Editor-in-chief Abdullah bin Salim al Shueili

Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and AdvertisingPO Box 974, Postal Code 100, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 27, 2019 | JUMADA AL THANI 22, 1440 AH

editor@omanobserver.om www.omanobserver.omfollow us @omanobserver

OMAN DAILY

VOL. 38 NO. 105 | PAGES 28 | BAISAS 200

MUSCAT: Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME) said that Oman oil price for April delivery reached $64.57. The DME statement said that the price of Oman oil on Tuesday fell by $2.28 from the price of Monday, which was $66.85. The average price of Oman oil fro March delivery has stabilised at $59.36, thus $2.03 per barrel higher than February delivery. Brent, the global oil benchmark, had clawed back around 50 cents to get back above $65 ahead of US trading while US West Texas Intermediate crude inched up to $55.50.

MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman’s Embassy in India has issued an advisory for citizens who plan to travel to India in the coming days. In view of the events in India’s Jammu and Kashmir state, “Dear citizens do not travel to Jammu and Kashmir in India until the situation in that state is stabilised and until further notice,” the embassy said in a statement.

OMAN

Crude prices at $64.57 a barrel

Embassy issues India travel alert

PRAYER TIMINGS

WEATHER TODAY

MUSCATMAX: 270CMIN: 180C

SALALAHMAX: 300CMIN: 230C

NIZWAMAX: 310CMIN: 180C

SUNRISE 06.31 AM

FAJR: 05:16DHUHR: 12:25ASR: 15:45MAGHRIB: 18:13ISHA: 19:24

P16US BUSINESS LOBBY SAYS FIRMS FAVOUR CHINA TARIFFS

INDIA ‘AIR STRIKES’ SEND PAKISTAN TENSIONS SURGING P8

INSIDESTORIES

UKRAINE DROPS EUROVISION SINGER OVER RUSSIA ROW P10

AL RUMHY AIMING TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONAT OMAN OPEN

P22

Kim, Trump arrive in Hanoi ahead of nuclear summitHANOI: North Korean leader Kim

Jong Un and US President Donald

Trump arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday,

ahead of a second summit closely

watched for concrete steps to dismantle

Pyongyang’s nuclear programme.

After an initial historic meeting

in Singapore in June that produced

only a vague statement about

denuclearisation, analysts say the

second date must deliver more in the

way of tangible progress.

The summit itself is shrouded in

secrecy and there was still no official

word even on the venue when Trump

touched down in Air Force One late

on Tuesday. The two leaders were

expected to have an informal dinner

on Wednesday before more formal

talks on Thursday.

Trump made no comment to

reporters on his aircraft but had

previously tweeted his hopes for a “very

productive” meeting, reiterating that

North Korea could enjoy economic

riches if it gave up its nuclear weapons.

“With complete Denuclearisation,

North Korea will rapidly become

an Economic Powerhouse,” tweeted

Trump. “Without it, just more of the

same.” “Chairman Kim will make a

wise decision!”

Relations between the two

mercurial leaders have undergone a

dramatic turnaround, from flinging

personal insults and threats of

destruction to Trump declaring he had

fallen “in love” with Kim through an

exchange of letters.

But many North Korea watchers

dismissed the Singapore summit as

political theatre that failed to produce a

concrete roadmap to denuclearisation

and stressed the Hanoi meeting must

deliver more.

“The window for diplomatic

progress with North Korea will not

remain open indefinitely. The second

summit... must emphasise substance

over pageantry,” said Kelsey Davenport

from the Arms Control Association.

Even so, Trump appeared to lower

US demands for Pyongyang in the

run-up to the summit, repeatedly

saying there was no rush to rid the

North of its arsenal as long as missile

and nuclear tests stopped.

“I don’t want to rush anybody. I just

don’t want testing. As long as there’s no

testing, we’re happy,” Trump said.

He also hinted more summits

could follow the Hanoi meeting,

reducing expectations of a

dramatic breakthrough in the

Vietnamese capital. — Reuters

ALL SET FOR HAUTE ROUTE OMAN

Editor-in-chief ullahbinSalimal Shueiliment for Press, Publication and AdvertisingPostal Code 100, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

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VOL. 38 NO. 105 | PAGES 28 | BAISAS 200

IN THE KINGDOM OF THE MIGHTYORYX

P27

The first-ever Haute Route Oman is all set to begin on Friday, with a sold out entry of 265 cyclists set to take on the challenging course through the Sultanate. Enthusiastic amateur riders from 26 countries have signed up for the inaugural event — a new addition in 2019 to the international Haute Route Cycling Series and the first-ever in the Middle East. DETAILS ON P22

PRIVATE SECTORS IDENTIFIED12

VINOD NAIRMUSCAT, FEB 26

The Youth and Human Resources

Committee of Majlis Ash’shura

has suggested a slew of measures

needed to meet the challenges of

finding jobs for Omanis.

The recommendations need to

be approved by Majlis Ash’shura

after discussions.

The committee took nearly a year

to prepare the recommendations

after taking feedback from all

stakeholders both in the private and

public sectors.

The report had identified 12

areas in the private sector which can

offer up to 40,640 jobs. “But there

is a need to sit with each sector

individually and understand their

challenges,” the report said.

“The main problem is lack of

specialised training and some

of the private sector companies

cannot financially support training

programmes. So the government

needs to step in with a one-year

to 18 months specialised training

schemes in the private sector.”

The committee also felt that

instead of focusing merely on

Omanisation percentage, efforts

should be made to empower

Omanis to find jobs over a long-

term programme.

“For the long-term, there is

a need to focus on generating

more jobs with investments, but

that process will take time as the

economy grows. Projects in Duqm

will still take some time in terms of

job generation.”

The committee recommended

that no government institution be

allowed to enter into a contract

with an expatriate employee on an

annual basis for any job without

approval from the National

Employment Centre.

40,640OPPORTUNITIES ARE IDENTIFIED IN 12 AREAS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR

WHERE OMANIS CAN BE ACCOMMODATED

Future belongs to fourth industrial revolutionKABEER YOUSUF MUSCAT, FEB 26

The future of Oman’s industrial sector

lies in 4th Industrial Revolution

(4IR), according to experts.

Oman’s manufacturing sector

will be propelled into a whole new

era by technologies such as Artificial

Intelligence, 3D printing, machine

learning, big data analysis, real-time

data collection, supply chain robots

to delivery drones that are part of the

Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)

which is currently under way.

Speaking to the Observer on

the sidelines of the first session

of ‘Inside Stories’, a series of four

informal, highly-interactive evening

discussions organised by Ithraa,

Oman’s inward investment and export

development agency, held at the

Public Authority for Civil Aviation

(PACA), His Highnes Sayyid Dr

Adham al Said, Chairman, Mubadala

Investments, said.

“The world is moving faster than

we can presume and unless we go

faster, we will be left behind. Be it

any sector, be it healthcare, personal,

business, or any, they should be

technologically upgraded in tune

with the 4th Industrial Revolution

and remember, it’s not a luxury but a

necessity to sustain in business”, adds

Dr Adam, who is also the CEO and

founder of ‘The Firm’ and moderator

of the meeting.

Iran’s Rouhani rejects resignation of ZarifTEHRAN: Iranian President Hassan

Rouhani rejected the resignation of

his foreign minister on Tuesday.

Mohammad Javad Zarif

— a US-educated veteran

diplomat who helped craft

the pact that curbed Iran’s

nuclear programme in

return for sanctions relief

— gave no reason for his

decision to quit when he

announced it on Instagram

on Monday.

Rouhani also used Instagram

to disclose his rejection of Zarif ’s

resignation, adding a picture of

himself and Zarif together and

smiling as well as the hashtags,

“#Zarif_is_not_alone”

and “#Zarif_is_staying” in

Farsi.

Since the United States

walked out of the nuclear

deal and reimposed

sanctions last year,

Rouhani has had to explain

why Iran has continued

to abide by its restrictions while

reaping virtually none of the foreseen

economic benefits. SEE ALSO P6

Manufacturing sector will be propelled into a whole new era by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, 3D printing, machine learning, big data analysis and real-time data collection

TURN TO P2

TURN TO P2

Teen authors hog limelightLAKSHMI KOTHANETH MUSCAT, FEB 26

The Muscat International Book Fair

is a platform for young authors to

introduce to the world their work.

Naturally their writings also reflect

their age group. The Observer came

across two promising writers as they

greeted the readers and autographed

their books.

Maimuna al Kitani is in high

school, but she was waiting to sign

her books at the book fair. Maimuna’s

first book is titled Stills of Time. The

new book is also in English and is

called Migrant Heart and even more

fascinating are her subjects — a

Japanese student of Indian origin.

“I think the world is all

about multiculturalism. I love

multiculturalism. I was in Japan

for two months and it gave me

the opportunity to interact with

individuals and the culture in depth,”

said Maimuna.

The story is about a girl’s struggle

to be accepted because she looked

different. DETAILS ON P4

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insideoman

ISO praises Sultanate’s standards, specifications

Shura discusses employment

MUSCAT: John Walter, President

of the International Organization

for Standardisation (ISO), praised

the Sultanate’s system of proprietary,

industrial and commercial

specifications and standards.

In a statement to Oman News

Agency (ONA), the president said

ISO is seeking to identify the priorities

of the countries of the region in terms

of specifications and standards.

He pointed out that ISO is in the

process of establishing a new strategic

plan. Walter hoped that the ISO vision

over the next 10 years will make the

world a better place by bringing the

member countries closer together

to discuss many issues related to

specifications and standardizations.

Walter was in Muscat to take part

in the 5th GCC Laboratory Efficiency

Conference, which began on Tuesday.

The Fifth GCC Laboratory Efficiency

Conference kicked off today.

The 2-day conference is organised

by the GCC Standardisation

Organisation (GCC-SO), in

cooperation with the Ministry of

Commerce and Industry. .

The conference was inaugurated

by Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy,

Minister of Commerce and Industry,

who said the conference is a platform

for exchanging ideas, implementation

of best international practices and

enhance cooperation among member

countries to boost the efficiency of

laboratories, especially with regard

to fuels and petrochemicals and

implementation of best international

practices in this field.

Dr Sunaidy said that the conference

addresses the oil and petrochemical

sector as it is of vital importance to

the GCC countries, which are among

the largest oil producers of oil and

home to petrochemical industry,

which is the second largest industrial

sector in the region.

John Walter, President of

ISO, stressed the importance of

the conference, especially in the

quality of industries that adhere to

specifications, pointing out that each

country has to do many things and

there are many priorities. — ONA

MAJID AL HATTALIMUSCAT, FEB 26

Majlis Ash’shura has approved

the report prepared by the joint

State Council-Majlis Ash’shura

committee regarding the points of

disagreement on the medical and

paramedical professions practice

law referred by the Council of

Ministers as well as the study on

jobs for Omanis prepared by the

Youth and Human Resources

Committee.

Majlis Ash’shura held its sixth

ordinary session of the fourth

annual sitting of the eighth term

under the chairmanship of Khalid

bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman, on

Tuesday.

In his speech, Al Maawali

affirmed that the council is aware

of the importance of human

resources as well as the issue of

unemployment, and achieving

the youth’s aspirations to to boost

development.

Mohammed bin Salim al

Busaidy, Head of the Youth and

Human Resources Committee,

reviewed the study which analyses

recruitment of Omanis and aims to

provide statistics of the national and

expat workforce in both the public

and private sector.

Among the most important

recommendations of the study is

expediting the draft unemployment

insurance law which ensures

continuity of wage payment

for workers who lost jobs. It

also recommended providing

unemployment benefit for 1 year

to job-seekers particularly college

graduates who have not joined

training.

— Photos by Huda al Bahriyah

FROM PAGE 1

All government institutions must

submit plans to replace all jobs currently

occupied by expatriates within a period

not exceeding five years, and ensure that

Omanisation rate is not less than 95 per

cent.

The committee recommended

retirement of consultants, experts and

persons in similar positions who have

completed long years of work with

certain privileges.

The committee has presented a

number of recommendations, which

include analysing the numbers of Omani

and expatriate manpower in public

and private sectors, and anticipate the

expected career opportunities annually,

especially in the private sector.

The committee focused on 12

economic sectors which are capable of

achieving higher ratios and providing

jobs for Omanis. The Eighth Five-

Year Plan saw a high number of

expat recruitment for high-level jobs,

compared to hiring Omanis for the

same positions. The market is capable of

absorbing more Omanis, and it needs to

generate new jobs too.

The committee also recommended

establishment of committees in each of

the 12 sectors.

The committee also recommended

raising the fee for recruitment of

expatriate workers in leadership and

supervisory positions, with the exception

of those registered with Riyada. The

fee should be linked to the wage of the

expatriates. The fee thus collected should

be used to train national cadre.

12 SECTORS IDENTIFIED

John Walter, President of ISO

IN BRIEF

SQU workshop on natural hazardsMUSCAT: The International Workshop on Natural Hazards and Early Warning Systems organised by the Earthquake Monitoring Centre at Sultan Qaboos University, in association with the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), commenced at SQU on Tuesday. The workshop was inaugurated by Mohammad al Yaqoubi, Secretary-General of the Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, the Ministry of Education. This training workshop is an opportunity to increase awareness on natural hazards and disaster risk reduction (DRR).

MoH-WHO annual joint meetingMUSCAT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) and World Health Organization (WHO) held a joint annnual Meeting in Muscat on Tuesday. Dr Ali bin Talib al Hinai, MoH Under-Secretary for Planning Affairs and Dr Akjemal Magtymova, WHO Representative, took part in the meeting. The meeting brought together directors-general and health professionals from various departments of the MoH and WHO experts. The meeting is an annual platform to review the progress of the joint MoH-WHO cooperation and to discuss on priorities and targets for 2020-2023.

Future belongs to fourth industrial revolutionFROM PAGE 1

Omani manufacturers are talking

about the Fourth Industrial Revolution

(4IR) and how the use of new

technologies such as sensors, robotics

and data analytics are impacting

efficiency, improving product design,

changing customer relationships,

boosting competitiveness as well as

increasing the Sultanate’s exports.

He further noted that things will be

cheap and major expenses like the cost

of production will drastically reduce

favouring the small and medium scale

enterprises in the long run. These

disruptive technologies of 4th Industrial

Revolution are fundamentally breaking

down systems, forcing companies

across multiple sectors to rethink how

they conduct business and affecting

the way the majority of us go about our

lives, work and learn.

“The 4th Industrial Revolution is

already taking place across the sectors

and industries should change their

focus to this. However, we don’t expect

a paradigm shift overnight”, says Dr

Abdullah al Mahrouqi, CEO, the

Industrial Innovation centre.

“The opportunities are clear, and

despite the uncertainty, we firmly

believe this is a very exciting time for

Oman’s manufacturing and export

community if they can make use

the advantages of 4IR, their plans of

further growth can be achieved as the

economic gains from harnessing 4IR

are significant”, a representative from

Ithra said.

Titled ‘Export & The Fourth

Industrial Revolution’ Inside Stories is

gathering space, bringing together some

of the Sultanate’s most inspirational

and innovative business people,

scientists, educators, manufacturers,

healthcare professionals, civil servants,

urban planners and environmentalists

to share their stories.

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State Council Bureau discusses mining sector and retirement STAFF REPORTERMUSCAT, FEB 26

The State Council Bureau held its

fourth meeting chaired by Shaikh

Al Khattab bin Ghalib al Hinai,

Deputy Chairman of the State

Council on Tuesday.

It discussed the report of the

Economic Committee on the draft

law on statistics and information

forwarded by the Council of

Ministers and decided to present it

at the next regular session.

The Bureau also discussed the

proposal of the special committee

formed to study the promotion of

mineral wealth. In this regard, it

hosted Sayyid Dr Said bin Sultan

bin Hamood al Busaidy, Committee

head and Dr Ahmed bin Sulaiman

al Maimani, Rapporteur of the

Committee for discussion of the

proposal, which aims to monitor

the mining sector in the Sultanate,

identify the challenges facing it and

to find mining-based industries in

the Sultanate.

The proposal which the

Committee for Education and

Research wished to study “How

to benefit from the expertise of

employees nearing retirement age”,

was reviewed, and in this context,

hosted Abdullah bin Mubarak al

Shanfari, Head of the Education

and Research Committee, for

discussing the proposal. It aims

at reviewing the extension of the

retirement age of employees to

protect and gain advantage of their

vast experiences and knowledge.

The committee discussed

several aspects of the retirement

age for these groups and decided to

present the proposal at the regular

session.

The bureau hosted Mohamed

bin Ahmed bin Ali al Rawas,

Council member, to discuss his

proposal on the electronic media

and decided to refer the proposal

to the culture, information

and tourism committee for an

integrated presentation.

The bureau discussed the

proposal by the Secretariat to assist

the Council’s Information and

Research Centre on the formation

of a special committee to anticipate

the future and achieve sustainable

development goals.

It noted several reports,

including the initial vision

document “Oman 2040” and the

report submitted by the Secretariat

of the Information and Research

Centre on the visit of Moody’s

Investors Service.

The bureau noted the report on

follow-up to the implementation of

the decisions taken at the previous

bureau meeting and the report

on follow-up to the activities of

the committees during the period

between the previous bureau

meeting and the present meeting.

At the conclusion of the Bureau

meeting, the agenda items for the

6th and 7th ordinary sessions of

the fourth annual session of the

sixth period of the Council were

decided.

MUSCAT: Starting from March 1, Mwasalat will extend its Ruwi-Mina al Fahl bus route to Al Qurm Natural Park and City Centre Qurm.

Launched in May 2018, the route no. 14 starts from Ruwi Bus Station and passes through Hamriya Roundabout, Al Nahda Hospital, Wadi Adei, Al-Fateh, Al Khoula Hospital, PDO Gate 1 – Sihal Al Maleh Street and PDO Gate 2.

Daily services are operated at a frequency of every 30 minutes from 6 am on weekdays and public holidays. Passengers coming from Maabela on Route 1 can disembark at Wattayah bus stop and then take the Route 14 for Khoula hospital or PDO. Those arriving from Amerat on Route 5 can disembark at Al Nahda Hospital Station and then take Route 14 for Khoula Hospital or PDO.

Bus service extended to City Centre Qurum

Legal committee hosts housing under-secretary to discuss land lawMUSCAT: The Legal Committee at the State Council hosted Saif bin Amer al Shaqsi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and specialists at the ministry on Tuesday. The discussion was aimed at enhancing its study, “Land Laws of the Sultanate” with new inputs.

The committee’s tenth meeting was chaired by Issa bin Said bin Sulaiman al Kiyumi, Deputy Head of the Committee.

It discussed with them several topics related to the study which included the challenges facing the Ministry regarding the land sector, the ministry’s proposals

related to the development of land laws, the mechanisms used in dealing with abuses, if any, and their solutions, the constraints faced in deciding on citizens ‘ requests for land, and the ministry’s proposals to overcome them. It also discussed the statistics and data pertaining to the ownership of land by GCC nationals in the Sultanate.

The committee also noted the follow-up report on the implementation of the decisions taken at its two previous meetings, as well as an update on its agenda and the adoption of appropriate decisions.

LET US ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO IMAGINEZAINAB AL NASSRI AND MAI AL ABRIMUSCAT, FEB 26

As part of the Muscat International

Book Fair 2019, a seminar on

children and the future media was

organised at the Children’s Public

Library on Tuesday by the Ministry of

Information and Unicef.

The opening session of the seminar

was inaugurated by Dr Sayyidah

Muna bint Fahd bin Mahmoud al

Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of

SQU for International Cooperation,

in the presence of Dr Abdulmunim

bin Mansour al Hasani, Minister

of Information, under-secretaries,

members of the Organising

Committee of Muscat International

Book Fair, officials and students.

“This seminar is an attempt to

think about the future through many

stakeholders, including writers and

publishers,” said the Minister of

Information. Dr Sayyidah Muna

said: “In light of the tremendous

acceleration in the world, we are

facing a great deal of data, news and

information in all aspects of life, which

requires us to contemplate the role of

media in our daily lives.

The two-day seminar discussed

media and children issues through

six papers. The first session began by

a paper by Dr Waffa al Mazgani, who

talked about how to motivate authors

of children books to come up with

better works. Dr Amer al Aysari, Head

of Pre-School Education Department,

Ministry of Education, talked about

“the role of media in development of

citizenship in children”. He emphasised

that instilling values of citizenship

among children is a priority of the

media. “Children should be aware of

the challenges faced by the community

to prepare themselves for their roles

in the future. Family, school, mosques

along with all media are responsible of

developing the values on citizenship in

children.”

The third paper was given by Dr

Waffa al Shamsi, a poet, on children’s

stories and programmes and their

contribution in writing them. She

pointed out that children should be

trained on creative writing through

a number of strategies. “We need to

encourage children to imagine. We

need to know what our children want

and never force them to do anything

against their will.”

Other papers were presented by

Suha al Ruqaishi on media and its

role in forming child’s attitude, Rashid

al Saadi on TV programmes, and

Samah Abu Baker on children’s stories

and how they relate to social media

platforms.

Workshops on protecting children

from electronic blackmail and story

telling for children were also held.

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SAMUEL KUTTYMUSCAT, FEB 26

A book fair, with its massive option

for selection, helps people get

correct information about the titles

that they intend to buy.

It provides unequalled

opportunities to know not only

about the books, authors but also

about a wide network of publishers.

Finally, it also allows book

enthusiasts to scan the contents,

read the review and even can scroll

through some of the pages to know

whether they are worth for a buy!

Now, coming to the 24th Muscat

International Book Fair at Oman

Exhibition and Convention Centre,

it has everything on one platform

from archaeological manuscripts to

books on children’s literature along

with facilities to interact directly

with authors.

For the history lovers, the

pavilions of ministry of heritage and

culture and ministry of Information

have a large number of books

showcasing Oman’s great traditions

including its maritime history.

Oman: A Seafaring Nation vividly

narrates the story of Omani sailors

and of the ships they built and also

brings to fore their craftsmanship,

skills and creativity.

With over a thousand kilometres

of coastline, the sea is never far away

in Oman. It is an integral part of the

nation’s history, culture, people and

economy.

The history of Oman as a

seafaring nation goes back to the

dawn of civilisation in the old

world, when Omanis inaugurated

pioneering voyages across the

oceans.

Oman was a rich source of copper

for developing civilisations in the

entire region and Omani sailors

were pioneering the development of

maritime skills and technology.

When the book was first

published more than 42 years

ago, there were still a considerable

number of traditional wooden

vessels in use in Omani waters.

“With the passage of time,

however, fewer examples of Oman’s

glorious maritime heritage now

survive”, writes His Highness Sayyid

Haitham bin Tareq al Said, Minister

of Heritage & Culture in his preface

for the re-printed book.

Although the ancient sea trade

has disappeared and the fishing

industry has been modernised, the

echoes of the great Omani seafaring

traditions and the maritime

technology, it is still kept alive in the

book.

“Preserving the memory of

Oman’s magnificent seafaring

traditions serves to remind today’s

generations that our forefathers

were hardy and resourceful folk

indeed”, writes His Highness.

The book has photographs on

various aspects of traditional Omani

seagoing craft.

No doubt, Oman: A Seafaring

Nation, is a fine book that gives an

excellent account of the maritime

history of the country that —

‘Omanis lived by the sea, for the sea,

because of the sea’.

Tales of Sultanate’s seafaring tradition

For the history lovers, the pavilions of ministry of heritage and culture and ministry of Information have a large number of books showcasing Oman’s great traditions

Teen authors hog limelightLAKSHMI KOTHANETH MUSCAT, FEB 26

The book fair is a platform for young

authors to introduce to the world

their work. Naturally their writing

also work reflect their age group

and world. Observer came across

two promising writers as they greeted

the readers and autographed their

books.

Maimuna al Kitani is in high

school, but she was waiting to sign

her books at the book fair. Maimuna’s

first book was titled, “Stills of Time.”

The new book is also in English and

is called Migrant Heart and even

more fascinating are her subjects — a

Japanese student of Indian origin.

“I think the world is all

about multiculturalism. I love

multiculturalism. I was in Japan

for two months and it gave me

the opportunity to interact with

individuals and the culture in depth. I

had the opportunity to travel to India

as well,” said Maimuna.

The story is about a girl’s struggle

to be accepted because she looked

different.

So what does Maimuna want to do

after High School? “I want to write so

I will go ahead with creative writing,”

she said determined.

Al Shaikha al Maamary writes in

Arabic and Children’s Republic is her

second book. “It is about children

having the opportunity to rule for

a day. As a child it is so hard to send

out your thoughts. I am so happy with

this opportunity where I can share my

thoughts with other children who are

of my age.”

Al Shaikha’s first book was

published when she was 11 years

old. “It was about some adventures I

went through. But even then everyone

told me it is like they are speaking

to someone who is 18 years old. My

second book that has been launched

in 2019 has some politics,” she says

smilingly.

“We children must always have a

voice in the country. We are the future

generation and so we should always

express ourselves,” she said.

So what would 13-year-olds do if

they had an opportunity to rule for a

day? What would they be concerned

about? “The topics we are concerned

are about education, jobs and

environment. If we were not educated,

would we get jobs? No, that is why we

should concentrate on our education

and focus so when we grow up we will

build a country with strong education.

But there are also thoughts on shorter

school hours and chocolates.”

So what does Al Shaikha want to be

when she grows up? “I would like to

take up medicine but I also want to be

a scientist,” she replied.

Both authors point out that their

inspiration have been their parents

who all interestingly are writers

themselves and are one way to another

related to the world of books.

Maimuna al Kitani Al Shaikha al Maamary

insideomanOMANDAILYOBSERVER

W E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9 5New vocational courses to boost skills of studentsKAUSHALENDRA SINGH SALALAH, FEB 26

Hands-on skills of students pursuing courses

at Vocational College Salalah were on display

during the college’s’ Open Day on Tuesday.

The event chief guest Humaid bin Salem

al Ameri, CEO of Sembcorp Salalah Power

and Water Company, was impressed with

the students’ skills which were on display

in the forms of their projects in mechanical

engineering, business, architecture and design.

The college authorities impressed upon the

importance of vocational education and training

and the students’ abilities to hit the job market

soon after the completion of the courses.

College Dean Dr Saeed bin Masood Kashoob,

said the programmes were aimed at highlighting

the role of education and vocational training

in supporting and developing the students’

technical expertise.

He put stress on raising the efficiency of

human resources and equipping them with the

best possible training tools.

“To achieve this, work is under way to

introduce courses and programmes in the fields

of automotive mechanics, occupational safety

and security, hairdressing and beauty, perfumery

and incense.

“During three days we will review students’

projects in addition to providing awareness

lectures and specialised workshops in addition

to some technical and cultural programmes that

reflect some aspects of the cultural heritage of

the province.”

Vocational training, according to Dr

Kashoob, is in line with the new developments

and modernisation, which requires skilled

manpower.

“Our training is in line with the emerging

requirements of the business sector, which

is vastly dependent on the industrial and

technological revolutions expected to spread in

the next few decades.

“Our purpose is to fulfil the country’s

aspirations to supply trained Omani human

resources to the businesses and industries

and make the youths confident of choosing a

job career or emerging as entrepreneurs. The

vocational training courses are designed to keep

the students updated with global practices and

keep them on training tracks,” he said.

The college dean put stress on strategic

plans for the next stage of vocational education

and training, which will include raising

the capacity of students and trainees and

expanding the programmes and specialisations

that meet the requirements of the labour

market.

Sultanate to participate in Brunei Book FairBRUNEI DARUSSALAM: The Brunei Darussalam Book Fair will be launched today (Wednesday). The Sultanate will be the first Guest of Honour in the fair, which runs until 5 March 2019.

The Sultanate is participating in the event, which coincides with the celebration of the 35th National Day in Brunei and the Brunei Darussalam Declaration as the Capital of Islamic Culture. The Sultanate’s official delegation to the fair will be led by Ali bin Khalfan al Jabri, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Information (pictured).

The Sultanate’s pavilion will host a large collection of Omani publications in Arabic, English and other languages in historic, development, cultural, literary, economic, tourism, religious, intellectual, artistic and scientific fields.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Hashel al Maskeri, Sultanate’s Ambassador to Brunei told Oman News Agency (ONA), “Oman has the lead in being the first country to be invited as a Guest of Honour at Brunei Book Fair, which has been

held periodically for more than two decades and this indicates the high level relations of the two friendly countries.”

He added that the Sultanate’s participation this year will be different as the Sultanate of Oman will be the Guest of Honour through expanding areas of this kind of participation. He pointed out that the focus will be largely on highlighting the Sultanate’s past and present in all fields. — ONA

City’s biggest music festival starts tomorrowMUSCAT: Jebel Sifah will host the city’s biggest

annual music festival, Sifah Stock Music Festival

on February 28. It will bring together Omani and

international musicians, along with hundreds of

music fans from across the Sultanate. The family-

friendly music affair promises two days of music,

food and fun carnival.

Jebel Sifah has been bringing innovative and

exciting events to the destination to create new

experiences for homeowners and residents. The

stellar line-up includes the Point of View, an

award-winning rock quintet from Dubai, The

What?, Bausher Boys, Marshalls, 123 Orion,

Gold Star, 50 Degrees, Drop D, Livewire, Pulse &

Soul and Smokin’ Guns. The event gets underway

on February 28 at 5 pm and continues on March

1 at 2 pm until 1.30am. Sifah Stock will also

feature a wide variety of food trucks serving up

the tastiest food and beverages in town. There

will be a dedicated children’s activity area.

Jamie Houston, Destination Director at Jebel

Sifah said, “Jebel Sifah is proud to be hosting

one of the largest music festivals in Oman and

supporting local and international talent. We

continually strive to bring to Muscat’s residents a

range of unique and successful events, attracting

an audience of varied interests; from sports

enthusiasts in the widely successful annual

Spartan Race, to music lovers in the upcoming

Sifah Stock.

We are looking forward to greeting the

Muscat community to the second edition of

Sifah Stock, a family-friendly music event

for everyone to enjoy. With bands coming

from across the region we are ready to greet a

multitude of multinational music fans.”

Next stage of vocational education and training will include raising the capacity of students and expanding specialisations that meet the requirements of the labour market

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 96

region

Israel former minister gets jail for espionage

TEL AVIV: An Israeli ex-minister

was sentenced to 11 years in prison

on Tuesday for spying allegedly

for Iran, with prosecutors saying

the plea bargain was necessary to

avoid revealing secret information.

Gonen Segev, who served as

energy and infrastructure minister

from 1995 to 1996, had previously

agreed to a plea bargain on charges

of serious espionage and transfer

of information to the enemy.

Court hearings were held in

secret due to the nature of the case.

Little was revealed of the

motives of the 63-year-old,

who was already disgraced after

having been convicted for drug

smuggling and attempted credit

card fraud.

Prosecutor Geula Cohen

confirmed to journalists outside

the Jerusalem district court that

the judge had accepted the plea

bargain and issued the sentence.

Segev attended the closed

hearing.

“He admitted having given

information to the Iranians over

five years,” Cohen said.

“The agreement is aimed at

protecting security sources and

keeping information confidential.

A longer trial would not have

allowed all the information to be

kept secret.”

— AFP

Deadly flare-up displaces thousands in IdlibBEIRUT: Thousands of people have

been displaced and dozens killed in

one of the worst flare-ups to rattle a

precarious truce deal in northwestern

Syria, a monitor said on Tuesday.

Twenty government troops and

allied fighters were killed in attacks

by a militant group on the edge of the

Idlib region since Sunday, the Syrian

Observatory for Human Rights said.

The latest casualties were five

government and allied fighters killed

on Tuesday near a planned buffer

zone around rebel-held territory in

neighbouring Idlib.

The Britain-based Observatory

said the attack was led by Hurras al-

Deen, an alliance formally linked to Al

Qaeda that includes Syrian and foreign

militants.

At least nine militant fighters

were killed in the clashes, among the

deadliest since a deal was reached in

September last year to spare the region

a massive government assault.

Regime bombardment near Khan

Sheikhun, in Idlib province, also killed

two civilians on Tuesday, raising the

civilian death toll to 42 since February

9, the Observatory said.

The Idlib region is mainly controlled

by the militants of Hayat Tahrir al-

Sham (HTS), a Syrian group led by

former Al Qaeda fighters, after they

pushed back smaller rebel outfits last

month.

Under the September 17 deal, all

fighters in the zone were supposed to

withdraw their heavy weapons and

militants including HTS and Hurras

al-Deen were supposed to leave.

Syria force screens survivors:

Meanwhile, US-backed forces in

eastern Syria on Tuesday screened

and treated truckloads of suspected

militants and relatives who left a village

where the IS group’s “caliphate” is

making its last stand.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic

Forces (SDF) struggled to cope with

the flow of people exiting the very last

shred of a once-sprawling proto-state

that claimed dominion over millions

of people.

Several thousand of them are

believed to remain in a last redoubt

which has been shrunk to about half

a square kilometre on the edge of

Baghouz, a hamlet by the Euphrates

river. SDF forces and medics were

treating the last batch of more than

2,000 people who were trucked in from

the front line to a desert screening

point at night. — AFP

A wounded Syrian girl awaits rescue from under the rubble of a building following reported shelling in the town of Khan Sheikhun in the southern countryside of the rebel-held Idlib province, on Tuesday. — AFP

Anger, apprehension haunt ruined Sinjar years after IS oustedSINJAR, Iraq: It’s dawn in Sinjar and

the only sounds are the footsteps of

guards patrolling a golden-domed

shrine on a hill overlooking a vista of

collapsed rooftops.

More than three years after IS was

driven out of this city in northern Iraq,

all that remains in the once bustling

market are the bomb-scarred facades

of shops. Dozens of streets are blocked

by metal barrels - a sign of unexploded

ordnance that has yet to be cleared.

In a city whose former occupiers

slaughtered thousands of minority

Yazidis, water is scarce and power

intermittent. The closest hospital to

reopen is a 45-minute drive away.

There are only two schools.

The physical devastation is extreme,

but it is not the city’s only challenge.

Caught in a power tussle between

Iraq’s central government and the

semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional

Government, the city also struggles

with a political impasse.

“It is in ruins. There has been no

progress at all,” said Ibrahim Mahmoud

Ezzo, 55, the Yazidi owner of about a

dozen shops, all of which are damaged.

“There is no mayor and no local

council. People are losing billions of

dinars in lost business and property

every year, they don’t know who to

turn to,” he said.

“How long are we supposed to

wait?”

Overrun by IS in 2014 and liberated

by an array of forces the following

year, little has been rebuilt and only

a fraction of the population has

returned. Residents say both the KRG

regional government and the central

government have made no effort at

construction.

Before August 2014 when the

militants overran it, Sinjar had a

population of about 100,000. They

included Yazidis, a religious minority.

Today only a quarter have returned,

all of them Yazidi. The Norwegian

Refugee Council says none of the

members of the other communities

have returned because of a lack of

reconciliation.

The Yazidis, 3,000 of whom where

killed in an onslaught described by

the United Nations as genocidal, say

nearby Arab villages and townspeople

aided the militants.

In the meantime, people are put off

returning by tensions arising from the

presence of rival armed groups.

Sinjar lies in a sensitive area

straddling the borders of Iraq’s

Kurdistan region and neighbouring

Syria, Iran and Turkey.

“The PKK are here, the police are

here, the Popular Mobilization Units

are here, the army is here,” Ezzo said,

listing the names of various units of the

Iraqi government forces and militias

that are in the city and around it.

“We don’t understand what the

situation is,” Ezzo said.

The KRG had controlled the region

without much objection from Baghdad

since the fall of Saddam Hussein in

2003 until 2017 when, in retaliation

for an independence bid, the central

government pushed out the KRG,

its Peshmerga forces and allies, and

brought in their own.

These included a paramilitary force,

the Popular Mobilization Units known

as PMU, as well as the national army

and the police.

At their hilltop post, the PMU

guard a shrine with a golden dome that

can be seen from many parts of the

city. IS had destroyed it along with all

other religious landmarks.

Despite the hardship, farmers and

villagers from Sinjar still gather daily

for a sheep auction. Trader Khodida

Qassem lit a cigarette as he watched

villagers argue about price.

“What you see here is a lot of sheep

but no one has the money to buy,”

Qassem, 40, said.

Nayef Yazdi, 26, who reopened his

store six months ago, says he does not

expect things to improve soon. “It is all

political,” said Yazdi, who lost a brother

and two uncles in the fighting in 2014.

Dindar Zebari, the KRG coordinator

for international advocacy, said “in

Sinjar today, there is no legitimate

authority, there are no official and

decisive security forces.”

— Reuters

Destroyed houses after clashes are seen in Sinjar on February 6. — Reuters

Peace deal in Yemen’s main port hits snag DUBAI/GENEVA: A peace deal in

Yemen’s main port city appears to

have stalled again despite UN efforts

to salvage the pact intended to clear

the way for wider negotiations to

end the devastating four-year war,

sources involved in the discussions

said.

United Nations chief Antonio

Guterres admitted at a pledging

conference in Geneva on Tuesday,

which seeks to raise $4 billion for

Yemen, that progress has been slow

in implementing a troop withdrawal

in Hodeidah, a lifeline for millions

facing starvation.

The Ansar Allah movement

controls the Red Sea city, now a

focus of the war, while other Yemeni

factions backed by a coalition loyal

to the ousted government are massed

on the edges. Both sides were meant

to redeploy forces by January 7.

A timeline announced last week

was missed. It was supposed to

launch a phased approach whereby

Ansar Allah would withdraw from

two smaller ports within days, to be

followed by a coalition retreat from

the city’s eastern suburbs.

“It is not very clear why they

cancelled the withdrawal as the

Ansar Allah leader himself said they

are ready to redeploy unilaterally,”

one of the sources said.

Other sources said deep mistrust

among the parties remained the

main obstacle to forming a local

authority that would run the city

and ports according to the truce

agreement reached at UN-led peace

talks in December.

Ansar Allah officials did not

respond to a Reuters’ request for

comment. An official in the Saudi-

backed government of Abd-Rabbu

Mansour Hadi said that the Ansar

Allah does not want peace.

The office of UN special envoy

Martin Griffiths, who arrived in the

Ansar Allah-held capital Sanaa on

Tuesday to salvage the deal, declined

to comment.

Michael Aron, Britain’s

ambassador to Yemen, said in

Geneva he hoped the withdrawal

would take place this week.

“It really has to happen ...If there

isn’t implementation of Stockholm,

we’re not back to square one, we’re

back to square minus one,” he said.

— Reuters

FORMIDABLE PLAYER: Zarif was the lead negotiator in a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with major powers

Iran’s Zarif quits, sorry for ‘shortcomings’TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister

Mohammad Javad Zarif, who was the

lead negotiator in a landmark 2015

nuclear deal with major powers, has

abruptly tendered his resignation,

although there was no sign on Tuesday

President Hassan Rouhani had

accepted it.

Zarif offered an apology for his

“shortcomings” in the unexpected

message on Instagram on Monday,

with prominent members of

parliament immediately calling for

Rouhani not to accept the resignation.

Zarif, 59, has served as Rouhani’s

foreign minister since August 2013

and has been under constant pressure

from those who opposed his policy of

detente with the West.

“I apologise for my inability to

continue serving and for all the

shortcomings during my term in

office,” Zarif said in the message posted

on his verified Instagram account.

On Tuesday, he urged Iranian

diplomats not to follow his lead as

rumours spread of mass resignations.

“I hope my resignation will act as a

spur for the foreign ministry to regain

its proper statutory role in the conduct

of foreign affairs,” the official IRNA

news agency quoted him as saying.

The prospect of Zarif ’s departure

was swiftly welcomed by Iran’s foes.

The 59-year-old’s ready smile and

mastery of both the English language

and social media has made him a

formidable player on the diplomatic

stage. “Zarif is gone. Good riddance,”

said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

Netanyahu.

Netahyahu was a bitter opponent of

the 2015 nuclear deal Zarif negotiated

with Barack Obama’s administration

and threw his own formidable

lobbying powers into an ultimately

successful campaign to persuade

Donald Trump to abandon it last May.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

tweeted that it made no difference to

Washington whether Zarif stays or

goes.

Zarif ’s announcement came hours

after a surprise visit to Tehran by

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

According to the semi-official

ISNA news agency, Zarif was not

present at any of Assad’s meetings with

Khamenei and Rouhani.

The Entekhab news agency said it

tried to reach Zarif and received the

following message: “After the photos

of today’s meetings, Javad Zarif no

longer has any credibility in the world

as the foreign minister!”

Rouhani insisted on Tuesday that

Assad had thanked the Iranian foreign

ministry during his visit, one of his

very few abroad since the start of the

civil war in 2011.

“He said he has come to thank

the nation and the leader of Iran. He

also thanked the foreign ministry,”

Rouhani said.

In an interview with the Jomhoori

Eslami newspaper published on

Tuesday, Zarif said “everything will

be lost, when there is no trust in the

manager of foreign policy.”

Mostafa Kavakebian, a reformist

MP, was among those urging Rouhani

not to accept Zarif ’s resignation.

“A great majority of MPs demand

that the president never accept this

resignation,” he said in a tweet.

Hardliners were not as supportive.

“Mr Zarif resigned to avoid the

hardships of confronting America and

having to answer for the faulty path he

took during his tenure,” said Alireza

Zakani, a former MP.

The head of parliament’s national

security and foreign policy committee,

Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, told

ISNA that it was not the first time Zarif

had tendered his resignation.

“That he has done so publicly this

time means that he wants the president

to accept it.” — AFP

Mohammad Javad Zarif checks his watch during a press conference in Tehran. — AFP

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9 7

asia

Kim in Hanoi ahead of Trump summitHANOI: North Korea’s leader Kim

Jong Un arrived in Hanoi to throngs

of cheering crowds and curious

onlookers on Tuesday, on the eve of a

second summit with Donald Trump

closely watched for tangible progress

over Pyongyang’s nuclear programme.

After an initial historic meeting

in Singapore in June that produced

only a vague statement about

denuclearisation, analysts say the

second date must deliver more

concrete steps towards dismantling

Pyongyang’s arsenal.

The normally sleepy Vietnamese

border station of Dong Dang spruced

itself up for Kim’s arrival after the

young leader’s 4,000 kilometre, two-

and-a-half-day odyssey through

China aboard his olive green train.

A military guard of honour in

pristine white uniforms presented

arms as Kim strolled down the

red carpet waving and grinning,

surrounded by a phalanx of aides and

security personnel.

Local student Nguyen Thu Uyen

who handed Kim flowers on his arrival

said it was his “most memorable”

moment meeting the leader.

“Kim Jong Un is very friendly and

especially attractive,” said Uyen of

Kim, the first North Korean leader to

visit fellow one-party state Vietnam

since his grandfather Kim Il Sung in

1964.

Wearing his trademark Mao-style

black suit and flanked by his troops

of bodyguards, Kim was ushered into

a waiting Mercedes-Benz and his

motorcade rolled off towards Hanoi,

where armoured personnel carriers

patrolled the roads amid ultra-tight

security.

He was greeted in Hanoi by

cheering crowds behind barriers near

the colonial-era pastel yellow Hanoi

Opera House before arriving at the

Melia Hotel where he was expected to

stay this week.

After a few hours’ rest, he made

a 50-minute jaunt to Pyongyang’s

embassy before returning to his hotel,

echoing the summit in Singapore

where he took in the sights on an

unscheduled sortie.

Trump was taking a more

conventional route on Air Force One

to the meeting and was expected to

arrive in Hanoi late on Tuesday. He

tweeted he was looking forward to a

“very productive” second summit.

The US president again dangled

the carrot of economic progress for

North Korea if it gives up its nuclear

programme.

“With complete Denuclearisation,

North Korea will rapidly become

an Economic Powerhouse,” tweeted

Trump. “Without it, just more of the

same.”

“Chairman Kim will make a wise

decision!”

Relations between the two

mercurial leaders have undergone a

dramatic turnaround, from flinging

personal insults and threats of

destruction to Trump declaring he

had fallen “in love” with Kim through

an exchange of letters.

But many North Korea watchers

dismissed the Singapore summit as

political theatre that failed to produce a

concrete roadmap to denuclearisation

and stressed the Hanoi meeting must

deliver more.

“The window for diplomatic

progress with North Korea will

not remain open indefinitely. The

|second summit... must emphasise

substance over pageantry,” said Kelsey

Davenport from the Arms Control

Association.

Concrete details about the summit

have been thin but White House

spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told

reporters aboard Air Force One the

two leaders would dine together

Wednesday along with close advisers.

Diplomatic progress since

Singapore has stalled over the

definition of denuclearisation, with

Stephen Biegun, the US special

representative for North Korea,

admitting there was no “shared

agreement” of what that means.

The United States has repeatedly

demanded the North give up its

nuclear arsenal in a final, fully

verifiable way.

But Pyongyang sees

denuclearisation more broadly,

seeking an end to sanctions and what

it sees as US threats — usually taken

to include the American military

presence in the South, and sometimes

in the wider region.

In the run-up to the summit,

Trump appeared to lower US demands

for Pyongyang, repeatedly saying there

was no rush to rid the North of its

arsenal as long as missile and nuclear

tests stopped. — AFP

HIGH HOPES: The normally sleepy Vietnamese border station of Dong Dang spruced itself up for Kim’s arrival

American, Taliban talk troop withdrawal, counter-terrorism

BEIJING: China on Tuesday rebuked

the US Navy for sending two ships

through the Taiwan Strait, calling the

operation a “provocative” act.

The Pentagon said the USS Stethem

destroyer and the USNS Cesar Chavez

cargo ship conducted a “routine transit”

between the South China Sea and the

East China Sea through the Taiwan

Strait on Sunday through Monday.

“We resolutely oppose some of the

provocative actions taken by the US

that are not conducive to the stability of

the Taiwan Strait, and to the China-US

relations,” foreign ministry spokesman

Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing.

Lu said Beijing had lodged an

official diplomatic protest with the

United States.

In recent months, US Navy ships

have repeatedly passed through the

waterway, which separates mainland

China from the self-ruled democratic

island.

Beijing views any ships passing

through the strait as essentially a breach

of its sovereignty — while the US and

many other nations view the route as

international waters open to all.

China sees Taiwan as part of its

territory to be reunified, despite the

two sides being ruled separately since

the end of a civil war on the mainland

in 1949. — AFP

DOHA/KABUL: American and Taliban

officials looking to end a 17-year war in

Afghanistan began their most detailed

and high-level discussions yet on foreign

troop withdrawals and counter-terrorism

on Tuesday, officials close to the peace

negotiations said.

The talks, which kicked off in Doha on

Monday with a meet-and-greet lunch, are

seen as the most promising yet between the

warring parties after the Taliban’s newly-

appointed political chief Mullah Abdul

Ghani Baradar joined for the first time,

flying in from Pakistan.

The two sides are looking to hammer

out a timeline and logistics for a potential

troop withdrawal, as well as guarantees that

the Taliban will not host militant groups as

the US winds down its presence, sources

close to the talks said.

“The Taliban knows foreign forces are

committed to withdrawal, but we have the

responsibility to ensure that Afghanistan

does not get used as a base to launch terror

attacks on foreign nations,” one of the

officials said.

Some 14,000 US troops are based in

Afghanistan as part of a US-led Nato

mission to train, assist and advise Afghan

forces. Some US forces also carry out

counter-terrorism operations.

US military officials have been brought

in to join this week’s talks in Doha, a

second official said, raising hopes for

progress after the last round in January

secured a broad framework agreement but

few details on critical aspects of a ceasefire

and withdrawal.

“We have all the right people in the

room on both sides,” the second official

said.

US President Donald Trump told

Congress this month he intended to reduce

US forces from Afghanistan as negotiators

make progress in talks with Taliban

insurgents, saying: “Great nations do not

fight endless wars.”

The US team, led by special envoy

Zalmay Khalilzad, is also pushing for

the Taliban to meet with the Afghan

government, which the group has so far

snubbed, and to agree a ceasefire ahead of

its annual spring offensive, sources said.

Supporters of the Afghan government

worry that Washington could negotiate

an abrupt pullout in their absence, leaving

communities that opposed the Taliban in

danger and imperilling reforms such as

the education of girls which the Taliban

banned. — Reuters

MANILA: The Philippines

on Tuesday protested a

Washington Post story

about the killings in the

government’s anti-drug

campaign, alleging that it

was meant to discredit the

country.

“We take strong

exception to the article

entitled, ‘This is Manila’

that appeared on the front

page of the Washington

Post on February 25,

2019,” the Philippine

Embassy in Washington

said in a statement.

“It is disappointing how

this article hides behind

the guise of journalism

to advance an agenda

that seeks to discredit

the Philippines in the

eyes of the international

community,” it added.

The Washington

Post article centres on

the unsolved killing of

a 44-year-old jobless

Filipino man whose body

was found floating under

a bridge in a slum

community in Manila.

He is one of thousands

of people killed in

the Philippines since

President Rodrigo

Duterte came to power in

2016.

— dpa

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un waves as he arrives at the Dong Dang railway station, Vietnam, on Tuesday. — Reuters

Philippines protests Washington Post article

China slams ‘provocative’ US sail-by in Taiwan Strait

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 98

india

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday said it has attached properties of absconding diamantaire Nirav Modi and his associate companies to the tune of Rs 147 crore in connection with its ongoing probe into the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case.

“The ED has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties located in Mumbai and Surat, having market value of Rs 147.72 crore consisting of eight cars, plant and machinery, consignments of jewellery, paintings and immovable property, owned by Nirav Modi and his group companies, namely Firestar Diamond International Private Limited, Firestar International Private Limited, Radheshir Jewellery Company Private Limited and Rhythm House Private Limited,” the statement said.

PM travels in Delhi MetroNEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday travelled by Delhi Metro to go to an event in the national capital. He went to the Gita Aradhana Mahotsav at the ISKCON temple in East of Kailash where he will unveil the Bhagwad Gita prepared by ISKCON devotees.

Measuring over 2.8 meters and over 800 kg, the Bhagwad Gita is one-of-its-kind in the world. Boarding the metro at Khan Market station on the Violet Line, Modi got down after six stations at Nehru Place. During his trip, he interacted with passengers.

Kejriwal postpones hunger strikeNEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday postponed his indefinite hunger strike for full statehood in view of the “Indo-Pak situation”. Kejriwal, who was to begin his indefinite fast from Friday, tweeted, “In view of the prevailing Indo-Pak situation, I am postponing my “upwas” (fast) for full statehood of Delhi.

NIA retrieves remnants of RDX from attack site

NEW DELHI: The National

Investigation Agency (NIA), which

is probing the Pulwama terror attack,

has claimed a major breakthrough in

the case with the recovery of a can

from the attack site. About 25-30 kg

RDX was stored in the can kept in

the vehicle used in the attack, said

officials.

A source related to the probe

said the agency, which visited the

site on February 15, a day after the

attack on the Central Reserve Police

Force (CRPF) convoy that killed

40 troopers, got the lead after it

collected traces of RDX in the can.

“After evaluating the size of the

can, it is believed about 25-30 kg

RDX was stored in it, which was

kept inside the car, before it was

triggered,” he said.

Asked if the same amount of

RDX was used in the blast, the

official said, it would be too early to

comment. “We are working to find

out the actual amount of RDX and

other explosives used in the attack,”

he said.

The revelations come a day after

the agency identified the Maruti

Eeco vehicle, which was sold seven

times since 2011, used in the suicide

bombing.

The NIA collected details of

the Maruti Eeco with assistance of

forensic and automobile experts,

after piecing together remnants from

the attack site of the vehicle used by

suicide bomber Adil Ahmed Dar.

The vehicle identified by the NIA

was bought by a JeM suspect on

February 4, just 10 days before the

attack, by Sajjad Bhat, a resident of

the Anantnag district.

According to NIA officials, Bhat

was a student of Siraj-ul-Uloom

in the Shopian area of J&K and

had reportedly joined the Jaish-e-

Mohammad (JeM).

The Maruti Eeco used in the

attack was first registered in the

name of Mohammad Jaleel Ahmed

Haqani, also a resident of Anantnag.

The NIA source said it has also

collected the CCTV footage of the

Maruti Eeco on the day of the attack.

“In the CCTV footage Dar can be

seen driving the car on the day of

attack,” he said.

Several teams of the NIA are

camping in the Valley to probe the

deadliest attack on security forces

since militancy erupted in Kashmir

in 1989. — IANS

Students pray at Juma Masjid in Ahmedabad on Tuesday during a ceremony to pay tribute to Central Reserve Police Force personnel who were killed after a suicide bomber rammed a car into the bus carrying them in south Kashmir on February 14. — Reuters

Supreme Court may order mediation on Ayodhya issue NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court

on Tuesday said it might order

mediation for an amicable resolution

of the Ayodhya title issue as it deferred

passing of a formal order on this till

the next date of hearing on March 5.

The five-judge constitution bench,

comprising Chief Justice Ranjan

Gogoi, Justice S A Bobde, Justice D Y

Chandrachud, Justice Ashok Bhushan

and Justice S Abdul Nazeer, suggested

mediation while hearing of a batch

of cross petitions challenging the

2010 Allahabad High Court verdict

trifurcating the disputed site and

giving one part each to the Nirmohi

Akhada, Ram Lalla and the Sunni

Waqf Board.

“We are considering the possibility

of healing relations” between two

communities, Justice Bobde said,

adding “we, as a court, can only decide

the property issue”.

“We deem it proper to observe

that the mediation suggested is only

to effectively utilise the time of eight

weeks that would be taken to make

the cases ready for hearing,” the court

said.

“We defer passing of orders on the

aforesaid suggestion i.e. mediation

until 6th of March, 2019 (Wednesday)

when this Bench will assemble again

at 10.30 am for the limited purpose

of passing orders on reference of

the dispute to a Court-appointed

mediation process.”

The court suggested the mediation

route citing Section 89 of the Code

of Civil Procedure, and its power to

order so in an appropriate case.

The suggestion, however, was

not accepted by lawyers appearing

for the Hindu parties, though those

appearing for Muslim parties were

ready it if the mediation and regular

hearing on the petition challenging

the 2010 High Court judgement go on

concurrently.

“On our side, we are agreeable so

long, it (mediation and hearing) is

going concurrently,” senior counsel

Rajeev Dhavan, representing the lead

petitioner M. Saddiq told the bench.

On the other hand, senior counsel

C S Vaidyanathan, appearing for Ram

Lalla, said: “In a matter like this, there

is not much of meeting ground. It

has been tried more than once. We

don’t want to have another round of

mediation.”

Advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing

for Mahant Suresh Das, said: “This

has been tried in the past, it has not

worked. Mediation is not possible.”

This is not for the first time that

suggestion for mediated settlement

of issue has come from the top court.

Earlier, then Chief Justice Jagdish

Singh Khehar had, on March 21, 2017,

offered to mediate on the issue.

The court’s suggestion on Tuesday

came as it appeared that the hearing

may get deferred by six to eight weeks

as the Muslim litigants wanted to

verify the Uttar Pradesh government’s

“official” translation of the oral

evidence and exhibits relating to the

case.

As senior counsel Dhavan and

Dushyant Dave raised the Muslim

litigants’ demand, Vaidyanathan,

Ranjit Kumar and others, appearing

for different Hindu litigants, opposed

it, saying that it was too late to raise

any dispute about the accuracy/

correctness of the translation, citing

the apex court’s August 10, 2015,

August 11, 2017, December 3, 2017

and February 8, 2018 orders in this

connection.

Countering this, Dave, appearing

for Mohammed Hashim, said, “At

that time it was not said that that

the translations are authentic and

truthful.”

Both Dhavan and Dave said that

“they have not the occasion to go into

the translation made available by the

State of Uttar Pradesh and, therefore,

are not in a position to comment

upon the accuracy, correctness or the

relevance of the translation”. — IANS

RETALIATION: Pakistani military authorities admitted that the IAF had hit Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

IAF avenges JeM’s Pulwama bombing, Pakistan vows ‘befitting response’NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD: The

Indian Air Force (IAF) bombed the

Jaish-e-Mohammed’s (JeM) biggest

training camp killing “a very large

number” of terrorists and their trainers

in a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday

— exactly 12 days after a JeM suicide

bomber killed 40 CRPF troopers in

the Kashmir Valley.

Speaking publicly for the first time

after the IAF attack, Prime Minister

Narendra Modi told a public rally at

Churu in Rajasthan that “today is a

historic day” but made no reference

to Pakistan or JeM whose suicide

bombing at Pulwama on February 14

sent New Delhi-Islamabad ties on a

nose-dive.

Within hours, a furious Pakistan

threatened a “befitting response”.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan

called a meeting on Wednesday of the

National Command Authority, which

controls the country’s nuclear arsenal.

After initially insisting that the

Indian action took place in that part

of Kashmir it controls, Pakistani

military authorities finally admitted

that the IAF had hit Balakot in Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa, 195 km from Islamabad

and over 40 km from Muzaffarabad,

capital of the Pakistani-administered

Kashmir.

It was the first time the IAF had

crossed into Pakistan after the 1971

war.

The Indian Air Force used Mirage

2000 fighter jets for the precision

strike, and official sources said the

aircraft spent 21 minutes in Pakistani

air space — a remarkable feat as one

minute is equal to 17 km at attack

speed.

The fighter jets were backed by

Emb 145 early warning plane which

was deployed to pick up emerging

threat at a large distance and alert the

attacking pilots. India also used a mid-

air refueller.

The Mirage 2000 fires a range of

Western weapons. After the upgrade,

the Mirages have Mica air-to-air

multi-mission missiles and a range

of precision guided bombs including

Israeli spice.

As celebrations erupted across

India, Foreign Secretary Vijay K

Gokhale said: “India struck the biggest

training camp of JeM in Balakot. In

this operation, a very large number

of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior

commanders and groups of militants

who were being trained for fidayeen

action were eliminated.

“This facility at Balakot was headed

by Maulana Yusuf Azhar (alias Ustad

Ghouri), the brother-in-law of (JeM

leader) Masood Azhar.”

Gokhale said the Indian

government was “firmly and

resolutely committed to taking all

necessary measures to fight the

menace of terrorism. Hence, this

non-military pre-emptive action was

specifically targeted at the JeM camp.

The selection of the target was also

conditioned by our desire to avoid

civilian casualties.”

He said that such “massive training

facilities capable of training hundreds

of militants could not have functioned

without the knowledge of Pakistani

authorities...

“Credible intelligence was received

that the JeM was attempting another

suicide terror attack in various parts

of (India), and the fidayeen militants

were being trained for this purpose.

In the face of this imminent danger, a

pre-emptive strike became absolutely

necessary.”

After presiding over a meeting of

the National Security Council, Prime

Minister Khan asked the armed

forces and people to prepare “for all

eventualities”.

“Once again the Indian government

has resorted to a self-serving, reckless

and fictitious claim. This action has

been done for domestic consumption

being in election environment, putting

regional peace and stability at grave

risk,” said an official statement.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood

Qureshi warned that Islamabad has

“the right to self-defence and (give) a

befitting response”.

Pakistan Army spokesperson

Major General Asif Ghafoor said

earlier that the Indian intrusion

took place in “AJK” (Azad Jammu

Kashmir), close to the Line of Control

(LoC) that divides Kashmir between

the two countries.

“Under forced hasty withdrawal

the aircraft released payload which

had free fall in an open area. No

infrastructure got hit, no casualties,”

he said following an uproar in Pakistan

about Indian jets flying deep into its

territory. — IANS

Border Security Force soldiers patrol along the fenced border with Pakistan in Ranbir Singh Pura sector near Jammu on Tuesday. — Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on

Tuesday decided to raise the issue

of “India’s violation of the Line of

Control” (LoC) at international

forums after the IAF struck the

Jaish-e-Mohammed’s (JeM)

biggest training camp in Balakot

in Pakistan.

According to Geo News,

the decision was taken at a

high-level meeting chaired by

Prime Minister Imran Khan

and attended by the civil and

military leadership, including

Army Chief General Qamar

Jawed Bajwa and the Ministers

of Defence and Foreign Affairs.

It was decided that the

matter of “Indian LoC violation

be immediately raised at

the Organization of Islamic

Cooperation (OIC), UN and

with friendly countries”, the

report said.

The meeting also decided that

a joint session will be called to

take Parliament into confidence.

According to Geo News,

participants of the meeting were

briefed on the preparedness of

the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to

respond to any aggression.

“There is a strong mechanism

in place to guard the land and

air borders of the country,” the

report quoted security officials

as saying.

Ahead of the meeting,

Qureshi chaired an emergency

consultative meeting at the

Foreign Office and said Pakistan

had “the right to self-defence

and (give) a befitting response”

to India. — IANS

IN BRIEF

ED attaches Nirav Modi’s properties worth Rs 147 cr

The court suggested the mediation route citing Section 89 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and its power to order so in an appropriate case

Pakistan to raise ‘Indian LoC violation’ at global forums

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9 9

analysis

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this page are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the opinion of the Observer.

JAN WOLFE

he US Constitution explains how a president can be removed from

office for “high crimes and misdemeanors” by Congress using the

impeachment process. But the Constitution is silent on whether a

president can face criminal prosecution in court, and the US Supreme

Court has not directly addressed the question.

The question looms large with Special Counsel Robert Mueller

preparing a report on his investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 US

election, whether President Donald Trump’s campaign conspired with

Moscow and whether Trump unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe.

The US Justice Department has a decades-old policy that a sitting

president cannot be indicted, indicating that criminal charges against

Trump would be unlikely, according to legal experts.

Here is an explanation of the rationale behind the Justice

Department policy and whether it applies to Mueller.

In 1973, in the midst of the Watergate scandal engulfing President

Richard Nixon, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel

adopted in an internal memo the position that a sitting president

cannot be indicted. Nixon resigned in 1974, with the House of

Representatives moving towards impeaching him.

“The spectacle of an indicted president still trying to serve as Chief

Executive boggles the imagination,” the memo stated.

The department reaffirmed the policy in a 2000 memo, saying court

decisions in the intervening years had not changed its conclusion

that a sitting president is “constitutionally immune” from indictment

and criminal prosecution. It concluded that criminal charges

against a president would “violate the constitutional separation of

powers” delineating the authority of the executive, legislative and

judicial branches of the US government. The 1973 and 2000 memos

are binding on Justice Department employees, including Mueller,

according to many legal experts. Mueller was appointed in May 2017

by the department’s No 2 official Rod Rosenstein.

But some lawyers have argued that the nation’s founders could

have included a provision in the Constitution shielding the president

from prosecution, but did not do so, suggesting an indictment would

be permissible. According to this view, immunity for the president

violates the fundamental principle that nobody is above the law.

Nixon himself in 1977 offered an opposite view when he told

interviewer David Frost, “Well, when the president does it that means

that it is not illegal.” The Justice Department regulations governing

Mueller’s appointment allow him to deviate from department policy

in “extraordinary circumstances” with the approval of the US attorney

general, the nation’s top law enforcement official. — Reuters

Can a sitting US presidentface criminal charges?

Kim reliant on Chinese for summit transportJU-MIN PARK AND JOSH SMITH

hen North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

rolled into the Vietnamese border station

of Dong Dang early on Tuesday, his

vaunted specialised train was pulled by a

red-and-yellow locomotive emblazoned

with China’s national railway logo.

It was the second time Kim had

arrived for a summit with US President

Donald Trump in transport provided

by the Chinese, underscoring just how

much the young leader’s sudden flurry of

international engagements has depended

on his larger, more powerful neighbour.

When Kim arrived in Singapore last

year for his first, historic summit with

Trump, it was in an Air China jumbo jet

bearing the Chinese flag.

With the exception of two summits

with South Korean President Moon

Jae-in on the border between the two

Koreas, every one of Kim’s unprecedented

summits with China’s President Xi Jinping

and now the second summit with Trump

have depended on trains provided by the

Chinese.

“This is a full service from Xi,” said

Nam Sung-wook a former South Korean

intelligence official. “Kim couldn’t travel

without China’s special treatment.”

To travel to his four summits with

Xi, Kim’s specially equipped string of

train carriages has usually been hauled

by matching green DF11Z locomotives,

Chinese-made engines sporting the

emblem of the state-owned China Railway

Corporation, with at least three different

serial registration numbers, according to

a review of media images.

At the time of his first trip to Beijing

in March 2018, South Korean media

reported that the locomotives were usually

used for carrying top Chinese officials,

and were connected to Kim’s carriages in

the city of Dandong, on the Chinese side

of its border with North Korea.

The red-and-yellow DF4 engine used

when Kim arrived in Vietnam was of a

different, older type than the more typical

green DF11Z spotted by media pulling

the train when it entered China from

North Korea on Saturday. It’s not clear

when China provided the train engines to

North Korea, or under what conditions.

Asked about the apparent change in

locomotives and whether China had

provided them, Chinese Foreign Ministry

spokesman Lu Kang said he had not paid

much attention to that issue.

“I don’t know whether changing the

train has any particular meaning towards

your appraisal of the situation,” he told a

daily news briefing on Tuesday.

China, however, provided a “transport

guarantee” for Kim’s train travel, Lu said,

without elaborating, likely referring to

ensuring his train was able to proceed

smoothly across China.

Kim’s long, slow journey from North

Korea and thousands of kilometres across

China to Vietnam is the longest he has

taken as leader, with state media running

photos of school children studying globes

and asking “where is the Dear Leader

now?” Media outlets captured rare images

of Kim in a private moment, smoking

a cigarette during a break on a station

platform in China.

His train is believed to be armoured,

and state media images have shown an

interior decked out with pink leather

chairs and big-screen televisions.

That wasn’t enough to impress some

Chinese Internet users who took to social

media to crack jokes about the relative

poverty and backwardness of their

awkward neighbour, the diesel locomotive

lent to Kim a stark contrast to the network

of high speed trains in China.

“Travelling like this from Pyongyang

to Hanoi?” wrote one user on China’s

Weibo social media platform, above a

picture of an old steam train.

“Under sanctions by the Americans for

50 years and poverty-struck North Korea

can’t even afford to buy a plane,” wrote

another Weibo user.

A third complained of a brief period

of gridlock around the railway lines in

the northeastern Chinese city of Jinzhou

as police shut off roads, likely to ensure

security as Kim’s train passed through.

Kim Han-tae, a South Korean former

train engineer who published a book

last year on North Korea’s railways, said

the Chinese had put in a lot of work to

facilitate Kim’s trip.

The decision to have the North Korean

carriages hauled by Chinese engines was

likely a logistical one, he said. — Reuters

ESTABLISHED ON 15 NOVEMBER 1981

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The secret behind the success of Japanese industry

P

W

T

roductivity of the Japanese is very

high compared to that of Arabs, which

explains the rise of Asian countries in

the 1960s and 1970s, the same period

when Arab countries embarked on their

economic and social development, but

lagged behind as far as the advancements

of many Asian countries, such as Japan,

Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia and

later China, are considered.

So what are the reasons behind

this underdevelopment despite the

availability of all the components needed

by Arab countries? What is even more

baffling is that Arabs have far more

human and physical resources than their

Asian counterparts, especially energy,

such as oil, gas and other minerals

exported from the Arab region to Asia

annually.

This article will focus on Japan,

a country that has achieved peak

productivity, creativity, quality and

industrial intelligence in many vital

areas for humankind. There are several

reasons behind the progress witnessed

in Japan, including the fact that despite

juggling many tasks, families in Japan are

concerned with two main things in their

daily lives — continuous productivity

and education process at all levels.

It is a well-known fact that work is

the engine and internal motivator for

a Japanese worker, and perhaps one

of the strongest driving forces of high

productivity in this country over the past

decades. Life in Japan is very organised

and characterised by intensive work and

high achievement in every discipline,

which is the same practice in many other

industrial Asian countries that followed

the Japanese way of life and work from

the onset.

The goal of all this is to provide

comfort to their citizens, while keeping

pace with development. With a

population of 130 million, Japan has

provided all means of transportation for

its citizens to reach their workplaces in a

timely manner.

What also sets the Japanese apart is

that they work long hours, sometimes

up to 60 hours per week, exceeding the

legal limit by 10 to 20 hours a week (the

number of official working hours in

Japan is 40 hours per week in addition

to a two-day weekend). This has caused

many Japanese to suffer from fatigue at

work, prompting intervention of the

government by specifying daily office

hours and providing incentives for those

who leave their work on time. This has

led Japan to reach advanced levels in

production, processing and development

in all economic sectors.

In Japan, managers focus on

cooperation among themselves and

creating the principle of harmony on

which the management is based. They

do not give orders to employees and

workers in the lower grades or act

condescendingly around them. This

helps everyone to come up with creative

ideas and increase productivity in daily

work without embarrassing employees.

Moreover, the bottom-up decision of

institutions leads to the achievement

of positive results with socioeconomic

effects on workers.

Job rotation in Japan is very low

due to the loyalty of Japanese to their

organisations the moment they join,

where they stay until retirement. On the

other hand, the organisations provide

them with job security they need for

the rest of their lives. This is why Japan

has the highest individual productivity,

putting it in the league of countries that

achieved success in multiple disciplines.

Although productivity elements in

Japan are numerous, the human element

comes first. Japanese citizens managed

to excel by virtue of good education,

fluency in native language, good practice

of governance and management, fight

against corruption and instilling the

culture of hard work.

Japan has a strict system in the

application of laws and labour

regulations and the stimulation of

creativity and innovation, which are the

main factors that have led to increased

productivity of the individual. This is

what we miss in the public and private

institutions of Arab countries, especially

when it comes to productivity, refusing

dependency, taking responsibility,

conducting scientific research, fighting

corruption and choosing the right man

for the right job.

With the exception of two summits

with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, every one of Kim’s summits with China’s

President and now the second summit with Trump have

depended on trains provided by the Chinese

HAIDER AL LAWATIhaiderdawood@hotmail.com

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 910

europe

EU could grant Britain short Brexit delayBRUSSELS: Two European Union

officials on Tuesday offered early

positive reaction to British Prime

Minister Theresa May’s suggestion

of a possible short delay to Britain’s

departure from the bloc.

“If a request for a delay of the

Brexit date is submitted, it would be

considered favourably,” a senior EU

official said.

“We have not seen a request but

an extension of a couple of months

would be relatively straightforward.”

Another EU official said it was “good

to see rational arguments being heard”

in Britain, after the bloc’s leaders told

May that an extension of the time

limit to negotiate Britain’s divorce

was the only way forward through the

impasse.

May promised on Tuesday to allow

parliament to delay Brexit by up to

three months so that Britain would

not crash out of the European Union

without a deal on the scheduled

departure date of March 29.

The dramatic reversal in May’s

steadfast Brexit strategy came after

threats of mass resignations from

her own ministers and calls for a

second referendum on Britain’s

EU membership from the main

opposition Labour Party.

It saw the pound rally to its highest

level since May 2017 against the euro

— and since October 12 against the

dollar -- as investor fears of imminent

trade gridlock and financial market

mayhem eased.

The beleaguered British leader

told parliament she would offer MPs

the chance to vote on March 14 on

a “short, limited” extension of the

March 29 deadline if her own divorce

proposals fail to win lawmakers’

support by March 12.

But she also cautioned that the

extra time would not help negotiations

and that she herself opposed any delay.

“Let me be clear, I do not want to

see Article 50 extended,” she said in

reference to an EU procedure that set

Brexit in motion two years ago.

“Our absolute focus should be on

working to get a deal and leaving on

29 March,” she said.

THREE-STEP APPROACH

May laid out a three-step procedure

with a vote in parliament on her latest

Brexit proposals by March 12.

The deal’s defeat would see

parliament vote on the following day

for the option of leaving the EU club

without an agreement.

“The United Kingdom will only

leave without a deal on 29 March if

there is explicit consent in this House

for that outcome,” May said.

That measure’s defeat would see

May’s government “on March 14

bring forward a motion on whether

parliament wants to seek a short

limited extension of Article 50,” May

said. She had long argued that the no-

deal threat must be kept on the table

in order to wrest essential concessions

from Brussels.

But her talks with European leaders

on Sunday and Monday in Egypt

achieved no breakthrough and the

46-year relationship is approaching a

messy breakup that could wreak havoc

on global markets and create border

chaos.

That possibility prompted three

junior ministers to “implore” May on

Tuesday to fundamentally alter her

Brexit approach.

“We must act immediately to

ensure that we are not swept over the

precipice on March 29,” they wrote in

the Daily Mail.

Three more senior cabinet

members published a similar letter

over the weekend.

SECOND REFERENDUM

The rebel ministers were all

backing a proposed parliamentary

amendment that would force May to

set a new Brexit date if she fails to get

better terms on the disputed issue of

the Irish border.

Lawmakers will still get a chance

to vote on the emergency measure on

Wednesday. — Reuters/AFP

NEW DEADLINE: British MPs will get vote in March on extending article 50

Brexit may clip wings of UK game shooters

Slovak presidential challengers unite in bid against ruling party

BERLIN: Germany’s domestic spy

agency is not allowed to classify the

Alternative for Germany (AfD) as

a “case to investigate”, a court ruled

on Tuesday, handing a victory to the

far-right party which had brought the

case.

The move represents a blow to

Germany’s BfV intelligence agency

whose chief had in January announced

it would investigate the AfD to see

whether the anti-immigrant party’s

politics breached constitutional

safeguards against extremism.

Thomas Haldenwang had said

the agency had classified Germany’s

main opposition party as a “case to

investigate” but its probe would fall

short of full-blown surveillance.

However, the administrative court

in Cologne said on Tuesday there were

no legal grounds to say that a party

was a “case to investigate”. The court

added that an evaluation of the AfD’s

policies and views were not relevant to

the case.

“The description as a ‘case to

investigate’ gives a negative public

impression,” said the court in a

statement. It added that the move

breached rules to protect political

parties guaranteed in the constitution

and was also disproportionate.

Germany’s constitution contains

strict protections against extremism

but also sets out safeguards on political

parties. “The court in Cologne came

to the conclusion that the public

classification as a case to investigate

was nothing other than stigmatising

and damaging to one’s reputation,” the

AfD said on Facebook.

The AfD also accused the BfV of

discrediting rivals and pushing its

own political views. — Reuters

PARIS: It may be a lesser

consequence of Brexit, but Britain’s

shooting parties may find themselves

short of pheasants and partridges to

kill next season if transport delays

prevent chicks being imported from

France, game exporters say.

Game shooting is a niche but

passionately pursued pastime in

Britain, with leading shoots charging

tens of thousands of pounds for a

weekend. The industry also attracts

wealthy foreign visitors to England

and Scotland for the game seasons.

Yet about 40 per cent of the

pheasants and nine in every 10 of

the partridges shot in Britain are

imported, nearly all from France,

where exporters specialise in breeds

that are popular in Britain, such as

ring-neck pheasants and red-legged

partridges.

The birds are exported between

March and June as eggs or day-old

chicks and reared on British farms

or on country estates before being

released to the wild for shooting

when the season opens: September

1 for partridge and October 1 for

pheasant.

Brexit, which is set to kick in

on March 29 barring a last-minute

delay, poses a problem because it will

likely mean longer customs, health

and veterinary checks at the border,

which will threaten the survival of

fragile game hatchlings. — Reuters

KIEV: Ukraine’s national

broadcaster has dropped the singer

who was meant to represent the

country at the Eurovision Song

Contest due to apparent political

differences over Russia.

Anna Korsun, 27, who goes by

the stage name Maruv, was selected

by a public vote on Saturday to sing

at the contest in Israel in May.

But she said the state broadcaster

had tried to impose contractual

obligations on her, including

requiring her not to perform in

Russia, that would have made her

a propagandist for the government.

“I am a citizen of Ukraine, pay

taxes and sincerely love Ukraine.

But I am not ready to come up with

slogans and turn my participation

in the contest into a promotional

activity for our politicians,” Maruv

wrote on Facebook.

“I am a musician, not a puppet

for the political arena.” Ahead of

Saturday’s televised national final,

several senior officials said Ukraine’s

Eurovision candidate could not be

someone who performed in Russia,

which annexed Crimea in 2014,

sparking a pro-Russian insurgency

in the eastern Donbass region.

Zurab Alasania, the head of

the National Public Broadcasting

Company of Ukraine (UA:PBC),

said on Facebook: “The selection

revealed another major social

problem... the concert activity

of many artists in the aggressor

country. And this caused a negative

resonance in parts of society.” He

confirmed that the winning singer

was required to refuse to play in

Russia as a condition of signing the

contract. — Reuters

BRATISLAVA: The leading

opposition contender in Slovakia’s

presidential election quit the race

on Tuesday in a move to consolidate

voter bases and better challenge the

ruling Smer party candidate.

The two-round vote in March

will test the three-party governing

coalition a year after the murder of

investigative reporter Jan Kuciak and

his fiancee ignited the biggest protests

in the central European country’s

post-communist history.

The killings, over which four

people have been charged though the

motive remains unclear, sparked an

outcry over perceived state corruption

and impunity, and long-time prime

minister Robert Fico resigned to keep

his government intact.

They also dented his Smer party’s

standing atop opinion polls, and

concerns for the rule of law and

state of democracy are expected to

be central themes in the election

campaign from which the opposition

hopes to benefit.

Scientist and entrepreneur Robert

Mistrik had been the main challenger

to Smer candidate Maros Sefcovic,

a career diplomat and currently the

European Commission vice president

who holds a narrow lead in the polls.

But Mistrik bowed out of the

race on Tuesday and endorsed

environmental lawyer Zuzana

Caputova, who is backed by a number

of opposition progressive and liberal

parties as well as outgoing president

Andrej Kiska.

“I express loud and clear support

for Caputova. Data to be released

this week show clear momentum for

her,” Mistrik told a news conference.

Referring to Sefcovic, he said he was

urging voters “not to let the pawn of

Robert Fico become president”.

Both Sefcovic, 52, and Caputova,

45, pledge to reaffirm Slovakia’s status

as a member of the European Union

and euro zone, making the country

unlikely to join the rising tide of

euroscepticism around the bloc.

Slovakia’s president wields little

day-to-day power but must approve

the formation of new governments

and appoints judges to the

constitutional court.

The latest AKO opinion poll last

week put Sefcovic at 19.7 per cent,

Mistrik at 18.2 per cent and Caputova

at 17.4 per -cent. — Reuters

VIENNA: Austrian police

said on Tuesday they

had uncovered an online

financial trading scam which

according to initial estimates

defrauded victims across

Europe out of some 100

million euros ($114 million).

The operation allegedly

used fraudulent online

platforms purporting to

trade in foreign and crypto-

currencies, as well as high-

risk instruments known as

binary options.

There are thought to be

several thousand victims

across Europe, Vincenz

Kriegs-Au of Austria’s

Federal Criminal Police

Office said.

The operation, which has

been under investigation

since mid-2017, is alleged to

have used mass emails, social

media and even its own call

centres to reach victims.

While Austrian

authorities were the first to

uncover the websites, much

of the infrastructure used by

the network is in Bulgaria

and the Czech Republic.

An international “joint

investigation team” has been

coordinating the probe with

police in those countries.

— AFP

Austria uncovers €100m online trading scam

Robert Mistrik, who withdrew from the presidential race, and presidential candidate Zuzana Caputova during a news conference in Bratislava, Slovakia.

— Reuters

Ukrainian singer Anna Korsun

Ukraine drops Eurovision singer over Russia row

NATO’S NEW BATTLE GROUP

Latvian army soldiers attend the Nato enhanced Forward Presence battle group military drill Integrated Capstone Exercise 2019/1 in Adazi on Tuesday. Estonia, Latvia and Denmark have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a new headquarters for Nato’s Multinational Division North, which will serve as basis for the functioning of the alliance’s new international division. — Reuters

A pro-Brexit protester holds a placard outside of the Houses of Parliament in London. — Reuters

Court rules against German spy agency

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9 11

world

Pence announces new sanctions on Maduro BOGOTA: The United States has

pledged more humanitarian aid for

Venezuela and announced more

sanctions against President Nicolas

Maduro’s regime.

Vice President Mike Pence

announced the measures at a meeting

of the Lima Group of American

countries in Bogota after the

Venezuelan army blocked attempts

to bring humanitarian aid into the

country.

“[Our] efforts to date will not

only continue, they will be increased.

Despite Maduro’s brutality, we will

press on,” Pence said.

“We are identifying new areas along

the border where we can preposition

additional aid for the Venezuelan

people,” he said.

Washington will also provide an

additional $56 million dollars “to

support our partners in the region as

they come to the aid of the Venezuelan

people.” Pence added that the US will

impose sanctions on additional regime

officials, including three border-

state governors who contributed to

blocking aid supplies on the frontier.

On Monday Pence and Venezuela

opposition leader Juan Guaido agreed

on a strategy to tighten the noose

around Maduro.

“We hope for a peaceful transition

to democracy but President Trump

has made it clear: all options are on

the table,” said Pence, who passed on

Trump’s “100 per cent” support to

Guaido.

The Lima Group met in Bogota

and said it would ask the International

Criminal Court to declare “the

violence of Maduro’s criminal regime

against the civilian population and

the negation of access to international

aide as a crime against humanity.”

Guaido warned that “indulging”

Maduro “would be a threat to all of

America,” while Colombia President

Ivan Duque called for “more powerful

and effective” pressure on the socialist

leader.

However, the Lima Group rejected

the use of force to achieve a democratic

transition.

The US requested an urgent

meeting of the UN Security Council

and imposed new sanctions on the

governors of four Venezuelan states

aligned with Maduro for impeding aid

shipments.

Guaido, the 35-year-old leader

of Venezuela’s National Assembly,

declared himself acting president

in January after the opposition-

controlled legislature concluded that

Maduro was fraudulently re-elected.

Some 50 countries recognise him

as Venezuela’s legitimate interim

president. Despite the defection of

more than 150 soldiers to Guaido’s

side, Maduro’s military blockade at

Venezuela’s borders held firm and

prevented the aid from entering.

Maduro’s right-hand man

Diosdado Cabello proclaimed

“victory” on Sunday.

“Not a single one of those trucks

with aid got through,” Cabello said at

a rally in the border town of Tachira.

Humanitarian aid has become the

focal point in Guaido’s challenge to

Maduro’s authority.

Venezuela is suffering a

humanitarian crisis marked by

shortages of food and medicine

— problems exacerbated by

hyperinflation, which has rendered

salaries and savings worthless.

Guaido says 300,000 people face

death if aid supplies are not urgently

brought in, but Maduro claims it is a

smokescreen to cover a US invasion.

Guaido accused Maduro’s

government of turning the country

into “the sanctuary of terrorists.”

“The reality in Venezuela is we have

a regime that is against its people,” he

said on Sunday.

“Today, we need to find a way

to solve this crisis.” Having defied

a government travel ban to got to

Colombia on Friday, Guaido said he

would return home “this week,” with

the Lima Group warning he faced

“serious and credible threats” from the

regime.

At the opening of the Lima Group

meeting, Colombia’s Foreign Minister

Carlos Holmes Trujillo said the

representatives were “trying hard to

facilitate the opening of a humanitarian

corridor.” Pence announced $56

million in funds for countries hosting

Venezuelan migrants.

The United Nations says 2.7 million

Venezuelans have fled the country

since 2015. — AFP

Residents of Urena, Tachira state, Venezuela that cross everyday to Colombia to work or study remain in the street near the blocked Tienditas Bridge as they wait its reopening to resume their activities. — AFP

Nigeria’s Buhari leads in election countABUJA: Nigeria’s incumbent

President Muhammadu Buhari

extended his early election lead on

Tuesday based on official results from

a third of the country’s districts as the

death toll from sporadic poll-related

violence rose to 47.

Provisional results announced in

state capitals but not yet confirmed

by the election commission indicated

Buhari had a commanding lead of 52

per cent to 44 per cent over his main

rival, businessman and former vice

president Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku’s party has rejected the

tallies thus far as “incorrect and

unacceptable”. Buhari’s party said the

opposition was trying to discredit the

returns from Saturday’s election.

Observers from the Economic

Community of West African States,

the African Union and the United

Nations appealed to parties to wait for

the results, expected later this week,

before filing complaints.

Voting took place on Saturday after

a week-long delay which the election

commission said was due to logistical

problems.

But the event — Africa’s largest

democratic exercise — has been

marred by violence in which 47 people

have been killed since Saturday,

according to the Situation Room,

a monitoring organisation linking

various civic groups.

Some of the deaths came about

after gangs allied to either of the

leading parties clashed with each

other and police over theft of ballot

boxes and vote fraud. Police have not

yet provided casualty figures.

More than 260 people have been

killed in total since the start of the

campaign in October. The toll is lower

than in previous elections but in the

past, the worst unrest broke out after

results were announced.

RECESSION, INSURGENCY

Nigeria is Africa’s top oil producer

and biggest economy but it is

struggling to emerge from a 2016

recession and corruption is rife.

A decade-old insurgency has

disrupted life in the northeast and

killed thousands of people, many of

themn civilians.

Buhari, 76, is a former military

ruler seeking a second term with

pledges to fight corruption while

overhauling the country’s creaking

road and rail network.

Atiku, 72, says he will aim to

double the size of the economy to $900

billion by 2025, privatise the state oil

company and expand the role of the

private sector.

Initial results released by the

Independent National Electoral

Commission so far put Buhari in the

lead, with victories in 10 of Nigeria’s 36

states. The commission said Atiku had

won in seven states and the capital,

Abuja, which is not a state but treated

as a separate electoral district.

— Reuters

A Nigerian police SWAT personnel member sits alert with a machine gun on a vehicle stationed at the entrance of Rivers State collation centre in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria, on Tuesday. — AFP

Rains, gales pound Greek island of Crete, one deadATHENS: Greek authorities

on Tuesday found the body of a

61-year-old farmer missing on the

Aegean island of Crete after days of

cold, torrential rain and gales, state

television said.

Crete, Greece’s southernmost

island and one of its top tourism

destinations, has been hit hardest by

storms battering the country over the

past few days, with roads, buildings

and infrastructure damaged across

the island and rivers flooding.

Television images showed a

century-old bridge collapsing due to

rising water levels. Some homes were

protectively evacuated.

More than 30 firemen assisted

by volunteers and divers had been

combing a flood-swollen stream for a

farmer, a father of five, whose car was

swept away on Monday. Rescue teams

recovered his body on Tuesday, state

TV ERT said.

“A dead person was found on

the banks of a river,” a fire brigade

statement said.

Infrastructure ministry officials

and experts travelled with a helicopter

to Crete on Monday to assess the

extent of the damage. Regional

governor Stavros Arnaoutakis said

damage could reach dozens of

millions of euros.

“It’s been raining for six days

non-stop, I mean (a) storm, not just

rain, an incredible amount of water,”

said Nikos Lagoudakis, a senior fire

brigade official.

In 2017, devastating flash floods

following torrential rain killed at least

15 people and made scores homeless

in towns west of the capital Athens.

A wildfire in July that year killed 100

people in the seaside resort of Mati

near Athens. — Reuters

People stand on the destroyed Keritis bridge following flash floods near the village of Alikianos on the island of Crete, Greece. — Reuters

AGAINST TRUMP’S ‘EMERGENCY’

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), flanked by Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX) (L) and House Democrats hold a news conference about their proposed resolution to terminate US President Trump’s Emergency Declaration on the southern border with Mexico, at the US Capitol in Washington. — Reuters

S Africa court mulls Mozambique ex-minister’s extraditionJOHANNESBURG: A South African court started hearing arguments on Tuesday on whether Mozambique’s ex-finance minister, held since December on a US warrant, can be extradited and if so, to where.

Manuel Chang, 63, was arrested at Johannesburg’s O R Tambo International Airport on December 29 over alleged involvement in $2 billion (1.76 billion euros) of fraudulent loans to Mozambican state firms.

Both the US and Mozambique have issued their own extradition requests over the allegations.

The court did not rule on Tuesday on which request it would consider first and adjourned the case to next month.

Charges against Chang relate to loans taken by Maputo when he was head of treasury between 2005 and 2015.

The money was allegedly used to secretly buy a tuna-fishing fleet and surveillance ships.

An independent audit found that a quarter of the loan amount was illicitly diverted.

The United States alleges at least $200 million of the loans was spent on bribes and kickbacks, including $12 million that went to Chang, who allegedly signed off on debt guarantees.

Mozambique has arrested several suspects linked to the debt scandal, including the son of ex-president Armando Guebuza, as well as intelligence officials.

South African Foreign Minister Lindiwe Sisulu indicated last week that Chang will be handed over to Maputo.

“We’re sending him to Mozambique to be tried,” Sisulu told South Africa’s Daily Maverick news site. “We believe that is the easiest thing for everybody.” Chang’s lawyer Willie Vermeulen told the court on Tuesday that he will not oppose extradition to Mozambique. — AFP

VENEZUELA CRISIS: Lima Group rejects use of force to achieve a democratic transition

Boeing nominates Haley to its board

WASHINGTON: US aerospace manufacturer Boeing Co said on Tuesday it has nominated Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the United Nations, to join its board of directors at the company’s annual shareholders meeting on April 29.

Viewed as a rising Republican Party star, Haley has often been mentioned as a future presidential candidate. Her counterparts at the United Nations saw her as a voice of clarity in the Trump administration.

If elected by Boeing shareholders, she would help guide the future of the largest US exporter, with a network of suppliers across the United States and the world.

Haley’s nomination comes as Boeing grapples with a major decision: whether to launch an all-new jetliner known as NMA, a midsize plane that would serve a niche market falling between narrow- and wide-body aircraft.

Boeing has said it would make a final launch decision in 2020 on the new programme, which is expected to define competition with arch rival Airbus SE.

Haley, 47, is the first female governor of South Carolina and a three-term legislator in the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Boeing has long held close ties to the US government. Current Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg serves on the US Export Council, and acting US Defence Secretary Pat Shanahan is a former senior Boeing executive, who spent 31 years with the company.

In a press release, Muilenburg praised Haley’s record in government and industry partnership.

“Boeing will benefit greatly from her broad perspectives and combined diplomatic, government and business experience to help achieve our aspiration to be the best in aerospace and a global industrial champion,” Muilenburg said.

Separately on Tuesday, the shareholders of Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA approved a deal to sell 80 per cent of the Sao Paulo-based company’s commercial jet division to Boeing, a move that could reshape the global market for aircraft of up to 150 seats.

Boeing shares were down $1.76, or 0.41 per cent, at $425.11 a share in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange. — Reuters

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panorama

TOKYO: Two rare oarfish,

giant deep-sea serpents long

believed by locals to be a

harbinger of earthquakes and

tsunamis, have been caught

off the Japanese island of

Okinawa.

Fishermen were stunned

to find a pair of the silvery fish

— the bigger one measuring

four metres (13 feet) — alive

in their nets late last month

as the number of sightings

of the mysterious creature in

Japanese waters continues to

rise.

“I had only ever heard

stories about this fish,” the

Yomitan fisheries cooperative

association’s Takashi

Yamauchi said.

“When I saw them

at the port, I was quite

shocked.” The fish, caught off

Okinawa’s southwest Toya

port on January 28, both

subsequently died.

More than 12 elusive

oarfish — known in Japanese

as “Ryugu no tsukai” — have

washed up on shores in Japan

over the past year.

Oarfish live between 200

and 1,000 metres below the

surface of the Pacific and

the Indian Oceans and have

serpentine bodies with red

fins that give them a dragon-

like appearance.

Japanese folklore has it

that they move to shallower

seas before underwater

earthquakes, possibly due to

electromagnetic changes that

occur with tectonic activity.

Local media reported that

a spate of sightings preceded

the 2011 earthquake and

tsunami that left about 18,500

dead or missing in northeast

Japan, strengthening the

myth.

The recent oarfish

discoveries have sparked

renewed debate on social

media about impending

doom, although scientists

dispute such claims.

“They looked mysterious

and beautiful,” Satomi Higa

of the Yomitan’s fisheries

cooperative association told

the Okinawa Times.

“They looked like real

dragons.” Although rarely

caught in fishing nets,

six oarfish were recently

captured or found beached

in Toyama on the western

shores of central Japan.

The pair netted off

Okinawa died en route to an

aquarium before fishermen

ate part of a fin as sashimi

— although fisheries officials

noted only a portion that had

ripped off while loading one

of the creatures onto the boat

had been sampled. — AFP

TRAIN GUARD: Vietnamese soldiers stand guard as a train transporting North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un arrives at the border town with China in Dong Dang, Vietnam, on Tuesday. — Reuters

HAPPY & CAREFREE TIME: Boys play football at a camp for internally displaced people near Abs of the northwestern province of Hajja, Yemen. — Reuters

MOMMY & ME: A 9 year-old female polar bear Tonja together with her cub in Berlin. — Reuters

FISH SAFE: A fisherman checks an electric pulse fishing nets aboard Dutch fishing boat Kasina after unloading their catch in Den Helder, Netherlands. — AFP

OH, BABY, WHEN YOU… Singer Shakira with her sons Sasha and Milan in Barcelona. Colombian singer has been called to appear in a Spanish court on June 12 to face accusations of failing to pay 14.5 million euros ($16.5 million) in tax. — Reuters

Fishermen catch rare ‘bad luck’ fish

WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 27, 2019 | JUMADA AL THANI 22, 1440 AH

CONRAD PRABHUMUSCAT, FEB 26

The Public Authority for Mining

(PAM), the nodal agency for regulation

and policy-making governing all

mining and mineral related activities

in the Sultanate, has identified as

many as 110 new mining blocks for

investment in key locations around

the country.

Efforts are currently underway

by the Authority to secure the

requisite permits from an array of

government ministries and agencies

whose approvals are mandatory under

existing statutes before exploration and

developmental work can commence

at any of these sites. It is also focused

on delineating the boundaries of each

block.

This process of securing pre-

approvals for mining blocks before

they are auctioned off in a competitive

tendering process is one of several key

initiatives proposed by the Mining

Labs to help accelerate investment in

Oman’s mining and mineral processing

industry. The sector has been ranked

alongside Fisheries, Tourism,

Manufacturing, and Transport &

Logistics as pivotal to driving Oman’s

economic diversification.

The Mining Labs, which were

hosted by Tanfeedh (The National

Programme for Enhancing Economic

Diversification) early last year, have

called for an overhaul of procedures

governing the issuance of mining

licenses and permits. Current

procedures have been described as

protracted, cumbersome and out-of-

date.

A modern licensing system

advocated by the Mining Labs moots

the establishment of a licensing

mechanism whereby the Authority

identifies promising mining blocks

based on its geological studies and

maps. TURN TO PAGE 15

Oman to offer 110 new mining blocks for investment

LONDON: Saudi

Aramco’s chief executive

said on Tuesday the oil

industry is facing “a crisis

of perception” and the

views of some observers

that the end of oil is near

with the rise of electric

vehicles are illogical and

not based on fact.

Amin Nasser (pictured), CEO of the national oil

company of the world’s top crude-exporting country,

told an industry event in London that demand for oil

is expected to increase substantially, driven mainly by

the transportation sector.

“Important stakeholders believe that the entire

world will soon run on anything, but oil. These views

are not based on logic and facts, and are formed

mostly in response to pressure and hype,” he said in a

rare, strongly worded remarks.

“Our industry faces a crisis of perception with

multiple stakeholders. Our traditional qualities of

ample, reliable and affordable supply are not enough

to meet society’s expectations today.”

He said passenger vehicles made up just 20 per cent

of oil demand, while the rest came from other sectors

such as planes, ships, trucks and petrochemicals,

for which there was no alternative to oil yet to meet

expected growth in demand.

He called for more investment in the oil and gas

sector to meet future growth and said the oil industry

must “push back on exaggerated theories like peak oil

demand”. — Reuters

Aramco CEO says oil industry facing ‘a crisis of perception’

EASIER PROCESS: The Mining Labs have called for an overhaul of procedures governing the issuance of mining licenses and permits

business editor@omanobserver.om www.omanobserver.omfollow us @oman_biz

MUSCAT STOCK

MARKET

CRUDE OIL PRICE

4,089.06Oman Crude $ 64.57Brent Crude $ 65.17Light Crude $ 55.42

THE PROCESS OF SECURING PRE-

APPROVALS FOR MINING BLOCKS IS ONE OF

SEVERAL KEY INITIATIVES PROPOSED BY THE

MINING LABS TO HELP ACCELERATE INVESTMENT IN OMAN’S MINING AND MINERAL PROCESSING

INDUSTRY.

businessOMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 914

insideoman

MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of

Islamic banking in Oman from Bank

Muscat, opened a state-of-the-art

branch on 18 November Street in Al

Ghubra as part of its focus to expand

operations across the Sultanate and

offer world-class Islamic banking

experience to customers. Said

Hamdoon al Harthy, Under-Secretary

at the Ministry of Transport and

Communications, was the guest of

honour at the formal inauguration of

the 20th Meethaq branch, attended

by Shaikh Waleed al Hashar, Chief

Executive Officer, dignitaries and

senior bank officials.

Abdulwahid al Murshidi, DGM

— Islamic Personal Banking, said:

“Meethaq is proud to open the new

branch in Al Ghubra as part of its

commitment and dedication to meet

customer expectations for Islamic

banking. The banking sector in Oman

is witnessing consolidation of Islamic

banking and the state-of-the-art

branch network reflects Meethaq’s

focus to redefine Islamic banking

operations in Oman. The new

branch is designed to create a unique

ambience and banking environment

in line with the Meethaq brand values

of true Partnership, Transparency

and Trust. Meethaq plans to further

expand the branch network as well

as launch new products and services

to complement the unique Islamic

banking experience.”

In a short span of six years, Meethaq

has recorded notable achievements

supporting the country’s economic

development and progress. Meethaq

recognises the immense investment

prospects and potential that Oman

offers and is committed to supporting

the strategic national initiative aimed

at attracting investments in line

with Oman’s Vision 2040 economic

blueprint. In the context of economic

diversification, Meethaq is positioned

to address the requirements of all

segments, ensuring innovative

banking service benefiting

communities across the Sultanate.

Meethaq widens network as 20th state-of-the-art branch opens in Al Ghubra

BUSINESS REPORTERMUSCAT, FEB 26

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) yesterday officially opened an accident

and emergency (A&E) unit and a veterinary clinic at Hamra Al Duru in an event

held under the auspices of Shaikh Saif bin Hamiar al Malik al Shehhi, Governor

of Al Dhahirah.

The accident and emergency unit, which is part of the Hamra Al Duru Health

Centre, will serve to enhance the speed and quality of healthcare provision in

the Company’s

concession area.

Prior to the

c o n s t r u c t i o n

of the unit,

emergency cases

were transferred

to Ibri Hospital,

which is about 70

kilometres away.

The opening of

this unit comes

weeks after the

Company opened Shaleem Hospital in Dhofar Governorate.

The veterinary clinic includes internal and external treatment rooms, a vet

room, four main stores and two animal pens. The aim of the facility is to enhance

the income of livestock owners, raise living standards and promote community

stability by boosting the rural economy. It is also part of the Company’s ongoing

support for animal welfare, which included the donation of multiple mobile vet

clinics over recent years across PDO’s concession area.

The Company has been actively supporting local communities and is

currently developing a number of infrastructure projects in partnership with

governmental bodies to provide communities with better access to key services

and amenities. In Al Dhahirah Governorate specifically in Ibri, the Company

recently opened the Ibri Fish Market and ‘Al Muhallab Ibn Abi Sufra’ multi-

purpose hall at Ibri College of Applied Sciences.

PDO opens A&E unit, vet clinic in Al Dhahirah

ALERTBUSINESSWWPC raises fund for Association for the Welfare of Handicapped Children

MUSCAT: Based on the recommendation of Khimji Ramdas’ Eshraqa, the

Worldwide Project Consortium (WWPC), the leading network for project

cargo freight forwarders, raised $43,000 for the Association for the Welfare

of the Handicapped Children. The fund was raised through a benefit auction

that took place on the back of the 19th WWPC Annual Conference in Oman

hosted by Khimji Ramdas Shipping between February 13-16, 2019.

The money raised during the event will support the programs and initiatives

of the Association for the Welfare of the Handicapped Children which provides

valuable services for its 450 members through education, mental health and

well-being, physical and cognitive development areas.

Expressing the network’s appreciation for all its valued sponsors, members and guests for their support and

generous contribution in the auction, Wolfgang Karau, Director of Operations, WWPC said, “Thanks to the support

of our auction’s participants, donors and bidders, we are able to contribute in making a difference in the lives of

children with physical and mental disabilities in the Sultanate of Oman.”

BUSINESS REPORTERMUSCAT, FEB 26

Oman International Development

and Investments Company SAOG

(Ominvest) reported a strong set of

results for the financial year ended

December 31, 2018. Total group

revenues rose by 17 per cent to RO

277.53m and the net profit attributable

to Ominvest’s shareholders grew by

47 per cent to RO 30.52m from RO

20.83m in 2017.

In view of the company’s strong

growth and robust profitability,

Ominvest Board has recommended

a 25 per cent dividend (20 per cent

cash dividend and 5 per cent stock

dividend) for the shareholders’

approval at the company’s AGM

scheduled for March 26, 2019.

Abdulaziz al Balushi (pictured),

Group CEO of Ominvest, attributed

the group’s strong performance to

its major subsidiaries including,

Oman Arab Bank (OAB), National

Life & General Insurance Company

(NLGIC), Oman Real Estate

Investment and Services Corporation

(ORIS), Jabreen Capital, and, to its key

associates including, National Finance

Company. In view of the sizeable

increase in Ominvest’s strategic

investment holdings during 2018

and Ominvest’s share of recurring

income from its major subsidiaries &

associates, Al Balushi opined that the

company has further diversified its

revenue sources and strengthened its

cash flow position through attractive

dividends from its major investments.

Responding to a question related

to the impact of regional macro-

economic conditions on businesses,

Al Balushi elaborated that despite the

difficult operating environment of the

last 4 years, Ominvest’s performance

has been resilient.

Particularly, in 2018, the company

achieved important milestones in its

key businesses and further diversified

its strategic holdings.

He added that Omani and regional

businesses across all key sectors

continue to operate under challenging

and uncertain economic conditions

— as oil prices have been extremely

volatile in recent years and are likely

to remain as such in the foreseeable

future.

Weak and volatile oil prices are

leading to rising sovereign debt levels,

budget deficits and tight liquidity

conditions in the banking sector.

Al Balushi highlighted that being

cognizant of such macro challenges,

Ominvest is prudently managing

its assets and liabilities to maximize

shareholder value while keeping

potential risks well anchored.

Al Balushi affirmed that with a

fiduciary responsibility for over 2,000

shareholders, Ominvest’s board and

the management endeavour to meet

the highest standards in corporate

governance and strictly adhere to the

applicable regulatory framework.

He added that as Ominvest has

risen to become one of the largest and

highly successful investment firms in

the region, the company is taking its

Corporate Social Responsibility with

utmost passion and getting involved

with various reputable institutions to

help students, entrepreneurs and our

communities in different ways.

Highlighting the critical

importance of revenue growth and

diversification, Al Balushi explained

that as a result of the successful

implementation of its investment

philosophy and the business model,

Ominvest has attained remarkable

revenue diversification and

significantly reduced downside risks

to its profitability.

For instance, in December 2014,

banking sector investments accounted

for 82 per cent of Ominvest’s revenues,

while by December 2018, banking

sector accounted for just 44 per cent

of its revenues, as Ominvest’s new

businesses in other sectors including

insurance, leasing, and real estate have

added additional revenue streams.

While pursuing large-size value

investments, Ominvest has further

strengthened its balance sheet and

capital structure. During 2018,

Ominvest successfully raised and

secured total funding facilities of over

RO 250m at attractive terms from

leading local and international banks

and prominent Omani institutional

investors.

Al Balushi stated that the company’s

ability to raise such a substantial

funding during current market

conditions underscores Ominvest’s

robust financial position and its strong

relationships with leading banks and

institutional investors.

Despite additional borrowings to

fund new investments, Ominvest’s

Debt/Equity ratio remains low at 0.92x

and the company intends to maintain

a conservative leverage position to be

able to effectively manage potential

risks during down cycles.

Ominvest net profit rises by 47 per cent to RO 30.5m

MUSCAT: Oman UAE Exchange, a renowned money transfer, foreign currency exchange and payment solutions brand in the Sultanate of Oman, has opened its new branch in Wadi Al Luwami.

Customers can walk-in and choose from a broad range of financial services such as instant money transfer, real-time account credit facility and foreign currency exchange. The branch will remain open from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm on Sunday to Thursday while on Friday, customers can visit anytime between 9:30 am to 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

In addition to the convenient payment solutions available at the branches, customers can also send money through the recently launched Oman UAE Exchange Online Money Transfer mobile app and website.

Oman UAE Exchange opens new branch in Wadi Al Luwami

AS OMINVEST HAS RISEN TO BECOME ONE OF THE

LARGEST AND HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENT

FIRMS IN THE REGION, THE COMPANY IS TAKING ITS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH

UTMOST PASSION AND GETTING INVOLVED WITH

VARIOUS REPUTABLE INSTITUTIONS TO HELP STUDENTS,

ENTREPRENEURS AND COMMUNITIES

Low EMI rates on outstanding Baic range of vehicles

MAKING Baic range of vehicles even more affordable,

Gulf Great Sands LLC, the exclusive importer of Baic in

Oman, is extending very low EMIs on a six years loan

tenure on its popular models making it easier to own and

avail value for money deal. Customers can avail an EMI

rate (terms and conditions apply) of RO 49 for MY 2019

A115 Hatchback (1.5 litre, 4 AT, 111hp), RO 80 for MY

2019 X65 Crossover Basic (2.0T, 174 HP 6AT) and RO

66 for all-new Crossover Baic X35 Elite (1.5 litre, 111hp).

One of China’s top three auto groups, Baic boasts

of 60-years of

e ng i n e e r i ng

expertise. The

c o m p a n y ,

which was

e s t a b l i s h e d

in 1958, has

eight major

p r o d u c t i o n

bases and a cumulative output of 12 million cars. Part

of the Bahwan International Group Holding Company

(BIGH), Gulf Great Sands LLC (GGS) is an exclusive

distributor of Baic and many other reputed international

automotive brands in Oman.

BankDhofar celebrates Teachers’

Day at Kaab bin Zaid School

BANKDHOFAR joined hands with Kaab bin Zaid

School to celebrate Omani Teachers’ Day. The event

which is celebrated every year across the Sultanate

honours teachers for their immense efforts to spread

knowledge among students.

Aziz Sulaiman al Harrasi, Acting Head of Marketing

& Corporate Communications at BankDhofar said: “At

BankDhofar we believe that it is our responsibility to

extend our support to various social activities. As we

all know, teachers play significant and valuable role in

the society. They spare no effort in forming the minds

of the youth and directing them to be good citizens

who positively contribute to the society and the growth

of the economy. I

would like to take

this opportunity

to congratulate all

teachers on this

occasion.”

The event took

place at Kaab

bin Zaid School premises at Wilayat Al Seeb. CSR

is an important pillar of BankDhofar’s operations;

environment element, community development and

social have always been among the priorities and

interests of the Bank. BankDhofar continues to deliver on

its commitment by innovating strategic sustainable CSR

programs, initiatives, activities and potential investment

opportunities; ensuring lasting positive benefits aimed at

strengthening ties with the local community.

OAB staff begin leadership journey with LEAD 3 programme

FOLLOWING the successful conclusion of the second edition of the ‘Leadership Enhancement

And Development’ (LEAD) programme, Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has announced the names

of the 20 Omani staff who will make the third cohort of this future LEAD 3 programme.

As part of the assessment centre process, all LEAD candidates were required to complete

an online 360 degree evaluation and the shortlisted candidates were then invited to attend an

internal interview. The interview was attended by several members of the senior management

team and selected LEAD graduates. The 20 that were shortlisted were then also required

to complete the online Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) survey. The first module of

LEAD 3, which was conducted over the course of two days, from February 12-13, focused on

studying the individual results of these assessments in the context of self-awareness.

Adil al Rahbi (pictured), Head of the Human Resources Division said, “Right from the beginning, we have realised

the importance of building a pool of high potentials with well-structured career development plans and LEAD is the

centre of our human capital development strategy. LEAD is more than just a modular or curricular programme. It is a

personalised training intervention designed to address the mind-sets of the new generation, where more experimental

and real-life learning situations are structured throughout the LEAD journey.”

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9 15

BUSINESS REPORTERMUSCAT, FEB 26

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will

significantly impact roles within the

regional power sector according to the

newly-released Middle East Electricity

AI & Energy Report, which forecasts

major adjustments to jobs in power

generation plant operations and

maintenance as sensors, digitisation

and machine learning are increasingly

adopted.

The report cites electricity

generation and street lighting

management as key examples of

where AI can boost production of

large energy-consuming systems,

with real time decision-making

enabling operators to quickly

identify efficiencies and investment

requirements.

The report points to the emergence

of new platforms which allow

generator fleet connection easing

the sector’s entry into the IoT era.

“Eventually, resultant insights could

result in further innovation, no matter

what the generation source,” says the

report.

Advances identified in the report

include smarter wind turbines and

grids, as well as AI and monitoring

systems to detect solar output falls. “The

need for more complete data is also

driving the industry, which in turn is

driving requirements for autonomous

surveillance drones, better sensors,

cybersecurity protocols, and supply

chain optimisation,” says the report.

Beneficial outputs identified include

more efficient demand response and

load aggregation, reduced operation

and asset management costs, lower

generation capacity needs, as well

as greater billing, loading profiling,

forecasting and asset loading.

And although AI is currently

employed for routine tasks, the

report predicts its scope is likely

to grow as systems improve with

new technologies creeping into

professional services.

Artificial Intelligence to impact regional power sector jobs: Report

insideoman

businessOMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9 15

Dan Colover

POINT of VIEW

What can be

g u a r a n t e e d

looking at

w e l l - t r o d d e n

mountain range

paths? All are interconnected. Consider

that the range represents the global oil

market and that each path is an oil price

benchmark. No benchmark works in

isolation, each acts as a ‘guide’ to offer

market participants the necessary

transparency to trek the summits

of success in trading ecosystems.

The robustness of these symbiotic

relationships — in the Middle East and

beyond — has a major bearing on the

black gold market. Three benchmark

markets largely define global crude

oil trading — Brent, WTI and Dubai

— with Brent having the widest and

deepest global reach of the three.

Shifting sands

Change is constant but the next 12

months will be particularly busy for the

global oil community.

The implementation of International

Maritime Organization’s (IMO)

new sulphur limit of 0.5 per cent for

marine fuels, down from 3.5 per cent,

from the first day of 2020 will have

ramifications for refiners around

the world, which in turn affects the

producers of different grades of crude.

The economics of sourer and heavier

grades — predominantly associated

with the Dubai benchmark — and the

relationship with lighter grades, which

go into the Dated Brent benchmark,

are expected to vary considerably in

the years ahead due to the IMO sulphur

limit.

Looking to meet the continuously

growing demand for crude in Asia,

traders are increasingly arbitraging the

grades that go into Dated Brent moving

them from North West Europe to Asia.

Flows of Middle Eastern crude to Asia

are also rising with vessels travelling

from the Middle East to Asia often

stopping for bunkers at the UAE’s Port

of Fujairah — the world’s second largest

bunkering port. IMO 2020 may also

change the balances of bunker sales at

the world’s leading bunker ports.

The staggering growth rate of US

crude oil exports which S&P Global

Platts Analytics estimates is currently

around 2.4 million b/d and forecasts

to rise to almost 4 million b/d by 2020

has dramatically altered global crude

flows, with many newer Chinese

refiners seeking the light, sweet grades

ear-marked for export. It is the rise

of crude exports from the US that

has also re-established West Texas

Intermediate’s (WTI) credentials as a

major benchmark.

Since the 1980s, Platts Dubai has

been the primary pricing reference for

crude oil delivered to Asian refineries

from supplies coming from the

Middle East Gulf. With deep financial

markets available for hedging and an

unrivalled track record as the sour

crude benchmark of choice East of

Suez, Dubai’s influence and importance

has seen remarkable growth through

the years.

It is the spread between the different

crude benchmarks that drive trader

behaviours and their value is reflective

of the characteristics of the different

grades of crude that make up the basket

of crude that can be delivered into each

benchmark.

Global influence

Dated Brent is the most widely used

and robust benchmark for physical

crude oil, which means changes to it

have importance worldwide. Ensuring

the benchmark evolves to remain

robust and well supplied to all market

participants for the next decade and

beyond is critical to the global oil

community. As markets evolve, so

too must benchmarks. Relevance and

transparency are essential.

A key part of S&P Global Platts

active stewardship of Dated Brent

is to continue to engage extensively

with market participants. We recently

proposed to reflect competitive offers

of the five North Sea BFOE grades

that comprise Dated Brent (Brent,

Forties, Oseberg, Ekofisk or Troll)

on a CIF (Cost Insurance & Freight)

basis delivered into the major hub of

Rotterdam as well as the current FOB

loading basis effective November

2019-loading cargoes.

The potential inclusion of the BFOE

crudes on a delivered Rotterdam CIF

basis, would ensure that every barrel of

the grades currently reflected in Dated

Brent is able to play the fullest possible

role in establishing the value of North

Sea crude.

We believe these changes will

strengthen Dated Brent as a global

benchmark to ensure it remains

relevant for participants to value

term contracts and exploit arbitrage

opportunities (including in the Middle

East). Feedback is requested from

market participants by February 14,

2019, ahead of IP Week in London in

February.

In addition, Platts continues to

consult with market participants on

the potential inclusion of other grades

beyond the current five in Dated Brent.

While we observe regular trade flow

into the Northwest European region,

trade practices are still evolving and

becoming more transparent, and we

will continue the consultation with

stakeholders.

Clear communication ensures

that the relevance and transparency

of a benchmark are widely and fully

understood — vital in this multifaceted

market. Therein lies the value of

consultations that focus on listening

— rather than just transmitting —

with a varied group of stakeholders

that encompasses producers, refiners,

trading houses and many others.

The more feedback, the better the

pathways will be for those traversing

the mountain range in search of energy

security and economic prosperity.

Dan Colover, Middle East Market

Development, S&P Global Platts

[Courtesy: Gulf Intelligence]

The next chapter in oil benchmarks

Looking to meet the continuously growing demand for crude in Asia, traders are increasingly arbitraging the grades that go into Dated Brent moving them from North West Europe to Asia

DAN COLOVERMiddle East Market

Development, S&P Global Platts

(For illustration only)

BUSINESS REPORTERMUSCAT, FEB 26

Shell Oman Marketing

Company has won a

two-year contract to

cater to 50 per cent of

Oman Air’s aviation

fuel needs at Muscat

International Airport. The

company has previously been

catering to 20 per cent of Oman

Air’s fuel needs, and this increase

will make a positive contribution

to the company’s earnings in the

coming two years. Shell Oman has

been the sole fuel farm operator at

both Muscat and Salalah airports,

and the main aviation fuel supplier

to PDO’s airfields.

The winning of this tender

is a testament to Shell Oman’s

high standards in Health, Safety,

Security and Environment,

operational excellence and

competitive commercial terms. A

world-class supply chain has been

built by Shell Oman to ensure

wherever customers are served,

they can count on a secure supply

of quality fuel.

This reflects Shell Oman’s

continuous efforts to continuously

create value for Oman

and support its national

agenda to diversify

the economy, where

logistics and tourism

sectors are poised to be

key contributors to the

national GDP.

Dr Mohammed Mahmood al

Balushi (pictured), CEO of Shell

Oman, said: “We are pleased to

be partnering with Oman Air,

the national carrier, in working

together to grow and develop

Oman’s aviation industry for the

benefit of the Sultanate and its

people. Capitalizing on the major

investments in infrastructure

projects and maturing industrial

and logistical hubs in Muscat,

Suhar, Duqm and Salalah, Shell

Oman has and will continue to

remain focused on capturing

business opportunities driven by

increasing consumer demand.”

“The Sultanate is set to

transform into a regional hub

attracting large investments

and projects while driving the

diversification of the Sultanate’s

economy and enhancing its global

competitiveness”, he added.

Shell Oman wins Oman Air jet fuel contract

Oman to offer 110 mining blocks for investmentFROM PAGE 13

The Authority then obtains the requisite approvals

from the relevant authorities before offering them for

investment in a public tender.

Currently, as many as eight government bodies

have to give their consent before mining exploration

and development can commence anywhere in

the Sultanate. These organisations comprise the

ministries of Environment and Climate Affairs

(MECA), Interior, Defence, Health, Tourism,

Transport and Communications, Heritage and

Culture and Regional Municipalities and Water

Resources, as well as the National Centre for Statistics

and Information (NCSI).

“The current licensing framework allows the

private sector to identify the sites the companies wish

to explore or mine, requiring a lengthy and complex

eight-point approval process,” a report by the

Implementation Support & Follow-up Unit (ISFU)

of the Diwan of Royal Court explained. “This is often

unsatisfactory and discourages investors in case

of (approvals not coming through despite the long

wait). In order to enable more targeted investments,

the Public Authority for Mining sought to identify

promising mining blocks based on its existing

geological studies and maps. Then, approvals for

these blocks from the eight relevant authorities shall

be obtained, provided that mining blocks shall be

introduced in a public tender.”

The Lab mooted an integrated mechanism for

securing the requisite approvals from the government

stakeholders within 30 days. It also stressed the

importance of clarity and minimal bureaucracy in

application procedures in order to speedy up the

licensing process. Under the revised framework

proposed by the Mining Labs, the approval process

is limited to 30 days for exploration licenses, and 55

days for mining licenses.

Significantly, Minerals Development Oman

(MDO) — the Sultanate’s mining investment flagship

— is expected to play a key role in the development

of a number of pre-approved mining sites. Backed

by four sovereign wealth and national funds, MDO

is seen as well-positioned to accelerate investments

in the mining sector, as well as develop competitive

business models that will serve as a template for

investment in this key industry.

Established in January 2016, MDO’s shareholders

comprise the State General Reserve Fund (SGRF),

Oman Oil Company SAOC, Oman Investment Fund

(OIF) and Oman National Investment Development

Company SAOC (Tanmia).

The new Mineral (Wealth/Resources) Law

promulgated by Royal Decree 19/2019 earlier this

month is expected to address many of the regulatory

shortcomings that have constrained the growth of

the sector, say experts.

(For illustration only)

SINGAPORE: Oil inched lower on

Tuesday to extend losses of more

than 3 per cent from the previous

session, easing after US President

Donald Trump called on Opec to

rein in its efforts to boost prices.

International Brent futures were

at $64.70 a barrel at 0728 GMT,

down 6 cents, or 0.1 per cent,

from their last close. Brent, which

plunged 3.5 per cent on Monday,

touched its lowest since Feb. 14 on

Tuesday at $64.32 a barrel.

US West Texas Intermediate

(WTI) crude futures were at $55.26

per barrel, down 22 cents, or 0.4 per

cent.

Analysts said the United States,

the world’s biggest oil consumer,

was keen to counter a recent rally

in prices driven by major exporters

trimming production. Brent prices

gained 8.1 per cent from February 8

to February 22.

Tweeting on Monday, Trump

expressed concern about oil prices

and repeated his previous calls on

the Organization of the Petroleum

Exporting Countries (Opec) to keep

prices steady.

“The problem is we are having

these sporadic tweets impacting

global commodity markets,” said

Hue Frame, portfolio manager at

Frame Funds in Sydney. “It does

make it increasingly difficult to have

a consistent fundamental read on

the data.”

“We still believe the majority of

global economic activity is slowing,

with which it could be assumed

global oil demand will also slow.”

Oil markets, which have rallied on

optimism about a US-China trade

deal over the last two weeks, were

also the most vulnerable to a sell-off,

analysts said.

Reuters commodity technical

analyst Wang Tao said on Tuesday

that US crude may test support at

$54.39 per barrel, a break below

which could cause a loss to $53.18.

Opec and some non-affiliated

producers such as Russia agreed

late last year to cut output by 1.2

million barrels per day (bpd) to

prevent a large supply overhang

from growing.

Analysts also noted that while

Trump is attempting to ease prices

lower, sanctions by the United

States against oil exporters Iran and

Venezuela have contributed to the

recent gains and are providing a

floor for prices. — Reuters

AVALON, Australia: Boeing Co has

been shifting spare parts between its

distribution centres in the United

Kingdom and elsewhere in the world

in preparation for Brexit, an executive

said on Tuesday.

Britain’s potential exit from the

European Union without a deal has

proven a headache for the global

aerospace industry which relies

heavily on integrated supply chains

and parts distribution centres.

“We are having our spares

positioned in the right place,” Ken

Shaw, the head of supply chain

management for Boeing’s services

business, told Reuters at the Australian

International Airshow.

“We are continuously looking at

the demand signals because we didn’t

have to worry about it before between

the London distribution centre and

shipping a part to France. Now we are

having to be more purposeful so we

are redistributing inventory.” Airbus

SE said this month it had spent tens of

millions of euros on stockpiling parts

and securing IT systems.

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC

effectively moved the home for its best-

known jet engine designs to Germany

last month to avoid regulatory delays

or sales disruption after Brexit.

Shaw said Brexit was not expected

to have much of an impact on Boeing’s

manufacturing because its parts from

Britain were mostly shipped to the

United States and elsewhere rather

than continental Europe.

“The underlying supply chain to

make it has been a relatively easy thing

for us just because of the nature of our

product flows,” he said.

“We are in pretty good shape but

we have moved some parts around

and we have done some redistribution

to put things where we needed to just

in case. We are about as ready as we

can be not knowing what the outcome

is going to be.” Other challenges for

Boeing include ensuring suppliers can

keep pace with its rapid production

expansion plans as it looks to

overcome persistent delays on engines

and other issues that have hobbled the

737 factory to varying degrees since

last summer.

Boeing is currently building 52

of its top-selling 737 aircraft per

month at its Seattle-area factory. The

manufacturer plans to speed up to

57 planes per month in June if it can

smooth out supplier delays, with the

potential to later move to 63 a month

if suppliers can keep up.

Shaw said Boeing was taking a

disciplined approach to production

rate increases, both from an airline

demand perspective and a parts supply

perspective. “You get to a point where

you have to relax a bit and make sure

you are at a good spot before you take

that next step,” he said. “That is why we

do these rate breaks where we will go

to a rate and stay there.” — Reuters

Boeing shifting spare parts in preparation for Brexit

US business lobby says firms favour China tariffs

A Boeing 737 MAX plane is seen during a media tour of the Boeing plant in Renton, Washington. — Reuters

businessbusinessOMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 916

international

BEIJING: A top US business lobby in

China said on Tuesday that a majority

of its member companies favoured

the United States retaining tariffs on

Chinese goods while Washington and

Beijing try to hammer out a deal to

end a months-long trade war.

The American Chamber of

Commerce in China also said over

the past year substantially more of

its members are wanting the US

government to push Beijing harder

to create a level playing field for US

business.

US President Donald Trump said

on Monday that he may soon sign an

agreement with Chinese President

Xi Jinping to end the trade dispute if

their countries can bridge remaining

differences, saying negotiators were

“very, very close” to a deal.

That followed Trump’s

announcement a day earlier that he

would delay a tariff hike on $200

billion of Chinese goods and extend

his March 1 deadline for a deal.

Washington is demanding an end to

the theft of trade secrets and practices

that coerce US companies to turn over

technology to Chinese firms.

About 10 per cent of the chamber’s

members favoured raising tariffs rates

on those $200 billion of Chinese goods

from 10 per cent to 25 per cent after

the original March 1 deadline agreed

to by Trump and Xi in December.

Another 43 per cent advocated

maintaining tariffs at 10 per cent and

delaying the increase for 60 days while

negotiations continued, the chamber

said at a briefing on its annual China

business climate survey.

“There are mixed feelings about

the tariffs, but a majority are in

support of the tariffs continuing at the

present time,” chamber chairman Tim

Stratford said at the briefing.

“People don’t like tariffs, and that’s

truly understandable. But they also

think that maybe the tariffs have done

some good in provoking very serious

negotiations between the two sides,”

Stratford said.

Chamber president Alan Beebe

said 47 per cent of members wanted

the US government to “advocate more

strongly” for a level playing field for

US business in the world’s second

largest economy.

“That figure is almost twice of what

it was a year ago,” Beebe said.

The chamber said 19 per cent

of its companies were adjusting

supply chains or seeking to source

components and assembly outside of

China as a result of tariffs. Twenty-

eight per cent were delaying or

cancelling investment decisions in

China.

Trump’s decision to delay the tariff

increase has been greeted with a

mixture of relief and dread among US

industry groups and lawmakers, many

of which are increasingly fed up with

what they say is China’s failure to live

up to its World Trade Organization

commitments.

Some have expressed concerns

that after nearly eight months of tit-

for-tat tariffs roiling global financial

markets, disrupting manufacturing

supply chains, and shrinking US farm

exports, Trump could end up settling

for a deal that increases commodity

sales to Beijing while doing little

to change China’s underlying trade

practices and industrial policies.

In his February 5 State of the Union

address, Trump said a China trade

deal “must include real, structural

change to end unfair trade practices,

reduce our chronic trade deficit, and

protect American jobs.”

But as the March 1 deadline

drew closer, Trump has appeared

increasingly eager to make a deal,

causing concerns among trade

watchers that he was eroding US Trade

Representative Robert Lighthizer’s

leverage in the talks. — Reuters

President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China Alan Beebe speaks at a news conference in Beijing. — Reuters

GE sells biopharma unit to Danaher for $21.4 bnWASHINGTON: General Electric

said on Monday it would sell its

biopharma business to Danaher

Corp for $21.4 billion in the biggest

strategy reversal since Lawrence

Culp took over as the industrial

conglomerate’s chief executive in

September.

GE rejected an approach by

Danaher for that business a year

ago. But its stance changed after

Culp was appointed CEO and GE

board’s became more open to a

deal, according to people familiar

with the negotiations who requested

anonymity to discuss them.

As a result, GE will receive some

$20 billion in net proceeds which it

will use to trim its debt pile, which

stood at $121 billion at the end of

December.

Both GE’s and Danaher’s shares

jumped on news of the deal, though

GE still faces significant hurdles

in recovering its former corporate

glory. It lost two-thirds of its market

value in the last two years amid a

series of operational and investment

missteps.

Among its challenges are

mismanagement of orders and

operations in its power business, and

dealing with its toxic long-term care

insurance liabilities in its GE Capital

arm.

“(The GE-Danaher deal)

unfortunately doesn’t solve the real

issues which comes back to power.

That’s what took the stock down, and

that’s still going to take some time

play out,” said Richard Grasfeder, a

portfolio manager at Boston Private

Wealth LLC, which held about

478,204 shares in GE as of the end

of 2018, down from 787,600 shares a

year earlier.

Culp said on Monday the sale to

Danaher, where he was instrumental

in revitalizing the company as its

CEO, was a pivotal milestone in

efforts to turn around GE, a 126-year

old conglomerate.

“It demonstrates that we are

executing on our strategy by taking

thoughtful and deliberate action

to reduce leverage and strengthen

our balance sheet,” Culp said in a

statement.

The biopharma sale also propelled

a broad rally in GE’s roughly $120

billion of bonds, which had taken a

pounding in late 2018 as it became

clear that earlier restructuring

efforts were falling short and that the

company would need to take more

aggressive action to address its debt

load in particular.

Larry Culp “has earned his stripes.

It is clear that nobody in his job

before him — John Flannery or Jeff

Immelt — would have probably been

able to pull off this transaction with

Danaher,” William Blair & Co analyst

Nicholas Heymann said. — AFP

Oil eases after Trump urges Opec to curb efforts to boost prices

An oil pump is seen during sunset at Permian basin in Texas. — Reuters

French carmaker PSA boosts outlook after ‘historic year’

PARIS: French auto giant PSA, which produces the Citroen and Peugeot brands, said it had boosted its profit outlook after a “historic year” in 2018.

The company’s net profit rose 47 per cent to a record $3.21 billion in 2018, while recurring operating income soared 43 per cent to 5.69 billion euros, also a new high.

Ranked the second largest carmaker in Europe after Germany’s Volkswagen, Paris-based Groupe PSA said in a statement that its “historic year” also saw new records for revenue, which was up 18.9 per cent to 74 billion euros, as well as volume of sales.

PSA sold 3.88 million vehicles last year, up 6.8 per cent from 2017 when it acquired GM’s Opel business.

PSA Chairman Carlos Tavares (pictured) hailed the “outstanding results”. “This demonstrates the ability of our Group to deliver a profitable and recurring growth,” he said in a statement. — AFP

About 10 per cent of the chamber’s members favoured raising tariffs rates on those $200 billion of Chinese goods from 10 per cent to 25 per cent after the original March 1 deadline agreed to by Trump and Xi

businessOMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9 17

perspective

ermany and the Netherlands have benefited enormously from the

euro over the 20 years since its launch, a study has found, while for

almost every other member the single currency has been a serious

drag on economic growth.

The study, by the Centre for European Politics, a German think-

tank, shows that the currency bloc’s most scrupulous devotees

of fiscal orthodoxy who have been most critical of bailouts of

indebted periphery countries over the years have been its greatest

beneficiaries.

Launched in 1999, the euro triggered credit and investment

booms by extending the benefits of Germany’s low interest-rate

environment across the bloc’s periphery.

But those debts became hard to sustain after the 2008 financial

crisis, with Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus — forced

to seek financial aid as growth slowed and financing became scarce.

Over the entire period since 1999, Germans were on average

estimated to be cumulatively richer by 23,000 euros ($26,000)

than they would otherwise have been, and the Dutch 21,000 euros

wealthier. By contrast, Italians and French were each 74,000 euros

and 56,000 euros poorer respectively.

Ireland, one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies, was not

included in the survey because of a lack of appropriate data, the

authors said.

Study authors Alessandro Gasparotti and Matthias Kullas

estimated how economic output in eight euro zone countries

would have developed if they had not adopted the single currency

by comparing their growth path to that of non-euro economies that

had previously shown similar growth trends.

Economies to which Germany’s was compared included

Bahrain, Japan and Britain, while Italy’s basket also included Israel.

Among Portugal’s comparators were Barbados and New Zealand.

Most euro zone members had enjoyed periods during which

the currency union had been a net positive, but these were far

outweighed by the periods when it dragged on growth. Greece was

a partial exception.

“In the first few years after its introduction, Greece gained

hugely from the euro but since 2011 has suffered enormous losses,”

the authors wrote: Over the whole period, Greeks were each 190

euros richer than they would had been.

Since they could no longer restore their competitiveness by

devaluing their currencies, the loser countries would have to double

down on structural reforms, the authors concluded, pointing to

Spain as a country that was on track to erase the growth deficit it

had built up since the euro’s introduction. — Reuters

HOWARD SCHNEIDER AND ANN SAPHIR

ederal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell

worked hard to strengthen ties with

Congress during his first year as head of

the US central bank, doubling the pace

of meetings with lawmakers over his

predecessors and courting Democrats and

Republicans alike.

The value of that effort will get a very

public test this week when Powell heads to

Capitol Hill for hearings in a political and

economic environment that has shifted

dramatically since he last appeared before

Congress in July 2018.

Democrats won control of the US

House of Representatives in the November

elections, and some new lawmakers are

pushing programs like a “Green New Deal”

that could have long-term implications

for the Fed; two members of the Senate

Banking Committee and at least one

member of the House Financial Services

Committee may run for president in 2020;

and President Donald Trump’s public

criticism of the Fed has raised questions

about whether its independence has been

compromised.

On top of that, what appeared to be

a blue-sky economy in July has become

clouded by a global growth slowdown,

weak inflation, and bouts of volatility in

US bond and stock markets that some have

blamed on policy and communications

missteps by Powell himself.

US Representative Emanuel Cleaver,

a Democrat of Missouri and chair of the

House subcommittee on monetary policy,

said some of the incoming Democrats on

the committee might ask Powell about

ideas like the Green New Deal that featured

in their campaigns.

With Democrats now in charge, he said

he expected to “restate openly, and with a

little more influence,” support for the Fed’s

independence from the White House.

“My fear, with the constant tweeting

directed toward Chairman Powell and the

Fed, is that a lot of Americans may want

to blame the Fed for any failings of the US

economy,” Cleaver said.

The Fed raised rates four times in

2018, but in a sharp pivot last month said

it would be patient in deciding when to

tighten policy again, if at all. Investors

interpreted the move as indicating that the

tightening cycle had ended.

After appearances in February and July

in which the mood was largely congenial

and the economy on an even keel, “all

of these things are coming together to

make Powell’s testimony particularly

challenging,” said Boston College

economics professor Peter Ireland.

The Fed chief by law appears before

separate Senate and House committees

twice a year.

In a companion report issued last week,

the Fed described a US economy that was

doing well on many fronts, but facing

weaker growth in the year to come and a

number of intensifying risks.

Powell will elaborate on that document

in written testimony and in answers to

lawmakers’ questions, first before the

Senate committee on Tuesday and on the

following day before the House panel.

The Fed chairman is no stranger to

the key players: Over the last year he has

had one-on-one meetings with a majority

of the members of the Senate Banking

Committee and about a third of the House

Financial Services Committee, including

sessions with Sherrod Brown of Ohio, who

is the ranking Democrat on the Senate

panel, and Maxine Waters, a Democrat

from California who chairs the full House

panel.

Brown is exploring a possible run for

president, as is his Democratic colleague

on the Senate Banking Committee,

Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

Last week, Warren teed up one point of

pressure for Powell, repeating her call that

the Fed use its regulatory powers to force

out Wells Fargo & Co Chief Executive

Officer Tim Sloan over the bank’s prior

misconduct. — Reuters

Powell heads to Congress amid shifting landscape

* FISCAL ORTHODOXY

Parsimonious northerners are the euro’s biggest winners

F

G

* STRENGTHENING TIES

* REDUCING LIABILITY

Court ruling could help J&J defeat St Louis lawsuitsTINA BELLON

Missouri Supreme Court ruling on

talc lawsuits could reduce the liability

and number of large trials Johnson

& Johnson faces over allegations its

talc products, including baby powder,

cause cancer.

The ruling will likely offer some

respite to the healthcare conglomerate

as it deals with growing pressure over

the safety of its talc products, some

defence lawyers said. The company

revealed in its annual report that it

had received subpoenas from the US

Justice Department and the Securities

and Exchange Commission related to

talc litigation.

Some plaintiffs’ lawyers, however,

played down the impact of the ruling.

It was a trial in St Louis’s 22nd

Circuit Court, brought by 21 plaintiffs

from outside of the city whose cases

were joined to that of a single St Louis

resident, that in July produced a record

$4.69 billion talc verdict against J&J.

The company is facing several more

such lawsuits in St Louis.

However, Missouri’s high court on

February 13 ruled in a separate talc

case that allowed a non-resident to

participate in joined cases was “a clear

and direct violation” of state law barring

the use of joinder — combining two or

more cases — to allow courts to hear

cases they otherwise could not.

Most state courts can only hear

cases involving plaintiffs or defendants

from that state or alleging injuries

occurring within their jurisdiction.

The US Supreme Court strengthened

those restrictions in a 2017 decision.

But the St Louis court had allowed

out-of-state residents to continue to

sue New Jersey-based J&J through

liberal use of joinder. In the case that

produced the July verdict, 18 of the

plaintiffs were from outside Missouri

and three were from outside the city

of St Louis. Of the roughly 700 talc

cases filed in St Louis, only 40 involve

Missouri residents, according to court

filings.

If the February 13 ruling closes

off the St Louis court to non-resident

claims, J&J may have a stronger hand

defending itself in smaller talc cases

spread out among other, potentially

less plaintiff-friendly state and federal

courts.

“There’s no real way of reading this

decision other than this court clearly

saying you can’t join claims if the injury

did not occur in the venue,” said Mark

Cheffo, a New York-based product

liability defence lawyer not involved in

talc litigation.

J&J in a statement said it was

pleased with the decision. “One claim

that is properly before a court cannot

provide a basis for drawing into a trial

other claims that are not. We believe

that decision is clearly correct, and we

continue to believe that the science

doesn’t support plaintiffs’ claims,”

the company said, declining further

comment.

Some plaintiffs’ lawyers said the

ruling was not as definitive as Cheffo

suggests.

“If defendants are celebrating this

ruling as the end of St Louis mass tort,

they have not read the entire Missouri

case law,” said Eric Holland, a St Louis-

based plaintiff lawyer involved in the

talc litigation.

Holland pointed to a 2016 Missouri

Supreme Court decision that upheld a

$38 million verdict in a pharmaceutical

product liability case the defendant

claimed had been improperly joined.

The court let the result stand, saying

that even an improper joinder did not

render the trial unfair to defendants.

Though the 2016 ruling involved

a case already decided, Holland and

other plaintiffs’ lawyers said they

planned to argue its fairness analysis

also applies to out-of-state talc claims

in cases yet to go to trial. They said

they would also argue joining the cases

was the most efficient use of judicial

resources.

Defence lawyers said the decision

would likely mean dismissal or

severing of the out-of-state claims from

four upcoming multi-plaintiff cases

scheduled for trial in St Louis. Two of

the cases were halted by the Missouri

Supreme Court ahead of its ruling.

Holland and other plaintiff lawyers

said they would challenge J&J requests

to sever or dismiss talc cases by arguing

the decision did not overrule the 2016

ruling.

Cheffo said the 2016 ruling could

make it harder for J&J to overturn

the July verdict and its record penalty

because the company would have to

prove the joinder led to an unfair trial.

The St Louis court has been a venue

for more talc trials and has seen larger

verdicts than any other jurisdiction.

Outside of St Louis, the only other

significant talc verdicts against J&J

to date have come in lawsuits filed

by individual plaintiffs in New Jersey

and California, where the company is

currently facing jury verdicts totalling

$142 million.

A Los Angeles jury delivered a $417

million talc verdict against J&J in 2017,

but the judge threw out the award

weeks later as unsupported by the

evidence. All talc verdicts against J&J

are on appeal. — Reuters

A

US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell leaves the podium after a news conference in Washington. — Reuters

WHAT APPEARED TO BE A BLUE-SKY ECONOMY IN JULY HAS BECOME

CLOUDED BY A GLOBAL GROWTH SLOWDOWN, WEAK

INFLATION, AND BOUTS OF VOLATILITY IN US BOND AND STOCK MARKETS THAT SOME

HAVE BLAMED ON POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS

MISSTEPS BY POWELL HIMSELF

IF THE FEBRUARY 13 RULING CLOSES OFF THE ST LOUIS COURT TO NON-RESIDENT CLAIMS, J&J MAY HAVE A

STRONGER HAND DEFENDING ITSELF IN SMALLER TALC CASES SPREAD OUT AMONG OTHER

A new 100-euro banknote is presented at the ECB headquarters in Frankfurt. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 27, 2019 | JUMADA AL THANI 22, 1440 AH

A FLAT for rent in Maabela South. Majlis, living room, two bedrooms, 3 toilets, kitchen. 97967110.

· · · · ·

OPEN for rent at Qurum, adjacent to Muscat Private School on

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SINGLE bedroom behind German Embassy, nearer to Al Nahdha Hospital. 99203954.

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SINGLE & double bedroom

School Al Ghubrah. 99203954.

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DARSAIT, Near Indian

Bath attached, hall kitchen and guest toilet. One bedroom, kitchen, toilet, AC #Al Ghubrah Near Mars Hyper Market:

attached, Hall, Kitchen, Guest toilet.

attached, Hall, Kitchen, Guest toilet. Al Ghubrah Near Indian School:

attached, Hall, Kitchen

are provided with AC. 92351172/92902313.

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CLASSIFIED SECTION: Saada al Rashdi: 95919344Ali al Maashari: 99639264 ali.almashari@omandaily.omMohammed al Rashdi: 99841230 m.alrahdi86@yahoo.com DIRECT: 24649595 — FAX : 24649590

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For Rent For Rent

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All the cars are 2016 brand new special prices for public departments, companies and long-term contracts.

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RENTING & LEASINGTours and Airport Transfer

Tel: 24582663 GSM: 95859497, Fax: 24582664,

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AL Hikmani for HAJ and UMRAH — With a host of services including the following: Hiring luxurious coaches, arranging weekly trips, preparing visas for expats at cost-effective price, including transport, housing, meals and visits to shrine locations. Land and air trips weekly. 99311310, 24566016, 99361982, 99707248, 90777858.

· · · · ·

Umrah/HajFREE

INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAMIf you would like to know more

about Islam, please

call: Tel : 99425598,

99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, 99379133, For ladies: 99415818,

99321360, 99730723Or visit:

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Available on UNBEATABLE PRICES

HP2130 3 in 1 Printer

RO 10.900 only

All Cartridges also available

on UNBEATABLE prices

AII HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Samsung Cartridges also available

COMPUTER SUPPLIESRuwi: 24792-792

comsuply@omantel.net.om

WE BUY CARS BY

CASH

90202090

Ahd 2000 car rent. 93203481/

93204059/ 24487827.

· · · · ·

APARTMENT has 2 bedrooms, sitting room, 2 toilets at Athaiba. 99773958.· · · · ·2BHK Flat, Muttrah Corniche.

99024949, 99414644.· · · · ·IN Athaiba, 6 bedrooms brand new villa, high quality

system and car park. 92014914.

· · · · ·

FROM OWNER A house in Al Amerat 5, close to Al Ihsan Roundabout. Consists of 3 bedrooms, majlis, sitting room, large kitchen. Area of building 205 sqm. Total area of land 450 sqm. It was built 16 years ago. Requested RO 52,000. Negotiable. Serious buyers only.

99639264.· · · · · PROFESSIONAL movers company number 94551284.· · · · ·PAINTING, Plumbing, Building maintenance, Excavation, Stone Pitching, Gabion. 99057348.· · · · ·MAINTENANCE: 1. AC Maintenance & Servicing; 2. Fridge, Washing Machine & Dish washer repairing; 3. Painting & cleaning services; 4. Electrical & Plumbing Carpentry work. Contact: 99447257, 97014234, 24504281.· · · · ·KAWKAB Atarad United Co LLCPO Box: 237 Postal code: 320, Sultanate of Oman1. A/C installation and servicing2. Electrical installation3. Plumbing works

5. Painting6. Maintenance of all workM Nader Hossain 90611994/ 96319522.· · · · ·PAINTING/ plumbing/ building maintenance. Excavation/ stone pitching/ gabion. 99057348.· · · · · PROVIDES all kinds of legal works, LLC registration, agreements, contracts. Takes all kinds of cases of companies.

97351649.· · · · ·

AL SUMRI AC maintenance. We are ready to repair and install all types of Air-Conditioner within Muscat Governorate. 94301888. · · · · ·

ASDAF BAUSHER: Cleaning houses, curtains, sofas and furniture. For more information: 98536004, 93366161, 98535900.· · · · ·

Services

1. AC maintenance and servicing. 2. Fridge, washing machine and dish washer repairing. 3. Painting and cleaning services. 4. Electrical, plumbing and carpentry work 97014234, 99447257, 24290686.

· · · · ·

ORIENT Trading LLC, Shampooing, sofa, carpet,

repairing. 99834373.

· · · · ·

TO ADVERTISE HERE, CALL:

99639264 Ali al Maashari ali.almashari@omandaily.om

99841230 Mohammed al Rashdi m.alrahdi86@yahoo.com

DIRECT: 24649593 — FAX : 24649590

VILLAS for sale/rents WADI KABIR/AL KHUWAIR),

rent/ Al Khuwair) (Flats for rent/Wadi Kabir). 96596348.

· · · · ·

For Sale/Rent

LUXURIOUS Toyota bus 2016, air-conditioned, 30 passengers, offered for daily/monthly/annually, Muscat. Contact: 98080609, 96316269.· · · · ·

We buy used and broken

cars which have instalments

in cash. 90202090.

Buying

AL Awsad Modern LLC, electronic and furniture used.

99834373.

· · · · ·

JEWELLERY workshop attached with showroom for sale at Walja, Way Number 4301, Al Fursan Street, shop Number 25.

24835276, 93035380.· · · · ·INDUSTRIAL land for sale. Area of 20,500 square metres in the Rusayl area, Price RO 70/- per square metre. 99369192.· · · · ·WE have tourism, residential, commercial lands and farms existing in large areas in Muscat and Barka and over looking directly on the beach. We also have rented and non-rented buildings

94380002.· · · · ·

behind GUtech is offered for sale. The land enjoys a permit for twin-villa.

2) A LAND is for sale in Al Maabela 8 owner.

95959166.· · · · ·WE supply quantities of excellent mountainous soil in Bausher (suitable for compaction and

99242445, 99327939.· · · · ·A SHOWROOM in Al Qurum in strategic location with extravagant interior design on 280 sqm is offered for sale at RO 25,000. 92470024.· · · · ·PICK-UPS, Double Cabin, Buses, Cranes, Primover & Trailers.

99465358 & 99454660.· · · · ·RESTAURANT in an excellent location in Salalah with equipment and workers. 93397812.· · · · ·FOR sale industrial land in the area at Rusayl area 20500 metre, price per square metre RO 70.

99369192.· · · · ·HOUSE for sale in Wadi Udai for RO 27,000 (neg). 99462401/ 99243291.· · · · ·FOR sale: Extravagant and furnished residences for female students in Al Khuwair, Al Mawaleh and Al Khoudh along with all assets.

99001332.· · · · ·

Manpower

MANPOWER from Philippines. WhatsApp:

91206344.

· · · · ·

InvestmentREQUIRED investor for a poultry farm (Land and permits available.

99321426· · · · ·

ONE bedroom apartment in Al Mouj with kitchen, bathroom and sitting room. Partial marina view and close to Kempinski Hotel.

99823298.

· · · · ·

WELL maintained 1&2

available at Rex Road. Contact (92227165

· · · · ·

A SHOWROOM is for rent. Area 2,700 sqm, has two

Area, at the public road. Close to Jeep Showroom. There are also mini showrooms

91111966.

· · · · ·

ROOM for rent at Barka (Al Haram). Room for rent for labourers can accommodate 500 to 1,000 people. One person rent is only RO 27 (negotiable) including water and electricity. Only serious persons can contact Mob No 99438360 Mr Shaikh Adil. (91)9895640505 Manesh (WhatsApp only).

· · · · ·

A HOUSE in Al Mabaila near

bedrooms + sitting room + kitchen + toilet for each room. 99700908.

· · · · ·

HOUSE room, sitting room + kitchen toilet in South Al Maabela, served government water located near Nesto and opposite to Starcare in Al Maabela.

99700908.

· · · · ·

middle, Al Khuwair 93663380.

· · · · ·

villa in South Al Mabaila, consists of 4 bedrooms, a sitting room, a toilet for every room, kitchen, store and air conditioners. It is located in a place opposite to industrial area and is served government water.

99700908.

· · · · ·

COMMERCIALAl Maabela behind Zamzam Hypermarket. 07 commercial

family residence or bachelors.

3 bathrooms. Clean, well maintained building. Lift and shaded car park, only

99076557.

· · · · ·

AL SALEHAT hostel for lady students and staff, fully furnished, with a lounge, gym, private restaurant and private rooms for study. Place: Behind Sohar Referral Hospital. Contact 91291219.

· · · · ·

2 BEDROOM 99322344.

· · · · ·

FLAT 1 room, hall, bathroom, kitchen, 2 split AC in Ruwi, Al Qurum, Wadi Al Kabir, Al Khuwair. 99358589, 95084327, 97079146.

· · · · ·

NEW Flats For Rent at Darsait near to Ministry of Sports,

1 Living Room, 2 Bedroom, Kitchen, 3 Toilets, Every room with split A/C, High quality

320/- Interested persons, please contact. 00968-92225523.

· · · · ·

NEW apartment for rent, one room, 2 toilets, kitchen and dinning. Location, Al Khoudh Market, Red Taj

rent RO 190/-. 92838118.

· · · · ·

NEW Darsait near the beach, 5 bedrooms, hall with AC, 4 bathrooms, balcony with sea view, RO 450 per month.

99315986.

· · · · ·

ONE bedroom flat at Darsait near Medical RO 170/-. Two BHK Al Khuwair RO 300/-. Athaiba behind Zubair RO 300/-. (24790449, Fax: 24790559.

· · · · ·

NEW building in Maabela Industrial Area available for rent. Corner location for showroom, hypermarket or

99323030

· · · · ·

FLAT for rent at Al Khuwair 33, 4 bedrooms, majlis, 2 halls, kitchen and store.

99383446.

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NEW penthouse, N Ghubra — 2 bedroom + 3 toilets + 1 maid room with toilet and 1 big hall

99370300.

· · · · ·

FLATS for rent in Al Khuwair, Al Hail, Wadi Kabir, Al Falaj, MBD and Muttrah. 99119699/ 95250300/ 24813002.

· · · · ·

PREMIUM for rent of 370sqm, DHL building. 8 Rial per sqm. Covered parking. 95852046.

· · · · ·

APPROVED residential for labour camp available. Near Sohar Port. Area 15,000m2. Water and electricity available. For contact 91577774, 96198460.

· · · · ·

TWO new apartment for rent in Al Qurum near Mina al Fahal.

94664635, 95850345.

· · · · ·

FLATS for rent in Salalah European design, farm view, good situation in the centre near

92181524 WhatsApp.

· · · ·

APARTMENT for rent in Maabela 8 in Muscat. It’s the highest one of the other two. 3 rooms with 3 toilets one family room, small store and air-condition.

71136222.

· · · · ·

A FAMILY flat (air conditioned) is for rent. It has 1 spacious bedroom, spacious living room, a kitchen and 1 toilet. It is near North Al Ghubra Healthcare Center at RO 190. 95548774· · · · ·FLAT with 3 rooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen with dining room and car parking, Al Wadi Al Kabir. 95434171.· · · · ·

FLATS for rent in Al Hamriya. 79033790.· · · · ·

FLAT for rent in Al Khoudh near SQU. Monthly rent for RO 195 99522963.

· · · · ·

NEW family flats in Darsait near the beach, 5 bedrooms, hall with AC, 4 bathrooms, balcony with sea view, RO 450 per month. Contact

99315986.

· · · · ·

TWO corner landplots in Athaibah, 2nd phase near the sea and 18 November Street, every land 546 sqm, one land is RO 125,000 and collectively they are RO 230,000 for both contact

94380002.

· · · · ·

ISTIRAHAT Al Diyafah A beautiful spot to spend recreational time with family and friends that is integratable and has clean and organised facilities and other necessities. * It has bedrooms with beds, TVs and 3 toilets. * Outdoor settings. * Big swimming pool. * Billiards room. * Kitchen with furnace and refrigerator. * Barbecue hall. * Child playground. * Football playground. * Movable AC. * Al Batinah (Al Musannah) near Al Musannah Municipality area 4000M2

94380002.

· · · · ·

SHOP in Seeb market. 95250300/ 99110600/

24182000.

· · · · ·

FLAT for family for rent, Alaom Al Akhtar shop, behind Irani Bank, Abu Abdullah 99627724, Abu Abdulrahman 99315490.

· · · · ·

FURNISHED in Muscat Grand Mall

99445771, 93204595 93203481.

· · · · ·

NEW apartment in Ruwi near church consists of 2 rooms with its facilities. Contact.

94664635, 95850345.

· · · · ·

FLATS for rent near Diwan Zafraniya area end of Muttrah Corniche close to (Muscat Shiva Temple), family, bachelor. Contact 99083071, 99323015.

· · · · ·

SEMI furnished 2 & 3 BHK flats at Bausher — near Atlas Hospital. 99348493/ 93200424/ 24502254.

· · · · ·

FLATS in Al Wadi Al Kabir near to the Al Kuwaiti Mosque. 99425958.

· · · · ·

2 BEDROOM flat in Al Ghubra near Oman Oil 18 November Street, RO 330 monthly. 99333479 or 95215360.

· · · · ·

1BHK & 2 BHK flats for rent at Ruwi and Al Khoudh.

93994402, 93994403, 24834644.

·· · · · ·

FLAT for rent — Darsait 99326879.

· · · · ·

EXCELLENT, fully furnished villa at Al Hail 92817777.

· · · · ·

WE have a farm for rent. The fee is RO 1/metre. The farm is located on Muscat-Yeti road. It is suitable for labour residency or for storage purposes. Contact 99639269.

· · · · ·

in Salalah, north Auqadain. Call 91711118.

· · · · ·

THE owner of family

Healthcare Centre is offering them for rent against RO 260 95548774,

99346417.

· · · · ·

A HOUSE in North Al Ghubra, 514 sqm and the area of building is 244 sqm, advertised by the owner . 99361964.· · · · ·FLATS in Al Amerat, 3 bedrooms, RO 160.

91117335.· · · · ·

For Sale

400 SQM commercial plot chalk behind Kumatsu. 99024949.

· · · · ·

FLAT for rent in Mabaila 3 master rooms.

96088926.

· · · · ·

commercial land in Nizwa, Hail Farq beside LuLu and Grand Mall is offered for sale. The plot is open from three directions and a corner. It is 750 sqm and RO 70,000 is requested. To check the plot’s map and inquiries, communicate with

97722292.

· · · · ·

DIESEL Tanker, 1,600 gallon Volvo, 1987.

92836774.

· · · · ·

For Sale

classifiedsOMANDAILYOBSERVER 19classifieds

W E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9

DYNAMIC Accounting professional Indian, MCom, having 25 years exposure (16 years in Oman) in various sector. Expertise in Budgeting,

in reputed organisation. NOC and driving licenc__e available. Contact 94676186.

· · · · ·

B TECH Mechanical Engineer MEP experience,

95695054. E-mail: get2vishnutv@gmail.com

· · · · ·

PAKISTANI, 6 years experience in driving

· · · · ·

Engineer,

in HVAC design, and diploma

for a suitable opportunity. Contact

· · · · ·

INDIAN female 26, MCA

position. On visit visa. Contact:

· · · · ·

INDIAN male, 29 years, PGDM

years of Accounts experience in MNC, India, good Excel

suitable position in Accounts & Admin. Contact:

· · · · ·

INDIAN male, BE+ MBA, 15 years experience in electrical products

Contact 95954779

· · · · ·

in Suhar, handling Dubai and

· · · · ·

SEEKING

· · · · ·

TEACHING

environmental engineering and GIS MS Hydrogeology and Environmental Engineering

Immediately available. Phone

· · · · ·

PAKISTANI, energetic male, having experience in

in Oman. Contact

· · · · ·

Engineer, 2 years experience in Transformer,

and commissioning. Calibration of Meters and Gauges. On visit

Primavera and Microsoft tools. Contact

· · · · ·

12 yrs Exp, 14 GCC) Procurement/supply chain/

Exp in Mfg, trading, Oil and Gas, Metal fabrication, Construction etc. Contact

· · · · ·

accountant (CMA & BBA) FM.

of experience (8 years in Oman) in Finalisation of accounts, Cost and Mgt A/C

available. Contact E-mail: faabidh@gmail.com

· · · · ·

SEEKING5 years experience in driving.

95291202· · · · ·

Manager PMP

20 years Omantel experience available from April 1. Contact

Email: Sultan_a_ansari@yahoo.com· · · · ·

12-year Experience in

sales and customer service,

· · · · ·Mechanical Engineer, 21, Indian Male, Currently in

Contact adolmisba@gmail.com.· · · · ·

Engineer,

driving licence: · · · · ·INDIAN, male, Age 26, B.Tech

1+year Experience of India as site Engineer, HVAC, Autocad,

Maintanance and Technical

Contact

· · · · · INDIAN, female(22),

suitable position. Contact: +968 96448041 Email id:

ashlindavis28@gmail.com· · · · ·

experienced Personal Fitness

· · · · ·

6 years experience. Contact

hotmail.com

· · · · ·

A SUDANESE mechanical

experience in Saudi

good command of Arabic and English, driving licence. Contact

· · · · ·

AutoCad, Civil. Presently

years experience in buildings and villa arch and structure

driving licence. NOC available.

#+919000721840

· · · · ·

11 years in UAE, freelance & Oman driving licence available,

97299165.

· · · · ·

INDIAN male, Kerala, 24 years

· · · · ·

A engineer

till 5th October on visit visa. 96041682. Email:

· · · · ·

· · · · ·

INDIAN graduate Civil Engineer

Contact.

· · · · ·

INDIAN male, 24 years, BE in electronics & communication

production & quality control,

in Oman on visit.

gmail.com

· · · · ·

several years’ experience

portfolio. Possesses a sound

NOC available Contact :

· · · · ·

BE Mechanical Engineering:

maintenance and

hotmail.com. Contact 90185015.

· · · · ·

experienced female

placement. 94005818.

· · · · ·

driver from home

94005648.

· · · · ·

INDIAN Civil Engineer more

placement. NOC available. Contact

· · · · ·

ACCOUNTANT good position. Experience

on visit visa. 96090127

· · · · ·

ENGG/ TECH/ MECH BE Mechanical Engineer, Indian male, 20 years Oil & gas experience, specialised in Pipeline & Piping Design Engineering, 9 years of Oman PDO experience, currently on visit visa. Contact: rvasudevan44@yahoo.com

· · · · ·

BTech (computer science

immediate placement. Contact

· · · · ·

Electrical Engineer from India (Keralite), 25 years in Oman, O/H, Underground U/G Cables,

95791089.

· · · · ·

TO ADVERTISE HERE, CALL:

99841230 Mohammed al Rashdi m.alrahdi86@yahoo.com

99639264 Ali al Maashari ali.almashari@omandaily.om

DIRECT: 24649593 — FAX : 24649590

SURVEYOR familiar to use AutoCADexperience in roads

for immediate start. Applicant to be available in

persons, please send CV to

· · · · ·Draftsman,

AutoCAD operatorgood experience to produce

models, mainly for roads and

Applicant to be available in

persons, please send CV to

· · · · ·

Salesman in paint division

Kindly send your CVs

mohansinghsoor@gmail.com.

· · · · ·

urgently need experienced Beautician lady & Henna Artist for a beauty salon in Bausher. They should be

are interested, or 99250707.· · · · ·

CATERING Supervisor, Diploma in Catering or Five years experience in food

language is must. Contact

yahoo.com · · · · ·

National Construction Company in Oman, urgently requires Planning Engineer

5-10 years of experience. Send CV thru: annan.srinivas9@gmail.com· · · · ·

Co. requires Electrical Manager, graduate

years experience in managing

candidates send CV to: hr.civilco@gmail.com· · · · ·

Counter Sales Staff for building and

97914594.

· · · · ·HIGH Pressure Trading

for Accounts Clerk and PRO

in Suhar. Kindly send your

· · · · ·

GENERAL Nurse 24540056, e-mail: alexcenter@live.com· · · · ·

for Saleswoman

Contact: · · · · ·GRADUATE Salesperson required for a high-end

English. Previous experience is a privilege. Send CV to hena 82@hotmail.com · · · · ·

required Electrician with electrical licence (DCRP). Omani

experience). Contact

· · · · ·

years old and be healthy.2. Bachelor of business

administration and courses in decision

and human resources management.

experience not less than 15 years.

the position of general manager is not less than 4 years.

can apply sending CV on e-mail:

· · · · ·

Situation Vacant Situation Vacant

A NURSE is required for employment at Pearl Dental Speciality Center

· · · · ·

required Beauticianbe provided. Contact

· · · · ·

AN Omani company based

to employ a sales representative of non-Omani

in Muscat and has a driving licence.

gmail.com· · · · ·

experience in building construction and road pavement. 97876920.

· · · · ·

PAKISTANI, male, ACCA

in Oman. NOC & Driving license available. Contact

94066698.

· · · · ·

B.COM years’ experience in GCC as Financial Accountant

SAGE. Currently in Muscat

Holder. Indian Male, 26 Yrs.

Mob: 9062 1242

com

· · · · ·

HSE

experience for reputed electrical company

Management Safety,

hours. Send the CV to: rashid.engineer@hotmail.com· · · · ·

Marketeers. Contact E-mail: oman4n@gmail.com

· · · · ·

Situation Wanted Situation Wanted

one year experience in road pavement and

driving license,

97876920

· · · ·

for suitable placement, Indian female, Master in computer application

of experience in

Teradata and date

suitable placement in

· · · · ·

Indian Innova driver on valid visa requires suitable

· · · · ·

INDIAN, 24 years in

+ (MSc in International

clients, consultants,

engineering products, valves, pipes, mechanical

· · · · ·INDIAN male, 21.

in Mechanical Eng.

field in Oman.

· · · · ·YOUNG Indian female, M.Com (Accounting & Finance), ability to handle various general accounting and audit

in India as Senior Audit

position as Audit assistant

documents and verifying accounts. 98074554, 92800441· · · · ·

Position: Finance ManagerQualification: Specialised in Account and Finance, preferably CA/ACCA/CPA/MBA. Strong knowledge of IFRS reporting.

Experience: 5-10 years of relevant experience preferred in oil field service.

Work location: Muscat.

Candidates who match the requirements, please send your CV to following email of HR:

NEW VACANCY

Amjad.Al-Harmali@me.borets.com

INDIAN Male, Tamilnadu, Chennai, 10 years

Administration, Production Planning Coordinator & Printing Production Department. Experience in Oman during 2010 to 2012 in Muscat Printing Press.

gmail.com Ph: 99486241· · · · ·

INDIAN IT Engineer in

years of GCC experience in

product, Support, Social Media Management, SEO, Digital Media,

· · · · ·

Imbabi Sayed Hassan Dahshan has lost Egyptian passport No

. Finder please

· · · · ·

Lost

VACANCYLOGISTIC SUPERVISOR

Sarooj Construction Company llc is announcing a vacant post as per the following

requirements:

Candidates who find themselves of high competency and

are interested to occupy the vacancy shall

email their CVs to

issa.albahlani@sarooj.com

Job Title Nationality Qualification Experience

Logistic

Supervisor

Omani Bachelor

Degree in

Mechanical

or Automotive

Engineering

qualified to

B.Sc Level

Minimum

of 8 years

of relevant

experience

five (5) years

businessOMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 920

businessfeature

ALFONCE MBIZWO AND ALEXANDER WINNING

Zimbabwe’s government has a

trust problem as it introduces a

discounted currency in a bid to

reverse chronic cash shortages

that left people struggling to get

hold of basic goods.

Businesspeople and economists welcomed

last week’s decision to abandon an unrealistic

dollar peg for the country’s surrogate bond

notes and electronic dollars, which were

merged into a new currency called the Real

Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) dollar.

But they expressed doubts about whether

the government has the fiscal and monetary

discipline to stick to its commitment to lower

the budget deficit and keep inflation in check.

“There is nothing to stop Zimbabwe

printing money with this new currency,”

said Jee-A van der Linde, an analyst at South

Africa-based NKC African Economics.

“The government has basically kicked the

can down the road in recent years by trying

to stimulate the economy through excessive

spending.”

Zimbabwe’s currency woes have

undermined President Emmerson

Mnangagwa’s efforts to win back foreign

investors who were sidelined under his ousted

predecessor, Robert Mugabe.

The last time Zimbabwe had its own

currency, a decade ago, Mugabe’s government

was able to turn on the printing presses to

fund higher salaries for government workers,

curry favour with the military and pay political

opponents — with disastrous economic

consequences.

Residents of the capital, Harare, now

wait outside banks for hours to withdraw a

maximum of around $30 in surrogate money

or collect remittances from relatives abroad.

Snaking queues have become the norm at

petrol stations because of a shortage of fuel.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube last week

pledged to contain public spending and

reiterated the importance of the independence

of the central bank.

Yet, investors and Zimbabweans remain

concerned that, should Mnangagwa’s

government come under political or military

pressure, it may revert to the tricks of the past.

Some also fear that the Reserve Bank of

Zimbabwe (RBZ), the country’s central bank,

will be unwilling to loosen its grip over the

currency as its governor, John Mangudya, is

thought to oppose the move to abandon the

dollar peg.

“It’s quite clear that the minister of finance

wants a liberalised currency regime, whereas

the governor of the Reserve Bank doesn’t,” said

Eddie Cross, a Zimbabwean economist and

former opposition lawmaker.

Whether Zimbabwean policymakers can

convince their doubters, both in financial

markets and on the streets, will be central to

the success or failure of the new RTGS dollar.

If Zimbabweans begin to use banks

instead of the black market to exchange any

US banknotes they have stashed under their

mattresses, then the government could start to

rebuild its foreign currency reserves by buying

those dollars from banks.

That could give it the wherewithal to

relaunch the Zimbabwean dollar when the

economy has turned a corner.

Zimbabwe ditched its own currency for the

US dollar and other currencies in 2009, after

hyperinflation reached 500 billion per cent the

previous year.

But as a chronic hard currency shortage

worsened, it introduced a parallel system of

bond notes and electronic dollars, nicknamed

“zollars.” The substitute currencies were

pegged at 1:1 to the US dollar but traded at a

discount on the black market.

MAKE OR BREAK

A key test for the RTGS dollar comes on

Monday, when many Zimbabwean banks will

buy and sell RTGS dollars on the interbank

market for the first time. Some large firms

will also be able to buy foreign currency from

banks, but it is not clear how much or on what

terms. Many Zimbabweans are sceptical that

the latest monetary intervention will reverse

the crisis.

“The government has changed things over

and over again,” said Godfrey Chinani, who is

worried that customers will no longer be able

to afford the car parts he sells from a cramped

shop in downtown Harare.

He wishes Zimbabwe had switched to the

rand instead, as he buys his goods mainly from

South Africa.

“People get RTGS as salaries, but when

you convert it to rand or US dollars it is worth

nothing,” he said. “It won’t work.” The central

bank sold US dollars to a handful of banks

at around 2.5 RTGS dollars on Friday, an

effective devaluation of 60 per cent. More than

$5 million changed hands on the interbank

market, a senior RBZ official told The Standard

newspaper.

In the coming weeks, the new currency is

expected to weaken towards 3.5 to the dollar,

the level at which bond notes have been

trading on the black market.

PRICE PRESSURES

Many Zimbabweans fear a return to the

hyperinflation era that prevailed during part of

Mugabe’s tenure if the RTGS dollar sinks much

beyond that point. Inflation already hit a 10-

year high of 57 per cent in January, and some

public servants say the currency devaluation

means the government should raise their

salaries by several times.

Authorities have pledged to control the

currency’s slide as part of a “managed float,” but

how they intend to do that remains a mystery.

The central bank said last week it had

secured “sufficient lines of credit” to launch the

RTGS. Analysts are scratching their heads as to

where the money could have come from.

“People are bound to ask what backs this

new currency,” said van der Linde. “It’s no

wonder people are distrustful.”

Informal currency traders in downtown

Harare said they were waiting to see how the

new currency trades on Monday before they

change their rates. — Reuters

If Zimbabweans begin to use banks instead of the black market to exchange any US banknotes they have stashed under their mattresses, then the government could start to rebuild its foreign currency reserves by buying those dollars from banks

ALFONCE MBIZWO AND ALEXANDER WINNING shop in downtown Harare.

He wishes Zimbabwe had switched to the

Zimbabwestruggles to convince doubters

as it launches new currency

sportWEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 27, 2019 | JUMADA AL THANI 22, 1440 AH

ADIL AL BALUSHIMUSCAT, FEB 26

Oman Table Tennis Committee

(OTTC) is set to host Seamaster

ITTF Challenge Plus, (Oman Open

2019) tournament in coordination

with International Table Tennis

Federation (ITTF). As many as 165

players from 36 countries will take

part in the tournament in Muscat

from March 20 to 24 at the Sultan

Qaboos Sports Complex indoor

courts.

The five days tournament will

feature participation of players form

the following countries: Austria,

Belarus, Belgium, France, Germany,

India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan,

Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Thailand,

China, Taipei, America, Brazil,

Canada, Finland, Saudi Arabia,

Nigeria, Qatar, Portugal, Romania,

Slovenia, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Croatia,

Italy, South Korea, Paraguay, Algeria,

Sweden, Ecuador and Oman.

Haitham al Mandhari and

Muhannad al Balushi will represent

the Sultanate players in the top table

tennis event in Muscat. The selection

of Haitham and Muhannad was

based on internal tournament held in

Muscat which was competed by many

local players. Mohammed Atoum,

national head coach, supervised the

internal tournament. He is following

up currently with the players and

shaping them for the big event.

Series of internal camps and

playing some friendlies will be the

preparation plan for both players to

gear up for the ITTF competition.

In addition, local players will have a

golden opportunity to play with top

professional players and gain the

required experience and skills.

The ITTF has arranged a total

prize of $65,000 as cash money for

the top winners. All the players will

compete to reach to the podium

and add to their existing points to

strengthen their rankings in the

players list.

PREPARATIONS IN FULL GEAR

Mohammed Dawlatli from Egypt

appointed as tournament director

while Sajjad al Lawati will be the

competitions manager. The Egyptian

is well known personnel in ITTF as he

had managed and supervised many

global tournaments. International

umpire Peter Bahamoski from Czech

Republic is the general referee of the

tournament while Said Lansari from

Algeria will assist him.

Around eight tables will be set

for the players at the indoor hall of

Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. The

OTTC is working tirelessly with

related government entities to ease

the process of international players

to arrive smoothly to Muscat in

the coming days. Other logistics

preparation is taken care by the

different committees set by the OTTC

including the accommodation and

transport.

The OTTC is well experienced

to organise such world ranking

class events as they had hosted

successfully many regional and

international tournaments including

Arab TT in August 2017, Oman Fiber

Open international tournament in

December 2017 and the ITTF junior

tournament in February last year.

Therefore, the ITTF has awarded

the Sultanate to host Seamaster 2019

ITTF Challenge Plus. Along to the

mentioned tournament, the OTTC

will have other two major events to

be organised in the Sultanate namely

the international camp for juniors

in Salalah during August while the

third event is represented by Oman

International Tournament for Juniors

(Premium) which is scheduled to

kick off on October 24.

The OTTC will unveil the full

details of the upcoming global event

through a press conference that

scheduled to be held in beginning of

March. The press conference will be

presented by Aduallah Ba Mukhalef,

Chairman of OTTC, Sajjad al Lawati,

competitions director, and media

representatives.

Al Oruba sink Sur

7-1 in Al Sharqiyah

derby

SPORTS REPORTERMUSCAT, FEB 26

Al Oruba pummelled Sur 7-1 at the

Sur Sports Complex in the 16th round

of the Omantel League on Monday.

After the big defeat, Sur chairman

Hilal al Sinani decided to resign from

his post.

Hilal al Sinani on Twitter said that

the board members, technical staff

and players are collectively responsible

for the heavy defeat. He added that

despite to the drubbing, the team has

sufficient time to reshape and resume

their original standard.

In Al Sharqiyah derby, goals were

struck for Al Oruba by Ismael Diyara

(9th minute), Peer Kraza (23), Ahmed

Saleem (45) from penalty shoot, Peer

Kraza (55), Younis Mubarek (77),

Mohammed Balah (90) and Thwaini

Hadid (93) while Samba netted the

consolation goal for Sur in the 17th

minute. With the three points from

the win, Al Oruba reached to sixth

place with 24 points while Sur are at

the relegation zone with 13 points

after same number of games.

In the other games, Muscat and

Al Rustaq ended with a 1-1 draw

at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

Muscat are positioned fifth with 25

points, while Al Rustaq are ninth

with 19 points. Saham registered a 2-0

win over Majees at the Sohar Sports

Complex. Saham added three points

to their kitty to reach 21 points at the

eighth place. Majees are struggling at

the bottom zone with 14 points.

Sur and Al Oruba players in action.

OTTC GEARS UP TO HOST ITTF CHALLENGE PLUS TOURNEY

editor@omanobserver.om www.omanobserver.om

follow us @observersportz

OMANDAILYOBSERVER22golf/cycling

W E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9

Sold-out inaugural Haute Route Oman event gets underway this weekend

MUSCAT: The first ever Haute Route

Oman is all systems go, with a sold out

entry of 265 road cyclists set to take

on the challenging course through

the Sultanate which starts on Friday,

March 1st. Enthusiastic amateur

riders from 26 countries have signed

up for the inaugural event — a new

addition in 2019 to the high-profile

international Haute Route Cycling

Series and the first ever in the Middle

East.

Overwhelming interest in Haute

Route Oman saw a flood of

registrations from the UK, Singapore,

China, many European countries, the

US and Australia as well as Oman

itself, with female riders making up

an unprecedented 16 per cent of the

peloton, the highest proportion of

women in Haute Route history. Nearly

60 per cent of the riders in the peloton

will be taking on their first ever Haute

Route event.

The three-day event will take

riders on a 238km route centred on

Oman’s dramatic and scenic Al Hajar

mountain range, with a demanding

climb up the iconic Al Jabal Al

Akhdar, (the Green Mountain), at

its heart. Sharing the experience are

some big names in sport, led by the

2009 FIA Formula 1 World Champion

racing driver Jenson Button. The 15-

time Grand Prix winner will be joined

by two others from the world of motor

racing: Qatari local hero, MotoGP

and World Superbike racer Mashel al

Naimi, and Melville McKee, the British

Singaporean former GP3 racing driver

who tweeted that he is looking forward

to ‘taking on the daunting Al Jabal Al

Akhdar climb’.

Joining them is Tour Operator

Will Levy from Two Wheel Tours

Australia. Hosting nineteen people

on a tour to witness or ride the event,

he stated, “Oman is a new cycling

destination and when I rode the test

event, I knew my clients would love

the country.”

Also racing in the Haute Route

Oman are 10 local riders sponsored

by Oman-based Petrogas E&P:

Sultan al Maamari, Moosa al Rawahi,

Aseel al Riyami, Husni al Riyami,

Yousuf al Shukaili, Khalil al Maamari,

Mohammed al Shandudi, Musaab al

Rashdi, Hatim al Booshri and Mshari

al Khalili.

“Haute Route Oman has received

a positive response from all over the

world and we’re delighted that the

inaugural event has sold out. We look

forward to welcoming the riders to

experience the extraordinary natural

beauty of the Al Hajar mountain range

and the warm hospitality for which

Oman is famous,” said David Graham,

CEO of event host organiser Oman

Sail. “Haute Route is renowned for

selecting striking and iconic locations

in which to offer a professional cycling

experience for amateur riders, and the

Sultanate delivers on all counts.”

Riders will face three days of testing

rides, starting with Stage 1 and a climb

rated as one of the most formidable

in world cycling — the 14km route

up Al Jabal Al Akhdar — which is

just part of a 84km opening day with

3,000m of elevation gain. With a total

distance of 145km, day 2 will feature

a 22km climb up Jabal Haat which

summits at 2000m and offers some of

the best panoramic views in Oman.

The Haute Route Oman will conclude

with a deceptively short 9.4km final

day which disguises the challenge of

an individual time trial with a sting

in its tail — a 3.7km climb featuring

relentless switchbacks with an average

gradient of 8 per cent .

The popularity of cycling is growing

rapidly in the Sultanate of Oman,

where the country’s unique topography

and tourism offerings position it as an

ideal cycling destination. Cyclists can

enjoy an unrivalled taste of authentic

Arabia as they experience glorious

riding conditions on courses that offer

demanding terrain and breath-taking

landscapes. Haute Route Oman forms

part of the national sports tourism

strategy that aims to increase inbound

tourism through sports and promote

Oman as a tourism destination under

the supervision of the Ministry of

Tourism and the Implementation

Follow-up and Support Unit (ISFU).

Haute Route Oman will benefit from

local community support including

that provided by 50 members of the

Birkat Al Mouz-based team of Al

Sahwa Youth Club who are offering

a valuable contribution as volunteers

for the event’s various logistical and

organisational roles. The event is also

supported by the national airline

Oman Air and water company Oasis

Oman, while Leger LA clothing,

Revolution Cycles Dubai and

Europcar are official suppliers, with

the Environment Society of Oman

the official charity. The Haute Route

Oman is based in Nizwa and starts on

March 1st passing through the ancient

village of Birkat Al Mouz. It finishes

in Al Hamra’s Misfat Al Abriyeen on

March 3rd.

AL RUMHY aiming to inspire future generationAT OMAN OPEN

MUSCAT: As the Sultanate hosts a plethora of

European Tour stars for the second staging of

the Oman open this week, Oman’s very own

Azaan Al Rumhy is hoping to inspire the next

generation of golfers when play gets underway

at the stunning Al Mouj Golf on Thursday

February 28.

The 35 year old, who will be making his

second appearance at the tournament, is eager

to put on a show for the home crowd in Muscat

and help continue the rapid growth of the game

since last year’s inaugural event.

“Since Al Mouj Golf hosted the Oman

Open we have definitely seen a spike in golf

participation amongst the younger generation,”

said Oman’s No.1 amateur, who will have

National Team golfer Mohammed Busaidy

on the bag for the first round before making

it a family affair in round two with his father

Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, the Minister

of Oil and Gas, taking over.

“The Omani Junior Team came to watch me

last year and they loved seeing me rub shoulders

with some of the greatest golfers on the planet. It

was nice to have their support along with plenty

more Omanis so I’m hoping they will continue

that this week and I can help inspire them to one

day be where I’m standing.

“It means a lot to be representing Oman in

such a significant sporting event in our country

and people have really got behind me and the

Wawrinka edges Harrison to advance in AcapulcoACAPULCO: Stanislas Wawrinka

continued his recent uptick in form

with a 6-4 7-6(6) win over Ryan

Harrison on Monday to advance to

the second round of the Acapulco

International.

The Swiss started the first set

with a break to set the tone but had

to battle to hold off Harrison in the

second set where the American

earned a break to even it at 4-4.

Wawrinka clinched the match

with his 26th winner of the night.

A three-time Grand Slam

champion, Wawrinka reached the

final of the Rotterdam Open last

week. He lost to Frenchman Gael

Monfils but it was his first appearance

in a championship match since the

2017 French Open.

Wawrinka’s recent run has

returned him to the top 50 in the

ATP singles rankings at 42nd.

He will next face seventh seed

Steve Johnson, who beat Mexican

wild card Gerardo Lopez Villasenor

7-5 7-5.

Eighth-seeded Australian John

Millman defeated Spain’s Marcel

Granollers 6-3 6-4.

World number two Rafa Nadal

will open his bid for the title on

Tuesday against Mischa Zverev.

Second seed Alexander Zverev and

third seed John Isner will also begin

their campaigns on Tuesday.

— Reuters

event so hopefully I can put a smile on their

faces with a good performance this week.”

As well as the support from local residents

and the Oman Junior Team, Al Rumhy, was

quick to thank tournament promoters, the

Oman Golf Committee, for the role they have

played in his career and Oman’s golfing journey

since forming in 2010.

“A special thanks goes out to the Oman Golf

Committee for their continued support and

extending an invitation my way for the second

year running,” he said. “I have been representing

Oman since 2002 and the committee has only

been around for the last eight years but the

difference they have made to promote the game

to future generations in the country has been

outstanding.

“The attention they give to the national team

is excellent and they are bringing more young

golfers through than ever before which is great

to see. There is a lot of work going on behind the

scenes by the Chairman Mundhir al Barwani

and Director Lee O’Donoghue who have

appointed the right people to grow the game

including hiring a National Team Coach in the

form of Steven Troup who has helped a lot with

my game over the last three years.”

“In the future we want to have a much

stronger field of Omani Golfers who can

challenge in professional events across the

world. Hopefully we can sustain this European

Tour event and keep building on it so the next

generation of golfers can be inspired to play in

front of their home crowd one day.”

Mundhir al Barwani, Chairman of the Oman

Golf Committee, said:

“We didn’t need to think twice about

sending Azaan another invitation for this

year’s tournament; he is a very good golfer who

inspires everyone around him. In showcasing

Azaan’s ability on a global stage we hope to open

the door for many more Omani golfers and

show them that hard work and dedication pays

off. We wish him all the best once again and I’m

sure the whole of the Sultanate will be cheering

him on this week.”

The Oman Open gets underway at Al Mouj

Golf, Muscat on Thursday February 28 and

will feature a world-class field including 1999

Open Champion Paul Lawrie, Ryder Cup stars

Robert Karlsson, Thomas Bjørn, Chris Wood

and Stephen Gallacher along with defending

champion Joost Luiten.

OMANDAILYOBSERVER 23cricket

W E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9

MELBOURNE: Former Australia

batsman Cameron Bancroft has

played down any talk of a rift with

David Warner after being accused of

throwing his fellow opener “under

a bus” in a controversial interview

about the Cape Town ball-tampering

scandal.

Bancroft, who was suspended

for nine months for his part in

the Newlands incident, made a

successful return to first class cricket,

carrying his bat in an unbeaten 138

for Western Australia on day two of

their Sheffield Shield match against

New South Wales on Sunday.

The 26-year-old was roundly

criticised for casting Warner as the

instigator in an interview during

the Boxing Day Test against India,

while describing himself as an

impressionable rookie just wanting

to “fit in” to the team.

Former Australia captain and

TV pundit Ricky Ponting, recently

appointed as a temporary assistant

coach for the one-day international

team, said Bancroft had further

“damaged (his) brand”, while

Michael Slater said he had “buried”

Warner.

Two months on from the

interview, Bancroft said he had been

in touch with Warner, and that all

three banned players had supported

each other through their “journey”.

“I think all of us, including Dave,

have been really challenged through

this period of time,” Bancroft told

state radio station ABC.

“I know that all three of us have

really stuck by each other and looked

after each other well.

“You can’t understand the trauma

I felt, it was probably very different

trauma to how he (Warner) felt, and

I can’t possibly understand that.

“I guess moving forward there

will be great lessons for all of us,

including Dave.

“That’s something we’ve all shared

with each other and something I’ve

certainly shared with Dave when

we’ve communicated throughout

this entire journey.”

Bancroft’s ban expired in

December, while those of Warner

and former captain Steve Smith will

end March 29.

Bancroft had no regrets about

his interview with former Australia

wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist,

saying he felt he had “important

learnings to share”.

“I guess if other people were

triggered by that, I guess that’s their

battle to face,” he said.

“But if I was able to touch people

through some parts of my journey,

and to help them I guess break

through their lives, that was my sole

intention for that.”

Bancroft has signed to play with

English county side Durham as he

looks to regain a place in the test side

for the Ashes starting in August.

“I think I love the game far more

authentically now,” he said.

“You know at times you get

caught up in some unhealthy values

that playing at the highest level can

sometimes present — at the end of

the day it’s a game of cricket, and it’s

nice that that’s why I play the game

(now).” — Reuters

Rejuvenated Windies ready to spring World Cup surprise

LONDON: West Indies have not won a bilateral

one-day series in close to five years but they can

shock any team at the World Cup, interim coach

Richard Pybus has said.

Key to West Indies’ renewed confidence

is the return of veteran opener Chris Gayle,

who proved his worth with a century and half-

century in the first two one-dayers against

England this month.

The left-handed opening batsman will

be joined by Andre Russell for the final two

matches, after the experienced all-rounder was

recalled to the squad for the first time since last

July.

“I know the right West Indies combination

with a fully-focused side can beat anyone on

their day,” Pybus told reporters.

“I wasn’t at the World Cup qualifiers but, with

the group of guys we have now, we feel confident

(we) could take down anyone on their day.”

Pybus’ comments were echoed by England

coach Trevor Bayliss, who reckons West Indies

have the batting firepower to win their first

50-overs World Cup since 1979.

“The Windies have been playing some decent

cricket over the last 18 months,” he said.

“With the size of their batters and the way

some of them hit the ball, there can be a chance

of winning that World Cup.” Pybus hailed Gayle’s

instant impact on the team and also defended

his cautious starts with the bat in each of the first

two matches.

“He’s just class really. It’s always great having

guys in your side who are a bit scary for the

opposition who know full well what they can

deliver,” he added. “In those first two games,

Chris was getting a feel for a spongy wicket

batting first. But, as we have all seen in T20, he

can attack that first powerplay brutally.”

West Indies and England are tied at 1-1 in

the five-match series with the fourth ODI set for

Wednesday in Grenada. — Reuters

SYDNEY: Australia’s Peter

Handscomb wants to don the

wicket-keeping gloves in 50-overs

cricket after his surprise selection as

the stumper in the Twenty20 against

India, and said he is willing to do the

job provided it does not affect his

batting.

The selectors picked Handscomb

ahead of regular wicket-keeper Alex

Carey in Sunday’s first T20 against

India at Visakhapatnam, where the

visitors won a thrilling match by

three wickets.

Determined to make a case for

his selection as Australia’s wicket-

keeper for the World Cup in May,

the 27-year-old Victorian was tidy

with the gloves but contributed just

13 with the bat.

“The main thing for me is

that it doesn’t affect my batting,”

Handscomb told reporters.

“I just need to make sure I’m fit

enough and strong enough that if

we keep first in a 50-over game I can

still go out there and bat at four or

five and make sure I’m still running

hard between the wickets.”

Handscomb’s 361 runs at an

average of 51.57 in the one-day

format for Victoria this season

makes a strong case for his inclusion

in the World Cup squad.

He credited his work with fielding

coach and World Cup-winning

wicket-keeper Brad Haddin during

limited-overs tour to India and

New Zealand in 2017 to improve

his glovework. “Hadds is great,”

Handscomb said. “We actually did

a bit of work together, a couple of

years ago - maybe a year and a half

ago. That put me on the right path

with my keeping.”

The second and final T20 between

India and Australia will be played in

Bengaluru on Wednesday.

— Reuters

DUBAI: Sri Lankan cricket legend Sanath

Jayasuriya has been banned from all cricket

for two years after admitting two breaches

of the International Cricket Council (ICC)

Anti-Corruption Code, the sport’s governing

body announced on Tuesday.

The 49-year-old — regarded as one of the

greatest One Day International batsmen of

all time and was pivotal in winning the 1996

World Cup — accepted the punishment.

“This conviction under the Code

demonstrates the importance of participants

in cricket cooperating with investigations,”

said Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager

of the Anti-Corruption Unit in a statement.

“Compelling participants to cooperate

under the Code is a vital weapon in our

efforts to rid our sport of corruptors. These

rules are essential to maintain the integrity

of our sport.”

Jayasuriya was charged in October after

failing to provide his mobile phones to the

ACU.

He was also accused of obstructing or

delaying any investigation into corruption in

the game.

Jayasuriya in a statement said he had

pleaded guilty to the charges expecting a

mitigated punishment.

“Consequent to correspondence

between the ICC ACU officials and my

lawyers we agreed to a sanction of a

period of ineligibility of two years,

which period is to take effect

from the 15th of October 2018,”

Jayasuriya said.

Jayasuriya played 110 Tests,

445 one-day internationals and 31

Twenty20s for Sri Lanka and was also

a former captain during his illustrious

career between 1989-2011.

He is also a former member of Sri Lanka’s

parliament and a former deputy minister.

Last month, the ICC urged Sri Lanka’s

scandal-ridden sporting community to come

forward with information about corruption

and issued a 15-day deadline that expired in

mid-February.

Sri Lankan cricket has been mired in

corruption allegations in recent years,

including claims of match fixing ahead of an

international Test against England last year.

Marshall had said that new cases came

to light during the amnesty period.

“The amnesty has worked very well

and has delivered significant new and

important intelligence,” said Marshall.

“This new information has assisted a

number of our ongoing investigations and

has resulted in some new investigations

getting under way.

“I am very grateful to those who

participated in the amnesty and as a result of

the information shared we now have a much

clearer picture of the situation in Sri Lanka

and our investigations are continuing.”

The ICC considers Sri Lanka the world’s

most corrupt cricketing nation and the

sport’s governance riddled with graft “from

top to bottom”, Sri Lankan Sports Minister

Harin Fernando said last month.

In November, former Sri Lankan fast

bowler Dilhara Lokuhettige was suspended

for corruption linked to a limited-over

league in 2017.

Lokuhettige was the third Sri Lankan

player charged for violating the ICC’s anti-

corruption code, following those levelled

against Jayasuriya, and former paceman

Nuwan Zoysa. — AFP

Jayasuriya banned for period of two years: ICC

Handscomb ready to step up as wicket-keeper in ODIs

Richard Pybus (left)

Bancroft defends ball-tampering interview, says no Warner rift

OMANDAILYOBSERVER24tennis/nba

W E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9

DUBAI: Roger Federer began his

latest quest for a 100th ATP title

with a battling 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 win over

Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first

round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis

Championships on Monday.

Competing for the first time since

his fourth round defeat by Stefanos

Tsitsipas at last month’s Australian

Open, world number seven Federer

overcame a blip midway through

his match before rallying to beat

Kohlschreiber.

Despite enjoying a 13-0 head-to-

head record against Kohlschreiber

coming into the contest, Federer said

his mindset ahead of the deciding

third set was to somehow avoid an

early defeat against the German.

“Just somehow get through.

Somehow try not to lose,” the

37-year-old said.

“I’m very pleased I was able to find

a way. I actually played a really good

third set.”

The 20-time Grand Slam

champion, who has been stuck

on 99 titles since triumphing at

his hometown Basel tournament

last October, next faces Fernando

Verdasco after the world number

32 got past Italian qualifier Thomas

Fabbiano 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

“I think he (Verdasco) has got one

of those wonderful forehands on tour.

We’ve seen the great shot-making he

has been able to produce over the

course of his career,” Federer added.

“I’m happy he’s still going. He’s a

good player. He can definitely peak

against the top guys. That’s why

he’s still playing, for those kinds of

matches, so I have to be careful,” he

said.

The second seeded Swiss has never

lost to Verdasco in six meetings, last

beating the 35-year-old Spaniard in

Dubai en route to the title four years

ago.

Federer’s task in the tournament

became a bit easier with seventh seed

Milos Raonic and fourth seed Karen

Khachanov, both in the same half

of the draw as the Swiss, suffering

opening round exits.

Russian Khachanov was felled by

world number 19 Nikoloz Basilashvili

who prevailed 6-4, 6-1, while Raonic

was beaten 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 by German

Jan-Lennard Struff.

Defending champion Roberto

Bautista Agut later defeated wildcard

Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-4, 6-3.

Top seed Kei Nishikori is in action

on Tuesday with an opening round

clash against Frenchman Benoit Paire

while third seed Marin Cilic meets

Gael Monfils. — Reuters

IT Works, Zawawi and Jotun register impressive victories

Harden’s streak ends at 32, James enters class of his own

Sufyan counts on experience against Ireland

MUSCAT: Superb performances by

Asim Kamal and Jibran Yousuf helped

IT Works to a huge 138-run victory

against Platinum Services Diamond

(PSD) in an A Division encounter at

Oman Cricket Ground 1 in Amerat on

Saturday.

Invited to bat first, IT Works posted

a robust 268 for 9 in 48 overs thanks to

brilliant batting by Jibran Yousuf (59),

Asgar Shaikh (56), Akmal Shahzad

(42) and Mudassar Iqbal (30). Vineet

Pal Singh and Chadith Lakmal took

two wickets each.

IT Works bowled even better,

dismissing PSD for only 130 in

the 34th over. Asim Kamal led

the way with a magnificent spell

of 4 wickets for 27 runs. Ihtesham

Muhammed and Khalid Rasheed

bowled well too, taking three wickets

each. Abrar Javed (33), Vineet Pal

Singh (25) and Imran Rijvi (22) were

PSD’d main scorers.

BRIEF SCORES (A Division): IT Works 268 for 9 in 48 overs (Jibran Yousuf 59 – 5x4, 2x6, Asgar Shaikh 56 – 7x4, 1x6, Akmal Shahzad 42 – 7x4, Mudassar Iqbal 30 – 3x4. Vineet Pal Singh 2-37, Chadith Lakmal 2-47) thrashed PSD 130 all out in 33.5 overs (Abrar Javed 33 – 2x4, 2x6, Vineet Pal Singh 25 – 1x4, 2x6, Imran Rijvi 22 – 3x4. Asim Kamal 4-27, Ihtesham Muhammed 3-28, Khalid Rasheed 3-38) by 138 runs.

NISHAD, BANTY SHINE

FOR ZAWAWI

In another A Division game on

Saturday, five wickets for 31 runs by

Nishad K and a great all-round show

by Banty Nandy powered Zawawi

Powertech Engineering to an emphatic

6-wicket win over OCT Muscat at

Oman Cricket ground 2.

OCT Muscat failed to post a

significant total on the board and was

dismissed for a meager 146 in the

30th over. Munthir al Balushi (34)

and Shoaib Ismail (25) were the only

notable scorers. Apart from Nishad’s

brilliant spell, Banty Nandy bowled

equally well, claiming 4 for 41.

Zawawi raced to the target in only

27.1 overs, scoring 147 for 4 thanks

to an unbeaten 66 by Vijeesh Velunni

and a strokeful 37 by Banty Nandy.

BRIEF SCORES (A DIVISION): OCT Muscat 146 all out in 29.2 overs (Munthir al Balushi 34 – 4x4, 1x6, Shoaib Ismail 25 – 5x4. Nishad K 5-31, Banty Nandy 4-41)

lost to Zawawi Powertech Engineering 147 for 4 in 27.1 overs (Vijeesh Velunni 66 not out – 9x4, 2x6, Banty Nandy 37 – 4x4, 2x6, Zubair Akbar 2-30) by 6 wickets.

SAJITH STARS IN JOTUN’S WIN

Sajith Pillai struck a superb 72 off

only 39 balls to lay the foundation for

Jotun CT’s exciting 29-run victory

against Aflag Group in a Junior Cup

Knockout clash at Muscat Municipality

ground 3 on Friday.

Jotun piled up 200 for 3 thanks to

Sajith’s brilliant knock, followed by

vital contributions by Pranav (35 not

out) and Sanith Nair (33). Atif Jalali

picked up two wickets.

Aflag Group fought well but fell

short by 29 runs before being bundled

out for 171 in 18.5 overs.

Asgar Ali (35) and Hassan

Mohammed (29) were its main scorers.

Joby Abraham and Ratheesh Nair

bagged two wickets each.

BRIEF SCORES (Junior Cup Knockout): Jotun 200 for 3 in 19 overs (Sajith Pillai 72 – 12x4, 1x6, Pranav 35 not out – 1x4, 2x6, Sanith Nair 33 – 3x4. Atif Jalali 2-36) defeated Aflag Group 171 all out in 18.5 overs (Asgar Ali 35 – 5x4, 1x6, Hassan Mohammed 29 – 2x4, 1x6, Arnold Lewis 27 – 5x4. Joby Abraham 2-21, Ratheesh Nair 2-28) by 29 runs.

LOS ANGELES: James Harden

missed all 10 three pointers he

attempted, snapping his 32-game

streak with at least 30 points as the

Houston Rockets defeated the Atlanta

Hawks 119-111 on Monday.

Harden finished with 28 points

after missing Saturday’s victory over

the Golden State Warriors with a neck

injury. He said at practice earlier on

Monday that he was still bothered by

the neck problem.

His run of games with 30 or more

points was the second-longest in

league history behind a 65-game

streak by Wilt Chamberlain.

Harden reached 28 points with 23

seconds left in the fourth. He even

had the ball near half court on the last

play of the game, but unlike previous

games during the streak, he did not

attempt to pad his scoring total.

Harden last finished shy of 30

points on December 11 against the

Portland Trail Blazers when he tallied

29. During the streak, he scored 50 or

more points four times, including a

career-high 61 in a win over the New

York Knicks on January 23.

Harden said he had no false ideas

about catching Chamberlain.

“It was cool but I knew I wasn’t

going to get to No1,” Harden said.

Harden, who was fined $25,000 on

Saturday for criticising the referees

after a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers,

has missed just four games this

season.

“Eventually it was going to have to

end one of these days,” coach Mike

D’Antoni said. “He’s unbelievable.

He’ll start another one.”

Chris Paul added 20 points, and

Eric Gordon hit four three-pointers

for 16 points.

The Rockets had to overcame

a career-high eight three-pointers

from Hawks rookie Trae Young, who

finished with 36 points.

Elsewhere, Mike Conley hit some

clutch free throws in the final minute

and finished with 30 points as the

Memphis Grizzlies added to the

Lakers woes this season with a 110-

105 victory.

LeBron James had a triple double

and made history despite shooting

just eight of 23 from the field.

James, who had 24 points, 12

rebounds and 11 assists, became the

first player in the NBA to rank in

the top 10 in both the NBA’s all-time

assists and scoring lists.

Already ranked number five in

all-time points coming into Monday’s

game against the Grizzlies, the

superstar entered into a class of his

own by recording his 8,525th career

assist to surpass Andrew Miller and

move into number 10 in all-time

assists.

TOP 10 IN SCORING, ASSISTS

James’ milestone assist came in the

first quarter when he fed Kyle Kuzma

for a layup to give the Lakers a 15-14

lead.

Brandon Ingram led the Lakers

with 32 points, and Kuzma finished

with 22 as Los Angeles dropped its

fourth game in the last five and fell to

29-31 on the season.

James appears to be getting

frustrated with the losing and talked

about the Lakers lack of focus after

the game. “If you are still allowing

distractions to affect the way you play,

this is the wrong franchise to be a part

of and you shouldn’t come in an be

like, ‘Listen, I can’t do this’,” he said

without naming any one. — AFP

SPORTS REPORTERMUSCAT, FEB 26

Oman’s bowling all-rounder Sufyan

Mehmood says his performance

against Ireland during the two

friendly matches recently has lifted his

confidence as a cricketer.

Sufyan, who was the vice-captain

of the Oman Development Squad,

said beating Test-playing Ireland in

two preparatory matches was a big

occasion for the upcoming Oman

cricketers.

“It was a great moment for me as

a bowler too. In the first match I got

one wicket for 20 runs, while in the

second match I was able to step up my

performance. I got three wickets for 30

runs in the match,” the medium pacer

said.

Oman Development squad beat

Ireland by four wickets in the first

match when Suraj Kumar his 56 in

their chase of 112 runs.

In the second, chasing 171 for

a win, the Oman team reached the

target losing eight wickets and two

balls to spare.

Sufyan said a brilliant outing in

Singapore EPS Twenty20 series league

last year gave him the confidence to

perform against an experienced side

like Ireland.

“At the EPS T20 final, I had three

wickets of Zimbabwean players who

are in the national squad,” he said.

“Then, I had 17 wickets in 8

matches just before the Ireland

matches,” he added.

Explaining his best moment in

the games, the Omani medium pacer

mentioned the running catch he took

on his own bowling against Ireland

all-rounder Simi Singh.

“I had to run to mid wicket area

as no fielder was there and everyone

at the ground appreciated my catch,”

Sufyan said.

Sufyan called on more Omanis to

take up the game as Oman Cricket

has set up infrastructure and training

facilities in the Sultanate. “Oman

Cricket has been excellent in providing

the training and infrastructure for all

cricketers in the country. So, Omanis

should take up their opportunity to

become good cricketers and represent

their country,” he said.

The bowler also thanked his family

and his company Enhance for their

great support in his career.

Jotun CT beat Aflag Group by 29 runs.

Zawawi stars (from left) Banty, Vijeesh and Nishad K.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during his first round match against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.— Reuters

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) goes to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies guard Avery Bradley (0) at FedExForum. — USA Today Sports

FEDERER BEGINS HUNTfor title number 100 in Dubai

Golden State bt Charlotte 121-110Portland bt Cleveland 123-110Detroit bt Indiana 113-109Brooklyn bt San Antonio 101-85Phoenix bt Miami 124-121Milwaukee bt Chicago 117-106Houston bt Atlanta 119-111Memphis bt LA Lakers 110-105Minnesota bt Sacramento 112-105Philadelphia bt New Orleans 111-110LA Clippers bt Dallas 121-112

NBA RESULTS

CRYPTIC PUZZLE

ACROSS

4 Could he outstrip the Bobby of today? (6)

7 With which to wipe the wee total washed up (3,5)

8 Sounded unoriginal (6)10 A dance turn, you may

remember (5)13 Hot-headed little fellow, a

beast! (4)14 Everyone contributing to

some achievement (4)15 Lighten one’s problems at

leisure (4)16 Can eating it be a hairy thing?

(3)17 Start the tournament (4)19 Trade in old port (4)21 Swimmer in fashion when

crossing a ford, possibly (9)23 Hypocrisy? There’s no such

word! (4)24 Plenty of Americans use them

for parking (4)26 She’s a blossom (3)27 Like something sweetly

sentimental from last week (4)

29 For a long time, manages

without a servant (4)32 Shown the way to be a

conductor (4)33 A towering thing, only

arranged for piano (5)34 Shows fear of bullies, it seems

(6)35 To eat, is something to do in

bed (8)36 Is she evergreen? (6)

DOWN 1 Set out anew for a potato

centre in the country (5) 2 In raincoat, Joe looks

wonderful! (5) 3 To be found in Gloucester,

we’re told? (4) 4 Appeals for some simple

assistance (5) 5 Genuine German (4) 6 An absolute vision (6) 9 Belief in being direct, possibly

(6)11 The west one is weak (3)12 Demonstrated how to go in

two directions at once (5)13 Dealt with the cards first put

on the table (7)15 Perpetually poetically put (3)16 Expression of disgust by a

half-back with a rugby goal?

(3)18 Snooker player good at

ceramics? (6)20 Might you write one like a

shot? (5)21 Put as an estimate? (3)22 Enemy of rising early,

initially? (3)

23 Copy out letters as cover (6)25 Alias Ole? (3)28 Spoil a stew? (5)30 Not really a hand warmer (5)31 A sound thing to do, albeit

unconsciously (5)32 Afforded, if only once a year

(4)33 To wound somebody could be

a bloomer (4)EASY PUZZLE

ACROSS

4 Annoy (6) 7 Precise (8) 8 Loved (6)10 Fraction (5)13 Forehead (4)14 Ribbon (4)15 Bird’s home (4)16 Wager (3)17 Revise (4)19 Elderly (4)21 Extended (9)23 Manner (4)24 Eager (4)26 Humour (3)27 Aid in crime (4)29 Anger (4)32 Astound (4)33 Criminal (5)34 Soup dish (6)

35 Light-hearted (8)36 Stink (6)

DOWN 1 Desires (5) 2 Peruses (5) 3 Curved structure (4) 4 Fruit (5) 5 Sluggish (4) 6 Levelled (6) 9 Senility (6)11 Devour (3)12 In that place (5)13 Mean (7)15 Zero (3)16 Cot (3)18 Give (6)20 Class (5)21 Mine (3)22 Mesh (3)23 Stately dance (6)25 Self-image (3)28 Group (5)30 Conscious (5)31 Go in (5)32 Regarded (4)33 Worry (4)

YESTERDAY’S CRYPTIC SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 1, Ma’s-cot 7, In no time 8, Toll 10, Chap-E-L 11, Assert 14, Kit(-e) 16, T-itus 17,

T-h-en 19, Co-p-ed 21, Sated 22, Cedar 23, Cu-Y-p 26, R-om-an 28, Has 29, I-so-bar 30, SE-Rene 31, Iris 32, Outgoing 33, Nu-g.g-et.

DOWN: 1, Mus-cat 2, Ch-OP.-in 3, Ti-LL 4, Worsted 5, R-imet 6, Gents 8, Take 9, Let 12, Sid 13, Rugby 15, Tot-Al 18, H-obos 19, Cad 20, Per 21, Senator 22, Cab 23, Caring 24, US-ES 25, Preset 26, Ri-p-on 27, M-otto 28, Her 30, Sign.

YESTERDAY’S EASY SOLUTIONS

ACROSS: 1, Bedsit 7, Reverent 8, Solo 10, Groped 11, Parade 14, Fed 16, Tired 17, Rats 19, Sated 21, Timid 22, Siren 23, Scar 26, Audit 28, Pal 29, Crocus 30, Saline 31, Trap 32, Tasmania 33, Rested.

DOWN: 1, Banger 2, Slopes 3, Trod 4, Debated 5, Debar 6, Steed 8, Soft 9, Led 12, Rid 13, Delta 15, Camel 18, Augur 19, Sir 20, Tin 21, Titular 22, Sic 23, Salads 24, Clip 25, Reeled 26, Acute 27, Douse 28, Par 30, Star.

CROSSWORD

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Angkor, the ancient

capital of the Khmer

empire, appears to

have suffered a gradual

decline rather than a

catastrophic collapse,

according to a study

published on Monday.

Archaeologists and historians have

long sought to explain the 15th-century

abandonment of Angkor, with many

attributing it to the 1431 invasion by Thai

forces from Ayutthaya.

“The historical record is effectively

blank for the 15th century at Angkor,”

said Dan Penny, a member of a team

of Australian and Cambodian

archaeologists and geographers

who took part in the study

published in the Proceedings

of the National Academy of

Sciences (PNAS).

“We don’t have a written record that

tells us why they left or when or how,” said

Penny of the School of Geosciences at

the University of Sydney. “Everything that

survived is carved on stone.”

For the study, the team examined

70-centimetre sediment cores taken from

a moat that surrounded Angkor Thom, the

capital of the Khmer empire.

Penny said the cores serve as a “natural

history book recording

changes in

land use, climate and in vegetation, year

after year.”

Where humans live they leave traces

through fire, soil erosion through

agriculture and disturbed vegetation. When

they leave, conditions change.

In the first decades of the 14th century,

Penny said you start to see a decline in land

use, wood burning, destabilized vegetation

and a reduction in soil erosion.

By the end of the 14th century,

“the southern moat of Angkor Thom

was overgrown with vegetation, and

management, by implication, had ceased,”

the authors said in the study.

“Angkor was never fully abandoned,”

Penny said, but “the elite were shifting away

from Angkor,” moving to new communities

elsewhere with more commercial

opportunities.

“This was not a collapse,” Penny said.

“This was in fact a decisive choice to shift

focus away from Angkor.”

“While the breakdown of Angkor’s

hydraulic network, most likely associated

with climate variability in the mid-14th and

early 15th centuries, represents the end

of Angkor as a viable settlement, our data

indicate that it was presaged by a protracted

demographic decline,” the study said.

“This raises the likelihood that the urban

elite did not leave Angkor because the

infrastructure failed, as has been suggested,

but that the infrastructure failed (or was

not maintained and repaired) because the

urban elites had already left.”

“The absence of Angkor’s ruling elite by

the end of the 14th century casts a different

light over the Ayutthayan occupation of

the city from 1431 CE, and over Cambodian

narratives that emphasize loss at

the hands of interventionist

neighbouring states,” they

added. — AFP

Angkor decline gradual rather than catastrophic

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

HOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST STARS strutted their stuff on the Oscars red carpet on Sunday, and a few trends emerged: Old school glamour, metallic gowns, lots of pink, trousers on the women... and one stunning gown on a man.

Here is a look at some of the top looks from Tinseltown’s biggest night:

READY FOR THEIR CLOSE-UP

The top nominees on Sunday night arrived on the red carpet looking fierce — and ready to have their moment.

Regina King, who won the best supporting actress prize for her turn in “If Beale Street Could Talk,” turned heads in a strapless white gown with deli-cate beading, a long train — and a very high leg slit.

She told E! on the red carpet that she chose to wear Oscar de la Renta because her film represented the “fabric of America,” as did the designer. Lady Gaga, who won for best original song for “A Star Is Born,” oozed Hollywood glam-our in a strapless black Alexander McQueen gown with elbow-length gloves, her hair swept up in an elegant twist.

Glenn Close opted for a glit-tering gold long-sleeved Carolina Herrera gown and marching cape — just like the statuette she had hoped to win. But it was not to be — Olivia Colman won instead for her work in “The Favourite.”

“I always try to keep my expectations low,” Close told E! television before the gala at the Dolby Theatre.

PRETTY IN PINK

Shades of pink were red hot on the red carpet.

“Crazy Rich Asians” star Gemma Chan stunned in a billowing sleeveless Valentino gown in a vibrant neon shade of pink with a high ruffled collar — and pockets. Angela Bassett (“Black Panther”) slayed in a one-shouldered Reem Acra gown with a bold slit that hugged her curves, and fin-ished the look with a jewel box of a clutch.

Grammy-winning country singer Kacey Musgraves, who is presenting an award on Sunday, and actresses Linda Cardellini (“Green Book”) and Helen Mirren all went for oodles of romantic pink tulle. Even home organising guru Marie Kondo — she who sparks joy for millions — hit the red carpet in a joyful pink dress.

And “Aquaman” star Jason Momoa went for a pink tux. Yep, a pink tux with black lapels by Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi — one of the few hom-ages on the red carpet to the late, great designer.

This awards season, Hollywood’s leading men came into their own on the red carpet, turning heads with bold colours, floral prints and even in-your-face harnesses (we’re looking at you, Timothee Chalamet).

Actor Stephan James, the star of “If Beale Street Could Talk,” went for a three-piece red velvet Etro suit, while best supporting actor nominee Richard E. Grant (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”) chose a burgundy dinner jacket with black lapels.

Actor-singer Billy Porter wowed the crowd with a Christian Siriano black velvet tuxedo gown. Yes, you read that right. Respect. — AFP

Oscars red carpet: Old school glamour, loads of pink, stylish men

WEDNESDAY l FEBRUARY 27 l 2019

F R O M A R O U N D T H E W O R L D

UNITED KINGDOM

An employee of Taylors Bulbs

inspects a crop of Spring Dawn

daffodils on the company’s farm near

Holbeach in eastern England. — AFP

NIGERIA

A man adds some cow horns to the boiling

water to clean them at Kaduna Abatour

meat market in North Kaduna. — AFP

FRANCE

The sun sets over the northern

France city of Bailleul. — AFP

YEMEN

A girl looks from behind the wall

of a hut in an improvised camp for

internally displaced people near

Abs of the northwestern province

of Hajja. — Reuters

SWITZERLAND

Two persons walk on a piste covered

with snow in a forest above the

resort of Crans-Montana. — AFP

CHILE

Mexican singer Yuri performs

during the 60th Vina del Mar

International Song Festival. — AFP

Thanks to the

foresight and

imagination of the

Education and

Outreach team of

the Royal Opera

House Muscat, an

array of activities for young and not-

so-young took place last Saturday

at various locations throughout the

building and Opera Galleria.

Some were Musical, others were

Arts and Crafts, but they all had

one amazing feature in common —

they were all free and open to any

participants who signed up and

registered.

Subtitled, ‘Map of the World’,

this season’s Open House took

families on an interactive exploration

of countries around the world, from

photography of foreign travel in ‘Le

Grand Tour’, a ‘Camera Obscura’,

Origami (paper-folding) from Japan, to

the Gamelan orchestras of Bali and

drumming from — well, everywhere

there is rhythm.

For the tiny tots of the family, there

was a Music Making Workshop with

Federica Falasconi, exploring natural

sounds found in the world around us.

Every activity on the programme had

three sessions, so everyone had the

opportunity to participate in a couple

of workshops.

In collaboration with the Omani

Society for Fine Arts, Anwar Sonya,

the “father” of all Omani artists and

one of the founding pioneers of

contemporary art in Oman since

1980, led a creative group called,

“Paper Marbling” for children aged

8-12. Originating in Turkey and Japan,

‘marbling’ is a design technique which

involves dropping paint onto a liquid

surface and then onto paper. ‘Paint

swirls and rolls on the waves of water,

creating beautiful abstract patterns”.

Origami is the Japanese art

of paper folding, traditionally out

of one sheet of paper. Under the

expert guidance of Chinese origami

creator, Jiang Xiao Chun, children

aged between five and thirteen were

shown how to make flowers and dolls

to take home, while developing their

skills of patience, concentration

and eye-hand coordination. This

craft activity took place in the

Opera Galleria space along with

Face Painting and Drawing for

younger children. There was also a

photography exhibition and a game

to test visitors’ knowledge of famous

international land marks. This was

definitely a challenge for adults as

well as children!

Where parents and other adults

were also welcomed with their children

was Adrian Clifford’s Gamelan

Workshop in the East Porch. Adrian

brought along a beginner gamelan

orchestra, courtesy of the British

School Muscat, to share the techniques

of repeating melodies with enthusiasts

of all ages. It comprised three large,

resonant gongs and a fleet of different

sized metallophones, rather like

out-of-tune metal xylophones with

pentatonic tuning, for learning the

Indonesian traditional music. Gamelan

music is performed in every village

in Bali and Java and accompanies

shadow puppets and dancing, Clifford

explained.

Somebody who has been a regular

contributor at Open House over past

seasons is Ernesto Raymat and his

‘Drum Circle’. It is a very popular group,

and playing rhythm based activities on

various drums provided by Tunes is

a therapeutic, hypnotic yet physical

creativity. The three sessions were

packed, and the afternoon one aimed

at teens and adults enabled extensive

improvisation to develop.

Finally, the day rounded off with a

little concert of students aged under

sixteen who wanted to showcase

their own particular skills and talents.

Seated on cushions and carpets with

a keyboard provided, it was great to

hear six-year violinists perform at the

beginning of their musical journeys,

alongside older pianists and singers.

Well done to the Outreach team at

the Royal Opera House Muscat for

another successful celebration of all

things creative and artistic in ‘Map of

the World’ Open House, shared with the

youth of the Omani community.

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Community activities brought people of all ages to Opera House

POP-UP RESTAURANTS ARE yet to fully etch their way into the consciousness of people in Oman. As the name implies, restaurants like these usual-ly occur in the most unex-pected of places for a limit-ed time and owed a lot of its origin from the supper clubs of the 1960s.

In countries where there are not many restrictions, these restaurants are the best way for new talents to show-case what they can do. Often attracting foodies who are will-ing to try almost anything, they become venues for would-be restaurateurs to test out their food menu and as of late, for communities to raise funds while allowing participants to taste great, sometimes weird, food at a cheaper price.

Inspired by trends sweep-ing the rest of the world today, a Turkish pop-up is coming to Oman for a limited time.

The new seasonal restau-rant lounge called Turkuaz will be opened from February 27 to June 2018 at the Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

“Turkish cuisine is consid-ered to be one of the most sophisticated from around the world. With a fusion of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Balkan influences it carries with it centuries of history that can be felt in each bite,” shared Katrin Herz, General Manager at Al Bustan Palace.

She added, “The opening of Turkuaz will allow guests to

experience the magnificent culture and traditions that were once sought out by peo-ple from around the world.”

With turquoise at its core, a historic symbol of wealth and opulence, the pop-up restau-rant greatly communicates the Ottoman traditions from Turkish weaved carpets, deco-rative calligraphy, painted ceramics and elaborate archi-tecture that dominated the region have been infused into the restaurant’s décor.

Chef Okan Demir, Chef de Cuisine, including visiting chefs Ali Ozkan and Alper Kizilbayir will let guests experi-ence traditional cuisine inspired by ingredients found within the region, including a number of locally harvested produce, together with meat, spices, and herbs.

Signature dishes include ‘Icli Kofti’ better known as stuffed meatball, ‘Etli Manti’, traditional dumplings, ‘Adana Kebab’, hand-minced meat kebab mounted on iron skewer and grilled on char-coal and the famous ‘Firin Sutlac’, rice pudding.

Also open for Suhoor throughout the Holy Month of Ramadhan, the restaurant and lounge will provide guests with a fulfilling pre-fasting meal to be enjoyed the Turkish way, with family and friends.

Other attractions include daily cultural practice and a great offering of traditional Turkish tea.

This Turkish pop-up is riding the wave of new dining experience

F O O D C O R N E R

TITASH CHAKRABORTY

RENOWNED INDIAN TV show stars came to Muscat last week to

provide their Muscat audience with an opporunity to connect with their idols.

Raj Kalesh and Mathukutty, popularly called Kallu and Mathu

respectively, both darlings of south Indian television audience were in town in a brief meet and greet with their fans.

Originally brought in by Malabar Talkies Restaurant as part of its second-anniversary celebrations in the West Gate Mall on Ruwi High Street, the duo kept the spectators engaged with witty games, tricks and funny activities.

Kallu and Mathu catapulted to fame and glory after the success-ful airing of their out-door game show Udan Panam telecast on Manorama TV.

“We are happy to have the

most sought after duo from the Indian TV industry here in Oman as our guests and they really enthralled the visitors”, Juliana Jabir, who runs Malabar Talkies shared.

As part of the event, there was a Biryani Fest which brought in different varia-tions in the preparation of this well-loved dish.

The duo also announced to their adoring fans that they are headlining a new show called Europpil Parann Parann Parann — a travelogue that fol-lows their adventure to differ-ent destinations.

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Muscat residents enthralled of meeting their favourite stars

STAFF REPORTER

STORY BY GEORGINA BENISONPHOTOS BY KHALID AL BUSAIDI

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T H I S I S Y O U R S P O T

s

t

ne

CRYSTAL CLEAR

About 100 km east of Haima,

the road leading to Al Wosta

Wildlife Reserve looked

barren with only shrubs

and very small desert

bushes dotting the area.

Not many people come

to this part of the Sultanate. The approximately

seven hours drive seem to laze a lot of would-be

tourists and only those with passion and intent

ever venture to check out one of Oman’s most

interesting desert safaris.

While the road is paved from Muscat leading

to Haima, 40 km towards the reserve is a tough,

muddy road (especially during the rainy season)

causing a certain challenge but not something

one would have to really worry about.

Photography hobbyists from Friday

ShootOut Muscat had been lured to the reserve

and although it is home to dozens of interesting

and unique species like the Reem and Arabian

gazelles, some hares and foxes, hyenas, fowls

and other mammals, it is the Arabian oryx that

they were most captivated of seeing.

Oryxes usually grow to up to 4.6 feet and

in their best health, can weigh more than

200kg. While there are several known species

of oryxes, the Arabian oryx is said to be the

smallest from among their relatives.

Striking in appearance, their distinctive

long horns (found on both male and female)

can grow up to 30 inches long and they are

described to have short manes with compact

muscular bodies with their faces and legs often

have black markings that extend from their

face to their throat and chest.

Bavish KB shared that he visited the reserve

in 2017 with four other friends where they

stayed for two days and one night within the

reserve’s well-maintained facilities.

“When we got to the reserve, the staff

members were very good and friendly. We

like their hospitality. The accommodation was

also very good while the guides were very

knowledgeable. They explained what animals

were in the reserve and how they manage

them,” he shared.

Nagarajan Palanisamy visited in January of

2019 with friends Dharmendran and Arvind.

It was cold and windy and was welcomed by

local guide Mr Haani.

“When you notify them that you will be

visiting, they prepare everything that you need.

We saw their preparedness for visitors from

the rooms to the food. After a lengthy drive

from Muscat, a good refreshment was waiting

for us,” he said.

Bavish shared that while the oryxes may

look friendly, the guide warned them that they

have to maintain distance at all times. Oryxes in

Africa were known to kill lions and because of

this are often called ‘Sabre Antelopes.’

“During our visit, we’ve seen over 500 oryxes

not to include the calves. We came during their

mating season and were told that mother

oryxes can be very aggressive since they need

to protect their young ones,” Bavish said.

“The reserve is well-equipped. They have

a breeding and veterinary clinic that are well

maintained and ready to handle different cases

the animals can face. With the oryxes sharing

the same space as the gazelles, it was truly a

spectacle to watch,” Nagarajan said.

He added that despite the challenging

conditions, the oryxes managed to thrive as

they feed on herbs and plants and because

mornings usually come with heavy fog, the

plants grow steadily and are able to sustain the

feeding habits of the animals in the reserve.

Nagarajan commended the conservation

efforts being made and was happy to witness

the oryxes thriving. He also said that the English

speaking guides were

a big help for them

to understand the

dynamics of the

animals and the

function of the

facilities.

“ C o m i n g

on a rainy

s e a s o n ,

we were

confronted by a

muddy desert road,”

Bavish said.

But it was still worth it

as he said that watching them

is one of the most memorable

experiences one will ever have in

Oman.

“If you are a photographer

coming with the intent of shooting

great photos, it would be best to

come with telephoto lenses. Also,

make sure to check the weather

when you make your plans,”

Bavish suggested.

“Weather needs to be nice,

that’s the main thing. If it is a dusty or

foggy atmosphere, you won’t be able to

get good photos,” he said.

“The golden hours are definitely the best

time to shoot,” Nagarajan said.

Both photographers and their friends are

planning to go back soon but cautioned that

good planning is necessary to accomplish one’s

intent of visiting the reserve.

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Oryxes usually grow to up to 4.6 feet and in their best health, can

weigh more than 200kg. While

there are several known species of

oryxes, the Arabian oryx is said to

be the smallest from among their

relatives

W E D N E S D A Y l F E B R U A R Y 2 7 l 2 0 1 9

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WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 27, 2019 | JUMADA AL THANI 22, 1440 AH

observerfeatures@gmail.com www.omanobserver.omfollow us @omanobserver

In the kingdom of the mighty

ORYXVery striking in appearance, it is easy for many to mistake the oryxes as gentle creatures. With distinctive long horns for both male and female,

these fascinating creatures are becoming a great attraction in the Al Wusta Wildlife Reserve... P27

FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILYGenre: ComedyRunning Time: 110 minRelease Date: 21 February 2019

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Florence Pugh, Nick Frost

Language: EnglishSubtitle(s): Arabic

Two kids from a wrestling family dream of becoming real-life wrestling champions. When they receive an offer to train with WWE, they meet their long-time idol, The Rock.

INSIDE STORIESNOW SHOWING

IN FOCUS

ANGKOR DECLINE GRADUAL RATHER

THAN CATASTROPHICAngkor, the ancient

capital of the Khmer empire, appears to have

suffered a gradual decline rather than

a catastrophic collapse,

according to a study published on Monday p25

LOCAL SCENEENTERTAINMENT

Thanks to the foresight and imagination of the Education and Outreach team of the Royal Opera House Muscat, an array of activities for young and not-so-young took place last Saturday at various locations throughout the building and Opera Galleria p26

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES BROUGHT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO OPERA HOUSE

e

the e of g

usout

26

OSCARS RED CARPET: OLD SCHOOL GLAMOUR, LOADS OF PINK, STYLISH MEN

Hollywood’s biggest stars strutted their stuff on the Oscars red carpet on Sunday, and a few trends emerged: Old school glamour, metallic gowns, lots of pink, trousers on the women... and one stunning gown on a man p25

PH

OT

O B

Y N

AG

AR

AJA

N P

AL

AN

ISA

MY