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Getmeatintotheof the matter.For the last 10 years, Al Tajin Steak & Grill has been the place to be for a great night out,excellent food, attentive service, and a fun and relaxed environment. Muscat’s all-inclusivemenu offering is back, including our popular salad bar, mouthwatering main courses, deliciousdesserts, and unlimited selected beverages.Al Tajin Steak & Grill is open daily from 6:00 pm.Lunch bookings are available upon request.Al Tajin Steak & Grill+968 2448 7777

Dear Reader,It’s safe to say that it’s been quite an eventful week in Oman. Jobs, it would appear, are in short supply and this hasgiven many young people in the country a legitimate reason to peacefully demonstrate. At Y, we look at the wider issue ofemployment in the country, chatting to young jobseekers, those who recently found employment, and experts in the field ofjob recruitment to see what the real issues behind unemployment are, and how best to tackle the problem. We also see howrecent measures taken will work further to create solutions and bring additional hope and pride to the people of this country. Ifyou’re a young jobseeker, this is definitely an issue worth reading.Also in the issue, we have a Spotlight with Sheikh Kalfan who addresses the Sultanate with a message of hope, toleranceand confidence, and we also look at how drama is being used to underline the importance of responsible driving, in schoolsacross the Sultanate. A review of the new Hyundai Accent along with an update on all the action going on in India during theCricket World Cup should also provide for interesting reading. Plus, all the latest news and reviews from across Oman.We hope you enjoy the issue.Y Team

This week inMarch 08, 2011 Issue 1609LG,Twentyfour SevenBankDhofar, A'Saffa Foods, United Continental Holdings, Zubair, HSBC16 Check This OutMovie Review, Events, Thirty Seconds to Mars, IATA20Y-ratedIN YOURHANDS:EMPLOYMENTIN OMAN3126SpotlightTaz Emiabata, Adam Hill and Lainy Scott28 CultureMatsuri - Japanese FestivalAutoBAHNHyundai Accent34 X-tra TimeFIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 Qualifiers624SpotlightSHEIKHKHALFANAL ESRY45 ChillaxativeCrosswords, Social MediaSayyida Iman bint Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi Editor-in-Chief | Kiran Jay Haslam Managing Editor | Paul McLoughlin Work EditorKarima Farid Chief Reporter | Clint Derric Egbert Sports Writer/Photographer | Jerzy Wierzbicki Photographer | Jerome Adarle Art DirectorEihab Abutaha General Manager | Feroz Khan Director of Sales & Marketing | Ayman Canawati Logistics ManagerFor editorial enquiries, email info@y-oman.com | Published by SABCO Press, Publishing & Advertising LLC | Y is a SABCO Media Product.

Talk for 6 minutesand get 6 minutes FREEminutes+minutesfreeSave on your International callsGet FREE calling minutes on your international calls. Just talk for 6 minutesand you'll get the next 6 minutes free within the same call! To benefit fromthis special promotion, send a blank SMS * to 80020.- Valid for calls during off-peak time, from 8:00 pm till 6:00 am Saturday to Thursday and all day on Friday.- This offer is applicable for calls only originating from the Sultanate of Oman.- This offer is valid till 20th May 2011 and for all Nawras mobile customers.* The SMS will be charged at the standard SMS rate of 10 bz.For more information, please visit www.nawras.om, or your closest Nawras store or call 9501 1500.

WINNINGLETTERTAKe A loAd oFFDear Y,Driving is Oman has almost always been a pleasure, and thereason for me saying “almost” is because there are times whenyou come across the most absurd situations when driving throughthe city.I was on my way to work when I suddenly realised I was beingbombarded by stones and debris, not realising where the onslaughtwas coming from, I quickly pulled my car over to the side of theroad. I soon realised that the culprit was a truck carrying debris,moving rather quickly for a truck carrying so much weight.I checked my car and was shocked to see that some of the painton the left hand side of my vehicle had been chipped off. Outraged,I carried on to work. I truly feel that there should be certain routesfor these construction vehicles, or at least certain times in the dayor night when they are allowed to transport materials. This waythey don’t become a hazard to smaller vehicles around them.Ashok K[Ed: Dear Ashok, thank you very much for your mail. We have beenlooking into matters of truck safety for some time here at Y. Spurredon by first-hand accounts from transport industry employees,it seems that more regulation may be required to ensure safepayloads and advanced driver education. We will be looking intothe matter in the coming issues.]READER'SLETTERSleT peAce ANd pRoSpeRITYpRevAIlI thank God for providing an opportunity to be a resident of this beautiful country forquite some time. I also sincerely thank His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for his pioneeringvision in attaining the utmost prosperity for this wonderful country under his wiseleadership. Oflate the world has been gripped by protests in Tunisia, Egypt, Libyaand Bahrain. The peaceful protests turned into violent in many countries and resultedin loss of hundreds of lives and millions worth of property. Can the people who areresponsible for this cowardly act think at least one minute about their silly actions?We can destroy a tree in one minute but we cannot grow a tree for quite someyears. The protests showed another side of the people power but not at the costs ofinnocent humans whether men, women or children.I am totally shocked and surprised to hear that some people have started protestsin Sohar and blocked the roads which affected the day-to-day normalcy. Oman hasbeen blessed and lucky to have His Majesty as a leader and there is no need ofprotests for citizens. If at all they have grievances they should have conveyed in aproper manner which should have been taken care of. Images seen in Newspaperabout Vandals destroying LuLu hypermarket in Sohar is not the one everyone wishesto see in this peace loving land. It is one of the best known hypermarket having topclass facilities which caters to the people of Sohar and the way it has been ransackednot heeds good. I congratulate Mr.Yusuf Ali – Managing Director of Lulu for puttinga brave face and indeed he assured that they are going ahead in expanding theiroperations in Sohar. This clearly is the need of the hour.People who have done damage to public property should think about it in futureespecially in Oman. Never in Oman had we witnessed any kind of untoward incidentsand in fact Sultanate of Oman is growing vibrantly every year.It is the time for peace and not protest. Let us join hands in helping the peace andprosperity prevail in this land of peace.Thanks,K.R.AnandhoNeST SocIAl MedIABe A WINNeR!Each week we are selecting ourbest reader’s letter or image,and giving away fantasticprizes care of Noodle House!Simply email us atinfo@y-oman.comDear Y ,I refer the Story "Media for the Masses" on Y-rated page (Issue-159) and fully agreewith the views expressed on the subject. The social media sites have become veryfast mode of communication among the youths all over the world. Several progressivebusiness houses are successfully using these platforms for their business growthand publicity virtually free of cost. Social media if utilized honestly, can be very usefulduring emergencies as well. During the Mumbai Terrorist attack, Twitter & Facebookwere very successfully used for mobilizing blood donations at the needed sites, as wellminute to minute true commentary of the ground realities of the affected areas. Butunless the users learn to behave with integrity and honesty the social media can notbe fully trusted and taken for granted.Value of prizes may vary each week. This prize is not redeemable for cash or alternatives.Only one winner is selected at the discretion of Y magazine.*Proof of Identity is required to claim your prize.Mohammad osama Rawat

March 08, 2011 Issue 160BankdhofarStrategic planoutlinedBankDhofar commenced a series ofregional meetings taking to its staff thethird year of its 5 Year Strategic Plan. Stafffrom the Bank’s northern and southernMuscat branches and the head officedepartments gathered at the CrownePlaza Hotel in Qurum over the course ofthe two-day event. Senior managementwere present to convey the bank’s keypriorities, objectives and goals for thefuture, and interact with members ofstaff.The bank’s strategic plan is key to itsgrowth. This plan provides a frameworkwhereby all bank staff work towards acommon goal. Customer services, productdevelopment and continued growthare integral to the success of the plan.“We understand that success in today'sbusiness environment requires that anorganisation has the ability to create avision of its future direction as well as thecourse it needs to get there. I am confidentthat our Strategic Plan has helped usidentify opportunities, better understandour markets, andfocus our resourcesto attain the businessresults we desire,”said Kris Babicci, CEO,BankDhofar. “It isvital that each of ouremployees knows howthey fit and interact withthe rest of the team,that they understandtheir own objectives,and that they areequipped with the skillsneeded to fulfil them,"he added.Objectives cited in the Strategic Planinclude the establishment of a centraloperations unit, improved corporatebanking facilities and innovations to the investment and treasury departments. The Bank also has plans toimplement new technologies to enhance e-banking facilities. With customer service being an integral part of theStrategic Plan, BankDhofar will continue to develop its front line staff to ensure a premium customer experience.9

March 08, 2011 Issue 160A’Saffa Foods helps handicapped omaniYouth to celebrate SportA’Saffa Foods has helped an estimated 100 handicapped children and youngsters from allover the Sultanate to participate in a fun-packed sporting challenge event staged at SultanQaboos University.During the event youngsters were able to participate in a wide range of sporting events thatincluded 50 metre sprints for the under-8s, 100 metre sprints for the over 8s, long jump,shot putt, soccer games and a wide range of other activities.The children and young people were also encouraged to participate in a broad range ofgames and activities as well as the more competitive races during the sporting challengesthat were followed by dinner.Participants came from Quriyat, Barka, As Seeb, Yanqul, Mussanah, Jalan, Saham, Dank,Athaiba, Mashareq school, the Handicapped Children’s Welfare House and the OmanInstitute for the Blind. The event was organised by the Association for the Welfare of theHandicapped in association with Sultan Qaboos University with A’Saffa Foods as the solesponsor.As Oman’s leading poultry producer and one of the biggest food companies, A’Saffa istotally committed to supporting community initiatives across the Sultanate and to helpindividuals to achieve their goals in life.Fakhariya Mohammed Al Subhi, Principal of the As Seeb brand of the Association for theWelfare of the Handicapped added: “This was a great occasion and we were delighted thatA’Saffa Foods has helped to put a smile on the face of all the children and young peoplewho took part.“We are determined to stage events like this for young people with a handicap and ensurethey have the opportunity to participate in the same kind of activities that are open to ablebodied children and youngsters.”The Wave, Muscat SignsAgreement With dubai Golf tooperate oman’s First pGA GregNorman Golf courseThe Wave, Muscat has signed an exclusive agreement with DubaiGolf, an internationally acclaimed leisure subsidiary owned by waslAsset Management Group, to operate the nation’s first 18-hole PGALinks Golf Course designed by the legendary Greg Norman, whichis expected to be completed and open for play at the end of thisyear.The framework for the agreement was finalised during a ceremonythat was held at the Course’s 14th hole which entails fulladministration services and operation of the various facilities andamenities, including the Academy and Club House.Michael Lenarduzzi, CEO of The Wave, Muscat stated, “Ourpartnership with Dubai Golf is a fundamental component of our longterm vision that aims at providing our community with unmatchedlifestyle options that visibly raise local benchmarks.”The golf course will feature a floodlit 9-hole par-3 academy course,a driving range and short game practice facility, an Academyoffering tuition, pro-shop and a restaurant along with a dedicatedClub House catering to the needs of golfers across all levels.Dubai Golf currently manages two of the most established andinternationally renowned golf clubs in the Middle East includingEmirates Golf Club and Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. The Clubsboast three world class championship golf courses, luxuriousclubhouses, restaurants and golf academies.10

March 08, 2011 Issue 160United Appoints General SalesAgency for omanUnited Continental Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: UAL) announced todaythat it has appointed National Travel & Tourism (NTT) as theGeneral Sales Agency (GSA) in Oman for both its United Airlinesand Continental Airlines subsidiaries, effective March 1st, 2011.NTT was previously the GSA for Continental, which merged withUnited in October 2010. “We’re delighted to appoint NTT as the GSAfor the new United in this important market,” said Tim Kennedy,United’s Managing Director Marketing, Analysis, Offline, and JointVentures. “We know from their previous work for Continental thatthey will offer a first-rate service to our customers in Oman as thetwo carriers integrate to create the world’s leading airline.”United and Continental, which continue to operate separatelypending their receipt of a single operating certificate from theFederal Aviation Administration, offer extensive trans-Atlanticservices. For customers from Oman, travel options includeContinental and United flights to several US cities from Frankfurtwith connecting service from Muscat on Lufthansa, which is botha joint-venture partner of Continental and United and a fellow StarAlliance member, and United’s daily Dubai-Washington, D.C. andKuwait-Washington, D.C. non-stop services. Oman Air offersconvenient connections to Dubai and Kuwait from Muscat.Find out more by calling 2481 6565 or emailmctcoair@gmail.comInauguration of Oculoplasty UnitSenior Consultant SurgeonBotox Injection:Treatment of wrinklesBlepharoplasty:Treatment of Puffy EyesDacryocystorhinostomy:Treatment of TearingPtosis Repair:Treatment of Droppy LidOcular Implants:Artificial EyesEntropion and Ectropion Repair:Treatment of Old TrachomaFor more information:Call 2469 3738or visit us at Al Sarooj – Bareeq Al Shatti Complexopposite Ministry of Foreign Affairsvale Showcases oman’s Steel cluster potential at SoharInvestment opportunities conferenceLeveraging Sohar’s competitive advantage to create a steel cluster in Oman underpinned Vale’s premise at the recently heldSohar Investment Opportunities Conference. Organised by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the conference aimedto explore investment opportunities in the fields of Industry, Tourism and Trade in Sohar, and surrounding areas in the Batinahregion.“There is a significant market opportunity for MENA’s steel producers especially given the supply-demand gap of approximately30 Mt of finished steel,” said Najla bint Zuhair Al Jamali, Head of Business and Strategic Affairs of Vale Oman Pelletizing Company. “Oman is in a steel intensivephase of economic development and is about to double its steel consumption with the potential to play an important role in the steelmaking value chain.” Sheadded, “Sohar provides a nurturing investment climate with unparalleled logistical capabilities and access to raw materials that will enable Oman to establish acompetitive steel cluster, providing a platform for diversification and economic development that realises His Majesty’s Vision 2020.”Al Jamali went on to say that the investment of 12 billion US dollars in the development of Sohar Industrial Port by the government acts as an enabler to establishinga competitive steel production platform thereby supporting industrial development and has already attracted one of the leading diversified mining companies andthe world’s largest producer of iron ore and pellets, Vale.The Industrial Complex which will commence operations in March of this year, is Vale’s first iron-ore greenfield project outside Brazil and will serve as a distributionhub to cater to the growing demand for iron-ore products in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.11

March 08, 2011 Issue 160Zubair Automotive Announceslucky Winner of a YamahaRaptor 90Zubair Automotive Group announced that Jawareh Al Shuaily was thelucky winner of the Yamaha Raptor 90 all terrain vehicle at an officialPrize Draw Ceremony held at the Muscat Festival grounds in Qurum Parkon Wednesday - following a month of promotions from the company thatattracted thousands of Muscat residents.Jawareh Al Shuaily’s name was drawn from thousands of prize drawentries, accumulated over the entire period of the Muscat Festival. Allvisitors to the Zubair Automotive Group stand at the festival grounds weregiven the chance to enter the draw, simply by filling in their details on aform which were then dropped into the special Prize Draw box.Serdar Toktamis, Group General Manager Zubair Automotive Group said; “We were very excited to draw the winner of this fantastic prize which we hope willprovide Jawareh Al Shuaily and her family many hours of fun and entertainment. The Yamaha Raptor 90 is a wonderful all-terrain vehicle that is ideally suited fora wide range of different and challenging locations across the Sultanate.”dunkin donuts Now In Qurum complex(ccc)Dunkin Donuts, the globallyrecognised snack andbeverage restaurant chain,recently opened its newstore in the central hub ofMuscat located at QurumComplex (CCC).The new store in QurumComplex is the first storewith a new front casedisplay and the integratedlogo ‘COFFEE & MORE’welcomes you daily from 7am to 11pm. As one of the world’s largest and most successfulquick service restaurant chains, Dunkin Donuts plans to open a further few more storesthroughout Muscat in 2011.her highness Sheikha SheikhaBint Saif Named As patron ofThe Bride Show dubaiHer Highness Sheikha Bint Saif, Chairwoman of the Make-A-WishFoundation UAE and wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan BinKhalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Advisor to the President of the UAE,has been named as the official patron of The Bride Show Dubai, theMiddle East’s most prestigious bridal and fashion event.For the first time, Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif will cutthe ribbon to open the four-day long fashion, beauty and shoppingextravaganza which brings together wedding industry professionals,brides-to-be and fashionistas under one roof.Her Highness Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif has been a long timesupporter of this sister event, The Bride Show Abu Dhabi and herpatronage of the more established and larger Dubai exhibitionfurther strengthens her relationship with organiser IIR Middle East.Khaled El Dalaty, Operations Manager for Dunkin Donuts Oman said: “It is a high growthlocation and we are really excited to now have a store open in the area. The initiation is asheer success to the localisation of international trademarks and we are confident of itscontinued success given the immense response from customers generated to date.”The area is indeed fast becoming a new hive of activity for retailers and tourists alike.Dunkin Donuts has experienced great success with its recent stores opening around thecapital region.The Bride Show Dubai opens on Wednesday 30th March, from2:30pm to 10:30pm, and runs until Saturday 2nd April in SheikhSaeed Halls 1, 2 and 3, Dubai International Exhibition Centre. Entryis AED10 for general admission and AED50 for a VIP pass whichincludes VIP reserved fashion show seating, refreshments and agoody bag. The show is sponsored by Khamsa Couture, Zadina andAfter You Say Yes – Sima.12

March 08, 2011 Issue 160hSBc oman launchesReal-Time GlobalTransfers ThroughInternet BankingServicesAiming to eliminate barriers to international banking,HSBC Oman, the nation’s most widely representedinternational banking institution, announced thelaunch of two innovative industry-changing internetbanking services, ‘Global View’ and ‘Global Transfers’– first-of-their-kind services to be introduced in theSultanate. ‘Global View’ allows customers to linktheir HSBC accounts in multiple countries togetherand view and manage them from one platform; while‘Global Transfers’ allows real-time 24/7 transfersbetween linked accounts in participating countriesfor supported currencies.MplS core Service of omantel certified with ISo27001 StandardsOmantel, the Sultanate’spioneer integrated telecomservices provider, achievedthe distinguished milestoneof having its Multi-ProtocolLabel Switching (MPLS)Core services certifiedunder the internationallyrenowned ISO 27001Standards.The achievement shows thecommitment of Omantel and its focus on adopting and implementing global standards and best practicesto ensure effectiveness, efficiency, confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted through its MPLSinfrastructure. Such a system offers the secure connectivity and reliability that an increasing number ofcompany’s corporate customers are finding essential to help with their business.The unique services aim to further enhancecustomers’ banking experience, adding simplicity,convenience and efficiency for cross bordertransactions for an ever-growing internationalbanking customer base. The state-of-the-art platformwill also provide customers with unprecedentedlevels of control when managing their wealtharound the world and will assist them to build andmanage their assets conveniently. Customers canalso organise transactions and schedule reoccurringinternational payments between eligible accounts inparticipating countries in one user-friendly interfacewithout the need of IBANs, BICs, Swift Codes orbank addresses.The Global View service is available to the Bank’ssignature ‘HSBC Premier’ account holders and'HSBC Advance' customers free of charge andthe Global Transfer feature is available for ‘HSBCPremier' customers free of charge and for 'HSBCAdvance’ customers at a minimal fee of three rialsper transfer.MPLS provides an integrated network that can simultaneously handle multiple types of network traffic withsystems designed and implemented to protect customer data, and to ensure MPLS service availability,thereby meeting operational objectives and customer commitments.Omantel’s Integrated Network & Technology Unit embarked on an initiative to successfully obtain the ISO27001 Information Security Standard Certification for Omantel’s MPLS core service. It was undertakenwith a view to enhance the necessary levels of confidentiality of sensitive customer information,continuous availability of MPLS services, timeliness of services delivered and response to problemresolution and management.english language Schools from the UK andIreland to visit MuscatSeeking to inform students about a great variety of programmes including intensive General or AcademicEnglish, Junior Vacation, English with Football and other sports as well as University Preparation andFoundation programmes, a delegation of English language schools and colleges from the UK and Irelandwill be visiting Muscat on Sunday, 27th March.Thanks to favourable currency exchange rates, the programmes, including homestay accommodation,offer great value for money and with schools located in beautiful towns and cities students are assuredof a safe and enjoyable stay.Representatives from each institution will meet students and their parents to explain in detail aboutthe wide range of programmes available and their cost including accommodation, airport transfers,insurance and social activities. Presentations and one-on-one meetings will take place at the CrownePlaza Hotel Muscat from 5pm to 9pm on 27th March.For further details phone, 24562623 or 92696509.13

March 08, 2011 Issue 160First Year for Nawras as FullService provider at MuscatFestivallG Unveils premium line-Up at MWc 2011As Muscat Festival finishes after its most successful year yet,Nawras is thanking the thousands of customers who visited itsstand at Qurm Natural Park throughout the exciting month longevent. Visitors from Oman and abroad were eager to find out moreabout this customer friendly communications provider, showingparticular interest in residential internet services as well as its newmobile music service, Backstage.For the first time, Nawras was present as a full service provider, notjust showcasing its mobile offerings but also talking about the latesthome broadband and voice services which will extend to providecoverage to more than 80 percent of Omani households during2011. Customers were interested to learn that they can walk intoany Nawras Store today and walk out with a plug-and-play internetconnection that they can start using without any delay. Internetpackages include a free voice connection and the opportunity tosign up for VoIP services to six popular Asian destinations.There were also lots of questions about Backstage, the new servicefrom Nawras in partnership with Universal Music. This Nawras firstgives customers a library of over 120,000 music tracks to downloadand listen to any time as well as 10 tracks that can be downloadedand kept each month as part of the choice of monthly subscriptionsstarting from only 1.9 rials. After subscribing to Backstage, Nawrascustomers can be amongst the first to get hold of exclusive materialahead of release dates and even have the opportunity to meet theirmusic heroes, attend recording sessions and win VIP concerttickets.LG Electronics (LG) returns to Barcelona this year to introduce two new flagship devices atMobile World Congress: the LG Optimus 3D, a stunning super-smartphone with unparalleled3D performance, and the LG Optimus Pad, a true Android tablet optimised with HoneycombOS designed to offer the full viewing experience of a tablet while still being easy to holdwith one hand.“I’m confident that this year, LG will emerge as a leader in the next generation of smartphoneand tablet devices,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics MobileCommunications Company. “What you see here today is just the beginning – we willcontinue to innovate with products that address consumer needs and deliver benefits thatlive up to our ‘Life’s Good’ commitment.”Aiming to aggressively take a leadership position in the smartphone market in 2011, LG hasbeen earnestly bolstering its premium smartphone line-up, evident by its strong showing atCES last month. There, the company introduced the world’s first dual-core smartphone (LGOptimus 2X), one of the world’s slimmest and brightest smartphones (LG Optimus Black)and the company’s first phone compatible with 4G LTE networks (LG Revolution). LGproducts debuting at MWC 2011 build upon this spirit of innovation. Key devices include theLG Optimus 3D, the LG Optimus Pad, the LG Optimus 2X and the LG Optimus Black.Anil Khimji Director of Al Khanjar Infosystems said, “This range of innovative smart phonesfrom LG will make a big impact in mobile phone industry; we shall bring these excitingproducts to our customers in Oman as early as possible.”For more information, go to the online newsroom at www.lgnewsroom.com/MWC2011.14

March 08, 2011 Issue 160patek philippe presidentMr. Thierry Stern visits omanAl Qurum Jewellery, the official dealers of Patek Philippe, thepioneering watchmakers loaded with an armament of historicconvention and cutting-edge technology is proud to welcome thePresident of Patek Philippe Mr. Thierry Stern for the first time inOman. The Swiss-based firm, and the only manufacturer thatcrafts all of its mechanical movements according to the strictspecifications of the Geneva Seal, is considered by experts as thefinest and most elegant timepieces. Patek Philippe, watchmakers forgenerations, continue their legacy of being the most ideal timepiecemanufacturers around the globe, via sophisticated technology andimpeccable design.Commenting on the momentous occasion, Mr. Hamza Ali Awadh, the Director of Al Qurum Jewellery said, “Mr. Stern is here in Oman and it is a real honour for usto have a person of his prominence come and visit us. We thank him for this wonderful gesture and wish him a great time in our beautiful country.”Patek Philippe timepieces are of celebrity status which every collector would love to flaunt with elegance. Its unique craftsmanship and exquisite inventions makeit the ideal choice for master collections.oman Air honoured Forparticipation At TheShanghai expoOman Air, one of the participants of the ShanghaiExpo 2010 from the Sultanate, was honoured underthe auspices of His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin TariqAl Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, recently.Khalid Abdul Wahab Al Balushi, Government RelationsManager, received the memento presented by theChief Guest on behalf of Oman Air.Nearly 3.6 million visited the Sultanate’s pavilionin Shanghai expo, which was held from May 1st toOctober 31st, 2010. The expo attracted more than73 million visitors in six months, with more than246 participants from different countries, internationalorganisations and companies.Khalid Abdul Wahab Al Balushi, said that it was impressiveto see the significant success of Oman’s pavilion at theShanghai Expo.“The friendly relations and cooperation between thePeople's Republic of China and the Sultanate of Oman grewsteadily over the past years, and Oman Air’s participation atthe Expo reaffirmed the value Oman places in this regard.The design of the Omani pavilion themed 'Oman – TheEvolving Journey' was a synthesis of Oman’s rich heritage and culture and its modern development.The Omani National Day, which was celebrated with gaiety in Shanghai, witnessed high-rankingofficials from both countries that graced the occasion. During the event, the attendees viewed afilm prepared by Oman Air under the title “Oman as a Tourist Destination”. Needless to add, it wasa great feeling to see how the Omani culture was received by the expo visitors.”The visitors at the Sultanate’s pavilion had an opportunity to travel on a journey to discover Oman'samazing culture and remarkable geographical diversity, as well as trace its progress. Visitors tothe pavilion were exposed to the varied geography of Oman, ranging from the stark desert andthe austerity of its mountains, to the rich marine reserves of its warm seas, and the stunningsubtropical diversity of its southern Dhofar region.15

March 08, 2011 Issue 160Rock-on with NawrasShababiah, powered by Nawras, is proud to present this year’s most exciting live concertwith epic band ‘Thirty Seconds to Mars’ performing in Muscat on 10th March. Tickets areon sale now at three Nawras Stores in the capital and Shababiah customers will be able toenjoy the lowest ticket prices of just 15 rials or 35 rials for a VIP ticket.The trio, composing of lead singer and guitarist Jared Leto, drummer Shannon Leto andguitarist Tomo Milicevic, has sold more than 3.5 million albums worldwide and their videoshave been viewed more than 100 million times on YouTube. The band has won numerousawards and accolades, including an MTV Video Music Award, three MTV EMA’s, MTV Latin,Asia and Australia Awards, a Fuse Award, and three Kerrang! Awards.The Shababiah concert supported by H! FM radio and alive, will be rocking the InterContinentalHotel Gardens where doors open at 7.30pm. Further information is available by calling95555699. Tickets can be purchased from Nawras Stores at Muscat City Centre, QurumCity Centre and Azaiba. Non-Shababiah customers can buy tickets for 20 rials and VIPtickets for 40 rials.Shababiah, powered by Nawras, is Oman’s first youth focused mobile service for customersbelow 25 years old. Shababiah customers can talk to other Shababiah friends as well asany other Nawras customer, for only 29 baizas per minute and send them an SMS for just9 baizas.Nawras Mousbak customers can join Shababiah by simply dialing *141# and following the instructions given.http://www.nawras.om/shababiahBeauty and the Beats to Rock SamaTerrazza this MarchThis March, DJ Ilgin serves you some mean music on a platter, with a side dishof foot-tapping beats. The beautiful Turkish DJ returns to Muscat and the ParkInn’s Sama Terraza, this time accompanied by percussionist Cenk ‘D’ Beats, in aperformance designed to light up your weekend evening. Entitled ‘Beauty N Beats’,the show will be held on Thursday, 10th March. Resident DJ Dub Bass will get theparty going at 9pm, with DJ Ilgin and Cenk hitting the floor at 9:45pm. Ilgin, who’sbeen voted the Top Woman DJ in Turkey, will cast a spell with her inimitable brandof deep, funky electro house music, while Cenk beats out a heady tattoo of soundslike you’ve never heard before.The Hotel’s Executive Chef Sandeep Kamal said, “The response to DJ Ilgin’s New Year’s Eve performance at Sama Terrazza told us that there are many listenersin Muscat with a yen for house music. We hope to give them an even bigger show this time, with excellent music and effect lighting that will set the mood for aparty to remember.”He added, “Both DJ Ilgin and Cenk 'D' Beats are internationally renowned artistes whose talent and combined repertoire will make for an amazing evening for ourguests.”Entrants to the show, which ends at 2am, must be aged 21 and above. Tickets for the show are priced at 10 rials (includes one selected beverage) for gentlemenand ladies are granted complimentary entrance. Food and drinks will be á la carte and priced at normal rates.16

March 08, 2011 Issue 160IN BAd TASTe?"What could be morenatural than fresh, freerangemother's milk in anice cream?” says VictoriaHiley, one of 15 women inthe UK who have willinglydonated milk to a specialistice-cream parlour thatmakes ice-cream frombreast milk.A New Boutique in Town!Lazain Boutique announced its grand opening in Qurum commercialarea. The boutique will be offering a fresh, chic venue for womento shop for trendy apparel and evening wear which nourishesfemininity with a sophisticated style. Taking a break from the typicalboutiques that offer products for a variety of tastes and fashiongenres, Lazain Boutique is designed to cater to the feminine side.The concoction, humourously called ‘Baby Gaga’, is available to the public at thefamous Icecreamists restaurant in London’s Convent Garden, and is a recipe thatboasts of natural breast milk with Madagascan vanilla pods and lemon zest. Doesn’tsound too appetising? Well, Icecreamists founder Matt O'Connor believes it is."Some people will hear about it and go, 'yuck' but actually it's pure, organic, freerangeand totally natural. I had a ‘Baby Gaga; just this morning and I feel great," hesaid. Priced at a steep 14 pounds ($23) this product is far from the ordinary, andcould possible something for the curious... very curious.Lazain is different, they specialise in evening wear and fashion topswhich are very different to what is already available in the market.The boutique is located in Ramis complex, ground floor, near Al-Wadi Centre, Qurum Commercial Area. Customer service can becontacted on 98877003.Tough Times for Global Airline IndustryThe International Air Transport Association (IATA) downgraded its airline industry outlookfor 2011 to $8.6 billion (3.311 billion rials) from the $9.1 billion (3.5 billion rials) it estimatedin December 2010. This is a 46 percent fall in net profits compared to the $16 billion(6.16 billion rials) (revised from $15.1 billion) earned by the industry in 2010. On expectedindustry revenues of $594 billion (228.75 billion rials), the $8.6 billion (3.311 billion rials)2011 profit equates to a net profit margin of 1.4 percent.“Political unrest in the Middle East has sent oil over $100 per barrel. That is significantlyhigher than the $84 per barrel that was the assumption in December. At the same time,the global economy is now forecast to grow by 3.1 percent this year—a full 0.5 percentagepoint better than predicted just three months ago. But stronger revenues will provide onlya partial offset to higher costs. Profits will be cut in half compared to last year and marginsare a pathetic 1.4 percent,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO.Middle East carriers are expected to return a profit of $700 million (269.57 million rials).This is considerably better than the $400 million (154 million rials) previously forecast,but down from the $1.1 billion (420 million rials) profit that the region posted in 2010.Political instability in the region is expected to take its toll in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya whichcombined account for about 20 percent of the region’s international passenger traffic.This is balanced by the Gulf area which benefits from economic activity related to high oilprices and whose hubs continue to win long-haul market share. Load factors have alsoimproved significantly for these airlines, as new capacity is being added at a slower pacethan demand increases.17

Russian Embassy CelebratesInternational Women’s DayYahoo! Maktoob Pioneers NewTechnologies in Digital Advertising for theMiddle EastJoined by some of the region’s leading players in the advertising and media industry, Yahoo!Maktoob presented a series of its latest innovative advertising products that bring the bestin digital technology, creativity, and measurement to advertisers in the Middle East. Theproducts introduced are based on several key advancements in measurement and creativetools—offering brands the ability to connect with consumers through more relevant,measurable and personal online engagement.“Yahoo! has built its strategy around three main concepts, offering advertisers a uniquecombination of science, art and scale to reach consumers. Through the Yahoo! Maktoobhomepage, which today attracts millions of users from across the Middle East and NorthAfrica, we are able to offer new opportunities for brands by creating true digital experiencesthat connect users to what matters most to them, utilising innovative tools that have neverbeen available to them before,” said Ahmed Nassef, Vice President & Managing Director ofYahoo! Middle East.The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Oman hosted a receptiondedicated to the International Women’s Day which takes place todayon 8th March. The event was held at the Russian Ambassador’sResidence under the patronage of Mrs. Olga Pavlovna, wife to theAmbassador. International Women’s Day is an occasion widelycelebrated across the world to praise womanhood and motherhood.On this occasion, Mrs. Pavlovna addressed her audience with bestwishes of prosperity, peace and health. Coincidently this weekalso saw the commencement of ‘Maslenitsa’ a traditional Russianholiday throughout which bliny (Russian pancakes) are made andoffered to family and guests. Keeping in line with this tradition theEmbassy served Russian pancakes in abundance with a side of sourcream, jam and honey. Mrs. Pavlovna has stressed the importanceof keeping native traditions and holidays alive far from home withinthe fast growing Russian community in Oman.Ushering in a new technology to the region, Yahoo! Maktoob demonstrated capabilities thatcan get the right ads in front of the right customers at just the right time. It also unveiled aseries of developments in its advertising and market research services, from ROI trackingto syndicated country surveys and reports, demonstrating the importance and benefits ofcampaign measurement which online advertising can provide.Movie ReviewBig Mommas 3: Like Father,Like SonDirector: John WhitesellCast: Martin LawrenceBrandon T JacksonJessica LucasteRelease Date: 18th February 2011'Big Momma’s: Like Father, Like Son' was expected to be funny– and it was! The whole audience at the theatre were rollingin their seats from start to finish; some even laughed at notso-funnymoments but did this because the movie is amusingthroughout. ‘Big Momma’s House 3’ revolves around an FBIagent and his 17-year-old, son a wannabe music enthusiast.As part of an undercover act that they put together themselves,they have to end up posing as Big Momma and Charmaine-two men in an all girl school (there must be some rule againstthat)! All-in-all, you won’t regret watching this movie - yes, it’shilarious!18

March 08, 2011 Issue 160EventsSurf, Turf & dip BBQ NightsEvery WednesdayWondering where to spend your Wednesday evenings? The Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat has launched the‘Surf, Turf & BBQ Night’ every Wednesday from 6pm.Arabs’ Got Talent!MBC4 on FridaysWatch MBC4 at 10pm to vote for the finalists on the show - Omanis are participating, too! This show ifor two hours, and is filled with fun, humour and talent, don’t miss out!career Fair at Waljat collegeMarch 14thWaljat College of Applied Sciences (WCAS) is holding its 2nd Career Fair 2011 on 14th March. The eventwill run from 9am to 6.30pm in the College premises. The Career Fair 2011 will be open to all students,as well as those from different colleges, in and around Muscat.dubai World cupMarch 26thThe Dubai World Cup is the most glittering event in the global racing calendar. The event attracts thevery best international horses, jockeys and trainers. Visit www.dubaiworldcup.com to find out more.Sharukh Khan live in Muscat!March 31stShahrukh Khan, one of world’s most famous actors, will perform live in Muscat on March 31st as partof his ‘Temptation Reloaded World Tour 2011’.International Jewellery exhibitionApril 12thThe 3rd IJEX 2011 will take place from April 12th to April 16th at the Oman International ExhibitionCentre. Check out www.jewellerymuscat.com for more information.Bake SaleMarch 16th“Yes I Am” are inviting you to a charity Bake Sale on March 16 from 4:30pm–7pm at AMIDEASTin Al Qurum. This is a public invitation to support the event, where all proceeds will be granted tothe National Association for Cancer Awareness. Enjoy goods baked by students, face painting, specialtalents, balloons and more!Family Beach day10th March from 3.30pm – 6pmFun and games for all the family, including races, bbq, sandcastle competitions, a treasure hunt andmuch much more. Might be best to come around 4pm when all the action is happening, at the CapitalYacht Club.Womens Festival17th MarchFree entry to all at the InterContinental Hotel on the 17th and 18th of March. Timing is from 10am to 1pmand 3pm to 10pm. Watch out for young ladies talents and creativity, with a Prize Draw too.Shamrocks andSandcastlesThe Irish Society of Oman has only been inexistence for just over a year now. The aim ofthe group is to bring together people from Irelandliving in Oman, and to introduce Irish culture to thepeople of the Sultanate. During their busy first yearthee group has hosted several successful eventsincluding Irish music sessions, Irish breakfastswhich included Irish food and an Irish quiz.March is the most important month of the yearfor the Irish. On 17th March they celebrate theirnational day. Although this celebration is Irish, itis acknowledged throughout the world includingNew York where the whole city comes to astandstill to watch Macy's Parade when the Irishof America mark this special day. On St. Patrick’sDay, the Irish wear green and a shamrock - thisis small green leafed plant and is the symbol ofIreland.In this spirit of unity, the Society is holding aFamily Beach Day for all the family on 10th Marchat The Capital Yacht Club, which was held for thefirst time last year. It is a traditional family fun daywith races and games for the children followed bya prize-giving and barbeque. The beach will bebusy with sack races, sandcastle competitions,treasure hunt and lots more fun for everyone.For tickets, contact Martina on 99445201.The annual St. Patrick’s Day Ball falls this yearon the actual date, 17th March and is to be heldat The Hyatt Hotel, Muscat. The ball has specialsignificance as their co-founder and HonoraryPresident passed away recently. Terry Joharwas instrumental in pulling the Irish communitytogether in Oman. She was resident in the countryfor many years and was well known for hercharitable work, helping people of all nationalitieswho were in need.19

Words Karima Farid | Photography Clint Derric EgbertFinding a job in Oman isn’t easy, but it is certainlypossible. People from all over the world choose tolive and work in Oman, which reminds us that we,its citizens, are without doubt extremely lucky to beliving in such a peaceful country.Omani jobseekers received brilliant news last weekthat His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said ordered a 150rial Omani monthly allowance for the unemployed,with 50,000 additional jobs created for citizens in theSultanate of Oman. These orders reminded us that HisMajesty is as always keen on realising the interests ofthe nation, along with bringing further prosperity andwelfare to its people.What we witnessed last week, described by somenewspapers as ‘Black Sunday’, was not a good day. Asan Omani citizen, this specific Sunday was one whereI didn’t feel safe – it was a shame. And when I sayshame, I am only referring to the property destroyedin Sohar, one of the most developed cities outsideMuscat. Today, Oman is indeed a vibrant country; weare a nation that values education and technology, aswell as continuing tradition and priding ourselves onour gracious hospitality. We are also a nation that isproud to have achieved equal rights for women andmuch more.This week, we look into the situation for Omanijobseekers and how the new orders by His MajestySultan Qaboos bin Said will change their lives for thebetter.Ms. Sally, a graduate from Modern College of Businessand Science last September 2010, who majoredin Business Administration, says: “This is a verybroad field which means I am able to work in manydepartments such as Human Resources, Marketingand more. I started applying for jobs in May 2010before I graduated in September, and still I am lookingfor work. For now, I am spending most of my timeat home reading books and surfing the internet. I go visitfamily and have outings with friends whenever they are freesince they are working and I am not. This new rule aboutthe 150 rials is going to help my father who gives me anallowance. With this sum of 150 rials, I will not need to begiven money anymore. The 50,000 job openings are also avery good gesture.”As for Um Saleh, who graduated three years ago from SultanQaboos University as a Chemical and Process Engineer,she thinks: “I am doing a small business to pass the time.Basically, I am buying items from a foreign country then Iam re-selling them in Oman. I bring items like bed sheetsand handbags, and this is my pocket money. Now, with thenew rules from His Majesty, it will definitely change my lifefor the better.”Mr Ahmed, who graduated in August 2008 from MajanCollege with a BA honours in Business Administrationand Information Systems, was searching for a job for oneyear, and finally found one in March 2009. He says: “Whilesearching for a job, I was looking for internships withcompanies, which at the least would help in adding someexperience to my resume; then I finally found a job - it hasbeen great. As for the new orders by His Majesty, this is avery important step to help the jobseekers and to provide50,000 jobs is going to help solve this problem, especiallythat the government are now going to pay 150 rials monthlyfor each jobseeker who is registered with the Ministry ofManpower. From this point of view, I want to thank HisMajesty for understanding our needs and solving theseissues in Oman.”All orders and decisions that are made by His Majesty SultanQaboos bin Said are for the citizen’s wellbeing, and we all havea responsibility not to abuse these benefits. We are allowedto express our grievances in a peaceful manner, and whenthere is peace there is definitely a common understanding.Companies have already initiated job opportunities for theunemployed, now it is up to the people to make the rightchoices and behave in a respectable manner.20

We spoke to Osama Mahmood Al Zadjali, a HRConsultant about how young Omanis can helpthemselves in their search for a job.What company do you work for?I work for the Talent2 Oman office; we are part ofTalent2 International Group, an internationallylisted executive search and end-to-end HumanResources consulting company. Some of ourextended services we roll out for our clientsinclude: payroll outsourcing (approximately 2.2milion globally), assessment centres, performancemanagement tools, as well as organisationalcommunication programmes and online and face-to-facetraining. We are an Australian publicly listed company withoffices in 40 countries worldwide.What do you think of the current situation in Oman forjobseekers?Firstly, we should break this question down into threecategories:• The Thanaweya (high school) certificate holders, whotypically knock on the doors of companies by applyingdirectly and handing over their CVs to almost every place.Generally, these types of individuals will take the first joboffer that comes to hand, which is often a disorganisedapproach to a job searching.• Then there are the fresh graduates, or Diploma holderswho forward their resumes to web-based job portals, orrecruitment agencies. This can be effective provided theindividuals keep track of where their resume is going. Aresume is considered private and sensitive information, so itis important these details are used purely for the purpose ofsecuring a position with an employer.• Finally, there are candidates who wish to switch jobs fromtheir current employer. The majority of these ‘candidates’use recruitment professionals such as ourselves, in order toprofessionally represent them to potential employers. This isgenerally considered to be the most effective way of ensuringones profile is being reflected in a true light.Do you think it is easy for citizens to find a job in Oman?The answer to this question is both yes and no. It reallydepends on the individual’s background, or what we callhard skills. This would include education, industry-specifictraining and technical ability. Soft skills are also important,as this will determine whether an individual is suitable for acertain company culture, and dynamic.For fresh graduates, it can be difficult; however with somesimple coaching on interviewing techniques, and how to ‘sell’their skills to potential employers, it is not impossible.What can an Omani job candidate, in your opinion, dobetter to enhance his/her chances of clinching a job?They need to be educated on how to represent themselvesthrough their CV and learn some interview techniques andetiquette. But before that, they need to know about theirpotential employer/company and projects in the Sultanateand accordingly create a list of potential organisations, andapply, whilst keeping a record of where their resume has beensent, and at what stage of the process it is.What do you think of the term ‘wasta’?Why would someone bother to work in a place if he/she believes it is basedon wasta? Personally, I don’t believe in it. As a former HR Manager for morethan 12 years I don’t recall recruiting anyone based on wasta. And here, Iam a consultant, and we do get hired by major clients to recruit the bestcandidates for them. I think we have to be proactive in our thinking anddon’t just say why would I bother applying for a job because of wasta? I’veheard that many times. The simple solution for those who are intimidated bywasta is don’t be!’What was it like for you when you first graduated from college, in terms offinding a job?It was a bit different at that time, because I always wanted to work in theprivate sector. The majority of graduates then wished to join the public sector,so it was a little easier for me.What message do you want to pass on to all our Omani jobseekers?Be patient, always be optimistic and train yourself to win the employers overduring the interview. Organise yourself, create a list, and do it systematically.Talent2 is always open to receiving resumes of candidates who are genuineabout their job search. We can also assist those seeking a new position inOman.To benefit from Talent2 Oman’s expertise, email your CV over tot2oman@talent2.comA CHECk–lIST FOR JOB SEEkERS:• Register with the Ministry of Manpower and get your NationalManpower Card.• Get organised with all your paperwork, CVs and certifications.• Have your CV ready at all times.• Create a list of all the companies that you wish to work for and checktheir websites regularly for new job positions.• Read daily newspapers for the latest job positions.• If you are unable to find a job, try to do something on the side likestart a small business to make some money for yourself.• If you have the luxury (like most of us) of living with family whilstlooking for a job then take this opportunity to build experiencethrough charity work, courses or any kind of experience you mightneed in your career.• Be positive and be patient.• Don’t narrow down your list of companies, or governmental positionoptions - be open.• Use your free time in a constructive manner.• Use your new pocket money wisely.21

On 3rd March, we joined a ‘Convoy of loyaltyand Gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboosbin Said’ which started from Al Wattiyahand ended at Husn Al Shumooqh in Izz. Theconvoy was professionally set up, and all theparticipants had a sticker of unity with anumber on it. The group behind this convoytold Y exactly why they were doing this.khalid Ali Al Zadjali, who originated this idea and heads thegroup said: “The goal of this convoy is to thank, greet andshow our gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said,to thank him for the Royal Decrees that are serving thisnation and community to its fullest, and which also are inthis country’s best interest. We are proud of what he has donefor us, and on that note we decided upon this convoy. Wecongratulate ourselves because this convoy was planned veryrecently and will be implemented properly - we promise thatwe will obey all his Royal Decrees within our best intention,and most importantly towards a better future and theinterests of our beloved country Oman.”Sulaiman Nasser Al Hadi said: “In light of what has been happeningin Oman, the decisions that are newly made by His Majesty SultanQaboos bin Said are wise - and this is something we are extremelyproud of. I know many jobseekers that will without doubt benefitfrom His Majesty’s wise orders.”Yousef Mohammed Al Wahaibi commented: “Forthe past 40 years, every decision that was made byHis Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said was wise andin our benefit. This is the reason why we are havingthis convoy today so it is not ever forgotten howmuch we appreciate and honour His Majesty."22Ahmed khalfan Al Harrasi said: “I amextremely proud that I am taking partin this convoy, and in the end we willbe reaching Minh to greet and show ourgratitude and respect to His MajestySultan Qaboos bin Said. This convoy isalso to raise awareness which can be donein a safe and respected manner, wherewe drive, obeying the traffic laws andregulations.”

VOice On the StreetSameer: “I graduated from high school and never moved onto college. I was thenlooking for a job to start depending on myself; I finally found one in 2004. Thecircumstances of that job were not good at all, since the pay was too low, I couldn’tafford a car and paying for taxis from Al khoud - where I live - to Qurum washell. I saved up and joined an institute and gained some knowledge and experienceand today I am working and climbing up the company ladder based on myexperience.”Fahima: “I graduated from abroad on an educational loan, thinking when I got backto my home I will get a job. For the past 7 months I have been frantically looking fora job and I keep being told that I have no experience. How can I gain my experienceif I don’t have a job? This 150 rials which will be coming to me is a blessing. At leastI will be able to fill up the car with petrol without having to ask my mom for money.My dad passed away last year and she is the one who takes care of us.”Qasim: “I quit school a long time ago, and today at the age of 27 I am working withmy own hands. I should have never left school in the first place, but I did and todayI suffer the consequences. For those of us who don’t have any qualifications weshould learn things that we can do without any certificates.”Noor: “I graduated with a 76 percent in Thanawiyah Ammah, and after crying tomy parents for months, they agreed to send me abroad for higher education wherethey required above 75 percent. I did really well throughout my four years, andgraduated at the top of my class. When I came back to Oman two years ago I wasdisappointed as even internships were hard to get! I looked for a job for a whole yearand today I work in translation, although I studied business management.”Hadi: “All I can say is thank you Your Majesty. I didn’t have the money to get acoffee while looking for a job and today I can look for a job without botheringanyone for money. Thank you!!”The best way to deal with anything is to use courage and charisma instead of anykind of chaos and corruption - we need to say NO to any kind of disturbance. Thewhole nation needs to step up in order for things to change for the better, whileremembering that this country was based on the wise leadership of His MajestySultan Qaboos bin Said who is indeed a great leader. A good way to do this is fordecision makers to nurture younger human resources, by opening up ways toteach and recruit them mentally with great emphasis on the current market. Theeducational system in Oman might want to consider a curriculum in tune withOmani and International work and job markets, with a concentration on vocationalskills needs to be implemented.His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued Royal Ordersto employ 50,000 citizens.His Majesty also issued Royal Orders to grant 150 rialsper month for each jobseeker registered at the Ministry ofManpower until he or she finds a job.Those orders came along with other Royal Grants thataffirmed His Majesty’s keenness to ensure welfare andprosperity for the loyal Omani people. The Ministry ofManpower has started procedures to implement the RoyalOrders, already.Royal Decree No. 25/2011 is on the Independence of thePublic Prosecution:Article One says the Public Prosecution shall have anadministrative and financial independence.Article Two says the Public Prosecutor shall assume theprerogatives of the inspector-general of police and customsstated in the aforesaid Public Prosecution Law.Article Three cancels all that contravenes or contradicts withthe provisions of this decree.His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued Royal Ordersto freeze the regulation according to which the social securityallowance is suspended in case a member of the beneficiaryfamily gets a job.

Karima Farid spoke to Sheikh Khalfan Al Esry, known to be one of the most inspirational public speakers in Oman, about histhoughts and suggestions on the events that occurred last week. Sheikh Khalfan graciously spoke over the phone, and hiswords, as always, were mesmerising. This is his message to the youth of Oman:This country has been developed to where it is now underthe wise leadership of His Majesty, with security andstability in mind. And the only way we have been ableto develop the country to where it is now is because wehave enjoyed the luxury of security and stability, and weneed to maintain that. The only way to maintain this is toestablish a dialogue and to have a responsible approachin communicating our issues, as well as identifyingsolutions.Extremism of all sorts is totally rejected. We are a nationof moderation, and as such, everything we have to do wehave to do it in moderation. His Majesty has establishedmany channels where every single national can raisean issue and the law allows the people to demonstratepeacefully. His Majesty and his government have beenlistening and have been reacting to whatever neededto happen. The youth need to understand that creatingchaos through violence, destroying people’s property,instilling fear into innocent people, is not the civilisedway of establishing dialogue or raising concerns. Andwhat we are suggesting to the youth is basically: Weneed to include them in the dialogue, and their voicesneed to be heard, but before we do that we need toidentify the identity of the youth. The youth of today aredifferent from the youth of yesterday. The youth of todayview us differently. The youth of today has a differentstyle. So, the first thing I think as responsible people,government leaders or family members, we need tounderstand the youth of today. The youth of today havea lot of energy and we need to identify their identity aswell as their values to try to educate them on how theycan participate in developing the country to the nextlevel.Here we need to tell the youth to shift from one set ofmindsets to another – and I would like you to writethese words – shifting from what to what. We need toget the youth to shift from (being) ‘problem focused’ to‘solution focused’. Don’t tell us about your problems; tellus about the solutions. We need to get the youth to shiftfrom shouting slogans and violence to peaceful dialogue.We need to shift them from being driven by emotion,to being driven by logic and rational. We need to getthe youth to shift from the ‘us-against-them’ divide to aparticipant approach. We are all in this together, as thisis our country. It is not us against the ministers, or usagainst the government, or us against people – no, weare all in this together.We need the youth to shift from relying on rumours tobeing factual on whatever they say. We need to shiftthem from being subjective, to being objective, in the waythey put their issues, complaints in whatever manner.And then we need to get them from thinking (about) anisolated incident, to thinking in a holistic approach. Letus not resolve small issues at a time, let us not only focuson unemployment, or marriage, or the raise in price ofliving, but let us work on a holistic approach, and finallylet us move from being destructive to being constructive.It took many years to get the country to where it is today,and we can easily destroy everything in one day, andthat will be a big loss. Our prime objective and priorityshould be to maintain stability and security, and to avoidextremism in all its facets.My suggestion would be: There is a dire need to have ayouth conference where representatives of youth fromdifferent regions come together in a conference that isfacilitated by professionals. Present at this conferenceshould be different sectors, participating from the public,private and governmental sectors, from the State Counciland Majlis al Shurra, educational establishments anddecision makers.Basically, in this conference, the youth can come forwardand express how they would like to be included indeveloping the country further. Basically, they can tell ushow we can benefit from their talent, energy and passionfor this country.The final message to the youth is: Don’t ask what thecountry can give you, ask yourself what you can give yourcountry. Don’t ask what the country can do for you, butwhat YOU can do for the country.24

"We need to getthe youth to shiftfrom (being)‘problem focused’to ‘solutionfocused’. Don’ttell us aboutyour problems;tell us about thesolutions"karima@y-oman.com25

Words Paul McLoughlinPhotography Jerzy WierzbickiSometimes looking at our life from afar makesthings a whole lot clearer. For a number oflucky schoolchildren in the Sultanate, a fun andinformative lesson on road safety from a groupof UK-based actors, part of Reflect Productionswas on the cards last week. The trio will tourOman this week with the help of stalwart roadsafetyactivist Ahlaam Al Marhoobi, who youmight remember from a previous Spotlight inY. Through two plays, ‘Nadia’s Nightmare’ and‘Steer Wisely’, actors Taz Emiabata, Adam Hall andLainy Scott target school children from differentage groups through powerful, provocative andthought-provoking dramas, with considerabledirection from Ahlaam to ensure the plays portraytypical Omani-scenarios on the road. The play Isaw at Azzan Bin Qais School had schoolchildrenengaged and active, answering questions, raisingsuggestions and relaying opinions on road safetyin the Sultanate. Taz says, “We try to keep the kidsactive and tell them 'there will be questions at theend of the show so stay alert' – this way there’s nopassive audience.” The keen show of hands duringthe questions and answers session was promisingand the ideas exchanged across the hall proved tobe inspiring stuff to see from the next generationof drivers. Still, there are obvious lessons to belearnt here for all of us...“Not to patronise, but in the UK we have foundthat some of the things that seem obvious to us isa little bit new here. Things like, going to have yourcar checked regularly, not waiting until the nextaccident to happen before you know the brakesaren’t working,” says Adam. The group have alsolearnt to incorporate some Omani elements intothe play, such as wearing a kumma and converselyfor the British group, ‘driving’ with the steeringwheel on the left-side during plays. Other moreglaring differences include “Incorporating theproblems they face in Oman such as the 'carryingthe-baby-on-the-front-lap' element, or not thinking seatbelts are a big deal,”Scott adds. “We’ve seen children on the dashboard and jumping about in thebackseat,” Lainy adds – another element they are keen to incorporate in theirplays.When I ask them which road safety problems and their respective causes havebeen most obvious to the group during their short stay, Taz jumps in, “I mightsuggest it could be something to do with the rapid development of the countryin the past 10 years but I should imagine there’s a lot more cars now and perhapsthere’s not been the education to help people drive cars safely.” Lainy who hasalready visited Muscat four years ago for a similar workshop on electricity agreesand suggests, “There is also the status symbol of having a fast car to test danger.”The group tell me of one students is on the cusp of gaining his driving licenseand is to be rewarded by his parents with a new Ferrari to mark this milestonein his life. “The question which came up is ‘why are these cars built if they arecapable of these speeds in the first place?’ He was like ‘I am a good driver andthey’re (fast cars) capable of these speeds why can’t I drive fast?’ I had to suggestthat you might be the best driver in the world but the person next to you mightnot be. We also suggested that the point of having a nice car like that is to driveslowly so everyone can see you, but he wasn’t too happy with that!”Walking isn’t something many of us do in Muscat, and without a car Adam hasnoticed another glaring problem in the city. “We are teaching smaller childrento do things like look for lights when crossing the road, try to find a pedestriancrossing, or footbridge, or subway – but the distance between the places whereit’s safe to cross the road seem so far between them that all it takes is a touch of

laziness and you find yourself crossing the road in a dangerous spot.”He compares, “The residential areas in other countries are about 50kmper hour, but here with it being a dual-carriage way it is 100km perhour, so you think you have more time than you actually do. All it takesis a spot of laziness and you make that death-run for the other sideand then there’s a lot more traffic to navigate than you realised.” Thenumber of deaths on the roads is a testament to their observationsand the lack of foot bridges and pedestrian crossings is only likelyto exacerbate this problem in the future. Hence, the group suggestthat the Green Cross Code might not be the most useful lesson forschoolchildren to learn here. It’s not just children, they say, who couldbenefit from road safety plays such as ‘Steer Wisely’, the group hintsthat parents too should also join their children for the next production.One story they tell me hits hard, with Lainy saying, “One child asked(during a production), "How do I tell someone that they’re not a safedriver?" The look in his eyes said that he was scared and he admittedit was his dad, and that every time he goes into a car with him he’sfrightened. I’d love to think that the child went back and said ‘dad I’mscared when you drive.’” The group says that this could make a hugedifference, just by children going home and telling their friends andfamily to drive safely. It seems their message struck the audience. As Ileave, I received a shower of goodbyes from the group and Lainy adds“drive safely” to a chorus of giggles! The message sticks, and perhapsadding a little humour and drama to points we take for granted ineveryday life could make us all see the world a little differently.paul@y-oman.com

cultureWords Karima Farid | Photography Jerzy WierzbickiJapanese culture is beautiful in every way; from their colourful clothing,to their exotic healthy food and even their games and entertainmentoptions for children – everything about Japan and its culture isbreathtaking. For me, I grew up in a household that respects andcherishes Japanese culture for as long as I can remember. Being thedaughter of Farid Mohammed Al Shahaibi, a founding father of themartial art scene here in Oman, to receiving a Japanese exchangestudent in our home and meeting many other individuals from Japanwith my dad over the years, Japan is certainly embedded in my soul.The bridge between my family and ‘the land of the rising sun’ was builtmore than 30 years ago – even before I was born.It was my pleasure to attend ‘Matsuri- Japanese Festival’ at theJapan Ambassador’s house, where we were welcomed by Mrs YoshikoMorimoto - the lovely wife of the Ambassador of Japan. We were invitedto join students of The Sultan School, and among them were HaikuCompetition Winners. The event started at 9.30am with greetingsfrom Mrs Yoshiko Morimoto who enthusiastically welcomed Year 5 andYear 6 students of The Sultan School. Then there were beautiful Haikureadings by Haiku competition winners, which really impressed MrsYoshiko, and she was pleased as they gave her the Haiku along withtheir beautiful illustrations in turns.The students were then introduced to Hina Matsuri with a DollFestival for girls and Tango ne Sekku - May Festival for boys.According to Japanese Embassy officials, young girls and theirfamilies in Japan celebrate on 3rd March (3/3) to pray forhappiness and healthy growth with a display of Hina dolls andsome special dishes.We saw these dolls, as they were displayed in the hall. Apparently,the Hina dolls are dressed in the beautiful court costumes ofJapan around 1,200 years ago. They represent the emperorand the empress of Japan as well as musicians, ministers andservants. They also told us that the Hina Dolls are taken out of thecloset every year, around mid-February, and put away again untilthe festival is over.As for the boys, they explained that 5th May (5/5) is a Boys’ Day tocelebrate courage and determination with a display of a traditionalJapanese military helmet called Kabuto and/or a figure of Kintaro,the strongest boy on earth, according to a Japanese fairy tale.28

As for carp-shaped koinobori flags,these are raised before the dayas was done in ancient Japan, it isbelieved that a carp that swims upa river against strong currents canget the power and the spirit to turnit into a dragon.Now, 5th May is to be known tobe Children’s Day, where it is anational holiday and celebrationfor both girls and boys! Afterthis interesting information, wewatched a DVD show called ‘HelloJapan’ that gave us all some keyinformation on Japan’s population,what kids and families enjoyeddoing there, what they liked to eatand finally they even taught us afew words of Japanese!After wonderful time indoors, wethen went outside to play differentJapanese traditional games, andI even got to try on Japanesetraditional clothing! There was alsoplenty of healthy food and drinksfor everyone to enjoy.Wanage (Quoits) – A fun way to win prizes by throwing ahoop onto a plastic bottle.Water Balloon Yo-yos - Fishingup balloonsOrigami- Paper foldingTry-on! Is Yukata/Happi which meanstrying on different Japanese attireThe lovely morning ended with a dance, which is Bon-Odori-Tokyo-Ondo, where the boys and girls dancedtraditionally and beautifully.Can Pokkuri- (Can Walkers) andTakuema (Stilts) - both gamesare similar whereby children walkeither on cans or stilts.29

STUFFClint Derric EgbertcPc ARmbAnD HolDeRTalking on the phone anddriving at the same timeis not only dangerous butin most countries illegal,and so hands-free kitscame into being. However,most hands-free devicesdon’t really function asproperly as they claimto, and the commonlyused ear-piece Bluetoothdevices usually feelquite awkward. The CPCArmband Holder, however,is anything but awkward, in fact, it’s pretty simple and convenient. How it works isstraightforward - you wrap the wristband around your arm and then insert the cellphone into the holder on your wrist. You are then free to use your hands withouthaving to worry about holding your phone to your ear or repeatedly readjustingyour Bluetooth headset. Priced at a mere $10 (3.8 rials), you can now drive safeand sound. To know more about the product, go to www.htl-wireless.com.DART RoboTic HAnDIt might not be possible to fullyreplicate our limbs, joints andtendons, but Virginia Tech appearto have come as close as possible,creating the first robotic hand calledDexterous Anthropomorphic RoboticTyping (DART). This robotic hand isbuilt to allow wrist rotation of 100degrees and is the size of a realhuman hand. Consisting of 19 servomotors and high-tensile strength wires that substitute tendons, this invention canassist the user in typing 20 words per minute. Also, equipped with piezoelectricsensors, the robotic hand can receive tactical feedback. Covered with silicone skin,there is practically no visible difference between the robotic hand and a real one.Apple – iPad 2Tablet lovers have something to cheer about as Apple is soon to release the iPad2, a thinner, lighter and faster gadget than its predecessor. Equipped with twobuilt-in cameras, one for conference video and the other for high-definition videoand pictures, this baby is a user’s delight. It looks beautiful and works like abreeze; quick and easy to use. The device also sports new applications and a coolnew magnetic cover. Especially made for music enthusiasts is the Garage Bandapplication that allows users the luxury of a full recording studio on the move.The iPad 2, which comes in white and black and is thinner than an iPhone 4, alsopresents iMovie, an application that promises multi-track audio recording, precisionvideo editing, movie exporting in HD and Airplay compatibility.Techno newsHackers NetworkiNgthe world’s favourite and most popular socialnetworking site Facebook has grown to be ateenage sensation around the globe. Just likeit, ghostMarket has come to being, this site hasbecome a prevalent home to digital criminals,hackers and online thefts. started by a teenduo in the Uk, the site attracted 8,000 hackerswho shared and swapped hacked databasesthat included private information such as bankaccount details and credit card numbers, andwas responsible for an estimated $26 million inmonetary damages. the two boys were caughtin their attempt to charge $1,600 to stolen creditcards. a whopping 100,000 stolen credit cardswere recorded by the police with losses to 65,000bank accounts. Fortunately, the two boys havebeen apprehended and the site has been closeddown.UNbaN-ditsJust when thePlaystationNetwork (PsN)thought itwas safe fromhackers (after banning them from the network),sony still sits with their heads in their hands ashackers manage to ‘unban’ themselves and gainaccess once again. it wasn’t too long ago whensony banned players from using jailbreak toolsand stopped the use of pirated games, thinkingthat victory was theirs. Unfortunately, the hackersdecided otherwise. the hackers have strike backwith a tool that performs an unbanning functionfrom their consoles, where they can also banother consoles. but to perform this, hackers musthave console ids, which is not something that isdifficult to obtain.30

Kiran Jay HaslamIn December 1975 the Hyundai Motor Company launched its firstpassenger car product, the Pony, and literally put Korean carmanufacturing on the map. The vehicle was classed as subcompact,offered a choice of 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6-litre engines,rear-wheel-drive, and was styled by the powerhouse cardesignfirm Italdesign Giugiaro. The Pony was sold inNorth Africa and Latin America, and within a fewyears the model made its way to Europe in manyguises, including as a small pickup and stationwagon.And so seven generations later, here I am in the UnitedArab Emirates, eager to jump into the all-newPony, only they don’t call it a Pony anymore. Ithas endured several name changes since itsinception – Pony II, Excel, Verna in the localKorean market - and from third generationto present form, Accent. And to mygreat fortune, I found myself standingright next to B. K. Lim, the manwho oversaw the name changeback in 1995!

Codenamed ‘RB’, the all-new Accent was five years in themaking, and tallied up a US$180 million research-anddevelopmentbill from conception through to production.The new car still sits in the midst of Hyundai’s ‘fluidicsculpture design philosophy’, where the design andmoulding of the car, inspired by nature, interconnectsmoothly without abrupt ends and sharp angles. Thedesign team, however, managed to retain crease lines,and bolstered these with a sleek roofline, giving the car itsmuch-needed coupé appeal.It’s got a long list of great features, and the evolutionfrom the original car has resulted in a longer platformthat now offers ‘medium-sized car legroom’ and a reartrunk that can easily accommodate four golf bags andthree small suitcases. I peered into the cavernous luggagecompartment and jokingly commented to OTE’s HarshitMehta that he’d have no problem getting his mother-in-lawand all of her luggage to Seeb airport in the all-new Accent,only to have him derisively agree!The ride and handling is stable thanks to McPherson Struts up front and aCoupled Torsion Beam Axle at the back; the Accent can absorb varying roadsurfaces easily and has nicely weighted steering, too. At this price point the cargenuinely shames the rest of the competition when it comes to features and Iparticularly like the sturdy feel of the roof lining, interior trim and sun visors.Hyundai’s focus on comfort, convenience and safety manifests itself in the formof 6 airbags, USB/iPod/MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth and an electro-chromicrear-view mirror. The latter is a thing of beauty - and gives the Accent its‘Minority Report’ moment! The car is a large piece in ‘the Hyundai sales puzzle’,a puzzle that, when put together, equates to over 3.5 million cars being soldworldwide.So the new Accent lives up to its promise of quenching thethirst of young, price-conscious families with a modernlifestyle; you get a lot of ‘bang for your buck’, or ‘revs foryour rial’ as I like to say. But bare in mind it is madeto sit at a particular price point; a particularlyaffordable one at that. In my test car the124hp 1.6-litre 4-cylinder enginebeneath the bonnet is mated to a4-speed automatic transmissionand is frugal, yet offerssufficient power.32

A new brand slogan was unveiled in Detroit at the beginning of this year, in thehopes of converging the company’s efforts to sell even more cars in 2011:NEWTHINKING.NEWPOSSIBILITIES.The message encapsulates the carmaker’s new ‘Modern Premium’ approach. Toput it simply, they want to give buyers more value by making that ambiguousterm “premium” more significant to those on a tight budget. With prices startingat 4400 rials, OTE’s General Manager for Hyundai Motors Oman, ArindamChakravarty, whole-heartedly believes this to be the case. “It has been oneof the most successful models, with over 5 million Accents sold globally; yetHyundai is undertaking a renovation of the brand experience. Hyundai wants toreiterate that it’s not just a company that makes cars but also a company thatcreates exciting new possibilities.”By folklore, the seventh son’s inherent power makes himthe lucky one in lineage, and Hyundai’s seventh generationall-new Accent must now live up to high expectations.Here in the Middle East, the carmaker has done very wellfor itself, with the local Omani dealer often selling itsentire inventory way ahead of schedule and haranguingits principle for more stock. Where in the past sales havebeen mostly attributed to stealth-like pricing, now perhapswe’ll see tremendous sales due to styling and an overallbuild quality that could steer many buyers away from theAccent’s Japanese or American equivalents.When I was a tad younger, growing up in Oz, the Accent(aka “X3”) was the highest selling imported car in Australianmotoring history, with over 200,000 units making it on theroad in a very short space of time. That was back when youapparently had to drive a thirsty V8 utility to be ‘true blue’;back when Hyundai had a slogan that, surprisingly, is stilla fitting statement for this day and age, given the all-newAccent’s practicality, styling and options list…All Day. Everyday. Hyundai.

Words & PhotographyClint Derric Egbert…And Then There Were ThreeAs the final whistle sounded, shouts of “shouri-o osameru” resounded through the Musannah Sports City Stadium. Curious about whatit meant, I referred to a translator only to find that the words meant “victory is ours”.Eleven teams stepped up to battle for a place in the FIFA BeachSoccer World Cup 2011 taking place in Revenna, Italy, but onlythree were to make it through the qualifiers that took place in theSultanate recently. After six days of vigorous competition, Japanclinched the continental crown, beating hosts Oman in a closeencounter that brought the thrills, spills and skills one would expectto witness in a beach soccer final.The hosts pumped up the adrenalin with an early goal from Is’haqto take the lead in a fight for the Asian throne, then continuedto barricade their territory with a strong defence and superbgoalkeeping from Salim. But, a more than determined Japanesesquad surged forward, time and time again looking to equal thescores. Finally, in the last period of play, Take levelled the scores forJapan, who were growing in confidence quickly. Taking advantageof the anxious Omani defence, Arakaki blasted one through withless than one minute on the clock, clinching the victory and the titlefor the Japanese.A dUAl FoR ThIRd plAceOne would have expected the UAE to be locking horns with Oman in the finals– but that didn’t happen. When facing Iran for the third spot in the qualifiers,UAE were definitely the favourites.Going into the match more of a defensive side, not many would have expectedthe Iranians to have blasted six goals into their opponents’ net. But then again,you really can’t predict anything in beach soccer.Mesigar was the first to strike for Iran in the opening minute of the match,giving his side an early advantage. Later, Dara followed suit scoring a secondfor his side putting the UAE boys under pressure. M. Abbas did well to comeback for the Emirates in the second period, but it wasn’t long before Daraonce again scored for his country. Hassani soon came back with a secondgoal for the UAE, but that wasn’t enough to stop the Iranians, who later scoreda fourth, fifth and sixth goal to take the final score to 6-2. Earning themselvesthird place in the competition, they are too eligible to compete in the upcomingBeach Soccer World Cup 2011.Despite the loss, Omani spirits were still high; although the outcomeof the match brought defeat, it still placed Oman in second spot,giving them a chance to right their wrongs in the FIFA Beach SoccerWorld Cup 2011.Gracing the competition and the prize giving ceremony was Chairman of theOman Football Association Sayyid Khalid Bin Hamad Al Busaidi, His ExcellencyEng. Khalfan Al Naabi, Adviser to Ministry of Sports and His Excellency RashadAhmed Al Hinai, Undersecretary of Ministry of Sports.34

INdIvIdUAl AWARdSMOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARDYahya (Oman)TOP SCORERIs’haq (Oman)BEST GOALKEEPERTerukina (Japan)35

All BRIeN ANd All BRAWNLo and behold, the new canon of the cricket world, the Irish force that conquered for his nation, the Shillelagh (Irish club) thatbattered and bruised the English - the one and the only, Kevin O’Brien.One would never have imaginedEngland to bow out to the Irish,especially not after their heroicperformance against India onFebruary 27th at the M. ChinnaswamyStadium in Bangalore, where theEnglish successfully restrained theIndians from clinching an obviousvictory, managing to draw the match.But, little did they know that thistime they were up against an electricKevin O’Brien, a name that before thematch didn’t carry as much weight.Of course now, after becoming thesixth fastest century scorer in all ODIhistory and the fastest ever centuryscorer in the world cup, with a recordof 100 runs off just 50 balls, thename Kevin O’ Brian will now scarethe socks off bowlers.“It’s nice to know that thesethings could happen, but I’m justconcentrating on the rest of thetournament. Yes, the innings was abit of a surprise to me because it’snot every day you hit 100 off 50balls. But it still hasn’t sunk in fully.I have got a lot more consistent overthe 14 months since I received a fulltimecontract,” O’Brien was reportedsaying after his onslaught.His achievement has not only placed him on the list of best batsman in the world, but hasput the Irish on the map and possibly made them a major contenders for this World Cup.This success for Ireland has also given smaller nations reason to believe in themselvesand boosted the morale of many budding teams that go up against veteran squads likePakistan and India.The question, however, is if this could be just a lucky streak for the Irishman or just badbowling on the part of the English. Either way, the Irish are looking strong and capable tosay the least, and undoubtedly hungry for glory.“In 2010, we played 52 matches, which gave us so much opportunity to hone our games.You want to play as much as you can for Ireland, and whenever you do, you wear the shirtwith pride,” O’ Brien added.oN The oTheR SIdeEngland’s defeat was one that is hard to digest, especially for thosepresent at the match. Getting beat by an on-paper weaker side, andin the fashion they did, there is no doubt that critics and fans arebeginning to question the chances of England progressing in thisWorld Cup. The team itself appear to be stripped of their confidenceand appear disoriented and angry after their horrendous loss to theIrish.However, after replaying the highlights of the match, I can’t help butwonder if the English really did perform that badly. From what I wasable to make out, the bowling was pretty much spot on. The lineand length of most deliveries from the English bowlers appeared tobe just right, none calling for the battering that O’Brien gave them.However, allowing batsman to settle and adapt to the pitch is thebiggest mistake a bowling side can make, and in that case Englandare guilty.Batsman that are fresh to the crease, nervous and anxious, makethe easiest targets; a situation that England had many a chance tobenefit from. Sadly though, O’Brien had too much time to settle inand the result was disastrous for the English.England’s performance against Ireland has stirred quite a buzz onsocial networking site Twitter, and not a good one at that. Being thetarget for major criticism, the English squad, particularly GraemeSwann, is not happy about the fact that the team has becomevictim of such ridiculing comments.“The method of bouncing back is to completely write off the lastgame – there are so many things we can take positively from thelast game that it’s not all doom and gloom like everyone is saying. Ifa guy gets 100 off 60 balls, a guy gets 100 off 60 balls. There’s nota lot you can do except say we should have bowled differently. Andin the next game we will do. If we start panicking and thinking we’rethe disgrace that half the people on Twitter thought we were lastnight, there’s no point in us playing,” Swann was reported saying.For highlights on O’Brien’s historically innings check out thisYouTube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQBGseBIxtQTop FIve FASTeST WoRld cUp ceNTURIeS:50 Balls - Kevin O'Brien vs England 201166 Balls - Matthew Hayden vs South Africa, 200767 Balls - J Davison vs West Indies, 200372 Balls - Kapil Dev vs Zimbabwe, 198372 Balls - Adam Gilchrist vs Sri Lanka, 200736

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March 08, 2011 Issue 160Mommy & MeExhibition –Al Noor Hall38

March 08, 2011 Issue 160Durat Al KhaleejPrivate SchoolOpen Day39

March 08, 2011 Issue 160Modern College of Businessand Science 2nd YouthCharitable Festival40

March 08, 2011 Issue 160Bank Sohar 19thBranch Inauguration41

March 08, 2011 Issue 160International Women ' s DayCelebration42

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KFWS • MindGymOctober 25, 2010March 08, 2011 Issue 160KFWS • MindJanuaryPlace a letter in the empty boxes in such a way that eachrow across, each column down and each small 9-box squarecontain all of the letters listed above the diagram. Whencompleted, the row indicated will spell our a word or words.Without rotating the small squares below, try to arrangethem into the pattern shown in the diagram so that thenumber next to each large triangle equals the sum of thefour numbers in that triangle.45

each week we are asking our readers to take part in a topical discussionvia Y Magazine's facebook page.Join the group and you might see your comments printed in next week'sissue!This week:Which sources have you used to gather news andinformation during the recent protests in Oman? (National/International)(TV/Radio/Newspapers/Forums/Word-of-Mouth/Blogs/Twitter/News Websites.)Sangeeta Sundaresanessentially the local newspapers and word of mouth. have some friends in the media & they kept updatingtheir facebook profile with information as well...paroma Banerjee dasguptaDepended mostly on news websites and word of mouth of friends and coworkers.Aga dabrowskaBlogs such as Muscat Mutterings and Happily Married to a Biker were a great source of information forme - covered pretty much everything so many thanks to the authors ! A word of mouth from friends wasalso something to rely on. I didn't really follow the local newspapers but looked for a coverage from theinternational TV stations.cynthia h.I relied mostly on the blog Happily Married To A Biker along with a few international news websites.SOLUTIONScRoSSWoRdleTTeR BoXTRY SQUAReS

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