Downpour unleashes chaos in Muscat - Oman Daily Observer

HM greetings to Panama 

HIS Majesty Sultan Qaboos has sent a cable of greetings to President 

Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal of Panama on the occasion of 

his country's National Day. His Majesty the Sultan expressed 

his best wishes to President Berrocal and the friendly people of 

Panama. — ONA 

Vol. 30, No. 354 • 200 baisas Thursday, November 3, 2011/Dhul-Hijjah 7, 1432 AH 

www.omanobserver.om • editor@omanobserver.om 

By Observer Staff 

MUSCAT — Muscat’s first 

major downpour in nearly a 

year unleashed chaos in many 

parts of the city, triggering 

The flooded road near Wadi Adai roundabout. — Pictures by ONA, Khalfan al Ruzaiqi, Faisal al Balushi, Conrad Prabhu, Ali Al Riyami, Kabeer Yousuf and Benny Thomas Philip n See also pages 2, 3, 5, 6 and 11 

Downpour unleashes chaos in Muscat 

Heavy rains throw normal life out of gear with impassable roads, snarling traffic 

l Triggers gridlock along 

major carriageways 

l Sparks evacuation at 

inundated hospitals 

l Sweeps away dozens 

of cars along streets 

l Mud, stones, debris 

on broken streets 

l Isolated showers 

forecast for today 

l All Govt departments 

concerned on alert 

l Residents urged to 

follow advisories 

l Youths helped get 

traffic flowing 

Deep depression 

off Dhofar coast 

MUSCAT — The latest satellite images and 

weather prediction charts indicate that the 

deep tropical depression centered parallel to 

the coast of the Governorate of Dhofar. 

It is expected that the depression will remain 

to affect the Sultanate with the current 

classification during the next 24 hours so as 

to weaken gradually afterwards. 

The surface wind speed around the centre 

of the depression is estimated by 25 knots according 

to charts of nearby forecast stations. 

The advection of convective clouds associated 

with the depression led to varying heavy 

rains and overflow of a number of wadis in 

governorates of the Sultanate. 

Prediction continue showing the influence 

of the governorates of Dhofar and the 

Al Wosta with heavy rains, which may turn 

into thunderstorms sometimes, whereas the 

indirect influence continues in the remaining 

governorates of the Sultanate with varying 

heavy rains, which may turn into thunderstorms 

sometimes except for the Governorate 

of Mussandam. 

The Directorate-General of Meteorology 

and Air Navigation (DGMAN) 

urges all to exercise caution while raining and 

overflow of wadis due to continuous heavy 

rains. 

DGMAN would like to confirm again to 

fishermen and sea-farers to avoid going to the 

sea during this period. — ONA 

gridlock along major carriageways, 

inundating neighbourhoods, 

and sparking an 

airborne evacuation of floodhit 

Al Nahdha Hospital in the 

heart of the capital. 

Thousands of motorists 

were trapped in their vehicles 

for as long as five hours 

as flooded streets and busted 

traffic signals set off lengthy 

tailbacks extending for sev- 

Prayer timing Fajr Dhuhr Asr Magrib Isha 

exChANge rAteS 

golD 

Muscat 04:57 am 11:55 pm 03:09 pm 05:33 pm 06:44 pm 

eral kilometres in several areas 

of the capital. Worst affected 

were the Wadi Kabir — Ruwi, 

Hamriya-Qurum, Wadi Adai- 

Al Amerat, Central Corridor, 

and Burj al Sahwa — Mawaleh 

stretches. 

In scenes reminiscent of the 

devastation wrought by Tropical 

Cyclone Gonu in 2007, 

dozens of cars were swept 

away along the Hamriya-Wadi 

Adai section in a surge of flood 

water unprecedented in this 

neighbourhood. 

“We were stuck in traffic 

on the outbound section of the 

carriageway at around 1.30 pm 

Al Nahdha Hospital patients shifted 

By Maryam Khalfan 

MUSCAT — Fifty-six in-patients of 

Al Nahdha Hospital were evacuated 

to safety when sections of the hospital 

were inundated in a flashflood that engulfed 

much of the surrounding neighbourhood 

yesterday, 

According to an official of the Ministry 

of Health (MoH), the flooding of 

the tertiary care institution prompted a 

major emergency rescue operation. 

“The moment officials in the 

MoH’s Operation Room for Emergency 

Preparedness were alerted about 

the incident, we immediately mounted 

an operation to evacuate patients to the 

nearest hospitals in the city,” Dr Salim 

bin Said al Wahaibi, Director of Health 

Services said. 

The evacuees were mainly patients 

in the general and surgical wards, the 

official said. Neither did the inundation 

damage any important hospital 

equipment, Dr Al Wahaibi who is also 

a Member of the NCCD, stated. 

In the affected wards, rescue personnel 

encountered foot-high floodwater. 

While evacuees from Al Nahdha 

Hospital’s Surgical Ward were transferred 

to Khoula Hospital, those from 

the General Ward were shifted to the 

Royal Hospital. 

Weather Muscat Nizwa Sohar Al Buraimi Sur Khasab Salalah 

Max 31 30 31 32 28 34 34 

Min 20 24 23 23 22 25 24 

yesterday when we noticed 

that the flooding was getting 

worse along this stretch. At 

this point, motorists started 

abandoning their cars and fleeing 

to high ground. Around 

Dollar per omani rial 

Buying 0.382 Selling 0.388 

40 cars were tossed about 

and left submerged in the 

muddy torrent. My car was a 

complete write-off,” Badar, a 

resident of Hamriya, told the 

Observer. n Page 2 

l Wadi Kabir, Wadi Adai, 

Hamriya worst affected 

l Civil Defence choppers 

help airlift stranded 

l Conditions likely to 

improve in 24 hours 

l Fishermen asked 

to stay out of sea 

l More rains expected 

in Dhofar, Al Wosta 

l Students, teachers 

rescued from school 

l Relief convoys to 

Mahout, other areas 

l Protection dams 

contained damages 

Mobilisation to 

bring normalcy 

MUSCAT — Lt Gen Hassan bin Mohsen 

al Shuraiqi, Inspector General of Police 

and Customs and Chairman of the National 

Commission for Civil Defence (NCCD), affirmed 

that the NCCD and all ROP respective 

units, acting in collaboration with the Sultan's 

Armed Forces is following up the developments 

of the unstable weather which is causing 

rains of varying intensity in different parts 

of the Sultanate. 

In a statement to Oman News Agency 

(ONA), Al Shuraiqi said that the NCCD has 

taken all necessary precautions to ensure the 

safety of inpatients transferred from Al Nahdha 

Hospital to Khoula and Royal Hospitals 

on account of floods that inundated Nahdha 

Hospital earlier in the day. 

The Inspector General of Police and Customs 

said that the NCCD has conducted a 

comprehensive assessment for the deployment 

of rescue teams at different governorates. 

He added that some people faced various 

types of risks mounting to death, not because 

water reached their homes, but rather 

they crossed overflowing wadis and ignored 

the warnings of ROP personnel. Al Shuraiqi 

called on citizens and residents to remain 

cautious while crossing wadis and low-lying 

areas to avoid risking their lives or the lives 

of others. He pointed out that ROP has fixed 

warning signs on many wadis n Page 5 

PrICe 

$1,709.50

2 OMAN 

OMAN DAILY Observer 

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 

Heavy rains wreak chaos in city 

l From page 1 

The torrent alarmed many 

local inhabitants unused to the 

sight of a raging flood tearing 

through their neighbourhood. 

Coursing down the Yiti road, 

the deluge brought with it 

mud, stones and other debris. 

Parts of the blacktop have been 

ripped away as well. 

Hilal al Wahaibi, another 

long-time resident of Hamriya, 

commented: “I’ve never 

experienced anything like this 

in the more than 25 years I’ve 

lived here. Even during Gonu, 

things weren’t so bad.” 

Mohammed Yassin, an 

expatriate Pakistani, says the 

flood devastated his picture 

framing shop at Hamriya. 

“I’ve lived and worked here at 

Hamriya for the past 20 years, 

but today’s flood is baffling. I 

lost goods worth around RO 

5,000 in the deluge.” 

It is believed that the Hamriya 

flood was triggered by 

strong overflows from the 

swollen Wadi Al Kabir whose 

catchment bore the brunt of 

yesterday’s downpour. The 

runoff inundated Al Nahdha 

Hospital, one of three tertiary 

care institutions run by 

the Ministry of Health in the 

city. With inpatients wards under 

water, the Civil Defence 

pressed helicopters into service 

to help airlift patients to 

safety. 

The skies over Muscat 

opened up just after midday 

yesterday catching many office-goers 

by surprise despite 

the weather advisories issued 

by the Met Office. The incessant 

rain rendered many streets 

impassable, snarling traffic 

and generally throwing normal 

life out of gear. At Rex Road, 

local youths doubled as traffic 

wardens to get traffic flowing 

again. With school buses 

trapped in traffic, many schoolchildren 

were seen trudging 

home when the rains eased a 

bit about an hour later. 

At the Darsait junction, 

raging flood waters flowed 

over the road, depositing debris 

and flotsam in the path of 

traffic. Adding to the misery 

on city streets was soil from 

construction sites excavated 

by utilities. 

Meanwhile, the Met Office 

has forecast more isolated 

showers over the course of today. 

Areas likely to be affected 

are Muscat, Buraimi, Dakhiliyah, 

Batinah North, Batinah 

South and Dhahirah governorates. 

Isolated showers and possibly 

also occasional thundershowers 

are predicted over 

Dhofar, Wusta, North Sharqiya 

and South Sharqiyah governorates.

3 OMAN 



Rains sweep away dozens of cars

Ties with American varsity discussed 

MUSCAT — Abdulaziz bin 

Mohammed al Rowas, His 

Majesty the Sultan’s Adviser 

for Cultural Affairs received 

here yesterday Dr Peter Dor- 

man, President of the American 

University and his delegation 

currently visiting the 

Sultanate. 

During the meeting, a 

number of topics pertaining 

to enhancing and developing 

fields of existing co-operation 

in cultural areas were discussed. 

— ONA 

Unesco’s representative hosts reception 

PARIS — The Sultanate’s 

permanent Representative to 

Unesco in Paris hosted a reception 

at Unesco’s HQs’ in 

the presence of Dr Madeeha 

bint Ahmed al Shibaniyah, 

Minister of Education and 

Head of Oman National Commission 

for Education, Culture 

NIZWA — The military parade 

ground at the Sultan 

Qaboos Academy for Police 

Sciences in Nizwa yesterday 

witnessed the graduation of 

the 44th batch of new police 

recruits under the auspices of 

Maj Gen Said bin Ali al Hilali, 

Assistant Head of the Internal 

Security Service for Operations. 

The chief guest distributed 

excellence awards to top 

graduates. 

The chief guest in his 

speech expressed delight to 

patronise the graduation ceremony 

and urged graduates to 

BankDhofar convenes Crisis 

Management Team meet 

MUSCAT — The Crisis 

Management Team (CMT) 

of BankDhofar met yesterday 

to review the weather 

situation and Meteorology 

Department forecast. The 

meeting reviewed effectiveness 

of the Banks’ Business 

Continuity (BCP) and Disaster 

Recovery (DRP) Plans 

to prepare for any unforeseen 

and disruptive events. 

The Team also reviewed 

the arrangements made to 

provide uninterrupted services 

to the customers and the 

communication strategies, 

contingency plans, emergency 

procedures to be followed 

in case of any eventuality. 

and Science. 

During the reception, a 

documentary was screened on 

the Omani sites registered at 

the Unesco’s World Heritage 

List. 

The reception also included 

distribution of publications 

that highlight the civilisa- 

work hard as planned by their 

leadership. 

Col Rashid bin Salim al 

Badi, Commander of the 

Sultan Qaboos Academy for 

Police Sciences said that the 

Sultan Qaboos Academy for 

Police Sciences and training 

centres at the Royal Oman Police 

(ROP) are proud to contribute 

effectively in training 

to join the service of honour 

at ROP. 

The graduates chanted 

ROP anthem and took oath 

of loyalty and allegiance. The 

commander of the column 

then took permission from 

Abdul Hakeem al Ojaili, 

General Manager (Corporate 

Services) and Head of the 

CMT assured that the Bank 

is well equipped to respond 

to any disaster scenario that 

may affect the business due 

tional identity of the Sultanate 

and its heritage and culture. 

Attendees expressed their admiration 

over the Sultanate’s 

cultural uniqueness in terms 

of preserving its heritage, 

natural and tourist potentials 

in different parts of the Sultanate. 

— ONA 

the guest of honour to dismiss 

and the conclusion of the 

graduation ceremony. 

The graduation ceremony 

was attended by Maj Gen Salim 

bin Mussalam bin Ali Qatan, 

Assistant Inspector General 

of Police and Customs for 

Operations, Shaikh Dr Khalifa 

bin Hamad al Saadi, Governor 

of Al Dakhiliyah, commanders 

and officers of military and 

security services, directors of 

governmental departments, 

shaikhs of the Governorate of 

A’Dakhiliyah, supervisery and 

training crew. — ONA 

to the current weather situation 

in the Country. 

Though few branches of 

the Bank in Southern and 

Northern Al Sharqiyah Governorate 

were affected for 

a day due to flooding, the 

problems have been resolved 

and the few affected Off site 

ATMs have also been restored 

to normal conditions, 

facilitating the customers to 

carry out normal operations. 

The CMT in co-ordination 

with Regional Managers 

of the Bank, across the country, 

will ensure availability of 

uninterrupted services to its 

customers during the ensuing 

Eid holidays also. 

4 OMAN 



MSM posts capitalisation 

value gains in October 

By Amal Rajab 

MUSCAT — The announcement 

of the companies’ 3rd Q 

results came to its peak during 

the month of October even with 

the general index ending the 

month with a slight recession. 

The index’s limited decrease 

was in itself a sign of return of 

investors’ confidence regardless 

of the continued obscurity 

and conflicting forecasts over 

the sovereign debt crisis in the 

euro zone. 

The Muscat Securities 

Market general index (MSM 

30) closed the month down 

0.26 per cent or 14 points as 

compared with the month of 

September. The index recorded 

5,588 points at the end of 

October, the trade value stood 

MUSCAT — Royal Navy of 

Oman (RNO) celebrated its 

Annual Day which falls on 

November 3rd every year, 

under the auspices of Shaikh 

Saad bin Mohammed al Saadi, 

Commerce and Industry 

Minister. 

The ceremony was held 

at the military parade field 

at Said bin Sultan’s Naval 

Base. 

The RNO music band 

played the honour anthem 

after which the chief guest 

inspected the front row of the 

protocol guard. 

After that, the row performed 

a military parade 

in slow and regular march, 

passing before the main dais 

accompanied by pieces of 

music played by the RNO 

band, various military formations, 

a plateau at the middle 

New police recruits graduate Bahrain 

minister 

receives 

message 

MANAMA — Dr Hassan 

bin Abdullah Fakhru, Industry 

and Trade Minister 

Bahrain received a written 

message from Shaikh Saad 

bin Mohammed al Saadi, 

Minister of Commerce and 

Industry relating to the bilateral 

relations between the 

two countries. 

The message was handed 

over by Abdullah bin Mohammed 

bin Sulaiman al 

Amri, Sultanate’s Ambassador 

to Bahrain when the 

Bahraini Minister received 

him here yesterday. 

The meeting reviewed the 

bilateral relations between 

the two countries and means 

of enhancing them. — ONA 

Omani Haj 

mission chief 

receives 

Iranian 

counterpart 

MECCA — Dr Mohammed 

bin Said al Maamari, Head of 

the Omani Haj Mission received 

at the Mission’s HQs’ 

here yesterday Ayatoallah 

Sayed Ali Qadhi Askar, Head 

of the Iranian Haj Mission 

and his delegation. The two 

sides also agreed to enhance 

the co-operation between the 

two missions on Haj matters 

in the future. 

The Head of the Iranian 

Haj Mission invited 

Dr Mohammed bin Said al- 

Maamari, Head of the Omani 

Haj Mission to visit Iran to 

view the Iranian experiences 

in the field of Haj affairs. 

The meeting was attended 

by Shaikh Nassir 

bin Mohammed al Kharousi, 

Deputy Head of the 

Omani Haj Mission, Ibrahim 

bin Nassir al Kharousi, 

Haj and Awqaf Affairs 

Attachés at the Sultanate’s 

Embassy in Saudi Arabia 

and from the Iranian side 

by members of the Iranian 

Haj Mission. — ONA 

at RO 54.6 million edging up 

18.8 per cent. The capitalisation 

value surged 1.53 per cent 

to RO 10.09 billion. 

The net value of non-Omani 

investments increased by 5.3 

per cent to RO 2.9 during the 

month of October, with a purchase 

value of RO 13 million 

or 23.7 per cent, and a selling 

amounting to 15.8 per cent or 

29 per cent. 

The trading statistics issued 

by the MSM indicated that the 

index reached its highest levels 

on October 2 recording 5,606, 

while it posted its lowest level 

on October 13 with 5,510 

points. 

The highest trading value 

during the month was RO 3.4 

million whereas the lowest was 

RO 1.12 million. The average 

daily trading recorded RO 2.48 

million up from RO 2.6 million 

during the month of September. 

The results are seen by 

analysts as positive for several 

companies enlisted on 

the MSM as the net aggregate 

profits edged up by an approximate 

RO 98 million with a 1.8 

per cent increase over the previous 

period. 

However, investors are 

waiting for large companies 

like Galfar Engineering, Omantel 

and Nadha Services, to 

announce their Q 1 results. 

During the month, the services 

index surged by 1.37 per 

cent, while the industrial index 

saw a tangible decrease of 3.49 

per cent, the financial sector 

index receded by 1.5 per cent. 

Oman Air invites staff 

applications for Haj 

MUSCAT — Oman Air has selected 10 staff out of the staff 

applications sent in response to its invitation to apply for the 

airline’s assistance in performing this year’s Haj. 

The move by the national carrier of the Sultanate of 

Oman is in recognition of the enormous commitment of 

the staff in achieving Oman Air’s exceptional levels of 

service. 

Shaikh Ahmed al Nabhani, Oman Air’s Chief Officer, Support 

Services, said: “We are delighted to select a group of our 

employees to visit the Holy city of Mecca and to perform Haj 

for the Hijri year 1432. 

The invitation reflects our appreciation of the extraordinary 

efforts Oman Air’s staff have made to serving the company 

and the nation. 

Their hard work and dedication have helped Oman Air 

make remarkable progress and we feel that it is important that 

we recognise the vital contribution made by all our people.” 

He added that Oman Air was determined to ensure that 

the standards of recognition and incentives offered to staff 

matched those of the airline’s highly acclaimed air and ground 

services. 

“Oman Air’s employees are our greatest assets and, on 

behalf of the airline’s management, I would like to extend 

our sincere thanks to Oman Air’s distinguished board members 

for their unlimited support and continued care for the 

company and all its staff.” 

Royal Navy of Oman marks its Annual Day 

MUSCAT — The November 

episode of CNN International’s 

‘Inside the Middle East’ 

programme will spotlight the 

Royal Opera House Muscat. 

Presenter Rima Maktabi 

will take viewers inside the region’s 

first opera house, which 

plays host to renowned musicians 

and spectacular concerts 

for anything from ballet to jazz 

to Arab music. 

‘Inside the Middle East’ 

will also head to Doha for 

the world premiere of ‘Black 

Gold’, the film touted to be 

the biggest Arab movie since 

Lawrence of Arabia. 

With stars from Hollywood 

and Bollywood joining leading 

Arab actors on set, Rima 

speaks to the leading actors 

on their experience filming on 

location in Tunisia at the dawn 

of the Arab spring. 

The show will be aired at 

the following Oman times: 

Saturday (November 5): 1130, 

1630, 2230; Sunday (November 

6): 0930, 2130; and Mon- 

of the field. 

After that RNO personnel 

staged a performance on self 

defence skills. 

The Commerce and Industry 

Minister in his speech 

on the occasion said the celebration 

coincides with the 

41st National Day anniversary. 

He pointed out to the 

growth, development and 

readability reached by RNO; 

a fruit of the blessed Renaissance 

under the wise leadership 

of His Majesty Sultan 

Qaboos. 

After that the parade column 

proceeded forward and 

chanted the RNO anthem, the 

call of loyalty and chanted 

thrice long live His Majesty 

Sultan Qaboos, the Supreme 

Commander of the Armed 

Forces. — ONA 

Higher education adviser receives AUB 

delegates, discusses greater co-operation 

By Ali Ahmed al Riyami 

MUSCAT — The Adviser to 

the Ministry of Higher Education, 

Shaikh Salem al Maskri, 

received delegates from the 

American University in Beirut 

(AUB), headed by the varsity’s 

President, Peter Dorman, 

at his office in Al Khuwair, 

yesterday. 

The President was accompanied 

by AUB’s Vice President, 

Richard J Brow, Assistant 

Vice President, Dr Imad B 

Baalbaki and Director, Arabia 

Mohammed Ali. 

They have come here ostensibly 

to attend the AUB 

alumni reunion held at Grand 

Hyatt Muscat yesterday and 

to meet up with officials from 

the Ministry of Higher Education 

in order to enhance cooperation 

with their counterparts 

in the Sultanate and to 

attract more Omani students 

to AUB. 

In their discussions, it was 

noted that AUB — which is 

to celebrate its 150th anniversary 

in 2016 — played a significant 

part in the advancement 

of higher education 

throughout the region and 

was a regional communications 

hub, especially for Arab 

students, including Omanis, 

who studied at western universities. 

With its renowned depart- 

ment of medicine and hospital, 

Shaikh Salim suggested 

this would be one of the good 

areas for AUB to attract, not 

only Omani students, but also 

patients seeking treatment 

abroad. 

Other areas of interest include 

the arts and humanities 

and traditional arts and crafts 

— where both countries are engaged 

in preserving traditional 

handicrafts and encouraging 

artisans involved in this and 

promoting their craftwork. 

In an interview with Observer, 

Dorman said they are 

exploring ways in which AUB 

can partner and consider collaborations 

with Oman, which 

is a very important part of 

the Arabian Gulf, and bringing 

more Omani students to 

AUB, because the kind of international 

diversity they have 

traditionally held on campus is 

a very important part of their 

educational context. adding 

that, they are also looking for 

ways in which they can develop 

an interest in their medical 

sector where they have a very 

advanced medical centre that 

has been in existence for over 

100 years and which pursues a 

very high standard in the field 

of medicine. 

In this regard, he said, they 

are looking at ways in which 

countries in the Gulf might be 

interested in collaborating to 

build human capacity in medical 

and patient care, different 

kinds of physician specialties 

and collaborative research 

in important areas such as 

diabetes, multiple-sclerosis, 

neuron-science, stem-cell research, 

cardiovascular issues 

and cancer research. 

All of these areas, he continued, 

are centres that are 

very important to the AUB 

Medical Centre. 

Dorman said, they do hope 

to be able to attract many more 

international students in the 

future, which to a great part 

depended on the level of stability 

in Lebanon. 

Currently, AUB has several 

US accredited schools that 

include the Business School, 

Engineering School, Public 

Health School and the hope 

is that their graduate Medical 

School will become one of the 

first ever to be accredited outside 

of the US. 

There are a broad number 

of undergraduate courses and 

they have 8 PhD programmes 

with another one, in medicine, 

to be established next year. 

The total number of undergraduate 

and graduate students 

presently studying at AUB total 

8,000. 

Royal Opera House to be featured on CNN 

day (November 7): 0730. 

Inside The Middle East is 

CNN International’s flagship 

feature show for the Middle 

East. 

With various segments like 

Your IME Diary, My Middle 

East and The Campus Forum, 

the show takes viewers on a 

unique journey into the heart 

and soul of the region’s greatest 

cities and updates them on 

the region’s festival season 

including cultural, sports and 

business events. 

The show interviews regional 

icons who reveal the 

hidden treasures within their 

chosen city, as well as engages 

university students from across 

the region to discuss issues affecting 

today’s youth.

From page 1 

and high risk areas to caution people. 

Al Shuraiqi urged all to listen to ROP 

advisory and weather updates filed by 

the Directorate General of Meteorology. 

He pointed out that as per the latest 

data that reached the NCCD, the weather 

forecast indicates that the Sultanate 

may be affected by a deep atmospheric 

depression that along the coast of Dhofar, 

the Southern and Northern Sharqiyah 

Governorates, with chances of 

moderate to heavy rains. The influence 

of the depression will also cover Muscat 

Governorate, Al Shuraiqi added. 

The NCCD held an extraordinary meeting 

here earlier in the day yesterday. 

The meeting, chaired by Al Shuraiqi, 

who heads the NCCD members, was 

briefed by specialists at the Transport 

and Communications Ministry (Directorate-General 

of Meteorology and Air 

Navigation) on the weather condition. 

The NCCD immediately took precautionary 

measures to mobilize its 

units and made available large amounts 

of foodstuff and shelter commodities 

in all governorates expected to be affected 

by the current weather condition. 

NCCD, which will continue its meeting 

till the end of the climatic condition, 

urges all citizens and residents to exercise 

caution and avoid crossing wadis 

or venturing out in the sea. 

The commission has also sent relief 

convoys to the Wilayat of Mahout and 

the neighboring regions in the Al Wosta 

Governorate, in addition to sending relief 

convoys to the Wilayat of Sadah in 

the Governorate of Dhofar. 

Furthermore it has opened a relief 

5 OMAN 



Mobilisation to bring normalcy 

centre in the Wilayat of Mahout for 100 

families whose houses were affected by 

the overflowing wadis. The source affirmed 

that there were no any injuries 

or human loss.

SAN FRANCISCO — US surgeons 

has successfully separated 

conjoined two-year-old girls born 

in the Philippines, bringing tears 

to the eyes of their mother who 

praised God for keeping them 

alive. 

A team of 20 doctors helped 

by 15-20 operating staff at the Lucile 

Packard Children’s Hospital 

worked for 10 hours to separate 

Angelina and Angelica Sabuco, 

who had spent all of their lives so 

far joined at the chest and abdomen. 

“I thank God for everything; 

words cannot express how the 

family feels for the successful 

separation of our twins, Angelica 

and Angelina,” said their crying 

mother Ginady Sabuco. 

Lead surgeon Gary Hartman at 

the hospital in the northern Californian 

city of Palo Alto, said they 

expected the girls to make a “complete 

recovery.” 

“We’re very pleased... It could 

not have gone better,” he said. 

“They’re very resilient. The 

long-term prognosis is that we 

would expect a happy, healthy set 

of girls. We don’t see any barriers 

6 OMAN/ASIA 



Majlis Ash’shura elects panel members 

MUSCAT — Majlis Ash'shura 

yesterday held its first regular 

sitting for the annual session 

at its head quarters.The session 

was chaired by Khalid bin 

Hilal al Ma'awali, Chairman 

of Majlis Ash'shura to eelect 

members of Majlis Ash'shura 

Office and the primary formation 

for its permanent committees. 

The session included completing 

the procedural aspects 

stipulated by Majlis Ash'shura 

internal bylaws, electing members 

of Majlis Ash'shura Office 

temporary, the formation 

of the permanent committees, 

setting up a special committee 

to draft the internal bylaw 

of Majlis Ash'shura after the 

majlis elected the chairman 

and two deputies of Majlis 

Ash'shura at the extra ordinary 

session which was held on October 

29. 

The election of Majlis 

Ash'shura membership resulted 

in the winning of Maktoum 

bin Sad al Mahri (47 votes), 

Ahmed bin Mohammed al Busaidy 

38 votes) Abdullah bin 

Salim al Makhini (38 votes), 

Mohammed bin Salim al Busaidy 

(37 votes) Zayid bin 

Khalfan al Abri 932 votes), Ali 

bin Hamad al Badi (30 votes). 

The election was done by di- 

Gul Train track 

to be upgraded 

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and Turkey have 

decided to reduce travel time for a proposed 

train project between Islamabad and Ankara 

to 11 days from the earlier 16 days. 

The proposed Gul Train project took a step 

forward when the presidents of Pakistan and 

Turkey agreed to further upgrade it during a 

meeting held on the sidelines of the sixth trilateral 

summit in Istanbul. 

President Asif Ali Zardari participated 

in the summit hosted in Istanbul by Turkish 

President Abdullah Gul and also attended by 

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. 

The project idea was first floated by Zardari 

last year to enter into a joint venture for 

locomotive manufacture in Pakistan for the 

special cargo train service, reported Associated 

Press of Pakistan. 

President’s spokesperson Farhatullah 

Babar said it was also decided that after the 

successful upgradation of the existing track, 

the second phase of the project will be 

launched. 

The second phase would include laying 

of a entirely new railway track in Pakistan 

specially for super fast goods train running at 

over 150 km per hour speed, he said. 

Islamabad considers 

importing electricity 

ISLAMABAD — Energy starved Pakistan 

is in talks to import electricity from India to 

overcome crippling power outages, a government 

official said yesterday. 

“Talks are under way between the two 

countries to import electricity from India,” a 

spokesman for the water and power ministry 

said. “We are considering importing 500 megawatts 

of electricity from India,” he added. 

Pakistani Commerce Minister Amin Fahim, 

during a recent visit to India, discussed 

the possibility of importing electricity and 

boosting trade ties, the spokesman said. 

Discussions were at a preliminary stage and 

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani 

was expected to take up the matter with his 

Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh later this 

month at a regional summit in the Maldives. 

Pakistan, with a population of 170 million, 

produces only 80 per cent of its electricity 

needs, starving industry that has slumped in 

the face of recession. 

The yawning energy shortfalls frequently 

trigger violent protests across the country, 

where opposition parties are setting in motion 

campaigns designed to force elections earlier 

than scheduled in February 2013. Last month 

opposition lawmakers and activists staged a 

sit-in outside the president’s house in protest 

at perceived government inaction over the 

nation’s energy crisis that sees power cuts of 

sometimes longer than 10 hours a day. 

rect secret ballot. 

Majlis Ash'shura also 

formed its five permanent 

committees and distributed 

members onto these committees 

temporarily till the internal 

bylaw of Majlis Ash'shura 

is issued. While distributing 

the members, Majlis Ash'shura 

took into consideration the 

desires and experiences of the 

members. Each committee 

will select a head and a deputy 

from among its members. 

Majlis Ash'shura has earlier 

ISTANBUL — Fourteen 

countries including neighbours 

China, Pakistan and 

India agreed yesterday at an 

international conference to 

co-operate in building the future 

of war-torn Afghanistan, 

a Turkish diplomat said. 

“An agreement was 

reached at a technical level,” 

said the diplomat, naming the 

initiative as the Istanbul process, 

in order to build a secure 

and stable Afghanistan. 

Among the 14 countries 

involved are Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, 

China, Russia and India, 

and several states, said the 

diplomat. The initiative aims 

at helping Afghanistan in various 

areas including security, 

reconstruction, health and the 

fight against trafficking, the 

source added. 

President Hamid Karzai 

formed a technical committee 

from its employees under the 

supervision of Shaikh Ali bin 

Nasser al Mahrouqi, Secretary- 

General of Majlis Ash'shura to 

organise and conduct the secret 

ballot and sorting out of 

votes to select complementary 

members for Majlis Ash'shura 

Office and the classification of 

the membership of the permanent 

committees. 

The Chairman of Majlis 

Ash'shura advised the members 

of receiving the state's draft 

told the conference that the 

Afghan government aims to 

have its own forces providing 

security for half the population 

by the end of the year. 

Karzai said he would soon 

announce new areas where the 

Afghan army and police were 

taking over security duties 

from the Nato-led International 

Security Assistance Force. 

The Afghan president 

described the conference — 

which is being attended by 26 

countries — as a “significant 

milestone” on the road to enhanced 

co-operation on security 

in the region. 

ISAF began handing over 

operational control in July 

and intends to complete the 

exercise by the end of 2014, 

by which time international 

troops should have been withdrawn. 

budget for the fiscal year 2012, 

which was referred by the government. 

Majlis Ash'shura will 

study the draft budge and raise 

its visions and remarks about 

it. As per the powers of Majlis 

Ash’shura, that the state draft 

budget be presented to Majlis 

Ash'shura which will raise its 

visions and remarks on the 

draft budget within 30 days 

from receiving it. 

Each committee held a 

meeting to select the head and 

deputy head. 

14 countries agree to 

co-operate with Kabul 

Afghan officials indicated 

last week that security responsibility 

of 17 of the country’s 

34 provinces would soon be 

handed over in part or completely. 

The Istanbul conference is 

one of a series of preparatory 

meetings ahead of the Afghanistan 

Conference, to be held in 

Bonn on December 5. 

The gathering takes place 

a day after a trilateral summit 

hosted by Gul brought together 

the presidents of Afghanistan 

and Pakistan in a bid to 

ease tensions and promote 

co-operation between the two 

neighbours. Tuesday’s talks 

saw Afghanistan and Pakistan 

agree to co-operate with an 

investigation into the murder 

of former Afghan leader and 

peace negotiator Burhanuddin 

Rabbani. — AFP 

Said bin Ghanim bin Said 

al Miqbali was elected as Head 

of the Legal Committee, Nasser 

bin Khamis bin Mohammed 

al Khumaisi as Deputy Head. 

Saleem bin Ali bin Saleem 

al Hakmani was selected as 

Head of the Economic Committee 

and Ali bin Abdullah bin 

Ali al Badi as Deputy Head. 

Ali bin Khafan bin Salman 

al Qutaiti was elected as 

Head of the Health and Social 

Affairs Committee and Talal 

bin Rajab bin Ghaloum al Matroushi 

as Deputy Head. 

Khalid bin Hilal bin Hamad 

al Nabhani was elected as Head 

of the Education Committee 

and Mohammed bin Rashid al 

Qanobi as Deputy Head. 

Humaid bin Ali bin Humaid 

al Nasri was elected as Head of 

the Services and Local Communities 

Development Committee 

and Khalfan bin Salim 

bin Ahmed al Ghunaimi as 

deputy Head. 

The expanded economic 

committee held its first meeting 

to study the draft budget 

of the state for the fiscal year 

2012 to prepare the report on 

the draft budget before submitting 

it to the Council during 

the period stipulated in the 

latest amendments to the Basic 

Law of the State issued by the 

Joy as conjoined twins separated 

CONJOINED twins Angelica (R) and Angelina Sabuco 

with their mother Ginady. — AFP 

Royal Decree No 99/2011. 

Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, 

Chairman of Majlis 

Ash'shura started the session 

with a speech where he said 

that the 7th term of Majlis 

Ash'shura marks the beginning 

of a new stage of growth and 

expansion of its legislative and 

audit powers. 

He pointed out that the great 

legislative and audit powers 

granted to Majlis Ash'shura 

and the contents of the royal 

speech of His Majesty the Sultan 

at the first annual convening 

of the Council of Oman's 

fifth term held at Hisn Al Shomoukh 

in the Wilayat of Manah 

will act as a real work plan 

for the coming stage. 

Khalid bin Hilal al 

Ma'awali, Chairman of Majlis 

Ash'shura expressed sincere 

thanks and appreciation to 

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos 

for the generous grant and 

the continuous care for Shura 

and its establishments, as per 

His Majesty's wise policy and 

progressive approach in laying 

the strong foundations of 

Shura which has reached a 

great stage of remarkable safe 

development that places the 

Shura experience among the 

comprehensive democratic 

practice. — ONA 

PAKISTANI Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar speaks to media after attending the Istanbul 

Conference for Afghanistan at Ciragan Palace in Istanbul. Afghan President Hamid Karzai 

warned that there would be no hope for peace in his nation without help from its neighbours. — AFP 

to a complete recovery.” 

The twins are in intensive care 

and sedated and are likely to spend 

a week in the ICU and another 

week in hospital if all goes well, 

the hospital said. Hartman told 

reporters the surgery took slightly 

longer than anticipated, with the 

riskiest part, dividing the girls’ livers, 

going slowly but smoothly. 

“There was really no blood loss 

during that part of the procedure,” 

he said, adding: “We were able to 

close the abdominal muscles without 

a graft, and the chest closure 

also went better than we anticipated.” 

Plastic surgeon Peter Lorenz, 

who led the reconstruction procedures, 

said there would be relatively 

little sign of the twins’ past, 

after the operation. 

“They will have a long scar 

from the middle of their chests 

down to the belly button, a straight 

line,” the surgeon said, adding: 

“That’s all that will show.” 

The girls, who turned two in 

August, were joined at the chest 

and belly but had separate brains, 

hearts, kidneys, stomachs and intestines. 

— AFP 

Al Nahda Hospital 

patients shifted 

By Staff Reporters, ONA 

MUSCAT — All inpatients 

and medical and administrative 

staff of Al Nahda Hospital 

have been shifted to Khoula 

Hospital and the Royal Hospital 

due to floods which inundated 

Al Nahda Hospital, said 

an official at the Royal Oman 

Police (ROP), who confirmed 

that none were injured or suffered 

side-effects in the process. 

The official pointed out 

that ROP personnel used ambulance 

vehicles of the ROP 

and the Ministry of health in 

conducting the operation. 

In the area of Darsait, a 

school named Durrat al Sharq 

was also inundated and police 

rescued all 20 pupils and 

teachers, shifting them to a 

safer place, the official said. 

A man stranded in his 

flooded house in Wadi al 

Msaila, Wilayat of Jaalan 

Bani Bu Ali, and a number 

of people whose houses were 

inundated in the niyabat of al 

Ash’khara, in Al Sharqiyah, 

were rescued by civil defence 

personnel of the ROP. 

The civil defence unit in 

the Wilayat of Al Rustaq rescued 

a family whose vehicle 

got stuck in Wadi al Saleel. 

In the Wilayat of Samayil, 

Dakhiliyah Governorate, men 

of the Directorate General of 

Civil Defence rescued 12 people 

who were stranded by the 

flood waters of Wadi al Hobe. 

A similar operation was 

conducted by the civil defence 

unit in the Wilayat of Al Suwaiq, 

Batinah Governorate, 

where three men were rescued 

when the vehicle they were 

travelling in got washed away 

by the gushing waters of Wadi 

Ghaleel Al Masa’eed. The 

men were in a stable condition, 

said the ROP official. 

In the Wilayat of Mahout, Al 

Wusta Governorate, seven 

families were shifted from 

their homes which were inun- 

Maoists hail ‘historic’ 

deal as path to peace 

KATHMANDU — Nepal’s 

former Maoist rebels yesterday 

said that a deal to integrate 

thousands of their fighters 

into the army will finally 

set the country on the road to 

peace, five years after the end 

of civil war. The breakthrough 

deal on the status of 19,000 

rebel fighters, who have been 

confined to camps since the 

end of hostilities, raises hopes 

that the deadlock on drafting 

a new constitution can finally 

be broken. 

“This is a historic step towards 

competing the peace 

process and drafting the constitution,” 

Dinanath Sharma, 

a spokesman for the ruling 

Maoist party, said. 

“This will help implement 

the remaining tasks (of the 

peace process) and lead to a 

practical conclusion.” 

Nepal has had a barely 

functioning government since 

the end of the 10-year conflict 

in 2006 that claimed 16,000 

lives and the abolition of the 

monarchy in 2008. 

dated by rainwater. 

In the Wilayat of Al Musanaa, 

a ROP civil defence 

team rescued four men who 

got stranded in floods. 

In the Governorate of Muscat, 

the ROP and the Muscat 

Municipality were all out in 

full mobilisation to help bring 

back normalcy and to ensure 

safety and security of the people 

of Oman. 

In places like Ruwi and 

Hamariya that bore the brunt 

of adverse weather, a team of 

ROP officials were seen airlifting 

stranded people in the 

water-clogged areas. 

An ROP spokesperson said, 

“We are all set to face any adversities 

and are keeping vigil 

while diverting the traffic and 

placing traffic warnings across 

the wadi areas.” 

Meanwhile, several of 

Muscat Municipality workers 

were busy removing water 

since Tuesday as was seen in 

Muttrah roundabout and many 

other parts of the governorate. 

Municipality workers were 

seen removing silt and debris 

left behind by rainwater 

which swept through roads 

after gushing in from nearby 

wadis. 

Muscat Municipality officials 

further indicated that 

cleaning up of the Yiti road 

which was shattered totally 

will be cleaned from today. 

The civic authority had 

formed field teams in the 

wake of the last year’s floods 

and are following up the 

|restoration process, according 

to a Muscat Municipality 

source. 

Additionally, the various 

departments under the instructions 

of the Municipality have 

been provided with all necessary 

equipment and devices 

to clear roads and pavements. 

Water clogs on road and at the 

sites of dams in different locations 

are being pumped out. 

Uprooted trees are removed 

and traffic made smoother. 

Lawmakers in the constituent 

assembly, where the Maoist 

party is the biggest group 

but does not have a majority, 

have wrangled for three years 

over the peace deal, sapping 

the optimism seen at the end 

of the fighting. 

“After more than three 

years of prolonged political 

deadlock which almost 

derailed Nepal’s transition, 

parties have finally managed 

to get the peace and constitutional 

process back on track,” 

Kathmandu-based political 

commentator Prashant Jha 

said, describing the deal as 

“historic”. 

Under the agreement, the 

army will take in 6,500 former 

fighters and the remainder will 

receive a pay-off of between 

500,000 and 800,000 Nepali 

rupees ($6,300-$10,200). 

The US hailed the “landmark” 

breakthrough and 

called on leaders to implement 

its terms, while the 

United Nations also broadly 

welcomed the deal.

Harvest Natural 

Resources Block 

64 drilling 

MUSCAT — US energy firm 

Harvest Natural Resources, 

Inc announced yesterday 

commencement of drilling 

operations of the Mafraq 

South-A (MFS-A) exploration 

well in Qarn Alam 

Block 64 onshore Oman. 

This is the first of a twowell 

exploratory programme 

utilising the MB Petroleum 

Services LLC Rig 113 drilling 

unit. The MFS-A well 

will test the Mafraq South 

structure, which is a large 

salt-supported high with 

stacked reservoir targets in 

the Barik, Miqrat and Amin 

reservoirs. Targets are both 

in the footwall and hanging 

wall fault blocks which comprise 

four segments (north, 

west, south and east). Mean 

prospective resources for the 

targeted south segment total 

1.25 trillion cubic feet (TCF) 

of gas with 46 million barrels 

(MMBBLS) of condensate. 

The geological chance 

of success for a discovery in 

the Barik is estimated to be 

28 per cent. The MFS-A well 

will be drilled to a total vertical 

depth of approximately 

12,000 feet to test coincident 

fault bounded dip closure at 

all three reservoir levels. 

Harvest Natural Resources, 

Inc, headquartered 

in Houston, Texas, is an independent 

energy company 

with principal operations in 

Venezuela, exploration assets 

in the United States, Indonesia, 

Gabon, China and 

Oman and business development 

offices in Singapore 

and the United Kingdom 

Google gives 

Gmail a 

new look 

SAN FRANCISCO — 

Google yesterday unveiled 

a new look for its 

free e-mail service, inviting 

users to switch if they 

like what they see. 

"We're excited to finally 

share Gmail's new 

look with you," Google 

user experience designer 

Jason Cornwell said in a 

blog post. 

"We'll be bringing 

these changes to everyone 

soon," he said. "But 

if you'd like to make the 

switch right away, we're 

rolling out a 'Switch to the 

new look' link in the bottom-right 

of Gmail over 

the next few days." 

The new layout has a 

revamped "conversation 

view" to make it easier 

to keep track of who said 

what in e-mail trails and 

improved tools for searching 

mailboxes, which 

typically serve as storage 

bins for users. 

Google also began providing 

more insight and 

control regarding how ad 

pitches are personalised 

to users. 

"We're committed to 

giving you notice and 

control over the ads that 

you see," Google advertising 

senior vice-president 

Susan Wojcicki said 

in a blog post. — AFP 

S&P slashes 

Panasonic 

TOKYO — Ratings agency 

Standard & Poor's yesterday 

said it had downgraded Japan's 

Panasonic one notch to "A" 

with a negative outlook, citing 

pressure on its digital products 

such as flat panel TVs. The rating, 

which S&P said it could 

be lowered again in the future, 

is the sixth-highest on the 

agency's scale of 22. 

"Strong pressure on the 

competitiveness of Panasonic’s 

core digital products business 

is likely to delay its financial 

recovery," the agency said. 

"Standard & Poor’s believes 

Panasonic’s competitive 

position in core digital products 

such as flat panel TVs is under 

strong pressure from global 

competitors," it added. 

Japanese stocks 

lead Asian losses 

Page 9 

Sony forecasts $1.15 billion loss 

JAPANESE electronics giant Sony yesterday said it now 

expected a heavy full-year loss of $1.15 billion as it reels from 

the impact of a strong yen, weak TV sales and severe flooding 

in Thailand. Sony’s projected annual net loss of 90 billion yen 

($1.15 billion) reversed a forecast in July. Page 8 

By A Staff Reporter 

MUSCAT — Retail sales of supermarkets 

and hypermarkets in the 

GCC are estimated to expand at a 

CAGR of 10.7 per cent between 

2010 and 2015, thus outpacing the 

broader retail industry. 

This was stated in the GCC Retail 

Report by Alpen Capital yesterday. 

As part of its Industry Research 

Services, the Alpen Capital report 

provides a perspective of the retail 

sector in the GCC by examining 

the current industry status and size, 

key market dynamics, and scope for 

growth in the future. 

In addition, it includes profiles 

of the six GCC nations identifying 

country-specific macroeconomic 

attributes, drivers for retail growth, 

and recent industry developments. 

“The retail industry has been one 

of the fastest growing sectors in the 

Middle East for the last few years. 

It is the second largest sector in the 

oil-rich GCC region, and is considered 

to be the most preferred means 

of promoting diversification and 

sustained economic development in 

the region”, says Sameena Ahmad, 

Thursday, November 3, 2011 

Port users seek greater clarity on 

Managing Director at Alpen Capital. 

“The industry is dominated by a 

number of privately held companies, 

whose relentless drive and innovation 

has transformed the retail landscape 

of the region. These companies 

have shown great resilience in 

the face of the economic crisis and 

now face a period of healthy growth 

ahead of them,” she adds. 

“While the financial crisis slowed 

down the pace of growth, the GCC 

retail sector continues its uptrend 

supported by fundamental drivers, 

including growing affluence and 

disposable income, rise in tourism, 

and a large expatriate population, 

favourable demographic factors, 

and large-scale infrastructure development”, 

says Mahboob Murshed, 

Managing Director, Alpen Capital. 

GCC retail outlook 

Alpen Capital’s GCC Retail Industry 

report expects retail sales 

in the GCC to grow at a CAGR of 

8.3 per cent between 2010-2015, 

reaching $240.3 billion by the end 

of the forecast period. Growing per 

capita GDP and disposable income, 

expanding population base and consistent 

inflow of tourists will boost 

the region’s retail sector going forward. 

Middle East duty free and travel 

retail sales are projected to expand 

at a CAGR of 9.9 per cent between 

2010 and 2015. The Middle East 

luxury goods market looks poised 

for strong performance going forward. 

The region’s luxury goods 

Chrysler gains traction as sales rise 

CHRYSLER gained more ground on its rivals in October with a 

27 per cent rise in US auto sales, outpacing single-digit growth at 

Ford and General Motors, industry data showed yesterday. The 

gains come as overall industry sales continued to strengthen now 

that supply shortages and price increases eased. Page 8 

Muscat port conversion strategy By A Staff Reporter 

By Conrad Prabhu 

MUSCAT — The port user 

community has urged authorities 

to shed more light on the 

strategy and timeframe envisaged 

by the government for 

the proposed conversion of 

Muscat’s Port Sultan Qaboos 

into a tourism hub, and the 

transfer of all cargo and commercial 

operations to the Port 

of Sohar. 

The appeal came in a speech 

delivered by a leading member 

of the user community at 

the Annual Awards ceremony 

of Port Services Corporation 

(PSC), the operator of Port 

Sultan Qaboos. 

Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed 

al Futaisi, Minister of 

Transport and Communications, 

was the Guest of Honour 

at the ceremony, held at 

InterContinental Muscat on 

Tuesday. Also present were 

Said bin Hamdoon al Harthy, 

Under-Secretary for Ports and 

Maritime Affairs, Qassim al 

Shizawi, Director-General of 

Ports and Maritime Affairs, 

Mohammed Jawad Hassan 

Sulaiman, Chairman of Port 

Services Corporation, and 

Saud bin Ahmed al Nahari, 

CEO of Port Services Corporation. 

Prominent shipping lines, 

shipping agencies, logistics 

service providers, and leading 

BEIJING — China's economy 

is on the right track and 

the government will take a 

flexible policy approach to 

dealing with the risks it faces, 

Vice Finance Minister Li 

Yong said yesterday. 

He singled out global inflation 

pressures that would 

likely extend into next year, 

adding prices were still elevated 

in China, and said 

the world's second-biggest 

economy faces rising protectionism 

and foreign exchange 

volatility. 

"China's economy continues 

to move in the right direction. 

Growth is relatively 

fast," Li said, speaking at a 

conference organised by Bank 

of America/Merrill Lynch. 

He said macro-economic 

policies will be more "forward-looking 

and flexible" 

to deal with any difficulties 

ahead. 

Li's concerns about external 

conditions were echoed in 

separate comments by a vice 

chairman of China's top economic 

planning agency, the 

National Development and 

Reform Commission. 

"Commodity prices in the 

Omani importers and exporters 

were represented at the 

well-attended event. 

Speaking on behalf of port 

users, C M Najeeb, General 

Manager of Towell Barwil, 

urged the government to take 

the business community into 

confidence when charting its 

strategy for implementing the 

port conversion and cargo relocation 

plan. 

“We do hope that the (ministerial 

announcement on PSQ’s 

conversion) does not signal an 

immediate scaling down of 

commercial/cargo operation at 

PSQ, but will take effect only 

upon the termination of the 

existing concession agreement 

with PSC, which operates and 

manages the facility. The current 

agreement expires at the 

end of 2012 effectively meaning 

that the cargo handling fa- 

Chinese economy on 

track despite risks 

international markets may become 

more volatile next year," 

Peng Sen said in a statement. 

International commodity 

prices are a key area of concern 

for Chinese policymakers 

given the country's huge consumption 

and imports of raw 

materials. 

Peng was more sanguine 

about China's inflation risks, 

saying he expected the headline 

consumer prices index 

to ease further in the coming 

months. 

"At present, prices are stabilising 

and are under overall 

control," Peng said. "China's 

CPI has peaked at 6.5 per 

cent in July before easing to 

6.2 per cent in August and 6.1 

per cent in September, and we 

are expecting to see a further 

fall in the coming period of 

time." 

Recent data on the Chinese 

economy has been patchy. 

GDP grew 9.1 per cent 

from a year earlier, the third 

consecutive quarterly slowdown 

in growth after 9.5 per 

cent growth in the second 

quarter and 9.7 per cent in the 

first. — Reuters 

cilities at PSQ will be still be 

available until then. 

He added: “Even though no 

timeframe been given as such, 

we expect this will be worked 

out jointly by the Ministry in 

consultation with PSC and the 

relevant authorities, while taking 

the business community 

also into confidence.” 

Najeeb also voiced the user 

community’s apprehensions 

about likely impacts to their 

business on account of the conversion 

plan. “The business 

community in particular, and 

the people of the region generally, 

do look forward to seeing 

how this shift would affect the 

trade and especially what kind 

of improvements will (come 

about) owing to the shifting 

of commercial port operations 

from Muscat to Sohar. We do 

hope that the wise policies of 

WASHINGTON — Development 

banks could provide up to $200 billion 

in financing to help poor nations 

deal with shockwaves caused by the 

European sovereign debt crisis, World 

Bank President Robert Zoellick said on 

Tuesday. 

Speaking ahead of the Group of 

20 leaders' summit in France today 

and tomorrow, Zoellick said developing 

countries were feeling the impact 

from the euro zone debt crisis through 

increased market volatility, weaker demand 

and signs of shrinking trade finance 

in West Africa. 

"We have estimated with the regional 

development banks we can 

provide somewhat over $200 billion 

in financing, drawing from a full set of 

tools," Zoellick said. "The World Bank 

amount of that is about $115 billion." 

He said European banks were already 

selling off assets to raise capital 

and there was a risk they could reduce 

lending, which would affect countries 

in southeastern Europe and the Balkans. 

Zoellick urged the G20 to act to 

boost market confidence and commit 

to actions to bolster global growth and 

job creation that would also help developing 

countries. 

"It would be very useful if the G20 

leaders can send a strong signal on 

follow-through after the euro zone announcement 

so as to sustain and build 

confidence," Zoellick told reporters. 

His Majesty’s government 

will come up with clear and 

comprehensive programmes 

concerning this matter in due 

course,” he said. 

A number of companies 

were honoured for their contribution 

to PSC’s business during 

the past year. The line-up 

of awardees is as follows: 

Outstanding Contribution 

to PSC’s Turnover: Maersk 

Shipping Services (1st), 

Bhacker Haji Abdullatif Fazul 

(2nd), and Sharaf Shipping 

(3rd); Outstanding Efforts in 

Promoting PSC’s Business: 

Khimji Ramdas Shipping 

(1st), Gulf Agency Company 

(2nd), and Al Fayha Shipping 

(3rd); Awards for Achieving 

Significant Growth at PSC: 

Kanoo Shipping (1st), Towell 

Barwil (2nd), and Green Island 

Shipping (3rd). 

Top 5 Vehicle Importers: 

Saud Bahwan Automotive, 

OTE, Suhail Bahwan Automotive, 

Zubair Automotive, 

Towell Auto Centre and Moosa 

Abdul Rehman Hassan; Top 

10 Container Importers: Saud 

Bahwan Automotive, Oman 

Foodstuff, Oman Cables, 

Khimji Ramdas, Al Jebali 

Trading, Daewoo Engineering, 

Al Khan Foodstuff, Teeba National, 

OMASCO and Oman 

Flour Mills; Top 10 Container 

Exporters: Al Tamman Establishment, 

Oman Foodstuff, 

International Marble, Al Nasr 

Trading, Gulf Triangle, Al 

Barakah Steel, Al Anwar Ceramics, 

Shell Oman Marketing, 

Modern Steel Mills and 

United Croma; 

Top 3 General Cargo Importers 

& Exporters: Al Khalil 

United, Gulf Petrochemical 

Services, and Bahwan Building 

Materials; Top 3 Bulk Cargo 

Importers: Raysut Cement, 

Oman Cement, Oman Flour, 

and Areej Vegetable Oils; 

Top 6 Project Cargo clients: 

Occidental, PDO, Oman Cement, 

Daewoo Engineering, 

Al Turki and Dalma Engineering; 

Top Three Cruise Agents: 

Khimji Ramdas Shipping, 

Kanoo Shipping and Towell 

Barwil. — Picture by 

Khalfanal Ruzaiqi 

A new euro zone plan to address the 

crisis, in part by expanding the firepower 

of its bailout fund, had bought 

some time but the challenge was to 

build and sustain market confidence to 

avoid further damage, Zoellick said. 

He said Greek government plans 

for a referendum on a new bailout program, 

which caught euro zone leaders 

off guard, added to uncertainty in markets 

and if it failed "it is going to be a 

mess". 

He called on G20 leaders to avoid 

domestic political positioning and 

warned that the world economy was 

"still wobbly on the edge right now" 

and could tip very quickly if momentum 

to tackle the euro zone crisis was 

not maintained. One way to boost glo- 

sector is estimated to expand at a 

CAGR of 8.5 per cent within the 

same period. 

Having contributed substantially 

to overall retail sales expansion, the 

mid-market segment has broadly 

tracked the overall retail industry 

growth trajectory and is expected 

to continue on a similar trend going 

bal growth was to ensure that developing 

countries were part of any G20 

plans to bolster growth and create jobs 

by increasing infrastructure investments 

and trade, Zoellick said. 

He said Europe and others should 

"not be looking for a silver bullet from 

the Chinese" when the per capita income 

of China was $4,000 per person 

compared to $38,000 in Europe. 

"At Cannes, the countries need to 

follow through on the euro zone plan, 

they need to have attention to growth 

and jobs strategy, and they need to recognize 

that developing countries are a 

key source of solutions to the world," 

he said. Zoellick also urged the G20 to 

act to tackle food price volatility that is 

hurting the poor. 

forward. 

Retail sales of all the GCC 

economies are expected to register a 

CAGR of mid to high single-digits 

between 2010 and 2015. Given a 

larger size of the population base, 

Saudi Arabia will continue to account 

for the largest slice of the 

GCC retail industry. Based on pro- 

Ferrari’s new FF 

arrives in Oman 

Page 10 

Zoellick says poor nations to get $200bn 

THE G20 logo on a flag outside the festival palace in Cannes. — Reuters 

Enerflex wins $228m 

contract to build gas 

plant in Block 60 

MUSCAT — Canadian energy 

services firm Enerflex 

Ltd says it has won a contract 

from Oman Oil Company Exploration 

and Production LLC 

(OOCEP) for the construction 

of a gas processing plant 

at Abu Tubul in Block 60 at a 

cost of $228 million. 

Oman-based subsidiary 

Enerflex Middle East LLC 

will implement the contract on 

an engineering, procurement, 

construction and commissioning 

basis. The gas processing 

plant will produce 90 million 

standard cubic feet per day of 

natural gas and 6,000 barrels 

per day of condensate. 

The contract includes the 

supply by Enerflex of all associated 

equipment including; 

gas processing and compression 

equipment, gas/condensate 

export facilities, produced 

water treatment, power plant, 

central control room, electrical 

substation and associated utilities. 

Engineering and design is 

currently under way and the 

facility is anticipated to be operational 

in the third quarter of 

2013. 

This project strengthens 

Enerflex's position in the region 

following the successful 

commissioning of a gas 

compression facility currently 

maintained and operated by 

Enerflex in Oman, as well as 

another facility recently com- 

missioned and under long-term 

maintenance and operation in 

Bahrain. 

"This significant order 

solidifies our standing as a 

competitive supplier of energy 

infrastructure for major producers 

in a region with growing 

natural gas production, and 

this bodes well for our future 

growth prospects," said J Blair 

Goertzen, Enerflex's President 

and Chief Executive Officer. 

Enerflex Ltd is the single 

source supplier of products 

and services to the global oil 

and gas production industry. 

Enerflex provides natural gas 

compression and oil and gas 

processing equipment for sale 

or lease, refrigeration systems 

and power generation equipment 

and a comprehensive 

package of field maintenance 

and contracting capabilities. 

Through the Company's ability 

to provide these products and 

services in an integrated manner, 

or as stand-alone offerings, 

Enerflex offers its customers a 

unique value proposition. 

Headquartered in Calgary, 

Canada, Enerflex has approximately 

2,900 employees. Enerflex, 

its subsidiaries, interests 

in affiliates and joint-ventures 

operate in Canada, the United 

States, Argentina, Colombia, 

Australia, the United Kingdom, 

the United Arab Emirates, 

Egypt, Oman, Bahrain 

and Indonesia. 

An updated World Bank's quarterly 

food price index released on Tuesday 

showed global food prices remain high 

and volatile. Volatility hurts farmers 

because they do not know how to price 

their products. 

The index showed a small dip of 1 

per cent in September, settling at 5 per 

cent below its February peak, but it is 

still 19 per cent above September 2010 

levels, the World Bank said. 

"It reveals we are in a period of continued 

serious volatility, which is especially 

high in low-income countries," 

Zoellick said. 

The G20 meeting of leaders from 

major industrialised and emerging 

market countries is scheduled to consider 

actions to help countries manage 

food price volatility, promote more 

productive agriculture and get food to 

the needy fast through emergency regional 

food reserves. 

The World Bank said that a slowing 

global economy, particularly in the 

United States and the euro zone, could 

dampen demand and push food prices 

lower. 

However it also warned that poorer 

countries would be hard hit by weaker 

global demand as trade would likely 

slow, putting pressure on revenues. 

"The persistently troubled global 

economy must be monitored vigilantly 

because the risk of a global deceleration 

in demand is real," the World Bank 

said. — Reuters 

GCC retail industry poised for healthy growth, says Alpen Capital 

jections, it is estimated to grow at a 

CAGR of 9.4 per cent and increase 

its share in the total GCC retail sales 

from approximately 42 per cent in 

2010 to 44 per cent by 2015. UAE 

and Qatar are expected to show a 

robust growth at 7.9 per cent and 

7.7 per cent respectively CAGR between 

2010 – 2015. 

GCC GLA Growth 

Approximately 5.4 million sq 

m of area was under planning and 

development in 2010 in the GCC, 

which is likely to be gradually added 

to the existing GLA of 10.3 million 

sq m by 2015. As per our projections, 

around 65 per cent of the 

pipeline will be added to the current 

stockpile by 2013. Assuming an 80 

per cent occupancy rate (Medium 

Growth scenario), total occupied 

retail GLA in the GCC is forecasted 

to reach 11.1 million sq m in 2011 

before expanding to 14.6 million sq 

m in 2015 

Current demand for high quality 

retail space remains strong in the 

GCC and new shopping malls are 

likely to enjoy healthy absorption 

rates. To page 8

Dutch govt wins time on euro bailout deal 

THE HAGUE The Dutch government 

won time yesterday to get parliament's 

backing for last week's euro zone rescue 

plan, promising details on the package 

and facing demands to have a strong 

budget commissioner and more IMF involvement 

in the debt crisis. 

Despite anger among coalition and 

opposition parties about Greece's plan 

for a referendum on the rescue plan, 

the Dutch parliament agreed to wait for 

details how the euro zone rescue fund 

EFSF would work and what powers the 

commission will get to enforce budget 

rules before reaching a view. 

The package negotiated last week 

does not need the formal approval of 

euro zone national parliaments. 

But with the cabinet's main ally outside 

the ruling coalition, Geert Wilders' 

anti-immigration Freedom Party, strongly 

opposed to such bailouts, Prime Minister 

Mark Rutte relies on help from the 

opposition. 

The opposition party Labour, whose 

support is crucial for securing majority 

support for the minority government, 

called Greece's referendum plan a "deal 

breaker" and "spontaneous self-incineration". 

"The package is not strong enough, 

and it is effectively wiped off the table 

now that Greece has placed a bomb under 

it," Labour MP Ronald Plasterk said 

in parliament. 

8 

OMAN/INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 

Plasterk called for strong budget supervision 

to prevent Italy's Prime Minister 

Silvio Berlusconi from "throwing a 

party on the costs of the EFSF fund". 

Coalition parties the Liberals and 

Christian Democrats said the package 

was "a substantial step" in solving Europe's 

debt crisis and demanded more 

clarity on how to enforce the euro zone 

budget rules on deficits and debt levels 

and more IMF involvement. 

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou's 

shock decision late on Monday 

to call a referendum on Greece's bailout 

angered Germany and hammered 

markets edgy over the euro zone crisis. 

European politicians complained that 

Athens was trying to wriggle out of the 

latest rescue deal. 

Rutte was concerned about the referendum. 

"We need to act swiftly with the escape 

route. Suppose Greece says no in 

a referendum — which I do not hope 

because it would have enormous consequences 

for Greece itself and also consequences 

for Europe — then it becomes 

even more urgent that we deal with the 

package's other aspects," Rutte said. 

Wilders, who dislikes last week's deal 

and wants Greece to leave the euro zone, 

told reporters he was pleased about the 

referendum because it would mean "the 

whole rescue package can go into the 

trash bin". — Reuters 

Chrysler gains traction 

as US auto sales rise 

CHICAGO — Chrysler gained 

more ground on its rivals in 

October with a 27 per cent 

rise in US auto sales, outpacing 

single-digit growth at Ford 

and General Motors, industry 

data showed yesterday. 

The gains come as overall 

industry sales continued to 

strengthen now that supply 

shortages and price increases 

caused by the deadly Japanese 

quake and tsunami earlier this 

year have eased. 

"The performance over 

the past few months is not the 

start of a trend. It is more of 

a mini-bubble," said Jeremy 

Anwyl, chief executive officer 

of the automotive website Edmunds.com. 

Anwyl estimates that people 

put off buying at least 

200,000 vehicles because of 

the shortages and high prices 

that began in late April and 

didn't ease until September. 

That should help boost 

sales for the remainder of the 

year, but Anwyl cautioned that 

industry sales remain at historically 

low levels as a result 

of the deep economic down- 

TOKYO — Japanese electronics 

giant Sony yesterday 

said it now expected a heavy 

full-year loss of $1.15 billion 

as it reels from the impact of a 

strong yen, weak TV sales and 

severe flooding in Thailand. 

Sony's projected annual net 

loss of 90 billion yen ($1.15 

billion) reversed a forecast in 

July that called for a 60 billion 

yen net profit, after the company 

slumped to a first-half 

net loss. 

The Tokyo-based maker of 

PlayStation consoles and Bravia 

television sets has been 

struggling under the weight 

of a strong yen, while wrestling 

with the aftermath of the 

March earthquake and now 

Thailand's floods which have 

dented its production there. 

The company's loss-making 

television business remains 

a burden amid fierce competition 

from rivals such as South 

Korea's Samsung Electronics 

and falling prices in the liquid 

crystal display market. 

A slowdown in demand in 

the United States, Japan and 

Europe has further squeezed 

profit margins and put the 

television industry under renewed 

pressure. 

Sony said that six month 

sales in its consumer products 

and services segment that includes 

TVs, personal computers 

and its PlayStation gaming 

system were hit by lower de- 

GCC retail industry poised 

for healthy growth 

From page 7 

The demand and supply 

factors therefore seem to be 

in balance and we believe that 

supply of new GLA in the future 

will be sufficient to meet 

demand for retail space over 

the next five years. 

Key Growth Drivers 

There are several factors 

that are contributing to the 

growth of the retail sector. 

Largely urbanised consumer 

class with a young age profile 

is likely to drive demand in 

the retail market. The number 

of high net-worth individuals 

in the Middle East increased 

10.4 per cent y-o-y in 2010, 

while their financial wealth 

increased 12.5 per cent during 

the same period. The number 

of individuals in the GCC with 

more than $ 50,000 in onshore 

liquid assets is expected to increase 

and this will also contribute 

to the growth of the 

retail industry. 

The region has seen substantial 

investments in the 

development of world class 

infrastructure, tourism, and 

hospitality sectors. Saudi 

Arabia is expected to see 9.3 

million new visitors between 

2011 and 2015, while there 

will be approximately 3.6 million 

new arrivals in the United 

Arab Emirates (UAE) during 

this period. There are a growing 

number of tourists from 

China and India and Chinese 

travelers have increased their 

total spending in the UAE by 

155 per cent y-o-y in 2010. 

Various retail categories including 

the luxury segment 

turn, with a full recovery still 

far from sight. 

"There are a growing 

number of consumers for 

whom a new vehicle is becoming 

a necessity, but I expect 

the slope of this underlying 

trend to remain modest," 

Anwyl said. 

GM said it expects sales to 

continue to gradually improve 

and forecast that total industry 

sales will hit somewhere in the 

low end of 13 to 13.5 million 

vehicles in 2011. 

"Despite the volatility that 

continues in the market, we 

continue to believe that the US 

economy will grow slowly, 

with pent-up demand created 

by four years of below-trend 

sales," Don Johnson, who 

heads GM's US sales, said in 

a conference call. 

Johnson noted that GM's 

comparatively weaker per- 

mand. It posted a first-half net 

loss of 42.5 billion yen compared 

to net income of 56.9 

billion yen in the same period 

of the previous fiscal year. 

Operating profit plunged 81 

per cent to 25.9 billion yen. 

In the second quarter alone, 

Sony slumped to a net loss of 

27 billion yen compared to a 

31.1 billion yen profit in the 

same period a year earlier. 

For the full year, Sony 

forecast sales of 6.5 trillion 

yen, down nearly 10 per cent 

from its July forecast, while 

revising operating profit 90 

per cent lower to 20 billion 

yen. 

A massive data breach 

forced Sony to shut down its 

PlayStation Network and Qriocity 

services in April with 

more than 100 million customer 

accounts compromised, 

in a crisis that quickly followed 

the March disaster. 

are witnessing a robust demand 

from Chinese tourists. 

Strategic geographic location 

and government focus on 

attracting tourists have given a 

massive boost to the growth of 

passenger traffic in the GCC. 

Apart from overnight tourist 

arrivals, the region’s airports 

are also witnessing a significant 

inflow of international 

transit passengers, making airport 

retail a flourishing business. 

Dubai Duty Free is already 

the single largest airport 

retailer in the world and Qatar 

Duty Free has also shown a 

very high growth rate. 

Challenges 

The retail sector is witnessing 

increased competition 

which has posed several 

challenges to companies in 

this highly fragmented market 

to maintain market share 

and keep attracting patrons. 

Heightened competition has 

forced retailers to consider 

product diversification, attractive 

pricing, and convenient 

location. 

Positioning shopping malls 

as complete entertainment 

centres and not just as shopping 

outlets have become imperative 

to maintain increasing 

footfalls. 

There is a shortage of 

skilled labour in the GCC region 

and it is a challenge for 

the companies to attract and 

retain a qualified work force. 

Further, stricter norms for issuance 

of new credit cards 

and lowering credit limits not 

only curbs the discretionary 

consumer spending but also 

formance this month — with 

sales up just two per cent at 

186,895 vehicles — was due 

in part to the fact that it performed 

so well in October 

2011. 

Its sales for the year to date 

were up 15.4 per cent at nearly 

2.1 million vehicles. 

"The evidence of September 

and October is that there is 

a strong foundation in the USbased 

automobile industry," 

said Ken Czubay, who heads 

Ford's US sales. 

"Our dealers are telling us 

that consumers are coming in 

with some of their oldest aged 

and highest mileage trades 

and the scrappage rate has 

been very low in the last few 

years," Czubay said in a conference 

call. 

"Customers are saying it is 

time to get a new vehicle." 

Ford's October sales rose 

6.2 per cent in October to 

167,803 while sales for the 

year to date were up 10.9 per 

cent at nearly 1.8 million vehicles. 

Chrysler attributed its 

strong performance to its revitalized 

product line. — AFP 

Sony forecasts $1.15bn loss 

The firm was forced to 

shutter plants in Japan after 

the quake and tsunami battered 

supply chains, damaged 

facilities and dampened consumer 

demand. 

Yesterday, it said the flooding 

in Thailand presented similar 

problems, with its business 

operations hit by "direct 

damage from inundation of 

Sony’s manufacturing facilities 

and difficulty in procuring 

parts and components resulting 

from the Floods". 

Production at several manufacturing 

facilities has been 

stopped, while it has been 

forced to postpone certain 

product launches. 

While Japanese firms have 

been seen to stage a quickerthan-expected 

recovery from 

the twin disasters, the rise of 

the yen has hurt exporters, 

eroding repatriated overseas 

earnin. — AFP 

impacts the overall consumer 

confidence. Cost of leasing 

retail space accounts for a significant 

portion of the overall 

costs for retailers. As the economy 

is moving back on track, 

rents are expected to increase 

thereby reducing retailer margins 

and creating a new set of 

challenges for them. 

Industry Trends 

Consumer demand for luxury 

and discretionary goods 

is set to increase at a faster 

pace in the near future on the 

back of improving economic 

growth, high oil prices and 

pent-up purchases. 

Development of the retail 

space has been mostly restricted 

to the main regional 

cities namely, Dubai and 

Jeddah. Other important cities 

like Abu Dhabi, Doha and 

Makkah & Medina have historically 

experienced a shortage 

in development of retail 

space. However, with significant 

development plans in 

place for these other cities, the 

GCC’s retail sector is expected 

to experience a more balanced 

expansion in the retail space 

going forward. 

Online retail is a relatively 

new concept in the GCC retail 

market however, online sales 

in the Middle East have registered 

a significant growth, and 

are believed to hold a strong 

potential in the future. 

“We expect the GCC retail 

sector to continue its pace of 

growth leading to diversification 

and sustained economic 

development in the region,” 

the report added.

BUSINESS ALERT 

Lexus LS600hL — the best in luxury 

MUSCAT — Defined 

as a "full hybrid," it is 

capable of operating 

in electric-only mode 

or with a combination 

of the gas engine and 

electric motor. Lexus 

hybrid technology allowselectric-modeonly 

operation at low 

speeds or stop-and-go 

driving conditions, 

reducing fuel consumption 

and noise. 

The LS600hL hybrid 

luxury sedan provides 

the highest level of performance and technology, and the truest expression of luxury ever created. 

The LS600hL’s ultra-quiet Lexus hybrid drive system is the automotive industry's most 

advanced gas-electric hybrid system to date. It is powered by the world's first full V8, all-wheeldrive 

(AWD) hybrid drivetrain. The system combines a new 5.0-litre V8 gasoline engine with 

two powerful electric motors and a newly designed large-capacity battery pack that is lighter and 

extremely quiet. 

The hybrid powertrain generates a peak combined output rating of 438 horsepower and can 

effortlessly accelerate the LS600hL from 0-to-100 Kmph in just 5.5 seconds. Mid-range acceleration 

is even more impressive. The system's electric motor is capable of delivering maximum 

torque, on demand, and is most beneficial during passing maneuvers. 

The LS hybrid carries a super ultra low emission vehicle (SULEV) rating. A SULEV rating 

means the LS600hL has nearly 70 percent cleaner smog forming emissions than vehicles with a 

conventional internal combustion engine and cleaner than the ambient air in some major cities. 

The LS hybrid is equipped with a power-steering system and air-conditioning compressor 

that are electrically powered to reduce parasitic losses to the engine, thereby helping improve 

fuel consumption. This is necessary because, as a fuel-saving benefit of the hybrid system, the 

gas engine often shuts down, particularly when the vehicle is stopped or driven slowly in traffic. 

Additionally, demand on the air conditioner is reduced through the use of ultraviolet and infrared 

ray-reducing tinted glass on all windows. 

Over the last three years, Lexus has developed its L-finesse styling philosophy. This new 

design language rests upon the inherent contrast between simplicity and elegance, and the beauty 

of achieving a balance between the two. 

With the new LSHV, designers have achieved a new level of meticulous detail, polished excellence 

and engaging comfort that is unique to Lexus. 

Stylish projector-type headlamps with blue crystal rings provide excellent visibility and contribute 

to the LS600hL styling theme. Blue accents on the front headlamps, tail lamps, badging, 

engine cover and the SmartAccess key fobs and Smart Card key are unique to the LS600hL. 

The LS600hL delivers nearly five inches more legroom than the LS460. It also provides the 

highest level of comfort and convenience features among all LS models. 

Standard features include a DVD based Lexus navigation system with a backup camera, Bluetooth® 

technology and voice activation. For genuine theater-level entertainment, the LS600hL 

features a standard 19-speaker 450-watt Mark Levinson reference surround sound audio system, 

raising the bar for automotive sound systems. 

Passenger space and luxury comfort were the primary focus of the interior cabin design. 

Genuine semi-aniline leather is featured throughout the cabin, its rich appearance softened and 

structured with additional stitching to create a relaxed atmosphere. The leather-trim extends beyond 

the seats and onto the instrument panel, upper front doors and door armrests. 

Beyond the advanced technology and endless array of comfort and convenience features, 

at the heart of the LS600hL is the meticulous pursuit of perfection for which Lexus has always 

stood. With remarkable levels of fit, finish, accuracy and refinement achieved through the 

combined skill, knowledge, and pride of Lexus master craftsmen and advanced technology, the 

LS600hL exemplifies "world's best." 

Lexus vehicles come with special benefits and privileges such as 6 years unlimited extended 

mileage protection — Aman Bahwan and Lexus Prestige Club Card that offers around–the-clock 

assistance from AAA. 

10 

OMAN/INTERNATIONAL THURSdAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 

Lloyds CEO 

takes leave 

of absence 

LONDON — Lloyds Banking's 

chief executive Antonio 

Horta-Osorio, who has 

cleared out much of the 

company's old guard since 

taking over in March, has 

temporarily stepped down 

due to illness, the British 

lender said yesterday. 

"Following medical advice 

António Horta-Osório 

is taking a temporary leave 

of absence from his duties 

as group chief executive ... 

António is expected to return 

to his position before the end 

of the year," it said. 

Lloyds shares were down 

by 4.8 per cent at 29 pence in 

early morning trade, making 

the stock the worst performer 

on Britain's benchmark 

FTSE 100 index , which was 

up by 0.5 per cent. 

"Investors thought that 

Horta-Osorio had the right 

strategy to turn Lloyds 

around," said SVM Asset 

Management fund manager 

Colin McLean. 

"However, investors 

would be reassured if his 

leave proves to be only a 

temporary and brief one," 

added McLean, whose 

firm holds Lloyds 

shares. — Reuters 


MUSCAT — Ferrari’s new FF, 

the company’s most powerful, 

versatile four-seater ever, as 

well as its first ever four-wheel 

drive car was unveiled to media 

and guests in the Sultanate 

of Oman during a special event 

held at the Ferrari dealership in 

presence of the officials from 

Ferrari Middle East and Africa 

and Shanfari Sports Car LLC, 

the official importer of Ferrari 

in the Sultanate of Oman. 

The FF — an acronym for 

Ferrari Four (four seats and 

four-wheel drive) — ushers in 

an entirely new GT sports car 

concept. A decisive break with 

the past, the new car represents 

not so much an evolution as a 

true revolution. 

This new V12 melds to an 

unprecedented level an extremely 

sporty, high-performance 

character with incredible 

versatility, superb comfort and 

sophisticated elegance, guaranteeing 

both driver and passengers 

an absolutely unique 

driving experience. 

Designed by Pininfarina, 

the shape and proportions 

perfectly interpret the FF’s 

harmonious blend of sporting 

DNA and extraordinary usability. 

The FF features the company’s 

first ever four-wheel 

drive system. Ferrari’s ex- 

Tel: 24601003, 24600586 • Fax: 24600736 

• WebsiTe: www.salalahport.com 

FF arrives in the Sultanate 

clusive, patented 4RM (fourwheel 

drive) weighs 50 per 

cent less than a conventional 

four-wheel drive system, 

maintaining perfect weight 

distribution (53 per cent over 

the rear axle). 

Completely integrated with 

the car’s electronic dynamic 

control systems, the fourwheel 

drive technology delivers 

record levels of performance 

on all terrains and in all 

conditions via continuous and 

intelligent predictive torque 

distribution to all four wheels. 

The FF is also equipped with 

the latest magnetorheological 

damping system (SCM3), as 

well as the most recent development 

in carbon-ceramic 

brakes from Brembo. 

Exceptional performance 

levels come courtesy of the 

new 6262 cc direct injection 

engine that develops 660 CV 

at 8,000 rpm. 

In tandem with its transaxle 

dual-clutch F1 gearbox, stunning 

acceleration figures 

(0-100 km/h in 3.7 sec.) are 

guaranteed. The new model’s 

class-leading weight-to-power 

ratio of 2.7 kg/CV, along with 

its ideal weight distribution, 

ensures exceptionally responsive 

handling. 

The result is that owners 

will be able to enjoy the FF’s 

prowess over a wide range of 

uses: city driving, on low grip 

or snow-covered surfaces and 

on the track. 

Performance aside, Maranello’s 

latest model also 

offers standards of passenger 

space, comfort, in-car spec 

and equipment previously 

heard of in such a high-performance 

car. 

It can comfortably accommodate 

four people and their 

luggage, thanks to the best 

cabin space and boot capacity 

(450 litres extendable to 800) 

figures in its category, including 

four-door cars. 

BankMuscat support to provide fillip to SME sector 


MUSCAT — BankMuscat, the leading 

financial services provider in the Sultanate, 

has joined hands with the Ministry 

of Commerce and Industry and 

Oman Development Bank (ODB) to 

launch a guaranteed loan programme 

for small and medium enterprises 

(SME). The self-sustainable initiative 

marks a major step to provide the required 

fillip to the SME sector. 

Ilham al Hamaid (pictured), Head 

— SME Credit and Marketing, said: 

“BankMuscat is proud to join hands 

with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry 

and Oman Development Bank to 

create the loan guarantee programme. 

The Bank encourages creativity and 

innovation among people, thereby 

contributing to national initiatives and 

economic development. BankMuscat 

is a strong supporter of the government 

policy to encourage individual initiatives 

aimed at self-employment.” 

Ilham added: “The business environment 

in Oman offers tremendous 

opportunities for the SME sector. The 

new loan scheme will lead to new perspectives 

on developing a vibrant entrepreneurial 

culture in the Sultanate. 

Small firms act as agents of change 

being an essential source of new ideas, 

experimentation and innovation.” 

BankMuscat is of the strong belief 

that SMEs help boost the local 

economy, contribute to the GDP and 

create employment opportunities. 

BankMuscat not only provides funding 

Nissan H1 net profit falls, 

lifts annual forecast 

TOKYO — Japanese 

automaker Nissan yesterday 

said first-half net profit fell 

12 per cent as a strong yen 

dragged on its recovery from 

the March earthquake-tsunami, 

but lifted its earnings outlook. 

Japan's second-biggest 

automaker posted an April- 

September first half net income 

of 183.4 billion yen 

($2.3 billion based on Nissan's 

rates), on sales of 4.4 trillion 

yen. Operating profit fell 7.5 

per cent to 309.7 billion yen. 

However, the maker of the 

all-electric Leaf lifted its annual 

forecast and said it expected 

a full-year net income 

of 290 billion yen compared 

to a June forecast of 270 billion 

yen. 

"In spite of unfavourable 

currency fluctuations, numerous 

natural disasters and a 

volatile global economy, we 

remain on track to deliver a 

significantly profitable fullyear 

performance," Nissan 

President and CEO Carlos 

Ghosn said in a statement. 

The automaker said net 

profit declined to 98.4 billion 

yen in the three months ended 

September, down from 101.7 

billion yen a year earlier. 

Nissan said it sold 

1,169,000 vehicles in the second 

quarter, up 10.8 per cent 

from a year earlier. 

Japanese firms were hit 

hard in the aftermath of the 

March disasters, with the 

likes of Nissan, Toyota and 

Honda slashing production 

and shutting plants due power 

shortages and a component 

supply crunch. 

The 9.0-magnitude earth- 

quake and tsunami on March 

11 destroyed entire towns, 

left more than 20,000 dead or 

missing and crippled powergenerating 

facilities, including 

a nuclear power plant at the 

centre of an ongoing crisis. 

However Nissan's recovery 

outpaced its peers Toyota 

and Honda, with the company 

boosting production levels 

from the same time a year 

ago. 

But the recent strength 

of the yen, which on Monday 

hit a post-World War II 

high against the dollar before 

Japanese authorities staged 

a market intervention, has 

threatened to undermine that 

recovery. 

A strong yen erodes repatriated 

profits and makes 

domestically-made goods less 

competitive when sold overseas, 

prompting concerns that 

Japanese firms may speed the 

shift of production overseas. 

Automakers have also 

been affected by flooding in 

Thailand, forcing the likes 

of Nissan to halt production 

but also training, counseling and sponsorship 

to SMEs. 

BankMuscat is the first financial 

institution to target the SME sector 

in the Sultanate. The SME Credit and 

Marketing Department has been very 

dynamic in financing businesses and 

strengthening the SME foundation in 

Oman. The Department branded as ‘Al 

Wathbah’ offers six product categories 

for small businesses, including — 

Working Capital Finance, Equipment 

Finance, Receivables Finance, Import 

Finance, Contract Finance and Credit 

Card Receivables Finance. ‘Al Wathbah’ 

also provides customised financing 

for medium sized businesses. 

amid a shortage of key components. 

On Monday Nissan rival 

Honda reported net profit for 

the fiscal first half plunged 

77.4 per cent year-on-year 

and held off giving a full-year 

earnings forecast to assess the 

impact the flooding on operations. 

Nissan in June unveiled 

a six-year business plan in 

which it aimed to achieve a 

global share of eight per cent 

by the end of fiscal 2016. 

Nissan, which is 44.3 per 

cent owned by French partner 

Renault, also said it aimed to 

lift its operating profit margin 

to eight per cent in that period 

under its "Nissan Power 88" 

growth plan. 

It said it would also aim 

for a 10 per cent share of the 

Chinese market, the world's 

biggest, while boosting its 

presence in economies such as 

India and Brazil. 

Nissan shares closed down 

2.77 per cent at 701 yen in 

Tokyo ahead of the announcement. 

— AFP

By Kabeer Yousuf 

‘No failed 

relationship’ 

v Page 14 

Different parts of the Sultanate 

yesterday received light 

to heavy rains which led to the 

overflow of wadis across the country. 

rains also fell in the centre of the 

Wilayat of Sur, which led to the overflow 

of Wadi al Aigah, as well as the 

wilayats of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, Jaalan 

Bani Bu Hassan, Al Kamil W’al 

Wafi and Masirah in the Southern Al 

Sharqiyah Governorate. 

Heavy rains fell in the Wilayat of 

izki (Al Manziliyah, tawi Al nisf, Zakeet 

and Al Qaryatain) in Al Dakhiliyah 

Governorate which led to the overflow 

of Wadi Halfeen, Wadi Al nisf, Wadi 

Loneliness may cause 

fitful sleep 

v Page 12 

Al Hajar and Wadi Al Shabak. 

Heavy to moderate rains fell in 

Kabara in the Wilayat of ibri in Al 

Dhahirah Governorate which led to 

the overflow of Wadi Kharim. 

in the Governorate of Muscat, 

heavy rains fell in the wilayats of Muscat, 

Muttrah, Bausher, Al Amerat and 

Qurayat. 

the Wilayat of Seeb received moderate 

rains. in the Dakhiliyah region, 

heavy rains fell in the Wilayat of 

izki. the Wilayat of Bid Bid received 

moderate rains, while light rains fell 

in the wilayats of Samayil, nizwa and 

Bahla. 

in the Sharqiyah Governorate, 

heavy rains fell in the Wilayat of Sur, 

DIY test could 

save lives 

v Page 12 

Breastfeeding lowers developing 

blood pressure later 

v Page 12 

Fea ures 

Thursday, November 3, 2011 

the Wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, 

the Wilayat of Wadi Bani Khalid, the 

Wilayat of Masirah and the Wilayat of 

Al Kamil W’al Wafi. 

in the Batinah Governorate, heavy 

rains fell in the Wilayat of Al rustaq 

and the Wilayat of Al Khabourah. 

Moderate rains were reported in the 

wilayats of Al Musannah, Al Awabi, 

nakhl and Barka. the Wilayat of 

Sohar received light rains. 

in the Dhahirah Governorate, 

heavy rains fell in the Wilayat of ibri 

and the Wilayat of Yanqul. in the 

Wusta region, moderate rains fell in 

the Wilayat of Mahout and the Wilayat 

of al Duqm. 

in Hamriya, several cars were 

washed away in the gushing waters 

that flowed from the mountains, and a 

part of the Yiti road towards the foothills 

was reportedly broken, disrupting 

vehicular traffic. Vehicles that were 

floating hit against one another causing 

substantial damage, according to 

the residents. 

Omani schools remained closed 

but expatriates’ schools functioned 

normally. But in view of the rains and 

flashfloods, the children were kept indoors 

till parents personally came to 

fetch them. 

in Darsait, huge line of vehicles was 

seen as the wadi in front of the Al noor 

Mosque was overflowing, causing the 

vehicular traffic literally impossible. 

Kim Kardashian denies 

profiting from wedding 

v Page 14 

When rains lashed parts of the country 

In Hamriya, several 

cars were washed 

away in the gushing 

waters that flowed from 

the mountains, and a 

part of the Yiti road 

towards the foothills 

was reportedly broken, 

disrupting vehicular 

traffic. Vehicles that 

were floating hit 

against one another 

causing substantial 

damage, according to 

the residents

peopLe’s 

pLatform 

I 

WAS delighted to listen to His 

Majesty’s speech on the occasion 

of the opening of the 5th term of 

the Majlis Oman. The speech reflected 

His Majesty’s vision for the 

nation and overall progress of the 

country. The Royal address affirmed 

the firm foundations of the Sultanate 

and other pillars that help in 

overall growth of the nation. He also 

of the Sultanate and to meet the 

basic requirements of all regions 

resulting from the population 

expansion. I hope this will generate 

good number of job opportunities. 

People like me who belong to 

Musandam can go back there and do 

jobs of our choice. For me, Muscat 

is a very crowded place and here 

parking problem is too much. It is a 

good idea to develop the interiors to 

reduce pressure on Muscat. 

warned strict action against trouble 

— Sulaiman 

makers and all those who indulge editor: Development does not 

in corrupt practices. It was a com- mean development only of the capiprehensive 

statement that touched tal city or big cities in the country. 

all aspects of life and all sections of In overall development, all the re- 

society. Hope our young generation gions get chance to develop and 

would preserve the fruits of devel- prosper. Certainly, youths get jobs 

opment for the future generation. and people do not need to move far 

— Yunis al Balushi away from their villages or towns. 

It also makes the development sus- 

Editor: A country’s progress tainable. 

depends on the wise leadership 

and committed nationals. Oman is 

blessed with both and the country is 

progressing on the right path. In his 

Prepaid electricity meter 

PREPAID electricity meter service 

gives the customers an option 

speech His Majesty the Sultan noted to use energy according to their 

that many notable achievements requirements and budget. I thank 

were made along the path of this Muscat Electricity Distribution 

blessed experience, the Sultanate’s Company for this initiative as the 

Renaissance. As the country’s citi- service gives complete control to 

zens, we also have some responsi- the customer, who can read their 

bilities and we should come forward consumption rate that is clearly 

to take up those responsibilities. shown on these new prepaid meters. 

And it is also good that the offer is 

Major projects in Musandam an optional one and customers can 

choose to go for traditional postpaid 

IT is really good news for the analogue meters or the new digital 

residents of Musandam that prepaid meters. 

long tours. They can manage the 

bills and save time by making use 

of the facility of prepayment. It is, 

however, advisable for the customers 

to understand the facility properly 

before taking a decision on it. 

New art destination 

AS an art lover I am delighted to 

have one more place in Oman 

where art-related activities will take 

place. I am talking about the new 

major projects are coming up in the 

— Shamshuddin building at Bait Al Zubair Complex, 

Governorate of Musandam as part 

which will be known as Bait Al 

of the Royal initiative to enhance Editor: Such meters are good Nahdha. I got an opportunity to 

development to cover various parts also for those whose jobs require witness exhibits of over 30 Omani 

MOTHERS who breastfeed 

for the recommended period 

of time, at least six 

months exclusively, may have a 

somewhat lower risk of developing 

high blood pressure later on, a US 

study of more than 50,000 women 

said. 

The findings, published in the 

American Journal of Epidemiology, 

add to evidence that breastfeeding 

might have benefits for mothers as 

well as babies, although it does not 

prove that breastfeeding is the direct 

cause of the healthier blood pressure, 

researchers said. 

Breastfeeding is thought to help 

protect babies against common ills, 

such as diarrhoea and middle-ear infections, 

and previous studies have 

found that women who breastfeed 

have lower risks of diabetes, high 

cholesterol and heart disease later in 

life. 

12 

letters/HeAltH THURSday, novembeR 3, 2011 

Laudable development across the country 

“Women who never breastfed 

were more likely to develop hypertension 

than women who exclusively 

breastfed their first child for 

six months or more,” wrote lead researcher 

Alison Stuebe at the University 

of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 

In general, experts recommend 

that babies be breastfed exclusively 

for their first six months, then continue 

getting breast milk along with 

solid food until they are a year old. 

For the study, Stuebe and her team 

looked at the correlation between 

breastfeeding and later risk of high 

blood pressure among some 56,000 

US women taking part in the longrunning 

Nurses’ Health Study II. All 

had had at least one baby. 

Overall, the study found women 

who had breastfed for at least six 

months were less likely to develop 

high blood pressure over 14 years 

than those who had only bottle-fed. 

PROvIDING obese adolescents 

with a high daily dose of 

vitamin D3 can be a safe and 

effective way of improving their vitamin 

D status. 

vitamin D3 deficiency is linked 

to a surprising number of other 

health conditions such as depression, 

back pain, cancer, both insulin 

resistance and pre-eclampsia during 

pregnancy, impaired immunity and 

macular degeneration. 

“Obese adolescents face an increased 

risk for deficiency because 

they tend to absorb vitamin D in 

their fat stores, which prevents it 

from being utilised in their blood,” 

said Catherine Peterson, associate 

professor of nutrition and exercise 

physiology who led the study at 

PEOPlE who are lonely may be 

more likely to have sleepless 

nights, US researchers said in 

a study that suggests loneliness may 

not only cause unhappiness, it may 

be bad for your health. 

Reporting in the journal Sleep, 

lianne Kurina of the University 

of Chicago and colleagues studied 

loneliness and sleep patterns among 

a group of older residents living in 

two colonies of Hutterites in South 

Dakota. 

artists that form part of the museum’s 

permanent collection. It includes 

artwork by some of Oman’s leading 

and developing artists together with 

international artists. 

With vast range of themes and 

concepts, the striking works of art 

have been collected over several 

years and some Omani artists also 

produced special pieces for this occasion. 

University of Missouri. 

“We found that a daily dose of 

4,000 IUs (international units) of 

vitamin D3, the maximum intake 

level set by the Institute of Medicine 

(IOM), is safe and effective at 

improving vitamin D status in obese 

adolescents,” added Peterson, according 

to a university statement. 

vitamin D is obtained by eating 

certain foods, taking supplements 

and through sunlight exposure. It 

is essential for maintaining healthy 

bones, muscles, nerves and immunity. 

The IOM recently set new dietary 

reference intakes for vitamin D. 

They recommend 600 IUs per 

day, with a tolerable upper intake of 

4,000 IUs. 

Based on the guidelines, it is im- 

People in this religious sect live 

communally, sharing possessions 

and meals. They are rarely socially 

isolated. 

She said the findings were similar 

to those from a 2002 study of 

college students that compared feelings 

of loneliness to sleep quality. It 

found that the lonelier the students 

felt, the more fitfully they slept. 

The researchers collected information 

on feelings of loneliness, 

blood pressure and sleep from 95 

I also liked the series called ‘Our 

Beautiful World’, a series of stunning 

photographs by Mohammad al 

Zubair. 

— Rashid 

Editor: Such developments give 

artists a platform to showcase their 

works and learn from other’s experiences. 

Oman attracts art lovers 

from around the world and any such 

development is welcome. 

portant to determine the effects of a 

vitamin D dose that is equivalent to 

the upper limit, especially in understudied 

groups, such as obese adolescents, 

Peterson said. 

Obese adolescents are only about 

half as efficient at using vitamin D 

as their lean counterparts. 

“It takes 4,000 IUs to raise their 

vitamin D status within a sufficient 

range. This is much higher than 

the currently recommended daily 

amount for this age group. This indicates 

that physicians need to carefully 

evaluate the vitamin D status 

in their overweight and obese patients.” 

The findings were presented at 

the annual meeting of Experimental 

Biology. — IANS 

Loneliness may cause fitful sleep 

residents of the Hutterite communities. 

To measure sleep, study volunteers 

wore wrist bands that measured 

their activity and level of restlessness 

during sleep. 

Among the residents, roughly 

half said they were not lonely. But 

among the remaining half, the researchers 

noted a trend between 

increasing feelings of loneliness 

and social isolation and more fitful 

sleep. 

“Basically, the lonelier individuals 

had sleep that was more broken 

up. There was more movement during 

the night, more periods of short 

sleep duration, more tossing and 

turning,” Kurina said by phone. 

Kurina said her study does not 

prove that loneliness causes sleepless 

nights. Instead, it may help to 

explain why loneliness has been associated 

with poor health. 

“It’s evidence of one way in 

which feelings of loneliness might 

get into the body” and affect health, 

she said. — Reuters 

Breastfeeding lowers risk of developing blood pressure 

Nearly 8,900 women overall were 

eventually diagnosed with high blood 

pressure. But those odds were 22 per 

cent higher for women who did not 

breastfeed their first child, versus 

women who’d exclusively breastfed 

for six months. 

Similarly, women who had either 

never breastfed or done so for three 

months or less were almost onequarter 

more likely to develop high 

blood pressure than women who’d 

breastfed for at least a year. That was 

with factors such as diet, exercise and 

smoking habits taken into account. 

Stuebe said that none of the findings 

proves that breastfeeding itself 

gives long-term protection against 

high blood pressure, and that it’s possible 

some other factor both hindered 

women from breastfeeding as well as 

contributed to their high blood pressure 

— such as a stressful work environment, 

for example. —Reuters 

WINDoW 

by ahmed al Falahi 

dreemlife11@yahoo.com 

THE programme aired by the Radio Sultanate of Oman 

on October 24 discussed the issue of importing live 

animals from neighbouring countries following the 

decision of the Ministry of Agriculture to allow citizens to 

import them. An official at the Ministry of Agriculture said 

that the step was intended to help both traders and farmers, 

as well as to provide the local market with sufficient red 

meat that had become scarce and costly in recent times. A 

large section of citizens and residents stopped buying meat 

because of the high prices. 

Most callers to the programme praised the decision and 

opined that it was the right decision by all standards, especially 

as it comes on the occasion of Eid al Adha. There 

were some callers who supported the farmers saying that 

this decision would affect livestock breeders. 

Consumers are affected by the exploitation of some 

companies that raise prices of livestock, particularly goats, 

sheep and cows. Prices in the beginning of the year ranged 

between RO 60 and RO 100 for the imported livestock, but 

the local livestock prices exceeded RO 200 depending on 

the type and age. 

The number of breeders of local livestock seem to be 

decreasing due to the urban development and lack of interest 

among the youth who search for jobs that offer them a 

better living. The livestock marketing will be restricted to 

companies in the near future. 

As consumers of meat and other food items we rely on 

the General Authority for Consumer Protection, the institution 

that we hope to solve our problems. No doubt, this 

decision is a promising sign, but we still need them to set 

up co-operative societies to end the monopoly of greedy 

traders who burden consumers with high prices. 

The ministry’s decision is appropriate. We appreciate 

the policy of the government to provide a good living for 

the people. 

obese adolescents benefit from high-dose vitamin d DIY cervical cancer 

test could save lives 

Harmoniously designed 

wards help patients recover 

HARMONIOUSly designed 

hospital wards not only appeal 

aesthetically but also help patients 

recover both physically and mentally, 

new research says. 

“We want to help patients to get 

involved in their rehabilitation, a 

side-effect of which can be an improvement 

in self-confidence,” says 

Kristina Sahlqvist, researcher at the 

University of Gothenburg School of 

Design and Crafts, Sweden. 

The project drew on all the expertise 

used on a ward, with inputs from 

neurologists, rehabilitation doctors, 

nurses, psychologists, occupational 

therapists and physiotherapists. 

The result was a conceptual solution 

for an optimal rehabilitation 

ward, according to a statement from 

the university. 

“Our concept gives the ward 

(place)... where patients and their 

families can prepare food and eat together, 

which allows for a more normal 

way of spending time together 

in a hospital environment,” says Sahlqvist. 

Sahlqvist has also teamed up 

with a designer and a researcher at the 

Swedish School of Textiles in Borås, 

on a project where they redesigned 

furniture, developed easy-grip cups 

and cutlery and used smart textiles for 

patients. — IANS 

A 

DO-IT-yOURSElF test for cervical cancer could help 

prevent thousands of cases of the disease in women 

who don’t have easy or regular access to smear tests, 

scientists said yesterday. 

The DIy test, which detects the human papillomavirus 

(HPv) responsible for cervical cancer, was widely accepted 

in a trial involving 20,000 women in Mexico and was more 

effective than traditional smear tests at picking up early signs 

of the disease. 

British researchers who helped develop the test and led 

the trial said the results, published in the Lancet medical journal, 

suggest the DIy kit has the potential to help thousands of 

women who live in countries where smear testing is difficult or 

impossible. Smear tests are conducted by a nurse or doctor and 

checked manually by a cytologist who makes a judgement after 

examining a sample under a microscope. The DIy test can 

be taken by a woman at home and the sample is then assessed 

by an automated system. 

Cancer of the cervix is the second most common cancer in 

women worldwide, with about 500,000 new cases and 250,000 

deaths each year, according to the World Health Organisation. 

virtually all cervical cancer cases are linked to genital infection 

with HPv, the most common viral infection of the reproductive 

tract. Cervical cancer is more common and more deadly 

in countries where women have no access to screening, meaning 

cases are often detected too late for treatment to work. 

A study in September by the Institute for Health Metrics 

and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington found 

that both breast and cervical cancer cases and deaths are rising 

in many countries, especially in poorer nations where more 

women are dying at younger ages. 

In wealthier developed countries, cervical screening programmes 

have been in place for many years, and more recently, 

national immunisation programmes using vaccines from 

drugmakers Merck and GlaxoSmithKline have been launched 

to protect girls from HPv. — Reuters 

Edwin Vijai Mathai 

Oman Daily Observer would like to take the lead in sharing the joy 

with its readers. Send us a colour photograph of your baby (below 

10 years) along with name, date of birth, address, telephone 

number and parents names. Send in your babys picture and other 

details to: editor@omanobserver.om; featuredesk@yahoo.co.in 

or Kids Corner, Oman Daily Observer, P O Box 974, PC 100, 

Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

FLIGHT LIGHT SCHEDULE 

ARRIVALS — THURSDAY 

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QUOTATIONS FOR TODAY 

This is what I learned: that everybody 

is talented, original and has 

something important to say. 

— Brenda Ueland 

The foot feels the foot when it feels 

the ground. 

— Buddha 

CINEMA 

FILM INFORMATION 

AL BAHJA CINEMA: 

24540856, 24540855. 

AL NASR CINEMA: 

24831358, 24831809 (after 3pm) 

AL SHATTI PLAZA: 

24607360, 24692656 (after 2pm) 

STARS CINEMA: 

24791641, 24792360 

MAJLIS A’SHURA 

ADDRESSES 

Keep in touch with Majlis Ash’shura’s news. 

Log on to the Majlis’s website: 

www.shura.om 

and the Majlis’s 

e-mail: info@shura.om 

Or write to the Majlis’s postal address: 

P O Box 981 

Postal Code 111, Muscat 

Tel: 24510344 / 24521427/ 

Fax 24510560 

INFORMATION 

MINISTRY WEBSITES 

Ministry: www.omanet.om 

Oman TV: 

www.oman-tv.gov.om 

Oman Radio: 

www.oman-radio.gov.om 

Omani Centre for Traditional Music: www. 

octm-folk.gov.om 

OMAN RADIO 

6.00 Opening, Royal Anthem, The Holy Quran, Preview 

of Morning Programme, Weather Forecast and 

Pharmacies on Duty, 6.15 Morning Tea; 7.00 News 

Bulletin; 7.10 Morning Tea; 9.00 News Headlines; 

9.02 Piano; 10.00 Instrumental Music; 11.00 Light 

Classical Music; 12.00 News Headlines, 12.02 Country 

Music; 1.00 Jazz Cafe (Suhail); 2.30 News Bulletin; 

2.40 In Biz — Laxmi, Repeat of Wednesday 3.00pm; 

2.45 Radio Station Jingles and programmes; 2.55 Mix 

Music; 3.00 Cybertalk (Tariq) — Repeat of 5.30 Wed; 

4.00 News Headlines, 4.02 Thursday Afternoon Show 

Live; 5.30 Top 10 (Lakshmi) Repeat on Frinday 1.00; 

6.30 News Bulletin; 6.40 Women in Focus — Nisham 

Repeat of Tue 3.00 & Fri 6.40pm; 7.05 Omanesque 

— Laxmi Live (2 hours); 8.00 News Headlines; 8.02; 

Omanesque — Laxmi Live (2 hours); 9.00 Best by the 

Request; 10.00 News Bulletin; 10.10 Station Beats; 

12.40 News Summary ; 12.45 The Holy Quran; 01.00 

National Anthem, Close Down. 

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SCORPIO 

(October 23-Nov 21) 

Keep an important 

document by you for 

a few days for detailed study and 

don’t be in too much of a hurry to 

affix your signature. 

SAGITTARIUS 

(November 22- 

December 21) 

Try not to magnify 

any difficulties which you fear lie 

ahead, and approach them with 

optimism and complete confidence. 

CAPRICORN 

(December 22- 

January 20) 

You will be relieved 

to be given permission to 

divulge a closely kept secret to 

someone you felt ought to be let 

in on it. 

AQUARIUS 

(January 21- 

February 19) 

Don’t worry unduly 

about the progress of things at 

work while you are away. Your 

affairs are in good hands and you 

can enjoy your freedom. 

13 

INFORMATION/LEISURE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 

PHARMACIES 

24-HOUR SERVICE 

Al Hashar ph, Ruwi 24783334 

Muscat ph, Ruwi, 24702542 

Al Sarooj, 24695536 

Scientific ph, Qurum, 24566601 

Ruwi, 24702850 

DAY DUTY 

Muscat Thaiba 24421213 

Al Hashar 24595015 

Capital 24543513 

Capital 24700720 

Sur Al Jawi 25541188 

Buraimi Yass 1 25653855 

Ibri Al Aryaf Al Omania 

25689715 

Nizwa Al Hazfah 25431650 

Salalah Al Hashar 23297622 

NIGHT DUTY 

Muscat Scientific 24451195 

Atlas 24503585 

Middle East 

24540924 

Muscat 24833323 

Sur Al Safa 25542240 

Buraimi Zohal 25640211 

Ibri Muscat 25689025 

Barka Al Farooq 26884553 

Rustaq Al Rustaq 26875045 

Samayil Al Hurriya 25359435 

Nizwa Muscat 25410235 

Salalah Dofar International 

23288101 

KHOULA HOSPITAL VISITING HOURS 

Private & Other Wards 

Working Days: 16:00-18:00. Weekends & Public 

Holidays: 10:-12:00, 16:00-18:00 

ICU 

Working Days: 16:00-17:00. Weekends & Public 

Holidays: 16:00-17:00 

Special Care Baby Unit 

Working Days: Parents may visit at any time. 

Weekends & Public Holidays: Parents may visit 

at any time 

YOUR STARS 

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY: You will realise, after reviewing the important happenings of the past year, that certain 

people have been trying to undermine your authority, and in consequence have lessened your effective handling of 

certain problems. However, in the future you will be in a position to prevent this from happening again. 

PISCES 

(Feb 20-March 20) 

Praise from a person 

who is not usually 

very forthcoming in this direction 

will please you greatly and your 

self-esteem and confidence will 

benefit. 

ARIES 

(March 21-April 20) 

Make a determined 

effort to come to a 

friendly arrangement to share expenses 

in connection with an association, 

which has been rather 

hard on your purse. 

TAURUS 

(April 21-May 20) 

A firm attitude and 

readiness to say ‘no’ 

will be needed in order to protect 

yourself against too heavy demands 

being made upon your time 

and energy. 

GEMINI 

(May 21-June 21) 

A generous relative 

may ask a favour involving 

considerable trouble on 

your part, but you owe it to him to 

show your gratitude for his many 

kindnesses. 

CCARTOONS A R T O O N S 

CANCER 

(June 22-July 21) 

If you feel like going 

out tonight and having 

a good time with friends, cancel 

those mundane chores you were 

thinking of doing, and go out and 

enjoy yourself. 

LEO 

(July 22-August 21) 

If you can avoid it, 

keep money matters 

out of your discussions with 

friends. Nothing is more liable to 

break up a pleasant relationship 

than friction about money. 

VIRGO 

(August 22-Sept. 22) 

A promising scheme 

you have evolved may 

at times cause you anxiety. You 

should overcome your doubts and 

go right ahead with it. 

LIBRA 

(September 23- 

October 22) 

Although you are an 

excellent organiser yourself, you 

should not mind being advised if 

you recognise that it is for your 

own good. 

ADAM @ HOME by Brian Basset 

CALVIN AND HOBBES by Bill Watterson 

GARFIELD by Jim Davis 

STONE SOUP by Jan Eliot 

Hospital . . . .Board . . . . . Emergency 

Royal. . . . . . .24599000 . . 24590491 

Health Services Department 

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 

Haima . . . . . .23436013 . . 23436055 

OTHER HOSPITALS 

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 

M USEUMS IN OMAN 

FAISAL BIN ALI AL SAID MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24641650 

MUSEUM OF OMANI HERITAGE, 

Tel: 24600946 

CHILDREN’S SCIENCE MUSEUM. 

Tel: 24605368 

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24641374 

NATIONAL MUSEUM, Tel: 24701289 

SULTAN’S ARMED FORCES 

MUSEUM, Tel: 24312646 

CURRENCY MUSEUM, Tel: 24796102 

MUSCAT GATE MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24739005. 

OMANI-FRENCH MUSEUM (Bait 

Fransa), Tel: 24736613 

BAIT AL ZUBAIR, Tel: 24736688 

BAIT A’NAMAN, Tel: 24641300 

SOHAR FORT MUSEUM. 

Tel: 26844758 

NAHKAL FORT, Tel: 26781384 

BAIT AL MAKHAM. Tel: 24641300 

BAIT ADAM MUSEUM, QURUM, 

Tel: 24605033, 24605013 

OIL AND GAS EXHIBITION CENTRE 

AND PLANETARIUM, Tel: 24677834. 

PLANETARIUM, Tel: 24675542. 

AQUARIUM at the Marine Science and 

Fisheries Centre (located next to Marina 

Bandar Rowdha, Sidab). 

SALALAH MUSEUM, Tel: 23294549 

CULTURAL CENTRE, Tel: 23294549. 

SUR MARITIME MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24541466. 

BAIT AL BARANDA, Tel: 24714262. 

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 

EMERGENCY 9 9 9 9 

DG of Passports & Residency, 24569603 

DG of Customs, 24714626 

Traffic offences, 24510227/228 

ROP Public Relations, 24569270 

Consumer Complaints Cell, 24817013 

Muscat Governorate Headquarters, 24560021 

Muscat, 24736611 

Wattayah, 24677990 

Ruwi, 24701099 

Muttrah, 24712211 

Bausher, 24600099 

Al Amerat, 24875999 

Qurayat, 24845555 

A’Seeb, 24420099 

Al-Athaiba, 24521099 

AI-Khodh, 24425012 

Directorate of the University Security, 

24513999 

Directorate of Traffic Muscat, 24567898 

Al Batinah Headquarters, 26840096 

Al Rustaq Division, 26875099 

Al Dakhiliyah, 25425099 

Nizwa Division, 25425099 

Samayil Division, 25350099 

Al Sharqiyah Headquarters, 25545070 

Ibra Division, 25570100 

Al Dhahirah Headquarters, 25650099 

Al Buraimi Division, 25650199 

Ibri Division, 25689099 

Al Wusta Headquarters, 23436099 

Haima Division, 23436211 

Special Task Force, 24560088 

Coastguard Headquarters, 24714888 

Dhofar Governorate Headquarters, 23234599 

Salalah Police Station, 23290099 

Thamrait Division, 23279099 

Musandam Governorate Headquarters, 

26730299 

Khasab Division, 26731502 

ROP websites: www.rop.gov.om, www.ropoman. 

net and 

e-mail: ropnet@omantel.net.om 

Kangana Ranaut happy to stay 

away from item numbers 

SHWETA Tiwari’s item number 

in Miley Na Miley Hum has 

become a rage, but the film’s 

lead actress Kangana Ranaut has no 

regrets about not being a part of it. 

“I have been offered several item 

numbers... I will get tired making 

people count the offers! But I have 

always said item numbers are not on 

my priority list,” said Kangana. 

“I have no wish of doing item 

numbers so far. But never say never. 

Maybe I do them some day, who 

knows?,” she added. 

The 24-year-old national awardwinning 

actress says she is glad 

Shweta’s number Katto gilheri 

chammak challo has received a posi- 

RITISH film star Hugh Grant, 

B 51, has become a father for 

the first time, it was announced 

on Tuesday, but the identity of the 

mother remains a mystery. 

“I can confirm that Hugh Grant 

is the delighted father of a baby 

girl,” his New York publicist Carrie 

Gordon said by e-mail. 

“He and the mother had a 

fleeting affair and while this 

was not planned, Hugh could not 

be happier or more supportive,” she 

said. 

tive response. 

“It’s great that the song is being 

liked. After all, it is from our film. 

Shweta has done a great job and I 

don’t think anyone could have done 

it better than her,” she said. 

The movie, which marks the 

debut of Chirag Paswan, politician 

Ram Vilas Paswan’s son, is releasing 

tomorrow. It also features Sagarika 

Ghatge and Neeru Bajwa. 

Sikander hopes Abhishek will 

mature now: Sikander Kher can’t believe 

his childhood buddy Abhishek 

Bachchan is going to be a father 

soon. 

“Ï can’t believe he is having a 

baby. He is anyway very kiddish, 

“He and the mother have discussed 

everything and are on very 

friendly terms.” 

Last April, the star of Notting 

Hill, Bridget Jones’s Diary and 

Four Weddings and a Funeral was 

seen in London with a Chinese starlet, 

Hong Tinglan, who according to 

some tabloids appeared to be pregnant. 

Grant was previously in longterm 

relationships with model and 

actress Elizabeth Hurley and socialite 

Jemima Khan. — AFP 

but I am sure he will mature now,” 

Sikander said on UTV Stars’ Live 

My Life. 

The two actors are close buddies. 

Sikander also happened to disclose 

that Abhishek is keen on a baby girl. 

Abhishek’s wife, actress 

Aishwarya Rai, is due to have a baby 

in the second week of November. 

Shruti Haasan proud to be nomad: 

There isn’t one, but three places 

that Shruti Haasan calls home! 

And thanks to the amount of travelling 

for her work, she feels like a 

proud nomad. 

The 25-year-old actress says she 

feels at home in Chennai, Mumbai 

and Hyderabad. 

“In Hyderabad, talking seventh 

sense with my lovely co-star Surya. 

Good to be back home. Let me 

clarify (sigh) — I call many places 

home: Chennai where I was born, 

Mumbai where I’ve lived and now 

Hyderabad; I’m a proud nomad,” 

Shruthi posted on Twitter. 

The daughter of cinestar Kamal 

Haasan added: “I’m lucky enough to 

have friends and family in all three 

places! Now back to work!!” 

Coping with regional languages: 

Actress Manjari Fadnis, who has 

worked in Tamil, Telugu and Bengali 

films and is now ready to make her 

debut in Kannada cinema, says she 

prepares her dialogues for more than 

a week to deliver them fluently. 

“I ask for my dialogue sheet a 

week in advance so that I can learn 

them (the dialogues) and also understand 

their meaning. As a result 

it becomes easier to emote,” said 

Manjari, who was seen in Hindi film 

Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na. The actress 

will make her foray into the Kannada 

movies with Munjanee. She is cast 

opposite southern star Ganesh. 

The movie is directed by S 

Narayan, who zeroed in on her for 

the role after watching her Telugu 

film Shubhapradham. 

Munjanee, a light-hearted 

family entertainer, will see Manjari 

as a young, bubbly, middle-class 

girl. — IANS

Bieber launches charity 

effort, holiday album 

TEEN sensation Justin Bieber 

kicked off a new charity drive 

coinciding with Tuesday's release 

of his Christmas album, "Under 

The Mistletoe." 

The 17-year-old's holiday record, 

released around the world, features 

the festive single Mistletoe, alongside 

collaborations with Mariah Carey, 

Busta Rhymes, Usher, Boys II Men 

and The Band Perry. 

An early review from Billboard 

Magazine’s Kerri Mason, said "Under 

The Mistletoe" was Bieber's "most 

musically mature work to date." 

Writing for entertainment website 

TheWrap.com, Chris Willman noted 

the singer's voice has lost some of its 

falsetto range and is now "relative 

baritone." 

Prior to the album's debut, Nielsen 

SoundScan figures showed "Under 

The Mistletoe" pre-selling a strong 

164,000 copies, according to The 

Hollywood Reporter, which should 

put it high on pop charts this coming 

week. 

The singer's "The Believe Charity 

Drive directly benefits charities 

that are making a difference in the 

world," Bieber said in a statement, 

urging fans to donate whatever time 

or money they could afford. He said 

he wants to raise millions of dollars 

by the release of his new album in 

2012, titled Believe. — Reuters 

I don't feel older, wiser: SRK 

SUPERSTAR Shah Rukh Khan, 

who turned 46 yesterday, says 

he neither feels older nor wiser. 

For the actor, who is riding high on 

the box office success of his superhero 

film Ra.One, his day will be well 

spent by sleeping and relaxing. 

"Going to sleep now... this birthday 

will celebrate with a well deserved 

many hours of sleep... thanks 

for your wishes. Don't feel older or 

wiser," Shah Rukh posted on his 

Twitter page. 

King Khan, as he is lovingly 

called, says he got emotional when 

his fans sang a birthday song for him 

outside his residence in Mumbai. 

"Thanks so much boys and girls. 

Celebrated my birthday in the plane 

30,000 ft in the air... then on the tarmac... 

finally with my little girl and 

boy. Was so touched when I reached 

home from bathing... sooo many ppl 

waiting outside the house and sang 

happy birthday for me. Had tears in 

my eyes," he added. 

Shah Rukh's rise from a small 

screen actor to the reigning star of 

Bollywood is what fairytales are 

made of. His latest offering Ra.One, 

in which he plays a superhero, has set 

new standards for the use of digital 

technology in Indian film-making. 

The star has been wished the best 

in life by celebrities on his D-day. 

His Ra.One co-star Arjun Rampal, 

tweeted: "Happy Birthday @ 

iamsrk wish u grow from strength to 

strength. Love u see u later." 

Actor Riteish Deshmukh wrote: 

"Wishing my most favourite actor @ 

iamsrk a very happy birthday — love 

you loads- keep roccckkingggggggg." 

Others like designer Manav Gangwani 

and jewellery designer Farah Khan 

Ali too have wished him. — IANS 

FILM, television and Broadway 

producer and director Gil Cates, 

who ran the show for 14 Oscar 

ceremonies and was an entertainment 

industry leader, has died at age 77. 

Cates died on Monday evening 

at the University of California Los 

Angeles where he was the founding 

dean of the School of Theater, Film 

and Television, the school said. 

A cause of death has yet to be determined, 

pending an investigation 

by the Los Angeles County coroner. 

Cates, who was the uncle of actress 

Phoebe Cates, was found in his car 

in one of UCLA’s parking structures. 

Emergency personnel tried to revive 

him but could not, UCLA said. 

He was dean of UCLA’s School 

of Theatre, Film and Television from 

1990-1998, and served two terms 

14 

ENTERTAINMENT THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 

Kim Kardashian denies 

profiting from wedding 

REALITY TV star Kim 

Kardashian dismissed 

reports that she profited 

from her televised wedding to 

Kris Humphries, only one day 

after filing for divorce from the 

basketball player. 

"There are also reports that I 

made millions of dollars off of the 

wedding. These reports are simply 

not true and it makes me so sad 

to have to even clarify this. I'm so 

grateful to everyone who took the 

time to come to my wedding, and 

I'll be donating the money for all 

the gifts to the Dream Foundation," 

Kardashian wrote in a message 

posted on her website. 

The 31-year-old Keeping Up 

With The Kardashians TV star filed 

for divorce from Humphries, 26, on 

Monday after 72 days of marriage. 

Their wedding in August was 

reported to have cost $10 million, 

and it aired in October on the E! 

network in a special called Kim's 

Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian 

Event. 

Kardashian explained that her 

desire to settle down, along with 

THE line between videogames 

and action films has blurred 

further with Sony's release of 

an eye-popping, pulse-revving Uncharted 

3: Drake's Deception title 

for PlayStation 3 consoles. 

The third instalment of the franchise 

starring wise-cracking fictional 

fortune hunter Nathan Drake landed 

in North America with a $60 price 

tag and reviews calling it a contender 

for videogame of the year. 

"Naughty Dog once again takes 

as president of the Directors Guild 

of America in the 1980s. He most 

recently produced the Academy 

Awards in 2008, marking his 14th 

time at the helm of the film industry’s 

top honours for which he received 

several awards and nominations over 

the years. 

“He was a consummate professional 

who gave the Academy and 

the world some of the most memorable 

moments in Oscar history. His 

passing is a tremendous loss to the 

entertainment industry,” Tom Sherak, 

president of the Academy of Motion 

Picture Arts and Sciences, said in a 

statement. 

Director Steven Spielberg called 

Cates “the most liked person I knew,” 

and said of his time at the Motion Picture 

Academy and Directors Guild, 

the pressures of having a reality TV 

show, may have held her back from 

declining Humphries proposal of 

marriage. 

"I got caught up with the hoopla 

and the filming of the TV show that, 

when I probably should have ended 

my relationship, I didn't know how 

to and didn't want to disappoint a 

lot of people," she said. 

This is the second divorce for 

Kardashian, who was previously 

married to music producer Damon 

Thomas for four years, separating 

in 2004. 

Kardashian is one of the highestpaid 

reality stars on US television 

with 2010 earnings estimated at $6 

million from her TV show, clothing 

line, perfume, jewellery and 

tanning cream and other product 

endorsements and appearances. 

Kris Humphries is devastated 

after hearing that wife Kim 

Kardashian wants to divorce him. 

Kris was set to appear at the Las 

Vegas club on November 5 but he 

has cancelled the plans following 

the divorce news. 

The 26-year-old’s representative 

a leap forward in cinematic gaming," 

Sony Computer Entertainment 

America vice-president of marketing 

Scott Steinberg said, referring to the 

Southern California studio behind 

Uncharted. 

"Not only does Uncharted 3 

deliver an impressive blend of interactive 

game play and stunning 

graphics, Naughty Dog has weaved 

an inspiring and personal story with 

genuinely relatable characters," 

Steinberg said. 

Remembering Oscar producer Gil Cates 

that Cates “set a remarkable standard 

for dedication and excellence.” 

Directors Guild president Taylor 

Hackford said, “there was no greater 

champion of the creative and economic 

rights of directors and their 

teams and no truer friend to membership, 

board and staff of the DGA.” 

Cates was born on June 6, 1934 

in New York City where he got his 

start producing and directing plays 

on and off Broadway. Some of his 

early stage work included You Know 

I Can’t Hear You When the Water’s 

Running, I Never Sang for My Father, 

Voices, and Tricks of the Trade. 

He moved his career to film in 

1970 when he produced and directed 

the big screen version of I Never Sang 

for My Father, which earned three 

Academy Award nominations. 

told People.com that a “devastated” 

Kris would not be taking part in the 

club event. 

Kris said on October 31 that he 

was committed to the marriage, 

which has lasted just 72 days. 

“I’m committed to this marriage 

and everything this covenant 

represents. I love my wife and am 

devastated to learn she filed for 

divorce. I’m willing to do whatever 

it takes to work,” he said. 

Kim’s mother Jenner had 

defended her daughter. Kim didn’t 

earn a single cent from her marriage 

to Kris, according to her. 

The 55-year-old took to the 

airwaves to defend her daughter 

amid mounting speculation the 

‘fairytale wedding’ was nothing 

but a publicity stunt to boost the 

Kardashian coffers. 

The entire fanfare reportedly 

generated a staggering £18m in 

magazine and television deals, plus 

endorsements. 

But Jenner dubiously claims 

Kim shelled out millions of dollars 

of her own and ‘didn’t earn a 

dime’— Reuters 

‘ Uncharted’ packs action movie punch 

The Sony-owned studio wove 

true historical mysteries into a compelling 

plot that puts Drake on a 

treacherous path through England, 

France, Syria and the Rub' al Khali 

desert to thwart a conspiracy involving 

a secret society. 

Game play is blended with powerful 

cinematic "cut scenes" boasting 

graphics so rich that grains of sand 

shift realistically on desert dunes 

and crisp cinders swirl in burning 

rooms. 

"Effects such as fire and water 

have been overhauled to make each 

environment unique and interactive 

allowing gamers to rush through 

walls of water, aim and shoot 

through sloshing pools, and escape 

a chateau engulfed by fire that curls, 

billows, and smokes as it burns," according 

to Sony. 

Uncharted 3 can be played in 3D 

on televisions equipped with the capability. 

Naughty Dog designed Uncharted 

to let people post achievements 

or snippets of game play to social 

networking service Facebook or 

Google-owned online video-sharing 

venue YouTube. — AFP 

Lohan spends Halloween at morgue! 

Hugh Jackman breaks theatre records 

OLLYWOOD actor Hugh 

H Jackman's new musical show 

has smashed one-week grosses at the 

Broadway theatre, Broadhurst. 

The ticket sales for Jackman's 

show have beaten previous records 

set by Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays, 

Jude Law's Hamlet and The Merchant 

of Venice, starring Al Pacino, reports 

contactmusic.com. 

Ticket sales for Jackman starrer 

Back on Broadway raked in over 

£750,000 last week. 

In the show, the X-Men star 

performs a personal selection of 

his favourite musical numbers 

accompanied by an 18-piece orchestra. 

— IANS 

ACTRESS Lindsay Lohan had 

the ultimate Halloween experience 

as she showed up at 

the Los Angeles' County Morgue. 

The actress is trying to convince 

Los Angeles County Superior Court 

Judge Stephanie Sautner that she is 

serious about the community service 

she was handed after violating her 

probation earlier this year and that 

meant giving up a little Halloween 

fun to work among the dead at the 

morgue, reports express.co.uk. 

The Mean Girls star's community 

service at the Downtown Women's 

Shelter in Los Angeles was recently 

terminated after Lohan repeatedly 

failed to show up. — IANS 

Cates also directed Joanne Woodward 

and Sylvia Sidney in the 1973 

film Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams, 

which received two Oscar nominations. 

Other film directing credits 

include: The Promise, One Summer 

Love, The Last Married Couple in 

America, Oh! God Book II and Backfire. 

Cates also distinguished himself 

as the director and/or producer of a 

number of television specials. 

He is only the third person to receive 

the Presidents Award from the 

Director’s Guild of America, which 

represents film and TV directors 

in entertainment. In 2005, he was 

awarded a star on the Hollywood 

Walk of Fame. Cates is survived by 

his wife, Dr Judith Reichman, four 

children, two stepchildren and six 

grandchildren. — Reuters 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT 

Seyfried’s crush on Timberlake 

CTRESS Amanda Seyfried has admitted having a 

A crush on her In Time co-star Justin Timberlake and 

that she loved shooting their intimate scenes together. 

"Oh yeah of course I fancy Justin, I've known him for 

a while, he's awesome," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Seyfried 

as saying. 

Seyfried has also revealed that Timberlake loves to sing 

on the sets. 

"We didn't have any sing-a-longs on set but he does sing 

a lot. I don't sing when I'm around Justin, I'd be too embarrassed 

because he's so talented. He was singing Cee Lo 

Green a lot," she said. 

Daisy Lowe is fearless 

MODEL Daisy 

Lowe says 

she thinks being 

fearless is the key 

to becoming a 

successful model. 

The 22-year-old 

daughter of Pearl 

Lowe and Gavin 

Rossdale loves her 

job but says a sense 

of adventure is a 

definite plus when 

trying to get ahead in 

the fashion industry, 

reports femalefirst. 

co.uk. 

"I'm fearless 

when I need to be. 

In my work I've not 

been known to turn 

down a challenge 

(sic)," she said. 

"I recently did a shoot that involved four huge snakes 

crawling all over my body. I spent the whole day fretting 

about it. On the day itself I didn't want them to smell my 

fear in case they decided to bite me," she added. 

PETA criticises Witherspoon 

ANIMAL rights 

group PETA 

has criticised actress 

Reese Witherspoon 

after she was spotted 

carrying a designer 

bag made of python 

skin. 

People for the 

Ethical Treatment 

of Animals (PETA) 

has written a letter to 

the 35-year-old after 

she was seen revealing 

the price of the 

Chloe bag, reports 


"No matter how 

much Reese paid 

for the bag, the animals 

paid a much 

higher price," said 

the statement issued 

by PETA. 

"Every year, millions of snakes are impaled on hooks or 

nailed to trees by their heads and skinned alive. We can't 

imagine that she'd wish to contribute to this hidden suffering, 

especially for something as frivolous as a fashion 

accessory that can be replicated with no bloodshed." 

‘No failed relationship’ 

AC T R E S S 

Evan Rachel 

Wood insists her 

relationship with 

rocker Marilyn 

Manson didn't fail, 

in fact, she has 

learned a lot from 

this relationship. 

The 24-year-old 

actress began dating 

the goth rocker when 

she was 19 years 

old and even though 

their engagement 

ended last year, the 

Ides of March star 

is grateful for their 

time together, reports 


"Just because a 

relationship ends, it 

doesn't mean that it failed," she said. "I don't think I would 

be the person I am today without him. He is inspiring. The 

timing was right and I felt a door was open to me to really explore, 

express myself and take risks," she added. — IANS

VISITING Indian Defence Minister A K Antony is welcomed by his Japanese counterpart Yasuo Ichikawa 

prior to their talks at the defence ministry in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP 

Mamata Trinamool chief 

again, eyes party expansion 

KOLKATA — After being 

unanimously re-elected the 

national chairperson of the Trinamol 

Congress, West Bengal 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee 

yesterday said her party 

will now strive to become a 

national organisation and increase 

its strength in Tripura 

and Arunachal Pradesh. 

Banerjee’s name was proposed 

by party general secretary 

and Minister of State 

for Shipping Mukul Roy and 

seconded by all the delegates 

by show of hands at the Netaji 

Indoor Stadium. 

Around 2,600 party delegates 

from West Bengal, 

Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, 

the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 

Asom, Jharkhand and 

LUCKNOW — The security of 

women should be of prime concern 

for law-enforcing authorities 

as well as society, President 

Pratibha Patil said here yesterday, 

terming self-protection 

"the best" and suggesting martial 

arts training for girls in educational 

institutions. 

"An issue of deep concern 

is the rising trend of crimes 

against women, in rural areas 

and in our cities. Families worry 

about the lack of security for 

women members of the family 

in India of the 21st century. 

"This deserves the fullest 

attention of law and order authorities, 

as also of all members 

of society who must together 

work to create a safe and secure 

environment for women," 

Patil said, in her address at a 

ceremony to mark 125 years of 

the Isabella Thoburn (IT) College. 

"To create stable societies, 

Manipur attended the session. 

“I am very happy to see all 

my party workers here. A leader 

doesn’t make workers, it is 

the workers who make leaders. 

It is you who have made 

me,” Banerjee said after her 

re-election. 

This is the third time that 

Banerjee has been elected Trinamool 

chairperson. Earlier, 

she was elected to the top post 

in the organisational polls held 

in 2001 and 2006. 

“We need our presence in 

four states to become a national 

party. I am confident that 

we can increase our strength 

in Tripura and Arunachal 

Pradesh,” she said. 

After ending the 34-yearold 

rule of the Left Front in 

women need to be empowered. 

Societies which understand this 

are not only able to deal with 

the changes needed for it, but 

can mould change itself... The 

concept of empowerment of 

women would have a very big 

impact on society. 

Terming self-protection as 

"the best protection", Patil advocated 

martial arts training 

in the girls’ colleges and educational 

institutions. "I think 

girls should be taught Judo and 

Karate to protect themselves as 

I believe self-protection is the 

best protection.” Highlighting 

the importance of education in 

perspective of the social condition 

of a nation, Patil said: 

"The social condition of a 

nation can be gauged by the 

standing and status of its women, 

which in turn depends on 

their ability to take independent 

decisions on various issues in- 

the state, the Trinamool has 

already launched its 'Mission 

2013' against the communists 

in Tripura — the last Left citadel 

in the country. 

The Trinamool currently 

has five legislators in the Arunachal 

assembly and provides 

outside support to the Congress 

government of the state. 

“Right now, with altogether 

26 MPs in the Rajya Sabha 

and the Lok Sabha, we are 

functioning as the control button 

of the United Progressive 

Alliance (UPA) government 

at the centre," Trinamool Congress 

MP Suvendu Adhikary 

said at the meeting. 

"We want whenever the 

next Lok Sabha elections are 

held, whether it is 2012, 2013 

fluencing their individual lives 

and the environment they live 

in, as also to avail of opportunities 

that exist to realise their full 

potential.” 

"It is a proven fact that there 

is a strong co-relation between 

women’s education and their 

overall progress, including 

their economic development. 

If indeed, women are to find 

their rightful voice, it would 

be possible if they are properly 

educated, and given training 

in skill building, which equips 

them to avail of income generating 

options.” 

Expressing concern over illiteracy, 

lack of access to education 

and deprivation, and social 

prejudices and social evils 

in the society, Patil called upon 

the citizens of the country to 

unitedly tackle such issues. 

“A paradox of sorts exists 

as far as women in India are 

or 2014, we should strive to 

play a much bigger role in the 

next central government,” he 

added. 

Amid allegations of rampant 

corruption among Trinamool 

Congress cadres, 

Banerjee yesterday asked her 

partymen to be honest in financial 

dealings and to avoid 

"racketeers". 

"Sometimes, I have heard 

that in some places, a few people 

carrying Trinamool flags 

are extorting money. I want to 

say they don’t belong to Trinamool 

Congress. This is a ploy 

of the CPM (Communist Party 

of India-Marxist),” Banerjee 

said after being re-elected the 

party's national chairperson 

here. — IANS 

Teach girls self-defence methods, 

urges President Pratibha Patil 

concerned. On the one hand, 

women have proved that they 

can undertake all types of missions 

and work. Yet, on the 

other hand, it is equally true 

that women face numerous 

challenges and discrimination 

emanating from social prejudices 

and social evils," said 

Patil while citing the practice 

of dowry, and conditions of 

widows. 

“All these issues are very 

much on the horizon, and need 

to be handled by governments, 

by society and by people themselves.” 

The IT College, which 

has the unique distinction of 

the first Christian institution for 

women in Asia, presently has 

around 4,000 students enrolled 

in different under-graduate, 

post-graduate, vocational and 

professional courses. It is affiliated 

to Lucknow University 

(LU). — IANS 

Land scandals embroil RSS affiliates 

BANGALORE — The 

Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 

land scandals in Karnataka that 

have landed its first chief minister 

in jail now seem to spread 

to affiliates of the party’s mentor, 

Rashtriya Swayamsevak 

Sangh (RSS). 

New Chief Minister D V 

Sadananda Gowda, still struggling 

to establish his authority 

nearly three months after taking 

over, has promised action 

if land allotment to RSS affiliates 

in Bangalore is proved 

illegal. 

"I have heard that reports 

have appeared in media in Delhi 

and here (about land allotment 

to RSS and its affiliates). 

If it (allotment) is unlawful, 

action will be taken," he told 

reporters here yesterday. 

Gowda did not elaborate on 

the action that will be taken. 

"We will have to study it," he 

said. The reports of alleged favours 

to outfits of "Sangh Parivar" 

— a term used to refer to 

the RSS, its affiliates, BJP and 

other organisations — came 

as embarrassment continued 

to mount on to the ruling BJP 

over land deals or land grab. 

One more law maker of the 

BJP, S Muniraju, yesterday 

came under police probe for 

fabricating documents to grab 

land belonging to a resident of 

his constituency Dasarahalli 

on Bangalore's outskirts. 

The Lokayukta (ombudsman) 

court judge N K Sudhindra 

Rao ordered the police 

to complete the probe by 

November 19 and submit a 

report. Muniraju is the sixth 

ruling party law maker to be 

embroiled in controversial 

land deals. 

Apart from Yeddyurappa, 

other ruling party lawmakers 

fighting illegal land deals cases 

are former ministers Katta 

Subramanya Naidu and S N 

Krishnaiah Shetty. 

Home Minister R Ashoka 

and Industries Minister Murugesh 

Nirani are being probed 

for land grab. Yeddyurappa is 

alleged to have violated norms 

to allot prime land to RSS affiliates 

in Bangalore and in 

city outskirts when he was 

chief minister. 

He is now in jail in two 

corruption and illegal land 

deals cases filed against him 

in January this year. He quit 

on July 31 after the Lokayukta 

(ombudsman) recommended 

his trial for corruption in the 

illegal mining scam. Yeddyurappa's 

bail plea hearing 

is resuming in the high court 

here today. 

Yeddyurappa is reported 

to have allotted over 900 

square metre land in upscale 

Sadashivanagar in north 

Bangalore to Rashtrotthana 

Parishath, an RSS affiliate. 

The land was meant for 

civic amenities — generally 

for parks or building for community 

activity. 

He is also alleged to have 

allotted 10 acres of land near 

Bangalore to a school affiliated 

to the RSS. 

A spokesperson of Rashtrotthana 

Parishath denied illegality 

in land allotments and 

told reporters norms had been 

followed. 

Land in Bangalore has become 

a precious commodity as 

the city’s population has been 

rapidly growing in the last two 

decades, particularly after it 

became the nation’s IT hub. 

The population now stands 

at 8.5 million and growing 

every day. — IANS 

15 INDIA 



CBI summons Jagan 

in illegal mining case 

HYDERABAD — The Central Bureau 

of Investigation (CBI), probing 

the illegal mining case, has summoned 

YSR Congress party chief Y S Jaganmohan 

Reddy who is alleged to have 

business links with former Karnataka 

minister and jailed mining baron Gali 

Janardhana Reddy. 

The CBI has asked Jaganmohan 

Reddy, popularly known as Jagan, to 

appear before it tomorrow. CBI Joint 

Director V V Lakshminarayana said 

that the notice had been served to the 

young businessman-turned-MP. 

The federal agency, probing the 

illegal mining by Janardhana Reddy's 

Obulapuram Mining Company 

(OMC), is likely to question him 

about his alleged business links with 

the mining baron. 

Jagan, son of the late Andhra 

Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara 

Reddy, is already facing a CBI probe 

over his alleged illegal assets. Janardhana 

Reddy and his brother-in-law B 

V Srinivasa Reddy are currently in a 

jail here in the illegal mining case. 

According to sources, the CBI officials 

would question Jagan about the 

investors in companies Red Gold and 

R R Global and their links with OMC. 

Jagan reportedly has stakes in Red 

Gold and R R Global. 

NEW DELHI — The Delhi High 

Court yesterday issued notice to the 

Delhi government on an NGO's plea 

for direction to prohibit private schools 

in the national capital from admitting 

children less than four years of age in 

pre-primary classes. 

Accusing various unaided private 

schools of admitting children below 

four years in their pre-primary classes, 

the NGO in it public interest litigation 

(PIL) sought a direction to the government 

to stop this practice. 

Taking note of the PIL, a division 

bench of Acting Chief Justice A K 

Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw 

issued a notice to the Delhi government 

returnable with its response by 

November 23. 

The court was hearing the petition 

of NGO Social Jurist through its 

counsel Ashok Agarwal. He referred 

to the September 2007 court order that 

directed the government to implement 

the recommendations of the Ashok 

RURAL Development Minister Jairam Ramesh speaks during the launch 

of ‘India get your Business Online’ in New Delhi yesterday. Google India 

announced the launch of a nationwide initiative to help small medium 

businesses in India to get online with a free website. — AFP 

Global firms line up with 

offers for IIM-B grads 

BANGALORE — Global consulting 

and financial firms have queued up 

with pre-placement offers and interviews 

to hire the post-graduate programme 

(PGP) course students of the 

premier Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore 

(IIM-B). 

"Management consulting and international 

financial firms have made 

71 pre-placement offers and lined up 

37 pre-placement interviews to our 

final year PGP course students as the 

placement season began this week on 

a promising note," B-school career development 

services chairman P D Jose 

said yesterday. 

The major consulting firms, which 

made the offers include A T Kearney, 

Bain & Co, Boston Consulting Group, 

McKinsey & Co, Booze & Co, Global 

e-Procure and Hay Group, reaffirming 

the institute’s position as their preferred 

destination. The final year batch 

of the two-year PGP management 

This is the first time since the arrest 

of Janardhana Reddy and his brotherin-law 

September 5 that Jagan would 

be questioned by the CBI. 

The CBI may also look into possible 

links between the cases of Jagan 

and Janardhana Reddy in the wake 

of allegations that Janardhana Reddy 

made investments into Jagan's firms. 

These include Jagathi Publications, 

which publishes the Telugu daily 

Sakshi, and Indira Television, which 

runs the Sakshi Television channel. 

Staunch Jagan loyalist and legislator 

K. Ramachandra Reddy is on the 

board of directors of Brahmani Steels, 

promoted by Janardhana Reddy when 

Jagan's father was the chief minister. 

After the arrest of Janardhana 

Reddy, Jagan had denied any business 

links with him. Textiles Minister 

Shankar Rao, on whose petition 

the Andhra Pradesh High Court had 

ordered the CBI probe into Jagan's 

wealth, has welcomed CBI summons 

to Jagan in illegal mining case. 

In another development, Jagati 

Publications vice president Vijay Sai 

Reddy yesterday appeared before the 

CBI in the case relating to Jagan's assets. 

The investigating agency questioned 

him several times last month. 

— IANS 

Court notice to Delhi govt 

on pre-school admissions 

Ganguly Committee, which fixed four 

years-plus as the age criterion for admission 

to pre-primary class. 

The admission to nursery — a class 

before the formal pre-primary class — 

at three-plus age was treated as admission 

in the formal school system, 

which was illegal, the petition said. It 

blamed the government for its failure 

to frame proper guidelines on the issue. 

The state's inaction violated the 

fundamental rights of children, the 

petition said. 

Different unaided recognised private 

schools in Delhi were applying 

different age criteria for admission of 

children to pre-primary classes, said 

the petition, seeking direction to the 

government to ensure that all schools 

followed a uniform system. The Delhi 

School Education Act, 1973, provided 

that a child who had not attained the 

age of five years shall not be admitted 

to Class 1 in a recognised school, said 

the petition. — IANS 

course has 375 students, including 78 

women. Majority of them have undergone 

summer internship at these firms 

in their first academic year (2010-11). 

International financial firms such 

as Blackstone, Barclays Capital, Deutsche 

Bank (London), Goldman Sachs, 

J P Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Nomura, 

RBS, Standard Chartered (global markets) 

and UAE Exchange have extended 

offers to the students. 

“Most of these offers are made for 

overseas locations such as Abu Dhabi, 

Dubai, Hong Kong, London and Singapore. 

General management conglomerates, 

including the Aditya Birla 

group & TAS, FMCG (fast moving 

consumer goods) majors like Hindustan 

Unilever Ltd, Proctor & Gamble 

and Pepsi and multinationals Microsoft, 

American Express and Philips 

made pre-placement offers,” IIM-B 

communications head N. Bringi Dev 

said.— IANS 

NEWS IN BRIEF 

Khurshid stresses 

on health insurance 

PUBLIC private partnerships and wider 

health insurance coverage will be the key 

for making healthcare widely available in 

India, Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid 

said yesterday. Talking to reporters 

after inaugurating a first-of-its-kind 

robotic surgery section at Fortis Escort 

Hospital, Khurshid said it was time for 

India to make health infrastructure for 

future. 

“This is time for India to create facilities 

like this. Access to quality healthcare 

will be possible by health insurances, and 

we are taking more steps to create better 

healthcare through public private partnership,” 

Khurshid said. 

The International Centre for Robotic 

Surgery (ICRS) at the hospital has 

an advanced version of the Da-Vinci 

robot, which allows more precision and 

accuracy in surgeries. “The centre will 

bring enormous benefits to patients in 

India,” ICRS founding chairman Sudhir 

Srivastava said.“The centre will also 

train doctors to perform these complex 

surgeries,” he added. 

Illegal construction: 

MCD must respond 

THE Municipal Corporation of Delhi 

(MCD) must respond to a petition against 

it for failing to seal and stop illegal construction 

in Chandni Chowk and nearby 

city areas, the Delhi High Court said 

yesterday. 

Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and 

Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, while issuing 

a notice to MCD, asked its counsel 

H S Phoolka to seek instruction from 

the department. Phoolka must inform 

the court by November 16. Phoolka 

submitted to the court that the agency has 

already taken action against some illegal 

constructions in the walled city area. 

Phoolka would file a detailed affidavit 

on the issue by next date of hearing. 

The court was hearing a public interest 

litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Sanjeev 

Sabharwal on behalf of Naval Kishore 

Gupta, a resident of Chandini Chowk, 

who alleged that large-scale illegal construction 

has been going on in connivance 

with MCD officials. 

Different voices on 

Uttarakhand Lokayukta 

A DAY after the BJP government in 

Uttarakhand passed legislation making a 

Lokayukta (ombudsman), the Congress 

spoke in different voices yesterday with 

Law Minister Salman Khurshid hailing 

the move and General Secretary Digvijay 

Singh saying it was “nothing great”. 

"It is good they have made a Lokayukta. 

That is what we were saying, every 

state should pass its own Lokayukta bill 

and the centre should pass the Lokpal 

bill," Khurshid told reporters on the 

sidelines of an event here. "If some state 

has done that, congratulations to them," 

he said. 

Uttarakhand became the first state in 

India to bring the chief minister under 

the ambit of the Lokayukta. It was lauded 

by Team Anna member Kiran Bedi who 

said it was in "full spirit of the Lokpal". 

Digvijay Singh, however, didn't think 

so. He countered Team Anna's appreciation 

and said it was proof of the team's 

inclination towards the BJP. 

Kerala orders CBI probe 

into attack on teacher 

THE Kerala government yesterday gave 

its nod for a Central Bureau of Investigation 

(CBI) probe into the brutal attack on 

a schoolteacher on September 27 in Kollam 

district. 

Krishna Kumar, a schoolteacher, was 

found severely injured around 10.45 pm 

near Kottarakara town. Speaking to reporters, 

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy 

said there was a demand from the Left 

opposition that the case be handed over 

to the CBI. 

"I got letters from Leader of Opposition 

V S Achuthanandan, former CPI 

(Communist Party of India) minister M 

Ratnakaran and Kottarakara legislator 

Ayisha Potti that this case be handed over 

to the CBI and we have done that now," 

said Chandy. The injured teacher's school 

is owned by Kerala Congress (Pillai) 

leader R Balakrishna Pillai, whose party 

is an ally of the Congress-led ruling 

government. 

Shehla murder to be 

investigated further 

WITH no headway in the two-month 

investigation into the murder of RTI activist 

Shehla Masood, the Delhi unit of the 

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will 

now probe the incident instead of the Bhopal 

branch, sources in the premier agency 

said yesterday. 

However, as of now the investigative 

officer will be Bhartendra Sharma of CBI 

Bhopal, the sources said. Masood was 

also India Against Corruption’s Madhya 

Pradesh chapter head. Right to Information 

(RTI) and green activist Masood was 

killed near her home while she was sitting 

in her car on August 16. 

After her murder, some high profile 

names from the political class and 

bureaucracy did the rounds in connection 

with it. From September 3, CBI’s Bhopal 

officials had begun investigating. — IANS

NEWS IN BRIEF 

AI defers pilot training 

to stave off strike 

AIR India yesterday deferred for a 

month a training programme for pilots 

selected to fly the soon-to-be inducted 

Boeing 787 Dreamliners in a bid to 

pacify a section of disgruntled pilots who 

threatened to go on strike. 

“We have deferred the training 

schedule for a month. Now, the first 

batch would be imparted the training 

at Singapore in December and not in 

November as decided earlier,” an Air 

India official said. The airline also 

informed the Bombay High Court that 

the training schedules which were due to 

start today have been postponed. 

According to the official, the airline 

would seek to resolve the crisis within 

this period. Talks were held between Air 

India Express, the low cost international 

subsidiary of the flag carrier, and 

representatives of the Indian Pilots Guild 

(IPG) at the company’s headquarters 

here, according to the official. 

Chandrababu Naidu starts 

padyatra for farmers 

TELUGU Desam Party (TDP) chief N 

Chandrababu Naidu yesterday launched 

state-wide “padyatra” (foot march) 

to highlight the problems faced by 

Andhra Pradesh’s farmers. The leader 

of opposition in assembly kicked off 

“Ryty poru bata” from Dharmavaram 

in Anantapur district, demanding the 

government come to the rescue of 

distressed farmers. 

The padyatra, the first-ever by Naidu 

in his three-decade-long political career, 

evoked a good response on the first day 

with large number of people turning out 

to hear him. Naidu, whose defeat in 2004 

elections is attributed to the anger among 

farmers against his policies, is trying to 

win their support and boost the morale of 

the party cadre three years ahead of the 

2014 elections. 

Naidu, who was chief minister from 

1995 to 2004, demanded a compensation 

of Rs 10,000 per acre for farmers who lost 

their crops due to drought. 

Bill for time-bound 

public services 

THE government yesterday unveiled a 

bill that seeks to get committed standards 

of public service and redressal of 

grievances in a stipulated time frame. 

The Citizens Right to Grievance Redress 

Bill, 2011 will look at complaints of 

violation of the citizens’ charter to 

be formulated by each government 

department, identify liabilities of public 

servants in case of default and impose 

penalities for failure to deliver services 

or redress grievances in a time-bound 

manner. 

Speaking about the bill, the Minister 

of State for Personnel V. Narayanasamy 

said its architechture will ensure an 

appropriate decentralised and citizenfriendly 

mechanism to redress public 

grievances. 

“The citizen’s charter will have 

to be defined by the authorities at 

various levels, including panchayats, 

municipalities, states and the centre. For 

every authority, there will be a Grievance 

Redress Officer,” Narayanasamy told 

mediapersons at a joint briefing with 

Rural Development Minister Jairam 

Ramesh. 

US consulate to move 

to Mumbai city centre 

THE US consulate and American Centre 

in Mumbai will move on November 15 

from their existing locations in south 

Mumbai to the swank new 

business district in the suburbs, the 

Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), a 

central and easily accessible location, 

with enhanced facilities, an official said 

yesterday. 

In view of the shifting, US consulate 

will not offer visa services from 

November 15-21 from Lincoln House, 

Breach Candy in south Mumbai. From 

November 21, all services shall be 

resumed from the BKC location. 

The new consulate premises will 

house all US government offices in 

Mumbai, including the Department of 

State, the Foreign Commercial Service, 

the Food and Drug Administration and 

the Foreign Agricultural Service, besides 

the consul general’s residence. 

Tamil Nadu to convert 

library into hospital 

THE Anna Centenary Library, built by 

the previous DMK government, will 

be converted into a super specialty 

paediatric hospital, Tamil Nadu Chief 

Minister J Jayalalithaa announced. The 

library will be shifted to the Directorate 

of Public Instruction (DPI) complex 

where the Integrated Knowledge Park is 

being planned. 

In a statement issued, Jayalalithaa 

said the proposed paediatric hospital will 

be the first of its kind in the country and 

the state would rank at the top in taking 

care of the children’s health. 

She said: “The integrated knowledge 

park would house offices under DPI, 

training centre, conference halls, sports 

complex, distance education studio, 

incubation centre and a modern central 

library.” — IANS 

16 INDIA 



POLICE officers detain Members of the Tibetan Youth Congress during a protest, on the eve of G20 

summit in France, outside the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi yesterday. — AFP 

‘Resolve issues through dialogue’ 

IMPHAL — Home Minister P 

Chidambaram yesterday urged people 

in Manipur to resolve all issues 

through dialogue, even as there 

is no end in sight to the indefinite 

economic blockade of the state with 

an influential tribal Naga group announcing 

intensification of their 

agitation plans. 

“All efforts would be made to 

restore peace, harmony and development 

in the state,” Chidambaran 

said. The home minister was addressing 

a public meeting at Senapati, 

a Naga-dominated district in 

Manipur, after inaugurating a minisecretariat 

building. 

“All issues must be resolved 

through the process of dialogue,” 

Chidambaram said. The home minister 

later held an in-camera meeting 

with three powerful tribal Naga 

groups, aimed at convincing them to 

lift the economic blockade that con- 

PATNA — After lying neglected 

for years, the ruins of Vikramshila 

university, an ancient seat of Buddhist 

learning located in Bihar’s 

Bhagalpur district, are set to be conserved, 

like its older contemporary, 

Nalanda university, so that current 

and future generations would get 

to know about the rich tradition of 

scholarship in the state. 

The Archaeological Survey of 

India’s Patna circle has decided to 

launch a mega plan for conservation 

of the university ruins, located near 

Antichak village in the Kahalgaon 

sub-division of Bhagalpur district, 

about 150 km from Patna, officials 

said. 

The excavated ruins of Vikramshila 

university, set up in the 8th 

century by the Pala dynasty king 

Dharmapala, are awaiting conservation. 

“The ASI is serious about 

conservation of the entire excavated 

structure of Vikramshila like of Nalanda 

university,” ASI Patna’s superintending 

archaeologist Sanjay 

K Manjul said. 

He said conservation of the ru- 

tinued for its 93rd day yesterday. 

Chidambaram’s meeting apparently 

failed with the United Naga 

Council (UNC) deciding to continue 

its economic blockade on the two 

national highways on Manipur side 

and called a three-day general strike 

from today to protest against the 

government’s assurance of turning 

Sadar Hills area in Senapati district 

into a separate district. 

The general strike is being 

supported by the All Naga Students 

Association Manipur. The Manipur 

government late on Monday signed 

an agreement with the rival Kuki 

tribe and agreed to concede to their 

demand of forming a full-fledged 

district. 

The Nagas are opposed to the 

decision. Meanwhile, Minister of 

State for Defence M M Pallam Raju 

said yesterday the government was 

aware of the Maoists spreading their 

ins would help to protect it for future 

generations. “We have sent the 

conservation plan to the director 

general of ASI for approval. After 

receiving approval, we will launch 

the conservation plan,” he said. 

According to ASI officials here, 

conservation of 52 shells or reading 

room-like structures adjoining the 

main stupa and a major portion of 

the excavated structure will be taken 

up. The ASI’s conservation plan 

comes in the wake of the Bihar government’s 

move to develop Vikramshila’s 

ruins as a tourist destination 

like Nalanda, situated around 90 km 

from the state capital. 

Vikramshila university, set up 

by the Pala dynasty (750-1174 A.D) 

king Dharmapala in the late 8th or 

early 9th century, was intended to 

complement the existing worldclass 

universities at Nalanda and 

Takshila. 

It lasted four centuries before 

it was destroyed during an attack 

on local kingdoms by Bakhtiyar 

Khilji. As per the ASI, the remains 

at Antichak were excavated by B 

activities in the northeast and was 

taking steps to contain them. 

“We are aware of its (Maoism) 

spread in the northeast and we are 

taking all steps to contain it,” Raju 

told reporters on the sidelines of a 

Confederation of Indian Industryorganised 

event on defence communication 

technologies. 

As far as the Maoist elements 

were concerned, these were definitely 

a threat to the nation. The 

government was working on containing 

them, he said. 

Joint Intelligence Committee 

Chief Ajit Lal last month said in 

Shillong that there was evidence 

of the United Liberation Front of 

Asom (ULFA) having established 

linkages with Manipur-based secessionist 

group People’s Liberation 

Army and the Upper Asom Leading 

Committee of (Communist Party of 

India) CPI (Maoist). — IANS 

Anti-nuclear project activists 

demand white paper urgently 

CHENNAI — Activists protesting 

the Kudankulam Nuclear Power 

Project (KNPP) have suggested two 

names for an expert panel and also 

put forward a charter of demands, 

including a white paper and immediate 

stoppage of work, before participating 

in the deliberations. 

The People’s Movement Against 

Nuclear Energy (PMANE) that is 

spearheading the stir against the 

2,000 MW nuclear power plant in 

Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district, 

about 650 km from here, suggested 

M Pushparayan and Jesuraj as the 

people’s representative in the state 

government panel. 

“The Tamil Nadu government 

had requested us to suggest the 

names of two people as members in 

the expert panel being constituted 

by it. As we are not aware of the 

committee’s terms of reference, the 

role to be played by our members 

and other details, we have laid down 

some conditions,” M Pushparayan, 

convener of the Coastal People’s 

Federation, said. 

“Apart from immediate stoppage 

of all work inside the KNPP 

complex, we are demanding a white 

paper on the project status, cessation 

of derogatory remarks against 

the protesters by the nuclear establishment,” 

he said. “Our members 

should be the sole representatives of 

the protesters/people, excluding the 

members of assembly/parliament, 

and false cases registered by the police 

against the activists should be 

withdrawn,” Pushparayan added. 

India’s nuclear power plant operator 

NPCIL is building two 1,000 

MW nuclear power reactors with 

Russian technology and equipment 

in Kudankulam. The first unit is expected 

to go on stream in December. 

The project is estimated to cost 

around Rs 13,000 crore. 

Villagers, who greeted the NPCIL 

officials with welcome arches and 

garlands only years ago when they 

arrived to set up the plant, now fear 

for their lives in case of a nuclear 

accident and the long-term impact it 

would have on the population. 

According to Pushparayan, activists 

were demanding a white paper 

because there was lot of confusion 

about the status of the project 

with officials declaring that there 

would be severe damage if maintenance 

activities were stopped. 

Justifying the demand that 

the two members nominated by 

PMANE to be the sole people’s representatives, 

he said: “It is only we 

who are agitating for the past couple 

of months against the nuclear plant. 

While we are thankful for other organisations 

for lending their support 

to our cause, it is our members who 

are spearheading the protest at the 

cost of our own families.” 

He said as the role to be played 

by the two members were not specified 

by the government the movement 

had nominated non-technical 

people. The relay fast against KNPP 

at Idinthakarai entered its 16th day 

yesterday. 

The central government on October 

20 set up the expert committee 

of 15 members drawn from various 

fields to interact with officials of 

Tamil Nadu government, people’s 

representatives and activists of 

Tirunelveli district, who have been 

opposing the project on safety-related 

issues. — IANS 

8th-century Bihar university to 

be saved for future generations 

P Sinha of Patna University during 

1960-69. The antiquities found at 

Vikramashila comprise terracotta 

objects, including a large number 

of plaques representing Buddhist 

and Brahmanical deities, animal 

and bird figurines and some symbolic 

representations, as also a large 

number of stone images of gods and 

goddesses. 

A few small bronzes of Buddhist 

deities like the Buddha, Maitreya, 

Vajrapani, Avalokitesvara and Manjusri 

have been found. The bulk of 

antiquities comprise stone, iron, 

copper, silver and bronze objects, 

including a few silver and copper 

coins. Locals are not happy with the 

pace of ASI’s work. 

Members of the Vikramshila 

Nagarik Samiti said that after more 

than three and a half decades of excavation 

by the ASI, no work has 

been done at the site on the pattern 

of Nalanda. 

The Samiti has been demanding 

Vikramshila be included in the 

state’s Buddhist tourist circuit for its 

development. — IANS 

Army mulls women 

officers’ promotion 

NEW DELHI – The government 

yesterday told the Supreme 

Court that the army 

was considering grant of promotion 

to a section of women 

officers whose services were 

restored on the court’s direction. 

The court was hearing a 

petition of the defence ministry 

challenging a Delhi High 

Court directive to the army 

and the air force to grant permanent 

commission to women 

officers of the short service 

commission (SSC). The air 

force complied with the high 

court ruling. 

The apex court bench of 

Justice R.M. Lodha and Justice 

H L Gokhale, taking note 

of the government statement, 

told counsel Meenakshi Lekhi, 

appearing for the women 

Koda to face new charges 

RANCHI — Former Jharkhand 

chief minister Madhu Koda, 

languishing in prison on 

charges of money laundering, 

was yesterday slapped with 

yet another charge — “instigating” 

inmates in Ranchi Jail, 

where his hand was fractured 

during police action, officials 

said. The state government has 

replied to the home ministry’s 

query on the episode. 

Koda, now in hosptal with 

a fractured hand, was allegedly 

leading a protest inside 

the jail on Monday to demand 

better quality food for himself 

and other inmates. 

“We have responded to 

the home ministry’s query on 

the Madhu Koda case,” state 

Home Secretary J B Tubid 

said. He, however, did not 

army officers, to wait for some 

time till the government’s decision. 

As Lekhi raised the issue, 

counsel for the defence ministry 

R. Balasubramaniam told 

the court that the representation 

of the women officers 

seeking promotion was under 

the consideration of the army. 

The court said if the government 

did not decide on the 

women officers’ representation 

within a reasonable time, 

they could move the court. 

Justice Lodha said the matter 

was being kept pending and 

if there was any undue delay 

in the decision making or if 

the verdict was adverse to the 

women officers, they could always 

move the apex court. 

The ministry moved the 

apex court, challenging the 

divulge the details of the report. 

A first information report 

(FIR) has also been lodged 

against Koda for “instigating” 

the prisoners, a police officer 

said. 

Koda has alleged that 

there was a conspiracy to kill 

him in jail. Talking to a local 

news channel at the Rajendra 

Institute of Medical Science 

(RIMS) here, Koda said: 

“There was a conspiracy to 

kill me. I was beaten up by jail 

policemen and when I fell on 

the ground, they hit me with 

batons on my chest.” 

“I was taken to hospital 

three hours after the incident. 

I was sitting on dharna due to 

the poor food being given to 

prisoners. When I was sitting 

on the dharna, the policemen 

initiation of contempt proceedings 

against the army 

authorities. The apex court 

by its March 4 order stayed 

the contempt proceedings but 

not the judgement of the high 

court, directing the absorption 

of SSC women officers on a 

permanent basis. 

The women officers, discharged 

from their service in 

2009 when they were due to 

be promoted to the rank of 

Lieutenant Colonel, are now, 

upon the restoration of their 

service, working under the 

officers who were junior to 

them. 

Balasubramaniam told the 

court that the high court order 

would be taken advantage of 

by other retired women officer 

to seek restoration of their 

service. — IANS 

started beating me,” he added. 

Koda also said he had 

lodged a complaint against 

jail officials through his wife 

Geeta, who is a state legislator, 

but it was not converted 

into an FIR. Earlier yesterday, 

a delegation led by Union 

Tourism Minister Subodh 

Kant Sahay, the Lok Sabha 

member from Ranchi, which 

also included Koda’s wife, 

met Governor Syed Ahmad 

and sought a probe into the 

incident. 

Chief Minister Arjun Munda 

has announced a probe by a 

retired judge. Koda has been in 

jail since November 2009 in a 

Rs 4,000 crore money laundering 

scam. He and four former 

ministers of his cabinet are 

kept in a VIP cell. — IANS 

A GIRL takes pictures of the grave of her relative at a cemetery during the 

observance of All Souls Day in Kolkata yesterday. — Reuters 

Country ranks low in human 

development index: UN 

NEW DELHI — India ranks a 

low 134 among 187 countries 

in terms of the human development 

index (HDI), which 

assesses long-term progress in 

health, education and income 

indicators, said a UN report 

released yesterday. 

Although placed in the 

“medium” category, India’s 

standing is way behind scores 

of economically less developed 

countries, including wartorn 

Iraq as well as the Philippines. 

India’s ranking in 2010 

was 119 out of 169 countries. 

Sri Lanka has been ranked 

97, China 101 and the Maldives 

109. Bhutan, otherwise 

respected for its qulity of life, 

has been placed at 141, behind 

India. Pakistan and Bangladesh 

are ranked 145 and 146 

in the list of countries that is 

headed by Norway and in 

which the Democratic Republic 

of Congo is at the very 

bottom. 

The other two countries 

in South Asia, Nepal and Afghanistan, 

occupy ranks 157 

and 172. 

According to the “UN 

Human Development Report 

2011: Sustainability and 

Inequality”, India’s HDI is 

0.5 compared to 0.3 in 2010. 

Rural Development Minister 

Jairam Ramesh said year-onyear 

comparisons were not 

practical. “Any change in development 

indicators should 

be measured over a longer period 

of time,” he said. 

UN official Seeta Prabhu 

said: “The HDI for 2011 

would be the same if the 2010 

methodology was adopted and 

the sample size was the same. 

As many as 18 new countries 

were included in the survey 

this time.” 

She said India’s gender 

inequality index was 0.6, the 

highest in South Asia. But 

stating that India had made 

“significant progress” on 

HDI, UNDP Country Direc- 

tor Caitlin Wiesen said: “This 

trajectory may be threatened 

by environmental risks and 

inequality.” 

The UN report said that 

India had the world’s largest 

number of multidimensionally 

poor, more than half of the 

population, at 612 million. 

However, the report appreciated 

India’s progress in 

improving forest cover and 

protecting biodiversity. 

“India is one of the seven 

developing countries like 

Bhutan, China, Costa Rica, 

Chile, El Salvador and Vietnam 

which have recently transitioned 

from deforesting to 

reforesting,” said the report. 

India increased its reforestation 

rate from 0.2 per cent 

a year between 1990 and 2000 

to 0.5 per cent a year between 

2000 and 2010. “We need to 

link environmental issues with 

the livelihoods of deprived 

sections,” said Ramesh while 

releasing the report. — IANS

R 

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24478589, 24478505, 

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morningstar 

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U 

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a host of services 

including the following: 

Hiring luxurious 

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visas for expats at 

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housing, meals 

and visits to shrine 

locations. Land and 

air trips weekly. 

(99311310, 24566016, 

99361982, 99707248, 

99322124. 

G 

T 

FREE 

INFORMATION 

ABOUT ISLAM 

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 

C 

M 

ENT-A-CAR 

BUSINESS or PLEASURE 

OMAN or ABROAD 

ALKH: 24489248/648 

RUWI: 24707074, QURUM: 24691110 

SOHAR: 26845565 

MUSCAT AIRPORT: 24521189 

SALALAH: 23296246 

Also available — Luxury Cars with 

Chauffeur Service 

RIVING SCHOOL 

MRAH/HAJ 

OOD NEWS 

ARGO 

CARGO transfer with 

attractive price to all 

areas in the Sultanate and 

outside of Oman 

(by truck). Contact 

00968-99171758 

ANPOWER 

FRIENDS MANPOWER: 

Filipino housemaids and 

all kinds of workers. 

24489268, 

Tel/Fax: 24478153. 

OURS 

CRUISES or Tourist 

Cruises. Contact: 

92808636. 

S 

95228450 

Call & Book 

Land & Sea tours 

Dhow trips, Glass 

bottom boat trips, 

Dolphin watching, 

Wahaiba Sands, 

Jabal Akhdhar 

and Jabal Shams 

trip. 

Please contact 

Sidab Tours: 99432782, 

99079752, 99461834 

ERVICES 

P.C.O. (PEST 

CONTROL OMAN 

CO. LLC) 

Professionals who 

specialise in all types 

of Pest Control 

Services & Snake 

control and 

Guaranteed Termite 

Control. Also 

available Gel 

treatment for 

Cockroaches. 

Suppliers of UK 

Pesticides Chemicals, 

Snake Repellent, 

Cockroach Gels and 

Peripel treated 

Mosquito Nets. 

24787606, 

24787503, 

Fax: 24787607. 

TRANSFER and 

installation of 

furniture with 

packaging. 

96114982 

MARBLE 

CRYSTALLISATION, 

restore the original shine 

of your marble. 

24792998/99314807. 

EXECUTIVE Office 

Services available: 

Modern furniture, 

Personalised telephone 

line with receptionist 

services, Unlimited 

wireless Internet, 

PO Boxes address, 

Executive conference 

room (10 people), Prime 

location (Al Khuwair), 

Complimentary tea & 

coffee, Service duration, 

Quarterly. Contact 

99463334/ 99201763/ 

24479400. 

MARBLE polishing 

and crystallisation, 

building, cleaning floor, 

floor polishing, carpet, 

sofa shampooing, pest 

control, anti-termite, 

shifting, maintenance. 

99504275. 

CARPET, sofa 

shampooing, 

GUARANTEED 

CLEANING. 

24793614/ 99314807 

1. A/C, Fridge & 

Washing Machine 

Servicing & Repairing 

2. Painting, Plumbing, 

Electrical & Carpentry 

Works. Contact: 

97014234/ 97123569, 

24504281. 

NEW and old house 

cleaning and floor 

polishing, painting, 

maintenance, carpentery, 

furniture shifting 

96642500. 

SPECIAL Rates on 

New Cars & 4 WDs 

RENTING & LEASING 

Tours and Airport Transfer 

Tel: 24582663 

GSM: 95859497, 

Fax: 24582664, 

abcrent@omantel.net.om 

OMAN DAILY Observer THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 

F OR RENT FOR RENT 

ITUATION VACANT 

OFFICE for rent at Al 

Khuwair, 55m 2 open 

space at 330 OMR, 

parking available. 

Contact: 95922566. 

FOR rent at Ghubrah 

South 3 bedrooms, 3 

bathrooms apartment + 1 

living room. RO 450/-. 

Contact: 99217372. 

FLAT for rent at Ansab 3 

bedrooms + sitting room 

with attached toilet + 

kitchen. Contact: 

97068889. 

A HOUSE in Al Wadi Al 

Kabeer. Contact: 

99343397. 

SPACIOUS flats and 

shops at residential/ 

commercial, building 

(ACs available), it is also 

suitable for commercial 

establishments at commercial 

area in Ruwi. 

Contact 92222334. 

1 B-T sharing family in 

Al Hail. 92413613. 

DELUXE flat in Wadi 

Kabir (1 bedroom, 1 sitting 

room, 2 bathrooms, 

and a kitchen with split 

AC. Rent RO 250. Contact 

98936766. 

THREE bedrooms 

flat at Al Hail south. 

99362688. 

BRAND new spacious 

5 bedroom villa with 

split AC, servant room 

at Qurum PDO road, RO 

1,200/pm. 3 BHK flat 

at Qurum & Wattayah. 

24790449/ 99332668. 

GOOD flats, two 

bedrooms, sitting, RO 

320 and 3 bedrooms, 

sitting, dining, marble 

flooring, RO 425 at 

Darsait. 95570288/ 

99358589. 

PICK-UP around 

24 hours. Contact 

92122206/96611185. 

GOOD new flat, 1 

room with big sitting, 

1 bathroom, kitchen 

with 2 split ACs at Al 

Qurum Heights, RO 280. 

Contact 99358589/ 

95570288. 

GOOD villa, 3 

bedrooms, sitting, 

dining, family hall, 

servant room, 4 

bathrooms, kitchen, 2 

floors, 7 split 

ACs, RO 680 at 

Al Qurum Heights. 

95570288/ 99358589. 

NEW hotel apartments 

— Husin Al Khaleej — 

in Muscat, Al Khoudh, 

10 minutes from airport, 

2 bedrooms, sitting room 

and 3 toilets, 1 bedroom, 

sitting area and 2 toilets. 

Daily, weekly, monthly. 

Special prices for 

opening. 99202332/ 

96666986. 

HOUSE for rent: 11 

rooms, bathrooms, new 

industrial area, 

Salalah. 99483713. 

SHOP for rent in Al 

Hamriya 99620202. 

R 

CLASSIFIED SECTION 

RUWI: 24785668 

Behind Royal 

Oman Police 

Adjacent to 

Dhofar Building 

SAVILLS OMAN 

QUALITY homes 

for rent throughout 

Capital Area 

Muscat. Contact: 

24692151. 

www.sav-oman.com 

ENT/SALE 

4 BEDROOM villa, 

situated in the heart 

of Shatti Al Qurum 

near InterContinental 

Hotel. Comprises of 2 

lounges, large living 

area and 5 bathrooms, 

kitchen and maids 

quarters. Contact 

99319527. 

CLASSIFIED SECTION: 

9 

S 

REQUIRED for a 

reputed club the 

following staff: Head 

Tennis Pro/Tennis Centre 

Manager and Tennis Pro 

for tennis coaching and 

training of club members. 

Candidates having 

requisite qualification 

and experience, please 

send CV by e-mail to: 

oceanint@omantel.net. 

om or by Fax: 24832193. 

NIZWA, position for 

Omani male to assist 

European General Manager. 

Must have Arabic, 

English translation ability 

(written and spoken). 

Previous work experience 

in private sector in HR or 

sales or accounts. Must 

understand office work 

and have some basic 

knowledge of accounts 

and computer software. 

Fax work experience and 

CV to 25410812. 

URGENTLY required 

for a construction 

company in Muscat: Civil 

Engineers, 2 Nos (degree 

in civil engineering 

with minimum 4 years 

experience in Oman). 

Civil Supervisors, 

2 Nos (diploma in 

civil engineering with 

minimum 4 years 

experience in Oman, 

Civil Foreman, 2 Nos 

(minimum 10 years 

experience in Oman). 

Interested candidates 

please forward your 

CV to admin@ 

pctoman.com or Fax to: 

2450211299597467. 

S 

A 

VAILABLE 

FILIPINO housemaids 

are available with ready 

medical test. Contact: 

92824565, 95529705, 

97219277. 

A 

ALE/BUYING 

OLD household furniture, 

carpet, curtain, wallpaper 

and fixing. 99834373. 

CCOM AVAILABLE 

ROOM in Darsait for 

executive bachelor. 

99415712 

Sulaiman Awlad 

Thani:95181747 

Ali al Maashari: 

99639264 

Saada: 

95919344 

Sulaiman Awlad Thani: 95181747 

Ali al Maashari: 99639264 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

S 

ITUATION WANTED 

17 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

Available on very GOOD prices 

HP F1050 3 in 1 Printer 

RO 11.900 only 

HP F3050 3 in 1 Printer 


HP OJ3608 5 in 1 Printer 


HP P1102 Laser Printer 


AII HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Samsung 

Cartridges also available. 

INDIAN female, MBA, 

B Com graduate, 3 yrs 

experience, (including 1 

year in Oman) seeks suitable 

placement in HR, 

event management, resource 

management and 

business development. 

Contact 98700199. 

REQUIRED job, 18 

years driving experience 

in Oman 95983427. 

SAP ABAP certified 

Indian male with M Tech 

in Computer Science and 

2 years experience now 

in Oman seeks suitable 

placement. 99698567, 

E-mail: antogeorgea@ 

gmail.com 

ASST purchase manager, 

Indian male, BBA, MA 

(Public Admin), 15 yrs 

experience in building 

materials in Saudi 

Arabia, China, Thailand, 

India, seeks suitable 

placement in Oman. 

Contact 92781754. 

INDIAN male, diploma 

engineering, 10 years 

experience in sales with 

valid Omani driving 

licence, seeks placement 

96151002. 

INDIAN female, 

27, experienced HR 

professional in Oman. 

Looking for suitable 

assignment in HR/ 

recruitments/admin/ 

backoffice. 98644904/ 

chauhan chani@gmail. 

com. 

INDIAN male 28, looking 

for change, working as 

project lead (Telecom), 

4 yrs exp in Telecom, 3 

yrs in Oman. Willing to 

work in utilities, security 

systems, telecom related 

fields (OSP & FOC). 

Hands on exp with all 

telecom equipment. 

Contact 99381420. 

BSc Sudanese Civil 

Engineer, 25 years, with 

2 year, experience as Site 

Engineer, knowledge 

of AutoCad, Quantity 

Surveying, seeks suitable 

job. 93651834. E-mail: 

masamurzak@yahoo.com 

EGYPTIAN Dentist 

Doctor looking for work, 

has ministry licence. 

99597467. 

COMPUTER SUPPLIES 

Ruwi: 24 792-792 

Sohar: 2684 2420 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

DIRECT: 24649594 - FAX : 24649590 

e-mail: classified@omandaily.om 

AFAQ WADI AL-MA’AWIL LLC 

CRANE (35 - 80 Ton) 

DOZER 

LOAD/ALL 

GRADER 

EXCAVATOR 

BACK HOE/LOADER 

FUEL TANKER 

SEWAGE TANKER 

WATER TANKER 

CONTACT: 99310448 /99333506 /24505994 

FAX: 24504023. E-mail: afaqwadi@yahoo.com 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

OMANI female, 

Bachelor of Science of 

International Business 

Administration, experience 

in admin, fluent 

in English writing and 

speaking, looking for 

suitable job with good 

salary 95458433. 

MORE than 15 years 

Oman experienced 

Storekeeper/Salesman 

having valid Driving 

licence, on visit, seeks 

job 99284879. 

INDIAN lady doctor 

with MOH licence 

and obstretic experience 

seeks a suitable 

placement.Contact 

93431015 or 99171318 

INDIAN male 

graduate with 15 years 

experience in purchase/ 

procurement having 

UAE driving licence 

seeks suitable placement. 

Contact 95446121. 

manakkattsasi@gmail. 

com 

INDIAN female 

MCA, Oracle certified 

professional in DBA and 

Oracle certified associate 

in developer track. 

Experience as computer 

programer,eeks placement. 

98579241. 

ENGLISH Teacher, MA 

BEd Indian with 7 years 

teaching experience 

in Omani schools and 

institute. 92289080. 

CHARTERED 

Accountant, Indian male, 

34 years, 11 year of 

experience, looking for a 

suitable job. Contact: 

vijaymohta12@rediffmail. 

com 

INDIAN teacher — 

MA in Economics, 

BA, BEd and diploma 

holder in Computer 

Applications, on visit, 


Contact 93405907/ 

92812589. E-mail: 

rajaniprabhu.d.gmail.com 

INDIAN female, Master 

in Law, experience in 

admin &sales 

co-ordinator for 5 years, 

seeks suitable placement 

(doing MBA — HR). 

92595933. 

G 

A 

UEST HOUSE 

NNOUNCEMENT 

F 

O 

R 

H 

I 

R 

E 

Presents 

1. Tourism journeys to all around 

the Sultanate’s areas. 

2. Delivery service from/to Dubai. 

3. Delivery service from/to the airport. 

In association with Thrifty Rent-A-Car 

For enquiries: 24478902/99337159 

MURAHIB 

HOTEL 

APARTMENTS 

welcome our 

valuable GUESTS to 

our excellent 

location, 

AL KHUWAIR, 

near AL ZAWAWI 

MOSQUE, a single 

bedroom, a bedroom 

& majlis, two 

bedrooms & majlis 

24478087, 

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QURUM BEACH 

HOTEL. 24564070. 

AYURVEDIC 

treatment, Yoga massage 

& slimming. Contact 

92504980/98354760/ 

24475280/ 24698564. 

www.drsajjay.com 

AMAZING 

season offer!! 4 

in 1 trip * Dolphin 

watching * Fishing 

game * Snorkelling 

* Coastal Tour. Contact: 

92745623, Al Raheeb 

Marine Tours. 

F 

9 

OR RENT/SALE/INVT 

AVAILABLE industrial/ 

commercial land in 

Ghala, Wattayah, Al 

Amerat, Al Masafah, Al 

Rumaiz, Al Thraf in 

Sohar. For Rental/ 

Business Investment. 

Front road facility 

available. For more 

details: please contact 

the owner 95111175 

INDUSTRIAL land 

in Rusail divided to 

four parts fixed for 

industrial enterprises 

and workshop. Contact 

99323957. 

CLASSIFIEDS 

Continued on P-18

Obama seeks backing on 

major investment effort 

WASHINGTON — US President 

Barack Obama called 

on Republicans yesterday 

to back a $60 billion investment 

in infrastructure, using 

a bridge in the US capital in 

need of critical repairs as a 

backdrop. 

Obama, seeking to drive 

portions of his stalled $447 

billion jobs bill through a 

gridlocked Congress, and 

hoping to improve his own 

political prospects, also released 

a report calling for national 

infrastructure repairs. 

“Construction workers 

have been among the Americans 

hit hardest over the past 

few years. And that makes no 

sense when there’s so much 

of America that needs rebuilding,” 

said Obama in a 

statement. 

“This week, Congress has 

the chance to do something 

about it and pass a bill that 

will put hundreds of thousands 

of construction workers 

back to work rebuilding 

our roads, bridges, airports 

and transit systems. 

“It’s a bill that includes 

S 

18 

AMERICAS/CLASSIFIEDS 



ITUATION WANTED SITUATION WANTED SITUATION WANTED 

28 YEARS Indian male, 

7 years experience in 

accounts, audit & finance 

4 yrs in UAE. Well- 

versed with Tally ERP9 

Quickbooks, Oracle ERP. 

Looking for suitable 

placement. Qualification 

B.Com, ACCA semi- 

qualified. Contact 

99281949. 

INDIAN female post graduation 

in computer Application, 

2 years experience 

as computer programmer, 

in professional college, 


Contact: 98579241. 

AN MBA with engineering 

background and 

twenty years international 

experience (including 

USA & Oman) in general 

management, sales 

& marketing & business 

development, is looking 

for suitable senior management 

assignment. Please 

call 97299135. 

the kinds of ideas both parties 

have voted for in the past, 

it’s paid for, and its ideas are 

supported by an overwhelming 

majority of the American 

people. It’s time for Congress 

to act.” 

The Democratic-led Senate 

is expected this week to 

take up the infrastructure 

measure that would invest in 

airports, roads, bridges, railroads 

and highways. 

But prospects are unclear 

for garnering the 60 Senate 

votes needed to overcome 

blocking tactics by Republicans 

who accuse Obama 

of trying to double down on 

failed stimulus spending. 

In recent votes, several 

Democratic senators from 

conservative states where the 

president’s economic policies 

are unpopular ahead of the 

2012 election, have also declined 

to back portions of the 

jobs plans. 

Meanwhile, a blame game 

is in full swing between Republicans 

and Democrats 

over the failure to pass jobs 

measures. 

INDIAN, diploma (Civil), 

currently working as 

project engineer in 

construction firm, having 

17 years of experience of 

which 14 years in Oman, 


Contact: 

95793724, e-mail: 

vprashanthpinto@gmail. 

com 

INDIAN male, 39, 16 

yrs experience in Import/ 

Export, Freight, Inventory, 

Costing, MBA (Logistics 

& Supply Chain), Valid 

Oman D/L, seeking 

suitable placement. 

Contact 

99500670. 

EX Indian army officer 

male, Black Cat 

Commando BA, Karate 

black belt 1st Dan, having 

USA and Oman D/L, 

seeks suitable job, or TRG 

officer. Please contact 

93605854. 

Republicans argue that 

they have ushered 15 bills 

through the House of Representatives 

only to see them 

founder in the Democraticled 

Senate as part of Obama’s 

plans to run against a “do 

nothing” Congress next year. 

“A Democratic majority 

in the Senate (has) teamed 

up with the White House on 

a strategy of doing nothing,” 

said Senate Republican leader 

Mitch McConnell. 

“All for the sake of trying 

to score political points and 

spread the blame for an economy 

that their own policies 

have cemented into place as 

they look ahead to an election 

that’s more than a year away. 

“The president’s economic 

policies have failed to do 

what he said they would. And 

now he’s designing legislation 

to fail.” 

But the White House argues 

that the Republican 

ideas would do nothing to 

tackle unemployment of 9.1 

per cent in the short term and 

say urgent action is required 

now. 

MALE, 23, Indian, MCA, 

BSc computer science, 

PGDBA, looking for 

suitable jobs. 

Contact: 97310219, 

e-mail: vineeth1000@ 

gmail.com 

FEMALE candidate with 

BSc, MILSc, (PhD in 

progress), 13 years in India 

and 7 years working 

experience as librarian in 

Oman, seeks better 

placement. Contact: 

97869008. 

INDIAN male, MBA, 10 

years experience (5 years 

GCC), with valid Omani 

driving licence, looking 

for opening in Sales 

Coordination/Corporate 

Sales / Executive Asst 

Administration. Contact: 

95908687 

INDIAN male, 8 years 

experience in sales & 

marketing in Oman, seeks 


Contact: 94030754. 

Mailing Address: OBSERVER CLASSIFIEDS SECTION, P.O. Box 974, Muscat, P.C. 100 

Location: OEPPA HEAD OFFICE, Medinat Al Alam, 

Near Ministry of Information 24649 593, 594, 594, 595, 596, 597 

& OEPPA Ruwi Office, Next to Dhofar Bldg, Behind Ruwi Police Station 24785668 

Thousands of families split 

by US immigration efforts 

WASHINGTON — The US drive to expel illegal immigrants 

has separated more than 5,000 children from their parents, 

and another 15,000 face a similar fate in the coming years, a 

study said yesterday. 

The report by the activist Applied Research Center (ARC) 

found at least 5,100 children currently living in foster care 

because their parents have been detained or deported. 

The report highlights the problems faced by children as the 

US government steps up efforts to expel undocumented immigrants. 

ARC said government data showed the US deported 

46,000 parents of children who are US citizens in the first six 

months of 2011. Government data for the fiscal year ended 

September 30 showed 397,000 expulsions, half of whom had 

criminal records. 

“These deportations shatter families and endanger the children 

left behind,” the report said. 

“Immigration enforcement greatly increases the chances 

that families will never see each other again,” said ARC president 

Rinku Sen. 

“Detaining and deporting parents shatter families and endanger 

the children left behind. It’s unacceptable, un-American, 

and a clear sign that we need to revisit our immigration 

policies.” 

The report indicates that children of deported immigrants 

represent 1.25 per cent of the total in US foster care. 

“Our research found time and again that families are being 

left out of decision-making when it comes to the care and custody 

of their children,” said Seth Freed Wessler, author of the 

Shattered Families report. 

“As a result, children of detained and deported parents are 

likely to remain in foster care when they could be with their 

own family.” 

Additionally, the report showed immigrant victims of domestic 

violence and other forms of gender-based violence are 

at particular risk of losing their children. — AFP 

INDIAN male, BE (EEE), 

19 years experience in both 

projects, operation & 

maintenance, presently 

working in reputed 

organisationo in Oman 

having valid Omani D/L, 


93464647 e-mail: 

sudharshan21@in.com 

INDIAN female, 22, BE 

Electronics & 

Communication 

Engineering, proficient in 

MS Office, presently at 

Muscat on visit visa, seeks 


Contact: 98713912, 

99622359, E-mail: 

athirask89@gmail.com 

INDIAN male 32, BBA 

with over 11 years exp in 

sales & marketing seeks 

suitable position in mid- 

senior positions. Holds 

Omani D/L. 92928747. 

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B-Tech Electronics & 

Communication from 

Kannur university Kerala, 

4 yrs experience seeks 

suitable placement. Please 

contact 93605854. 

18 YEARS GCC 

experience in costing, 

design/commissioning of 

LV panel & other electrical 

works, Indian male, 

diploma, holding Oman 

driving licence, seeks 

suitable placement. Contact 

97097902. 

INDIAN male, 26 years, 

B Sc in IT, Oman 3 years 

experience in sales, 1 year 

work experience as a data 

entry operator, 3 years 

work experience in sales 

in India with Reliance 

and Tata USB Broadband, 

seeks suitable placement 

in Muscat. 98463970 

subin999ntny@gmail.com 

DIPLOMA in Autocad 

(Pakistan) and Civil 

Draftsman, BA, computer 

literate with 5 years 

experience (govt). Contact: 

97060332 

INDIAN lady doctor with 

MOH licence and obstretic 

experience seeks a suitable 

placement.Contact 

93431015 or 99171318 

GRADUATE, 9+ years 

experience in sales & administration 

with GCC driving 

licence, seeks placement 

in sales/admin 99671756. 

NDT technician, Indian 

male, 28 years, qualified 

& experienced, presently 

working in India, seeks 

suitable job in Oman. 

Ready to join immediately 

99235823. 

INDIAN female MCA, Oracle 

certified professional 

in DBA and Oracle certified 

associate in developer 

track. Experience as 

computer programmer, 


Contact: 98579241. 

INDIAN male B Com, 

MBA Finance, 11 yrs 

experience (4 yrs in GCC) 

in accounts & finance 

having valid Oman D/L, 

seeking suitable placement 

98248377. 

ORACLE 10g Forms/ 

Reports/PLSQL Developer 

(OCP), B.Tech (CSE), 2 

years experience in Oman 

as database developer, 1½ 

years in India as DotNet 

Developer (ASP.Net)/C#. 

Net/VB.Net), valid Omani 

D/L.98003533/ 

99666547. 

INDIAN female, B.Tech 

(E&C) with MBA, 5 years 

experience, residing in 

Oman, seeks placement 

(MBA marketing) 

95231900, Res: 

24877888, e-mail: pt_ 

elsa@yahoo.co.in 

30 YEARS male having 

more than four years 

experience two years 

in Gulf seeks job as 

quantity surveyor. Contact 

93439838/ 95618429/ 

0094-775266213. 

MBA graduate (Indian) 

with strong managerial & 

marketing skills, looking 

for suitable opportunity in 

marketing or HR. Contact 

98186033. E-mail: 

finnyabraham@rediffmail. 

com 

INDIAN male, 30, BE 

Computer Science, MCSE 

certified, 4 years experience 

in computer hardware and 

sales seeks suitable placement 

92324217, e-mail: 

johnmas45@yahoo.com 



insurance, admin and 

logistics, currently on 

visit visa seeks immediate 

placement. Contact 

93034750. 


BCom, LLB, 12 years 

experience in legal field, 6 

months experience in administration 

field. Contact 

93354775. 

DIPLOMA in Civil 

Engineering. 7 years 

experience in Qatar and 

Sharjah. Now working in 

Oman, seeks suitable 

placement. 99794456, 

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INDIAN female, B.Com 

+ MBA marketing, having 

experience in sales and marketing 

for one year, looking 

for suitable placement in 

any of challenging field. 

96662899. 

INDIAN Female 22, 

BE Electronics & 

Communication presently at 

Muscat on visit visa, seeks 

suitable placement. Contact 

98713912/ 99622359. 

ZAJEL weekly magazine evry saturday along with OMAN DAILY 

for advertising contact 

Mobile 96224397 95181747 

Tel 24649593 Fax 24649590 Email zajeloman@yahoocom 

Republican Cain says foes 

‘trying to destroy me’ 

WASHINGTON — Republican 

US presidential candidate 

Herman Cain said yesterday 

that his opponents are “trying 

to destroy me” over allegations 

of harassment that have 

rocked his 2012 bid. 

The controversy is threatening 

to engulf Cain’s campaign 

just as he is leading in 

many polls of Republican voters 

who will pick their nominee 

next year to challenge 

Democratic President Barack 

Obama in the November 2012 

election. 

The businessman and 

former pizza executive has 

called the allegations false. 

But one of two women who 

have accused Cain of harassment 

when he led the National 

Restaurant Association 

in the mid-1990s wants to tell 

her side of the story. 

Cain, speaking to technology 

executives in a Virginia 

suburb of Washington, said 

campaigning goes in phases, 

first the candidate is ignored, 

then ridiculed and then “they 

try to destroy you.” 

“There are factions that are 

INDIAN male, Diploma, 

MCSE with overall 

13+ yrs experience in 

administration, sales, 

support, hardware & net- 

working, seeks suitable 

placement. 98956725. 

trying to destroy me as well as 

this campaign,” Cain said. 

The New York Times reported 

that one woman who 

accused Cain of sexual harassment 

had been given $35,000, 

a year’s salary, in severance 

pay in the late 1990s after an 

encounter with Cain. 

The lawyer for a second 

woman, Joel Bennett, said 

his client wants to be released 

from a confidentiality agreement 

that has barred her from 

speaking about her interaction 

with Cain because she feels he 

has broken the agreement by 

giving his side of the story. 

The lawyer told MSNBC 

his client was subjected to 

more than once incident of 

sexual harassment. Cain has 

said he told this woman she 

was about the same height 

as his wife and that this was 

taken the wrong way by her. 

The National Restaurant 

Association asked Bennett 

to contact the organisation to 

discuss the next step. Release 

of the woman from the agreement 

could generate a media 

feeding frenzy that may fur- 

GENERAL manager 

urgently seeks change. 

Engineer with 20 years 

experience in Oman in 

business Development, 

Trading, Real Estate, 

Sales & Marketing, JV, 

Industries. Contact: 

93451106. 

SUDANESE male, 25 

years, BSc in electrical 

engineering, 1 year 

experience in Oman and 1 

year in Sudan with Omani 

licence, looking for suitable 

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ashrafqassim@gmail.com. 

ACCOUNTANT, 

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2 years experience, well 

versed in tally 9, Excel, 

ICDL, accounting up 

to finalisation/valid 

Omani D/L, working in 

a contracting company. 

Contact 94035976. 

INDIAN male, Diploma, 

MCSE with overall 

13+ yrs experience in 

administration, sales, 

support, hardware & net- 

working, seeks suitable 

placement. 98956725. 


pre degree with 8 years 

experience as material coordinator, 

store in-charge, 

data entry operator (2 years 

in Oman), seeks suitable 

placement 93312885. 

INDIAN female 30 years, 

MSc Mathematics and 

Post Graduate diploma in 

Computer Applications. 

Contact 96464608. 

FILIPINO male, 27 years 

old with computer trouble 

shooting and administrative 

experience, having 

driving ability, currently 

on a visit visa, looking 

for suitable job. Contact 

99631684. 

HEAVY duty driver with 

GCC driving licence and 

12 years epxerience in 

GCC 99426115. 

ther distract Cain from his 

campaign. 

Cain told the technology 

executives he expects his campaign 

will survive because of 

his popular support. 

“That’s why we’re doing 

as well as we are in this campaign 

thus far,” he said. 

A new poll by Quinnipiac 

University found that Cain, a 

former CEO of Godfather’s 

Pizza, leads the Republican 

field with 30 per cent, followed 

by former Massachusetts 

Governor Mitt Romney 

with 23 per cent, former 

House of Representatives 

Speaker Newt Gingrich with 

10 per cent and Texas Governor 

Rick Perry at 8 per cent. 

The poll was conducted 

largely before the harassment 

controversy erupted. 

On another front, Cain 

appeared to bungle a foreign 

policy question in a PBS television 

interview on Tuesday 

when he suggested that China 

was trying to acquire nuclear 

weapons, which Beijing has 

in fact possessed since the 

1960s. — Reuters 

FEMALE 

Accountant, MCom, 


Oman. Contact: 

92087993, 

92298263. 

EGYPTIAN civil 

engineer, 10 years 

experience, 5 years 

in Oman, qualified in 

project management, 

pricing tenders, 

execution, procurement, 

skilled in computer 

program related field, 

valid Omani driving 

licence. E-mail: 

hgn_2001@yahoo.com. 

99147671. 

INTERIOR architect, 

3 years experience, 

qualified in execution 

and finishing work, 

skilled in computer 

program, AutoCAD, 3D 

Max, Adobe Photoshop, 

residing in Sultanate of 

Oman, having driving 

licence. E-mail: eng. 

intarchi@yahoo.com 

99807411. 

INDIAN female, 35 

years, BA LLB, 11 years 

experience in legal field, 

now on family visa. Contact 

93354775 e-mail: 

advjincysubash@gmail. 

com 

INDIAN female, MCom, 

LLB, 8 years teaching 

experience, 3 years in 

Oman in international 

school as a business 

studies teacher, seeks 

placement in schools. Contact 

96040624. 


B.Com graduate, 3 years 

procurement experience 

in Oman, seeks placement 

98824983. 

FEMALE teacher, Indian, 

with over 13 years 

experience in coaching 

(IGCSE) chemistry 

students to achieve 

excellent grades. Contact 

94063935. 

9

Oman record 

1-0 win over 

Bangladesh 

DHAKA — Oman defeated 

hosts Bangladesh 1-0 in the 

last match of the AFC U-19 

Group 'A' qualifiers here 

yesterday. 

Oman ended their campaign 

with six points from 

four matches while Bangladesh 

finished on three points 

playing the same number of 

matches. 

Oman’s goal came in the 

20th minute off a penalty 

after Bangladesh defender 

Rakin brought Mohamed 

Said Saud in the box and 

Hatem Khamis scored from 

the spot . 

Five minutes after the 

re-start substitute Bangladeshi 

forward Masud Rana 

was sent off after he pulled 

one Oman player down and 

subsequently Jordanian 

referee Suleiman Salameh 

pointed another spot kick. 

But Hatem Khamis’ spot 

kick was punched to safety 

by Bangladesh goalie Rasel 

who dived to his right. 

LONDON — Another Lionel Messi 

hat-trick lit up the Champions 

League yet again as Barcelona and 

AC Milan qualified for the last 16 

with time to spare on Tuesday although 

it is APOEL Nicosia who are 

fast becoming the talk of the group 

stages. 

Premier League sides Chelsea 

and Arsenal still have work to do 

to reach the knockout phase after 

draws against Racing Genk and 

Olympique Marseille respectively 

when victories could have sealed 

their passage out of their groups. 

Unstoppable Argentine Messi 

gave Barcelona the lead with his 

200th goal for the club and his 201st 

and 202nd followed as they beat 10man 

Viktoria Plzen 4-0 in Prague to 

move top of Group 'H' above Milan 

who were held 1-1 at BATE Borisov. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was on target 

for Milan and, although the Serie A 

side conceded a second-half goal 

from the penalty spot, Barca's result 

ensured the two giants of European 

football will be in the knockout 

rounds come February. 

Unfancied Cypriots APOEL 

are just one win away from joining 

Stand up and score 

Dilshan urges 

Sri Lanka batsmen 

SHARJAH — Skipper 

Tillakaratne Dilshan urged his 

batsmen to stand up and score 

big to help Sri Lanka level 

the series against Pakistan by 

winning the third Test which 

starts here today. 

Poor first innings batting 

let Sri Lanka down in the 

first Test before an epic double 

hundred and a fighting 

century from Prasanna Jayawardene 

salvaged a draw in 

the first Test in Abu Dhabi. 

But the batters failed to 

show an improved performance 

in the second Test as Pakistan 

romped to a crushing 

nine-wicket win in Dubai to 

go 1-0 up in the series. 

Dilshan admitted the task 

to level the series was not 

easy. "Definitely, it's not easy 

but we have prepared well and 

we know which area we have 

to improve and everybody is 

ready to deliver, if we play our 

brand of cricket then it might 

be a good chance to level," 

said Dilshan yesterday. 

Sri Lanka were bowled out 

for low scores of 197 and 239 

in the first innings of both the 

Tests and Dilshan realised it's 

the weak area. 

"Our batting has let us 

down but we have worked 

really very hard and we have 

talked a lot about that and I 

hope three four guys stand 

BOSTON — The Boston Bruins 

ended a three-game losing 

run with a 5-3 home victory 

over the in-form Ottawa Senators 

in a battle of NHL divisional 

rivals on Tuesday. 

The two Northeast Division 

teams had been heading 

in opposite directions prior to 

the contest but the last-placed 

Bruins (4-7-0) used a thirdperiod 

surge to derail a Senators 

team that had won their 

last six games. 

Boston's Johnny Boychuk 

scored the decisive goal to 

break a 3-3 tie at 6:41 in the 

third and Daniel Paille added 

the final score 37 seconds 

later to give the Stanley Cup 

champions a much-needed 

triumph. 

Ottawa (7-6-0), who had 

enjoyed their longest winning 

streak in two seasons, scored 

first-period goals via Nick 

Foligno, who also had two assists, 

and Stephane Da Costa 

to grab a 2-1 advantage. 

Patrice Bergeron and 

Chris Kelly responded with 

them as winners of Group 'G' after a 

last-gasp 2-1 victory against former 

European champions Porto. 

Still undefeated, they have eight 

points, one more than Russian champions 

Zenit St Petersburg who beat 

Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0. APOEL visit 

Zenit in the next round of matches in 

three weeks when victory will seal 

an unlikely top spot in the group. 

"My wish is that my players will 

keep playing with the same passion 

in the remaining two matches. 

If we do it, and is up to us, then we 

have chances for many things," said 

APOEL'S coach Ivan Jovanovic, 

whose side were given little chance 

to survive when the draw was 

made. 

Ailton gave APOEL, playing in 

the group stage for only the second 

time, the lead but an 89th-minute 

penalty by Porto's Hulk silenced the 

stadium. In a barnstorming finish, 

Gustavo Manduca then drilled in a 

stoppage-time winner to spark wild 

celebrations amongst the home supporters. 

Arsenal, whose season has recovered 

after a terrible start, left 

prolific Dutch striker Robin van 

Persie among the substitutes and his 

19 SPORT 


THURSDAY, novemBeR 3, 2011 

Messi treble puts Barca in last 16; Milan march on 

up and turn these 20-30 into 

hundreds because first innings 

is important in Tests," said 

Dilshan. 

Sri Lankan skipper hoped 

he will also be amongst runs 

after managing scores of 19, 

nine, seven and three in the 

series. 

"I am not feeling any pressure 

but I am worried about 

my batting. I have worked 

hard and have confidence that 

I can come out and score big," 

said Dilshan, who scored just 

one fifty in the three-Test series 

against Australia in September. 

Pakistan’s captain Misbahul 

Haq said his players were 

focused on winning the series. 

"I think everybody is focused 

and wants to play good cricket. 

That was our goal when 

we came here," said Misbah, 

whose team will replace Sri 

Lanka at five in Test rankings. 

Pakistan are currently sixth in 

Tests. 

Misbah said he expects Sri 

Lanka to come hard in the final 

Test. 

"Sri Lanka are a very good 

side and they are fighters so 

we are ready for it but our 

focus is to do the basics well 

and play like we have done in 

the last year and a half," said 

Misbah, hoping a good batting 

track in Sharjah. 

Bruins derail Senators 

Bruins' goals in the second to 

put Boston 3-2 ahead before 

Senators defenceman Jared 

Cowen tied the score at 5:04 

in the third. 

In Washington, the Capitals 

overcame a three-goal 

deficit with some late-game 

heroics by Nicklas Backstrom 

to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 

5-4 in overtime and pad their 

slim lead in the Southeast Division. 

Backstrom scored with 

42 seconds left in regulation 

to even the score and then 

banged home the game-winner 

two minutes into the extra 

session to keep Washington 

unbeaten at home. 

Washington, who snapped 

a two-game losing streak after 

opening the year with seven 

straight wins, have 16 points, 

three more than idle Florida 

in one of the NHL's tightest 

divisions. 

Other results: Carolina Hurricanes 

bt Tampa Bay Lightning 

4-2, Minnesota Wild bt Detroit Red 

Wings 2-1, Vancouver Canucks bt 

Calgary Flames 5-1. — Reuters 

BARCELONA’S Lionel Messi scores past Viktoria Plzen’s goalkeeper 

Roman Pavlik during their Champions League Group ‘H’ 

match in Prague on Tuesday. — Reuters 

30-minute cameo failed to prevent 

them from labouring to a 0-0 draw 

against Marseille in Group 'F'. 

A home victory would have put 

Arsenal through but a draw means 

both teams should still qualify. 

Borussia Dortmund kept alive their 

hopes of a top two place with a 1-0 

home victory against Greek side Olympiakos 

Piraeus. 

"We wanted to qualify tonight, 

but we were not at our sharpest," Arsenal 

manager Arsene Wenger said. 

KILL THE GAME 

Chelsea's woes continued after 

back-to-back Premier League defeats 

and accusations that captain 

John Terry racially abused Queen's 

Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand. 

Victory in Genk looked a formality 

when Ramires gave them the 

lead but a missed penalty by David 

Luiz gave the Belgium club hope 

and Jelle Vossen equalised after the 

break to give his side their second 

point in the group. 

Chelsea began the night eyeing 

a win which could have sealed 

their progress to the last 16, depending 

on other results, but things look 

less secure now for the London club 

who have eight points, two in front 

of Bayer Leverkusen who lost 3-1 in 

Valencia. 

Brazilian Jonas scored after 12 

seconds for Valencia, the second 

quickest goal in the Champions 

League. 

Leverkusen host Chelsea in the 

next round of group matches. "We 

could have put the game beyond 

their reach. We had chances to kill 

the game off," keeper Petr Cech told 

Sky Sports. "I don't think there was a 

hangover (from Saturday's 5-3 home 

defeat by Arsenal). We now have to 

qualify the hard way." 

Barca have no such worries. 

Not only did Messi complete a 

double century of goals for the Spanish 

side, but keeper Victor Valdez 

set a club record for not conceding 

a goal — bettering Miguel Reina's 

824-minute shutout run achieved in 

the 1972-73 season. 

Messi, who also scored a hattrick 

in La Liga against Mallorca 

on Saturday, scored a penalty after 

24 minutes, fired in a second from 

close range just before halftime and 

completed his hat-trick in stoppage 

time. 

Plzen had to play three quarters 

of the match with 10 men as Marian 

Cisovsky was dismissed for the foul 

on Messi which led to the penalty. 

"I am happy for the match, the 

result and the goals, " Messi told 

Spanish television. "Given the result 

of the Milan game it was important 

to win. (Plzen) are not as well 

known as some clubs but it's not 

easy to come here." — Reuters

New Zealand 

stay on top in 

Bulawayo 

BULAWAYO — New Zealand 

maintained the upper 

hand in their one-off Test 

against Zimbabwe yesterday, 

despite the hosts fighting 

back strongly throughout 

the second day at Queens 

Sports Club. Zimbabwe 

went to stumps on 82 for one 

as they responded to New 

Zealand's first innings total 

of 426 all out. 

SCOREBOARD 

New Zealand 1st innings 

(overnight 275 for 3) 

R Taylor c Chakabva b Ncube . 76 

Watling c Chakabva b Mpofu .. 39 

D Brownlie c Taylor b Price ....63 

D Vettori c Taylor b Mpofu ......40 

R Young (not out) ......................9 

D Bracewell b Mpofu ................0 

J Patel c Mawoyo b Mpofu ......12 

C Martin b Price ..........................0 

Extras: (b-7, nb-3, wd-2, lb-3) 15 

Total: (all out, 143.3 overs) ...426 

Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-115, 

3-247, 4-275, 5-320, 6-401, 7-407, 

8-407, 9-425. 

Bowling: Jarvis 28-6-98-1; Ncube 

25-4-80-1; Mpofu 43-10-92-4; 

Price 42.3-7-118-2; Masakadza 

11-4-20-1; Waller 3-0-8-0. 

Zimbabwe 1st innings 

T Mawoyo lbw Vettori ...............5 

V Sibanda (not out) ..................53 

H Masakadza (not out) ............22 

Extras: (lb-2) .............................2 

Total: (1 wkt, 40 overs) ...........82 

Fall of wickets: 1-24. 

Bowling: Martin 8-3-26-0, 

Bracewell 10-7-13-0, Vettori 13- 

5-23-1, Patel 9-1-18-0. 

Messi treble 

puts Barca 

in last 16 

Page 19 

DHAKA — Leg-spinner Davendra 

Bishoo completed his 

maiden five-wicket haul as 

Bangladesh collapsed either 

side of lunch on the fifth day 

of the second Test to succumb 

to a 229-run defeat to the West 

Indies yesterday. 

Resuming after the interval 

on 263 for six, Bangladesh 

lost their last four wickets for 

just 15 runs in a little over 

seven overs to be dismissed 

for 278 as the tourists secured 

a 1-0 victory in the two-match 

series. 

The rain-hit first Test was 

drawn in Chittagong last 

week. 

Bishoo claimed two wickets 

in the first over after the 

break when he trapped Nasir 

Hossain lbw for three before 

Suhrawadi Shuvo offered up a 

catch to skipper Darren Sammy 

at slip without scoring a 

couple of deliveries later. 

Naeem Islam (3) soon fell 

to Bishoo to give the legspinner 

his fifth wicket, before 

Kemar Roach bowled last man 

Rubel Hossain (3) to complete 

an easy victory that had appeared 

to be drifting away 

from the tourists earlier on. 

West Indies were largely 

frustrated in the morning session 

before they removed 

home skipper Mushfiqur Rahim 

and Shakib Al Hasan in a 

three-over span before lunch 

after the duo frustrated had 

them with a dogged 88-run 

fifth-wicket stand. 

Sammy claimed the wicket 

of Shakib, who managed to 

spoil all of his good work 

by mistiming an improvised 

shot that took a leading edge 

to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at 

slip for 55. 

Rahim soon followed when 

Bishoo bowled him for 69 to 

expose the tail and the spinner 

eventually finished with Testbest 

figures of five for 90 as 

Bangladesh lost their last six 

wickets for 22 runs in less than 

12 overs. 

Chasing a world record 

THURSDAY, novemBeR 3, 2011 

Bishoo bamboozles Bangladesh 

WEST Indies players pose for a group photo after winning the second and final Test against 

Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka yesterday. — AFP 

target of 508, Bangladesh resumed 

on 164 for theee and 

suffered a major blow in just 

the third over of the morning 

when the third umpire ruled 

that opener Tamim Iqbal was 

caught by Sammy off Bishoo 

for 83. 

The on-field official was 

unable to determine if the fuller 

delivery was a bump ball 

but the third umpire clarified 

the delivery had hit the ground 

before the bat and gave Tamim 

out after he had added a single 

to his overnight total. 

SCOREBOARD 

West Indies 1st innings 355 

Bangladesh 1st innings 231 

West Indies 2nd innings 

383 for 5 declared 

Bangladesh 2nd innings 

(overnight 164 for 3) 

T Iqbal c Sammy b Bishoo ..........83 

M Rahim b Bishoo .......................69 

Shakib al Hasan c Chanderpaul 

b Sammy .......................55 

N Islam lbw Bishoo .......................3 

N Hossain lbw Bishoo ...................3 

S Shuvo c Sammy b Bishoo ..........0 

S Hossain (not out) ........................1 

R Hossain b Roach ........................7 

Extras: (b-6, lb-1, nb-6) ..............13 

Total: (all out, 80.2 overs) ........ 278 

Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-73, 3-124, 

4-168, 5-256, 6-260, 7-264, 8-264, 

9-271. 

Bowling: F Edwards 14-0-56-1 

(nb-3), K Roach 13.2-2-49-1(nb-3), 

D Sammy 13-4-19-2, D Bishoo 25- 

6-90-5, M Samuels 15-2-57-1. 

LONDON — A British judge 

dismissed claims yesterday 

that Pakistan bowler Mohammed 

Aamir was only involved 

in one episode of spot-fixing, 

as three Pakistan players 

awaited sentencing in the 

case. 

The 19-year-old has 

pleaded guilty to conspiracy 

to cheat at gambling and to 

accept corrupt payments by 

plotting to bowl pre-arranged 

no-balls during the Test 

match between England and 

Pakistan at Lord's in August 

2010. 

Judge Jeremy Cooke, sitting 

at London's Southwark 

Crown Court, said that text 

messages sent from murky 

contacts in Pakistan suggested 

the talented youngster was 

also implicated in fixing during 

the preceeding Test at The 

Oval. 

"There are certainly texts 

and the like which suggest that 

Aamir's first and only involvement 

was not limited to Lord's, 

it was not an isolated and oneoff 

event," Cooke said. 

PLAYERS AGENT 

PLEADED GUILTY 

Mazhar Majeed, the agent 

of three Pakistan cricketers 

convicted over a conspiracy 

to bowl deliberate no-balls, 

pleaded guilty to his involve- 

Boston Bruins 

overcome 

Senators 

Page 19 

Judge rejects Aamir’s 

one-off fixing claim 

ment in the betting scam, it 

can be reported. 

Judge Jeremy Cooke, 

hearing the case at London’s 

Southwark Crown Court, 

lifted reporting restrictions on 

publication of his guilty pleas. 

Majeed, 36, from Croydon 

in south London, admitted 

conspiracy to cheat and to 

obtain and accept corrupt payments 

during a pre-trial hearing 

in September. 

He now faces sentencing 

along with the three players 

under his wing who are also 

guilty of the charges. 

Like Majeed, teenage 

swing bowler Mohammad 

Aamer admitted the charges in 

September, but his guilty plea 

could not be reported during 

the trial of Butt and Asif. 

In court yesterday, prosecutor 

Aftab Jafferjee applied 

for a compensation order to repay 

the £150,000 ($240,000) 

that an undercover reporter 

from the now-defunct News 

of the World tabloid gave to 

Majeed. 

The money, paid in cash, 

was handed over to the agent 

as part of an arrangement to 

rig cricket matches, including 

the no-balls delivered during 

the Test between Pakistan and 

England at Lord’s in August 

2010. — AFP 

Pakistan recall 

Afridi, Razzaq 

to ODI team 

KARACHI — Pakistan 

recalled experienced allrounders 

Shahid Afridi and 

Abdul Razzaq to their squad 

yesterday for the one-day 

series against Sri Lanka later 

this month. 

Afridi, 31, was captain 

for the 50-over World Cup at 

the start of the year but then 

announced his retirement in 

May after being removed as 

skipper. 

"I am delighted to be back 

in the team and I am ready 

to ... give my full support to 

captain Misbah-ul Haq," Afridi 

told reporters. 

Razzaq, 31, has not been 

picked since the World Cup. 

He and Afridi have played 

587 one-day internationals 

between them. 

Batsman Umer Akmal is 

also back in the squad after 

missing the Test series 

against Sri Lanka. 

The teams will play five 

one-dayers, starting in Dubai 

on November 11, and a single 

Twenty20 match. 

Pakistan squad: Misbah-ul 

Haq (captain), Imran Farhat, Mohd 

Hafeez, Younus Khan, Umer Akmal, 

Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed 

(wicketkeeper), Shahid Afridi, Abdul 

Razzaq, Shoaib Malik, Junaid 

Khan, Umer Gul, Aizaz Cheema, 

Sohail Tanvir, Saeed Ajmal and 

Abdul Rehman. — Reuters

Japanese stocks 

lead Asian losses 

A busINEssMAN looks at an electronic stocks board 

showing the Nikkei key index of the Tokyo stock 

Exchange (TsE) in front of a securities company 

in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP 

TOKYO — Asian shares fell 

and the euro stuck near 3-week 

lows against the dollar yesterday, 

as investors shed riskier 

assets after Greece's shock 

call for a referendum stoked 

fears about the viability of a 

European debt deal struck just 

last week. 

Stocks wiped out all gains 

made during the huge relief 

rally last week that followed 

an announcement that European 

leaders had agreed a basic 

framework to help reduce 

Greece's huge debts, boost 

the region's bailout fund and 

strengthen banks. 

Japanese stocks led Asian 

losses, falling more than 2 

per cent, but European shares 

were expected to rebound 

from Tuesday's sharp losses 

on hopes that the US Federal 

Reserve may signal more 

measure to aid a fragile economic 

recovery. 

Safety bids supported 

government bonds but weakened 

Asian credit markets 

and pushed oil prices sharply 

down, while safe-haven gold 

rose but was capped by a 

firmer dollar. 

Xiao Minjie, chief economist 

at FuNNeX Asset Management 

in Tokyo, said the 

current environment was 

worse than three years ago 

when the collapse of Lehman 

Brothers triggered a financial 

market meltdown. 

"Investors don't want to 

take risks, halting both inflows 

to and outflows from 

funds," Xiao said. 

"Lehman was a problem 

of a single financial institution. 

We now face an issue 

of sovereign debt and fiscal 

problems that is far more 

complicated to resolve." 

MSCI's broadest index of 

Asia Pacific shares outside 

Japan fell as much as 1.7 per 

cent before recouping some 

of the losses to fall 0.7 per 

cent yesterday. Japan's Nikkei 

share slid 2.2 per cent. 

Financial bookmakers 

in London called the FTSE 

100 index to open up 0.7 per 

cent, while Germany's DAX 

was seen up 1 per cent and 

France's CAC-40 up 1.2 per 

cent. "European markets are 

seen edging up on speculative 

hopes of a dovish FOMC. 

Hopes are for some sign of 

further easing in the wings to 

ensure that the US economic 

recovery doesn't falter," said 

Jonathan Sudaria, dealer at 

Capital Spreads. 

With concerns easing about 

the risk of a hard landing in 

China and a double-dip US 

recession, Europe remained 

a worry. "Europe remains a 

source of risk," said Yonghao 

Pu, chief investment strategist 

at UBS Wealth Management 

in a Reuters television interview. 

— Reuters 

Strong home shopping 

helps Next defy gloom 

LONDON — Surging online 

sales helped Next , Britain's 

No 2 clothing retailer, to offset 

a tough third quarter at its 

stores and keep its full-year 

profit forecast despite the 

gloom engulfing the retail 

sector. 

Next, which runs more 

than 500 stores in Britain and 

Ireland as well as the Directory 

home shopping business, 

said on Wednesday group 

sales, excluding VAT sales 

tax, rose 3.3 per cent, in the 

three months to October 29. 

That compared with analyst 

forecasts in a range of 

down 0.3 per cent to up 3.0 

per cent and first half growth 

of 3.2 per cent. 

Sales at its stores dropped 

3.3 per cent, and were down 

around 8 per cent excluding 

newly-opened shops. But this 

was offset by a 16.9 per cent 

leap in sales at Next Directory. 

"A good third quarter sales 

update ... that will reassure 

investors after what has been 

a difficult quarter as a result 

of weather impacts/cautious 

consumers," Espirito Santo 

analysts wrote in a research 

note. 

Next shares climbed more 

than 6 per cent in early trading, 

the biggest rise by a European 

blue chip stock. . 

British retailers are mostly 

struggling as shoppers' disposable 

incomes are squeezed 

by rising prices, muted wages 

growth and government austerity 

measures. — Reuters 

TOKYO — Japan's top mobile 

phone operator NTT DoCoMo 

yesterday reported a fall in 

first-half revenue and profit 

but raised its earnings forecasts 

on expectations of growing 

smartphone sales. 

9 INTERNATIONAL THURSdAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 

Japan’s top telecom operator NTT DoCoMo logs first-half fall in profits 

DoCoMo's net profit for the 

six months to September fell 

3.5 per cent from a year earlier 

to 299.0 billion yen ($3.8 billion), 

the company said. 

Operating profit fell 4.3 per 

cent to 508.5 billion yen as 

overall revenue edged down 

1.2 per cent to 2.1 trillion yen. 

Smartphone sales jumped 

to 3.63 million units in the 

first half, helping the company 

achieve an 11.9 per cent rise to 

10.35 million units in overall 

sales volume of handsets. But 

income from handset sales still 

fell from a year earlier due to 

lower wholesale prices. 

DoCoMo's smartphone 

lineup includes Galaxy models 

by South Korea's Samsung 

Electronic and Xperia by Sony 

Ericsson. In Japan's highly 

saturated mobile phone market, 

the carrier is ramping up 

efforts to grab a bigger slice 

of the expanding smartphone 

market led by Apple's iPhone, 

which in Japan is carried by rivals 

Softbank and KDDI. 

DoCoMo raised its earnings 

projections for the full 

year to March 2012 on expected 

growth in smartphone sales 

and data revenues. — AFP

Downpour unleashes chaos in Muscat - Oman Daily Observer

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