of India and has urged
diplomats heading Indian missions and
posts abroad to “device innovative ways”
to rope in and utilise their strength in the
growth of the country.
Modi called upon the Indian envoys
and diplomats posted world-wide to
“build upon the strength” of Indian
dispora, including the Non-Resident
Indians and People of Indian Origin, at
the annual 6th conference of the heads
of Indian missions and posts abroad on
Saturday.
The Prime Minister’s conference to
envoys followed a day after the meeting
of the governing council of the NITI
Aayog (the National Institution for
Transforming India), which Modi
chaired on Friday. The NITI Aayog is
new body with which the government
replaced the 65-year-old Yojna Aayog
(Planning Commission) of Nehruvian
vintage on January 1 this year.
The Prime Minister said, “The NITI
Aayog has recognised the Indian diaspora
as a great strength of our nation, and
Heads of Missions must come up with
innovative ways, in which to positively
build upon this strength.”
The cabinet resolution, which replaced
the Yojna Ayog with NITI Aayog too had
identified Indian diaspora as a potent
force for India’s transformation into a
developed country, terming them as “geoeconomic and geo-political strength” of
the country.
An External Affairs Ministry release,
quoting the Prime Minister’s address
to the envoys’ conference, also said
that diplomats were asked to improve
the consular services for the NRIs and
the people of Indian Origin in their
respective countries.
The statement said the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister’s
conference to envoys
followed a day after the
meeting of the governing
council of the NITI Aayog
(the National Institution for
Transforming India), which
Modi chaired on Friday.
wanted the Indian missions abroad
to improve their consular services for
expats Indians so that they should not
face any problem abroad and in case of
any problem, the Indian missions should
intervene to resolve those problems
expeditiously.
Earlier addressing the conference,
External Affairs Minister Sushma
Swaraj apprised the diplomats of the
government’s expectations, including
those of the Prime Minister from them.
The PM expectations included a
sincere work and efforts from them
in meeting the India’s aspiration of its
rightful place — permanent membership
in the United Nations Security Council.
“The Prime Minister aspires for a
permanent seat for India in the UNSC
and we discussed how to prepare an
appropriate strategy for it”, said Swaraj, in
her address to the conference.
The Prime Minister’s address to the
conference of the heads of the Indian
missions abroad made it clear that India
greatly values its sons and daughters
staying and working abroad and
contributing in the nation-building.
Even the January 1 cabinet resolution,
which replaced the Planning Commission
with the NITI Aayog made it amply clear.
“The
Non-Resident
Indian
community, which is spread across more
than 200 countries, is larger in number
than the population of many countries
of the world. This is a significant geoeconomic and geo-political strength,”
the cabinet resolution, which set up the
NITI Aayog with PM as its chairperson,
had said.
“Future national policies must
incorporate this strength in order to
broaden their participation in the new
India beyond just their financial support,”
the resolution had said alluding to the
fact that NRIs’ and expatriate Indians’
remittances to the tune of $71 billion at
latest count has made India as the largest
recipient of remittances in the world with
China being only second after it.
In accordance with this recognition
of expat Indians’ strength that the
government later on January 5 had
appointed a free-market economist
and prominent person of Indian origin
Arvind Panagariya as the first vice
chairman of Niti Aayog.
Indian has been holding an annual
conference of the heads of the Indian
missions and posts abroad since 2007.
This was the 6th conference.
12
BECKHAM CAMPAIGNS FOR CHILDREN
T U E S DAY l F E B R U A R Y 1 0 l 2 0 1 5
David Beckham launched a campaign for
Unicef on Monday called “7” as he promised
to expand his role in his second decade as
a global ambassador for the UN children’s
organisation. “Retiring has freed up a little bit
more time for me, so I know that there is more
I can do,” the former football star said. “There’s
certain situations where I can go into... where
I can speak to the king of a country, because
they’re football fans,” he said.
WORLD
Extradition of
Rwanda genocide
suspect upheld
OSLO: A 42-year-old man may be
extradited to Rwanda to stand trial
over alleged involvement in the 1994
genocide in the Central African
country, Norway’s Supreme Court
ruled on Monday.
Eugene Nkuranyabahizi, a former
schoolteacher, is accused of taking
part in massacres that killed about
7,500 people.
The four judges were unanimous
in their ruling, which upheld
two lower court decisions that
there were sufficient grounds for
Nkuranyabahizi’s extradition.
As part of the case, the courts heard
testimony from witnesses compiled by
Norwegian police investigators who
visited Rwanda. Nkuranyabahizi, a
Hutu, has denied complicity in the
genocide, which is estimated to have
claimed the lives of 800,000 Tutsis and
moderate Hutus.
Incidents in which he was
implicated included coordinating
attacks by Interahamwe militia that
targeted Tutsis at the Akanyaru River
as they tried to flee to neighbouring
Burundi and an attack on people
who had sought refuge in a place of
worship in Cyahinda, the Supreme
Court ruling said.
In 2005, Nkuranyabahizi applied
for Norwegian citizenship but was
denied because Norwegian authorities
had been alerted about his alleged
involvement in the genocide.
In May 2013, he was remanded into
custody in Norway, and later that year,
Rwanda requested his extradition.
Nkuranyabahizi has lived in Norway
since 1999, where he married a
Rwanda-born woman. — dpa
A senior spy in the Bulgarian
communist secret service,
who worked in the Vatican,
said on Monday he was going
to publish his secret files as a
book. “Society will discover
in the book many of the socalled secrets of the Vatican,”
historian Bozhidar Dimitrov
told Bulgarian news agency.
Gunshots fired at police in Marseille
MARSEILLE: Police said on Monday
they came under fire in an infamous
housing estate in the French city
of Marseille after residents said
“Kalashnikovs” were being fired, though
no victims were reported.
The outbreak of violence in La
Castellane, an estate known as a drug
trafficking hotspot, came just hours
before Prime Minister Manuel Valls was
due to visit the southern port city to hail
the progress made in fighting crime. It
was not immediately clear what sparked
the violence at a time of high jitters
following the Paris attacks last month,
but Marseille is known for rampant
gang-related gun crime that has even
prompted calls for the army to be sent in
to police the toughest neighbourhoods.
According to a source close to the
case, residents in the housing estate —
where a 25-year-old was shot dead last
month in a settling of scores — alerted
the police earlier on Monday that
“five to ten” hooded people had fired
“Kalashnikovs” in the air.
There were no victims, the source
added, and police rushed to the scene to
deal with the situation.
On their arrival, they were shot
at while still in their cars, said local
Public Security Director Pierre-Marie
Bourniquel, who is running the
operation.
Children who were in a creche in the
estate were moved to a neighbouring
school, according to the source, who
wished to remain anonymous.
Security forces are still hunting for
those who fired the Kalashnikovs, and
riot police will deploy in the estate over
the next few days, Bourniquel said.
Police say much of the violence in
Marseille is linked to turf wars between
multiple rival gangs battling for control
Police officers take up positions during an operation at a housing estate in the French city of Marseille on Monday, where residents said “Kalashnikov shots” were fired “in
the air”. — AFP
of the drugs trade in the city’s poorest
neighbourhoods. The violence, they say,
is made worse by the easy availability of
high-calibre weapons, with Kalashnikov
automatic rifles being the murder
instrument of choice.
In 2013, Valls, who was then
interior minister, had warned that
entire neighbourhoods were “lost to
the dealers.” Ironically, he was due to
EU delays sanctions by a week
to support Ukraine peace talks
BRUSSELS: The European Union
delayed putting more Ukrainian
separatists and Russians on its sanctions
list on Monday to give a Franco-German
peace plan for Ukraine time to work.
The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France
and Germany will meet in Minsk,
Belarus, on Wednesday to try to broker
a new ceasefire in eastern Ukraine.
To encourage the process while
maintaining leverage, EU foreign
ministers adopted asset freezes and visa
bans on 19 Ukrainian separatists and
Russians and nine organisations, but
said they would not take effect until
February 16.
“The principle of these sanctions
remains but the implementation will
depend on results on the ground,”
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius
told reporters. “We will see by (next)
Monday... how the meeting in Minsk
went.”
The ministers gathered in Brussels
welcomed the glimmer of hope for
a deal following a new initiative by
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and
French President Francois Hollande,
saying the addition of new names to the
sanctions list could be annulled if things
went well in Minsk.
The list targets 14 separatists and
five Russians while only one Russian
organisation was among nine identified.
The names were kept confidential for
now, but diplomatic sources said they
included Russian Deputy Defence
Minister Anatoly Antonov.
There was no discussion of lifting
any other sanctions if Minsk goes well,
diplomats said.
“Until we see Russia comply on the
ground we cannot relieve the pressure in
any way,” said British Foreign Secretary
Philip Hammond, adding that the bloc
must remain “clear and united in our
stand against Russian aggression in
Ukraine”.
A peace deal would come as a relief
SPY TO REVEAL VATICAN SECRETS
visit the city on Monday afternoon to
pay tribute to the “excellent” results of
measures taken over more than two
years to fight crime. In an interview with
regional daily La Provence, Valls said
crime in the city had tumbled, pointing
to a 30 per cent drop in armed robberies
over two years and a 20 per cent fall in
physical violence against people.
Marseille has been a Mediterranean
To encourage the process
while maintaining leverage,
EU foreign ministers
adopted asset freezes and
visa bans on 19 Ukrainian
separatists and Russians and
nine organisations, but said
they would not take effect
until February 16.
to many EU countries that would rather
avoid tightening sanctions on Russia,
the EU’s largest energy supplier, and
harming their own economies.
Following the West’s economic
sanctions on Russia and Moscow’s
retaliatory ban on most Western food
imports, the Ukraine crisis has cost the
European Union 21 billion euros in lost
exports, Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose
Manuel Garcia-Margallo said.
Germany Foreign Minister Frank-
Walter Steinmeier told reporters he
hoped the Minsk meeting would lead
to “first steps... towards a ceasefire”. He
added: “But I want to say again that this
isn’t certain.”
Foreign ministers crowded around
Steinmeier and Fabius at the start of the
meeting to hear the latest on the talks.
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Linas
Linkevicius voiced scepticism about
chances of a peace deal leading to
improvements on the ground and said it
would be “a logical move” for the United
States to send weapons to the Ukrainian
army.
“We all expect there will be a
diplomatic solution, no-one wants
war, but we can judge only on the
developments on the ground, we cannot
trust a single word of the Russian
leadership,” he said.
Many European leaders, including
Merkel, have cautioned against sending
arms to Kiev for fear of fanning the
conflict. — Reuters
portrayed in the 1971 film “The French
Connection”.
That trade was controlled by powerful
international syndicates and the heroin
passing through Marseille was largely
destined for other markets.
In contrast, the current violence is
seen as the product of a free-for-all in
the supply of marijuana and related soft
drugs to the local market. — AFP
IN BRIEF
Serbia auctions off Soviet-era tanks
Trial against Costa
Concordia captain
in final week
A woman reacts as her residential block (in the background) burns following a
recent shelling according to locals, on the outskirts of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine on
Monday. – Reuters
trading hub since antiquity and has long
had a reputation as a hotbed of crime.
In the 19th century, the level of
registered offences was three times
higher there than in any other French
city and there have been regular
outbursts of gang violence ever since.
Drugs-related crime is also not
new, with the city’s central role in the
international heroin trade famously
ROME: The trial against captain
Francesco Schettino, the man blamed
for the deadly Costa Concordia
shipwreck, entered its final week on
Monday, with a court ruling expected
in the coming days. Schettino
is the sole defendant on trial in
Grosseto, central Italy. The 54-yearold is charged with negligence,
manslaughter, causing a shipwreck
and abandoning ship. He faces a
potential jail sentence of 26 years and
three months.
On the night of January 13, 2012,
the Concordia was taken off its
planned route and steered close to
the island of Giglio, where it hit rocks
and partially capsized.
Thirty-two of the 4,229 people
who were on board died in the
accident, but according to Schettino’s
attorney, the captain’s actions
prevented a far worse catastrophe.
“Did Schettino make the right or
wrong decisions? The right ones!”
attorney Domenico Pepe told the
court on Monday during his closing
arguments.
“If he had immediately ordered
an evacuation, 4,000 people would
be dead,” he said. On Tuesday, the
prosecution and lawyers representing
plaintiffs will speak one final time,
before the court retires to consider
a verdict that could be issued later
on the same day or on Wednesday.
Any verdict is subject to appeal, and
in Italy defendants are normally not
jailed until a final judgement.
The prosecution has claimed that
Schettino is a flight risk and has called
on the judges to have him arrested if
he is convicted. — dpa
BELGRADE: The Serbian army on Monday announced a fire sale of military surplus,
including a fleet of Soviet-era tanks and thousands of rocket launchers, in order to
raise funds for new equipment. The defence ministry in Belgrade launched the tender
to sell 282 T-55 tanks, 68 armoured personnel carriers and 1,283 guns of different
types and calibre to raise money “exclusively for development, research and purchase
of modern weapons.” But not any weekend enthusiast hankering to create a garage
arsenal overnight will be able to bid for material on the block. “Companies licensed for
arms trade can contact the ministry to obtain information on the status of weapons
that are for sale,” the ministry noted in a statement published on its website.
Also listed for sale to arms professionals are 16,780 pistols, 3,500 automatic rifles,
5,200 rocket launchers, more than 115,000 7.6 millimetre and 12.7 millimetre bullets
and 120,000 rifle grenades. The military did not put a value on the weaponry nor
say how much it hoped to raise in the auction. The novel bid to raise funding for
upgrading Serbia’s arsenal is the latest in a series of moves to modernise the army.
The Balkans country abolished compulsory military service in 2011. The transition to
a professional army of 30,000 troops ended a long tradition of compulsory service,
which was very popular until the 1990s wars that tore the Yugoslavia apart. — AFP
Polish miners of the Jastrzebska Coal Company (JSW) protest in front of the
company headquarters in Jastrzebie-Zdroj, Poland, on Monday. The coal
miners went on strike on January 28 to protest against the company’s
decision to cut costs, including freezing of wages in 2015, as well as the
removal of bonuses for workers, as a reaction to the worsening situation in
the Polish coal industry. JSW miners also demand dismissal of JSW President
Jaroslaw Zagorowski. — AFP
Leaks show HSBC helped clients dodge tax
GENEVA: Banking giant HSBC faced damaging claims on Monday that its Swiss
division helped wealthy customers dodge millions of dollars in taxes after a
“SwissLeaks” cache of secret files emerged online. The documents published at the
weekend claim the bank helped clients in more than 200 countries evade taxes on
accounts containing $119 billion. The huge cache of files, which were stolen by an
IT worker in 2007 and passed to French authorities, has sparked criminal probes in
several countries and attempts to claw back the cash.
The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) obtained the files
via French newspaper Le Monde, and shared them with the BBC and The Guardian
newspaper in Britain, US programme 60 Minutes and more than 45 other media
organisations worldwide.
The documents showed that HSBC provided accounts to international criminals,
businessmen, politicians and celebrities, according to the ICIJ. — AFP
REGION
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
omandailyobserver
SOCCER CLASHES: Pressure mounts on authorities over the country’s latest outbreak of violence
Egypt orders probe into stadium deaths
CAIRO: Egypt on Monday ordered a
probe into a stampede and clashes at
a Cairo stadium that left 19 dead, as
pressure mounted on authorities over the
country’s latest outbreak of violence.
Egypt suspended all major football
games indefinitely after Sunday’s
violence, which broke out when police
fired tear gas and birdshot at disruptive
fans.
Egypt’s hard-core football fans
have been repeatedly involved in the
country’s explosive political mix and
Sunday’s violence showed once again the
willingness of police to use force.
President Abdel Fattah al Sisi ordered
an investigation “to uncover the root
causes” of the violence, his office said, as
fans blamed the police.
The radical supporters of one of
the clubs involved in Sunday’s match,
Cairo-based Zamalek SC, accused the
authorities of carrying out a “planned
massacre”.
The Ultras White Knights, who
have been at the forefront of previous
anti-government protests, said on their
Facebook page that most of the victims
had been trapped inside a metal enclosure
that was only set up at the grounds the
day before the match.
Others also pointed fingers at the
authorities, including several youth
groups who demanded the resignation of
Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim.
Prominent journalist Ibrahim Eissa,
usually known for his pro-Sisi stance,
blamed the president and the interior
ministry for the violence.
Sisi “is directly responsible and
politically accountable for the blood
that has been spilt,” he said in televised
remarks.
The violence — reminiscent of clashes
that killed more than 70 people after a
football match in Port Said in 2012 —
erupted as thousands of fans tried to
force their way into a Cairo stadium to
watch a game, triggering panic as police
fired tear gas and birdshot at the crowd.
Health officials and police said all the
victims, mostly youngsters, were crushed
in a stampede.
Egypt suspended all major
football games indefinitely
after Sunday’s violence,
which broke out when police
fired tear gas and birdshot
at disruptive fans.
A soccer fan is seen near a police car, which was set on fire by fireworks, during clashes between soccer fans and security forces
in front of a stadium on the outskirts of Cairo on Sunday.
— Reuters
arrested.
“The deaths were caused due to a
stampede.
There are no signs of gunshot or
birdshot,” senior health official Khaled
al-Khatib said.
“The victims had lots of bruises, while
some had broken necks... People were
trampling each other.”
At least 25 others were injured, the
health ministry said.
Television footage showed crowds of
fans squeezed inside the narrow metal
enclosure, jostling to get inside the
stadium to watch Zamalek play another
Cairo-based club, Enppi SC.
“One fan set off a flare as he waited in
A bereaved father grieves for his dead sons at the Zynhom morgue in Cairo. — AFP the queue, which caused the police to fire
tear gas at the crowd that was squeezed
in a narrow pathway leading to the gate,”
“Nineteen people died,” interior given by prosecutors.
ministry spokesman Hani Abdel Latif
He said that 22 policemen were also said a witness who gave his name as
said, revising an earlier death toll of 22 injured in the clashes and 18 people were Ibrahim. Fans were further outraged as
the match continued despite the unrest.
The clashes prompted the government
to suspend the Egyptian Premier League
indefinitely.
What happened on Sunday was a
“disaster for Egyptian sport”, said Khaled
al Mortagy, a former board member of
the Al Ahly club, which announced three
days of mourning.
“Matches are being played behind
closed doors. This is leading fans to be
against the police. It’s becoming a culture.
If you can’t secure a match, how can you
secure the country?”
The 2012 Port Said riots erupted after
a match between the Al Ahly and Al
Masry clubs.
Sunday’s match had been open to the
public, unlike most other games between
Egyptian clubs since the Port Said riots,
the country’s worst-ever sport disaster.
The interior ministry had restricted to
10,000 the number of spectators allowed
into the stadium on Sunday.
Thousands of fans without tickets
scaled the stadium walls before police
dispersed them, officials said.
Experts predicted tense days ahead.
“Tension could rise further if the
government decides... to re-impose a ban
on spectators attending soccer matches,”
said James Dorsey, an expert on Middle
East soccer at the Singapore-based S
Rajaratnam School of International
Studies.
The incident also dashed hopes that
Sisi’s government “may adopt a less brutal
approach to its civil society opponents,”
he said.
More than 1,400 people have died
in a government crackdown targeting
supporters of former president Mohamed
Mursi since he was ousted by then army
chief Sisi in July 2013.
— AFP
13
DEMOLITION
Israeli court
orders 9 settler
homes razed
JERUSALEM:
Israel’s Supreme
Court has ordered the government to
demolish nine homes in a West Bank
Jewish settlement which were built
on private Palestinian land, court
documents show.
But according to the ruling handed
down late on Sunday, the authorities
have until 2017 to carry out the
demolitions in Ofra, north of the West
Bank city of Ramallah.
“Given
the
difficulty
in
implementing the demolitions, where
families live in most of the buildings,
and to allow them to find alternative
accommodation, I propose that the
demolition orders be carried out
within two years of this judgment,”
judge Asher Grunis wrote.
It was a long-awaited response
to a petition filed in 2008 by five
Palestinian landowners and Israeli
legal rights NGO Yesh Din.
“The petition before us relates
to buildings about which there is
no disputing the fact that they were
constructed illegally,” the court said.
Chief Justice Miriam Naor took
a swipe at the government’s footdragging over evicting Jewish settlers.
“By the end of the time stipulated,
the demolition orders should
be carried out with no attempts
to postpone the inevitable, as is
customary, unfortunately, in such
cases,” she wrote. Yesh Din’s lawyer
Shlomi Zachary hailed the ruling.
“By its decision the Supreme Court
has made unequivocally clear that the
law, human rights and particularly the
right to property must be respected
in the Palestinian territories,” he said.
Ofra, one of the oldest settlements
in the occupied West Bank, has a
population of 3,400.
It is deep inside the Palestinian
territory, and is not part of the blocs of
settlements that Israel will seek to retain
as part of any future peace agreement
with the Palestinians.
— AFP
IS pulls forces and Syria air strikes kill 15 near Damascus
hardware from
villages in Aleppo
AMMAN: IS has withdrawn some of its
insurgents and equipment from areas
northeast of the Syrian city of Aleppo,
rebels and residents say, adding to signs
of strain in the Syrian provinces of its
self-declared caliphate.
The group, which has recently
lost ground to Kurdish and Syrian
government forces elsewhere in Syria,
has pulled fighters and hardware from
several villages in areas northeast of
Aleppo, they said. But it has not fully
withdrawn from area.
The Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights, which tracks the war using a
network of sources on the ground, said
IS had redeployed forces from Aleppo
province to join battles further east
with Kurdish forces and mainstream
rebel groups. IS-held areas northeast
of Aleppo mark the western edge of a
domain that expanded rapidly in Syria
and Iraq last year after the fighters seized
the Iraqi city of Mosul.
Last month, the group suffered
its first major setback in Syria since
last summer, being driven from the
predominantly Kurdish town of Kobane
by Kurdish militia backed by US-led air
strikes.
Syrian government forces waging
a separate campaign against the group
have also inflicted losses on it recently.
“There are tactical withdrawals. It’s
not a complete withdrawal,” said the
leader of a mainstream rebel group,
citing contacts in IS-held areas near
Aleppo.
But he said IS appeared to be
preparing for a fuller pullback, saying
they had even dismantled a bakery in the
town of Al Bab, some 40 km northeast of
Aleppo.
“They are still there, but they have
pulled out the foreign fighters, the heavy
equipment, changed their positions,”
the rebel commander said in a phone
interview, declining to be identified
because it would endanger his contacts
in the area.
Four other rebels gave a similar
description of the movements by IS,
which swept across northern Syria last
year buoyed by its lightening advances
in Iraq.
The Observatory said IS had sent
fighters from Aleppo to reinforce front
lines with Kurdish forces and allied
Syrian opposition groups that had seized
the initiative of the Kobane defeat to
launch new attacks on the group.
“The front has expanded,” said
Rami Abdulrahman, who runs the
Observatory, adding that the fighter
group still had control over a wide
expanse of Aleppo province.
IS has no spokesman.
Last week, two IS fighters said the
group had staged withdrawals from
Kobane to redeploy forces to Iraq.
IS is also under pressure from the
heaviest US-led air strikes since the start
of the year. At least 70 IS fighters have
been killed by an escalation of the strikes
since the group released a video showing
it burning a captive Jordanian pilot to
death last week, the Syrian Observatory
for Human Rights said.
Residents and activists in Aleppo said
they saw IS convoys evacuating several
small villages in northeastern Aleppo,
and heading eastwards.
“There are villages that have been
effectively deserted in the last few days,”
said Abdullah Samer al Mashour, a local
elder from the prominent Mashhour tribe
in the area, citing contacts in the Aleppo
area, speaking by phone.
— Reuters
BEIRUT: At least 15 people were
killed and dozens wounded on Monday
in government air strikes on an area
outside the capital Damascus, the Syrian
Observatory for Human Rights monitor
said.
There were no immediate details on
the breakdown of those killed in the
strikes, which are the latest to hit the
town of Douma in the rebel stronghold
of Eastern Ghouta.
At a field clinic in the area, a
photographer saw a girl in a purple
headscarf and another child in a
woolly hat crying as doctors treated the
wounded, among them a young boy.
His eyes stared wide in apparent
shock from a face streaked with blood
and white dust. His arm was bandaged
and attached to a rudimentary drip.
In the streets outside, locals picked
through rubble, carrying the wounded
to the clinic, while a civil defence
worker trained a hose on a fire set by the
strikes.
The opposition bastion, east of
Damascus, was still reeling from a
There were no immediate
details on the breakdown of
those killed in the strikes,
which are the latest to hit
the town of Douma in the
rebel stronghold of
Eastern Ghouta.
government air strikes and surface-tosurface missiles fired at Eastern Ghouta
killed at least 82 people, among them 18
children.
Eastern Ghouta has been under
government siege for nearly two years
as the army tries to break the rebel hold
over the area.
The siege has created medical and
A boy stands on rubble as people try to put out a fire after what activists said were
food shortages, exacerbating dire
air strikes followed by shelling by government forces in the Douma neighbourhood
of Damascus, yesterday.
— Reuters humanitarian needs created by regular
government bombardment of the area.
massive government aerial assault on rounds into the capital.
More than 210,000 people have been
The rebel barrage killed 10 people in killed in Syria since the beginning of the
Thursday that came after rebels fired
more than 120 rockets and mortar Damascus, including a child, while the country’s conflict in March 2011. — AFP
Relief coordinator Valerie Amos says she witnessed ‘continuing widespread devastation’
2.5m on brink of famine in S Sudan: UN
NAIROBI: Over 2.5 million South
Sudanese are on the brink of famine,
with the civil war likely to intensify, the
United Nations said on Monday as it
launched a $1.8 billion aid appeal.
UN emergency relief coordinator
Valerie Amos said she had witnessed
“first hand the continuing widespread
devastation and destruction” and an
“untenable level of suffering” after
returning from a three-day visit to
South Sudan.
“We need the fighting to stop and
peace restored,” she told an international
donor conference in the Kenyan capital
Nairobi, where $529 million (467
million euros) was pledged.
“The conflict has had a devastating
impact on South Sudan but if peace
doesn’t come quickly, it will also have
a significant regional impact,” she
warned.
After seven failed ceasefires, the UN
said in its appeal for cash the “most
likely planning scenario” was that
violence “intensifies” in the dry season
when military vehicles can move
around more easily.
The UN also said it expected that
peace agreements “may not effectively
or immediately end hostilities.”
Top US official Anne C Richard
said that no conflict around the world
today filled Washington with as “much
frustration and despair” as this “manmade” crisis.
Richard, US Assistant Secretary of
State for Refugees, said some areas were
“teetering on the brink of famine”, and
that people “continue to suffer and die
unnecessarily because their leaders are
unwilling to do what it takes to restore
peace.”
Washington, a key backer of South
Sudan’s independence in 2011, pledged
a further $273 million in aid, but was
also deeply critical of the warring
leaders.
“This aid can only be effective if South
Sudan’s leaders end their intransigence
and promote the well-being of the
people, rather than their own rivalries
and political machinations,” she said.
Over half the country’s 12 million
people need aid, according to the UN,
which is also sheltering some 100,000
civilians trapped inside UN camps
ringed with barbed wire, too terrified
to venture out for fear of being killed.
— AFP
14
ENVIRONMENT
omandailyobserver
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
GREEN HOUSE: Japan inspires Hungarian inventor to find a revolutionary and inexpensive way to
construct buildings that slashes humanity’s energy needs by just using water to achieve a thermal balance
Hungarian
engineer Matyas
Gutai stands in
front of a Japaninspired waterhouse in
Kecskemet,
Hungary. — AFP
KECSKEMET,
Hungary:
As UN climate negotiators
gather in Geneva this week,
one Japan-inspired Hungarian
inventor believes he has found a
revolutionary and inexpensive way
to construct buildings that could
slash humanity’s energy needs.
And the magic ingredient for
Matyas Gutai’s invention is simple:
water.
It was launched after a long
process of testing and patenting
and a decade of research and
development at a Japanese
university. “Imagine a building
without insulation, yet with a
perfect indoor thermal balance,
thanks to the properties of water,”
the 34-year-old said.
He showed off a small prototype
in the backyard of a warehouse
in his hometown of Kecskemet
south of Budapest, developed with
some 50,000 euros ($57,000) in
EU funding and money from the
Hungarian government.
The walls of Gutai’s house are
made of glass panels — with a gap
in between like double glazing —
filled with water.
This water, only a few cubic
metres, is warmed by the sun —
it can be piping hot during heat
waves. It absorbs heat like a battery
during hot spells and distributes
it during cold snaps, making all
cosy in winter or cool in summer,
as needed. An inbuilt monitoring
system allows the user to set
the desired indoor temperature,
with the heat stored in the water
transferred around as needed.
Excess heat in the water during
hot periods is stored in a tank in
the foundations to be sent back
into the walls later when it gets
colder. The system reduces the
need for external energy sources
for heating, Gutai said, meaning
that the building can be more
independent from the local grid —
so not responsible for any carbon
emissions.
“In no other structure are
you completely surrounded by
connected volumes of water which,
using its natural properties, and via
a process called ‘convective heat
transfer’, is able to move energy
around to where it’s needed,”
Gutai said. “It absorbs, stores,
heats, cools and balances indoor
ART FROM WASTE
A peacock statue
made from waste
plastic bottles is
seen in the office
of the Ecores
waste processing
enterprise in
Minsk, Belarus.
The enterprise
collects about
30,000 tonnes of
waste, including
plastic, glass and
paper, annually
from the
Belarussian
capital of Minsk
and surrounding
region, after
which the sorted
waste will be sent
for further
processing.
— Reuters
WATER
HOLDS
KEY
TO CUT
ENERGY
NEEDS
temperatures.”
The walls can be made either
entirely or partially of glass and
are strong enough to support the
building structurally, he said, and
also provide perfect insulation
despite being much thinner than
those on a normal building.
He conceded that building a
house in this way is moderately
more expensive than the traditional
way, it is cheaper than standard
energy-efficient structures.
The idea is already attracting
interest from architects and
builders, Gutai said.
Surprisingly for a native of
Hungary, a country famous for its
thermal spas — and which gave the
world the Rubik’s Cube — Gutai
did not have his ‘eureka’ moment
in the baths of Budapest.
Instead, it came in the
“rotenburo” (open-air hot springs)
of Japan in 2003 when he was
studying sustainable architecture
at the University of Tokyo.
“First I was very cold on the
way to the pool, particularly on
my feet. As I got into the pool I felt
perfectly comfortable, no matter
how cold the air was outside,” he
remembers. It dawned on him
how much more important surface
temperature and heated mass are
than air temperature.
“Air temperature like a cold
breeze in summer, or the hot air
of a fire in winter, is important but
mass like in a pool is a completely
different quality,” he explained.
— AFP
India to mine Indian
Ocean for gold, silver
PANAJI: The central government is all
set to exploit 10,000 sq km of the Indian
Ocean seabed for minerals including
gold, silver and platinum.
According to a top scientist, the earth
sciences ministry is finalising a contract
with the International Seabed Authority
(ISA) to formally enable India exploit
10,000 sq km of the Indian Ocean seabed
for minerals including gold, silver and
platinum.
Director of the National Centre for
Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR)
S Rajan, who attended a 3-day Bharatiya
Vigyan Sammelan here over the weekend,
said the legal and technical commission
to the Jamaica-based authority had also
approved exploration plans submitted
by India. “Action has been initiated
to formalise a contract with the ISA
DIGGING DEEP
facilitating the initiation of a 15-year
programme of mineral exploration in the
allocated area,” Rajan said.
The Goa-based NCAOR had been
designated as the lead agency for this
programme by the Union Earth Sciences
ministry.
The scientist said mid-ocean ridges
in the central and south western parts of
the Indian Ocean were rich in metals like
copper, lead, zinc as well as other noble
metals like gold, silver, palladium and
platinum. “The deep ocean realm along
the mid-ocean ridges has kindled a lot of
interest, primarily on account of the high
concentration of base metals and many
noble metals in them,” Rajan added.
— IANS
POLLUTION
WARNING
Barrier Reef risks
turning dumping
ground: WWF
SYDNEY: Australia’s Great Barrier Reef could be
“severely damaged” if the government does not
completely ban the dumping of dredge waste in the
World Heritage-listed waters, a report commissioned
by conservation group WWF said yesterday.
The Australian government in January ordered a
ban on dumping dredge spoil in the marine park as
part of a push to stop the United Nations declaring the
site in danger.
But the ban does not include most islands and ports
as well as lakes and other waterways that fall outside
the marine park but inside the slightly larger World
Heritage Area.
Conservationists say dumping waste in reef waters
damages it by smothering corals and sea grasses and
exposing them to poisons and high levels of nutrients.
The report said port expansions within reef waters,
which it noted could see some 51 million cubic metres
(1.8 billion cubic feet) of the ocean floor dug up, would
have “devastating impacts” on the natural wonder.
The report prepared by the consultancy Dalberg
Global Development Advisors said there was no need
for coal port expansions along Queensland state’s
coast — where the reef is located — as the capacity at
existing terminals was unused one-third of the time.
“These coal port expansions could increase the
total coal port capacity of the region from 267 to 637
million tonnes per year”, the report added.
“This would make the total capacity of the Great
Barrier Reef ’s coal ports just less than the overall
capacity of the current largest port in the world:
Shanghai, China.”
Australia has come under scrutiny from the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization over the reef ’s health.
Unesco threatened to put the reef on its World
Heritage in danger list, but delayed taking action
until the start of this month to allow Australia to
submit a report on how it will protect the bio-diverse
site. Environment Minister Greg Hunt said his
government’s report to Unesco “clearly demonstrates
that the Great Barrier Reef does not warrant being
listed as in danger”. One of the measures implemented
by the Queensland government includes the banning
of dredging for new or expanded major developments
outside priority port areas for a decade.
“We know the reef is facing challenges but we are
making significant progress. There is strong evidence
that our efforts are working,” Hunt said in a statement
last week.
“The report demonstrates that we have heard the
concerns of the (World Heritage) committee and
we have comprehensively addressed every one of
them. We have also listened to the concerns of the
community.”
— AFP
Australia’s political battle set to revive carbon emission talk
SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister
Tony Abbott’s tenuous grip on power
has again put climate-change policy
at the centre of the nation’s political
leadership struggle, raising concerns
among miners and hopes for renewable
energy advocates.
Abbott, a climate-change sceptic,
faces a vote on his leadership of the
conservative Liberal Party, which
could invite a challenge from former
environment
minister
Malcolm
Turnbull, the man he ousted as party
leader in 2009.
Abbott’s vehement opposition to a
carbon emissions trading scheme was
a key factor in his usurping Turnbull
and in his 2013 election victory over the
Labor Party, which was itself riven with
divisions over the issue.
Former Labour prime minister Julia
Gillard lost public support and ultimately
her job largely due to breaking a promise
that she would not put a tax on carbon
emissions as leader.
Any shift away from Abbott’s
unconditional opposition to a carbon
tax would be met with “great resistance”,
according to a former mining company
executive now working as an analyst in
the sector, who asked not to be identified.
Australia is the world’s largest
exporter of coal and iron ore and one
of the largest carbon emitters on a per
capita basis thanks to its reliance on
coal-fired power plants.
Turnbull, a multi-millionaire lawyer
and investment banker, previously
backed an emissions-trading scheme
and said he would not lead a party
that did not share his commitment
to the environment. He is currently
communications minister.
But as speculation of a challenge has
mounted, Turnbull has sought to soothe
the fears of the Liberal Party’s right-wing
faction and rural-based Nationals Party
coalition colleagues who oppose any
CLIMATE
CHANGE
form of carbon pricing.
Turnbull, who has yet to make an
official challenge to Abbott, says the
2013 election served as a referendum on
an emissions-trading scheme.
“In the event of there being a new
global agreement we’ll review the
existing policy,” he said last week. “But
the idea we would or should suddenly
reinstate something we have abolished is
ridiculous.”
While the prospect of an immediate
return to an emissions trading scheme
appears remote, a new leadership could
help end an impasse over support for
Australia’s renewable energy target
(RET).
Some 44 Australian windfarm
projects have been put on ice since
Abbott’s government said a year ago it
wanted to cut the targets. Abbott has yet
to win parliamentary approval for such
a cut, and investors and operators say
they may downscale or leave the country
altogether if that happens.
Andrew
Thomson,
Managing
Director of the Australian energy
division of Spain’s Acciona, the world’s
largest renewable energy firm, said it
was unclear what a leadership change
would mean for the industry.
“But if you look at what’s happening
internationally, at the G20 there was lot
of coordinated pressure coming to bear
around the issue of climate change,” he
said.
“Within the next few months the
Australian government is going to have
to make it clear to the international
community what its ambitions are post2020. The RET is such a critical piece of
policy because there’s really not much
left when it comes to climate policy.”
Abbott famously said the argument
behind global warming was “absolute
crap” in 2009 and has since said he takes
climate change “very seriously” while
also describing coal as a fuel of the future
and good for humanity.
He adopted a so-called Direct Action
plan to tackle global warming through
measures such as planting trees, but
climate advocates say it will not do
enough to cut emissions and is out of
step with changing voter sentiment and
international action.
“We have taken an absurd course
and we have locked ourselves out of
conversations that are critical — we’re a
laughing stock in the UN on this issue,”
said Blair Palese, the chief executive of
environmental group 350.org. “There
is every opportunity for someone, a
moderate, to wipe the slate clean and
come up with something that is going to
work.”
— Reuters
INTERNATIONAL
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
omandailyobserver
15
Haiti faces protests as carnival nears UN pleads $1.8 bn
SPOILSPORT: Protest organisers warn residents to stay off the streets during the two-day
strike over gasoline prices, saying that those who ventured out would risk their lives
PORT-AU-PRINCE: Anti-government
street protesters plan to shut down
Haiti’s capital for two days as the country
plunges deeper into political and
economic crises even as many prepare
for the annual Carnival, normally a time
of peaceful revelry.
Protest organisers warned residents
of the capital to stay off the streets
during the two-day strike over gasoline
prices, saying that those who ventured
out would risk their lives.
Prime Minister Evans Paul made
an appeal for calm via Twitter over
the weekend and said the government
would guarantee security.
The impoverished Caribbean nation
is in the midst of a political crisis after
the previous prime minister was forced
to resign in December and parliament
was dissolved over the failure to hold
municipal and legislative elections.
For three months, President Michel
Martelly has faced radical government
opponents calling for his removal, with
students joining the protests last week.
Haiti’s government badly needs to
raise cash from the sale of gasoline
to pay off its mounting fuel debt with
Venezuela’s preferential PetroCaribe
programme, which has ballooned to
about $1.5 billion.
The government “cannot lower the
price of gas. It’s not that we do not want
to, it’s because we are not able to,” Paul
said in a statement.
After a one-day fuel strike last
Monday, the government announced
lower fuel prices, reducing gasoline to
195 gourdes ($4.25) per gallon from 215
Haitian Police remove a barricade of burning tyres placed by demonstrators during a march against the Government of Haitian
President Michel Martelly and to demand lower fuel prices, in Port-au-Prince, on Sunday. — AFP
gourdes ($4.62).
“We are asking for gasoline prices to
be reduced to 100 gourdes ($2) a gallon,”
said Assad Volcy, one of the leaders of
the protest movement.
More than 6 million Haitians, about
60 per cent of the population, live on
two dollars a day, according to a recent
World Bank report.
The US State Department and the
United Nations peace-keeping force
in Haiti have so far stood by Martelly,
praising his efforts at compromise, and
urging all sides to agree to hold the
overdue elections.
On Saturday, the 29th anniversary
of the overthrow of the dictatorship
of Jean-Claude ‘Baby Doc’ Duvalier,
several thousand protesters marched
in protest in Port-au-Prince to demand
the departure of Martelly and for lower
gasoline prices.
The protesters, who threw rocks and
blocked streets with burning tires, were
dispersed by police using tear gas. Police
prevented them reaching an area near
the presidential palace where the threeday Carnival will be staged starting on
February 15.
“Today, we have a spiritual son
of Duvalier in power, who has done
everything to shut down parliament.
We’re giving a lesson of democracy
to Martelly... to show him we are not
accepting the return of dictatorship,”
Volcy said. — Reuters
Nigeria vote will not be postponed
any further, says security adviser
ABUJA: Nigeria’s general election will not be
postponed past March 28, National Security Adviser
Sambo Dasuki said on Monday, after he successfully
lobbied for a poll delay because of Boko Haram
violence.
“Those dates will not be shifted again,” Dasuki
said when asked if the polls, initially scheduled for
February 14, could be pushed back further.
Dasuki urged election officials to postpone the vote
on the grounds that the military could not provide
nationwide election security because all available
resources were being deployed to the northeast to fight
Boko Haram.
His justification for the delay was widely criticised,
in part because the military is not primarily responsible
for election security in Nigeria.
Troops have only been called in when police and
civil defence units have needed reinforcements.
In the interview, Dasuki suggested the main
motivation for the delay was the need to assure safe
voting in the northeast states where Boko Haram
is most active and controls significant territory:
Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
The opposition and some observers said the poll
was delayed to allow more time for President Goodluck
Jonathan to revive his campaign, which was facing a
tough challenge from ex-military ruler Muhammadu
Buhari.
But Dasuki insisted there was no political motive
aid for South Sudan
NAIROBI: Over 2.5 million South
Sudanese are on the edge of famine and
civil war is expected to continue, the
United Nations warned on Monday,
making an appeal for $1.8 billion in aid.
UN emergency relief coordinator
Valerie Amos said she witnessed
“first hand the continuing widespread
devastation and destruction” and an
“untenable level of suffering” after
returning from a three-day visit to
South Sudan.
“We need the fighting to stop and
peace restored,” she told an international
donor conference in the Kenyan capital
Nairobi.
“The conflict has had a devastating
impact on South Sudan but if peace
doesn’t come quickly, it will also have
a significant regional impact,” she
warned.
After seven failed ceasefires, the
UN said in its appeal for cash the “most
likely planning scenario” was that
violence “intensifies” in the dry season
when military vehicles can more easily
move.
The UN also said it expected that
peace “agreements may not effectively
or immediately end hostilities.”
Over half the country’s 12 million
people need aid, according to the
United Nations, which is also guarding
some 100,000 civilians trapped inside
UN camps ringed with barbed wire, too
terrified to venture out for fear of being
killed.
Of those, the UN estimates
2.5 million people are in a state of
emergency or crisis, steps just short of
famine.
The United Nations also
said it expected that peace
“agreements may not
effectively or immediately
end hostilities.”
“The violation of the cessation of
hostilities agreement... will no longer
be tolerated,” Kenyan Foreign Minister
Amina Mohamed said, warning of the
“real risk that the situation will continue
to deteriorate before it gets better.”
Almost two million have been
forced from their homes and 500,000 of
them have fled abroad to neighbouring
countries.
President Salva Kiir and rebel
leader Riek Machar have been set a
March 5 deadline to strike a final peace
agreement, but previous deadlines have
been repeatedly ignored despite the
threat of sanctions. “South Sudan’s
leaders need to show their people
and the world they are committed to
securing that peace,” said Amos.
In response, South Sudan’s
Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial
Benjamin insisted the government was
“committed to pursue peace”, and that
the next round of faltering peace talks
would resume on February 19.
US actor Forest Whitaker, a UN
peace envoy who joined Amos in
visiting South Sudan, said he had met
with communities that had “witnessed
unspeakable atrocities”.
“The needs are immense and
human suffering is unbearably real,” he
said. — AFP
UKRAINE CRISIS MEETING
Boko Haram attacks Niger prison before vote
NIAMEY: Nigeria’s Boko Haram fighters attacked
a prison in neighbouring Niger overnight, hours
before Niger’s parliament was due to vote on joining
a regional offensive against the militants, witnesses
said.
Heavy gunfire rang out as Niger’s army repelled
the attack, Boko Haram’s third assault on the
border town of Diffa in four days, residents and
military sources said. Authorities ordered locals
to stay in their homes and mounted roadblocks
around the town by late morning. Residents said
many had fled.
“It’s now evident that Boko Haram has its cells,
its sleeping networks in the town and the region of
Diffa,” said a military source there.
It was not immediately clear how many people
were killed or wounded, or whether any of the
prisoners were freed.
A member of the national guard, which runs
underlying his call for a delay.
“It’s not everybody who does things for selfish
reasons. Some of us have a conscience,” he said.
He said the postponement could easily help
the opposition All Progressives Congress, because
improved security could boost turnout in the
northeast, an APC stronghold.
prison security, said about 100 suspected Boko
Haram militants were held in Niger, but none of
them in Diffa. Boko Haram has killed thousands and
kidnapped hundreds in its bid to carve out an Islamic
emirate in northeastern Nigeria.
It has expanded its operations zone into
neighbouring Cameroon and attacks near Lake Chad
— a crossroads between Nigeria, Chad and Niger
— have sent tens of thousands of refugees fleeing
across the borders.
On Saturday, the governments of Cameroon,
Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin agreed to establish
an 8,700 strong multi-national force to take on Boko
Haram.
Niger’s parliament was due to vote on Monday
on whether to authorise the army to cross the border
into Nigeria to participate in the regional offensive.
Troops from Chad are already carrying out operations
inside Nigerian territory.
— Reuters
The NSA said he believed the new military
cooperation agreed two weeks between Nigeria and
its neighbours — Cameroon, Chad and Niger — will
prove decisive against Boko Haram.
Nigeria’s military has its own largely failed to
contain the uprising over the last six years.
— AFP
US President Barack Obama meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to
discuss the crisis in Ukraine at the White House in Washington on Monday. The
leaders of Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France agreed to meet in Belarus on
Wednesday to try to broker a peace deal for Ukraine amid escalating violence
there and signs of cracks in the transatlantic consensus on confronting Vladimir
Putin. (See also Page 12)
— Reuters
Senegal hosts US, African army chiefs
DAKAR: Peace and security will be the focus of a conference bringing together top
American military brass and the heads of 35 African armies which opened in Senegal
on Monday. The meeting comes amid heightened concerns over conflict across the
continent, with intensified Boko Haram bloodshed delaying elections in Nigeria, the
Central African Republic struggling to recover from a coup and ethnic violence raging
in South Sudan.
“Soldiers and diplomats are partners, just as Africans and Americans are partners,”
James Peter Zumwalt, the US Ambassador to Senegal, told delegates at the opening of
the four-day African Land Forces Summit in Dakar. “This week we will focus discussions
on peace and security (because) we all understand that enduring peace and stability
are essential prerequisites for economic growth,” he added. — AFP
Styles differ but US presidents make fitness a priority
NEW YORK: Whether the request
was for a treadmill on Air Force One,
an elliptical trainer by the White
House pool, or a rower adjacent the
Lincoln bedroom, when The Oval
Office called, fitness trainer Ted Vickey
answered.
As the former executive director of
the White House Athletic Center during
the presidencies of Bill Clinton and
George W Bush, Vickey served their
fitness demands.
While their styles differed, Vickey
said each president made fitness a
priority.
“Both Clinton and Bush were big
outdoor runners but Clinton would also
like to run outside the gates, talking to
people,” Vickey recalled. “Bush was a
more private exerciser; the elder Bush
enjoyed speed golf.”
Although the presidents didn’t use
the Athletic Center, which was built
for staffers in 1987 under the Reagan
Administration, Vickey was familiar
with their fitness routines.
Bush used exercise as a way to manage
his day, said Vickey, who installed a
folding treadmill on Air Force One so
the 43rd president could work out on a
trip to Colombia.
Vickey also converted a room near
the Lincoln bedroom into a fitness
center.
“One day The Oval Office called: ‘We
need you to get us a bike, elliptical and
rower, delivered to West Wing and we
want it tomorrow,’” Vickey said.
During Bush’s tenure the size of
the member-supported White House
Athletic Center doubled to over 8,000
square feet. Bush encouraged his staffers
to work out during their day.
“Center membership increased
during his term,” Vickey said.
Jessica Matthews, senior health
and fitness expert for the American
Council on Exercise, said the presidents
were wise because research has shown
the benefits of exercise for people in
high-stress positions, from increasing
productivity to avoiding depression and
burn out.
“Pilot studies have pointed to reduced
stress levels after even a single bout of
exercise,” she said.
Vickey, who left the White House in
2005, believes fitness is still a priority for
the president.
“I know President Barack Obama
is big on basketball,” he said. “He’s
obviously a golfer and I know he brought
his personal trainer with him from
Chicago.”
Now based in California and the
head of FitWell LLC, a corporate fitness
management company, Vickey said
presidents set an example for others to
follow.
“If the president of the United States
can find an hour in the day to work out,
what’s our excuse?” he added. — Reuters
16
PANORAMA
omandailyobserver
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
A woman carrying a basket walks down a narrow alley as she returns from the vegetable market in Kathmandu on Monday.
— Reuters
An employee poses
in front of the art
work ‘Bad Timing,
Lamb Chop!’ (20042005) by Swiss
artist Urs
Fischer during
a photocall in
central London
on Monday.
The art work
will be
auctioned in
London on
February 12. — AFP
Yu Jietao, a 26-year-old wood carver, sits in his homemade wooden car along a street in Guangfeng county of Shangrao, Jiangxi province on
Monday. Yu spent over 100,000 yuan to build the wooden vehicle, which is approximately 4 metre long and 1.5 metre wide and 1.5 metre in
height. The car can travel as fast as 30 km per hour, local media reported. — Reuters
A woman
feeds seagulls
in front of the
opera house in
Zurich on
Monday.
— Reuters
A man walks past a sculpture under the shelter of his umbrella as snow falls at the port
of Thessaloniki on Monday. A number of roads in northern Greece were closed after
temperatures dropped below zero and snow fell in many parts. — AFP
A man takes a
picture of a handmade decorative
lion head in Hong
Kong on Monday
during an exhibition
about the traditional
lion dance which is
performed in many
countries of Asia
during the Chinese
New Year. — AFP
A girl plays with snow inside a display of plastic penguins during the Ice and snow carnival at
Taoranting park in Beijing on Monday. — Reuters
Yu Qiquan, a dough modelling artist, polishes a sculpture of
Cai Shen, or the God of Wealth, which will be put on display
at a department store during the Chinese Lunar New Year, in
Shenyang, Liaoning province coming Monday. The
2.28-metre-tall sculpture, was made from 150 kg of glutinous
rice flour on steel frame. It took Yu two months to build and
cost over 10,000 yuan. The Chinese Lunar New Year on
February 19 will welcome the Year of the Sheep. — Reuters
TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 10, 2015 | RABEE AL THANI 20, 1436 AH
P19
P20
P21
Inside
Oman LNG pact to for training schemes Nadella shifting focus at Microsoft Global Property Show at Exhibition Centre FOLLOW US ON:
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Serious efforts launched to streamline SME sector
MAJOR STEPS: The Authority is planning to come out with business analysis centres in coordination with international experts.
KAUSHALENDRA SINGH
SALALAH:
Feb. 9: There is a serious effort to
streamline activities in the Small and
Medium Enterprises (SME) sector to
make it more productive and responsive.
The effort reflects in a range of activities
being taken by the Authority from
offering the entrepreneurs proper
training, doing follow up of the projects,
direct and indirect visits, and even
sending them abroad for firsthand
experience in their respective areas.
Mohammed Ahmed al Ghassani,
in-charge of newly established Salalah
chapter of the Public Authority for Small
and Medium Enterprises (PASME), gave
insight into the steps and said, “The
steps will have far reaching positive
The transformation of
results in empowering the entrepreneurs
SME functioning from
and giving entirely professional outlook
to the SME sector.”
Directorate to Public
In an interview with Observer, Al
Authority reflects a
Ghassani said: “The transformation of
lot about the government’s
SME functioning from Directorate to
Public Authority reflects a lot about the
focus on the sector. This has
government’s focus on the sector. This
been done to streamline the
has been done to streamline the sector
sector by quickness, clarity
by quickness, clarity and quality.”
Commenting on SME scenario
and quality.
in Salalah Al Ghassani said, Dhofar
MOHAMMED AHMED AL GHASSANI
Governorate has lots of potential and it
is up to the entrepreneurs how do they
grab the opportunity. “While Salalah is who are serious and are ready to deliver. responsibility to strengthen the sector by
rich in resources, the Authority for SMEs Since the Authority has liberty in all possible means.”
is ready to support the entrepreneurs drafting budget and policies, we have a
He laid out the criteria for Micro,
Deadline for Duqm Refinery
EPC prequalification extended
CONRAD PRABHU
MUSCAT
Feb. 9: Global engineering firms eyeing
multibillion dollar contracts linked to
the implementation of a mega refinery
scheme at Duqm on Oman’s Wusta
coast have been granted a roughly
4-week extension to submit their
prequalification offers. Accordingly,
prequalification documents are now
due in latest by March 12, 2015, as
opposed to the earlier submission date
of February 15, 2015.
According to informed sources,
the extension is designed to attract
some of the world’s biggest players to
participate in the competitive tender
for the Engineering — Procurement —
Construction (EPC) of the mammoth
greenfield venture.
Duqm Refinery and Petrochemical
Industries Co LLC (DRPIC), a joint
venture between Oman Oil Company
(OOC) and International Petroleum
Investment Co (IPIC) — respectively the
energy investment arms of the Sultanate
of Oman and the UAE Emirate of Abu
Dhabi – are overseeing the development
of the 230,000 barrels per day capacity
refinery at the Duqm Special Economic
Zone (SEZ).
With an estimated price tag of $6
billion, the giant project is expected to
anchor the SEZ’s development, as well
as catalyse investment inflows into this
world-scale industrial hub.
Envisioned in the second phase
is the development of an integrated
TO PAGE 20
Small and Medium SMEs, as they are
judged on two basic scales — workforce
and sales. A set up having below five
workers is Micro, between five and nine
is Small and 10 to 99 is a Medium SME.
Sales wise, a company having sales below
RO 25,000 is Micro, between RO 25000
and 250,000 is Small and a set up with
sales between 250,000 and 1.5 million is
a Medium SME.”
The Authority has come out with a
website, which offers special services to
its registered members. A registered has
access to information like how to form
an SME, where to get training, dedicated
course guides and offers to get trainings
abroad.
“We have identified countries as per
our SME requirements. Like we send
entrepreneurs who interested in setting
up restaurants to Spain, Holland to who
want to deal in flowers, England for
machineries, China for construction,
South Korea for Electronics and Turkey
for furniture,” said Al Ghassani.
The SME Authority, according to
him, coordinates with other authorities
to make things easy for the new
entrepreneurs and boost investment in
the Private sector.
“We work as facilitator in setting up
a partnership between the government
and those private partners who want to
share skills through training, funding
and training abroad.”
TO PAGE 20
18
OMAN
omandailyobserver
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
ALL-NEW LEXUS NX launched in Oman
A
t
an
exclusive
function held at the
Wattayah showroom,
the All-New 2015
Lexus
NX
was
launched in Oman.
The Guest of Honour at the event was the
creator of the All-New NX — Takeaki
Kato. He was accompanied by the
General-Manager, Sales and Marketing,
Middle East & North Africa, Takayuki
Yoshitsugu.
Takayuki Yoshitsugu, in his introductory speech talked about the exciting
new Lexus NX. He said, “As you can see,
we are passionate about creating amazing. The new Lexus NX is a step forward
in the state of the art amazing design and
an amazing brand experience.
All praises for the NX he said, “The
Lexus NX is a no compromise SUV, a
true hero that expresses the aspirations
of its drivers. The NX is all set to change
the game.”
Elaborating further he said, “The design is aggressive. The vehicle has a wide
powerful, solid stance. The sweeping
lines and angles make the car stand out
in the crowd. The NX is not just sporty
but, “athletic”: muscular.
Later in the evening, guests received
detailed information about the All-New
NX, from none other than the Chief
Engineer of the All-New NX himself –
Takeaki Kato. Outlining the philosophy
behind the development of the All-New
NX Kato said, “NX had to be “urban” —
a sophisticated, modern, stand-out vehicle that makes you proud and expresses
your values. And it had to be an “athlete”.
It’s like a top class football player — defined by its talent.”
Kato and Yoshitsugu with the All-New NX
Highlighting what makes the NX so
special Kato said, “It took over four years
and the creative efforts of over 2000 engineers to create the NX. It had to be the
best. As I have indicated, it had to be
game changer. So, how did we do it? First
came dynamic performance. Although
engineers like to quantify performance,
for drivers, it is the “feel”. Dynamism is
more than just numbers, more than, say,
zero to sixty. Of course, Lexus’ newly developed two litre turbo engine provides
all the power you need. But power is just
one factor in real world performance.
Handling is another, big factor. The NX
handles superbly — intuitively — to offer sheer driving pleasure under all conditions. The NX does not follow it leads.
It’s for people who want to stand out
from the crowd, too and lead.”
Having pioneered the luxury-utility
crossover category more than a decade
ago with the original mid-sized RX300,
Lexus is now poised to disrupt the SUV
segment once again with the all-new
NX. The turbocharged NX combines the
expertise of racers within the engineering team and the impeccable touch of
The First Few NX Customers were felicitated
€1.75 billion
investment
deal to energise
Alitalia
MUSCAT: Etihad Airways and Alitalia
have announced that they have signed the
transaction implementation agreement which
will result in a €1,758 million investment to
build a reinvigorated Alitalia as a competitive,
sustainably profitable business.
The recapitalised Italian national airline
will now be able to invest in a comprehensive
strategic business plan which will see new
long-haul routes from Rome and Milan, a
Lexus luxury through an exciting and
sporty design to set a new benchmark in
the automotive world.
For its first-ever turbocharged gasoline engine, Lexus created all-new engine architecture. The 2.0 litre, fourcylinder port and direct-injection turbo
engine uses an advanced valve control
system to switch between Atkinson cycle and Otto cycle operation to optimise
performance.
The NX with all-weather drive introduces Dynamic Torque Control AWD
to provide maximum traction and cornering stability. The system continuously controls torque transfer between the
front and rear wheels, using sensors for
vehicle speed, steering angle, steering
speed, throttle angle and yaw rate.
The NX’s array of technology innovations sets new standards for future
Lexus models. It features
the first application of
a new Lexus Remote
Touch
Interface
(RTI) with a touch
pad. A highly visible and easyto-understand
navigation screen
enables users to
confirm a range
of information at
a glance.
The NX is the first Lexus to offer
revitalised brand, 2 and a greater focus on
Italian tourism and trade promotion.
Etihad Airways’ investment of €560 million
will be provided through a combination of
equity injections, asset purchases and other
financing facilities and funding arrangements
to restructure the airline’s balance sheet. This
is to be complemented by a further equity
investment of €300 million from existing core
Alitalia shareholders. Additionally, up to €598
a Qi Wireless Charging Tray inside the
console box: just placing a compatible
smartphone or tablet in the tray will recharge its battery.
The look and feel of Lexus luxury
detail begins before you enter the NX.
A single LED elegantly streams a welcoming beam of light along the top of
the handle and also to the ground as the
driver approaches the vehicle.
The cabin design combines structural elements with luxurious yet
functional materials and textures. A
neat-looking switch layout and aesthetic surfaces epitomise the NX’s interior concept — “traditional luxury ac-
million in financial restructuring of short
and medium term debt provided by financial
institutions and existing bank shareholders.
€300 million of new loan facilities have also
been extended by Italian financial institutions.
Etihad Airways will take a 49 per cent
share-holding in Alitalia, for an investment
of €387.5 million. Its total investment also
includes €112.5 million to acquire a 75 per
cent interest in Alitalia Loyalty Spa.
centuated by simple functional beauty”.
The Lexus NX comes with a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety
features.
The Panoramic View Monitor, introduced into a Lexus vehicle for the first
time, helps the driver avoid other vehicles and pedestrians approaching from
the sides. Frontal and side collision
protection measures on the NX include
the use of high tensile steel, across the
centre-pillar hinge reinforcement, outer
rockers and roof cross-members.
The NX has ten SRS airbags, including a dual stage driver’s airbag and knee
airbag, dual-stage and dual-chamber
front passenger airbag, front side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags, and offers the Lexus Pre-Collision
Safety System (PCS) which uses the allspeed Adaptive Cruise Control system’s
millimeter-wavelength radar sensor to
detect vehicles and other obstacles.
The F SPORT variant promises a
special driving experience with its aggressive looks such as a grille that’s even
bolder than on the standard model. The
L-mesh black grille integrates with a
metallic coated lower bumper moulding, and black side mirrors match the
grille. Exclusive wheels, cabin styling
and trim and bolstered sports seats add
to the F SPORT repertoire in the NX.
Later in the evening the first few
customers of the All-New NX were felicitated by Takeaki Kato and Takayuki
Yoshitsugu. Invitees also went around
viewing the displayed vehicles and getting a first hand experience of what
makes these vehicles so special.
The All-New NX will be on display
at the Lexus showroom at Wattayah and
shortly at all branches across the country. Experience the All-New NX and
you are bound to be impressed.
All-New 2015 Lexus NX
BP Oman appoints
new Country Head
BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT
Feb.
9:
BP
has appointed
Yousuf al Ojaili
as Head of
Country
and
President
BP
Oman.
Al
Ojaili
joins BP Oman
from
Oman
Gas Company,
a
subsidiary
of Oman Oil
Company, where
he has been
CEO since 2005. Yousuf al Ojaili
Prior to that, Al
Ojaili had a distinguished career in Petroleum Development
Oman and Brunei Shell Petroleum.
He brings more than 27 years of engineering and business
experience to the role.
Michael Townshend, BP’s regional president Middle East
said: “I am very pleased to welcome Yousuf al Ojaili to our
team as President of BP Oman. His wealth of experience
will greatly benefit us as we press ahead with the Khazzan
project.
“This is a historic milestone for BP as Yousuf al Ojaili is
the first Omani country manager for BP in the country. I
have known Yousuf for almost 10 years and believe he’ll do
an excellent job in the role. I would also like to thank Dave
Campbell for his leadership — Dave will continue as Vice
President for Operations and Chief Operating Officer for BP
Oman.”
Al Ojaili said: “I’m thrilled to be joining BP Oman.
Khazzan is a project of strategic importance to Oman which
will supply about one third of the country’s gas. I look
forward to working with the Omani government and Oman
Oil to deliver this vital project.”
Al Ojaili is a non-Executive Board member of Takamul
Investment Company and Oman Oil Exploration and
Production Company (both are subsidiaries of Oman Oil
Company).
He remains active in academia serving on Sultan Qaboos
University’s Industrial Advisory Boards in the College
of Engineering, as well as the Mechanical and Industrial
Engineering Departments.
OMAN
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
KR sponsors ‘Nakhal Through
History’ Symposium
MUSCAT: The Khimji Ramdas
Group recently supported a history
workshop titled Nakhal Through
History. The two-day event aimed at
showcasing the heritage and culture
of Nakhal, the first day was held
under the auspices of His Highness
Sayyid Harib bin Thuwaini al Said,
Assistant Secretary-General of the
Council of Ministers of Oman; the
second day of the workshop was held
under the auspices of Shaikh Hilal
bin Said al Hajri, Governor of South
Al Batinah.
The event drew enormous support
from the KR Group as it fit in with
the company’s social development
agenda to supplement initiatives
aimed at helping local communities.
Commenting on the company’s
involvement in the workshop, Anil
Khimji Director, Khimji Ramdas said,
“As an organisation passionate about
preserving the integrity of Omani
culture and traditions we welcome
any initiative that showcases Oman’s
rich heritage and history to the public.
We actively support such endeavours
because they also accomplish
another goal close to our hearts and
that is assisting local communities
— helping them integrate into
mainstream society while conserving
their unique customs and traditions.
This workshop is an opportunity
for the public to appreciate, first
hand, history and traditional Omani
culture.” The symposium spotlighted
landmark events from Nakhal’s
glorious past, including ancient
relics chronicling the city’s rise as
a formidable fortress protecting
trade routes and an oasis. Over 13
speakers discoursed extensively
on various social, political and
cultural topics surrounding the city’s
history, its geology, the geography
of its landscape and its indigenous
communities. The event also featured
an exhibition of products locally
made in Nakhal to give the public a
true taste of local Omani handicraft.
omandailyobserver
19
Al Madina Takaful launches
newsletter for stakeholders
MUSCAT: Dr Mohammed Al Barwani,
Chairman, Al Madina Insurance Co.
unveiled the inaugural issue at a ceremony.
The quarterly newsletter, promises to serve as
a communication and listening platform for
the company.
It aims at building a community that is
one with the values of the company, and in
realising the vision the company shares with
the regulators for enhancing awareness of
Takaful.
The company believes that ‘Connect’,
another industry-first from Al Madina, will
be an engagement and listening platform
and a vehicle that will share insights into the
category, the challenges and opportunities.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of
Connect, Usama Al Barwani, Deputy CEO,
Al Madina Insurance Co. said, “Building
awareness and understanding of Takaful
and its various applications in business is a
key focus for Al Madina Insurance.
We believe that the potential for adopting
Takaful way of securing individuals and
business is immense, and we have a lot to
offer to corporates and individuals alike
in this discipline. ‘Connect’ will help us
highlight those advantages, and also educate
our customers.”
The inaugural issue of ‘Connect’ also
has the appreciation and participation
of members of the Sharia board and the
regulators.
“We are grateful for the immense support
and appreciation that we have received from
the Capital Market Authority. We are very
proud to share the vision of CMA to enhance
awareness of Takaful”, Usama added.
Established in 2006, Al Madina Insurance
Co. is one of Oman’s largest insurance
companies offering a wide range of products
and services for the retail and business
segments. The Company is promoted by
leading financial institutions and prominent
business houses from Oman and across the
GCC region.
The portfolio of offering includes Motor,
Marine Cargo & Hull, Life & Medical,
Engineering, General Accident, Liability,
and Fire & Property.
Al Madina Insurance Company is backed
by a strong and committed shareholders
group from Oman and the GCC region led
by MB Holding, Al Madina Financial &
Investment Services, Ministry of Defence
Pension Fund, Diwan of Royal Court
Pension Fund & Doha Bank.
Oman Oil Company and OPAL host ‘My Job, My Oath’ event
BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT
Feb. 9: Oman Oil Company (OOC), the
Sultanate’s energy investment arm, and
Oman Society for Petroleum Services
(OPAL), a non-profit organisation
responsible for promoting the Oil & Gas
industry’s standards and best practices,
organised the graduation ceremony
of 400 trainees of ‘My Job, My Oath’
programme at Hormuz Grand Hotel in
Muscat.
The ceremony was held under the
auspices of Sayyid Salim bin Musallam al
Busaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry
of Civil Service for Administrative
Development Affairs with the presence
of officials from OOC, OPAL and other
concerned institutions.
At the end of 2014, OOC renewed
its partnership for the third consecutive
year with OPAL to offer dedicated
educational workshops as part of its
capacity building programme. The
workshops were conducted by First
Capital Financial and Management
Consulting, the training company,
over the entire month of December
benefiting 400 participants from all
over the Sultanate. With more than 800
participants over the last two years, the
programme exceeded the mark of 1,200
beneficiaries up to date.
Since its launch in 2011, ‘My Job, My
Oath’ has been building the capacity
of new joiners to both the private
and government sectors in addition
to shedding light on their role in
developing the country. The programme
covers topics related to career
development, principles of a healthy
work environment, increasing work
productivity and Omani labour law
with an overall objective of supporting
the development of human capital. The
target audience comprises government
employees, members of NGOs, as well
as school and university students.
Commenting on OOC and OPAL’s
successful cooperation and participants’
completion of the programme, Al
Mutassim bin Said al Sariri, Head of
Corporate Sustainability at Oman Oil
Company, said: “We really appreciate
the dedication and efforts exerted by our
partners in this outstanding milestone,
showcasing their commitment to
ensure a greater contribution to the
Omani society and economy. The
programme aims to support building
the local workface capacity and creating
awareness amongst the trainees about
their responsibilities towards their
careers.”
BUSINESS ALERT
Oman LNG pact for
training schemes
MUSCAT: In its continuous efforts to boost knowledge
and learning, Oman LNG has allocated over RO 78,000 in
two separate agreements signed on Sunday to support the
Information Technology Authority and the Directorate
General of Education in Al Sharqiyah-South Governorate.
The first agreement will entail funding the Community
Knowledge Centres Sustainability Programme which aims
to provide a plan for financial sustainability of the Centres
and create opportunity for entrepreneurs to foster positive
impact in the communities. The programme will include
training of 400 Omanis in IT basic skills and e-government
services, in addition to training of 400 Omanis in Free and
Open Source Software (FOSS).
With twenty Centres spread across the Sultanate, over
47,000 Omanis were trained in digital literacy aiming
at expanding their access to information, improving
productivity, enhancing quality of life, and enriching
culture and tradition by enhancing communication and
interactions. The first agreement, signed with Information
Technology Authority (ITA), was inked by Fahad bin Sultan
Al Abri, Director-General of Digital Society Development at
ITA, and by Khalid bin Abdullah Al Massan, Oman LNG’s
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.
The second pact will facilitate the purchase of
prefabricated buildings for Jalan Training Centre which
caters for a large number of teachers in Al Kamil W’al Wafi,
Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan, and Jaalan Bani Bu Ali. The pact was
signed by Humoud Bin Hamdan Al Hadhrami, Assistant
Directorate-General, and Khalid bin Abdullah Al Massan.
Mars outlet opened at Azaiba
Mars Hypermarket opened its outlet in Azaiba on February
8. It was inaugurated by Shaikh Muhanna bin Saif bin Hamad
Al Ma’awali, Wali of Bausher in the presence of V T Vinod,
Managing Director, Naveej Vinod, Executive Director,
Unnikrishna Pillai, General-Manager, Saif Al Malki, GM
(Administration) and other senior management staff of Mars
Group, a number of high-ranking government officials, and
representatives from the local business community. It is the
12th outlet of Mars International LLC in Oman, conveniently
located at 18th November Street, Azaiba. An assortment
of amusement, including the traditional Omani cultural
programmes, dances, comedy shows & coffee tastings were
organised for the gathered public. A huge crowd assembled
at the gate of the new Mars Hypermarket at the time of the
opening, giving a tough time to the security guards manning
the entrance of the hypermarket.
Mars Hypermarket Azaiba offers customers a unique
retail experience and the store has a refreshing look and
feel with contemporary interiors and a layout based on
convenience. The ample space ensures an uncluttered, fast
and hassle free shopping environment. The outlet will be a
complete shopping destination that will cater to the growing
consumer demands. Keeping up with the convenience and
standards of Mars outlets across the Sultanate, the new
hypermarket will feature the widest choice of renowned
brands at the fairest prices. Mars’s winning formula of value
for money quality shopping will be a matter of delight for
the residents of Azaiba who will cherish the pleasurable
shopping experience and the economy it offers.
Cactus Premier Drilling Services (CPDS) is proud to
announce the company has reached a great milestone with
Hoist 50 and Hoist 51, with both completing two years
without any Lost Time Injuries (LTI) on January 13h and
29 respectively.
This achievement would not have been possible without
the hard work put in by all Cactus Premier Drilling Services
employees and supporting staff, embracing and following
the HSE procedures and the specific details therein.
Having two years without LTI means, Hoist 50 and
Hoist 51 have demonstrated that they can operate without
fatalities or significant incidents despite the often difficult
conditions in which they operate. To obtain this, the Hoists
have worked a total of 430,000 man-hours in 730 days in
two years with no serious injuries to the crews of either of
the Hoist.
The company as a whole is now at two years without
LTI and is committed to completing three years with even
higher levels of professionalism and dedication.
The website will bring Allo closer to its customers with
its user friendly interface and up to date information about
products, rates, promotions and locations.
Customers can also easily access ‘how-to-use’ instructions
and download links for the AlloMobile App from the website.
Being a company that greatly values customer service, the
website also allows users to easily provide feedback to the
company and access its helpline.
Allo is continuously working to improve its website and
promises to introduce more exciting and innovative features
such as online payments, recharge and self-care in the near
future.
Millennium & RMS join hands
for insurance broking JV
Allo launches new mobile-first
responsive website
CPDS completes two years with
zero Lost Time Injuries
Allo, the first over-the-top (OTT) international calling
service in Oman, recently unveiled its new website www.
allo.om. A first of its kind website in Oman, the mobile-first
responsive website adapts itself to different screen sizes and
orientations to provide a seamless user experience across
multiple platforms or devices — PCs, laptops, tablets and
smartphones.
The website has been specifically designed to provide
a rich browsing experience on tablets and smartphones as
global trends show users now spend more time browsing on
tablets and smartphones than on PCs and laptops.
Millennium Insurance Brokers, one of the most progressive
insurance brokerages in the UAE, and Oman’s largest
Insurance Broker Risk Management Services (RMS) LLC,
announced their joint venture to provide comprehensive risk
consultancy and insurance brooking services to customers
across GCC, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The joint venture was signed in Dubai between Albert
Rodrigues, Managing Director of Millennium Insurance
Brokers, and David Street, Group Chief Executive of RMS.
The new development will allow Millennium to consolidate
its leadership in specialist areas such as Energy, Engineering,
Freight operations, Health, Liability and Motor fleets.
With the combined expertise and market presence,
the joint venture aims to further expand its product range
with enhanced capabilities and to strengthen the Group’s
footprint in the GCC and the Indian Subcontinent.
For more than 15 years, Millennium has been known to
provide quality and cost-effective services and solutions to
its consumers, in compliance with the government rules and
regulations, to minimise various risks posed in the dynamic
business environment.
20
Asia shares stumble over weak China trade
omandailyobserver
OMAN/INTERNATIONAL
DATA IMPACT: Poor China trade figures took some shine off robust US payroll gains
Pedestrians pass before a share prices board in Tokyo. — AFP
TOKYO: Asian shares wobbled
yesterday after dismal Chinese trade
figures fuelled concern over a slowdown
in the world’s second largest economy,
while solid US jobs data were a mixed
blessing as they raised chances of a US
interest rates hike mid-year.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific
shares outside Japan slipped 0.6 per cent
while US stock futures also shed 0.4 per
cent.
Japan’s Nikkei share average bucked
the trend and rose 0.4 per cent on the
back of a weaker yen.
Financial spreadbetters also saw a
weaker opening for European shares,
with Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC
40 both expected to fall up to 0.8 per
cent.
Data published on Sunday showed
China’s trade performance slumped
in January, with exports falling 3.3 per
cent from year-ago levels while imports
tumbled 19.9 per cent, far worse than
analysts had expected.
The data highlighted deepening
weakness in the Chinese economy.
“The trade data is ugly, which points
to a weaker economy ahead,” said Wang
Mingli, strategist at Guoyuan Securities
in Shanghai.”Even if there are fresh
stimulus measures, they’re aimed at
aiding the economy, not the market.”
The Australian dollar, often used as a
proxy for bets on the Chinese economy
because of the country’s trade links to
China, fell 0.4 per cent in early trade to
$0.7775.
The poor China trade figures took
some of the shine off robust US payroll
gains of 257,000 in January.
Hourly wages also rebounded,
increasing 12 cents last month for a 2.2
per cent increase from a year earlier, the
largest such gain since August.
Global Property Show at Oman
International Exhibition Centre
MUSCAT: The stage is set, as the
Global Property Show announces its
entry for the first time in Muscat at the
Oman International Exhibition Centre
bringing Exhibitors from different
parts of the world to Oman. This 4-day
property extravaganza would be held
at Hall No 2, Oman International
Exhibition Centre from February 18
-21, 2015 and will open doors from
2:00 pm to 10:00 pm on all four days
with Free Entry. With more than 80
exhibitors spread across 6000 sq.mts the
show is set to stage for the first much in
Muscat.
New projects with exciting deals are
announced and showcased here for the
first time and HNIs get best bargains
in return. Properties right from budget
homes to high end luxury Apartments,
Villas, Row Houses, Commercials and
Plots are made available.
The show enables the buyers to
understand the pulse of property
scenario back home.
SME sector
FROM PAGE 17
“The Salalah chapter of Public
Authority for SMEs is preparing to
do studies, project analysis and work
as a trouble shooter in the event of
any shortcoming faced by a particular
SME,” he said. The Authority as such
is planning to come out with business
analysis centres in coordination with
international experts. The centre
would be equipped also with training
facilities for new entrants.
The Authority will also coordinate
with the Al Rafd Fund to ensure that
an enterprises funded by the Al Rafd
is functioning properly. This would
a kind of follow up by the SME
Authority and offer assistance through
several channels.
The Authority is also planning
to have sharing offices for different
representatives to do a follow up for
the loans granted by the Al Rafd.
“There should not be delay in starting
an SME and not be more than 28 days
should be taken to start its functioning
after the completion of papers.
To give the SMEs a boost, each
government department has been
asked to procure at least 10 per cent of
their requirements from an SME,” said
Al Ghassani.
The Show includes dedicated
pavilions featuring properties from
India, Egypt, Oman, United Arab
Emirates and other International cities.
Visitors to the India Pavilion at the
Global Property Show are entitled to
get free advice on any of their property
related matter whether it’s for new
property purchase; concerns related to
existing property, tenancy laws etc.
The exhibition is specially designed
to meet the needs of HNIs in the
Middle East featuring the latest projects
in India, Egypt, Oman and other
countries. The Indian Property Pavilion
brings you properties from Bengaluru,
Chennai, Mangalore, Kochi, Mumbai,
Pune, Jaipur, Delhi –NCR and many
more cities. Other highlights consist
of series of Free Seminars on Property
Investment, Legal, Vaastu (Feng Shui)
that are designed to offer interesting
insights and analysis for the attending
delegates and are conducted by some of
the most influential property industry
gurus, legal advisers and Vaastu
consultants.
Al Nimr International Exhibition
Organisers is a leading event
management company in Oman and
is renowned for the quality of its trade
exhibitions. To facilitate the participation
of its exhibitors, the company offers a full
suite of services ranging from travel and
accommodation bookings, stand design
and construction, logistics support as
well as marketing and promotional
solutions.
Deadline for Duqm Refinery
EPC prequalification extended
FROM PAGE 17
downstream petrochemicals complex
at an additional cost of around $9
billion.
A 900-hectare site within the SEZ
is being readied ahead of the start
of construction work on the giant
scheme in late 2016. Implementation
had earlier been envisaged in four
distinct packages: Package 1 —
Process & Hydrocracker Unit; Package
2: Process — Coker Unit etc; Package
3: Utilities, Flare Area & Piperack; and
Package 4: Tank Farms.
It is anticipated however that the
entire project will be tendered out in
two packages — one encompassing all
of the process units, while the utilities
and off-site facilities will bundled
together in the second package. Each
of the latter packages is estimated to
run into billions of dollars.
Main products from the refinery
will comprise Diesel: 12,300, Jet A-1:
7,850, Coke: 3,600; Naphtha: 8,300;
LPG: 1,100; and Sulphur: 700.
Financial close is targeted by the
end of 2015, with the refinery slated
for commissioning in Q4 2018.
The refinery will go into
commercial production in 2019.
In parallel with the Duqm Refinery
project, development of a Bulk Liquid
Berths project that will handle crudes
arriving by sea for processing, as well
as refined products for export, has
commenced at the adjoining Port of
Duqm.
International
engineering
consultancy
services
firm
WorleyParsons
is
currently
undertaking
the
front-end
engineering design (FEED) of the
liquid berths project, at the heart of
which is a refinery products terminal
with six liquid berths, and a Pet Coke
berth.
Topside facilities will include
product storage tanks, dry bulk
facilities, pipelines, buildings, road
and other infrastructure.
Separately, a number of firms are
also preparing to prequalify for a
contract to design and build the Bulk
Liquid Berths Terminal.
The data was strong enough
that traders brought forward their
expectation of the Fed’s rate hike, with
money market futures fully pricing in a
rate increase by September, compared to
around October before the data.
The prospect of an earlier US rate
hike is weighing on many assets that
have benefited from low interest rates in
the United States while boosting US
bond yields and underpinning the
dollar.
The US dollar’s index against a basket
of six major currencies held onto most of
its 1.1 per cent gain on Friday and stood
at 94.519 , not far from an 11-year high
of 95.481 hit last month.
The euro remained vulnerable as new
Greek leader Alexis Tsipras rejected the
bailout, setting himself on a collision
course with European partners.
In his first major speech to
parliament since storming to power
last month on Sunday, Tsipras listed a
range of proposed reverses of reforms
imposed by European and International
Monetary Fund lenders.
The euro traded at $1.1335, up
slightly in Asia but still not far from last
week’s low of $1.1280.
The yen hit four-week lows of 119.23
to the dollar on Friday on the back of
rising US bond yields.
It last stood at 118.82.
Oil prices steadied on Monday as
falling US oil rig counts and conflict in
oil producer Libya were balanced by a
slump in Chinese imports, pointing to
lower fuel demand in the world’s biggest
energy consumer.
— Reuters
BIZ BRIEF
JP Morgan probed
over hiring of
China minister’s
son: WSJ
BEIJING: Investment bank JP Morgan
is being investigated by US authorities
for hiring the son of China’s commerce
minister despite him being one of the
worst candidates its recruiters had
seen, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Gao Jue, son of minister Gao
Hucheng, was hired by JP Morgan and
kept on during major job cuts despite
an extremely poor performance, and
after he inadvertently sent a sexually
explicit e-mail to human resources,
the paper said.
The elder Gao said he was willing
to “go extra miles” for the bank if his
son was spared from company-wide
job cuts in 2008, it said.
Meanwhile, a senior banker
described Gao Jue as “immature,
irresponsible and unreliable”,
according to the report, and one
recruiter said in an internal email
that she was concerned about his
qualifications.
“Jue did very very poorly in
interviews-some MDs said he was
the worst BA candidate they had
ever (seen)-and we obviously had to
extend him an offer,” she said of his
appointment as a business analyst.
Gao joined JP Morgan in 2007
and left less than two years later. After
working for several other leading
firms he is now with Goldman Sachs,
the report said. Gao Hucheng was vice
commerce minister at the time his son
was hired and was previously China’s
chief trade representative.
A fax sent to the commerce
ministry by AFP yesterday was not
immediately answered.
The move to hire Gao was “widely
understood” to be supported by
William Daley, a senior executive at
the bank and former US commerce
secretary, the report said.
Daley reported directly to chief
executive James Dimon and worked
at the bank from 2004 to 2010.
US authorities are already
investigating hiring practices at JP
Morgan under the Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act, a law that forbids US
companies exchanging anything of
value for a business advantage.
— AFP
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
Japanese property shares
struggle with deflation jitters
TOKYO: Japan’s stimulus policies
to reflate asset prices in the world’s
third-largest economy have broadly
lifted the stock market.
But one sector — real estate
— has been shunted by equity
investors, unconvinced a domestic
property revival is underway.
The TOPIX sub-index of real
estate shares jumped after the Bank
of Japan’s first round of stimulus in
April 2013.
Investors had hopes that
Abenomics — a series of monetary
and fiscal policies implemented
under the watch of Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe — would defeat
deflation in an economy that had
barely grown over the last 20 years.
While some property values
have risen in scattered parts of
Japan, real estate shares have fallen,
now almost 20 per cent off their
2013 peak.
Another round of BOJ stimulus
last October gave them only a
temporary boost.
The decline is mirrored by a
weakening outlook for consumer
prices.
The breakeven inflation rate —
or the level of inflation investors
expect based on inflation-linked
bond yields — has dropped to
around 0.8 per cent from the 2014
peak of 1.4 per cent.
Investors have not totally given
up on Abenomics, though. They
have put their money in defensive
stocks such as pharmaceuticals,
the top performer on the Tokyo
exchange so far this year, as well
as food companies. Last week,
pharmaceutical shares hit a record
high, up 27.7 per cent from the end
— Reuters
of 2013.
Hyundai Motor family raises $1.1 billion
SEOUL: The patriarch of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor group and his heir-apparent
have raised $1.1 billion selling their stakes in its logistics arm, officials said.
The group said chairman Chung Mong-Koo and his son and vice chairman Chung
Eui-Sun sold 5.02 million shares through a block deal last Thursday after calling off the
sale last month. The shares were sold at 230,500 won each.
The sale helped the Chung family reduce its stake in Hyundai Glovis to 29.99 per
cent from 43.39 per cent to comply with new anti-trust rules aimed at curbing intragroup transactions, it said.
The regulations target what the government regards as unfair transactions
between affiliates of family-run conglomerates, or “chaebols” — especially in cases
where family members hold stakes larger than 30 per cent.
Investors who backed away from the initial attempted sell-off last month,
appeared to have been drawn in this time by a lower share price and an undertaking
by Hyundai that there will be no further divestment in Glovis for the next two years.
Like other family-run conglomerates, Hyundai Motor, which along with its affiliate
Kia Motors is the world’s fifth-largest automaker, is seen as preparing for a generational
power shift from the elder Chung to his 44-year-old son. “The stake sale has nothing
to do with it (ownership transfer),” a Hyundai spokesman said, dismissing market
speculation that the money could be used for paying inheritance taxes.
Glovis once served as the group’s virtual holding company. — AFP
Japan’s electronics giant Hitachi employee displays the new wearable sensor
which measures human activity of the group or organisation and analyse
“happiness” tendency of the group to boost productivity at the company’s
headquarters in Tokyo yesterday. The device is equipped with various sensors
of six-axis acceleration, temperature, humidity, infrared and photometer on its
card shaped body weighing 38g. Hitachi is expecting to provide the device
and analysis service from April. — AFP
Sunshine Insurance buys Manhattan hotel
SHANGHAI: China’s Sunshine Insurance will purchase Manhattan’s luxurious Baccarat
Hotel from Starwood Capital Group LLC for $230 million, equivalent to more than $2
million per room, the insurance company said in a statement yesterday.
The Beijing-based insurer’s statement confirmed the deal size, initially reported by
the Wall Street Journal on Friday.
The paper said the valuation of more than $2 million per room was the most
expensive hotel deal on record.
The deal comes as Chinese companies embark on an overseas real estate buying
spree.
China’s Anbang Insurance Group Co will purchase New York’s famous Waldorf
Astoria Hotel for $1.95 billion after US regulators approved the transaction earlier this
month.
The Baccarat Hotel was built by Starwood Capital Group, founded by real-estate
tycoon Barry Sternlicht who was previously the chief executive officer of Starwood
Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc, the company behind upmarket hotel chains including
the St Regis, Westin and W Hotels.
Starwood Capital Group declined to comment. Last November Sunshine Insurance
bought Sydney’s upmarket Sheraton on the Park hotel for $399 million.
The Baccarat Hotel, which will have 114 rooms and be decorated with 15,000 pieces
of crystal from France’s Baccarat SA, will charge up to $18,000 per night for suites,
Sunshine Insurance said. — Reuters
PERSPECTIVE
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
MARKET
omandailyobserver
21
UPDATE
MSM performance weighed by number of factors
Lo’ai B
Bataineh
T
he
week-on-week
overall
performance
of Muscat Securities
Market (MSM) general
index was mixed in
January 2015, weighed
by a variety of factors such as oil price
fluctuations, state budget announcement,
financial results of listed companies,
dividend payouts as well institutional
trading, particularly local ones.
However, the index was overall in
the plus column, closing January, at its
highest monthly performance y/y, on
the back of the above mentioned factors,
particularly institutional local trading
and a number of corporate results.
This increase followed a quarter of
tough financial results (Q4-14) witnessed
in which regional markets was weighed
by sharp declines in oil prices, which
eroded annual profits of a number of
them.
In general, the following factors
affected (positively or negatively) the
MSM’s index performance in January
2015:
yAnnouncing the state budget and
the general trends, figures and liabilities
contained therein.
yOil price fluctuations and correlation
to GCC markets
yLocal institutional investors who
benefit from lower prices, higher
dividend yield based on market values
yPreliminary results of companies
and how far they match expectations of
analysts
yThe delay in corporate disclosures
and lack of local catalysts generally
weighed on trading volumes and values.
yAnnual dividend for a number of
companies, despite the slow pace of these
disclosures
yThe wait and see approach
adopted by investors who wait for more
clarity with respect to the companies’
performance, trend, and plans to face any
unfavourable possibilities.
yPressures exercised by foreign
institutional investors and profit-taking
yPortfolio restructuring based on
dividend payouts by companies
yRegional geopolitical events and
developments and local discussions
yIn view of the sectoral trading
movement in January, the financial sector
came first in terms of trading volume and
value, accounting for 78.3 per cent and
69.1 per cent respectively of the total
trading volume and value in the month.
yTotal trading volume and value
decreased by 30.76 per cent and 46.92 per
cent, on month to 392.2 million shares
worth a total of RO 105.23 million.
yData from Muscat Securities Market
show that market capitalisation of regular
market reached, at January end, RO 8
billion, 3.17 m/m.
yIn January, special transactions
worth a total of RO 3.67 million
were carried out on shares of Oman
International
Development
and
Investment Corp (Ominvest), Dhofar
International Development & Investment
Holding Co. SAOG and United Finance
Company SAOG.
Total of 93 companies posted financial
results for Q4-2014.
The companies which posted
financial statements for FY that ended on
December 31, 2014, (except for Islamic
banks, Sharqiyah Desalination Company
SAOG, Maha Ceramics Inc., Al-Madinah
Investment, Takaful Oman and National
Gas Company SAOG, for comparison
purposes) posted a net consolidated
profit of about RO 558 million, rising 0.7
per cent y/y.
The total annual profits of the
financial sector reached RO 361.1
million, increasing 0.4 per cent generally
supported by banks (which accounted for
88.9 per cent of the total earnings of the
sector) in addition to finance companies.
The consolidated annual profits of the
industrial sector totalled RO 67 million
(falling 1.5 per cent y/y) weighed by the
fluctuating performance of companies
listed under this sector.
As for the services sector, whose
Local institutional investors
recorded a net of RO
5.65 million in January,
absorbing most pressures
exercised by other
categories, particularly
foreign institutional
investors
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
DR Congo’s small firms bear the
brunt of mobile services block
S
ales are down and business is
slow — small entrepreneurs in the
Democratic Republic of Congo
are bearing the brunt of an official
clampdown on mobile Internet services
and text messages.
On a normal day, between 20 and
30 clients grace Danny’s small Internet
cafe in Ngaliema, north of the capital
Kinshasa.
Now he gets around 10 a day if he’s
lucky because the connection is either
blocked or sluggish.
“Since this started, we can’t earn,”
says the computer specialist.
“Before I was making 30,000 francs
(28 euros, $32) a day. Now I make less
than 10,000 francs. And I (still) pay $180
(157 euros) for my Internet connection.”
Between 19 and 22 January,
violence engulfed DR Congo during
protests against legislation that could
have enabled President Joseph Kabila,
who has been in power in the troubled
country for 14 years, to extend his term
beyond 2016 when his second mandate
ends. Rights groups said 42 people were
killed with official sources putting the
number at 27.
To hamper communications and
curb further protests, the government
ordered a block on phone messaging and
the Internet. Main Internet services were
re-established two days later but mobile
Internet, used by many small companies
and individuals, remained cut off.
Phone messaging, the cheapest way
to communicate in the vast central
African country, and social networks
have remained inaccessible.
On January 25, the election bill,
stripped of its most disputed provision,
was passed by parliament and calm
returned, although the new legislation
does little to ease the fears of Kabila’s
detractors.
The United Nations’ chief of mission
in the country, Martin Kobler, called on
authorities on Wednesday to “restore
Internet immediately”.
Some services like mobile banking,
used widely by people to send funds
using their mobile phones, were
functioning in Kinshasa.
Local residents use computers at an internet cafe in Kinshasa. Small contractors have seen there profits decrease
since authorities blocked 3G mobile telecommunications, text messaging and social media after clashes broke out
two weeks ago. — AFP
In Bukavu, however, located more
than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) away
at the other end of the country, the
services work only intermittently.
Yves Mukole sells pre-paid telephone
cards in the eastern town located on the
border with Rwanda, but the lack of SMS
facilities and Facebook access has made
selling $30 worth of cards a day difficult,
while before he would make $40-45.
For Gisele Ndembele, a coordinator
at a student travel agency in Kinshasa,
work is becoming “complicated”.
“We have taken the country back 20
to 25 years,” she said.
Without its regular modes of
communication
like
WhatsApp,
Viber, Facebook and text messages,
communicating with the outside world
has become difficult and expensive.
“Now we are having to queue up at
Internet cafes and we are losing an hour
and a half and spend around $10 a day,”
said Ndembele.
Internet operators remain powerless
in the face of complaints from customers
and have yet to communicate the extent
of their losses caused by the restrictions.
French operator Orange apologised
for the inconveniences via radio, blaming
circumstances beyond its control. South
African operator Vodacom also issued a
similar message.
People, however, have found various
ways of bypassing the restrictions
although it has meant shelling out more.
Nina Mandiangu, who runs a
catering business, has changed plans
and switched operators which has meant
paying $170 instead of $30.
“Normally, we send our menu to
more than 100 customers a day and at
Without its regular modes
of communication like
WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook
and text messages,
communicating with the
outside world has become
difficult and expensive
least 50 of them order from us. We are
unable to send our menu via SMS or
email. That has meant an 80 per cent
drop in our earnings,” she said.
Vital Kamerhe, head of the third
opposition party UNC, is a former
Kabila ally who is currently one of his
most vocal critics. He has been able
to access social networks by setting up
“Internet access via satellite like the big
embassies”, a luxury which costs $700
instead of the regular $200.
To the east of the country, in Goma
for example, Internet access is easier
using signals from neighbouring
Rwanda or Uganda.
In Kinshasa, Gael, a student, says that
it is possible to download “applications
to unblock Facebook” and access a
simplified version of the social network.
Government spokesman Lambert
Mende has since announced that
the restrictions would be lifted in “a
matter of hours or days” with things
returning to normal before the start of
next week. — AFP
leading companies — such as Omantel
and Renaissance Services SAOG — are
yet to post results, it posted consolidated
profits of about RO 129.6 million for
FY14, increasing 2.6 per cent y/y, on the
back of the financial results of Ooredoo.
Local institutional investors recorded
a net of RO 5.65 million in January,
absorbing most pressures exercised by
other categories, particularly foreign
institutional investors.
We recommend investors to watch the
market closely and build up investment
positions based on information received
by the market successively, with a focus on
cash returns or any expected expansions
which may be undertaken by companies
or desire to enter new markets.
We also advise investors to keep abreast
with any developments and disclosures
relating to major projects or expansions
of major industrial companies, even
if they are not listed on the financial
market, but may indirect impact on listed
companies, especially disclosures relating
to government tenders.
We also advise investors to study any
disclosures and consult experts with
regard to this.
and
The
more
disclosures
announcements in the following few
weeks will further increase trading in
the market and trading on stock fuelled
by other factors such as expansions,
board reshuffles, or resolutions of the
extraordinary general assemblies.
TECHNOLOGY
One year on, Nadella
shifting focus at Microsoft
W
ith one year under
his belt, Microsoft
chief
executive
Satya Nadella has made strides
in changing the focus of the
technology giant that some
feared was turning into a
dinosaur.
Nadella, who took over from Steve Ballmer in February 2014, has been
moving to make Microsoft more relevant in the new tech world led by
mobile-focused rivals such as Apple and Google.
Microsoft, which can no longer rest on its PC dominance with its
Windows operating system, has taken a page from the playbook of the
late Steve Jobs at Apple — providing software like Office for free on rival
devices like the iPad and Android-powered tablets.
Nadella also managed to surprise and wow people with Microsoft’s
HoloLens goggles, delivering holograms and hitting a sweet spot between
Google Glass and virtual reality headgear.
“He hasn’t solved all problems, but he’s made moves in the right
direction strategically,” said J P Gownder, analyst at Forrester Research.
Even though many of the new things unveiled were in the works for
years, Nadella appears to have injected new energy into the Redmond,
Washington-based tech powerhouse.
Gownder said it was “a wise move” to bring popular Microsoft
programmes like Word, Excel and PowerPoint to Android and Apple
devices, because Windows has been slow to gain traction in the mobile
universe.
“When you have software, you have to run that software where the
customers are,” instead of using it as “a weapon” in a war of operating
systems, he said.
In a move aimed at reaching a younger tech user base, Microsoft agreed
in September to buy the Swedish group behind the hugely popular video
game “Minecraft” for $2.5 billion, bolstering its gaming division.
The deal for Mojang gives Microsoft one of the best-known video
games of all time — one which is played on game consoles as well as PCs
and mobile devices.
“Microsoft is a different company now. Microsoft is not making stupid
mistakes,” said Trip Chowdhry, at Global Equities Research.
“This year is more of a reinvention and restrategising year. 2015 will
be when the company may have some progress on initiatives like mobile
and cloud.”
Nadella has made some missteps, notably in comments suggesting
working women should trust “karma” when it comes to securing pay
raises, but quickly moved to back away from the controversy.
He ordered the biggest reorganisation in Microsoft’s history, cutting
some 18,000 jobs — or 14 per cent of the workforce — under a plan aimed
at simplifying the corporate structure and integrating the mobile division
of Finland’s Nokia.
Wall Street has been happy with the new leadership — Microsoft shares
gained 36 per cent in Nadella’s first eight months, but pulled back in early
2015. Nadella, 47, has been pressing cloud and mobile computing since
taking the reins, and is seeing some progress in areas like the Azure cloud
platform for business. But Microsoft still faces a big test with its upcoming
Windows 10 platform, which aims to keep PC users while also powering
mobile phones and tablets. — AFP
22
LEISURE
omandailyobserver
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
Online Editor’s Choice
CARTOONS
ADAM @ HOME
4
by Brian Basset
7
8
10
13
14
15
16
17
CALVIN AND HOBBES
19
21
by Bill Watterson
23
24
26
27
29
32
33
34
GARFIELD
35
36
by Jim Davis
1
2
3
4
5
6
9
11
12
STONE SOUP
CRYPTIC PUZZLE
ACROSS
Irregular payout at the end of a
stretch! (6)
Hot legal wrangle of great public
interest (3,3,2)
A minor point on washday (6)
Engine driver’s union around
central Acton (5)
Footballers possibly drink a lot
(4)
Get paid for near chaos (4)
Be eager to start boarding a vessel
(4)
One lost in Lambeth? (3)
Such meat can be said to be dear
(4)
It sounds dull (4)
The decade of numerous
allegiances (9)
Italian city, literally unbelievable!
(4)
Such houses have a point (4)
Put in a metal box (3)
Can be beaten in many an odd
way (4)
A tidy bit of work on the
thatching (4)
Hot tea possibly kept in a vacuum
flask (4)
Where Tokyo could have been?
(5)
You can make a clean one —
honest! (6)
Unlimited time is always extra (8)
Puts on by degrees? (6)
DOWN
Initiate a useful start, just in case
(5)
Change, to natives, brings choices
(5)
A mate to make much of (4)
As a question, not really a sitter
(5)
In short, a people mover (4)
Arrested two chaps (6)
Does it pray for its prey? (6)
One bent over the sink? (3)
One name for mountains (5)
9
11
12
13
15
16
18
20
21
22
23
25
28
30
31
32
33
CR O SSW O R D
13 Eventually prove to be a good
crowd, perhaps (7)
15 Be due to finish on the buzzer (3)
16 A moving Busoni piece (3)
18 A couple of dodges (6)
20 She starts the typing wrong (5)
21 An error in finishing up (3)
22 Most Americans have a hat (3)
23 Simply repeat the standard
nonsense (6)
25 The little that sank in (3)
28 Payments for judges? (5)
30 Android’s right boot, perhaps (5)
31 Ideal style for a learner (5)
32 Be suspended for giving short
change? (4)
33 A Douglas church? (4)
4
7
8
10
EASY PUZZLE
ACROSS
View (6)
Seven-sided figure (8)
Mittens (6)
Clan (5)
13
14
15
16
17
19
21
23
24
26
27
29
32
33
34
35
36
1
2
3
4
5
6
YESTERDAY’S CRYPTIC
SOLUTIONS
ACROSS: 1, Racket 7, Occasion 8,
Star 10, Foot-i.e. 11, Stable 14, Old
16, Inset 17, Erne 19, Decoy 21,
Bacon 22, Fancy 23, P-ile 26, S-ally
28, Mud 29, Play on 30, Parole 31,
Axel 32, The Weald 33, Sk-yman.
DOWN: 1, RAF-fle 2, Kettle 3, Tore 4, F-action 5, Limbs 6, Inlet 8,
So-on 9, AI-d 12, A-N-Y 13, L-Evel
15, Mecca 18, Reg-al 19, Dan 20,
Coy 21, Bayonet 22, Fly 23, Pu-rely
24, I-D-ol 25, El-even 26, Spitz 27,
L-aye-R 28, Max 30, (brake) Pads.
Nobleman (4)
Long story (4)
Deserve (4)
In favour (3)
Indian dress (4)
Carrying salver (4)
Economic (9)
Table (4)
Cosmetic powder (4)
Traitor (3)
Ogle (4)
Revise (4)
Expensive (4)
Stage whisper (5)
Spa (6)
Delirious (8)
Flower part (6)
DOWN
Reports (5)
Shoot (5)
Pastime (4)
Rage (5)
Impecunious (4)
Fruit (6)
YESTERDAY’S EASY
SOLUTIONS
ACROSS: 1, Carpet 7, Repaired 8,
Bite 10, Creche 11, Finite 14, Dee
16, Noted 17, Less 19, Caper 21,
Cater 22, Latin 23, Drew 26, Sleet
28, Tee 29, Aegean 30, Potato 31,
Opal 32, Clematis 33, Tender.
DOWN: 1, Cancel 2, Prices 3, Tree
4, Mariner 5, Trait 6, Added 8,
Beds 9, The 12, Nor 13, Tense 15,
Ratio 18, Exile 19, Cat 20, Pen 21,
Catalan 22, Lee 23, Detain 24, Real
25, Woofer 26, Sauce 27, Egret 28,
Top 30, Post.
Hospitals
by Jan Eliot
Hospital. . . . . Board . . . . . . . Emergency
Royal . . . . . . . 24599000 . . . 24590491
Health Services Department
‘YO UR STARS ‘
Muttrah . . . . . . . 24797602
Quriyat . . . . . . . 24845001 . . . . 24845003
SQH, Salalah. . . 23211555 . . . . 23211151
Police. . . . . . . . . 24603988 . . . . 24603980
Al Nahda . . . . . . 24831255 . . . . 24837800
Ibn Sina. . . . . . . 24876322 . . . . 24877361
Nizwa. . . . . . . . . 25439361 . . . . 25425033
Al Rustaq. . . . . . 26875055 . . . . 26877186
Sumayil. . . . . . . 25350055 . . . . 25350022
Izki . . . . . . . . . . . 25340033 . . . . 25340033
IF IT’S YOUR
BIRTHDAY:
A number
of attractive
opportunities
will present
themselves
during the coming
year. Judge
each by its merits
and don’t try too
many at once.
Over confidence
in your ability
may spoil some
excellent chances
and jeopardise
your success.
Don’t reveal all
that you are doing
but keep some
ideas to yourself.
Pulse (6)
Beam (3)
Foundation (5)
Artist (7)
Age (3)
Friend (3)
Deer’s horn (6)
Rushes (5)
Suitable (3)
Vehicle (3)
Dormant (6)
Cover (3)
Devoured (5)
The same (5)
Instruct (5)
Fate (4)
Singing voice (4)
Haima . . . . . . . . 23436013 . . . . 23436055
Sohar . . . . . . . . . 26840022 . . . . 26840099
Al Buraimi. . . . . 25650855 . . . . 25652319
Sur . . . . . . . . . . . 25440244 . . . . 25461373
Tanam . . . . . . . . 25499011 . . . . 25499033
Masirah . . . . . . . 25404018 . . . . 25404018
Ibra. . . . . . . . . . . 25470533 . . . . 25470535
Adam. . . . . . . . . 25434167 . . . . 25434055
Bidiya . . . . . . . . 25483535 . . . . 25483535
Ibri . . . . . . . . . . . 25491011 . . . . 25491990
Saham . . . . . . . . 26854427 . . . . 26855148
Khasab . . . . . . . 26830187 . . . . 26830187
Dibba. . . . . . . . . 26836443 . . . . 26836443
Burkha. . . . . . . . 26828397 . . . . 26828397
Sinaw. . . . . . . . . 25474338
AQUARIUS
PISCES
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
CANCER
January 21February 19
February 20March 20
March 21April 20
April 21May 20
May 21June 21
June 22July 21
You may be worrying over a relative who is due to retire soon but
he will be able to manage much
better than you had imagined.
Don’t let a private worry interfere
with your work. Try to forget
about it for now and trust that this
evening will bring it to a satisfactory solution.
Don’t be tempted to take the responsibility for a venture which
is not necessarily sure to succeed
and whose failure could jeopardise your future.
Plans for your holiday over the
Christmas period are being finalised and you can look forward to
a complete change of scene and
activity over the Festive Season.
Make up your mind to in gore the
frequent interruptions of some
of your neighbours and give your
undivided attention to your work
today.
You will be getting the all clear
from the doctor soon and will be
able to face life with renewed confidence knowing your health is
satisfactory.
LEO
VIRGO
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
CAPRICORN
July 22August 21
August 22September 22
September 23October 22
October 23November 21
November 22December 21
December 22January 20
Your versatility and skill in matters
concerning the home will in the long
run save you and your family a good
deal of money.
A miscalculation over your
money could have awkward consequences and had better check
your figures once again with
special care.
A person born under PISCES will
prove his loyalty beyond all doubt
and you will regret having taken
so long before feeling that you
could trust him absolutely.
A visit to the library today could
bring you in touch with a new
hobby. Take your time in looking
around and see what is available.
An interest may start out as a hobby but later on become much more.
A social get together which you
are arranging will be a success
but don’t let people take you for
granted when it comes to arranging future occasions.
Be patient if you are kept waiting for an answer from an official who has many other cases to
deal with besides yours.
CLASSIFIEDS
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2 0 1 5
omandailyobserver
Tours
SALE OF VEHICLE/EQUIPMENT
DOLPHIN
WATCHING TOUR.
Every Day 8 am
and 10 am. For
booking
94110088/
91162534. E-mail:
coraloceantours@
gmail.com Web:
www.
coraloceantours.
com.
Leading construction company
in Oman intends to dispose
off their used vehicles and
equipment in ‘is where is’
…‘†‹–‹‘ǤŠ‡‹–‡•‹†‡–‹ϐ‹‡†
are presently located at their
Muscat Misfah Camp of the
company and will be offered
for inspection to the public
on 8, 9 and 10 February 2015
between 08:00 am to 12:00 pm
and 02:00 to 05:00 pm.
Situation Vacant
PRIVATE bilingual
school at Muscat
needs a Specialist
and experienced
Teachers (Chemistry,
Physics, Maths,
English). Email:
cps20102011@
hotmail.com
93005900
LOOKING to recruit
ƒ“—ƒŽ‹ϐ‹‡†Interior
Designer (preferably
female). Please forward
your CV to: idesigner.
[email protected].
·····
Situation Wanted
SYRIAN Mashavi Cook
and Moroccan Lady
Cook for Qurum Beach
Hotel.24704994 or
99238012.
CHARTERED
Accountant, 9 years
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹ϐ‹ƒ…‡ǡ
consolidation as per
IFRS, Treasury, Budget,
Investments, taxation,
AP/AR currently
™‘”‹‰‹•”ϐ‹ƒ…‡
position in Oman.
Joining immediate NOC
available. 95489269.
E-mail: prds1406@
gmail.com.
WANTED a
transporter for a
female student who
lives in Al Mawaleh
from and to Shatti al
Qurum School
99371313.
·····
·····
·····
·····
REQUIRED experienced
Indian Driver for
Sewage Tanker.
Contact: 95339249.
·····
WANTED experienced
accountant with
administration
experience in
Aluminium, Glass sales.
Call to 99705023.
E-mail: remmaj2014@
gmail.com.
·····
Situation Wanted
INDIAN male, Video
Editor, excellent
knowledge of computers
including MS Office and
computer software
namely Final Cut Pro,
Adobe After Effects,
Photoshop &
Combustion seeks
suitable job. Contact
94569289
·····
PAKISTANI male, 26,
MBA with 1 year
experience in accounts/
Admin, 3 months
experience in FFC,
working knowledge with
Peachtree, quickbooks,
fluent in English, good
computer skills, on
family visit till 2nd
March, seeks suitable
position. Contact
91795092,
e-mail: jameel6345@
gmail.com
INDIAN male QA/QC
Engineer-Civil (BE,
ACQE) in Oman on
visit visa, overall 10
years of experience in
Š‹‰Š”‹•‡–‘™‡”ǡ‘ˆϐ‹…‡
building and
residential
construction project
in Qatar and UAE,
holding valid GCC
driving licence
00968 93958533,
e-mail: sheikhnavid@
yahoo.com
·····
TELECOMMUNICATION
Technician having 3
years exp in software
programming (PABX,
CCTV...) and marketing
looking for a job in
technical area or
HR, Admin, sales,
marketing. Contact:
91706132. E-mail:
[email protected]
INDIAN male BE
mechanical engineer
with 3-month
…‡”–‹ϐ‹…ƒ–‡…‘—”•‡‹
QA/QC, pipeline and
NDT. In Oman on visit
visa, seeks suitable
placement. Contact
95803035, E-mail:
jittenvjacob@gmail.
com
INDIAN male, 24 years,
MBA, having 2 years of
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹ϐ‹ƒ…‹ƒŽ
ƒ……‘—–‹‰ϐ‹ƒŽ‹•ƒ–‹‘ǡ
knowledge of Tally ERP,
Focus, Wings, Peachtree,
MS-Excel, currently on
visit visa, seeks suitable
placement. Available
immediately. Contact
91058205, E-mail:
aslammohammed10@
gmail.com
·····
24 YEARS Oman
experienced can handle
accounts upto
finalisation, banking,
preparation of job
costing receivable/
payable, age-wise
analysis and timely
follow-ups, preparation
of BRS and other
required MIS, having
Omani driving licence,
can join immediately.
Contact: 94070799
·····
·····
INDIAN IT prof, MCA 5+
yrs exp in Hardware,
Networking, PHP, CSS,
HTML, Java Script, Sql.
NOC available, seeks
suitable job.
97496998. E-mail:
[email protected]
·····
·····
Wanted
Interested parties may contact:
Tel.: (+968) 91372796
FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM
CLASSIFIED SECTION
If you would like to know more about
Islam, please call:
Tel : 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818,
99341395, 99379133, For ladies: 99415818,
99321360, 99730723
Or visit: www.islamfact.com
RUWI : 24785668
Behind Royal Oman Police
Adjacent to Dhofar Building, Ruwi
Situation Wanted
INDIAN male, 27 years,
B Tech Mechanical,
having 1 year pipeline
·····
experience, seeking
INDIAN male with
job in any mechanical
10-year Oman
ϐ‹‡Ž†ǤŠ‡„‡Ž‘™
experience in sales with mentioned points need
attention: 1 NOC is
Omani driving licence
looking for sales/driving available, 2. Available in
Oman till 31st January.
job 95067844.
Contact 95982207.
E-mail: sawood668@
E-mail: rahman.taus@
gmail.com
gmail.com
·····
·····
CIVIL engineer
BSC Civil Engineer
experience in Oman with (degree 4 years hons)
Omani driving licence
with GCC driving
91102892
licence, about one
year Gulf experience
·····
seeks suitable job.
93929310.
INDIAN male, 22 years,
BE Mechanical Engineer, · · · · ·
seeks suitable placement. CHEF with 7 years
Contact: 95020044.
experience in tandoor,
e-mail: sameemsm2009
Chinese & Indian food,
@gmail.com
available 95924771
·····
23
·····
SUDANESE male, BSc in
Chemical Engineering
honours degree from
U of K, fresh graduate,
looking for suitable job
‹‹†—•–”‹ƒŽϐ‹‡Ž†ǡ‰‘‘†
in project evaluation.
Contact: 92647250.
·····
INDIAN male, 2 years
experience in Oil
accounting, oil supply
chain management and
ϐ‹ƒŽ‹•ƒ–‹‘‘ˆƒ……‘—–•ǡ
looking for a suitable
position. Contact:
96534120. E-mail:
[email protected]
·····
CIVIL Engineer, 14 years
experience, 5 years in
Oman, valid driving
licence, NOC release
available Contact:
91101892.
·····
SENIOR Mechanical
Power Engineer,
Egyptian, 7 years
experience in (oil &
‰ƒ•Ȍϐ‹‡Ž†•‘Ȁ‘ˆˆ
shore in Agiba
Petroleum Co.
94249022. E-mail:
mohab_206@yahoo.
com
·····
SMART professional,
excellent English,
communication,
Š‹‰ŠŽ›“—ƒŽ‹ϐ‹‡†ǡͳͳ
years Oman exp in
Admin management,
operations, credit &
collection, procurement,
business development,
customer relations,
commercial, etc.
–‡‰”‹–›ǡϐŽ‡š‹„‹Ž‹–›ǡ
analytical thinking.
Quick joining, NOC.
91229392.
·····
INDIAN male, BTechE&I, 10 years experience
in Sales, Procurement
and Business
Development. 6 years
Oman experience in Oil
& Gas Sector, having
Omani driving licence,
NOC available, seeks
suitable placement.
Contact:
97233074.
·····
·····
MCOM, 4 years
INDIAN male, 25 years,
experience in marketing
ϐ‹ƒ…‡ǡŠƒ˜‹‰ͻ
& sales, 2 years
months experience in
experience in Oman
ϐ‹ƒ…‹ƒŽƒ……‘—–‹‰ƒ† having Omani driving
knowledge in Tally ERP
Ž‹…‡…‡ǡ’”‘ϐ‹…‹‡…›‹
and MS-Excel, looking
Arabic, seeks sales
for suitable job, available job. Contact:
immediately.
95116991.
97483234. E-mail:
E-mail: faizhaneefa1@
[email protected]
gmail.com
·····
·····
INDIAN male, BE
wireless networks,
CCNA & MCSE trained,
3 years experience as
IT support assistant
at a leading higher
education institution in
Oman seeking a position
as network/ systems
engineer. 96008737.
E-mail: m.anas365@
outlook.com
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
"5FDIOJDBMUSBJOJOH*OTUJUVUFJOWJUFTBQQMJDBUJPOTGPSGPMMPXJOH
QPTJUJPOTJO4PIBS"SFBOMANI NATIONALS PREFERRED
CIVIL TRAINERS (Steel Fixing, Shuttering Carpentry, Scaffolding)
t.JO&OHJOFFSJOH(SBEVBUFTXJUITPVOELOPXMFEHFPG&OHJOFFSJOHQSJODJQMFT
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t1SPöDJFODZJO&OHMJTI-BOHVBHFJTFTTFOUJBM
HSE ADVISOR CUM TRAINER
t .JO%JQMPNB)PMEFSTJO)4&TQFDJBMJ[BUJPOXJUIBUMFBTUZFBSTPG
UFBDIJOHFYQFSJFODF
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS
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[email protected]
Situation Wanted
PLEASING personality,
professional with
integrity, double masters,
quality English language
skills, 10+ years rich
Oman exp handling
important roles in
reputed companies
·····
seeks suitable role.
INDIAN male, 29 years
Immediately available.
old, engineering diploma NOC. 98179887.
holder, 4 year’s
·····
experience in Oman, 2
years in PDO Road
INDIAN male 24
Division, looking for
years, having Omani
placement. NOC
driving licence, MS in
available. 99352822.
Biotechnology from
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·····
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96246621/95738937.
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·····
areas near the Al
Khuwair, Wattayah and
IT assistant, BSc
Al Qurum, passed the
computer science with 4
promertic exam. Contact: years experience, MCP,
96363153
MCITP. 95874315.
INDIAN male, with 10
years Oman experience
in sales with Omani
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95067844. E-mail:
[email protected]
·····
·····
INDIAN male, 9 years
experience in accounts,
seeks suitable placement.
Contact: 94080452.
·····
INDIAN female (B.Sc,
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·····
Ȉ
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BankMuscat account: 0397003776610011
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contact our coordinators at
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Postal Code: 117,
SULTANATE OF OMAN
+968 22094265
Announcement
ƒ™Šƒ”ƒŠŽ
ƒ•›‹ƒŠƒ–‹‘ƒŽ
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transforming its legal
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·····
Tourism
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ȋƒ‰—ƒ‰‡•ǣ”ƒ„‹…ǡ
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’ƒ‹•ŠƬ–ƒŽ‹ƒȌ
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”ƒ•’‘”–‘Ǥȋ
ȌǤ
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ȀʹͶ͹ͻͶʹͺ͸
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·····
yPROPERTIES for sale
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yBuildings cleaning
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HP
All Cartridges also available
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AII HP, Epson, Canon,
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Quality Repairs & Maintenance of all
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Services
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savills.om
·····
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located in Al
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·· · · · ·
LOOKING for an
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TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 10, 2015 | RABEE AL THANI 20, 1436 AH
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Inside
Pakistan post narrow win over Bangladesh Messi shines as Barca close in on Madrid Renaissance overpower HJB by 5 wickets FOLLOW US ON:
SPORT BRIEFS
Dominican claims
milestone ATP win
QUITO: Victor Estrella Burgos became
the oldest player to lift a maiden
ATP Tour title and the first from the
Dominican Republic when he upset
world number 14 Feliciano Lopez to win
the Ecuador Open on Sunday.
The 34-year-old beat the Spanish first
seed 6-2 6-7(5) 7-6(5) in the ATP 250 clay
court tournament, a day after he played
in and lost his first doubles final on tour.
“I was nervous at the beginning but
thank God I was able to win the first ATP
(tournament) in Quito and the first for
me,” Estrella Burgos said.
The world No 73 rated his good
preparation for the rarefied air at nearly
3,000 metres in Quito, saying: “Today I
felt as if I was playing at sea level. I felt
very good on court.”
— Reuters
Ronaldo slammed for
partying after defeat
MADRID: Real Madrid star Cristiano
Ronaldo drew criticism in the changing
room by partying for his 30th birthday
hours after a 4-0 defeat by rivals Atletico,
media reported on Monday.
Leading sports daily Marca called the
Portuguese striker’s birthday bash after
Real’s Madrid derby defeat in the league
on Saturday “The Party of Discord.”
“Pictures of the celebration did
not go down well with Real Madrid’s
captains” Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos,
Marca wrote on Monday.
Ronaldo hosted team-mates
including second-choice goalkeeper
Keylor Navas, defender Pepe, Fabio
Coentrao, Luka Modric, Sami Khedira
and James Rodriguez, who recently
returned from injury, newspapers
reported.
— AFP
www.omanobserver.om
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South Africa edge Sri Lanka by 5 wickets
TON-UP: Lankan opener Dilshan belted exactly 100 off just 83 deliveries with 15 boundaries and two sixes
CHRISTCHURCH: South Africa
beat Sri Lanka by five wickets with just
three balls to spare in a thrilling raininterrupted World Cup warm-up on
Monday.
Sri Lanka smashed 279 for seven in
their innings, which was reduced to 44.4
overs after rain stopped play at Hagley
Oval in Christchurch.
Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan laid
the foundations for a big Sri Lankan
total when he belted exactly 100 off
just 83 deliveries, which included 15
boundaries and two sixes.
He was well supported by the Sri
Lankan captain Angelo Mathews, who
made a quickfire 58 off 49 balls, and
Dimuth Karunaratne, who chipped in
with 46 off 61 deliveries.
Kyle Abbott was the pick of the South
Africa bowlers, taking 3-37 while allrounder Wayne Parnell bagged two
wickets.
When the rain stopped and the South
Africans started their reply, they were
initially set 230 to win off 30 overs under
the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Despite being without their captain
AB de Villiers, who was rested as a
precaution because of tightness in his
hip, the Proteas made a flying start.
Quinton de Kock (66) and Hashim
Amla (46) put on 115 for the opening
wicket in 15 overs before the rain
returned, forcing another delay.
South Africa’s target was reduced to
188 off 25 overs, leaving them needing
72 of 10 overs with 10 wickets in hand.
What seemed like an easy chase
suddenly began to look tricky when
they lost de Kock and Amla in the first
over after play resumed, then three more
Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga (right) bowls to South Africa’s Hashim Amla during a Cricket World Cup one-day warm-up match in Christchurch.
wickets before the end of the 23rd over.
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath
snatched three wickets for Sri Lanka,
leaving South Africa requiring 21 off the
last 14 balls, but Rilee Rossouw (16 not
out) and Vernon Philander (13 not out)
safely guided the Proteas to victory.
South Africa will play their final
warm-up against New Zealand in
Christchurch on Wednesday, while Sri
SUR THRASH BAUSHER
Bruno Senna
joins McLaren
LONDON: The Senna name will be
back on a McLaren this year after
Brazilian Bruno Senna, nephew of the
late triple Formula One champion
Ayrton, was announced as a factory
McLaren GT sportscar driver on
Monday.
“It is a great honour for me to be
joining McLaren; a team my uncle
enjoyed such huge success with,” the
31-year-old said in a statement.
The former Formula One and
Le Mans driver will race in selected
events with the new McLaren 650S
GT3 car.
Ayrton Senna won his F1 titles
with McLaren in 1988, 1990 and 1991.
He died in a crash at Imola in 1994
after moving to Williams. — Reuters
Sur and Bausher players fight for the ball during the Omantel Professional League at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in
Bausher on Sunday. Sur won 4-0. In other matches, Al Arouba edged past Shabaab 1-0 through a Ibrahim al Zadjali goal in the
83rd minute at Sur Sports Complex, while Al Nasr beat Fanja 4-2 at SQSC.
— Mohammed Mahjoub
Lanka will face Zimbabwe the same day.
The World Cup starts on Saturday
when co-hosts New Zealand meet Sri
Lanka in Christchurch and Australia
play England in Melbourne. — Reuters
— AFP
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 279-7 in 44.4 overs
(Tillakaratne Dilshan 100, Angelo Mathews 58; Kyle
Abbott 3-37) lost to South Africa 188-5 in 24.3
overs (Quinton de Kock 66; Rangana Herath 3-22).
South Africa won by 5 wickets on D/L method after
rain reduced Sri Lankan innings to 44.4 overs instead
of 50. SA’s target was revised to 188 in 25 overs.
Sharapova leads Russia
into semis in Fed Cup
PARIS: Maria Sharapova made a
rare but decisive Fed Cup appearance
on Sunday to help Russia reach
the semifinals, where they will face
Germany.
Champions Czech Republic stormed
into the last four with a whitewash
in Canada and will next face surprise
package France, who stunned Italy in
Genoa.
Former world number one
Sharapova defeated Poland’s Agnieszka
Radwanska 6-1, 7-5 to give her country
an unassailable 3-0 lead in Krakow.
French Open champion Sharapova
was playing just her fourth Fed Cup tie
since her 2008 debut, but in order to
make the Olympics next year all players
have to make themselves available for
the annual women’s team tournament.
“It is a very important win for me,”
said Sharapova, who has often been
criticised for not playing enough Fed
Cup matches.
“Playing for the national team there
is always added pressure.”
Sharapova had already beaten
Urszula Radwanska in straight sets
on Saturday, while veteran Svetlana
Kuznetsova surprised Urszula’s sister
Agnieszka in three sets.
Doubles
pairing
Anastasia
Pavlyuchenkova
and
Vitaliya
Diachenko made it 4-0 later on Sunday
as they beat Klaudia Jans-Ignacik and
Alicja Rosolska 6-4, 6-4.
Germany qualified for a last four trip
to Russia on April 18-19 after Andrea
Petkovic won her second successive
gruelling three-set marathon.
Petkovic dug deep to seal a 6-3,
3-6, 8-6 win over Jarmila Gajdosova
as Australia were overcome 3-1 in
Stuttgart.
In Genoa, Kristina Mladenovic and
Caroline Garcia stunned the world’s top
doubles pairing to give France a shock
win over Italy.
The Czechs stormed into the last
four after taking an unassailable 3-0
lead over Canada in Quebec City when
Karolina Pliskova defeated Gabriela
Dabrowski 6-4, 6-2.
— AFP
FED CUP RESULTS
Quarterfinals
1-Czech Republic beat Canada 4-0
2-Germany beat Australia 4-1
3- France beat-Italy 3-2
4-Russia beat Poland 4- 0
26
SPORT
omandailyobserver
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
THUNDER DOWN UNDER: Woakes shines with the ball claiming five wickets
England crush West Indies by
nine wickets in warm-up tie
Chris Woakes (right) of England bowls next to Lendl Simmons of the West Indies during their
warm-up match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
— Reuters
Woakes hoping for
new-ball role
SYDNEY: England all-rounder Chris
Woakes is hoping to remain a new-ball
bowler throughout the World Cup after
taking five for 19 in the crushing nine-wicket
warm-up win over West Indies on Monday.
With Stuart Broad and James Anderson
rested for the penultimate run-out before
the start of the tournament, Woakes took full
advantage of his chance to shine as England’s
pace bowling spearhead.
Getting good bounce off the Sydney
Cricket Ground track, he had Chris Gayle
and Darren Bravo caught behind for ducks
in the opening over and returned to mop up
the West Indies tail with two of the last three
wickets.
“I’m sure they will probably say it was
a couple of shots that weren’t what they
would have liked to do usually,” Woakes told
reporters. “But I thought we put the ball in
the right areas pretty well today.”
Woakes has worked hard on adding extra
pace and variation to his bowling over the
last year and thinks he deserves to retain
new-ball duties for the team.
“Every time you put on the shirt you are
trying to do your best for England but for
your cause as well, you always want to do well
for yourself,” he added.
“I have (taken the new ball) for roughly 10
games or so now, so it would be nice to think
that I’ll get the new ball, fingers crossed.”
Monday’s figures will not be added to
his career tally of two five-wicket hauls in
one-dayers as the match was not an “A”
international.
It was, however, a welcome return after his
last outing, when he conceded 89 runs in 10
overs before getting out first ball as England
lost to Australia in the Tri-series final.
“Obviously, it didn’t go to plan in Perth
so it was nice to put in a better performance
today,” he said.
“You always want to get back out there
and try and put in a performance to try and
get a bit more confidence back.
“But I feel like I’ve been doing the right
things for a while now so one game isn’t
going to change what I’ve been doing.”
Co-hosts Australia also loom as England’s
first World Cup opponents at the Melbourne
Cricket Ground on Saturday.
“We know they are a great team and we
know they’ve had the wood over us in the
Tri-series,” Woakes said.
“So I suppose we think we’ve got a point to
prove and hopefully we can turn them over
on Saturday.”
— Reuters
SYDNEY: Chris Woakes took five for
19 as England claimed a comfortable
nine-wicket victory in their first
official World Cup warm-up match
after dismissing a hapless West Indies
for 122 in 29.3 overs on Monday.
Openers Moeen Ali (46) and
Ian Bell (35 not out) took England
more than halfway to their target
before their opening partnership was
broken and James Taylor (25 not out)
joined Bell to finish the job inside 23
overs.
West Indies had won the toss and
chosen to bat on a muggy, overcast
day at the Sydney Cricket Ground
but a calamitous start saw them lose
Chris Gayle and Darren Bravo for
ducks inside the first over.
All rounder Woakes removed
them both caught behind and
things did not get much better for
the islanders with wickets falling
at regular intervals through the
remainder of their 131-minute
innings.
Lendl Simmons provided the
only innings of any substance and
a reminder of the firepower West
Indies can usually rely upon with a
lusty six into the second tier of the
historic members’ stand.
Once he departed caught at cover
by James Tredwell at midwicket for
46, though, the writing was on the
wall and two overs later Woakes
Ian Bell (right) of
England avoids a
bouncer bowled by
Andre Russell of the
West Indies during
their warm-up match
at the Sydney Cricket
Ground. — Reuters
claimed his fifth wicket when Andre
Russell holed out for seven to end the
innings.
Jason Holder thought he had
made an early breakthrough when
he had Ali caught at backward point
on seven but the batsman was called
back when TV replays showed the
new West Indies captain had bowled
a no-ball. Reprieved, Ali assumed
the heavier workload in the opening
and Stuart Broad for their
penultimate run-out before they
begin their quest for a first World
Cup title against co-hosts Australia
at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
(MCG) on Saturday.
West Indies, who won the first two
World Cups in 1975 and 1979, open
their campaign against Ireland in
Nelson, New Zealand next Monday.
— Reuters
Love of country kept me going, says Shehzad
Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad
speaks at a press conference in
Sydney.
— AFP
SYDNEY: Dashing Pakistan opener
Ahmed Shehzad said Monday that his
love for playing for his country kept
him going after a head injury last year
left him scared.
The 23-year-old was hit by New
Zealand seamer Corey Anderson’s
bouncer in the first Test in Abu Dhabi in
November last year, barely a fortnight
before the tragic death of Australian
batsman Phillip Hughes’s death.
That death, Shehzad said, left him
bewildered and shocked.
“It was scary,” Shehzad said. “It left
me in fear besides saying thanks to
Almighty Allah for saving me.”
Shehzad said the injury was still
Two-time World Champions look to ease into the mega event, wary of peaking early
No World Cup worries for West
Indies despite warm-up drubbing
West Indies fieldsman
Darren Bravo takes a
catch to dismiss
England batsman
Moeen Ali during
their World Cup
warm-up match at the
Sydney Cricket
Ground (SCG). — AFP
partnership and was four runs shy of
his half century when he was caught
at extra cover off Kemar Roach after
hitting nine fours in his 43-ball
knock.
Bell and Taylor put together a
50 partnership in 62 balls to take
England to the brink of victory and
the latter delivered the coup de grace
with a four behind square.
England rested James Anderson
SYDNEY: Team manager Richie
Richardson said West Indies were
wary of peaking too soon at the
World Cup but there looked precious
little chance of that on the evidence of
their heavy defeat to England in their
first warm-up on Monday.
England dismissed the twice world
champions for 122 before reaching
their target with more than 27 overs
to spare for a thumping nine-wicket
victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“Not a very good start but it’s not
about the start, it’s about the finish,”
Richardson told reporters.
“We are obviously disappointed
with our performance but we will
review it and come back. Our plan is
to ease into the World Cup, we don’t
want to peak too early.”
“Tonight is no reflection of how
we have been training or anything to
do with the mood in the camp. It was
just very strange that England got the
better of us in that particular way.”
West Indies arrived at the World
Cup in some turmoil and without
former captain Dwayne Bravo after
rows over player contracts led to the
abandonment of a tour of India last
October. Richardson, however, said
the abject manner of Monday’s defeat
had come as a complete shock to him.
“I have no explanation for it
because I didn’t expect it,” he said.
“People might be wondering what
is going on. But I can safely say we
have been playing well, the guys have
been in very good spirits, it was just
one of those things.
“Hopefully, you won’t see a
performance like this from us again.”
The West Indies never really
recovered from losing Darren
Bravo and Chris Gayle for ducks in
the opening over on Monday and
Richardson said it would be wrong
to read anything into the fact that the
latter had not fielded.
“Chris Gayle has been training
well, he hasn’t really complained
about any injuries, he played football
with the guys this morning,” the
former West Indies captain added.
“He’s in good shape, we just want
preserve him as much as possible and
then hopefully as the tournament
goes on he will go from strength to
strength.”
Richardson was equally sanguine
about the performance of 23-yearold captain Jason Holder, who was
dismissed for one run off three balls
and failed to take a wicket. “Worried,
no?” he said. “If the selectors didn’t
think he couldn’t have done the job
they wouldn’t have given him all that
responsibility.
— Reuters
being monitored. “It will take some
time to be like it was before but let’s
hope it won’t happen again and
doctors said that it will be monitored
for quite sometime,” said Shehzad.
Shehzad said the prime thing for
him was to play for his country.
“I love my country and the green
cap is a pride. My country is the most
important thing in my life.
“Cricket is my passion and I
never thought about my life doing
something else but cricket, and playing
for your country is a huge honour for
me and will remain whether I’m playing
or not.” Shehzad said his family and fans
helped him overcome that scare.
“When I was hit and after Hughes’s
tragic death there was a lot of talk on
that and I was sidelined because of the
injury. My family, my fans and my fellow
players helped me overcome that scary
thing.” Shehzad said it had been tough
to be sidelined.
“But I was in very good form and
wanted to play the T20s against
New Zealand and the one-day
internationals. I didn’t want to miss that
much cricket.
“Everyone was talking this and that.
I was trying to ignore them but things
come in your mind,” Shehzad said. “It
was tough for me and the family to
cope with it.” — AFP
Irfan, Maqsood star in
narrow Pakistan victory
Bangladesh and Pakistan players shake hands at the end of their 2015 World Cup warm-up
match at Blacktown Sports Park in Sydney.
— AFP
SYDNEY: Sohaib Maqsood spared Pakistan’s
blushes by hitting an unbeaten 93 to
secure the team’s three-wicket victory over
Bangladesh in their first World Cup warmup match on Monday.
Maqsood’s 90-ball knock took Pakistan
home with 11 balls to spare but their top
order looked far from convincing as they
chased 247 runs for victory.
Having beaten the former champions in
the 1999 World Cup, Bangladesh rekindled
hopes of another upset by reducing Pakistan
to 199 for six in the 43rd over but were
thwarted by Maqsood who hit nine fours and
two sixes.
Bangladesh posted a competitive 246 after
opting to bat first but were all out with one
delivery to go in their innings.
They lost two quick wickets but Tamim
Iqbal (81) and Mahmudullah (83) added 168
runs to consolidate the innings.
Iqbal’s 109-ball knock will please captain
Mashrafe Mortaza the most as the lefthanded opener was returning to action after
undergoing knee surgery in December.
Down the order, all-rounder Shakib Al
Hasan scored a brisk 31 before Mohammad
Irfan (5-52) ripped through the middle and
lower order.
Towering Irfan’s five-wicket haul was
a rare positive in Pakistan’s otherwise
wayward bowling effort, underlined by
the 17 wides they conceded. Pakistan’s top
order did little to convince their fans and
the 1992 champions were 52 for three in
the 16th over before Maqsood and Harris
Sohail (39) steadied the innings with a 51run stand.
Umar Akmal fell after contributing 39 but
Maqsood guided them home.
— Reuters
Brief scores: Bangladesh: 246 all out in 49.5 overs
(Mohammad Mahmudullah 83, Tamim Iqbal 81;
Mohammad Irfan 5-52) lt to Pakistan: 247-7 in 48.1 overs
(Sohaib Maqsood 93 not out)
SPORT
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
omandailyobserver
27
AFRICAN NATIONS CUP: Disputed penalties and rioting supporters mar the summit clash of the continental showpiece in Bata
Controversy taints Cup of Nations as Ivorians win
BATA, EQUATORIAL GUINEA: The
2015 Africa Cup of Nations won by Ivory
Coast in Equatorial Guinea on Sunday
was full of controversy with disputed
penalties and rioting supporters.
Pictures of a jagged broken mirror
used as a missile by a rioter and players
attempting to assault a referee in another
knockout match involving the host
nation were beamed around the world
on television.
The incidents did nothing to enhance
the reputation of football on the
continent, although African Football
Confederation (CAF) president Issa
Hayatou saw things differently.
Taking exception to the international
media coverage, he insisted the western
press was “perpetuating colonisation”
as similar events occurred in Europe
without as much uproar.
“When something bad happens in
Europe, they say it’s an error. When
something happens in Africa, they begin
talking about corruption,” said Hayatou.
“The western media are simply here
to perpetuate colonisation.”
Tunisia refused to apologise to
CAF for the behaviour of their players
and officials after Mauritian referee
Rajindraparsad Seechurn awarded a
dubious stoppage-time penalty from
which Equatorial Guinea equalised
before going on to win 2-1 and reach the
semifinals. Unless an apology is received
by the end of March, Tunisia will be
barred from competing in the 2017 Cup
of Nations qualifiers.
The controversy around the 2015
Cup of Nations began when original
hosts Morocco were stripped of the right
to stage Africa’s football showpiece after
raising concerns over the spread of the
deadly Ebola epidemic.
This left late replacements Equatorial
Guinea with just two months to prepare
for the 16-nation tournament.
Morocco have been barred from
both the 2017 and 2019 Cup of Nations
tournaments.
Oil-rich central African country
Equatorial Guinea co-hosted the
tournament with neighbours Gabon
three years ago, using capital Malabo
and main city Bata.
But to host the 2015 Cup of Nations
they had to include eastern towns
Mongomo and Ebebiyin, and build new
stadiums there.
“We had only 50 days to prepare for
this tournament. We worked very hard,
day and night, to ensure the competition
was played in Africa and not outside,”
said proud organising committee
chairman Francisco Pascual Obama
Asue. “This must be a source of pride for
us and the whole of Africa.”
Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts,
were mentioned as possible hosts had no
African country come forward to take
over from Morocco.
SAFE FOR VISITORS
Equatorial Guinea brought in Cuban
doctors and adopted stringent measures
to combat the spread of Ebola virus at
entry points and match venues. This
ensured the country was safe for both
residents and visitors.
“Equatorial Guinea have done very
well to host this competition at such
short notice, even my country backed
out after pressure from many interest
groups. They deserved commendation,”
said Ghana Football Association (GFA)
president Kwesi Nyantakyi, who is also a
CAF executive.
“This was nicknamed the ‘Ebola
tournament’, but in the end no one was
even talking about this fear anymore
because everything was well taken care
of.”
The football on offer showed a great
deal of European influence with tighter
defences and more tactical awareness,
and this was expected because only
three of the teams were led by African
Ivory Coast’s defender Kolo Toure raises the trophy as he celebrates after winning the 2015 African Cup of Nations final against Ghana in Bata.
coaches.
A total of 68 goals were scored in 32
matches for an average of 2.12 goals per
game — slightly below the 2.15 recorded
two years ago in South Africa.
Exciting footballers like Andre Ayew
of Ghana, Thievy Bifouma of Congo
Brazzaville, Ibrahima Traore of Guinea
and Gervinho of Ivory Coast shone.
The group games were full of
suspense right up to the last round with
the runners-up in Group D decided
by a drawing of lots between Guinea
and Mali after the sides tied on points,
head-to-head, goal difference and goals
scored.
Late equaliser rescues Manchester United
FROM ANDY JALIL AT UPTON PARK
LONDON: West Ham were denied
a first win over Manchester United
in eight years by a stoppage time goal
which keeps the northern side fourth on
the Premier League table. But judging
by this performance there seems no
guarantee for United to qualify for the
Champions League next season.
With West Ham’s control on the
game throughout the first half and for
stages in the second, it seemed they
would repeat the commendable feat of
inflicting defeat on major teams as they
have done this season on Manchester
City and Liverpool.
It was only the splendid display of
David De Gea in the goal that prevented
the London side from snatching a winner
against Louis van Gaal’s expensively
assembled side which struggled to assert
themselves.
West Ham created scoring chances
early from having far better of the
EPL
possession and would have scored
halfway through the first half. But
De Gea made two saves from Enner
Valencia within a minute when he
pushed a long-range shot around the
post and then from the resulting corner
he denied the Ecuador man from pointblank range.
Twelve minutes before half-time
James Tomkins’ header from a free-kick
taken by Aaron Cresswell was prevented
from going in by De Gea’s right foot.
It didn’t take long into the second
half for West Ham to score in a moment
of brilliance from man-of-the-match
Cheikhou Kouyate.
It followed a free-kick taken by Mark
Noble from the left which broke to the
Senegal international with his back to
the goal.
He controlled the ball with two
touches to keep the ball up before
lashing out on the volley with his right
Manchester United’s Blind celebrates after scoring against West Ham United during foot to see the ball go in taking a slight
their English Premier League match in London.
— Reuters deflection from Daley Blind.
The pressure for results meant three
coaches have already gone — Alain
Giresse of Senegal, Michel Dussuyer of
Guinea and Paul Put of Burkina Faso
— and there are strong indications that
Volker Finke of Cameroon will not have
his contract extended when it expires in
May.
JOYOUS
— AFP
In the absence of defending
champions Nigeria and record seventime winners Egypt, experts predicted
a very open tournament, but in the
end two of Africa’s powerhouses — the
Ivory Coast and Ghana — clashed in a
decider than went to penalties before the
Ivorians emerged 9-8 winners. — AFP
FANS
‘The curse is over!’,
Ivorians delirious
ABIDJAN: Football fans in Ivory
Coast partied late into the night after
The Elephants lifted the Africa Cup of
Nations title on Sunday, ending a 23year drought with a win over Ghana in
a nailbiting penalty shootout.
In the commercial capital Abidjan,
groups of supporters giddy with
victory gathered on street corners to
hail passing cars, many of which were
draped in the national flag.
“The curse is finally over! The
Ivorians are the kings of Africa tonight,”
Alexandre, a student who watched the
game with hundreds of others on a
giant screen at Felix Houphouët-Boigny
University, said triumphantly.
Goalkeeper Boubacar Barry, who
scored the decisive goal to clinch a
9-8 victory on penalties after the final
ended 0-0 despite extra time, was the
hero of the night.
“History has repeated itself,” said
Moussa, a young supporter, who had
painted his cheeks in the orange, green
and white of the Ivorian flag, referring
to the country’s last Africa Cup win in
1992 — also in a final against Ghana
that ended in a penalty shootout. “Now
we have a second star on our jersey. It’s
one of the best days of my life,” he said,
brimming with delight.
A nervy game ended in an explosion
of joy across the country after keeper
Barry, nicknamed “Coppa”, drove home
the winning shot after saving a spotkick from his Ghanaian counterpart
Razak Braimah.
— AFP
Barca have now won their last nine games, scoring 34 goals in the process, and will be further boosted by Real’s ragged 4-0 defeat to Atletico
Messi magic moves Barca to within a point of Madrid
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the Spanish
league match against Athletic Club Bilbao at the San Mames Stadium
in Bilbao.
— AFP
MADRID: Lionel Messi scored once
and played his part in four more goals as
Barcelona closed to within a point of La Liga
leaders Real Madrid with a commanding
performance to beat Athletic Bilbao 5-2 on
Sunday.
The four-time World Player of the Year
opened the scoring with a deflected freekick and then teed up Luis Suarez to double
the visitors’ advantage.
Mikel Rico briefly gave Athletic hope
after half-time, but Messi’s goalbound
header was then turned into his own net
by Oscar de Marcos before Neymar rolled
home Barca’s fourth from another Messi
pass.
Aritz Aduriz made it four goals in a
crazy six minute spell by pulling another
goal back for Athletic, but the hosts ended
the game with 10 men after Xabier Etxeita
was shown a straight red card for a horrible
challenge on Suarez before Pedro Rodriguez
added a fifth.
Barca have now won their last nine
games, scoring 34 goals in the process, and
will be further boosted by Real’s ragged
showing in their 4-0 destruction at the
hands of Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
“It is clear the team are all united and
pulling in the same direction,” Suarez told
Barca TV. “Players of the class of Messi and
Neymar will always make the difference. I
just have to enjoy playing with them.”
Messi took his tally for the season to 33
with the opener on 16 minutes, but there
he had a touch of fortune as his free-kick
struck Aymeric Laporte in the Athletic
wall and wrong-footed goalkeeper Gorka
Iraizoz. The hosts had a great chance for an
instant response as Iker Muniain picked out
Aduriz, but Claudio Bravo got down well to
turn his effort behind.
Moments later Iraizoz made amends for
his weak hand in the opener with a stunning
save to prevent Suarez heading home a
perfectly weighted cross from Messi.
Bravo was called into action again to
parry Markel Susaeta’s well-struck free-kick,
but Barca tore through the Athletic defence
once more on 26 minutes as Messi laid the
ball into Suarez’s path for the Uruguayan to
thump home his first goal in five games.
Chances continued to flow at both ends
as Laporte blocked Neymar’s goalbound
effort on the line, whilst Aduriz saw a
header come back off the inside of the post.
Athletic were given a lifeline on the hour
mark when Rico swept home the rebound
after Bravo had again denied Aduriz.
However, Barca responded in supreme
fashion as De Marcos could only turn
Messi’s header into his own net before the
Argentine teed up Neymar to slot home his
23rd goal of the season.
The Basques refused to lie down as
Aduriz pulled another goal back thanks to a
rare Bravo error when his shot flew in at the
near post. There was no excuse for Etxeita’s
horror challenge on Suarez, though, as he
raked his studs down the Uruguayan’s knee,
forcing the former Liverpool man to be
replaced by Pedro for the closing stages.
And Pedro was on hand to round off the
scoring from Sergio Busquets cross after
Messi had left a host of Athletic defenders
in his wake.
— AFP
28
SPORT
omandailyobserver
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
Ahmad aim for good show in Dubai Renaissance overpower
HOME BOOST: Al Nabooda Racing target home boost for Porsche GT3 Cup title charge
HJB by five wickets
MUSCAT: Renaissance defeated Hasan
Juma Backer (HJB) by 5 wickets in a
high-scoring Khimji Ramdas sponsored
‘B’ division 30 overs a side match
during the weekend at the Municipality
Ground No1 at Al Amerat.
Opting to bat, HJB scored 248
runs for 7 wickets in 30 overs. Major
contributions came from skipper
Mudassar Iqbal 74 (62b, 11x4), Syed
Muntazir 61 (53b, 1x6 and 6x4), Waleed
Younas remained unbeaten on 39 (16b,
1x6, 4x4).
Set a massive target of 249 for a win,
Renaissance got to their target scoring
253 for 5 wickets in 29 overs. Opener
Mohammed Yakub Shaikh 64 (46b,
10x4) and Thuwan RK Deen 37 (27b,
4x4) set the tone putting together 92
runs for the first wicket in 9.4 overs.
Other useful contributions came from
Sajeed Ahmed 55 (42b, 6x4) and Abdul
Aziz Qadir 40 (34b, 5x4).
Brief scores: HJB – 248 for 7 in 30 overs
(Mudassar Iqbal 74, Syed Muntazir 61, Waleed
Younas 39 n.o., Jibran Yousuf 24) bt Renaissance
– 253 for 5 in 29 overs (Mohammed Yakub Shaikh
64, Sajeed Ahmed 55, Abdul Aziz Qadir 40, Thuwan
RK Deen 37; Syed Mohammed 2-45); Points:
Renaissance - 2 (7 games – 8), HJB - 0 (6 games – 4)
Ahmad al Harthy and Clemens Schmid are looking forward to putting on a good show at Dubai Autodrome.
successive wins in Qatar.
But both the Austrian driver and Al
Harthy produced battling performances
over the two days, Schmid taking two
runners-up spots and his Omani teammate grabbing vital team points with
two eighth place finishes. Together
they turned a nine-point deficit into an
eight-point advantage which they now
want to increase significantly at Dubai
Autodrome.
“It’s our home circuit and we
obviously want to put on a good show
there,” said Rao.
“We’ll have a lot of home support
and both Clemens and Ahmad know
the track well so we have high hopes
that we can improve our grip on the
championship.”
MUSCAT: After powering their way
back on top in the Porsche GT3 Cup
Challenge Middle East, Al Nabooda
Racing aim to reinforce their bid for
a third successive team title on home
territory in Dubai.
Clemens Schmid and Ahmad al
Harthy combined well at Qatar’s Losail
International Circuit last weekend to
regain the lead for the defending team
champions in the 2014-15 title race.
Now drivers’ championship leader
Schmid and Al Harthy will be looking
to build on their eight-point cushion
over SKY DIVE Dubai Falcons
in the penultimate race weekend of
the season at Dubai Autodrome on
February 27-28.
“We knew it was going to be tough
in Qatar, especially after Clemens won
the previous two rounds there to make
it five wins in the first six races,” said
Vijay Rao, the Al Nabooda Racing team
manager.
“His level of performance is raising
everyone else’s, and there’s tremendous
competition now both in practice and
qualifying as well as the actual races.
“But we came through a big test at
Losail, and what was most satisfying
was the way that Clemens and Ahmad
worked together to get the best out of
each other and take the team back to the
top of the standings.”
Schmid was frustrated in his bid
for victory in Round 7 when his power
steering broke, giving a big edge to
Kuwait’s Zaid Ashkanani who scored
Raptors top
Spurs, deny ‘Pop’
milestone win
Ivan Manjila slams ton
for ISWK; ISM champs
TORONTO, Canada: James Johnson
scored 20 points, including a go-ahead
three-pointer in the last minute, as
Toronto edged San Antonio 87-82 on
Sunday to deny Spurs coach Gregg
Popovich a 1,000th NBA win.
Trailing 82-79 with 1:49 remaining,
Toronto scored the last eight points of
the game to end a run of seven straight
losses to the Spurs. DeMar DeRozan
added 18 points and Jonas Valanciunas
delivered eight points and 16 rebounds
for the Raptors.
Tim Duncan had 12 points and
12 rebounds and Marco Belinelli
scored 12 as well for the reigning NBA
champion Spurs, who started a ninegame road trip with the defeat.
The Spurs, who shot just 33.3 per
cent from the floor, will try to get back
on track on Monday when they visit
Indiana. Popovich, who has coached
the Spurs to five NBA championships,
remains one triumph away from
becoming the ninth coach to record
1,000 NBA wins.
With his team’s next victory, he’ll
join former Utah Jazz coach Jerry
Sloan as the only coaches to notch that
many wins with a single franchise.
In a see-saw battle, San Antonio
went on a 9-0 scoring run early in the
third quarter to take an eight-point
lead. A three-pointer by San Antonio’s
French point guard Tony Parker tied
the game with five minutes to play.
— AFP
OMAN JUNIOR CRICKET
NBA RESULTS
Oklahoma bt LA Clippers 131-108
Cleveland bt LA Lakers 120-105
Memphis bt Atlanta 94-88
Indiana bt Charlotte 103-102
Minnesota bt Detroit 112-101
Chicago bt Orlando 98-97
Portland bt Houston 109-98
Toronto bt San Antonio 87-82
Sacramento bt Phoenix 85-83
MUSCAT: Opener Ivan Manjila
scored a century, 104 (67b, 13x4), to
set up a 52-run win for Indian School
Wadi Kabir (ISWK) against Sri Lankan
School Muscat (SLSM) in an Al Turki
Enterprises sponsored 25 overs a side
Junior League Under-16 match during
the weekend at the Municipality
Ground No 1 at Al Amerat.
SLSM would have rued their
decision of putting ISWK in to bat
when the openers Ivan and Mayukh
Misra 67 (53b, 7x4) put together 167
runs for the first wicket in 18 overs as
Prathamesh of ISM ‘A’
ISWK posted 218 for 5 wickets in 25
overs.
SLSM in reply reached 166 for
7 in 25 overs with Janith De Silva
remaining unbeaten on 35 (27b, 2x4).
Jashanth Balu took 3 wickets for 24
runs.
Brief scores: ISWK – 218 for 5 in 25 overs
(Ivan Manjila 104, Mayukh Misra 67, Karan Koshy
20; Pathum Nawanjana 2-39) bt SLSM – 166 for
7 in 25 overs (Janith De Silva 35 n.o., Wenogk
Romeno Fernando 26, Pathum Nawanjana 20;
Jashanth Balu 3-24, Mohit Badiyani 2-35); Points:
ISWK - 2 (10 games – 17), SLSM - 0 (9 games – 10)
ISM CHAMPIONS
Indian School Muscat clinched the
championship honours of the Al Turki
Enterprises
sponsored
Junior League Under 16
title finishing the 10 games with 18
points, while Indian School Wadi
Kabir were runners-up with 17 points
from 10 games.
OPENERS SET UP WIN FOR GCC
Gulf Cricket Centre (GCC) thanks
to an opening partnership of 132 runs
off 13.2 overs between Arjun Rajesh
88 not out (54b, 13x4) and Shounak
Kelkar who made a run a ball 46 (3x4)
recorded a 71-run win against Muscat
Cricket Coaching Centre ‘B’ (MCCC
‘B’).
The Junior League T20 Under-13
match was played at the Municipality
Ground No 1 at Al Amerat.
Opting to bat first GCC piled up
a massive 203 runs for the loss of 2
wickets off the 20 stipulated overs.
Requiring 204 runs for a win,
MCCC ‘B’ finished with 132 for 4 in
20 overs with contributions of 38 (46b,
3x4) from opener Nishanth Sridhar
and an unbeaten 36 (38b, 2x4) from
Anulome Kishore.
Brief scores: GCC – 203 for 2 in 20 overs (Arjun
Rajesh 88 n.o., Shounak Kelkar 46) bt MCCC ‘B’ –
132 for 4 in 20 overs (Nishanth Sridhar 36 n.o.,
Anulome Kishore 36); Points: GCC - 2 (9 games
– 3), MCCC ‘B’ - 0 (7 games – 0)
ISM ‘A’ RECORD WIN
In another Junior League Under-13
match, Indian School Muscat ‘A’ (ISM
‘A’) recorded an easy 67-run win
against Sri Lankan School Muscat.
Invited to bat, ISM ‘A’ aided by 85
(54b, 8x4) by skipper Prathamesh S
reached a formidable 177 for 4 in 20
overs.
Sri Lankan School Muscat in their
turn were bowled out for 110 in 16.3
overs. Opener Yazid Makoon hit 44
(38b, 3x4).
Brief scores: ISM ‘A’ – 177 for 4 in 20 overs
(Prathamesh S 85, Githin 33, Abhinav S 22) bt
SLSM – 110 all out in 16.3 overs (Yazid Makoon
44, Sanjaya 26; Ankith Dwarakinath 2-16, Goli
Tushar Gautam 26); Points: ISM ‘A’ - 2 (8 games
– 14) and SLSM - 0 (7 games – 6).
STANDINGS
SAYARTI BEAT PRIME TRADING
Sayarti recorded a resounding
5-wicket win against Prime Trading
in an ‘H’ division T20 match at the
University Ground in Al Khoudh.
Winning the toss and electing to
field, Sayarti did well to bowl out their
opponents Prime Trading for 109 runs
in 19.3 overs.
OMAN CRICKET
Achintha took 3 wickets for 24.
Sayarti in reply reached their target
scoring 110 for 5 wickets in 16.5 overs.
No 3 batsman Sunil Kumar hit 35 (23b).
Brief scores: Prime Trading – 109 all out in
19.3 overs (Anoop V 33; Achintha 3-24, Priyantha
Kumar 2-23) lost to Sayarti – 110 for 5 in 16.5
overs (Sunil Kumar 35, Ruwan Rupasinghe 31;
Viswanatha 2-16); Points: Sayarti - 2 (6 games – 10),
Prime Trading - 0 (6 games – 5).
BANK SOHAR ROMP HOME
In an afternoon ‘I’ division T20
match, Bank Sohar registered a fivewicket win against Al Ansari.
Batting first, Al Ansari were off to a
solid start with openers Sajid Tanwar 66
(44b, 2x6, 8x4) and his partner Sohail
Khan 24 (18b, 5x4) putting together
71 runs for the first wicket in 6.5
overs. With the exit of the duo wickets
tumbled and they managed to get to
169 for 8 in 20 overs.
Bank Sohar in reply were precariously
placed with the scoreboard reading 85
for the loss of 6 wickets at the half way
mark. An unfinished 85-run seventh
wicket partnership between No 4
batsman Baiju G 69 not out (45b, 7x4)
and No 8 batsman Prasobh M 34 (33b,
2x4) powered the bankers to their target
off the last delivery in the 20th over.
Sohail Khan took 3 wickets for 30 runs.
Brief scores: Al Ansari – 169 for 8 in 20 overs
(Sajid Tanwar 66, Sohail Khan 24, Ameet Sampat
21) lost to Bank Sohar – 170 for 6 in 20 overs
(Baiju G 69 n.o., Prasobh M 34 n.o., Abdul Suhan
20; Sohail Khan 3-30, Rithesh 2-21); Points: Bank
Sohar - 2 (6 games – 8), Al Ansari - 0 (7 games – 4).
PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE
MIDDLE EAST - TEAM STANDINGS:
1. Al Nabooda Racing (UAE) 288pts
2. SKY DIVE Dubai Falcons (UAE) 280
3. ClassicArabia Racing (KSA) 182
4. Team Bahrain (BAH) 177
5. Frijns Structural Steel ME (QAT) 147
DRIVER STANDINGS
1. Clemens Schmid (UAE) 190pts
2. Zaid Ashkanani (KUW) 184
3. Saeed al Mehairi (UAE) 145
4. Charlie Frijns (NED) 137
5. Hasher al Maktoum (UAE) 135
6. Raed Raffi (BAH) 113
7. Ahmad al Harthy (OM) 98
8. Wolfgang Triller (GER) 97
The Renaissance team.
LOCAL FLAVOUR
Mercedes-Benz Academy impress at Muscat Unity Cup
MUSCAT: The Sultan’s School beat
Muscat Football Academy (MFA) 2-0
to win the Muscat Unity Cup Under-16
tournament recently. Mercedes-Benz
Academy Team finished third with an
impressive performance.
Six teams participated in the event,
including one from Dubai. The matches
were 15 minutes straight with no half
time break.
The Mercedes-Benz Academy boys
had a squad of 7, which also included
three 14-year-olds, for this 6-a-side
tournament.
Mercedes-Benz Academy (MBA) team
went out in the semifinals against The
Sultan’s School in penalty shoot-out
after 1-1 draw in regular time.
MBA coach Jay was very proud of
his young team and with some of the
excellent passing football they played.
“All the players worked hard and
gave 100 per cent, which as a coach is
all I can ask for. Losing on penalties was
obviously a big disappointment to the
boys but I told them all to keep their
heads up and be proud of how they
played”.
In the first match, MBA beat MFA
1-0. From the start, the MBA got into
there usual slick passing game and
created several chances in the opening
minutes only to be denied by the MFA
goalkeeper who was kept busy for this
entire match. It was not long before
another slick passing move between
Al Harthy and Al Zadjli released Al
Musalami who calmly slotted the ball
home.
In the second match, MBA thrashed
Dubai Colts 4-0.
The MBA took the lead in the
opening minutes with a fierce shot into
the bottom corner from Sultan al Harthy
which gave the keeper no chance.
It wasn’t long before the second
goal game when the impressive Khalid
Soubra found himself free in front of
goal and he calmly took his chance.
Defender Wanas al Zadjailthen made
it 3-0 with a crisp shot into the bottom
corner.
The goal of the game ( in which every
player touched the ball ) was saved till
last. It was eventually scored by Sultan
al Harthy. A combined total of 13 passes
gifted Al Harthy with the easiest of tapins to make the final score 4-0.
After a quick lunch break it was time
for the semifinal against a very well
organised Sultan School team.
The MBA took the lead through Al
Musalami after great work from Soubra.
The lead didn’t last long and the Sultan
School got a well deserved equaliser to
level the score at 1-1.
Both teams scored their first
penalties with TSS missing there second.
The MBA could not take advantage as
they missed their next two shots which
gave TSS the upper hand. Indeed, it was
TSS who eventually held their nerve to
win the penalty shoot out 4-3.
The MBA boys picked themselves up
one last time in the third-place play-off
against ABM team to prevail 1-0.
Mercedes-Benz Academy Squad: Hemmingsen
(Denmark) , Hatem (Egypt), Al Musalami (Oman), Al
Zadjail (Oman), Gikas (Australia), Al Harthy (Oman),
Soubra (Oman).
Al Hail CT to organise first
T-10 junior cricket
Asian Football Confederation
approves 11 Omani coaches
MUSCAT: Al Hail Cricket Team will organise the first T-10
Junior Cricket Tournament at Al Hail cricket ground in
Maabela on February 27.
The tournament is being organised after a successful
tournament conducted last year by the Al Hail CT and to
encourage young talented players.
The tournament will be played on knockout basis and
a maximum of 8 teams will be accepted on first come first
served basis. The tournament draw is scheduled to take place
in Al Hail Cricket Ground at 8 pm on February 11 in presence
of all the team captains and managers.
Further details can be had from the organisers at 00968
99623536. Through Facebook Al Hail CT or by email:
[email protected].
MUSCAT: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has
approved the list of Omani football coaches who had passed
two training courses conducted by the Oman Football
Association (OFA).
After obtaining the coaching certificate the eleven
coaches are now allowed to practise coaching with clubs or
teams.
The couches are: Ahmed bin Khalfan al Shaqsi, Khamis bin
Suroor al Balushi, Ahmed bin Said al Shahri, Dhafir bin Dahi al
Makhinin, Khalaf bin Mohammed al Yazidi, Khalid bin Jumaa
al Nufali, Majid bin Saif al Nazwani, Akram bin Mohammed
Habraish, Ahmed bin Said al Ghilani, Salah bin Jumaa al
Auraimi and Yahya bin Mahfoudh al Kulaibi.
ENTERTAINMENT
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
omandailyobserver
29
BAFTA
‘Boyhood’, Hawking
biopic dominate
Bafta awards
Q DARIO THUBURN
T
SAM DOMINATES GRAMMYS
BECK GETS SURPRISE WIN;
BEYONCE AND PHARRELL
TAKE HOME THREE
PRIZES EACH. ROSANNE,
DAUGHTER OF JOHNNY
CASH, TOOK HOME
AWARDS
Q SHAUN TANDON
S
am Smith, the British soul singer who was
virtually unknown a year ago, dominated
the Grammys Sunday with four awards,
although adventurous rocker Beck
unexpectedly took home Album of the
Year honors.
Superstar Beyonce and ‘Happy’ creator Pharrell
Williams took home three prizes each on the music
industry’s biggest night, which was marked by displays
of artist activism against domestic violence and police
brutality. The 22-year-old Smith swept up three of the
night’s four top trophies — Record of the Year, Song
of the Year and Best New Artist — as well as Best Pop
Vocal Album honours.
Smith earned an ovation at the Staples Centre in Los
Angeles when he performed his signature tune in his
rich, soulful tenor voice with Mary J Blige.
“Before I made this record, I was doing everything to
try to get my music heard. I tried to lose weight and ... I
was making awful music,” said Smith.
“It was only until I started to be myself that the music
started to flow and people started to listen. So, thank
you, guys, for accepting me to be just me.”
Smith was prevented from a clean sweep of the
top categories by Beck, whose introspective ‘Morning
Phase’ — full of lush orchestration around his acoustic
guitar — won the Album of the Year prize.
Beck, who also won Best Rock Album, has for
two decades been known for his inventive and often
ironic style which has won him critical acclaim and a
cult following, if not the mainstream success usually
recognised by the Grammys.
Beck’s Album of the Year award was presented by
the often-elusive Prince who, sporting a futuristic
orange suit and carrying a staff, pointedly spoke out
against a series of killings of African Americans that has
galvanised public opinion.
The theme was echoed throughout the Grammys.
The rapper Common referred to the tensions with
police in Ferguson, Missouri, as he joined John Legend
on the song ‘Glory,’ which is featured in the Oscarnominated civil rights drama ‘Selma.’
And Williams turned ‘Happy’ — what had been a
straightforward ode to joy — into a more political track.
With his back-up dancers wearing hoodies, Williams
led them in a ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’ gesture — a subtle
protest against police shootings of African Americans.
US President Barack Obama also appeared
unexpectedly on an overhead screen to urge action to
stop violence against women.
Survivor-turned-activist Brooke Axtell told
the audience how she let a seemingly “handsome,
charismatic man” abuse her, before Katy Perry sang an
unadorned rendition of ‘By The Grace of God.’
In a less grand gesture, rapper Kanye West defiantly
raised his middle finger to the world as he performed
with Paul McCartney and Rihanna.
Madonna — who was furious last month when
songs from her upcoming album leaked — performed
her new song ‘Living for Love’ in a red matador-inspired
outfit with male dancers in bull horns.
The music industry’s top names opened the night by
wearing red devil horns as aging hard rockers AC/DC
performed two songs including ‘Highway to Hell’ with
drummer Chris Slade taking over from Phil Rudd, who
is facing charges in New Zealand including making death
threats. Beyonce won for Best R&B Song and Best R&B
Performance with ‘Drunk In Love,’ her tale of marital
bliss sung with her husband Jay-Z, as well as for the more
technical Best Surround Sound Album.
— AFP
he American coming-of-age tale Boyhood, filmed over 12 years, won a
Bafta for best film but the British awards ceremony was dominated by
the Stephen Hawking biopic The Theory of Everything.
Eddie Redmayne picked up the best actor gong for playing theoretical
physicist and motor neurone disease sufferer Hawking, who himself attended
the glitzy London film event. The biopic also won best British film and best
screenplay adaptation.
British star Redmayne, who is hotly tipped for Oscar glory later this month
after already winning a Golden Globe, thanked Hawking and his family “for
reminding me of the great strength that comes from the will to live a full and
passionate life”.
The awards this year favoured
sensitive portrayals of illness and
simple emotions and gave a lifetime
achievement prize to director Mike
Leigh, who is famous for his downto-earth portrayals of working class
life.
‘Boyhood’ is a family drama that
follows a six-year-old boy, Ellar
Coltrane, as he grows up and also
features Ethan Hawke as his father.
Best actress went to US star
Julianne Moore for Still Alice — a
painstaking portrayal of a professor
diagnosed
with
Alzheimer’s
disease.
Moore broke down as she
thanked her family in her
acceptance speech.
Five nominees — Redmayne,
Benedict Cumberbatch, Felicity
Jones, Keira Knightley and
Rosamund Pike — are also Oscar hopefuls, part of what has been described
as a “British invasion” of Hollywood.
Jones, who is still waiting for her big break, was nominated for her role as
Hawking’s wife Jane in a film that concentrates on their love story as students
and the beginning of his disease.
Pike said her role in the thriller
Gone Girl covered “all facets of
being a woman, to be sort of sexy
and fun-loving, to be manipulative,
to be devious, to be challenging, to
be angry.”
The awards were held in
London’s Royal Opera House and
Hollywood star Tom Cruise, exfootballer David Beckham and
Hawking himself were among the
presenters.
Wes Anderson’s comedy Grand
Budapest Hotel was the biggest
winner of the night, taking home
five awards.
But
the
jury
snubbed
The Imitation Game starring
Cumberbatch, which had received
nine nominations.
The documentary Citizenfour
about US intelligence leaker
Edward Snowden won a Bafta but there was no-one to pick up the award as
director Laura Poitras is afraid of being prosecuted in the UK.
The ceremony also paid tribute to former British Academy director
Richard Attenborough, an award-winning director who died last year aged
90.
Prince William and Robert Downey Jr, who played Charlie Chaplin
in Attenborough’s biopic, praised the late director in pre-recorded video
messages.
At a pre-ceremony party in Kensington Palace, the London home of
Prince William and his wife Kate, Cumberbatch praised the new wave of
British cinema. The only cloud in the run-up to the Baftas was a controversy
over the biopic ‘Selma’ about Martin Luther King starring British actor David
Oyelowo. Oyelowo said the fact that the film had not been nominated sent
“an odd message” but the British Academy said the movie was delivered too
late.
— AFP
TINSELTOWN
Passion for acting saved me from casting couch: Vidya
A
ctress Vidya Balan (pictured)
says it is thanks to her
passion for acting that she
didn’t fall prey to the casting couch in
the Hindi film industry.
“I’m very fortunate that I never
came across anything like casting
couch or exploitation. This was all
because I was very passionate about
acting, but not desperate about work,”
the National Award winning actress
revealed here at casting director
Mukesh Chhabra’s studio.
“In all these years, nobody said any
such thing that would hurt me. Most
importantly, I didn’t let anybody do
anything wrong to me,” she added.
Advising newcomers to safeguard
themselves against casting couch,
the 37-year-old said: It depends
on you. Even if something like this
(casting couch or exploitation) has
happened to you, then don’t be harsh
on yourselves.
“No role and no film is the
end of the world. It could be the
beginning, but it is never the end,”
Vidya said.
Kamal Haasan to feature in
PK remake?: Actor-film-maker
Kamal Haasan is likely to play the
lead in the Tamil remake of Hindi
blockbuster PK, if sources are to
believed.
The yet-untitled remake will be
produced by Gemini Film Circuit,
which had earlier remade Rajkumar
Hirani’s Munnabhai MBBS and 3
Idiots’ as Vasool Raja MBBS and
Nanban, respectively.
“Gemini Film Circuit has acquired
the film’s remake rights and Kamal
Haasan is expected to play the lead.
Gemini had already remade two of
Hirani’s films and they were really
impressed with PK too,” a source close
to the production house said.
Haasan is yet to take a call on the
director for the project, while the rest
of the cast will be finalised soon.
“Kamal sir will choose the director
of his choice. He might even direct it,”
said the source.
PK, which was produced by
Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and starred
Aamir Khan, turned out to be biggest
grossing Indian film.
Meanwhile, Haasan is currently
the release of his Tamil films Uttama
Villain and Papanasam.
Big B happy with Shamitabh
reviews: Amitabh Bachchan starrer
Shamitabh is being appreciated for its
original plot and charm of the actors
in the three principal characters. The
megastar, happy with the reviews,
says such feedback is giving credence
to the movie.
“Reading the reviews on Shamitabh
gives credence to the film, the thought
and the performance...and that is
most gratifying for the artiste...many
varied colours are painted, but what
remains without any doubt is the
effort and the execution of that which
has been elusive, for most,” Big B
wrote on his official blog srbachchan.
tumblr.com on Sunday.
Directed by R Balakrishnan,
popularly known as R Balki,
Shamitabh, which released on
February 6, also stars southern star
Dhanush and debutante Akshara
Haasan in pivotal roles.
— IANS
30
LIFESTYLE
omandailyobserver
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
HEALTH TIPS
Chili pepper ingredient
may stop weight gain
New York museums
ban SELFIE sticks
C
an your selfie obsession cause public
nuisance and damage to precious
property? Yes, feel many museums
and other organisations and hence
they have banned use of selfie sticks
in their premises.
The prevalence of the device has led New York City
museums and others to ban the use of selfie sticks,
according to reports.
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York,
(pictured) is one of the first in NYC to officially ban the
stick, although it’s technically always been restricted.
“It has long been a policy that visitors may only
use handheld devices to take photos, without any
camera extension devices. We have simply added
selfie-sticks to this policy, which is in place to ensure
the safety of our visitors and the Museum’s works of
art,” a representative from the museum was reported
as saying by The Observer.
Other museums have either already banned the
sticks or are seriously considering it. Guggenheim and
The Frick no longer allow them while the Met hasn’t
yet reached a decision.
The reason for the restriction is the threat of
accidental damage to museum exhibits and artwork,
like potentially tearing through a rare Picasso painting.
Stopping to position for a selfie can also lead to
congestion in already crowded museums.
That means museum-goers will no longer be able to
show off to the world how cool and artsy they are for
hitting up the MoMA on a weekend.
A picture is worth many emotions too: Images on
Twitter, Facebook or other social media can convey a
lot more than a sentence might and will often provoke
emotions in the user, a fascinating research suggests.
To prove this, Jiebo Luo, professor of computer
science at University of Rochester in Britain, in
collaboration with researchers at Adobe Research
has come up with a more accurate way to train
computers to be able to digest data that comes in
the form of images. They describe what they refer to
as a progressive training deep convolutional neural
network (CNN).
The trained computer can then be used to determine
what sentiments these images are likely to elicit.
“This information could be useful for things
as diverse as measuring economic indicators or
predicting elections,” Luo added. — IANS
Young shutterbugs win online award
Y
oung photographers, who
captured rare moments of life
as part of the Bhavalaya Photo
Contest- 2014 which was conducted
online, were awarded with mementos
and certificates by Her Highness Sayyida
Susan al Said at Bait Muzna Gallery.
Supported by Nikon, Khimji’s
Luxury & Lifestyle, between October 10,
2014 to November 10, 2014, the contest
was themed ‘Expressions of Love’. The
contest was for different age groups with
the first group from eight years to 13
years; second and third groups from 14
years to 18 years and 18 years and above,
respectively.
“We were fortunate to have the
blessings of
Her Highness, who
kindly agreed to award the winners of
the Bhavalaya Photo Contest-2014”,
said Dr J Retnakumar, Founder and
Chairman, Bhavalaya. Ahmed al
Shukaili, Excellence FIAP (International
Federation of Photographic Art) focused
on special aspects of photography in his
inspirational speech.
The first group winners were Soumya
Sengupta from ABA school (1st place),
the Mitali Kedar Joshi from Indian
School Wadi Kabir (2nd).
The winners of second group, from
14 years to 18 years were Mohamed
Rayaan from Indian School Muscat
(ISM) 1st prize; Sharoon
Shereef
from Indian School Nizwa (2nd); and
Abhinav Gupta from ISM (3rd).
Joy J Mullappally was acclaimed to
be the 1st winner of the group 18 years
and above Sreelesh Sreedhar (2nd)and
Learn rabic
Henry B Hilos (3rd).
Bhavalaya is an Indian based nonprofit global platform for promoting
universal arts in general and India’s
varied and rich cultural art forms such
as music, performing arts, painting and
photography. It is brainchild of Dr J
Retnakumar, an art lover and founder
of Bhavalaya who is also the CEO of
Lifeline Hospital.
The formal launching and inaugural
cultural event was held in April, 2010,
in Kerala in the presence of dignitaries
from various sectors and the renowned
classical dancer, Padmabhushan Dr
Mallika Sarabhai, was the chief guest.
The Jnanapeet award winner and
legendary poet of Kerala, ONV Kurup
was also present.
Expanding Opportunity through
Education and Training
EVERY TUESDAY WITH
OMAN OBSERVER
TRANSLITERATION
Jack: as-salaamu alaikum
Salim: (wa) alaikum as-salaam
Jack: Keif Halak?
Salim: Zein, alHamdu lillah. Wa enta?
Jack: alHamdu lillah. Wayysh esmak?
Salim: Esmi Salim. Wa enta?
Jack: Jack. Wayn tashtaghal?
6DOLP$VKWDJKDO¿L$0,'($67:DHQWD
-DFN$VKWDJKDO¿L3'2
ARABIC
ENGLISH
ǛƳƸƴŸȳǾƉŽȚ
ȳǾƉŽȚǛƳƸƴŸȶ
ȒȲƾƑȚǗƸż
ȒǁſȖȶ .ʇNjƵƑȚȆǜƁȥ
ȒǙƵŴȖǐƁȶ .ʇNjƵƑȚ
ȒǁſȖȶ .ǛŽƾŴǠƵŴȖ
ȒǚưƄƪůǜƁȶ .ȱƾű
ȒǁſȖȶǁƉƁNjžȖǠźǚưƄŵȖ
ȸȸȢǠŮǠźǚưƄŵȖ
Peace be upon you (hello)
and peace upon you too
How are you?
Fine, thanks God. And you?
Thanks God. What is your name?
My name is Salim. And you?
Jack. Where do you work?
I work at AMIDEAST. And you?
I work at PDO.
ȔƾƪŸ
ȔȚNjŹ
ȷǞƴŲ
ǏƴƆž
ȜǞƷŻ
Dinner
Lunch
Sweets
Sitting area in the house
Coffee
EXTRA VOCABULARY
A’asha
Ghada
Halwa
Majlis
Qahwa
CULTURAL LESSON: Greetings are a big part of Omani culture. If you walk into a closed space, you are expected to say as-salaamu alaikum. In addition, when
people greet you, you should greet them back. Actually, it is considered impolite if you enter a place and you do not greet the people who are there.
T
here is good news for those who find it hard to resist fatty foods. An
ingredient found in chili peppers could help you prevent weight gain
after eating a high-fat diet, a study involving an Indian-origin researcher
has found.
As capsaicin, the chief ingredient in chili peppers, stimulates energy burning,
a dietary supplement could be developed to do away with restriction in calorie
intake, the findings suggest.
“Our group’s laboratory data revealed that dietary capsaicin suppresses highfat-diet-induced obesity,” explained Vivek Krishnan, a graduate student from the
University of Wyoming in the US.
“In our bodies, white fat cells store energy and brown fat cells serve as
thermogenic (heat produced by burning fat) machinery to burn stored fat.
Eating calorie-rich food and a lack of physical activity cause an imbalance in
metabolism that leads to obesity,” Krishnan explained.
The researchers found that high-fat-diet obesity and dietary capsaicin — 0.01
per cent of capsaicin in the total high fat diet — prevented high-fat-diet-induced
weight gain in trials with wild type mice.
Dietary capsaicin may induce browning of white adipose tissue and stimulates
thermogenesis to counteract obesity, the researchers noted.
Developing a natural dietary supplement as a strategy to combat obesity can
be easily advanced to human clinical trials.
“We envision a nanoparticle-based sustained-release formulation of capsaicin,
which is currently under development in our laboratory,” the researchers added.
“In turn, this will advance a novel dietary supplement-based approach to
prevent and treat one of the life-threatening diseases, obesity and its associated
complications — in humans,” they noted.
The findings were presented at Biophysical Society’s 59th annual meeting in
Baltimore, Maryland.
Fatigue may trigger
lower back pain
B
esides manual tasks involving awkward position,
distractions during activities and fatigue can
also trigger low back pain, a study has suggested.
The study’s researchers also found that back
pain risk is the highest between 7.00 am
and noon.
“Understanding which risk factors
contribute to back pain and controlling
exposure to these risks is an important first
step in prevention,” said Manuela Ferreira from
University of Sydney in New South Wales.
“Our study is the first to examine brief exposure
to a range of modifiable triggers for an acute episode
of low back pain,” Ferreira added.
At some point, nearly 10 per cent of the world population experience back
pain, which is the leading cause of disability, according to the World Health
Organisation (WHO) Global Burden of Disease report.
For the study, the researchers recruited 999 participants from 300 primary
care clinics in Sydney who suffered an acute lower back pain episode between
October 2011 and November 2012.
Participants were asked to report exposure to 12 physical or psycho-social
factors in the 96 hours prior to the onset of back pain.
The risk of a new episode of lower back pain significantly increased due to
a range of triggers, from an odds ratio of 2.7 for moderate to vigorous physical
activity to 25 for distraction during an activity.
Researchers found that age moderated the effect of exposure to heavy loads.
“Understanding which modifiable risk factors lead to low back pain is an
important step toward controlling a condition that affects so many worldwide,”
Ferreira concluded.
The study was published in the journal ‘Arthritis Care & Research.’
Drugs to treat heart
attack, brain injuries
T
here could soon be drugbased
treatments
for
diseases as diverse as
strokes, heart attacks and traumatic
brain injuries as researchers have
discovered a compound with the
potential to halt the death of cells
affected by these diseases.
Derivatives of human in, a
naturally occurring peptide encoded in the genome of cellular mitochondria,
could be key to developing such a therapy, the researchers noted.
“The present findings could provide a new lead compound for the
development of drug therapies for necrosis-related diseases such as traumatic
brain injury, stroke and myocardial infarction — conditions for which no
effective drug-based treatments are currently available,” said Abraham Parola,
professor at Ben Gurion University.
Strokes, heart attacks and traumatic brain injuries are separate diseases with
certain shared pathologies that achieve a common end — cell death and human
injury due to hypoxia, or lack of oxygen. — IANS
SPOTLIGHT
T U E S DAY
FEBRUARY 10 l 2015
omandailyobserver
31
DR RAJAN PHILIPS
[email protected]
Marriages — Made in
Heaven!
M
Traditional, naturally grown
produce provide best nutrition
Q ALI AHMED AL RIYAMI
T
he benefits of traditionally farmed,
natural organic food has been well
documented in recent years and
although their products have finally
found their way to supermarket
shelves, they tend to be more
expensive and hence less attractive to a majority of
consumers.
Savvy shoppers who fully understand the health
benefits of organic food, where agricultural produce
is farmed in the traditional way without usage of
fertilisers that while helping in higher production and
pest control, many believe can cause serious medical
ailments in the long run.
There are now a wide range of organic products on
offer, produced using traditional farming methods by
farmers — that tend to be smaller SMEs rather than the
mega industrial producers of mass food commodities.
The Observer caught up with Italian company
representatives of AFA Ltd, who in collaboration with
‘Sapori di Sicilia’ (Sicilian Flavours) Association and
together with their local Omani agent, seek to import
their own brand of fine quality natural, organic Italian
products — originating from the slopes of Mount Etna
and evoking traditional Italian farming customs — to
the Sultanate.
They will soon be launching their brand of natural
Italian organic food items and in Oman, as part of their
first regional products launching prior to branching
out to other countries in the GCC.
In an earlier interview, Adil bin Salim al Fairuz,
Chairman of the Al Fairuz Group — whose associate,
Bayonne LLC, is AFA’s local agent — told the Observer:
“The Omani market is now one where consumers have
full knowledge about retailed products and they are
selective in terms of food purchases. In this region,
Omanis are even more concerned about the food
choices they make; even in their daily meals. They are
ready to spend more on good food and this is why I
think fresh, organically grown food will be much
appreciated here.
In relation to how they intend to bring in the Italian
food products into Oman, he noted,
“Theirs (AFA Ltd) is a big line of products so we will
first have to make a market study to see which products
will be the most popular and then decide which of them
to market in the beginning before bringing in all their
products. “Although I know that my fellow Omanis are
concerned with their food, I would like them to ensure
that they choose the best quality products and ensure
that they are properly packed. This is the only way we
can avoid adverse medical conditions stemming from
inferior quality food.”
A delegation from AFA Ltd that included Francesco
Greco, Sales Manager; Antonio Patawe, Sales Manager;
and Alessandro De Agro, Marketing Manager,
together with their local agent, Tahir al Hashmi, MD
and Partner of Bayonne LLC — an associate of the Al
Fairuz Group, were recently in Oman and spoke to
the ‘Observer’ about their products and ambitions in
the Sultanate:
“This is our second trip to Oman and we are here
to find a new international business opportunity
for our quality food products. “We have selected to
launch our products in Oman because we have a local
partner here. We will also be branching out to other
countries in the region. “Our hope is to start business
transactions with Oman, particularly in Muscat, where
we think that the market is very good, because quality
Italian products are not really covered here. So we want
to cover the entire Omani market and then the other
neighbouring countries. We are hoping to establish
ourselves here in the very near future.”
While Al Hashmi talked about the role his
company plays by noting, “We are acting as an agency
to represent companies in Oman. We are working
closely with AFA Ltd to establish their Italian brand
here in Oman and help them with distribution of their
exclusive products.
“We are assisting the company to establish itself
here and, in the future, with operations within other
GCC countries. Oman is a country that is moving
and growing fast and we have become familiar with
different cultures and various branded food products.
People seek to experience different kinds of food and
with Italian food, in particular, it’s a brand that has left
its mark internationally, this is why we think there is
going to be good demand for this range here.”
He said that they are not focusing on one particular
market in Oman, but are seeking to target various
retailers, as well as restaurants and hotels.
arriage, they say, is made in heaven. But it must be lived out
on earth. It is a unique and age-old and human institution that
binds two individuals to a lifelong relationship (hopefully) of
mutual trust and commitment. It forms the bedrock of a well-knit family
which in turn creates a strong and healthy society.
Life in general and married life in particular is no smooth sailing
and a couple has to surmount innumerable challenges all the way. It is
a tall order. Yet, if the two stay united as one harmonious entity despite
the vicissitudes of life, they truly deserve all appreciation. The World
Marriage Day (WMD) that was just observed on Sunday, February 8, was
an occasion to celebrate the institution of marriage and its significance to
society.
While the institution of marriage is as old as human civilisation, the
observance of WMD is a modern trend and can be traced to the initiative
about 30 years ago by an organisation called Worldwide Marriage
Encounter. It all began in Los Angeles, USA and then spread to other
places there before becoming a more international observance.
Initially it was called “We Believe in Marriage Day” and coincided
with Valentine’s Day but a few years later it was renamed WMD and 2nd
Sunday of February assigned for its celebration.
There are various ways to make the celebrations meaningful. Social
and community groups can organise special parties and picnics where
outstanding couples are recognised and feted. It is the right time to salute
the commitment, selflessness and joy in everyday life that paves for a
successful marriage
In the family, children and close relatives may come together to
show their love and gratitude to their parents or elderly couples in the
neighbourhood. The couples can show their affection and love for each
other by a candle-night dinner outing or exchanging gifts in the ‘Valentine
Day’ style.
True, a lot of effort is needed to keep the wheels of married life frictionfree. Love, mutual respect, forgiveness and understanding must serve as
ready lubricants.
Modernists may find it a little odd that in traditional societies, arranged
marriages are still the norm. They may wonder how a man and woman who
hardly know each other before marriage can plunge into an arrangement
that is expected to last a life time. While the apprehension is justified to an
extent, there is another side to the story. In such arranged marriages, it is
not the coming together of two individuals but the union of two extended
families. This strengthens the social fabric and provides a greater support
system for the new couple.
But marriage of any type can run into rough weather once the basic
trust, mutual respect and acceptance are lost. The strained relations can
culminate in family-shattering and heart-breaking divorces. I wonder if
that is why celebrities put off taking the final step of marriage till after a
few years of living together! They seem to be very conscious that once they
tie the knot, the imminent likelihood of a divorce hangs above them like
a Damocles’ sword!
That I think is the reason we ought to acclaim and celebrate all ordinary
but successful ‘until-death — do- us part’ kind of marriage. As a witty
writer rightly said: ‘A successful marriage depends on two things — finding
the right person and being the right person.’ May this be the constant
guiding principle for all couples.
Quotes:
Happy is the man who finds a true friend in his wife.
— Franz Schubert
A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always
with the same person. — Mignon McLaughlin
To keep your marriage brimming,
With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it;
Whenever you’re right, shut up.
— Ogden Nash
COSTUMES
Royal tailors make costumes fit for kings
AUTHENTIC
COSTUMES ARE
KEY TO MEDIEVAL
PROCESSIONS AND
BANQUETS, BUT THEY
ARE HARD TO COME
BY. AT THE ROYAL
COURT TAILORS IN
MERSEBURG, THE
DRESSMAKERS HAVE
IT DOWN TO A FINE
ART
Q SABRINA GORGES
C
ount Matthias of Westphalia, in
western Germany, borrows 200
costumes for a medieval festival.
He’s a regular. A restaurateur orders 50
robes for a medieval banquet, and not
for the first time either.
And a city tour guide requests a
magnificent mustard-coloured dress
with fancy detail and a feather turban, so
that her tours have that authentic 16th
century feel.
Dorothee Willmy has fulfilled all
their wishes. The director of the Royal
Court Tailors in Merseburg, a town in
east Germany, is the mistress of more
than 2,000 period costumes. They
are a treasure trove, marked by their
authenticity and attention to detail.
“We’re not some cheap repair shop,
nor just a carnival costume shop,” says
the dressmaker with a wink. “We clothe
kings and queens.”
Outfits belonging to Holy Roman
Emperor Henry II, 16th century
religious reformer Martin Luther and
Empress Theophanu all hang side by
side in the basement of the grand House
of the Estates, ready to be loaned out for
all manner of festivals, processions, plays
and films. Willmy knows exactly where
to find each costume, which room and
Mingling with the sumptuous robes by people from Merseburg and the comes from nearby Braunsbedra.
which rail, picking out the emperor’s there are also hats, wigs and crowns, and surrounding area.
“It’s not difficult to sew a costume,”
“new” clothes with one deft movement drawers full of buttons, lace braiding and
“In 18 years I’ve never bought a piece she adds. “But understanding it, that’s
of her hand.
sequins. Most of the things are brought of lace,” says 63-year-old Willmy, who hard.”
At the beginning she used books,
pictures and museums to help her
recreate the designs of the past. Now the
Royal Court Tailors, which employ five
people, is known across Germany.
The tailors have been making period
costumes since 1996, when it belonged
to the city. In 2004, the workshop
changed ownership when it was taken
over by the Merseburg-Meuschau Dance
Association.
“It was basically a wonderful winwin situation,” says the association’s
spokeswoman Jacqueline Franke. “The
tailors had always sewn for us anyway.”
Her face a picture of concentration,
men’s tailor Sinaida Bauer sews a silver
silk stripe onto the pocket of a bright red
men’s jacket, after cutting it according to
a pattern.
“I need about two days to finish
everything,” says the 61-year-old, who
has been working at the tailors for 13
years. The fancy jacket is clearly not
meant for every-day wear. Perhaps it’s
destined to appear on stage? Bauer nods
as her sewing machine hums away. “It’s
for the chairman of our association,” she
says. — dpa
TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 10, 2015 | RABEE AL THANI 20, 1436 AH
P29
P30
P31
Inside
Sam dominates Grammys New York museums ban selfie sticks Traditional produce is best for nutrition FOLLOW US ON:
www.omanobserver.om
[email protected]
Q KABEER YOUSUF
T
United for life in
Oman
he newly-wed Smit
Virani and Chandni
Amin who are settled
in Hong Kong have
etched the name of
the Sultanate of Oman
in golden letters in their hearts, for the
exemplary Omani hospitality and the
stunning landscape witnessed when
they tied their nuptial bonds recently
as more than 1,100 international guests
blessed them.
Underlining the fact that Oman has
increasingly been becoming the most
desired destination for weddings, thanks
to the unwavering efforts of Oman’s
Ministry of Tourism and other private
tour operators who have succeeded in
bringing world-class weddings to the
Omani soil — this time at the ShangriLa’s Bar al Jissa Resort and Spa. The
hotel was decked up in bright hues and
the entire resort was transformed into
a haven of flowers and colours.
The wedding, fondly called ‘Hong
Kong Diamond Shone in Oman for
four days’, the Hong Kong based
diamond
businessman
Ramesh
Virani and family hosted over 1,100
guests from all over the world while
hosting key Omanis and their culture
and traditional events. The event was
managed by Events N More from
Mumbai.
“We fell in love with Oman”,
said Ramesh Virani, father of the
Bridegroom.
The four day celebrations comprised
various events with the Ring Ceremony
on the first day; the ‘Mandap Muhurat’,
‘Mehendi and Family Sangeet’ followed
by performance from Indian Idol
contestant Rahul Vaidya on the
second day. The Day 3 events
were marked by a pool party with
Russian Drummers and DJ and
the Bollywood musical evening
where guests were surprised
with performances of Dia Mirza,
Mouni Roy, Aarti Chabria and
award winning music director,
‘Rockstar’ performer duo Vishal
— Shekhar. And finally, on the 4th
day, the auspicious ‘Baraat’ came up
with a British Band that was flown in
from London and Hast Melaap Indian
wedding ritual.
The entire Al Waha Hotel was
booked and renamed as the ‘The Virani
Resort’ for the wedding. Every guest
was given customised room key cards,
hotel maps and check-in formalities in
a beautiful conceptualised passport to
the celebration. Every morning guests
had printed newspaper names as “SC
Wedding Times” dropped off at their
rooms with wedding updates and
glimpses of the previous day.
Tour Oman, Oman’s leading DMC
and the inbound tours division of
Travel Point LLC welcomed the guests
for Oman’s second and biggest ever
destination wedding while Krishna
Patel, Creative Director at Krish
MORE THAN 1,100
GUESTS FROM ACROSS
THE WORLD FLEW
INTO OMAN FOR THE
WEDDING; THREE MORE
ARE IN THE PIPELINE
Creations, Thailand was credited for
recommending the location to the
family. The hosts were impressed by the
entire wedding planning and decor by
Anand Dawda and his team of Events N
More and the Management of Shangri
La’s Barr al Jissah Resort.
“Virani and Amin families wedding
was a prestigious project for Tour
Oman”, said Manoj Dass, Head — Tour
Oman.
“As Indian weddings have different
feel for each event and rituals we
designed themes for each event. We
thank our tie up agency in Oman,
Baltazar Fernandes and his entire
team at Talentz”, said Anand Dawda,
Director, Events N More Mumbai.
“We are immensely happy to be able
to promote the Sultanate of Oman in
such a colourful manner to the global
market. Tour Oman’s vision to promote
all-year round tourism for Oman as
against the current seasonal pattern
is steadily materialising,” said Sunil
Prabhakar, CEO — Travel Point. .
TOURISM
Cape Reinga: Where tourists love to trek
Q DETLEF BERG
O
n a grass runway, the tiny propeller
plane is ready for take-off. Before
his three passengers start to board
the Cessna, Jeremy the pilot shows them a
map and the flight route he is planning.
“We’re starting here in Kerikeri, which
is the largest town in the Bay of Islands,” he
says, pointing to the spot. Kerikeri is about
three hours’ drive north of Auckland, located
on New Zealand’s North Island.
“We’re first going to fly a bit of a curve
so that up there you can get a view of the
landscape and its 144 islands. Then we’ll
head to north of the island.”
The passengers get on board and fasten
their seat belts, with Jeremy advising
them to have their cameras ready.
He starts the motor, revs it up so that the
plane is vibrating and then the plane starts
off with a jolt when he releases his foot from
the brake.
The tiny Cessna bounces along the grass
runway before quickly going airborne and
rising steeply.
“Over there you see the start of Ninety
Mile Beach,” he says, pointing westward,
while the passengers listen via headsets. The
name of New Zealand’s longest beach does
not quite correspond to reality, for in fact it is
only 89 km long.
Originally, seafarer and explorer James
Cook named the remote seaside strip the
Desert Coast. The beach is up to 200 metres
wide before it gives way to sand dunes.
Civilisation is nowhere to be seen — until
one of the passengers spots some tyre tracks
in the sand.
“Yes, you can drive cars on the beach, but
it’s not advisable,” Jeremy says. “All the time,
cars get stuck in the sand and tow trucks
won’t go there. Sometimes the ocean carries
the cars away.”
Soon, the Cessna is starting its descent to
land on the first stopover.
A van is waiting to take the group to the
northernmost tip of the North Island. A
white lighthouse stands watch atop the wave-
battered cliffs of Cape Reinga. A sign points
the directions: 18,029
kilometres to London, and just 6,211
kilometres to the South Pole.
The cliffs at the tip of North Island are
hallowed ground to New Zealand’s first
inhabitants, the Maori. They believe that the
souls of the dead travelled to Cape Reinga via
Ninety Mile Beach.
At Cape Reinga, so the Maoris believed,
the souls travelled under the sea to return
to the Maoris’ original Polynesian home,
Hawaiiki-A-Nui. n Three Kings Island, on
the horizon, the dead went ashore to cast
one last glance at New Zealand before saying
farewell forever. — dpa