218pc increase in higher education scholarships - Oman Observer

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OMAN 

5,074 vacancies 

in civil sector 

THE Civil Service Council yesterday 

studied a report on employment 

procedures in government units 

following the announcement of 

5,074 job vacancies in the civil 

service sector on May 15. The 

council also reviewed a report on 

employment procedures. 

FULL REPORT ON PAGE 2 

Oman seeks to 

promote Duqm 

THE Special Economic Zone 

Authority of Duqm will today 

organise a promotional campaign 

in Turkish capital of Istanbul 

during which it will highlight 

investment opportunities in Duqm. 

The campaign aims at presenting 

investment opportunities, 

incentives and tax exemptions. 

SPORTS 

FULL REPORT ON PAGE 3 

Mumbai Indians 

lift IPL title 

MUMBAI Indians lifted their maiden 

IPL title, thrashing Chennai Super 

Kings by 23 runs in the summit 

clash at Eden Gardens in Kolkata 

yesterday. Chennai's chase was out 

of sync right from the start as after 

restricting Mumbai to a moderate 

148/9, they were reduced to 57/8. 

Though skipper M S Dhoni gave 

some hope with few hits, he failed 

to change Chennai fortunes. 

May issue of Mazoon will be 

distributed soon. 

PRAYER TIMING (Muscat) 

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WEATHER 

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EXCHANGE RATES 

RO1 €2.00773 / $2.59740 

GOLD 

Price $1,386.08 

DR IBRAHIM BIN AHMED AL KINDI Chief Executive Officer 

FAHMI BIN KHALID AL HARTHY Editor-in-Chief 

Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising 

PO Box 974, Postal Code 100, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman 

Monday MAY 27, 2013 | RAJAB 17, 1434 AH 

AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY: Al Hoota cave is considered to be one of the largest in the region. Details on 32 

AL SUWAIQ LIFT HM’S CUP AGAIN: Al Suwaiq Club yesterday recorded their 

second triumph in one month winning His Majesty Cup, their second HM’s 

Cup, after defeating Al Nahda Club 2-0 at the inal held at Sohar Sports 

Complex under the auspices of Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Minister of 

Commerce and Industry. 

Federer, Serena stroll into second round P25 

Vol. 32 No. 194 | 200 baisas | 32 pages www.omanobserver.om facebook.com/omanobserver twitter.com/omanobserver editor@omanobserver.om AppStore 

218pc increase in higher 

education scholarships 

MUSCAT — Higher Education policies and 

services, the ability of higher education institutions 

to increase admissions and the 

extent to which their graduates meet the labour 

market needs are being deliberated by 

Majlis Ash’shura members with Dr Rawya 

bint Saud al Busaidiya, Minister of Higher 

Education, during the Majlis’s 22nd session 

of the current annual convening which began 

here yesterday. 

The agenda of the session also includes 

discussion on developing the programmes 

of higher education institutions, particularly 

the criteria governing licences for the 

opening of private higher education institutions 

and tie-up with academic institutions 

abroad. 

Shaikh Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman 

of Majlis Ash’shura, encouraged the 

members to engage in objective discussion 

with the minister to highlight areas of challenge 

and help promote the government’s 

efforts to develop the higher education sector. 

In her statement before the 22nd regular 

meeting of the 2nd annual year (2012- 

2013), Dr Rawya would deal with ive main 

themes: plans and policies of admission in 

government and private higher education 

institutions, the role of the Higher Education 

Admission Centre in regulating admission to 

higher education institutions, the Ministry’s 

vision and plans for the development of Col- 

91pc of higher education 

students study locally 

Number of institutions 

in Sultanate at 54 

Plans to develop applied 

science colleges studied 

leges of Applied Sciences till 2020, the quality 

of private higher education and scholarships 

and study grants. 

The minister reviewed admission plans 

and policies in governmental and private institutions 

of higher education over the next 

ive years, and the To page 3 

$30 million deal to boost manufacturing 

By A Staff Reporter 

MUSCAT — Petroleum Development Oman 

(PDO) has signed a $30 million contract 

with Schlumberger, a leading international 

oilield services company, which will increase 

the amount of Omani-made materials 

used in the oil and gas sector. 

Omani set to roll 

out new bicycle 

By Kabeer Yousuf 

MUSCAT — An Omani state-of-the-art technology 

that will redeine the cycling habits that 

most of us are used to is in the designing stage 

in Europe and will soon hit the world market 

with a bang. 

The new bicycle, named ‘Equibiks’ aims at 

healthy cycling with equal balancing to the riders’ 

both legs and treats the cyclists with multiple 

gears to provide ease of riding. 

“I’m just following the paths of Mathematics 

and Physics and if you can prove something 

with the help of both these sciences, nothing 

can go wrong,” Ibrahim Khamis Rashid al Nuamani, 

a Petroleum Engineer and Team Leader, 

Planning Department with Daleel Petroleum, 

who will soon hit the international market 

with his modern bicycle told the Observer in 

an interview. Details on page 4 

The ive-year deal covers the provision, 

manufacturing and reconditioning of completions 

and gas lift equipment and accessories 

used to extract hydrocarbons with 

Schlumberger committed to supporting local 

manufacturers to develop the capability 

to supply the orders. 

This commitment is in line with PDO’s 

In-Country Value (ICV) strategy to maximise 

the procurement of local goods and services 

as well as improving the capacity and capability 

of Omani people and companies to secure 

sustainable commercial beneits. 

The deal will generate direct skilled 

Omani jobs involved in the manufacture and 

supply of the key materials. To page 4 

Inside 

Palestine hails hero of Arab Idol 

India resolves to combat Maoists 

Merkel is not scaring off voters 

10 food outlets 

closed in Muscat 

MUSCAT — In one week, Muscat Municipality closed 10 

food outlets and cancelled 6 tonnes of foodstuff, while at 

the same time suspending some types of tea which contained 

levels of bacteria higher than normal safety levels. 

The action was taken during inspection which led to 

the cancellation of 16.5 kilogrammes and 182 cans of expired 

foodstuff, in addition to 5 types of cosmetics and 

38 kitchen utensils. 

Meanwhile, the Food Inspection and Monitoring 

Ofice at Muscat International Airport cancelled 2.71 

tonnes of invalid mutton and dairy products in collaboration 

with other monitoring agencies at the airport. 

The Municipality conducted 1,033 visits at Al 

Mawaleh Central Market leading to the cancellation of 

3,938 types of vegetables and fruit which were found 

not to be suitable for human consumption. 

Muscat Municipality requests citizens and residents 

to contact the Call Centre via the toll free Number 1111 

to report any cases or observations. 

Meanwhile, the Health Inspection Department in Al 

Wusta Governorate shut down six commercial outlets, 

including foodstuff shops, restaurants, cafeterias and 

bakeries. The closure was made after inspection visits 

showed that the outlets failed to stick to hygiene levels, 

despite having been warned beforehand. 

Last month, the Royal Oman Police seized a container 

laden with expired food items upon its arrival at 

Port Sultan Qaboos from an Asian country. The Customs 

Department noticed signs of tampering with the expiry 

dates on food products and seized them. 

Three die in road 

accidents per day 

MUSCAT — Even thought there is a sharp decline in the 

number of road accidents, roads have become more dangerous 

for drivers in terms of injuries and deaths as accidents 

kill three persons and injures 31 on an average 

daily, according to a report. 

The National Statistics and Data Centre issued its irst 

report on road accidents in the Sultanate. 

The report is one of the series of statistical bulletins 

that will be published by the centre to provide readers 

with detailed statistical analysis of a number of issues of 

interest for the society. 

As per the report, Muscat and Al Dakhiliyah topped 

the highest number of accidents (55 per cent of the total 

number of road accidents in 2011). These accidents 

resulted in 48 per cent of injuries and 31 per cent of 

deaths. 

The accidents in the North, the South Al Batinah, 

Dhofar and Al Wusta governorates proved to be more 

deadly with 40 per cent deaths during the same year. 

Meanwhile, Muscat Municipality is taking various 

steps to ease trafic congestion on the roads. A company 

in charge of the implementation of a project to transform 

Al Mahaj roundabout into a crossroads began its 

task recently. The project, supervised by the municipality, 

envisages construction of lyovers and expansion of 

the junction in three tracks on either side of the road. 

The road leading from Al Amerat roundabout to Al 

Mahaj roundabout will be renovated and made into a 

three-track way on and off. 

The new road, now to be functional in all conditions, 

will be connected to the existing Al Amerat-Bausher 

road via Al Jood road. — ONA 

Moon may harbour 

alien minerals 

PARIS — Minerals found in craters on the Moon may be 

remnants of asteroids that slammed into it and not, as 

long believed, the satellite's innards exposed by such impacts, 

a study said yesterday. 

The indings, published in the journal Nature Geoscience, 

cast doubt on the little we knew of what the 

Moon is actually composed of. It had long been thought 

that meteoroids vaporise on impact with large celestial 

bodies. Unusual minerals like spinel and olivine found 

in many lunar craters, but rarely on the Moon's surface, 

were therefore attributed to the excavation of sub-surface 

lunar layers by asteroid hits. 

Olivine and spinel are common components of asteroids 

and meteorites, and have been found on the loors 

and around the central peaks of lunar craters like Copernicus, 

Theophilus and Tycho that are around 100 km in 

diametre. 

A team from China and the United States simulated 

the formation of Moon craters and found that at impact 

velocities under 12 km per second a projectile may survive 

the impact, though fragmented and deformed.

2 

OMAN 

1st Environmental Forum begins tomorrow 

MUSCAT — The 1st Environmental Forum 

titled 'Developing Ministry's Services to 

Customers,' will begin tomorrow under 

the auspices of Mohammed bin Salim al 

Toobi, Minister of Environment and Climate 

Affairs. 

The forum aims at linking channels of 

communication between the Ministry of 

Environment and Climate Affairs and relevant 

agencies to tackle environmental topics 

and enhance environmental awareness 

among individuals and the private sector. 

The forum will review ive working papers 

on procedures followed by the Ministry 

with the relevant agencies and major 

obstacles facing them. 

The forum will include relevant governmental 

agencies, private sector's establishments 

and interested individuals 

in a bid to improve the ministry's services, 

expedite and simplify procedures and 

work mechanisms to fulil needs of investors 

and support the wheel of economic 

and developmental growth along with 

the economic diversiication policy pursued 

by the Sultanate's government since 

the 1st ive year plan with taking into 

consideration without prejudice to the 

environmental balance and man protection. 

— ONA 

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MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013 

Employment procedures reviewed 

MUSCAT — The Civil Service Council yesterday 

studied a report on employment procedures at 

the Civil Service sector following the announcement 

of 5,074 job vacancies in the civil service 

sector on May 15. The Council also reviewed 

a report on employment procedures, another 

on the outcome of ield visits on Omanisation 

plans and a third on pay for employees on secondment. 

The announcement came within the context 

of the Royal directives of His Majesty Sultan 

Qaboos on a national plan to absorb Omani job- 

seekers in public and private institutions. 

The Council also looked into a report on 

procedures that will follow after the deadline 

for the announced jobs and the status of the 

specialised jobs for ministries and government 

establishments, as well as the stages set for employment 

procedures. 

The Council reviewed another report on the 

outcome of ield visits made by the Ministry of 

Civil Service to follow up Omanisation plans 

for permanent jobs in the civil service sector at 

which Omanisation rate reached 89 per cent by 

the end of 2012 of the targeted rate 95 per cent 

by 2020. 

The Council also reviewed applications on 

contracts for some technical jobs and allowing 

employees on secondment abroad to combine 

between their basic salary at home and the salary 

one receives from the secondment party as 

per the provisions on the same at the Civil Service 

law and its executive bylaw. — ONA 

Sultanate, Zanzibar explore archaeological ties 

ZANZIBAR — Said Ali Mbarouk, 

Minister for Information, Culture, 

Tourism and Sports of Zanzibar 

yesterday received a delegation 

from the Ministry of Heritage and 

Culture led by Hassan bin Mohammed 

al Lawati, Director-General of 

Archaeology and Museums at the 

Ministry of Heritage and Culture. 

The conversation dealt with a 

number of historic landmarks in 

Zanzibar, particularly those dating 

back to the Omani existence in 

Zanzibar. 

During the visit, the Omani delegation 

expressed the desire of the 

Ministry of Heritage and Culture to 

conduct technical studies to restore 

some of the landmarks in Zanzibar 

and the joint efforts between the 

two countries to highlight the importance 

of these historic and archaeological 

landmarks. 

The meeting also dealt with 

some of the artifacts related to the 

Omani existence in Zanzibar and 

East Africa to be displayed at the 

Omani National Museum, which is 

currently being constructed. The 

two sides also discussed the potential 

of training Zanzibari cadres on 

museum related concepts. — ONA


OMAN 

218pc increase in higher education scholarships 

From page 1 

extent to which the requirements 

of the labour market to specialities 

are taken into consideration through 

general policy development, institutional 

preparation, increasing institutes’ 

admission capacity, infrastruc- 

ture and human resources. 

During the academic year 2011- 

2012, the number of higher education 

institutions stood at 54, of which 28 

The State Council organised a workshop on ‘Trafic Law and Road Accidents’ and the extent to which the 

recommendations of the Road Safety Symposium apply. — ONA 

Oman seeks to promote Duqm 

ISTANBUL — The Special Economic 

Zone Authority of Duqm (SEZAD) 

will organise today a promotional 

campaign at the Turkish capital, Istanbul 

during which it will highlight 

the investment opportunities in 

Duqm. 

The Sultanate's delegation will be 

led by Yahya bin Said al Jabri, SEZAD 

Chairman. The delegation will com- 

prise oficials from the Ministry of 

Agriculture and Fisheries, Oman Drydock 

Company, Duqm Port Company, 

Omran Company and Oman Oil Company 

(OOC). 

The two-day campaign aims at 

presenting the investment opportunities, 

incentives and tax exemptions, 

in addition to reviewing the available 

opportunities in a number of ar- 

eas, such as logistic services, tourism 

projects, isheries and petrochemical 

industries, as well as the existing 

projects, such as the dry dock, the 

port and the reinery. 

The Preparatory Committee, in 

conjunction with the Sultanate's 

Embassy in Turkey, invited Turkish 

businessmen and media to attend 

the event. 

An exhibition, Asala, by families running livelihood projects, opened in Adam yesterday. The two-day 

exhibition, held at Al Bashayir Club, is being organised by the Businesswomen’s Forum Committee. It was 

opened by Shaikh Awadh bin Abdullah al Mantheri, Wali of Adam. — ONA 

are government and 26 are private, 

with the total number of students 

during the same period standing at 

90,994 of whom 91 per cent study 

within the Sultanate. 

The second theme dealt with the 

role of the Higher Education Admission 

Centre and challenges it faces in 

terms of regulating access to higher 

education, admission to the undergraduate, 

the statistical system and 

the challenges facing the Centre, in 

terms of the results scored at the 

general education diploma, the reluctance 

to read the student handbook 

and programme choices and 

applications from abroad and turnover 

of human resources career. 

The third theme addressed the 

Colleges of Applied Sciences in the 

Sultanate and the Ministry's vision 

of these colleges, the important implemented 

projects, under implementation 

and the future projects, 

the strategic plan 2020 for the Colleges 

of Applied Sciences that aim 

to draw future policies for these colleges 

with respect to curricula and 

improve the quality and alignment 

with labour market needs. 

The 4th theme reviewed and 

evaluate the private higher education, 

its criteria, academic afiliation, 

its teaching staff and the opening 

of branches of foreign universities 

through several topics discussed by 

the theme, most notably the quality 

of education in the private higher 

education institutions, the alignment 

of their outputs with the needs 

of the labour market and standards 

of licensing private higher education 

institutions. 

The 5th theme discussed internal 

and external scholarships and study 

grants for students and post-graduate 

scholarships, as the number of 

internal scholarships and grants in 

the academic year 2012/2013 stood 

at 9,738 compared with 3,580 in the 

academic year 2010/2011 with an 

increase of 218 per cent. 

As for the external scholarship, 

the discussion covered the government's 

focus on increasing opportunities 

to join higher education, as 

the external scholarships have been 

increased to 1,500 scholarships annually, 

as well as the existing scholarships. 

3 

The theme also reviewed the total 

number of new students in external 

scholarships and grants for the 

bachelor degree 1,395 students in 

the academic year 2012-2013, compared 

with 231 students per year 

2010-2011 which represents an increase 

of 503 per cent. 

The conditions of scholarship are 

based on the special requirements 

set by foreign universities for admission 

to various programmes and 

disciplines and the general conditions 

for applying for external scholarships. 

The Chairman of the Majlis 

Ash'shura gave the loor to the Majlis 

members to discuss with the minister 

the themes of the statement. 

The discussions included several 

issues and topics concerning higher 

education in the Sultanate and established 

strategies and future plans 

of the Ministry for the advancement 

and progress of this sector. 

Majlis Ash’shura will complete today 

the discussion of the statement 

of the Minister of Higher Education 

as 53 members have registered their 

names to debate the statement. 

— ONA 

Emphasis on comprehensive 

national manpower data base 

MUSCAT — The Public Authority for 

Manpower Register yesterday held 

a meeting under the auspices of 

Mohsen bin Khamis al Balushi, Adviser 

at the Ministry of Commerce 

and Industry and Chairman of the 

Board. 

The meeting discussed the Authority's 

plan, which was prepared 

by the executive body in accordance 

with the Royal Decree No 32/2013 

amending some of the articles related 

to the jurisdictions of the Authority. 

The CEO of the Authority presented 

the work plan which focuses 

on developing a comprehensive 

data base on the national manpower. 

This data base will include those 

on job and job-seekers. 

The plan included programmes 

that aim at expediting the process 

of obtaining employee data. 

The plan included many proposals 

the most important of which 

was to develop a data base at different 

sector for easy reference. 

The meeting stressed the importance 

of conducting studies and 

surveys to assess Omanisation in 

the different sectors. 

The plan, whose main aim is to 

develop a manpower data base, 

enhance HR planning polices and 

maximise the beneits by absorbing 

them in the local market, included 

a recommendation to establish a 

department for registering individ- 

uals from amongst craftsmen and 

entrepreneurs and all those who 

may be classiied under the nonregularised 

economic activities. 

The plan focuses on the importance 

of the Authority's presence 

at the discussions on training and 

rehabilitation of job-seekers and 

Omanisation plans at the different 

sectoral committees. 

The plan also reviewed the online 

link, implemented by the Authority 

in collaboration with the 

ITA. 

The system is expected to be 

initiated in two months. It also reviewed 

the technical co-operation 

programme with the ILO on the 

functions of the Authority. — ONA

4 

OMAN 

Port Services Corporation yesterday honoured some of its personnel who distinguished themselves over the 

past one year. The ceremony was presided over by Tourism Minister Ahemd bin Nasser al Mehrazi. — ONA 

1st Extraordinary Women Conference in June 

MUSCAT — Empowerment and advancement 

of Omani women is one 

of the top national priorities in the 

Government of Oman's Vision 2020 

which outlines the role of the Government 

in strengthening the position of 

women in society, their role in various 

sectors and their overall development. 

In supporting equal footing between 

men and women and upgrading 

the status of women in the country, 

the Sultanate will host the 1st 

Extraordinary Women Conference 

2013, organised by OITE Conferences 

and to be held on June 24 and 25 at 

the Grand Hyatt Muscat. 

Themed 'Strengthening the Capacity 

and Capabilities of Omani Women 

in the Economic and Social Development 

Process', the conference aims to 

facilitate the integration of women in 

the complete economic and social development 

process. The conference 

promises to live up to its name and 

stand out as an extraordinary event 

putting inluential local and global 

women from different walks of life 

in the spotlight and providing them 

a platform for bringing about change 

both in their lives and the community. 

The conference will be attended by 

senior government and UN oficials, 

and corporate executives including 

corporate leaders (chairman, CEOs, 

managing directors, general managers), 

development oficials from government 

organisations concerned, 

women entrepreneurs, women associations, 

women professionals (all 

sectors), youth/students, consultants 

and trainers, academia and the media. 

Through the conference sessions, 

power packed presentations, panel 

discussions and networking, attendees 

may learn from the success stories 

of local and global women leaders, 

executives and entrepreneurs 

who will cover aspects related to career 

and outlook reinvention, funding 

entrepreneurial pursuits and balancing 

business and family. 

The conference will also highlight 

and honour extraordinary women 

who have contributed to the social 

and economical development of the 

country. 

A display area relating to the overall 

event theme will be available for 

supporters and sponsors of the conference 

and other companies interested 

in showcasing their products, 

services and initiatives to a large 

number of attendees and senior of- 

icials. 

Three-month ban on 6 types of ish 

MUSCAT — The Ministry of Agriculture 

and Fisheries has banned the 

export of six types of isheries with 

effect from July 1 till the end of September 

this year to help maintain 

stocks for sale in the local market this 

summer. 

The Ministry limited the export of 

ive more types of ish and isheries 

to ifty per cent of the quantity available 

locally. The ban and control on 

Oman on Arab Scouting Committee 

ALGIERS — The Arab Scouting Regional 

Conference (ASRC) elected the 

Sultanate as a member of the Arab 

Scouting Committee (ASC) at the 

elections held on the side-lines of the 

27th ASRC which is being held at the 

Conferences Palace in the Algerian 

capital under the theme ‘Scouting and 

Proactive Citizenship’. 

The election of the Sultanate as a 

member of the ASC was the result of 

the accomplishments by the Omani 

Scouts and its leading role in supporting 

the Arab scouting activities and 

its positive participation and interaction 

with all Arab and international 

activities. 

On the other hand, the conference's 

sessions continued for the 

second day to review the activities 

ishery export has been imposed due 

to a usual recession in the volume of 

catch every year. To this effect, Agriculture 

and Fisheries Minister Dr 

Fuad bin Jaafar al Sajwani issued a 

decision banning the export of tuna, 

king ish, Al Sahwa, Al Anqad, Al Kofar 

and some types of crayish. The 

decision instructs the owners of ish 

marketing and transport companies 

and establishments in the business to 

of the Arab Scouting Organisation 

(ASO) in the coming three years, the 

date of the meeting, as the Sultanate 

reviewed its preparations for hosting 

the 16th International Scouting Meeting 

to exchange cultures and get acquainted 

with civilisations, organised 

by the Sultanate from September 4 to 

14. 

Khalid bin Ali al A'di, Director of 

Scouting Department, gave a presentation 

on the meeting, saying that 

it is a glorious activity that is organised 

by ASO with the participation of 

young leaders from different regions 

of the global scouting movement, 

as 50 countries are expected to participate 

in the meeting, stressing that 

the Sultanate's organisation of the 

meeting is in line with the directives 

market an equal quantity of exportbanned 

ishery during this period 

against licence for export of the ive 

types of Al Shaari, Al Ashkhali, Al 

Aqam, Al Habs and Al Hamour. 

The decision exempts the ishery 

types that are regularly canned provided 

the exporter gets a licence and 

a quality control certiicate from the 

department concerned at the Ministry. 

of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to promote 

the Sultanate's cultural role in 

communication between civilisations 

and cultures and the role of youth in 

global peace, besides the role of these 

meetings in promoting fraternal ties 

between scouts around the world 

and the exchange of experiences and 

promoting cultural heritage of the 

Sultanate. 

He added that the 16th International 

Scouting meeting for the exchange of 

cultures and civilisations will be held 

in the Sultanate under the theme ‘Our 

Heritage is a Bridge to Understanding 

and Future-Building’. The programme 

will be organised in the Governorates 

of Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, South Al 

Sharqiyah, Dhofar and Musandam. 

— ONA 


MUSCAT — An Omani state-ofthe-art 

technology that will rede- 

ine the cycling habits that most of 

us are used to is in the designing 

stage in Europe and will soon hit 

the world market with a bang. 

The new bicycle, named 

‘Equibiks’ aims at healthy cycling 

with equal balancing to the riders’ 

both legs and treats the cyclists 

with multiple gears to provide ease 

of riding. 

“I’m just following the paths of 

Mathematics and Physics and if 

you can prove something with the 

help of both these sciences, nothing 

can go wrong,” Ibrahim Khamis 

Rashid al Nuamani, a Petroleum 

Engineer and Team Leader, Planning 

Department with Daleel Petroleum, 

who will soon hit the 

international market with his modern 

bicycle told the Observer. 

Ibrahim, who graduated in 

Mathematics and Physics from 

the Portsmouth University in the 

UK before he joined Daleel was an 

avid cyclist and used to ride from 

his Athaiba house till The Wave 

every day. Soon he found a pain 

developing on his leg and also 

found that the pain happened only 

when he used his bicycle. The next 

he started exploring the reason 

behind this. After several experiments 

with his and his children’s 

bicycles, he came to the conclusion 

that the bicycles were not properly 

balanced or in other words, the 

force that we put in while pedaling 

should be equally distributed. 

“In my bicycle, as you can see, 

the central hub which is in the 

middle crank will balance power 

while the force that we apply will 

be equally distributed among the 

two sets of chains to make the 

cycle move. It is the twin chains 

that make the foremost difference. 

The idea is simple — if you 

don’t balance your wheels at the 


Omani to roll out new bicycle 

designated centre often; you can 

very well feel the difference at the 

steering while you are behind the 

wheels”. 

‘Equibiks’, one in the series of 

his various inventions, will soon 

see as many as 300 similar ones 

across the world once the designing 

in the Europe is over and sent 

to the production centre in Taiwan. 

He claims that with this design, 

if one rides the bicycle, he/ 

she can be 100 per cent sure that 

the force that you are applying 

on either side will be the same 

and riding will be a healthy and 

smoother one. He has plans of 

making 300 bicycles in the initial 

stage which will be supplied in 

both Oman and in Taiwan. 

He has no second thoughts as 

to its acceptability as everyone is 

bothered about their own health 

and wellness in their busy schedules. 

“At a time when all of us are 

sparing no stones unturned in 

keeping our physique healthy 

and it I am pretty sure that these 

bicycles would be received by the 

world with open arms”. 

$30m deal to boost manufacturing 

From page 1 

Furthermore, by the end of the 

contract period, the majority of these 

should be manufactured in Oman. 

PDO Technical Director Amran al 

Marhubi said: “The aim of the contract 

is to develop an Omani supply 

and manufacturing capability which 

can service oil and gas companies 

not only in the Sultanate but also 

abroad. 

“We hope this deal with Schlumberger 

will be a catalyst in that it will 

encourage local entrepreneurs to invest 

in new plant and labour because 

we are committed to using them if 

they meet our technical, commercial 

and safety standards. 

“This rock-solid commitment is 

good news for domestic businesses 

who we believe can deliver highquality 

goods on time and on budget 

and is a further extension of our ICV 

policy which will hopefully see a lot 

more contracts awarded to Omani 

businesses in the years ahead.” 

The contract, which has an option 

for a two-year extension, will cover 

the provision, manufacturing and reconditioning 

of gas-lift materials and 

low-end completions (components) 

such as mandrels, packers, valves, 

Ibrahim al Nuamani 

Ahmed bin Hassan al Dheeb, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, visited yesterday a 

number of fuel illing stations on Nizwa-Salalah road. He was updated on the status of these stations and the 

services provided by them, such as restaurants, coffee shops, guest houses and vehicle maintenance service. — ONA 

casings, tubing and plugs to be used 

mainly in PDO’s northern ields at 

Qarn Alam, Fahud, Saih Rawl, Saih 

Nihayda and Lekhwair. 

Gary Bremner, Finance Director of 

Schlumberger (Oman), said: “We are 

very pleased to be able to support 

the development of manufacturing in 

Oman by Omani companies. We have 

been in Oman since 1955 and this is 

our biggest long-term commitment 

to develop local manufacturers.” 

He added: “We have a team of 

technical and manufacturing experts 

who have been assigned the task of 

supporting local Omani suppliers in 

developing the capabilities necessary 

for manufacturing these goods. 

Through Schlumberger’s regional 

and global presence in the oil and 

gas industry we will be able to potentially 

open up new markets for 

Omani suppliers. The Omani suppliers 

can be assured a steady stream 

of orders which will enable them to 

plan and expand current capacity by 

investing in the development of local 

talents and machinery.”


Activists of People's Youth Organisation gather at a rally in Karachi yesterday. People's Youth Organisation, a youth wing of Pakistan 

People's Party, staged a rally to express their loyalty to the federation and peace in this restive port city of Karachi. — AFP 

PPP may vote for Nawaz Sharif as PM 

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan People’s 

Party (PPP) is likely to vote for 

Nawaz Sharif during his election as 

prime minister in the National Assembly 

next week, but the Pakistan 

Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) will deinitely 

not. 

A top PPP leader said that his 

party was likely to vote for Nawaz 

Sharif, who would in any case be 

elected as prime minister with a 

thumping majority. “We will not be 

opposing him unnecessarily.” 

He said that way back in March 

2008 the PML-N extended its backing 

for the unchallenged election of 

Yusuf Raza Gilani as the prime minister. 

At the time, all parliamentary 

forces voted for him. 

“It is absolutely certain that we 

will not support Nawaz Sharif, and 

we can’t due to our clear policy,” a 

senior PTI leader, however, said before 

going into the inaugural meeting 

of his party’s parliamentary 

group. 

The obvious PTI decision rules 

out the possibility of unanimous 

election of Nawaz Sharif. It is obviously 

improbable for the PTI to opt 

for the PML-N chief considering the 

aggressive views of its Chairman 

Imran Khan against him since long. 

However, the two sides have 

stopped an aggressive exchange of 

bitter words against each other af- 

ter the May 11 elections. 

PTI has repeatedly declared that 

it would prove in the National Assembly 

that it was the real opposition 

and give the government a 

tough time on key issues. 

While the PPP is inclined to reciprocate 

the ive-year old PML-N 

gesture, the strategy of its ally, 

the Muttahida Qaumi Movement 

(MQM), which is the fourth largest 

group in the National Assembly 

with 18 seats, is not yet clear. 

Immediately after the announcement 

of the poll results, MQM chief 

Altaf Hussain offered congratulation 

to Nawaz Sharif, but a few days 

later also lauded the PML-N presi- 

Families sit around a river canal on a hot day in Lahore yesterday. Temperatures dropped by three to four 

degrees Celsius in many cities because of the westerly wave over upper parts of the country, but it was still too 

hot to tolerate especially in the afternoon in Lahore. — AFP 

Many independent winners join parties 

PESHAWAR — Twelve of the 14 independent 

members-elect of Pakistan's 

northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 

Assembly have submitted afidavits 

to the Election Commission of Pakistan 

(ECP) regarding their joining of 

political parties. 

Nine of them joined Pakistan 

Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) increasing its 

strength in the House to 44. 

ECP had ixed May 25 as the last 

day to submit afidavits by successful 

candidates for joining a political 

party. 

Thereafter, it will add the number 

of the candidates joining them to the 

total tally of the respective parties’ 

seats won in the May 11 elections for 

allotment of reserved seats for women 

and non-Muslims in the provincial 

assembly. 

Provincial Election Commissioner 

Sono Khan Baloch said that after 

completion of the process of the independent 

candidates joining political 

parties, ECP was likely to allot reserved 

seats to political parties. 

He said the seats in question 

would be illed on the basis of proportional 

representation in accordance 

with the general seats possessed 

by a party. 

The provincial election commissioner 

said political parties had already 

submitted priority lists of 

their candidates for seats reserved 

for women and non-Muslim in the 

provincial assembly as well as seats 

reserved for women in the National 

Assembly from the province. 

Under the Constitution, if an independent 

MNA or MPA joins a political 

party within three days after issuance 

of the gazette notiication of the returned 

candidates, his or her seat will 

be counted among general seats won 

by the said political party and will be 

counted for the purpose of illing reserved 

seats. 

It also states 22 seats are reserved 

for women and three for non-Muslim 

in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, 

while and eight seats are reserved 

for women in the National Assembly 

from the province. There are 99 general 

seats in the provincial assembly. 

Of the 14 independent MPAs-elect, 

nine have formally joined PTI, while 

one joined Pakistan Muslim League- 

Nawaz, Qaumi Watan Party of Aftab 

Ahmad Sherpao and Swabi-based 

Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan 

each. 

Those who submitted afidavits 

of joining PTI include Amjid Khan 

Afridi, Malik Qasim Khan Khattak, 

Fareed Khan, Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani, 

Haji Qalander Khan Lodhi, Abdul 

Haq Khan, Samiullah Alizai, Israrullah 

Khan Ghandapur and Shah Muhammad 

Khan, while Sardar Zahoor 

Ahmad joined PML-N, Gohar Nawaz 

Khan QWP and Abdul Munim Khan 

AJIP. 

Now, the strength of political parties 

in the provincial assembly is as: 

PTI 44, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl 

and PML-Nawaz 13 each, QWP eight, 

Jamaat-i-Islami seven, Awami National 

Party and AJIP four each, PPP three 

and Musharraf-led All Pakistan Muslim 

League one. 

The two returned candidates left 

as independent are Imran Khan from 

PK-27, Mardan and Jawed Akbar 

Khan from PK-68, Dera Ismail Khan. 

Keeping in view the number of 

general seats of political parties, it is 

expected that PTI will get 10 of the 

22 reserved seats for women in the 

provincial assembly, JUI-F and PML-N 

three each, QWP and JI two seats each 

and ANP and AJIP one each. 

dent’s ‘balanced’ approach towards 

certain national issues. 

But still there is a possibility 

that the MQM may go with the PPP 

if the latter decided to vote for Nawaz 

Sharif. 

On the eve of the election of the 

prime minister, there is no co-ordination, 

not even minor contacts, 

between the two main opposition 

blocs, the PPP and PTI, to follow a 

joint strategy. 

The lone member of the Awami 

Muslim League (AML), Shaikh 

Rashid Ahmed, who owes his victory 

from Rawalpindi after a long 

time to PTI’s assistance, is likely to 

stand with Imran Khan. 

Sindh Assembly 

session on 

Wednesday 

KARACHI — Sindh province 

governor has summoned 

the provincial assembly 

to meet in here on 

Wednesday. 

The newly elected 

members will take oath of 

their membership at the 

irst session of the new 

provincial assembly. 

The outgoing Speaker 

Nisar Ahmad Khoro will 

administer oath to 104 

newly elected members. 

Although the Sindh 

Assembly has 168 seats, 

including 130 general 

seats and special seats of 

minorities and females, 

but so far 104 members 

list has been received by 

the Sindh Assembly Secretariat. 

Speaker and deputy 

speaker would also be selected. 

— Internews 

Over 40m get 

CNICs in 5 years 

ISLAMABAD — The 

Computerised National 

Identity Cards registration 

in the National Database 

and Registration 

Authority (NADRA) has 

increased by 73 per cent 

since 2008, which resulted 

in higher turnout of 

55 per cent voters in the 

elections. 

The number of CNIC 

holders, according to 

Nadra, has reached 

around 94.36 million 

against almost 54.1 million 

in 2008 according to 

the latest data of Nadra. 

There are over 

53.28 million men 

and 41.08 million 

women CNIC holders 

as compared with 

nearly 33.3 million 

men and 20.8 women 

CNIC holders in 2008. 

According to Nadra 

the ratio of women CNIC 

holders increased at the 

rate of 94 per cent during 

the period under review. 

PAKISTAN 

5 

Fakhruddin to continue 

as election panel chief 

ISLAMABAD — Justice (reted) Fakhruddin 

G Ebrahehim, 85 is determined to continue 

his stint as Chief Election Commissioner 

(CEC) even after having conducted the 

biggest challenge of holding 2013 general 

election amid speculations. 

He is believed to be the oldest ever 

chief poll oficer in Pakistan’s history. All 

the four Election Commission Members 

(ECMs) are also retired judges and over 60 

years of age, as a serving judge can’t be the 

CEC or an ECM. Though, there have been 

voices of rigging from almost all political 

parties, the CEC has dropped no hint of fatigue 

or intention to go home after leading 

the electoral body and the auxiliary staff in 

conducting the unique elections, wherein 

nearly 17.5 million youth cast their vote for 

the irst time. 

In his interaction with the media immediately 

after the elections, he proudly 

claimed the elections were held in free, fair 

and transparent manner, barring a few instances 

of irregularities. 

Under his leadership, the Election Commission 

has ordered recounting and repolling 

in a number of constituencies of the 

National Assembly and provincial assemblies 

after hearing the parties concerned. 

“These measures relect the ECP and the 

CEC’s resolve to ensure no rigging tainted 

individual enters an legislature,” a source 

close to him, maintained. 

Ebrahim will leave for a ive day visit of 

Mauritius from May 26, where he will attend 

a symposium besides having interactions 

with top electoral experts from several 

countries, including India. 

“Chief Sahib is determined to continue 

with his job, leading us from the front, 

as there are some very crucial tasks to be 

done for which we also want him to lead 

us,” remarked a senior ECP oficial. 

After the notiication of the returned 

candidates of the National Assembly and 

the four provincial assemblies, the Election 

Commission is poised for another crucial 

stage of holding several bye-elections. 

The CEC will also be around when President 

Asif Zardari completes his ive-year 

term in September and someone, most 

probably from PML-N, will replace him. 

Another phase due in next few months 

is to conduct the local government election 

(that are overdue) either simultaneously in 

the four provinces or in phases as per the 

preparedness of the provinces. 

He was administered oath of ofice as 

the CEC in July last year after having been 

cleared by the parliamentary committee 

with consensus. He is from Sindh and his 

name was proposed by PML-N. 

He had vowed to conduct, free, fair, honest 

assumption of his ofice. How far did he 

succeed in his objective, only time will determine, 

though international observers in 

their initial reports have found the polls to 

be, free, fair and transparent. — Internews

6 

AL SHUNAH — US Secretary of State 

John Kerry yesterday said an economic 

plan to revive the ailing Palestinian 

economy is expected to produce 

around $4 billion in investment. 

“We are looking to mobilise some 

$4 billion of investment” in tourism 

construction, Kerry told the closing 

session of the World Economic Forum, 

held in the Jordanian town of 

Al Shunah on the shores of the Dead 

Sea. 

Kerry said business experts had 

been working to make the project 

“real, tangible and shovel-ready”. 

He added the preliminary results 

of their analysis were “stunning” and 

showed the plan would “dramatically” 

bring life to the economy. 

“These experts believe we will 

increase the Palestinian GDP by as 

much as 50 per cent over three years. 

“The most optimistic estimates 

foresee enough new jobs to cut unemployment 

by two-thirds to eight 

per cent down from 21 per cent and 

to increase the median wage by 40 

per cent,” said the top US diplomat. 

Kerry has entrusted Quartet Middle 

East peace envoy Tony Blair with 

the task of drawing up an economic 

plan to attract tourism and private 

sector investment into the West Bank 

and breathe fresh hope into the area. 

Blair has already been working 

with Coca-Cola chief executive 

Muhtar Kent on ways of attracting 

investment into the depressed West 

Bank. 

Blair “is shaping what I believe 

could be a ground-breaking plan... 

that will transform the fortunes of a 

REGION 

Plan looks to 

inject $4 bn 

in Palestine 

future Palestinian state,” said Kerry. 

“It is a plan for the Palestinian 

economy that is bigger, bolder and 

more ambitious than anything proposed 

since Oslo,” he added in reference 

to the 1993 peace accords. 

The West Bank had seen a moderate 

growth in recent years only to 

be set back by Israeli and Western 

moves to stall aid following the Palestinian 

bid for upgraded UN status. 

In a separate initiative unveiled at 

the World Economic Forum, held in 

the Jordanian town of Shunah on the 

shores of the Dead Sea, some 200 Israeli 

and Palestinian executives from 

some large businesses urged their 

governments to move towards a twostate 

solution. 

Kerry was on his second trip to 

Jordan in ive days, after marathon 

talks on the crisis in Syria with 10 

foreign ministers from the Friends of 

Syria group. 

He was expected to meet again 

with Palestinian leader Mahmud 

Abbas during his new stay in Amman, 

after the two men met for more than 

two hours on Thursday in Ramallah 

to discuss the way forward in the 

stalled Middle East peace process. 

"It takes courage, vision and determination 

to stand together and to 

demand the breaking of the impasse 

between our two nations," said Munib 

Masri, chair of the Palestinian 

group of Breaking the Impasse. 

"Palestinians yearn for freedom, 

dignity and independence from occupation 

and we see no good coming 

from the current impasse except the 

perils of future conlict." — AFP 

Members of the Palestinian security forces take part in a training 

session in the West Bank city of Hebron. — Reuters 

Egypt urged to act 

swiftly on reforms 

ADDIS ABABA — US Secretary of 

State John Kerry urged Egypt to act 

swiftly on economic reforms to secure 

a $4.8 billion International Monetary 

Fund loan, saying the measures 

were needed to get further aid from 

the US Congress, an American oficial 

said. 

Kerry met Egyptian President 

Mohamed Mursi for about an hour 

on the sidelines of an African Union 

summit, discussing Syria's civil war, 

the Israeli-Palestinian conlict, human 

rights in Egypt and the country's 

faltering economy, the oficial said. 

Egypt's government has been 

resistant to introducing the austerity 

measures needed to win the IMF 

funding, including raising taxes and 

cutting fuel subsidies, fearing such 

painful reforms could provoke social 

unrest. 

However, an IMF deal could help 

shore up investor and donor concerns 

after two years of political instability 

since 2011. The instability 

has depressed tourism, a crucial industry 

for Egypt. 

The US oficial, who spoke on condition 

of anonymity, said Kerry had 

made the argument that the reforms 

were necessary to persuade American 

lawmakers to proceed with further 

economic support for the country. 

"He urged action on making re- 

forms happen now to move towards 

requirements to get the IMF package," 

the oficial said. 

During his irst visit to Cairo as 

secretary of state, on March 3, Kerry 

told Mursi the United States would 

provide the irst $190 million of $450 

million in pledged budget support 

because of Mursi's commitment to 

see the IMF process through. 

The remainder, however, would 

depend on the economic reforms, a 

point Kerry made again in the Ethiopian 

capital. 

"He said ... we need to be able to 

show Congress that you have taken 

the necessary reforms," said the of- 

icial. "I have been a strong advocate 

of support for Egypt. I continue to 

support aid for Egypt, but ... we need 

to see reforms in place that will encourage 

my former colleagues back 

at home to act." 

Kerry served in the US Senate for 

nearly 30 years before becoming the 

country's top diplomat on February 

1. 

Egypt has in recent years received 

about $1.3 billion in military aid from 

Washington, support that dates back 

to its signing of a peace treaty with 

Israel more than 30 years ago. That 

assistance, however, is not seen as 

contingent on Egyptian economic reform. 

— Reuters 

Syrian forces during an operation occupy Dahra Abd Rabbo village in Aleppo yesterday. — Reuters 

EU faces Syria sanctions crunch 

BRUSSELS — The European Union may end this 

week either helping Syrian opposition or the Damascus 

government they detest, depending on how 

EU ministers resolve differences over a package of 

sanctions on Syria that is about to lapse. 

At a meeting in Brussels today, the main EU military 

powers, Britain and France, will argue forcefully 

for easing some of that embargo to help channel 

weapons to opposition ighting President Bashar al 

Assad. But Austria, Sweden and several others will 

defend maintaining the sanctions across the board. 

Failure to ind a compromise could mean the 

entire package simply vanishes when it expires on 

Saturday, June 1 — London has already raised the 

stakes by threatening to veto a full renewal. 

But it is unlikely the EU will offer such a shot in 

the arm to Assad by giving up on measures intended 

to cripple his government's ability to trade and 

Security forces 

targeted as Iraq 

violence kills 12 

BAGHDAD — Attacks mostly targeting 

members of Iraq's security 

forces killed 12 people yesterday, 

the latest in an increase in violence 

in a country only a few years 

removed from a brutal sectarian 

war. 

The violence comes amid myriad 

political rows and fears that civil 

war in neighbouring Syria could 

spill over into Iraq and plunge the 

country further into crisis. 

The worst of yesterday’s attacks 

targeted security forces, with 

bombings and gunire killing four 

policemen in and around the main 

northern city of Mosul and three 

soldiers in the western province of 

Anbar, oficials said. 

Analysts say the demonstrations, 

coupled with the authorities' 

response to them that protesters 

have deemed inadequate, 

have given armed groups fuel and 

room to manoeuvre. 

In Baghdad, meanwhile, separate 

gun attacks killed ive people, 

including a policeman. 

Iraq is struggling to contain a 

wave of violence that has killed 

more than 440 people so far this 

month — the second month in a 

row in which more than 400 people 

have died in unrest. 

The violence has decreased 

from its peak in 2006 and 2007, 

but attacks remain common, killing 

at least 200 people each month 

so far this year. — AFP 

TRIPOLI — Libya's national assembly 

yesterday approved a new interior 

minister after the incumbent submitted 

his resignation amid a rise in violence 

in the North African country. 

Prime Minister Ali Zeidan last 

week nominated Tripoli police colonel 

Mohammed Khalifa al Shaikh to 

take over from Ashour Shuail, after 

the latter said he would quit his post 

for "personal reasons", oficial sources 

said. 

Shuail, former police chief in the 

eastern city of Benghazi, was named 

interior minister late last year to 

raise money and also to curb the movements and 

personal wealth of his family and conidants. 

EU oficials see compromise — possibly by delaying 

an easing of the arms embargo until after 

peace talks or by limiting the types of weapon allowed 

and which rebel groups may receive them. 

"I think everyone is manoeuvring here," said 

Shashank Joshi at London think-tank the Royal 

United Services Institute. 

"The Brits are very keen to show they will take 

this quite far. Will they actually pull the trigger? 

Will they get rid of the entire apparatus of sanctions 

and asset freezes that this entails? I am not so 

sure." 

The debate over the arms embargo has gained 

urgency because of recent military gains by Assad's 

troops against opposition whose political goal in 

ending the Assad’s rule the 27-nation European 

BAGHDAD — Syrian Foreign Minister 

Walid Muallem landed in Baghdad 

yesterday for talks with Iraqi Prime 

Minister Nuri al Maliki, as Iraqi authorities 

searched a Syria-bound aircraft, 

oficials said. 

It was unclear how long the visit 

would last and whether Muallem 

would meet with any other Iraqi of- 

icials. 

"The foreign minister of Syria, Walid 

Muallem, arrived in Baghdad at the 

tackle Libya's biggest domestic policy 

challenge — establishing a legitimate, 

effective national police force. 

However, armed violence persists 

in wide areas of the oil-producing 

state. 

Ninety-nine out of 124 congress 

members present at the yesterday’s 

session voted to approve Sheikh as 

the new minister, the assembly's media 

ofice said. 

"Shaikh is a professional policeman 

and had positive relations with 

the revolutionaries which is good," 

one congress member, who declined 

head of a Syrian delegation," a senior 

government oficial said. "He will 

meet Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki." 

His visit came as Iraqi authorities 

searched a Syria-bound Airbus 

aircraft that had lown from Moscow 

into Iraq, Nasser Bandar, the head of 

Iraq's civil aviation authority, said. 

No prohibited items were found, 

Bandar said. 

Iraq has sought to publicly avoid 

siding either with Syrian President 

to be named, said after the vote. 

"His CV looks good on paper and 

he explained his plan well." 

Shaikh, from Tripoli's eastern 

Souq al Jumaa neighbourhood, previously 

worked in various police stations 

in the capital and taught at a 

training academy before the 2011 

war broke out. 

He is said to have been in charge 

of the Tripoli operations room after 

the capital fell to revolutionary ighters 

in August 2011. He later worked 

in the interior ministry and became 

an adviser to the leader of the nation- 


Union has endorsed diplomatically. 

Opponents say taking a decision now to allow 

arms to be sent to the rebels could undermine next 

month's planned international peace conference, 

sponsored by the United States and Russia, and 

they are using this as an argument to extend the 

full embargo. 

Britain and France say they have no immediate 

plan to arm the opposition but argue that easing 

the EU embargo would strengthen the hand of the 

West and the opposition in the negotiations. 

Austria has warned that it could stop patrolling 

the UN ceaseire line on the Golan Heights between 

Israel and Syria if the EU arms embargo were lifted; 

Vienna says that the EU would be putting its troops 

at risk by making the European Union a military 

ally of one side in Syria’s civil war. — Reuters 

Syrian FM on surprise visit to Baghdad 

Bashar al Assad or opposition forces, 

but Baghdad has been accused by 

Western governments of turning a 

blind eye to lights allegedly carrying 

military equipment to Syrian forces. 

The more than two-year conlict 

in Syria has reportedly left more than 

94,000 people dead. 

Iraq on Saturday launched a massive 

operation to better secure its 

western desert amid concerns it is 

being used by insurgents. — AFP 

Jordan’s Queen Rania meets with air stewardesses after attending the plenary session called ‘A New Vision 

for Arab Employment’ on the second day of the World Economic Forum yesterday. — Reuters 

Libyan congress approves new interior minister 

al congress on security matters. 

Libya is awash with weapons and 

armed attacks have increased in recent 

weeks, especially on police stations 

in Benghazi. Last month a car 

bomb devastated France's embassy 

in Tripoli, wounding two French 

guards. 

Shuail has not publicly spoken 

about leaving, but his move came after 

congress passed a law banning 

anyone who held a senior post under 

former government, regardless 

of their part in toppling the government. 

— Reuters


Protected by riot police oficers, demonstrators carrying Japanese lags march in a protest against crimes caused by foreign residents in Japan at the 

Shinjuku shopping district in Tokyo yesterday. — AFP 

Foreign policy, trade top talks agenda 

BERLIN — Chinese Premier Li Keqiang 

arrived in Germany yesterday 

ahead of a planned visit with Chancellor 

Angela Merkel and amid growing 

trade tensions with the European 

Union. 

He started his visit in the city of 

Potsdam, where he was expected to 

meet local oficials and tour sites. 

When he heads to Berlin in the 

evening to meet Merkel, the two are 

expected to discuss business and 

foreign policy. He is also expected to 

meet with German President Joachim 

Gauck. 

The visit comes amid growing 

Chinese frustration with EU allegations 

that Li's country is looding the 

solar panel market with cheap prod- 

Hundreds rally against nuke referendum 

TAIPEI — Hundreds of Taiwanese 

protested in the capital Taipei yesterday 

over government plans to hold 

what they call an unfair referendum 

on the fate of a nearly-completed nuclear 

power plant. 

Chanting slogans like "Stop dangerous 

nuclear power", the protesters 

stood together in front of parliament 

to spell out the word "STOP" 

and held up black and yellow signs. 

The demonstration came a few 

days before the ruling Kuomintang 

party plans to push through a bill 

to host a nationwide referendum 

that will decide whether the island's 

fourth nuclear plant should be completed. 

A "No" vote would only be accepted 

if turnout reaches 50 per cent of 

the island's 18 million people, rather 

than a poll based on a simple majority. 

"Such a design is unfair," Liu Huimin, 

a spokeswoman for the protest, 

said. 

"Since so many people have 

voiced against the risky power plant, 

ucts in an attempt to drive competitors 

out of business. If the EU were 

to ind China guilty of such dumping, 

it could consider sanctions. 

China's Xinhua news agency, citing 

the Trade Ministry, reported yesterday 

that the Chinese government 

plans to begin direct negotiations 

with the EU on the matter today. 

The solar panel strife is set against 

the backdrop of an EU investigation 

into cheap Chinese telecommunications 

products imports, while China 

has begun an investigation into EU 

steel imports. 

During a speech in Switzerland, 

Li said the EU moves might hurt customers 

and lead to protectionism, 

reported Xinhua. He said countries 

the government should scrap the 

project instead," referring to several 

public surveys which indicated 

around 70 per cent of respondents 

opposed the plant. 

Concerns about the island's nuclear 

power plants have been mounting 

since the March 2011 Fukushima 

crisis in Japan. 

Taiwan lies near the junction of 

two tectonic plates and is regularly 

hit by earthquakes. In September 

need "stable" and "open" trade. 

Merkel will greet Li with military 

honours at her Berlin chancellery 

and afterwards hold talks set to 

cover the “whole breadth of our very 

intensive relations”, including trade, 

her spokesman said. 

“We must try for Europe and China 

to ind ways for amicable agreements, 

fair agreements on these 

(trade) issues which both sides can 

live with,” Steffen Seibert told a regular 

government news conference on 

Friday. 

The German-Chinese trade relationship 

is an “almost perfect symbiosis”, 

based on mutual need but is set 

to change as China becomes more of 

a competitor than a market for Ger- 

Chanting slogans like 'Stop dangerous nuclear power', hundreds of Taiwanese protesters stand together in 

front of the parliament in Taipei yesterday to spell out the word 'STOP' with yellow signs. — AFP 

Concerns about 

the island’s nuclear 

power plants have 

been mounting 

since the March 

2011 Fukushima 

crisis in Japan 

1999 a 7.6-magnitude quake killed 

around 2,400 people the deadliest 

natural disaster in the island's recent 

history. 

The controversial plant, in the 

coastal Kungliao district near Taipei, 

is about 90 per cent completed 

and due to come online in 2015, according 

to its operator the stateowned 

Taiwan Power Company 

(Taipower). 

Construction began in 1999 but 

the plant has been the subject of intense 

political wrangling ever since. 

In February Premier Jiang Yi- 

Huah said for the irst time that the 

government may support holding a 

referendum on its future amid growing 

public concern. 

Taipower says the island will face 

power shortages without a new nuclear 

plant. 

The three existing nuclear plants 

supply about 20 per cent of Taiwan's 

electricity. But the irst and second 

atomic plants and several other power 

stations are due to be shut down 

in the near future. — AFP 

many, according to Germany expert 

Hans Kundnani, of the European 

Council on Foreign Relations. 

While German motor vehicles and 

auto parts, machinery and electrical 

goods ind a vast export market in 

the world’s second-largest economy, 

China needs technology from Germany. 

German exports to China amounted 

to 66.6 billion euros ($86 billion) 

last year, according to oficial German 

data. 

“German manufacturers are increasingly 

going to be squeezed, I 

think, by competition from China, 

and you are starting to see that 

already,” the London-based expert 

said. — Agencies 

ASIA 

7 

TV channels balk at 'paying 

for censorship' in Vietnam 

HANOI — Not content with a 30minute 

delay on broadcasts of foreign 

television channels, communist 

Vietnam has introduced a new law 

which observers say could force media 

outlets such as the BBC and CNN 

to pay for their own censorship. 

The law, known as Decision 20, 

requires channels to apply for an editing 

licence with a government-approved 

local partner who will "prepare" 

— subtitle and edit — their 

content for a local audience, for an 

undisclosed fee. 

The country already bans private 

media and all newspapers and television 

channels are state-run. 

It has also long-censored foreign 

television channels, which are broadcast 

with a delay of up to 30 minutes 

to allow sensitive content to be cut. 

Decision 20, which came into 

force last week, briely saw dozens of 

foreign channels taken off air, as confusion 

over licensing requirements 

left local broadcasters fearing they 

would be penalised for breaking the 

law. 

As subscribers grumbled at the 

loss of favourite shows, experts pondered 

whether the move signalled a 

new campaign to control information 

in the country or if it was some 

kind of commercial ploy. 

Although the government has 

3 Chinese ships in disputed waters 

TOKYO — Three Chinese government 

ships sailed in waters around 

disputed islands controlled by Tokyo 

for about ive hours yesterday, Japan's 

coastguard said. 

The Chinese maritime surveillance 

vessels were spotted inside 

the 12-nautical-mile zone off the 

Senkaku islands, which China calls 

the Diaoyus, in the East China Sea 

shortly after 10:00 am (0100 GMT), 

the coastguard said. 

They left the zone at 3:14 pm, it 

said later. 

Territorial waters extend for a 

maximum of 12 nautical miles from 

coastlines under international law. 

The move was the latest in a long 

series of stand-offs between ships 

from both sides as Beijing and Tokyo 

previously said news content does 

not have to be subtitled, foreign 

channels fear they are the target of 

the new law. 

"The channels are concerned that 

(the law) appears to force them to 

contract somebody to censor their 

content," John Medeiros, Chief Policy 

Oficer at pay-tv industry body CAS- 

BAA said. 

Countries across the region, from 

China to Singapore, censor television 

content for political or moral reasons, 

but no other country demands 

channels enter into partnerships 

with state-employed "editors" — 

and cover the costs for the privilege. 

"For news channels... it sounds 

like censorship, with a capital C. That 

goes beyond what the news channels 

are prepared to do," Medeiros added. 

Many channels had not applied 

for editing licences when the legislation 

came into effect last week. 

Local broadcasters, led by K+, a 

joint venture with France's Canal+, 

swiftly dropped them fearing repercussions 

if they violated the edict. 

No news channels have yet been 

given editing licences, although 16 

other foreign channels have, CASBAA 

said. The BBC and CNN — which 

went off air for six days — both declined 

to tell whether they had already 

applied. — AFP 

jostle over ownership of the strategically 

important and resource-rich 

islands. 

A territorial row that dates back 

four decades reignited last September 

when Tokyo nationalised three 

islands in the chain, in what it said 

was a mere administrative change of 

ownership. 

The central government's move 

was intended to pre-empt a purchase 

by the Tokyo city government 

led at the time by nationalist governor 

Shintaro Ishihara. 

But the move prompted angry 

anti-Japan demonstrations across 

China, which has intensiied claims 

to the islands it says should have 

been "returned" after World War II. 

— AFP

8 

Hasan Kamoonpuri 

hkamoonpuri@yahoo.com 

Peaceful coexistence 

OMAN'S recent conferences on "Peaceful Coexistence and Human Rapprochement 

Week" came at a time when for the irst time in history several 

diverse civilisations are lourishing simultaneously yet the world 

remains full of injustice. 

The Sultanate holds that working and living peacefully together allows us 

to respect our differences, while embracing our similarities in order to break 

down barriers. This helps develop and deepen peaceful coexistence. 

The conference rightly emphasised that Islam stands for peaceful coexistence 

based on justice, human dignity, love and dialogue among civilisations. 

For Islam, human dignity is an inherent, inalienable and inviolable right of 

every human being. “And We have certainly honoured the children of Adam.” 

(Quran 17: 70). Similarly, the Glorious Quran highlights the common origin of 

mankind from Adam and Eve. 

In the Constitution of Madina, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave equal 

rights to all citizens irrespective of their faith, race or colour. Islam also holds 

that “People are of two kinds: either they are your brothers in faith or your 

equals in creation." 

As a result, the Gulf region is a shining beacon of peaceful coexistence. In 

Oman, the UAE, Iran, Kuwait and Qatar millions of expatriates of different 

faiths enjoy full religious freedom and dignity. 

To expand this at the world level, Islam favours dialogue among civilisations 

to ensure that international relations are based on mutual respect and 

understanding rather than force and exploitation. This means international institutions 

like the UN that safeguard peace must uphold justice, without which 

they cannot serve their purpose. World bodies fail in safeguarding peace when 

they become tools in the hands of a few hegemonic powers. 

We all must learn to coexist peacefully. This is, however, not to say that the 

oppressed should live with their oppressors, replacing resistance to injustice 

with peaceful coexistence. 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says a state or society can survive with kufr 

(unbelief) but not with zulm (injustice and oppression). 

The 65-year old gross injustice against Palestinians and Rohingyas in Myanmar 

are classic examples. Events in recent times have shown that the West 

needs to do more on preaching with their characters than by talking. 

Peaceful coexistence requires that we all recognise justice as one of the key 

virtues for the durability of a society’s social order. Much progress has been 

made in the ield of peaceful coexistence and yet much remains to be achieved. 

The right to full independence from all forms of oppression is a key part of 

peace among nations. 

Pope Francis, the irst non-European pope in 1,300 years, has urged members 

of all religions to unite to defend justice and peace. Stressing the need 

for peaceful coexistence of believers and non-believers, he said, “We feel the 

closeness also of those people who, while not belonging to any religious tradition, 

feel, however the need to search for the truth, and who are our precious 

allies in efforts to defend the dignity of man, and in the building of a peaceful 

coexistence between peoples.” 

In this context, India’s Panchsheel Treaty, is worth mentioning, which includes, 

mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, 

mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, 

equality and mutual beneit, and peaceful co-existence. 

Respecting different faiths and maintaining unity is central to securing 

peaceful coexistence, particularly where those who seek to misuse human 

rights for propaganda aim to destroy it. Nowhere is this felt more keenly than 

in pluralistic developing countries, where development and peace building between 

religious groups are the key stepping stones to the future. 

To sum up, all nations need to promote justice and oppose injustice and hegemony. 

This allows peaceful coexistence to be relevant, engaging and alive. 

No one should ever demand in the name of peaceful coexistence that the 

oppressed peoples and nations should give up their resistance and remain 

trapped in unjust conditions. 

SPANISH oficials tell a dramatic 

turnaround story: from nearbankruptcy 

a year ago to model 

of budget austerity and reform now. 

There are just two things missing: 

jobs and growth. And only one 

potential salvation: exports. 

Ministers reel off a litany of statistics 

to show how much has been 

achieved: the budget deicit has 

been cut from 11.2 per cent of GDP 

in 2009 to 6.98 per cent last year. 

Some 375,000 public sector jobs 

have gone, labour costs are down 

to 2005 levels and competitiveness 

has improved. 

Senior executives boast of how 

they have trimmed the bloated 

debts of their multinational conglomerates, 

hastily bolted together 

with abundant cheap money during 

the boom years. 

They have used new employerfriendly 

labour laws to shed jobs 

and costs; infrastructure group FCC 

uses ive teams of managers to run 

seven Spanish cement plants, for 

example, with managers travelling 

hundreds of kilometres between 

different sites. 

"Spain's adjustment is a work in 

progress," says Fernando Fernandez, 

Professor of Economics at the Insti- 

ANALYSIS 

tuto de Empresas business school. 

"There is institutional stability and 

a willingness to reform... but growth 

and employment remain elusive." 

Spain has a strong governing 

party with an absolute majority in 

parliament which need not face voters 

until late 2015. That's a sharp 

contrast to the uneasy coalitions 

constructed in Italy and Greece. 

In eye of US cyber storm 

DEPENDING on your point of 

view, US General Keith Alexander 

is either an Army 

four-star trying to stave off a 

cyber Pearl Harbour attack, or he 

is an overreaching spy chief who 

wants to eavesdrop on the private 

e-mails of every American. 

Alexander, 61, has headed the 

National Security Agency since 

2005, making him the longestserving 

chief in the history of an 

intelligence unit so secretive that 

it was dubbed "No Such Agency." 

Alexander also runs US Cyber 

Command, which he helped to 

create in 2010 to oversee the 

country's offensive and defensive 

operations in cyberspace. 

The dual role means Alexander 

has more knowledge about 

cyber threats than any other US 

oficial, since the NSA already 

protects the most sensitive US 

data, extracts intelligence from 

foreign networks and uses wiretaps 

to track terrorists. But it also 

puts the general at the centre of 

an intense debate over how much 

power the government should 

have to spy on private citizens in 

the name of protecting national 

security. 

"He's lasted as long as he has 

because he's focused and he's 

persistent. I've never heard him 

yell," said retired four-star general 

Michael Hayden, who was Alexander's 

predecessor at the NSA. 

"He doesn't spread himself too 

thin. He decides what's important 

The complaints voiced loudly 

across southern Europe are not echoed 

in Madrid: Spain's conservative 

government has no time for moans 

about unfeeling German domination 

of the euro zone or complaints 

about Berlin's supposed lack of understanding 

for the social problems 

austerity policies have unleashed. 

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's 

and puts his personal energy into 

those things." 

Raised near Syracuse, New 

York, Alexander graduated from 

West Point, the Army's elite training 

academy, in 1974. 

He had planned to serve in 

the military for just ive years but 

got hooked on the work when he 

served in Germany as an intelligence 

oficer, monitoring what he 

described as "sensitive issues on 

the border of East Germany and 

Czechoslovakia." 

After Germany, Alexander held 

a series of increasingly senior intelligence 

jobs and spent the irst 

Gulf war as a senior Army intelligence 

oficer in Saudi Arabia. 

During this time, he also earned 

four master's degrees, in electronic 

warfare, physics, business 

and national security studies. 

In 2005, after two years as the 

Army's top intelligence oficer, 

Alexander was tapped to replace 

Hayden at the helm of the NSA, 

where he continued to run a warrantless 

surveillance programme 

initiated after the September 11, 

2001 hijacking attacks. 

The programme, which bypassed 

a federal court that authorises 

domestic wiretapping, 

was irst revealed late in 2005, 

sparking lawsuits, congressional 

hearings, leak investigations and 

a furor that still dogs the agency 

— and Alexander — today. 

Against this backdrop, his push 

to expand the NSA's role in domestic 

cybersecurity has drawn 

criticism from privacy advocates, 

and sometimes put Alexander at 

odds with the White House and 

the Department of Homeland 

Security, according to current 

and former oficials. Alexander 

had wanted the NSA to control a 

government security programme 

to aid non-military companies 

against cyber threats, but others 

at DHS insisted — and ultimately 

prevailed — on civilian control of 

the project, these oficials said. 

Jane Holl Lute, who stepped 

down this month as No 2 at DHS, 

said she has had intense conversations 

with Alexander about 

the roles of their two agencies 

in improving cyber security. She 

declined to detail any differences 

of opinion, but said they were all 

judgment calls and she respected 

the general. 

"He pushed up his hill, and I 

pushed up mine, and what we 

came to was essentially two sides 

of the same hill," Lute said. 

"We didn't always call balls 

and strikes the same way. That 

does not mean he wasn't trying 

to get it right," she said. "I would 

challenge anyone who would 

question his integrity." 

Alexander, who told Reuters 

he plans to retire in the irst half 

of 2014, has presided over one 

of the busiest times in the NSA's 

61-year history, from tracking the 

cellphone calls that helped capture 

Osama bin Laden to drawing 

national attention to cybersecurity. 

He played a key role in shaping 

a series of recent cyber policy orders 

from the Obama administra- 

Alexander 

knows more 

about cyber 

threats than 

any other 

US oficial, 

since the NSA 

protects the 

most sensitive 

American data, 

writes Andrea 

Shalal-Esa 

tion. More controversial has been 

the NSA's construction of a $2 

billion data center in Utah, which 

has fanned concerns about the 

agency's expansive eavesdropping 

capabilities. 

NSA whistleblower William 

Binney, a former senior cryptomathematician, 

last year accused 

the agency of building the Utah 

facility to collect data on virtually 

every American, including private 

emails, cellphone calls and Google 

searches. 

Alexander told the Reuters 

Cybersecurity Summit that such 

claims about the Utah project are 

completely false. He rattled off a 

long list of agencies that oversee 

the NSA's work, including the Justice 

Department, White House 

and Congress. "Either all of them 

are complicit in us doing this or 

the allegations are absolute baloney. 

It's the latter," he said. 

According to Alexander, the 

NSA has its hands full keeping 

tabs on potential terrorists, and 

does not have the bandwidth to 

read the 420 billion e-mails generated 

by Americans each day 

— even though some foreign governments 

were trying to do that. 

"The great irony is we're the 

only ones not spying on the 

American people," he quipped. 

Alexander has tried to make 

the NSA appear more transparent, 

crisscrossing the country to 

talk about cyber issues. A gadget 

lover, Alexander is known to roll 

up his sleeves to become versant 

with the latest technologies. 

Two things missing on Spain's route to recovery 

Spain has a strong governing party 

with absolute majority which need 

not face voters until late 2015 and 

this is sharp contrast to the uneasy 

coalitions constructed in Italy and 

Greece, writes Michael Stott 

General Alexander speaking to reporters during the Reuters Cybersecurity Summit in Washington. 

A demonstrator carries a placard near the Puerta del Sol in central 

Madrid. — Reuters 


Popular Party, which has ties to the 

Catholic Church, also enjoys close 

ideological and personal links with 

Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian 

Democrat coalition in Berlin. 

German Finance Minister Wolfgang 

Schaeuble has agreed to guarantee 

jointly with Spain a new fund 

to lure in $5 billion of investment 

into Spain's capital-starved smaller 

companies. 

Despite nearly a year and a half of 

unbending austerity, Rajoy's party 

is still more popular than any other 

in Spain — if a poll rating of 28-29 

per cent can be called popular. That 

result partly relects the fracturing 

of the left, where the long-time governing 

Socialist Party PSOE has bled 

support to the United Left of communists, 

ecologists and republicans. 

But two clouds hang over the 

bright horizon seen by the Spanish 

ruling class. Record unemployment 

blights the government's record. 

The collapse of Spain's construction 

boom and the cuts to its public 

sector lie behind the alarming jobless 

numbers. Ministers argue the 

igures are not the threat to social 

stability they seem. They point out 

that the total number employed was 

similar to 2001.

Fear of housing bubble from easy financing 

Andy Jalil 

Foreign Correspondent 

AndyJalil@aol.com 


THE inluence of the property market can never be underestimated 

on the country’s economy as seen over 

the years with UK’s property boom as well as in the 

crashes that have occurred. 

The government’s recent ‘Help to Buy’ mortgage scheme, 

encouraging as it is for irst-time buyers in particular, it is a 

facility that must be offered with a degree of control. 

The plan to boost the housing market by giving those with 

insuficient savings a chance to get on the property ladder 

could have a serious effect on the market as a whole if not 

strictly monitored. 

Economists warn that it could make a dangerous new bubble 

and put public funds at risk. 

Under the Chancellor, George Osborne’s 

‘Help to Buy’ scheme buyers with a ive per cent 

of the purchase price as deposit — which used to be the usual 

criteria to obtain a mortgage — could see the next 15 per cent 

(as additionally preferred) guaranteed by the government, 

so that lending banks see them as artiicially lower-risk borrowers. 

But a new analysis from Fathom Consulting predicts this 

could send the property market “through the roof”. Combined 

with continued ultra-low interest rates, the company’s economists 

believe the scheme could push prices up 20 per cent by 

2015. 

Homeowners’ expectations of future house prices rose 

sharply last month buoyed by the prospect of the government 

housing scheme for mortgage lending and housing demand. 

Palestinian performer Mohammed Assaf during a rehearsal for Arab Idol talent show in the Lebanese city of Jounieh. — AFP 

EYES glued to big screens in cafes and restaurants 

across Gaza and the West Bank, 

adoring fans cheer on Mohammed Assaf 

as he sings his way closer to winning this year's 

Arab Idol song contest. 

Since March, the handsome, immaculately 

dressed 22-year-old Gazan's powerful voice has 

propelled him every weekend to the ranks of 

only seven remaining singers in a Beirut-based 

competition that started out with 27. 

In Gaza City and Ramallah alike, fans carry 

banners that urge viewers to text "number 3" 

to the Arab Idol hotline on their mobile phones, 

giving Assaf a vote. 

As with Pop Idol, the Western equivalent on 

which it is modelled, Arab Idol eliminates each 

week the singer with the fewest votes. Assad 

made it through again on Saturday night. 

"He deserves to win," said Maya, a 19-yearold 

supporter who watched the show at a cafe 

in Gaza, drinking coffee. "His voice is great and 

his presence even better; there's none like him!" 

"Assaf is competing to raise the proile of Palestine 

and Gaza. I support him and am proud 

he's from here," she added, smiling. 

Assaf, introduced on the programme as representing 

"Palestine," has featured prominently 

in the media and captured not only the popular 

imagination, but also that of prominent politicians. 

He has received a personal telephone call 

from Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, according 

to news agency WAFA, and has been 

endorsed on the Facebook page of caretaker 

premier Salam Fayyad. 

Assaf began his musical career singing Palestinian 

nationalist songs in his hometown of 

Khan Yunis and aired on Palestinian TV, and 

his choices of song on Arab Idol retain a political 

tinge. "Palestine, the north and south, two 

brothers in an Arab world," he sang on a recent 

instalment of the show, as the screaming studio 

audience held aloft traditional Palestinian headscarves, 

and a panel of judges that included 

Arab pop personalities clapped along. 

The competition on Arab Idol, which is 

broadcast from Beirut studios by the MBC, is 

stiff. Talented young singers from across the 

Arab world compete. 

They are optimistic about where their property value be in 18 

months’ time than at any point since mid-2010, with an index 

value of 62 — where 50 indicates no change — up from the 

58.4 level seen in the previous month. 

The dramatic rise in house prices now sees the average 

asking price in the UK at £249,841 while prices in London 

have now breached the half a million pounds level at 

£509,870 for the irst time according to Rightmove, a leading 

property website. 

That compares with an average of £469,314 a year ago and 

£493,635 in April. 

The rise, which will no doubt delight some homeowners, 

but cause despair among home buyers, is fuelling fears of another 

bubble caused by easy access to money and insuficient 

house building. 

The high property prices are making record numbers of 

London households with assets worth more than £1 million. 

A new study called ‘Wealth in the UK’ and based on London 

School of Economics data, found 10 per cent of homes have 

total wealth of at least £967,200. It means that despite the 

economic slump there are about 2 million “millionaire households” 

in Britain. 

However, the data also shows a widening gulf between rich 

and poor, with the worst off, in the capital city, plunging deeper 

into debt and saddled with dire credit ratings, and reveals 

that many people are approaching retirement without property 

and only a state pension. 

These latest igures follow a warning from the Bank of Eng- 

Palestine hails local hero of Arab Idol 

Mohammed Assaf 

began his musical 

career singing 

nationalist songs in 

his home town of Khan 

Yunis and aired on 

Palestinian TV, and his 

choices of song on Arab 

Idol retain a political 

tinge, reports Adel 

Zaanoun 

Another one still in the running is Abdel Karim 

Hamdan, a native of Syria's war-torn city of 

Aleppo, who likewise sings about his homeland. 

This year a female Iraqi Kurdish singer, Parwas 

Hussain, has also made it through the latest 

round. Assaf has overcome his own dificulties 

in making it this far, given the crippling Israeli 

blockade of the Gaza Strip. "Assaf beat the blockade 

and societal restrictions," said Sana, watching 

from the same Gaza cafe. "Gaza is not all terrorism, 

death and violence; it has artists who 

need to realise their potential and just need a 

bit of freedom to do so." 

The blockade, which Israel imposed in 2006, 

severely restricts movement of people, goods 

and inancial aid. 

His popularity is palpable, with numerous giant 

posters featuring his image in the Strip. 

Assaf, who travelled to Lebanon after crossing 

the Gaza border into Egypt, has remained 

in Beirut with the other contestants since the 

competition began. 

Assaf's parents are delighted with their son's 

rise to stardom, but fear there is no future for 

his career at home. 

"The youth in Gaza want to live normally," 

said his 50-year-old mother Umm Shadi. "They 

don't lack talent or ambition, but they need to 

break out of their tough circumstances." 

And there was little room for artistic creativity 

in Gaza, the teacher at a school for refugees 

added. "Politics trumps everything here." 

Jaber Assaf, Mohammed's 55-year-old father, 

cheered for his son alongside fans in Gaza. 

But he warned that if Assaf were to pursue 

his musical career, "he can't stay in Gaza, because 

the art scene here is limited." 

There are no accredited music institutes in 

Gaza, and people have to fund themselves to 

pursue the performing arts. Before competing 

in Arab Idol, Assaf usually sang at concerts and 

parties in the Strip but never got paid for it. 

Assaf, born in Misrata in Libya in 1990, 

started singing aged ive after returning to Gaza 

when his father inished his accountancy work 

in the North African country. 

The family home is adorned with photos of 

the Arab Idol hero. 

land governor, Sir Mervyn King, that government guarantees 

for mortgage purposes pose a danger to the economy. King, 

who retires from his post in a little over a month, took a swipe 

at chancellor Osborne saying that he fears the Treasury could 

land itself in an expensive hole if it puts taxpayers’ money on 

the line to back risky borrowers for too long. 

With prices having risen 8.6 per cent in London in the last 

year and by 2.5 per cent in the country as a whole, a new bubble 

could well be in the making. 

He said: “There is no place in the long run for a scheme of 

this kind. This scheme is a little too close for comfort to a general 

scheme to guarantee mortgages.” 

He added: “We do not want what the US (USA) have which 

is a government guaranteed mortgage market and they are 

desperately trying to ind a way out of that position so we 

mustn’t let this scheme turn into a permanent scheme.” 

But according to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny 

Alexander, there was nothing to worry about. 

“‘Help to Buy’ is about helping those who can afford to 

make the repayments on their mortgage but don’t have 

enough money to scrape together the large deposits that 

banks are requiring,” he said. 

“This scheme is limited for three years. We’ve given a lock 

to the Bank of England we want the new Financial Policy 

Committee to take a view on this scheme before it is extended. 

This has never been intended to be a permanent new feature, 

it is temporary.” 

In Norgay's footsteps 

By Pratibha Tuladhar 

ANALYSIS 

ONE of Tashi Tenzing Sherpa's favourite memories of his grandfather is, 

ittingly, following him up a mountain. "I was 12 when I tagged along 

on a trek in Kanchanjunga in Sikkim, where he was guiding a group of 

American tourists," Tashi, now nearly 50, says of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, one 

of the irst two men to successfully climb Everest. 

"We had to walk up the jungle to the alpine region and herds of yaks were 

running down the hill and we were petriied!" Tashi raised a hand as if to wave 

them off. "Grandfather ran to the top of the hill and said something to the yaks, 

and they stopped! "I thought that was cool!" he said of Tenzing's skills learned 

as a boy yak-herder in his Nepali hometown of Khumbu. 

"At 5 feet 10 inches, my grandfather stood out," said Tashi, who is also taller 

than most Sherpas. His mother, Pem Pem, was Tenzing Norgay's eldest child, 

his English tutor and traveling partner. 

Sherpas migrated to Nepal from Tibet 800 years ago, and form the majority 

of the country's Himalayan population. Some moved on to Darjeeling, India in 

search of work, which is how 12-year-old Tenzing arrived in his new home. 

British-run expeditions to attempt to climb Everest were run out of the 

northern Indian city, and Tenzing got his irst job with them aged 18, but it 

wasn't easy, Tashi explained. 

"You had to be recommended by a friend who was working for the British 

in Darjeeling, which Tenzing didn't have," Tashi said, pointing at a faded photograph 

of his grandfather standing with other Sherpas outside the Planters 

Club in Darjeeling in 1935. 

Tenzing was passed over twice by English climbers Eric Shipton and Bill 

Tinman, but "he persisted with Eric who had seen him standing there to put 

him in the team." "He had carried stones to build a chapel in Darjeeling, so he 

knew he could take hard work. 

"Eric said, 'We'll take one more and that's you' — and Tenzing was hired," 

Tashi said. "I think it was his persistence and his smile that won." Shipton 

wrote that he saw Tenzing as a "different" Sherpa, with a competitive desire to 

impress and, he suspected, four lungs. 

Shipton took Tenzing on his irst attempt at Mount Everest, from the northern 

face in China. But it would be many more years before success from its 

southern face in Nepal in 1953. 

"Learning the ropes of mountaineering was different, but Tenzing was a 

fast learner," said Tashi, who co-authored a book with his wife called Tenzing 

Norgay and the Sherpas of Everest. 

In 1938, Tenzing was decorated with the Tiger of the Snow medal for his 

work with British expeditions. 

Sherpa renown grew when Tenzing paired with Edmund Hillary, who selected 

him for the successful 1953 attempt on Everest after Tenzing saved his 

life during an earlier expedition. 

"The mountain people worship the mountains and when they heard Norgay 

climbed Everest the Nepalis thought he was like a god. They wrote songs 

and poems about him." 

Tenzing Norgay was awarded the Nepal Tara by King Tribhuvan, the highest 

civilian award at that time. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II gave him the George 

Medal when Edmund Hillary was knighted. 

"Knighthood didn't matter to him because he wasn't an educated man," 

Tashi explained, and spoke of his grandfather's "culture shock" when the 

queen placed a drawn sword on his climbing mate's shoulder. 

"He didn't expect there to be so much drama about climbing Everest," the 

grandson said. 

Tashi Tenzing Sherpa (left) — a fast learner. 

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

9

10 

By Our Correspondent 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — The 

Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) residing 

in the Gulf and elsewhere will 

soon get an opportunity to participate 

in the enumeration launched by 

the southern Indian state. 

The Kerala government's department 

of NRK Affairs (NORKA) 

is planning to put a system in place 

once the six-week manual survey, 

launched this month as part of the 

sixth nationwide economic census, 

completes mid June. The modalities 

are being worked out. 

The Indian Association Sharjah 

and other groups of expatriates in the 

Gulf had submitted representations 

to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy 

recently demanding options of iling 

details online through similar bodies 

working among the expatriate communities 

spread across the world. 

The Central Statistics Organization 

(CSO) has deployed some 8,500 

enumerators for the survey and they 

are collecting details of expatriates 

either from their families living back 

home or their neighbors. The groups 

say the data thus collected would be 

inaccurate. 

The respondents are asked about 

the nature of jobs the expatriates are 

engaged in. The expat groups say it 

would be partial as many are living 

abroad with their extended families. 

NORKA Minister K C Joseph said 

the government had decided to heed 

the demand and to avoid duplication, 

the online registration would begin 

once the ongoing enumeration by 

the federal agency is over. The state 

INDIA 

NRKs urged to 

participate in 

online survey 

government is funding the CSO for 

the additional data collection targeting 

expats. At least ten per cent of the 

expatriates are believed to be living 

abroad with their families and they 

could be left out from the current 

headcount. They also want its scope 

extended by involving the community 

groups for enumeration as many 

of them are the second or earlier generation 

of migrants. 

The state government hopes the 

survey to quantify the exact number 

of expatriates living in each country 

— currently estimated to be around 

2.5 million — but that could also vary 

as the number of migrants and return 

migrants differ year to year. No 

question is asked about the inancial 

aspect of migration like remittances. 

The respondents are divided 

into categories like doctors, nurses, 

engineers, teachers, software professionals, 

managers, drivers, bluecollar 

workers, businesspeople and 

salespeople. The questionnaire includes 

the number of expatriates 

in each household, their country of 

present residence, gender, nature of 

job they're doing and the duration of 

their stay abroad. 

The state in March announced the 

new study in the wake of the massive 

return of migrants anticipated after 

Saudi Arabia. 

This will have a huge impact on 

the fragile economy of the state 

which is largely dependent on overseas 

remittances and often referred 

to as 'money-order economy'. The 

total nonresident deposits in Kerala 

banks stood at Rs 627.09 billion as of 

December 31, 2012. 

New Karnataka minister 

IPL spot ixing: Meiyappan suspened 

Srinivasan assures fair probe; Pawar says he has nothing to do with IPL 

KOLKATA/DELHI/CHENNAI — The Indian cricket 

board Sunday suspended Chennai Super Kings 

chief executive oficer Gurunath Meiyappan, even 

as board chief N Srinivasan, refusing to step down, 

announced that a commission would probe his 

son-in-law's role in the spot ixing scandal, whose 

ramiications seem to be widening. 

A Mumbai police team raided Meiyappan's 

house in Chennai, while the Board of Control for 

Cricket in India (BCCI) promised to assist the police 

and regulatory authorities in the investigation 

into the scandal, 

In Delhi, a court remanded arrested Indian 

pacer S Sreesanth and cricketer Ajit Chandila to 

two more days of police custody till May 28 while 

a third player Ankeet Chavan was sent to judicial 

custody till June 4 in connection with the IPL spot- 

ixing scandal case. 

The arrest of the three Rajasthan Royals cricketers 

May 16 had blown the lid off the biggest scam 

to hit Indian cricket of late. 

In Kolkata, BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale announced 

Meiyappan's suspension. 

"Pending further investigation and any subsequent 

hearing by the BCCI Disciplinary Committee 

or the IPL Code of Behaviour Committee, Meiyap- 

given IT, BT portfolios pan has been suspended by the BCCI from any involvement 

in the sport of cricket and in particular 

from any involvement with the Chennai Super 

A team of Mumbai police oficers raid the house and vehicles belonging to Gurunath Meiyappan, 

son-in-law of BCCI President N Srinivasan, in Chennai yesterday. — Reuters 

BANGALORE — S R Patil, who was sworn-in as member of the Siddaramaiah 

government on Saturday, will be the new Karnataka minister for information 

technology (IT), biotechnology (BT) and science and technology. 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah yesterday allocated the portfolios to Patil, a 

Congress lawmaker in the state legislative council. 

In addition, Patil will also look after planning and statistics departments. 

Patil, 64, who hails from Bagalkot in the northern region of the state, was 

administered the oath of ofice by Governor H R Bhardwaj at Raj Bhavan in 

the city centre. 

With his induction, the two-week-old Congress government has 30 ministers, 

including 21 with cabinet rank and eight as ministers of state, besides 

the chief minister. 

Siddaramaiah inducted 28 party lawmakers from the state assembly as 

ministers May 18 after he assumed ofice May 13. 

Patil was leader of the opposition in the council during the Bharatiya 

Janata Party (BJP) rule which ended with the party's defeat in the recent assembly 

poll. 

His entry to the ministry came after strong protest by Congress members 

in the council that none from the state's upper house of legislature has been 

made a minister by the ruling party. 

In the 75-member legislative council, the Congress has 17 members and is 

in minority. The BJP is in majority with 40 members, including the chairman 

of the house. 

Kings team," Jagdale said. 

Meiyappan gave himself up late Friday night to 

Mumbai police, who arrested him after a threehour 

grilling. Meiyappan's name cropped up after 

police arrested Bollywood actor Vindoo Dara Singh, 

who was seen in the VIP boxes during Indian Premier 

League franchise Super Kings' matches. 

Amid the clamour for his ouster from the top 

BCCI post, Srinivasan held a media conference here 

hours before the IPL inal between Chennai Super 

Kings and Mumbai Indians. 

"I will not shirk my dutythe BCCI will act without 

fear or favour to investigate, and if the circumstances 

so warrant punish any player, match 

oficial, team management or franchise that have 

breached BCCI or IPL regulations." 

He termed as untrue media reports of a "revolt 

in the BCCI" and said there was unity in the board. 

"I have not been asked by anybody to resign, to 

the contrary, my support is complete and I refuse 

to yield to unfair and motivated attacks. I intend 

to continue my duties as president of the BCCI," 

Srinivasan said. 

Going on the offensive against his detractors, 

the BCCI president said: "Persons who have been 

suspended by the BCCI, known defaulters , fugitives 

from India justice system and other vested interests 

keen to discredit me and the BCCI have indulged 

in a smear campaign since the last few days. 

He said the media has been "unfair" in its attack. 

"TV news channels have been carrying unveriiable 

reports devoid of truth," said Srinivasan. 

Commenting on the proposed commission, he 

said it would include one independent member 

and two out of the following ive: BCCI senior vice 

president Arun Jaitley, BCCI treasurer Ajay Shirke, 

IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla, former India skipper 

Ravi Shastri and BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale. 

"I am not part of the commission and I will not 

play any role in its appointment, deliberation or 

decisions," Srinivasan said, but failed to give a 

timeframe for the panel to submit its report. "It will 

do it swiftly," was all he would say. 

Srinivasan said the management of Rajasthan 

Royals, three of whose players were arrested May 

16 alongside 11 bookies thus exposing the scam, 

will also be subject to the same procedure. 

Srinivasan said the commission would look into 

whether Meiyappan was the owner of the CSK franchise 

or whether it has breached the operational 

rules of the franchise agreement. 

"He (Gurunath) has been travelling with the 

team. He is enthusiastic. What his role was... 

whether he transcended any rule... the commission 

will ind out," said a distinctly uncomfortable 

Srinivasan, as mediapersons virtually grilled him 

on how his son-in-law managed to be in the team 

dug-out or carried a franchise accreditation despite 

being a mere "enthusiast". 

Meanwhile in Panaji, Nationalist Congress Party 

(NCP) chief and former BCCI chairman Sharad 

Pawar yesterday said he has nothing to do with the 

IPL anymore. 

Pawar irst refused to answer any queries related 

to the IPL but when reporter persisted with the 

IPL line of questioning, Pawar said: “Ask me about 

agriculture. I have left that thing seven years ago,” 

indicating that he had quit BCCI affairs some while 

back. — IANS 

With Patil's induction, the ministry has four vacancies. Karnataka can have 

a 34-member ministry including the chief minister as per the constitutional 

arrangement. 

The Congress returned to power on its own after nine years in the state 

winning 121 seats in the 225-member assembly in the poll held May 5. NRI tycoon shelves Kerala project, seeks money back 

A worker rests next to cartons of air coolers at a wholesale market in 

the old quarters of Delhi. The national capital continued to reel under 

severe heat conditions with the maximum temperature settling 

slightly below 44 degrees Celsius yesterday. — Reuters 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — 

Non-Resident Indian businessman 

Yusuffali M A, who heads one the 

world's ten fastest growing retail 

chains, has withdrawn from a prestigious 

project costing Rs 8 billion in his 

home state of Kerala. 

The tycoon who yesterday announced 

his decision to quit from a 

port-based project said he had informed 

the Cochin Port Trust (CPT), 

the owners of the 26 acres of land 

allotted to him for building an international 

convention centre and allied 

infrastructure, to take back the land 

and return his money. 

"I paid them Rs 710 million as 

against their loor price of Rs 510 

million. I'm ready to return the land 

within half an hour of getting my 

money back," Yusuffali, the lone 

non-Arab member of the Abu Dhabi 

Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 

said yesterday. 

The decision of the businessman, 

who announced investments worth 

Rs 30billion in Kerala, came after the 

opposition Communist Party of India- 

Marxist (CPM), which was in power 

when he struck the deal with CPT, accused 

him of bypassing laws and encroaching 

on public land. 

Yusuffali said he acquired the land 

through a transparent bidding process 

of the CPT, which failed to attract 

enough bidders for the land near the 

International Container Transshipment 

Terminal operated by Dubai's 

DP World. 

Though he announced the 5000seat 

convention centre and 250-room 

Hyat Hotel, the project's opponents 

say a complex of 520 serviced apartments 

was also part of the project 

which could fetch him Rs 10 billion 

and it was intended for real-estate 

business. 

"The land was allotted on a 30year 

lease. Do you think anybody will 

buy lat built on a leased land?" asked 

Yusuffali. "There's a hidden agenda 

against the convention centre which 

has the potential to turn the city into 

a hub of conferences like Singapore. I 

was expecting to attract 250 international 

conventions and to create 4000 

jobs". 


Activists from the All India Democratic Youth Organisation protest against the IPL cricket tournament and spot ixing in Kolkata yesterday. — Reuters 

CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan is completely mum over issue. 

However, the CPM welcomed the 

decision and demanded the CPT to 

go for fresh global tender. The party 

had also alleged violations in the construction 

of the Rs 16 billion LuLu 

Mall in the city, the group's 105th in 

the world, billed as the biggest in India 

with a total built-up space of 2.5 

million square feet. 

One of Yusuffali's oficials had the 

other day reportedly revealed that 

the group was looking at some other 

cities outside the state for locating the 

project. A section of the media also 

speculated about group rivalry within 

the CPM over the issue. 

The media speculate that Yusuffali 

is close to Achuthanandan while kin 

of his rival leaders are employed by 

Pillai in his enterprises in Kerala and 

abroad. The CPM’s Ernakulam district 

committee shifted allegiance to the 

oficial faction led by state secretary 

Pinarayi Vijayan after Mani took over 

recently. 

The state government had last 

week decided to hand over 40 acres 

of land in the famed seaside town of 

Kovalam to Ravis group of Ravi Pillai 

to build an international convention 

centre, against which veteran CPM 

leader V S Achuthanandan had threatened 

to move court.


Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi meet victims injured in an ambush at a hospital in Raipur yesterday. — Reuters 

Maoist attack: leaders resolve to combat extremism 

NEW DELHI/RAIPUR — A shocked India yesterday condemned 

the attack on Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh 

that left nearly 30 people dead, including the party's state 

chief and the 'Salwa Judum' founder, and asserted that 

such attacks will not intimidate the country or affect its 

resolve to ight extremism. 

The central home ministry has sought a detailed report 

from the Chhattisgarh government of the incident in 

which a large number of Maoists attacked a Congress convoy, 

sources said yesterday. The state is scheduled to have 

assembly elections by the year-end. 

This was the biggest attack in the sprawling central 

Indian state since April 6, 2010, when about 75 Central 

Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and a state police personnel 

were killed in Mukrana forests of Dantewada district. 

Combing operations were launched in the Darbha Ghati 

area, 35 km from Sukma town, in the restive Bastar region, 

where the attack took place. 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who lew into Raipur 

with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, reviewed the situation 

with Chief Minister Raman Singh and offered all help to 

the state in tackling the left-wing ultras. 

Expressing shock at the attack, President Pranab 

Mukherjee said the country would not be "intimidated" 

by such acts. "I am deeply dismayed and shocked at the 

wanton violence unleashed by Maoists. I condemn this incident 

in the strongest of terms and would like to reiterate 

that violence has no place whatsoever in our democratic 

polity," he said. 

Vice-President Hamid Ansari said extremism and violence 

have to be fought and eliminated. 

In Raipur, the prime minister and Congress chief met 

the injured and families of the dead. 

"We have to be more determined in ighting Naxal 

(Maoist) extremism. These lives should not go in vain," 

said Manmohan Singh. "This incident should be treated as 

Not aspirant for PM post: Naidu 

HYDERABAD — Telugu Desam Party 

(TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu 

yesterday said he was not aspirant 

for the prime minister's post. 

Conident of a 'Third Front' of likeminded 

parties coming to power at 

the centre, Naidu said it would choose 

the prime ministerial candidate before 

or after the next year's elections 

on the basis of consensus. 

"I was never an aspirant and even 

today I am not an aspirant," said the 

former Andhra Pradesh chief minister, 

who played a key role in formation 

of United Front governments in 

1996 and 1998. 

"There are so many people. They 

are well experienced. I don't want to 

name anybody. They are stalwarts 

and have worked as chief minister for 

10 to 15 years," he said in an interaction 

with the national media. 

Denying that he aspires to be a 

kingmaker, Naidu said he can make 

some difference as he did in the past. 

He claimed that the national highway 

projects, different ways for wealth 

creation, cash transfer and even the 

recent proposal to have printers attached 

to electronic voting machines 

were his ideas. 

"When I am able to do this while in 

opposition, tomorrow, when we get 

good number of seats, naturally we 

can play our role," he said. 

"I want to see this great nation 

prosper. I don't have any doubt that 

if we do good politics we will become 

one of the best countries in the 

world," he said. 

"I can't guarantee that because 

there are so many problems at national 

level. We will work it out either 

through pre-poll or post-poll alliance. 

I am not in a position to answer this," 

he said when asked whether the third 

front would announce its PM candidate 

before polls. "All these things will 

depend on situation tomorrow. I am 

not going to say it is going to happen 

immediately," he added. — IANS 

Iraq may increase oil supply by 30pc 

NEW DELHI — Iraq is likely to increase 

oil supply to India by around 

30 per cent as shipments from Iran 

drop following sanctions from the 

US and European countries, a senior 

Iraqi minister has said. 

"India has requested 80,000 barrels 

per day of additional crude oil 

supply. We will increase the supply 

depending on the availability," Iraq's 

Minister of Water Resources Mohanad 

Salman Alwan al Shaibani said. 

BJP to postpone 

anti-UPA protest 

NEW DELHI — The Bharatiya Janata 

Party (BJP) yesterday announced it 

had decided to postpone its weeklong, 

nation-wide agitation against 

the Congress-led UPA scheduled to 

start today. 

"The entire country is deeply distressed 

and concerned over gruesome 

killings in Chhattisgarh and 

we condemn it. As a consequence, 

the BJP has decided to postponed 

the 'jail bharo' agitation to be undertaken 

against the failure of the UPA 

government from May 27 to June 2," 

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told 

reporters here. 

The party's future programmes 

will be decided in the party's national 

executive to be held in Goa 

next month, he said. 

Iraq recently became the second 

largest crude supplier to India, replacing 

Iran. Iraq supplies around 

300,000 barrels per day (bpd), nearly 

11-12 per cent of the country's total 

demand. 

India has been seeking increased 

supply of crude from countries like 

Iraq and Saudi Arabia, as imports 

from Iran are becoming dificult due 

to Western sanctions. 

India has also requested Saudi 

Arabia, the largest supplier of crude 

accounting for almost one-ifth of the 

country's needs, to increase the supply 

by 100,000 barrels per day. 

Al Shaibani said Iraq targets to 

raise oil production to 2.9 million 

barrels per day by the end of this 

year from 2.6 million barrels per day 

recorded in April. 

"With the increase in our overall 

production, we will increase supply 

to India," Al Shaibani said. 

Managing Director of the World Bank Mulyani Indrawati visits Bodhgaya in Bihar yesterday. — AFP 

an inspiration in our ight against forces of extremism and 

violence." 

"This is a cowardly act. It is not an attack on Congress 

or its leaders but an attack on democratic values," Sonia 

told party workers. 

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who had 

reached Chhattisgarh earlier, termed the incident "an attack 

on the idea of our country". 

Manmohan and Sonia paid tributes to the bodies of 

state unit chief Nand Kumar Patel and his son Dinesh 

Patel, who died in the attack. According to a survivor, the 

two were taken away by the Maoists into the forest and 

shot dead. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power 

in the state since 2003, and the Left also condemned the 

attack. BJP veteran L K Advani termed the attack "one of 

the most audacious" and called upon everyone to "come 

together" to combat the Maoist challenge. 

PM to seek nuke 

deal with Japan 

TOKYO — Indian Prime Minister 

Manmohan Singh has called for an 

early accord on civil nuclear co-operation 

with Tokyo and more Japanese 

investment ahead of an oficial 

visit, reports said yesterday. 

Manmohan, who will travel to 

Japan in the coming week for talks 

with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 

made the remarks during an interview 

with Japanese media in New 

Delhi on Saturday. 

The Indian leader said he would 

"use this visit to strengthen our 

strategic and global partnership, 

which also includes trying to reach 

an agreement with regard to civil 

nuclear energy co-operation," according 

to Kyodo News. 

Japan-India negotiations on a 

civil nuclear energy agreement have 

been suspended since Japan suffered 

a nuclear crisis triggered by a 

massive earthquake and tsunami in 

March 2011. 

Singh also called on Japanese 

industry to boost investment and 

contribute toward India's economic 

growth, describing his country's 

inadequate infrastructure as "a big 

bottleneck". "I see an enormous role 

for Japanese industry to contribute 

not only to infrastructure development 

of India, but also to accelerate 

the tempo of the manufacturing sector," 

he said. — AFP 

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) leader Brinda 

Karat said the attack was "barbaric" and a shocking example 

of politics of violence and terror by the Maoists. 

Activist Swami Agnivesh said Chhattisgarh Chief Minister 

Raman Singh and Governor Shekhar Dutt should be 

removed for their failure to provide security to people. 

Raman Singh retorted by saying an elaborate strategy 

would be put in place to give a itting response to Maoist 

insurgents. Questioning the lack of security which they 

claim led to the attack on the convoy in Chhattisgarh, security 

experts said targeting leaders was a show of strength 

for the Maoists and feared that more attacks will follow. 

The condition of 84-year-old Congress leader V C Shukla, 

who received multiple bullet injuries in the attack, continued 

to be "critical" in a Gurgaon hospital where he was 

lown-in by an air ambulance. 

The prime minister, Sonia and Advani visited Shukla, a 

former union minister. — IANS 

Around 300 artists from Kerala as well as other states 

turned Kottayam into a virtual mural city. 

Kottayam declared 

unique mural city 

By Ashraf Padanna 

INDIA 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — The 

land of lakes, letters and latex has got 

a new tag — the city of murals. 

Kerala's Kottayam was declared 

Mural City by the state government, 

with mural paintings by 350 artists 

adorning every available wall in the 

city, in the biggest effort in India to 

take out its murals from the conines 

of temples and churches. 

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy 

made the declaration at a function 

held in the city at the end of a 

fortnight-long camp of the artists at 

work Saturday evening. The artists, 

both Indian and foreign, painted 

10,000 sq ft of walls with murals of 

variety of themes—from ethnic to 

modern. 

Tribal artists from Nilgiris portrayed 

their life through the ‘Kurumba’ 

style paintings using natural 

dyes on the walls of the railway station 

while 300 artists worked on a giant 

mural of 300 sq ft on Pushpagiri 

Church in Thellakom. 

The artists from Kerala as well as 

other Indian states like Tamil Nadu, 

Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and 

Madhya Pradesh and countries like 

Germany, Italy and Mexico took part 

in the 13-day camp creating 300 

11 

paintings, turning the city into a virtual 

mural city. The paintings adorn 

walls in 18 places, including temples, 

churches and public places. 

“This distinguished achievement 

has made all people of Kottayam 

proud. It is remarkable that Kottayam 

reached this glorious mark shortly 

after Malayalam was declared a classical 

language (by the federal government),” 

said the chief minister. 

‘Panchavarnam’ or ive colours 

(red, yellow, green, black and white) 

required for the murals were prepared 

from stones and leaves using 

traditional methods while synthetic 

colours were completely avoided. 

The project was executed at a cost 

of Rs 15 million in the biggest art 

event in the state after Kochi-Muziris 

Biennale, India's maiden biennale 

held from 12/12/12 to 13/03/13. 

The organisers, the state-run Kerala 

Lalita Kala Academy, say these paintings 

are worth Rs 1 billion. 

At present Shekhawati in 

Rajasthan is called a mural city in 

India but the organisers say it lacked 

variety and almost all the paintings 

there are done in traditional style. 

However, artists from different regions 

following different styles participated 

in the Kottayam project 

making it unique.

12 

AMERICAS 

US President Barack Obama greets irst responders as he arrives aboard Air Force One to survey nearby 

tornado damage, on the tarmac at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City yesterday. Last week a monster 

tornado ravaged nearby Moore, Oklahoma, killing 24. — Reuters 

Obama in tornado-ravaged Oklahoma 

MOOORE, Oklahoma — President 

Barack Obama traveled to Oklahoma 

yesterday to view devastation from 

last week's monster tornado that 

killed 24 people, as the governor 

sought federal aid for thousands left 

destitute by the disaster. 

Obama departed Washington a 

little before 10 am for a three-hour 

light to the tornado-ravaged state, 

where he was to meet with survivors 

and irst responders, and will survey 

the mountains of debris strewn 

across this battered state. 

Speaking to CNN yesterday, Governor 

Mary Fallin said she is seeking 

help streamlining assistance to her 

battered state from the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA) 

following the powerful twister, which 

ripped through this Oklahoma suburb 

almost one week ago, injuring 

377 people. 

"What I need is the ability to get 

through red tape, the ability to get the 

FEMA funds in here quickly and to 

get the services that our citizens need 

to help them recover through this 

terrible disaster," she said, standing 

before a mountain of twisted metal, 

brick and wood. 

"The debris, as you can see behind 

me, is huge. It's not just a couple 

houses with roofs off," she said. 

"This is a massive debris ield. It's 

not just a couple blocks. It's miles. It's 

17 miles (27 kilometres) long, almost 

a mile and a half (2.4 kilometres) 

wide." 

The tornado was one of the most 

powerful in years, damaging or destroying 

1,200 homes and affecting 

an estimated 33,000 people, according 

to a recent update from oficials. 

Initial damages have been estimated 

at around $2 billion. 

"We had ive schools that were 

hit. So a lot of areas that have been 

Venezuela top court rejects 

challenge to Maduro win 

CARACAS — In a ruling out on Saturday, 

Venezuela's Supreme Court 

rejected one of six challenges to the 

April 14 presidential election which 

saw Hugo Chavez's successor Nicolas 

Maduro win by a razor-thin margin. 

Oicially, Maduro — the late president 

Chavez's handpicked successor 

— won the controversial election 

by 1.49 percentage points. His rival, 

Henrique Capriles, has refused to 

concede. 

The court ruled that a lawsuit iled 

by Venezuelans living abroad alleging 

fraud and government interference 

lacked details, was confusing, and 

contains "value judgments without 

the justiication required under the 

law." 

The court must now answer legal 

challenges presented by the united 

opposition front that supported 

Capriles's candidacy. 

In their irst case, the opposition 

calls for a full election do-over on 

constitutional grounds, claiming the 

election was marred by "bribery, violence 

and fraud." 

The second opposition case, based 

on election law, states that balloting 

must be held again at 5,700 voting 

sites because of irregularities. Those 

sites represent 2.3 million votes. 

Maduro oficially beat Capriles by 

224,000 votes. 

The remaining cases challenging 

the election results were iled by civic 

organisations. 

The special election was held after 

Chavez, in power in Venezuela since 

1999, died of cancer March 5. He had 

been re-elected in October to a new 

term in ofice that began on January 

10. — AFP 

destroyed and a lot of people need to 

get back on their feet," Fallin said. 

The town of Moore suffered a similarly 

powerful tornado in 1999 that 

killed 41 and another in 2003. 

A public memorial was to be held 

later Sunday in the tight-knit community, 

where Obama was also was expected 

to scheduled to comfort survivors 

and take stock of the destruction 

and clean-up. 

But Governor Fallin emphasised 

the community was also rallying together 

to move on. "We're resilient. 

There's already a big path of debris 

that's been moved around. People are 

gathering their stuff," she said. 

"It's been truly remarkable to see 

how our people have responded and 

how strong they are." 

Part of that process has included 

taking up the threads of ordinary life, 

including holding scheduled graduations.— 

AFP 

Flash looding in Texas 

claims second victim 

WASHINGTON — A second woman 

has died in lash looding in San Antonio, 

Texas, CNN reported Sunday. 

The woman, believed to be in her 

60s, drove her car into deep water. 

Fireighters attempted to rescue 

her, but "the currents changed and 

washed that vehicle away," San Antonio 

Police Chief William McManus 

was quoted by the US broadcaster 

as saying. 

Her body was found inside the 

vehicle several hours later. 

Earlier on Saturday, a woman in 

her 30s had been found dead after 

being swept from her car. 

The lash looding was caused by 

torrential rains that started on Friday 

and continued into Saturday. 

San Antonio International Airport 

received 25 centimetres of rain 

on Saturday morning and early afternoon, 

the National Weather Service 

said. — dpa 

Young girls wave American lags as they cheer hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists in Fairfax, Virginia, 

gathering on Memorial Day weekend for the 26th Annual Rolling Thunder Rally to remember POWs and MIAs 

from America's wars, in Washington, yesterday. — Reuters 

Gunshots interrupt 

peace run in Rio 

RIO DE JANEIRO — Gunshots 

erupted ahead of a foot race for 

peace in Rio de Janeiro favela 

yesterday, delaying the start by 

an hour as police stepped up 

security along the route, a race 

spokesman said. 

The incident comes as the 

city prepares for a visit from 

Pope Francis — his irst international 

trip since becoming 

pope in March — for World 

Youth Day in late July. 

The country has also been 

working hard to improve security 

ahead of high proile gigs 

hosting the soccer World Cup 

in 2014 and the 2016 summer 

Olympics. 

There were no injuries from 

the attempted sabotage at the 

race, the spokesman told AFP, 

and, after the delay, the race 

proceeded without incident 

through Rio de Janeiro's Vila 

Cruzeiro favela, which had been 

for decades controlled by drug 

trafickers. 

Rio's secretary of security, 

Jose Beltrame, who participated 

in the 5K run, blamed the 

shooting on remnants of drug 

gangs operating in the area. 

"This was (done by) a faction, 

that, though weakened, 

believes that its acts can alienate 

the police and the state," 

Beltrame told a local news site. 

"But we will not leave." 

Military police did not immediately 

comment on the incident. 

Since late 2010, police in 

Rio de Janeiro have launched 

a major crime-ighting drive 

in many poor neighbourhoods 

in an attempt to wrest control 

back from drug gangs ahead 

of the world sports events. Authorities 

have deployed special 

police forces in at least 32 of 

the city's 750 slums. — AFP 


Truck load in bridge collapse 

taller than span’s low point 

OLYMPIA, Washington — The oversize 

load on a semi-trailer truck that 

struck a Washington state bridge was 

likely too tall for the lowest point of 

clearance on the structure, part of 

which collapsed after the collision, a 

federal safety oficial said on Saturday. 

Two vehicles behind the truck 

plunged into the frigid waters of the 

Skagit River following the collapse of 

the span of Interstate 5 on Thursday 

evening between the towns of Mount 

Vernon and Burlington, about 55 

miles (90 km) north of Seattle. 

The three occupants of the vehicles 

were rescued from the river, but activists 

and federal lawmakers seized on 

the partial collapse of the steel truss 

bridge, which was built in 1955, to 

call for greater investment in the nation's 

aging infrastructure. 

But Washington state oficials have 

said preliminary indications were 

that the bridge, which was inspected 

twice last year, was not structurally 

deicient and the section fell because 

of the impact from the truck. 

The truck was permitted by the 

Memorial run for Boston Marathon 

NEW YORK — Thousands of runners 

and their supporters took to 

the streets of Boston on Saturday to 

complete last month's marathon that 

many were forced to abandon after 

bombs exploded near the inish line. 

A pack of runners carried three US 

lags and one Chinese lag while raising 

their arms deiantly as their feet 

pounded rain-drizzled pavement. 

Two of the victims of the twin 

bombing were American, and a third 

was Chinese. The bombers are accused 

of killing a fourth person, an 

MIT police oficer, days later as they 

attempted to evade arrest. 

The run, organised by local running 

groups and businesses and publicised 

over social media, was billed 

as "OneRun," with the slogan, "we'll 

get our inish." 

"Boston will run strong. Boston 

will run together. Boston will run as 

state to carry a load at a height of 15 

feet and 9 inches (4.6 metres), but 

the lowest point of clearance on the 

bridge was 14 feet and 6 inches (4.1 

metres), Deborah Hersman, chairman 

of the National Transportation Safety 

Board, told a news conference. 

The truck driver has told investigators 

he repeatedly measured the 

height of his load at 15 feet, 9 inches, 

Hersman said. She said the bridge 

was elliptical in shape, shorter on the 

sides than in the middle, where the 

clearance was higher. 

Hersman said NTSB investigators 

planned to measure the load on a lat 

surface to conirm its height. 

The NTSB was not able to provide 

the highest point of clearance on the 

bridge, but was "in the process of 

gathering and assessing" that information, 

spokesman Peter Knudson 

said. 

While the Washington state Department 

of Transportation gave Alberta, 

Canada-based Mullen Trucking, 

the company that employs the trucker, 

a permit to carry an oversize load 

one," organisers said ahead of the 

event. 

Some 3,000 people participated, 

The Boston Globe reported. 

Another 35 runners who were 

unable to inish the marathon were 

set to get a ceremonial inish in front 

of thousands of fans at the famed 

Indianapolis Motor Speedway on 

Sunday. 

Speedway oficials said Boston 

Marathon participants from Illinois, 

Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio 

will run about half a mile (0.8 kilometres) 

from turn four to the circuit's 

iconic Yard of Bricks inish line shortly 

before the start of the Indianapolis 

500. 

"The tragedy last month in Boston 

still resonates with everyone, so we 

wanted to give runners the chance to 

inish the race in front of thousands of 

fans who will appreciate their persist- 

at a height of 15 feet, 9 inches, the 

state does not provide operators with 

the vertical limit of each bridge along 

a route, Hersman said. 

"On that permit, it says that the operator 

is responsible for determining 

vertical clearances," Hersman said. 

That means, the company must send 

a pilot car through to check clearances 

along the route, she said. 

The driver of a pilot car with a pole 

measuring at least the height of the 

oversize load did not radio the trucker 

to warn about the span, Hersman 

said. 

The truck driver has told investigators 

that his vehicle and the pilot 

car were both traveling in the right 

lane, closer to the shorter side of the 

bridge, as they crossed the span, she 

said. At the same time, another commercial 

vehicle was traveling in the 

left lane, where the clearance is higher, 

she said. 

The steel structure the truck was 

carrying was damaged on the top corner 

nearest the shortest clearance of 

the bridge, Hersman said. — Reuters 

ence and determination," said Doug 

Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway 

chief operating oficer. 

"Everyone will remember 

the victims while also celebrating 

the strength and indomitable 

spirit of these special competitors 

as they cross the hallowed Yard of 

Bricks." 

Speedway oficials extended the 

invitation through the Boston Athletic 

Association, the marathon organisers 

who then contacted non-inishers in 

Indiana and surrounding states. 

Two brothers, 19-year-old 

Dzhokhar and 26-year-old Tamerlan 

Tsarnaev, are accused of being behind 

the April 15 attack that also wounded 

more than 260 people. 

Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed in a 

shootout with police, and Dzhokhar 

was captured and taken into custody 

after an extensive manhunt. — AFP 

The world's deepest diving research submarine, the Shinkai 6500, is displayed inside the giant Japanese 

research ship Yokosuka in Santos Harbour, on Saturday in Santos south of Sao Paulo, Brazil during a journey 

around the world to explore the depths of the Indian, Atlantic, Caribbean and the South Paciic oceans. The 

submarine Shinkai 6500 can dive to depths of 6,500 metres. — AFP 

Train collision causes 

fall of overpass 

WASHINGTON — Two freight trains collided in 

Missouri on Saturday morning, bringing down 

a highway bridge and sending seven people to 

hospital, local media reported. 

The collision occurred about 190 kilometres 

south-east of St Louis at about 2:30 am (0730 

GMT) when one train ploughed into the side of 

another and derailed. 

The derailed train then knocked down a pillar 

of the overpass, igniting a diesel fuel ire, 

the St Louis Post-Dispatch reported on its 

website. 

Two vehicles were travelling on the overpass 

when the accident occurred, local police oficer 

Clay Slipis was quoted as saying. Five passengers 

in the vehicles and two conductors in the 

derailed train were injured and taken to hospital. 

Six of the hospitalised were discharged later 

while the seventh was "in good condition," according 

to Slipis. The ire was quickly extinguished 

and a hazardous materials crew was 

sent to the scene. 

It is the second serious train crash in the US 

in less than two weeks. Two commuter trains 

collided May 17 in Connecticut after one of 

them derailed. More than 70 passengers were 

injured. — dpa


Soldiers take cover from the rain under a military aircraft while waiting for the arrival of seven cofins of dead colleagues in Manila yesterday. — AFP 

Manila hunts attackers as toll hits 14 

MANILA — The conirmed death toll 

from ighting between Philippine 

troops and insurgents rose to 14 yesterday 

as troops pursued the ighters, 

a military spokesman said. 

Soldiers were pressing on with 

their hunt for the armed group a day 

after a bloody clash on the remote 

southern island of Jolo, said Brigadier 

General Domingo Tutaan. 

Two more ighters were 

KABUL — Afghanistan yesterday 

started registering new voters for 

elections next year, a crucial step towards 

a legitimate government taking 

over when President Hamid Karzai 

relinquishes power. 

Four million names are expected 

to be added to the electoral roll before 

polls in April 2014, though many 

Afghans fear that the date could be 

delayed due to the threat of attack by 

the insurgents. 

The presidential race — from 

which Karzai is barred after serving 

two terms — is seen as the key test 

of the success of US-led international 

military intervention. 

"Today we are happy to have 

launched the voter registration process," 

Fazel Ahmad Manawi, head of 

the Independent Election Commission 

(IEC), said at a registration centre 

in Kabul. 

"We will implement all the election 

processes step by step according 

to the timetable." 

Registration began in 41 centres in 

all 34 provinces for those who have 

turned 18, had previously not registered 

or have lost their voter cards. 

About 16 million voters are already 

registered. 

The process will last two months 

in the cities and will then move to rural 

districts and villages, continuing 

until just before election day. 

The last presidential elections, 

found dead, adding to the ive 

insurgents and seven marines reported 

killed in the irst day of ighting, he 

said. 

"After the ireight, a scouring operation 

was conducted and a pursuit 

operation was launched," he said, 

adding that was how they found the 

new fatalities. 

The marines were hunting down 

armed group members believed re- 

held in late 2009, were marred 

by massive fraud, and another 

lawed poll would wreck claims that 

international efforts have helped to 

establish a functioning state in Afghanistan. 

In 2009, the Electoral Complaints 

Commission (ECC) threw out around 

one third of votes — about half a 

million — cast for Karzai, sparking a 

run-off from which his rival Abdullah 

Abdullah ultimately withdrew. 

The election next year coincides 

with the withdrawal of the 100,000 

Nato combat troops as Afghan secu- 

sponsible for a spate of abductions of 

local residents including a marine's 

wife when the clash broke out, Tutaan 

said. 

Although there were no new clashes 

yesterday, Tutaan said helicopter 

gunships were now on standby, ready 

to reinforce the troops if they should 

encounter the group again. 

The group is blamed for the country's 

worst terror attacks, including 

Afghan voter registration begins YANGON 

Building disaster 

toll rises to 1,129 

DHAKA — The death toll from the 

collapse of a Bangladesh garment 

factory complex has risen to 1,129 after 

two more injured workers died a 

month after the disaster, oficials said 

yesterday. Senior government oficial 

Zillur Rahman Chowdhury said one 

male and one female victim of one of 

the world's worst industrial disasters 

had died in hospital. 

"They were rescued alive from the 

rubble and were undergoing treatment 

but succumbed to injuries, one 

on Friday and the other on Saturday," 

Chowdhury said. More than 3,000 

garment workers were on shift at 

the nine-storey Rana Plaza complex, 

where they made clothing for Western 

retailers including Britain's Primark 

and Spain's Mango, when the 

building caved in on April 24. 

An Afghan election oficial assists a woman register for vote in Herat. 

rity forces take charge of the battle 

against the Taliban. 

"We do have concerns about security," 

Manawi said. "We will follow the 

police, if they can go there we can go 

there too. 

"We hope Afghan forces provide 

security for the voter registration 

centres, so that we have a transparent 

election." 

Karzai has vowed to work to ensure 

a free and fair election, and interior 

ministry spokesman Sediq 

Sediqqi said that the army and police 

would be able to guarantee security. 

Bangla lawyers hold a rally in front of the high court in Dhaka yesterday demanding the 

restoration of the caretaker government system during national elections. — AFP 

the irebombing of a ferry in Manila 

Bay and kidnappings of foreign tourists. 

The group is on the US government's 

list of foreign terrorist organisations. 

About 600 US troops have been 

rotating through the southern 

Philippines for a decade to help 

train local troops in hunting the Abu 

Sayyaf. — AFP 

11 dead, 16 hurt 

in bus crash 

— Eleven people were 

killed and 16 injured after a bus 

rammed into a bridge after suffering 

a puncture in central Myanmar, 

state media reported yesterday. 

The Yangon to Mandalay bus, 

which was carrying 27 passengers, 

hit a trafic island after its tyre burst 

and then "plunged headlong" into 

the side of a bridge, according to 

Myanmar language newspaper Myanma 

Ahlin. 

A monk, four men and ive women 

died at the scene in central Bago 

region, while an 18-year-old male 

died of his injuries later in hospital. 

The report also said a United 

States citizen in his 30s was among 

the injured, adding he had been taken 

to a hospital in Yangon. 

"All I can conirm is there was one 

American involved in the accident," 

US Embassy spokesman Michael 

Quinlan said. Road trafic accidents 

are common in Myanmar, whose 

transport network is in poor condition 

owing to decades of underinvestment 

by the junta which ruled 

the country for almost half a century 

until early 2011. Earlier this month 

an editorial entitled "Road slaughter" 

in the English language newspaper, 

the New Light of Myanmar, said 

the country was seeing more road 

accidents than ever before as vehicles 

lood into the nation. — AFP 

SUBCONTINENT 

New records mark 

Everest anniversary 

KATHMANDU — Sixty years ago 

this week two men became the irst 

to stand on the roof of the world in 

a remarkable feat of endurance and 

strength of the human spirit. 

As the May 29 anniversary of Tenzing 

Norgay and Edmund Hillary's 

summit of Mount Everest approaches, 

hundreds of people from all walks 

of life, and with varying motivations, 

are trying to follow in their footsteps. 

With May the ideal month to climb 

in the Himalayas, some 500 have 

already succeeded this year, including 

an octogenarian, the irst female 

amputee, the irst women from Saudi 

Arabia and Pakistan, and the irst female 

climber to summit twice in one 

season. When they reached the top 

some triumphantly telephoned their 

loved ones, while others posed for 

pictures on the peak. 

Still more will attempt an ascent 

while the good weather window remains 

open, including professional 

mountaineers with corporate sponsorship, 

those attempting to break 

records, activists raising awareness 

and charity fundraisers. 

While the tourism generated by 

Everest is important for Nepal, Norgay's 

grandson Tashi Tenzing, 49, 

said understanding the value of the 

Himalayas and protecting them for 

future generations was also crucial. 

"I think the achievement by my 

grandfather and Edmund Hillary was 

great and historic," says Tashi, himself 

an Everest mountaineer, based in 

Kathmandu. 

"But I also think that the 60th anniversary 

is a time to relect on the 

mountain and what we have done to 

it. As we celebrate the 60th anniversary 

we must learn the lessons from 

our experience on the mountains," he 

said. 

To mark the anniversary, Hillary's 

son Peter, and Norgay's son Jamling, 

will join Queen Elizabeth II at a diamond 

jubilee event at the Royal Geographical 

Society in London. 

Japanese adventurer Yuichiro 

Miura talks to media upon his 

arrival at Tribhuvan Airport 

in Kathmandu yesterday after 

summitting Mount Everest. — AFP 

Celebratory events back on Everest 

range from a clean-up campaign 

at base camp to a high-altitude marathon. 

In Kathmandu a gala featuring 

record-setting summiteers and top 

brass from Nepal's government will 

be held at the palace. 

Some 3,000 people have reached 

the top of the 8,848-metre high 

mountain so far. 

Everest was named in 1852 by 

the colonial-era Great Trigonometrical 

Survey of India which singled out 

the until then unremarkable peak in 

the eastern Himalayas as the tallest 

mountain in the world. 

One hundred and one years later, 

two men — one from New Zealand, 

one a Nepalese Sherpa — reached 

the summit for the irst conirmed 

time, following in the footsteps of few 

men who had tried before. 

As they approached the summit, 

the two conquered a nearly impassable 

rock wall, which is today known 

as the "Hillary Step". 

At the top, Hillary reached out to 

shake Norgay's hand, and Norgay responded 

by hugging him. — AFP 

People protest after authorities rejected a state funeral for the monk. 

Immolation monk’s last 

rites spark Lanka protest 

COLOMBO — About 200 Sri Lankans 

blocked trafic in the capital Colombo 

yesterday to protest after authorities 

rejected a state funeral for the country's 

irst ever monk to self-immolate. 

Bowatte Indaratna, 30, succumbed 

to his burn injures on Saturday after 

calling for an end to cattle slaughter 

in the country. 

"We staged a sit-down demonstration 

near Temple Trees (the of- 

13 

icial resident of President Mahinda 

Rajapakse) demanding a state funeral 

at Independence Square," monk 

Akmeemana Dayaratne said. "But, we 

did not get it." 

He said they decided to disperse, 

but vowed to keep up pressure on 

the government to stop the slaughter 

of animals. 

The protesters blocked trafic on 

the main road opposite Rajapakse's 

residence, witnesses said. — AFP 

Warrant against Zia’s son 

DHAKA — A Bangladeshi court yesterday 

issued an arrest warrant for 

the eldest son of former prime minister 

Khaleda Zia on charges of laundering 

$3 million in Singapore, a lawyer 

said. 

Bangladesh's anti-graft watchdog 

in July 2010 charged Tareque 

Rahman and one of his business 

partners with laundering the money, 

which they allegedly took from a 

construction irm between 2003 and 

2007. 

The alleged transactions were 

made in Singapore, according to the 

prosecutors. 

Rahman, son of two-times premier 

Zia who now heads the main 

opposition Bangladesh Nationalist 

Party (BNP), has been living in London 

since 2008. 

The order came after Rahman appeared 

in a BNP party programme in 

London last week, and reiterated its 

demand that general elections scheduled 

for early next year be held under 

a neutral caretaker government. 

Prosecutors said the Dhaka Special 

Judge's Court-3 issued the arrest 

warrant and ordered authorities to 

seek the help of Interpol. 

"We have come to know through 

media he is in London now. So we 

have appealed to court that he 

should be brought back with the help 

of Interpol for the sake of the proper 

trial," prosecutor Mosharraf Hossain 

said. 

"He is a fugitive accused in the 

case because he did not show up deliberately 

despite repeated court notices. 

The court has accepted our plea 

and passed the order," Hossain said. 

He said Interpol would be asked to 

arrest Rahman, the senior vice chairman 

of the BNP. — AFP

14 

THE WORLD 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang attend a signing of business 

agreements during a press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany yesterday. The two countries seek 

to weather a brewing trade spat between Beijing and the EU and forge deeper ties. — AFP 

Police probe Paris soldier stabbing 

as 4 held over London murder 

PARIS — French investigators yesterday 

probed the stabbing of a soldier 

in Paris days after the killing of a soldier 

in London, where British police 

were holding four new suspects. 

French soldier Cedric Cordier was 

in hospital in a stable condition after 

the Saturday stabbing in a busy underground 

shopping and transport 

hub where he had been on patrol 

with two colleagues. 

Counter-terrorism oficers in London 

yesterday arrested a fourth man 

in connection with the death of the 

British soldier. 

The 22-year-old was taken into 

custody in north London on suspicion 

of conspiracy to murder, one day 

after three other men - aged 21 to 28 

- were detained on the same charge. 

Meanwhile, the two men who 

were arrested on murder charges at 

the scene of the attack on Wednes- 

Pope says 'maias' convert people to slaves 

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis yesterday 

condemned the "maias" 

that turned people into "slaves" and 

prayed for gangsters to turn to God, 

a day after a slain priest was proclaimed 

the irst "maia martyr". 

"I think of all the pain of men, 

women and even children who are 

exploited by many maias," Francis 

told tens of thousands of followers 

in St Peter's Square in a traditional 

weekly address. 

"They are forced to do work that 

makes them slaves, like prostitution," 

he said. "Behind all this slavery, there 

are maias." 

"We pray that these maia men and 

women convert to God," he said. 

Father Pino Puglisi, who was 

gunned down by the maia in 1993 

day, in which 25-year-old soldier Lee 

Rigby was stabbed in broad daylight, 

remain in hospital in stable condition 

after being shot by police. 

French President Francois Hollande 

said the stabbing could not be 

linked to the London murder "at this 

stage", although his interior minister, 

Manuel Valls, said the "sudden violence 

of the attack" was similar. 

Hollande said French authorities 

are still piecing together information 

on the Paris stabber, who staged an 

equally public attack but then melted 

into the crowd without a word. 

"We still do not know the exact circumstances 

of the attack or the identity 

of the attacker, but we are looking 

at all options," Hollande told reporters 

accompanying him on a trip to 

Ethiopia. 

Hollande cautioned against drawing 

a link to the London killing, but 

for turning children away from a life 

of crime, was beatiied at a mass in 

Palermo on Saturday with tens of 

thousands in attendance. 

"He took young people away from 

the maia, which tried to defeat him 

by killing him but in reality he is the 

one who won," Francis said. 

Puglisi has been given the status of 

"blessed" and "martyr of the faith" by 

the Roman Catholic Church, the irst 

step towards full sainthood. 

His pleas for help from political 

and religious authorities were frequently 

ignored but since his death 

the Church has become much more 

critical of maiosi, who are often outwardly 

devout. 

Pope Francis yesterday visited a 

Rome parish for the irst time, choos- 

Valls said: "There are elements, the 

sudden violence of the attack, that 

could lead one to think there could be 

a comparison with what happened in 

London." 

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves 

Le Drian said Cordier had been targeted 

because he was a soldier and 

said he was working with Valls to 

crack down on "terrorism". 

"We are pursuing a merciless ight 

against terrorism and against any act 

that threatens our security," he told 

reporters after visiting the wounded 

man in hospital. 

The local prosecutor's ofice said 

an anti-terror unit would handle the 

investigation of the stabbing. 

The attacker, described by police 

as bearded and around 1.9 metres 

tall, approached the 23-year-old soldier, 

stabbed him and then disappeared 

into the crowd. 

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev during an interview with NTV channel presenter Vadim Takmenyov 

in Moscow. Medvedev admitted that his irst year in ofice has been quite hard. — Reuters 

ing a church on the outskirts of the 

city following his call for clergymen 

to take God’s message to the “fringes” 

of society. 

Church bells rang out in the northern 

Rome suburb of Prima Porta as 

the pope was greeted by hundreds of 

cheering faithful. 

“The pope is in the Vatican, I am 

here as the bishop of Rome,” Francis 

told the congregation at an open-air 

mass outside the Church of Saints 

Elizabeth and Zachary in the working-class 

area. 

“You understand reality not from 

the centre but from the outskirts,” the 

Argentine pope said at the service, 

before speaking to 16 local children 

who were taking communion for the 

irst time. 


China and EU to try easing 

trade differences today 

BEIJING — China will hold informal 

talks with the European Commission 

today to try to defuse a trade row over 

solar panels and wireless equipment. 

The European Union accuses China 

of pricing its solar panels and mobile 

telecom devices too cheaply and 

"dumping" them in Europe to corner 

the market. It plans to impose duties 

on Chinese panel makers . 

China denies the allegations and 

Premier Li Keqiang, who is touring 

Europe this week said the EU plans 

would "harm others without beneiting 

oneself". 

China's Vice-Commerce minister 

Zhong Shan will meet EU Trade Commissioner 

Karel De Gucht in Brussels 

today, China's Ministry of Commerce 

said yesterday. An EU spokesman 

conirmed the talks, but stressed they 

were informal. 

China's Premier Li Keqiang yesterday 

held talks with German Chancellor 

Angela Merkel. 

Australia to end live sports betting 

SYDNEY — Australia will ban the 

broadcast of betting odds during 

live sports matches under new rules 

unveiled yesterday designed to keep 

the watching of sport on television 

separate from the promotion of 

gambling. 

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said 

the government had ordered broadcasters 

to amend their codes to ensure 

a reduction in the promotion 

and advertising of gambling during 

sport. 

"From the moment that the players 

step onto the ield, to the moment 

that they leave the ield, there 

will be no live odds," Gillard told reporters 

in Sydney. 

"This is good news for families, 

because families I think have be- 

The new premier's visit to Germany, 

by far China's biggest European 

trading partner, indicates Beijing's 

wish to continue its special partnership 

with Europe's biggest economy, 

analysts say. 

Aside from a brief stop in Switzerland 

to ink an accord paving the way 

for a landmark free trade deal with 

the Alpine nation, Germany is the only 

stop among EU member states on Li's 

maiden foreign tour, which last week 

also took in India and Pakistan. 

Li, in a speech to business and inancial 

leaders in Switzerland on Friday, 

slammed the EU for plans to probe 

China's telecom products and impose 

taxes on its solar panels, Chinese state 

media reported on Saturday. 

Cited by Xinhua news agency, Li 

said the planned measures would 

"not only cause serious damage to related 

industries, enterprises and employment 

in China, but will also hurt 

the personal interests of users and 

come increasingly frustrated about 

the penetration of live odds into 

sporting coverage." 

Under the new rules, all promotion 

of betting odds on broadcast 

media will be prohibited during live 

sports matches, including by gambling 

companies and commentators. 

"All generic gambling broadcast 

advertisements will be banned during 

play," Gillard said in a joint statement 

with Communications Minister 

Stephen Conroy. 

"Advertisements of this sort 

would only be allowed before or after 

a game; or during a scheduled 

break in play, such as quarter-time 

and half-time." 

The government said it will monitor 

the intensity of generic gambling 

consumers in Europe". 

Merkel will greet Li, who arrived 

in Germany on Saturday, with military 

honours at her Berlin chancellery 

and afterwards hold talks set to cover 

the "whole breadth of our very intensive 

relations", including trade, her 

spokesman said. 

Trade disputes between China and 

Europe have multiplied as commercial 

ties have deepened. Eighteen of 

31 trade investigations conducted by 

the European Union involves China. 

The fall-out over solar panels, 

which came to a head this month 

when the European Commission announced 

plans to impose import duties 

averaging 47 per cent on Chinese 

panel makers, is the largest to date. 

The duties are expected to become 

EU law in early June. Formal discussions 

between China and the European 

Union towards reaching a negotiated 

settlement can only begin after 

that, the Commission spokesman said. 

Demonstrators protest against the killing of British soldier Lee Rigby, outside the Woolwich barracks in 

southeast London yesterday. The British government, facing criticism over the killing of a soldier by suspected 

Islamists in a London street, is to set up a new group to combat radical Muslim preachers and others whose 

words could encourage violence. — Reuters 

Doubt on Alzheimer's cancer drug study 

WASHINGTON — Four separate teams 

of scientists have said they were unable 

to replicate a highly publicised 

study that last year touted a cancer 

drug's success against Alzheimer's 

disease in mice. 

"We wanted to repeat the study 

to see if we could build on it, and we 

couldn't," said David Borchelt, a professor 

of neuroscience at the University 

of Florida, noting that "it was important 

to publish the fact." 

"Maybe there should be some caution 

going forward in regard to patients," 

he added. 

The high proile 2012 study in the 

US journal Science found that mice 

treated with bexarotene became rapidly 

smarter and the plaque in their 

brains that was causing Alzheimer's 

started to disappear within hours. 

The drug was believed to work by 

boosting levels of a protein, Apolipoprotein 

E (ApoE), that helps clear 

amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, a 

key hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. 

"We were shocked and amazed," 

lead author Gary Landreth, a professor 

in the Department of Neurosciences 

at Case Western Reserve University 

School of Medicine in Ohio, said when 

the study was published in February 

2012. 

"Things like this had never, ever 

been seen before," he said. 

But a key part of science is being 

able to replicate the indings of any 

research, and international researchers 

reported in four separate papers 

in Science's May 24 edition that they 

had failed to do so. 

Other researchers who published 

their attempts were Bart De Strooper, 

director of the VIB Center for the Biology 

of Disease in Belgium, and Sangram 

Sisodia, director of the Center 

for Molecular Neurobiology at the 

University of Chicago. 

The scientists said their studies 

showed no effect on the plaque levels 

in three different populations of lab 

mice treated with bexarotene. 

A fourth group of researchers said 

they observed mental gains in the 

mice but could not conirm they were 

achieved by the mechanism initially 

reported, said co-author Iliya Lefterov, 

associate professor at the University 

of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public 

Health. 

"While we were able to verify that 

the mice quickly regained their lost 

cognitive skills and conirmed the decrease 

in amyloid beta peptides in the 

interstitial luid that surrounds brain 

cells, we did not ind any evidence 

that the drug cleared the plaques from 

their brains." 

The indings should also serve as a 

warning for doctors not to prescribe 

bexarotene as an off-label treatment 

for Alzheimer's, researchers said. 

The drug, also known as Targretin, 

was approved by the US Food and 

Drug Administration in 1999 for treating 

a type of skin cancer known as refractory 

cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. 

"Anecdotally, we have all heard that 

physicians are treating their Alzheimer's 

patients with bexarotene, a cancer 

drug with severe side effects," said 

Robert Vassar, professor of cell and 

molecular biology at Northwestern 

University Feinberg School of Medicine. 

"This practice should be ended immediately, 

given the failure of three 

independent research groups to replicate 

the plaque-lowering effects of 

bexarotene." — AFP 

advertisements within the allowed 

periods, and if these were found to 

"go beyond reasonable levels" a total 

advertising ban would be imposed. 

Under the new rules, banner advertisements, 

sponsorship logos, 

and other broadcast promotions 

must not appear during play. Representatives 

of gambling companies 

cannot appear with the commentary 

team and when crossed to, cannot 

be at or around the venue and must 

be clearly identiied. 

The government said it expected 

the broadcasting industry to submit 

a revised code to the Australian 

Communications and Media Authority 

relecting these changes and 

threatened to legislate the changes 

if they failed to do so. — AFP


Merkel is not scaring off 

voters, says minister 

BERLIN — Chancellor Angela Merkel 

has not alienated conservative German 

voters by pushing her Christian 

Democrats into the centre but has instead 

put the party on course to win 

for a third term in September, Finance 

Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said. 

In an interview with Der Spiegel 

magazine yesterday, the powerful 

leader of the CDU's conservative wing 

made it clear to fellow right wingers 

they should stop sniping at Merkel if 

they want to help keep the party in 

power for four more years. 

Schaeuble also ruled out for the 

irst time a "grand coalition" with the 

centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), a 

right-centre alliance that many analysts 

expect to be the outcome in September. 

He also ruled out a coalition 

with the Greens. 

Merkel, seeking a third term, has 

been under ire from the right wing of 

her CDU for pushing the party away 

from its conservative roots. Since 

2009 the CDU has abandoned conscription, 

nuclear power and university 

fees. It is also now opening itself 

to quotas for women executives. 

"We're not scaring away anyone," 

Schaeuble told der Spiegel in a stirring 

defence of Merkel four months 

before the election. "On the contrary, 

the CDU is in a better position right 

now than ever before and I'm not just 

talking about opinion polls. 

"Merkel's doing a remarkable 

job," he added, pointing to the political 

weakness and inighting plaguing 

conservative parties in France and 

Britain. "Everyone will tell you that 

society has changed a lot in the last 

20 years. We've got to accept that." 

Schaeuble, 70, rejected the suggestion 

that conservatives feel estranged 

by Merkel's centrist strategies 

"I also consider myself to be a conservative 

and I don't know anyone 

in the CDU who feels estranged by 

Merkel," he said. 

Merkel has high approval ratings 

although she is viewed sceptically by 

the right wing of her party. Her popularity 

has helped the CDU and its Bavarian 

sister party, the Christian Social 

Union (CSU), open up a wide lead 

ahead of the September 22 election. 

In a poll published in Bild am Sonntag, 

the CDU/CSU would win 40 per 

cent, up 1 point in the past week, 

while the SPD would win 27 per cent, 

also up 1 point. But the CDU/CSU's 

coalition partners, the Free Democrats, 

at 4 per cent, would fail to win 

seats in parliament. 

The SPD and its preferred centreleft 

partners, the Greens (13 per 

cent), would also fall short of a majority. 

Analysts expect the CDU/CSU 

and SPD to form another grand coalition, 

like the right-centre alliance that 

ruled from 2005 to 2009. — Reuters 

Demonstrators hold a giant banner reading in Portuguese "Government, Troika out!" during a protest 

against the government's austerity policies near Belem Presidential palace in Lisbon. The latest draconian 

measures to shore up the Portuguese economy will make matters worse and the government should break the 

agreement with the IMF and European Union or obtain better terms, an opinion poll found on May 20. — AFP 

Italy holds local polls in test for parties 

ROME — Italians voted in local elections 

yesterday that will test political 

parties three months from a general 

election that left no clear winner and 

a month after the start of a fragile coalition 

cabinet. 

The focus is on the Italian capital 

Rome where incumbent rightwing 

mayor Gianni Alemanno is running 

two points behind his leftist challenger 

Ignazio Marino, according to 

recent opinion polls. 

The elections are also a key bellwether 

of support for the anti-establishment 

Five Star Movement, which 

won a quarter of the vote in national 

elections but has appeared to lose 

ground since then. 

Polling stations will re-open on 

Monday for a second day of voting 

and close at 1300 GMT, with preliminary 

results expected later in the day. 

Second-round run-off votes will be 

held on June 9-10, with most analysts 

Dozens at Swiss techno parade clashes 

BERNE, Switzerland — Swiss police 

said yesterday they had arrested 

61 people in clashes at a politicallycharged 

techno parade in Berne, 

which the authorities said left 21 

members of the security forces injured. 

Trouble erupted in Berne's picturesque 

Old Town in the early hours 

yesterday during the unauthorised 

"Tanz Dich Frei" (Dance Yourself 

Free) parade. 

After a standoff between riot police 

and dozens of masked and hooded 

"Black Bloc" hardliners, a reporter 

saw a group attempting to break 

down temporary barriers protecting 

parliament. 

Police responded with tear gas and 

a water cannon which sent the crowd 

scattering across the square, as a helicopter 

circled overhead. 

Some protesters held their ground, 

pelting police and the water cannon 

with bottles, ireworks and lares. 

Police put the number of participants 

in the parade at 10,000, and 

said the vast majority were peaceful. 

Braving rain and unseasonably 

chilly weather, the eclectic crowd 

had snaked through the Swiss capital 

predicting the Rome mayoral race 

will not be won on the irst round. 

Alemanno has come under ire in 

the Eternal City for trafic-clogged 

streets, a waste disposal crisis and 

dissatisfaction among many tourists. 

He has defended himself saying 

he inherited a debt-riddled city from 

leftist mayors before him and pointing 

to key projects he has backed. 

Marino has promised to do more 

to improve public transport and to 

ease the social crisis brought on by 

record-high unemployment levels in 

the city. 

Final campaign rallies by the 

candidates in Rome on Friday were 

sparsely attended, leading analysts to 

believe that turnout could be low. 

The elections affect 564 local authorities, 

including the cities of Ancona, 

Brescia, Pisa and Siena — many of 

them facing similar problems brought 

on by a grinding recession. 

among trailers carrying huge speakers 

that pumped out dance beats. 

Hardliners spraypainted and 

smashed windows of banks, shops 

and the Swedish embassy, which was 

on the parade route, before small 

groups fanned out in the city centre 

to skirmish with police and target 

other buildings, looting shops. 

An initial estimate put the damage 

at several hundred thousand Swiss 

francs (euros, dollars), police said. 

Ambulance workers were called 

out at least 50 times, mostly due to 

heavy drinking in the crowd. 

Tanz Dich Frei was organised by 

an anonymous collective which mustered 

participants on Facebook. 

In a statement posted on their 

page yesterday, the organisers lashed 

out at the authorities, saying many 

protesters had acted in self-defence 

and that city oficials had conducted a 

smear campaign. 

"The state made its intentions 

clear. The protection of parliament 

was more important than that of 

thousands of people," they said. 

Ahead of the event, organisers had 

appealed for the violent few to stay 

away. 

The centre-left Democratic Party 

came irst in elections in February 

against Silvio Berlusconi's centreright 

People of Freedom party but 

failed to win a majority in parliament. 

A two-month deadlock ensued 

which was only resolved last month 

with the start of an unprecedented 

grand coalition government bringing 

the two parties and former prime 

minister Mario Monti's centrists together 

in the cabinet. 

Some analysts predict Berlusconi 

could bring down the government 

within months, triggering fresh elections 

that polls indicate his party 

would win. 

But the three-time former prime 

minister and billionaire tycoon — 

who is facing a series of legal battles, 

including charges of tax fraud and 

paying for sex with an underage prostitute 

— has insisted that he will support 

the government. — AFP 

"It's a pity the event couldn't pass 

off peacefully," they said yesterday. 

The parade, now into its third 

year, is tolerated grudgingly by city 

authorities even though the organisers 

lack a permit. 

The organisers say that the right 

to party is just one cause, along with 

opposition to the gentriication of 

parts of Berne where the alternative 

scene used to thrive, which they 

claim has driven up property prices 

and created a sanitised city for the 

rich. 

They also push an anti-capitalist 

message, blasting neo-liberal economics 

and heavyhanded policing. 

The 2012 edition drew some 

20,000 people. Berne's population is 

around 126,000. 

After trouble last year, Berne police 

were bolstered by forces from 

other cities. 

They have been stretched not only 

by the techno protest but also last 

trouble at last Monday's Swiss football 

cup inal, the security operation 

for last Friday's visit by Chinese Premier 

Li Keqiang, and are bracing for 

a high-tension football league match 

on Wednesday. — AFP 

EUROPE 

15 

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic (L) listens to Prime Minister Ivica Dacic inside the St George's Church on 

Oplenac Hill during the funeral of Serbian royals in Topola, some 71km south of Belgrade, yesterday. — Reuters 

State funeral for Serbia ex-king 

OPLENAC, Serbia — Serbian government 

oficials and hundreds of 

mourners attended the reburial of 

King Petar II Karadjordjevic and other 

members of the Yugoslavian royal 

family yesterday decades after their 

deaths in exile — an event seen as an 

important act of reconciliation. 

The bodies of Petar, his wife Queen 

Aleksandra, mother Queen Maria and 

brother Prince Andrej, had been exhumed 

from cemeteries in the United 

States, Britain and Greece. 

The four cofins draped in Serbian 

royal lags and escorted by Serb army 

guardsmen were transferred to the 

Oplenac royal chapel in the southwestern 

town of Topola. 

Petar succeeded his father King 

Aleksandar in 1934, who was assassinated 

in Marseilles, France, by 

Croatian and Bulgarian nationalists. 

After Nazi Germany invaded Yugoslavia 

in April 1941, Petar led the 

country and spent the most of World 

War Two in exile in Britain. After the 

war, Petar was proclaimed a traitor 

by the communist leadership, which 

also abolished the monarchy. 

His property was coniscated and 

he remained exiled until death in 

1970 in the United States. 

President Tomislav Nikolic, Prime 

Minister Ivica Dacic, Patriarch Irinej 

and the head of Serb Orthodox church 

were among those attending the state 

funeral. 

The ceremony was an act of reconciliation 

between Serbs who 

supported the royal family or communist 

forces during World War Two. 

Tens of thousands of people died 

in Serbia between 1941 and 1945 in 

a civil war between royalist guerrillas 

Swedish riots seen ebbing 

STOCKHOLM — Swedish police yesterday 

reported a seventh night of 

scattered violence in Stockholm's 

suburbs, but said there was a signiicant 

reduction in the rate of incidents 

when compared to the events of the 

last week. 

Cars were torched and police faced 

stone-throwing youths in immigrantdominated 

suburbs early yesterday, 

police said. 

A handful of cars were set ablaze 

in various suburbs. 

“When it comes to car ires, there 

have been a few, spread out in various 

locations, but not as many as in recent 

days,” Stockholm police spokesman 

Lars Bystroem told Swedish Radio. 

A police patrol in Vaarberg, a suburb 

south of the capital, was attacked 

by rock-throwing youths, but no one 

was injured and no arrests were 

made. 

In general, violence levels has 

ebbed, said a police spokesman, after 

a week of riots sparked by the May 13 

shooting of a 69-year-old man, which 

immigrant groups say was the result 

of police heavy-handedness. 

"We are on the way to normalizing 

the situation," said spokesman Kjell 

Lindgren. 

He noted that windows had been 

smashed at a school in a southern 

Stockholm suburb and that at least 

16 people had been detained on suspicion 

of planning violent activities. 

"But there were no violent gatherings 

of people or violence against our 

oficers," he said. 

Police had noted on Saturday that 

the level of violence was calming 

down, even as copycat protests expanded 

to other parts of the country. 

Opposition politicians said some of 

the violence can be attributed to high 

unemployment rates among immigrants. 

— dpa 

Competitors run during the 20 km Brussels race yesterday. — Reuters 

and communist partisans who also 

fought the German occupiers. The 

two camps are still at odds decades 

after the war. 

"More Serbs were killed by the 

Serbian hand than by the hand of the 

occupier," Nikolic said in a eulogy. 

"We cannot, we must not allow divisions 

and injustice anymore." 

After the war, royalist supporters 

were killed or persecuted by the government 

of Josip Broz Tito. 

Petar's son, Crown Prince Aleksandar 

Karadjordjevic, and his family 

were allowed to return to Serbia in 

mid-1990s by Slobodan Milosevic as 

Yugoslavia disintegrated . 

"This funeral was the fulilment 

of historic justice. They had to be 

brought home," said Zoran Kotarac, a 

mourner from the village of Slankamen, 

north of Belgrade. — Reuters 

Hollande popularity 

inches up: poll 

PARIS — French President Francois 

Hollande's popularity rating inched 

up in May from a record low the 

previous month, a poll showed on 

Sunday, a rare positive sign after a 

irst year in ofice marked by rising 

unemployment. 

Hollande's approval rating rose 

by 4 percentage points to 29 per 

cent in May, as perceptions improved 

among his own Socialist 

Party voters, pensioners, blue-collar 

workers and women, the survey by 

pollster IFOP in weekly paper JDD 

showed. 

The Socialist leader has carried 

out two major reforms, loosening 

labour laws and allowing same-sex 

marriage, since he took ofice last 

May, as well as ordering a military 

operation in Mali to help oust Islamist 

ighters. 

— Reuters

16 

PANORAMA 

Boys play with a rile during Georgia's Independence Day celebrations in Tbilisi yesterday. — Reuters 

Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the 21st Life Ball in 

Vienna on Saturday. Life Ball is Europe's largest annual Aids charity 

event and takes place in Vienna's city hall. — Reuters 

A view of the ultralight aircraft used by Slovenian pilot, biologist, photographer, and adventurer Matevz 

Lenarcic to ly over the North Pole, yesterday, at the airport in Brnik, Slovenia. Lenarcic landed in Slovenia 

following a brief stopover in Western France and after having overlown the North Pole in an ultra-light plane 

equipped to measure air pollution. — AFP 

A cricket fan gets his face painted before the Indian Premier League (IPL) 

match outside a stadium in Kolkata. For decades, cricket was a sleepy, 

laid-back pastime, but the shorter, television-friendly forms of the sport 

have brought an inlux of money, especially in India. Experts on cricket 

say the large sums at stake and easy access to cricketers by bookies are 

clouding the future of the game. — Reuters 

Limits on Internet 

after criticism 

DUSHANBE — Internet access has 

been partially blocked in Tajikistan 

after online critics lambasted 

President Emomalii Rahmon for 

excessive spending at his son's 

wedding, local media reported 

yesterday. 

Noting the president's exuberant 

dancing in videos released from 

the wedding, Internet bloggers 

commented that the president had 

clearly consumed more than just 

mineral water at the 1.5-millioneuro 

($1.9-million) wedding. 

That prompted the partial 

Internet shutdown in the poor 

Central Asian country, where 

presidential elections are expected 

later this year. — dpa 

Bosnian shepherd 

kills attacking bear 

with an axe 

SARAJEVO — A Bosnian shepherd 

who killed with an axe a bear 

that attacked him overnight was 

hospitalised and his condition was 

described as serious, a local TV 

station reported yesterday. 

Blazo Grkovic, who was attacked 

by a brown bear as he was guarding 

his lock of sheep at the foot of 

southern Bosnian mountain 

Volujak, told local BN television he 

had "hit it in the neck." 

"I had an axe in my hand and 

I managed to hit it in the neck. It 

fell and we fought close up," the 

shepherd told BN from his hospital 

bed in the nearby town of Foca. 

"It bit me, and I hit it until it 

died. I have injuries everywhere, 

especially in my left arm where 

he bit me twice or three times," 

Grkovic said. 

Although seriously injured, 

Grkovic managed to call his 

brother who came to ind him with 

emergency services. — AFP 


The Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft is transported to its launch pad at 

Baikonur cosmodrome yesterday. Soyuz with US astronaut Karen 

Nyber, Italian astronaut Luca Parmitano and Russian cosmonaut 

Fyodor Yurchikhin is due to travel to the International Space Station on 

Wednesday. — Reuters 

People look at the ight between Saint George and the dragon at the Ducasse-Doudou folkloric festival in 

Mons, yesterday. The Doudou feast compromises two parts, a procession with the shrine of Waltrude and 

the ight between Saint George and the dragon. The Doudou was recognised in 2005 by Unesco as one of the 

masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. — AFP 

1931 Leica camera 

sells for 528,000 

euros 

VIENNA — A 1931 Leica camera 

has sold for 528,000 euros 

($683,000) at an auction that 

included rare photos and the 

camera that snapped an iconic shot 

of an American sailor with a nurse 

the day after World War II ended. 

The rare Leica, which belonged 

to German winemaker Karl Henkell, 

fetched more than three and a half 

times the expected price at the 

Vienna sale held by auctioneers 

Westlicht on Saturday. 

Other models by the famed 

German camera irm also fetched 

far higher prices than expected. 

A prototype Leica M3 estimated 

at 70,000 euros sold for 432,000, 

and a prototype Leica Reporter 250 

estimated at 30,000 euros fetched 

240,000. 

The camera used by Germanborn 

American photographer Alfred 

Eisenstaedt sold for 114,000 euros. 

A 1949 photo by American 

photographer Irving Penn of his 

wife, "Woman in Chicken Hat", went 

for 66,000 euros. — AFP 

A man and a child watch the traditional Royal Ride festival in Vlcnov 

some 100 km southeast of Brno, Czech Republic yesterday. A man dressed 

like a king and a woman in a traditional dress ride through the village 

to re-enact the ride of the kings in the country. The festival attracts 

thousands of visitors from the Czech Republic and from abroad. — AFP 

People are crowed in La Rochelle harbour, southwestern France, to look at the competitors launching from 

Saint-Nicolas tower during the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. — AFP

P18 

OMAN 

>> Inside 

Al Maha Ceramics 

proposes IPO 

AL Maha Ceramics SAOC, 

which operates a major 

ceramic tile manufacturing 

plant at Sohar Industrial 

Estate, has initiated moves to 

go public with 40 of the stake 

currently held by its existing 

shareholders. 

A recommendation 

to this effect was made 

by the company’s Board 

for consideration at an 

Extraordinary General 

Meeting (EGM), according to 

a iling by Al Anwar Holding, 

which has a 37 per cent stake 

in Al Maha Ceramics. The 

IPO is proposed to be loated 

during 2013. A series of 

expansions has made Al Maha 

one of the largest producers 

of ceramic wall and loor tiles 

in the region. . 

Bank Muscat in 

pact with HSBC 

BANK Muscat has signed an 

agreement for the referral 

and transfer of assets of the 

merchant acquiring (point of 

sale) business of HSBC Oman 

to Bank Muscat, the lender 

said in a iling to Muscat 

Securities Market. 

“We have obtained 

necessary regulatory 

approvals for the transaction. 

As part of the process, both 

parties have agreed to put in 

place procedures to facilitate 

the smooth transition of 

business without disruption 

of services to merchants. 

The acquisition will further 

strengthen Bank Muscat’s 

commitment to the electronic 

payment industry in Oman,” 

it added. 

P 18 GE focuses on strengthening its footprint in Oman P 24 BoJ’s Kuroda says pain from bond yield rise is manageable 

By Conrad Prabhu 

P23 P24 

Monday 

MAY 27 2013 | RAJAB 17, 1434 AH 

www.omanobserver.om facebook.com/omanobserver twitter.com/omanobserver editor@omanobserver.om AppStore 

Multiple locations likely for 2,500-3,000 MW capacity IPP 

Oman unveils plans for giant power project 

MUSCAT — With electricity demand continuing 

to grow by leaps and bounds, the 

government-run Oman Power & Water Procurement 

Company (OPWP) yesterday announced 

the start of a process to procure the 

Sultanate’s largest ever Independent Power 

Project (IPP). Estimated to range between 

2,500 and 3,000 MW in capacity, the proposed 

IPP will surpass in size the massive 

2,000MW power project, currently under 

construction at Sur. 

As a irst step, OPWP — which has 

the sole mandate under the sector law 

to oversee the procurement of all new 

power and related water desalination 

capacity — has invited qualiied consultancy 

irms to submit Expressions 

of Interest (EoIs) for contracts to provide 

advisory services linked to the implementation 

of the mammoth power 

scheme. 

Interested irms have until June 6, 

2013 to register their interest to participate 

in bids for separate contracts 

to provide Financial and Commercial 

Services, Technical Advisory Services, 

and Legal Advisory Services. Requests 

for Proposals (RfPs) pertaining to these 

contracts are likely to be loated within 

the next fortnight, it is learnt. 

According to oficials, it is unlikely 

that the new 2,500-3,000 MW capacity 

IPP will constitute a single plant built 

at one site. Rather, the project is more 

likely to take the shape of two or more 

plants located at multiple sites, but implemented 

by one developer against a 

license awarded via an international 

competitive tender. A case in point here 

is the successful implementation of the 

Barka 3 and Sohar 2 IPPs, each of 744 

MW capacity, but built by a common 

developer. Moreover, the overall performance 

of relatively smaller plants, 

it is argued, is better than one largecapacity 

project. 

As part of their early brief, the selected 

consultants will be required to 

identify suitable sites for the location 

of the IPP. Potential candidate sites are 

likely to include Barka and Sohar, both 

of which currently host large power 

generation and water desalination assets 

with enough space around to ac- 

MENA Sohar-1 SPV acquires 

20pc of Sohar Power 


MUSCAT — Sohar Power Company 

SAOG, which owns and operates an Independent 

Water and Power Project (known 

as Sohar-1) at the Port of Sohar, has announced 

the commencement of the process 

to transfer 20.0 per cent of the company’s 

total share capital from three of its original 

shareholders, namely WJ Towell & Co 

LLC, Zubair Corporation LLC and Kahrabel 

FZE to MENA Sohar-1 SPV Ltd. 

MENA Sohar-1 SPV Ltd is an investment 

holding company of MENA Infrastructure 

Fund LP, a fund dedicated to 

investing in infrastructure in the Middle 

East and North Africa, managed by 

MENA Infrastructure, a specialist infrastructure 

private equity fund manager 

based in Dubai and sponsored by Fajr 

Capital Ltd, Waha Capital PJSC and the 

HSBC Group. 

As a result of the transaction, the 

existing business of the Company will 

not be affected, Sohar Power Company 

stated in a iling to Muscat Securities 

Market. After the transaction, Kahrabel 

FZE (a 100 per cent owned subsidiary 

of the GDF SUEZ Group) remains the 

largest shareholder of the Company 

with 35 per cent shareholding, while 

MENA Sohar-1 SPV Ltd will hold 20 per 

cent. Other shareholders are Ministry 

of Defence Pension Fund (5 per cent) 

and Sogex Oman (5 per cent), while the 

remaining 35 per cent is owned by the 

public. 

The transaction is due to be completed 

by May 29, 2013. 

Wind power blows into Africa 

CAPE TOWN — Giant turbines churning 

in the wind are a rare sight in Africa 

— but that will not be the case for long. 

Until now the meagre amounts of 

investment in African wind energy 

have predominantly come from governments 

and foreign donors. 

But this is changing fast, say experts. 

Private investors smell proit in 

beeing-up the continent's overstretched 

power grids and swarms of 

new wind turbines are soon expected 

to emerge. 

If all plans on the table come to 

fruition, capacity will increase tenfold. 

"When you look at the on-going 

and planned projects, you see actually 

over 50 per cent of the projects being 

sponsored by the private sector," said 

African Development Bank economist 

Emelly Mutambatsere. 

Today wind makes up one per cent 

of electricity production, or just 1.1 

gigawatts. 

But an additional 10.5 gigawatts is 

in the pipeline. 

According to an African Development 

Bank study of 76 wind projects, 

two thirds are pending. 

Liberalisation of electricity markets 

has helped prise open the sluice 

gates for investment. 

"The state still plays a big role in 

a lot of the countries," Mutambatsere 

told AFP. "But a number of countries 

have liberalised to some extent." 

North Africa — including Egypt, 

Tunisia and Morocco — have led the 

way. But sub-Saharan Africa is catching 

up. 

This year saw the irst large commercial 

wind farm in the region come 

on line, a 52 megawatt project in 

Ethiopia. 

Further south, the continent's 

heaviest carbon emitter South Africa 

is a striking example of the sector's 

growth. 

The coal-rich nation — gunning 

for an extra 18 gigawatts of capacity 

from renewables such as wind — has 

opened power production projects to 

private bidders for the irst time. 

The irst bidding round of 28 

projects drew $5 billion in investments, 

according to the energy ministry. 

"There's a huge boom going on 

in South Africa in wind and renewables," 

said South African Wind Energy 

Association CEO Johan van den Berg. 

"South Africa previously had eight 

operative wind towers or turbines 

and there's about 250 under construction 

at the moment." 

Last year, investment in South 

African renewable energy increased 

in excess of 20,000 per 

cent, he said. 

commodate new generation capacity, it 

is learnt. 

However, inland locations are not 

ruled out, particularly as the project 

is envisaged as a power-only scheme 

at this stage. Consequently, potential 

sites between Nizwa and Muscat will 

be taken into consideration as well, say 

oficials. 

In addition, OPWP and its advisors 

will also study opportunities for colocating 

water desalination capacity 

alongside these plants. With advancements 

in reverse-osmosis technology, 

which tends to perform better when 

run on power compared to thermal 

plants, there is no longer a compelling 

need to co-locate desalination plants 

Inside 

Centennial named Best Luxury Car 

Cohen losing Blackstone’s support 

Swiss-China trade on the rise 

alongside power generation plants. 

Nevertheless, OPWP will examine the 

economic beneits of co-locating water 

and power in line with its obligations. 

As with almost all of Oman’s power 

generation capacity, fuel for the proposed 

IPP will be natural gas. Projections 

of the sector’s long-term requirements 

of natural gas have already been 

intimated to the Ministry of Oil and 

Gas, say oficials. 

Peak electricity demand within the 

Main Interconnected System (MIS), 

which covers much of the northern half 

of the Sultanate, is expected to grow at 

9.5 per cent per year, from 4293 MW 

in 2012 to 8106 MW in 2019, according 

to OPWP. In the high-case scenario, 

peak demand growth could be as high 

as 11 per cent to 9133 MW in 2019, 

exceeding Expected Demand by about 

1000 MW. 

While the new Sur IPP, offering up 

to 2,000 MW of capacity, will meet a 

substantial chunk of this demand starting 

from 2014, the balance will be met 

by the proposed new IPP, which is due 

to be operational in 2018.

18 

OMAN 

Bank Muscat wins two 

awards for key support to 

sports development 

MUSCAT — Bank Muscat, the lagship inancial 

services provider in the Sultanate, 

has won two awards in recognition of key 

support to sports development in Oman. 

Shaikh Khalid bin Mustahail al Mashani, 

Chairman of Bank Muscat, won an award 

in recognition of initiating the unique 

Green Sports project to green the playing 

ields of sports clubs across Oman while 

the bank won an award for various initiatives 

in support of sports activities. Shaikh 

Khalid bin Omar al Marhoon, Minister of 

Civil Service, presented the awards at a 

ceremony held as part of the Media Week 

Celebrations. The awards were based on 

an annual sports survey conducted by the 

Oman Journalists Association. 

Abdullah al Rahbi, Head — Events & 

Sponsorship, said: “Bank Muscat is proud 

to be recognised once again for its commitment 

to development of sports in 

Oman. The awards relect the bank’s commitment 

to encouraging health, social 

interaction and integration through the 

promotion of sports and physical activity, 

which will contribute to developing Oman 


MUSCAT — As Oman enters a new era 

of growth in line with the government’s 

concerted focus on promoting all-round 

development through its Vision 2020, GE 

highlighted the importance of stronger 

public private partnerships in accelerating 

economic diversiication and job 

creation at a key industry event held in 

Muscat yesterday. 

At the high proile event attended by 

key government oficials, industry leaders 

and experts presented compelling 

viewpoints on the power of partnerships 

to boost Oman’s economic growth and 

business competitiveness. 

GE also presented its diverse array 

of advanced technologies in the energy, 

power, water, aviation and healthcare 

sectors, underlining its nearly 40-year 

heritage in the Sultanate at the event. The 

company’s senior professionals discussed 

new technical solutions that can boost 

operational eficiencies, promote sustainable 

growth and build human capital. 

Nabil Habayeb, GE’s President & Chief 

Executive Oficer for the Middle East, 

North Africa and Turkey, said: “We are 

committed to strengthening our footprint 

in Oman, and in our growth journey, our 

primary focus will be to build partnerships 

and build local talent.” 

He added: “For nearly 40 years, GE has 

served as a strong partner to Oman’s key 

industries. Our focus has been to bring in 

advanced technologies, strengthen local 

partnerships and enable human capital 

development through knowledge transfer 

and skillset development. Public private 

partnerships can accelerate the development 

momentum by sharing competencies 

with the social and economic welfare 

of the country as a top priority. We will 

continue to invest in Oman and build our 

partnerships, and emphasise on job creation 

for Omanis, and local capability and 

talent building.” 

as an attractive sporting destination.” 

The Green Sports initiative was 

launched by the bank in 2012 to develop 

a sporting nation by supporting sports 

clubs across Oman to green their playing 

ields. The bank recognises that local 

clubs wield immense inluence on neighbourhood 

communities, especially youth, 

hence clubs with modern infrastructure 

facilities can help raise sporting heroes for 

the country. 

True to its commitment to supporting 

varied sporting activities in the country, 

Bank Muscat remains at the forefront in 

offering the required encouragement and 

support. Bank Muscat is a major supporter 

of the national football team. During 

the Gulf Cup tournaments, the bank led 

by example, being the irst private sector 

institution to announce cash bonanzas for 

the national team. The bank was also the 

irst private sector institution to announce 

inancial support to both the Oman national 

teams playing in the Asian qualiiers 

for 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil and 

2012 Olympics in London. 

Looking for job, car, 

lat and furniture? 

Check out the 

Observer classiied 

page. It’s where 

buyers meet sellers. 

GE focuses on strengthening 

its footprint in Oman 

A panel discussion was held as part 

of the event, attended by: Mulham al 

Jarf, Deputy CEO, Oman Oil Company; 

Dr Hatem al Shanfari, Member of Board 

of Governors of Central Bank Oman and 

Sultan Qaboos University; and Nabil 

Habayeb. 

Oman is one of GE’s fast-growing markets, 

supporting the Sultanate’s energy 

needs by delivering advanced technology 

solutions. With an ofice in Muscat and an 

Electric Submersible Pumps (ESP) Field 

Service & Repair Centre in Nimr, GE today 

has over 80 employees in the country. GE 

has more than 80 installed turbines supporting 

the generation of over 8GW of 

power, nearly half the country’s total production. 

With demand for electricity and water 

projected to growth at about 9.5 per 

cent and 5 per cent, respectively, through 

2019, the country is investing in independent 

water and power projects, with 

the participation of the private sector. 

Oman is also focusing on generating at 

least 10 per cent of its energy from sustainable 

sources by 2020, another area 

where GE has proved its competencies, 

especially in solar projects and smart grid 

solutions. 

GE’s footprint is vast and varied in 

the Sultanate with the company having 

delivering advanced power generation 

technology to the Sohar project. The 

company also delivers advanced 6FA engines 

gas turbines and long-term services 

for Salalah Independent Water & Power 

Project with capacity of 445 MW of electricity 

and 15 million imperial gallons of 

desalinated water per day. 

With over 285 equipment deployed in 

the oil & gas sector, GE supports Petroleum 

Development Oman (PDO) and Oxy’s focus 

on enhanced oil recovery, in line with goals 

of Oman’s 8th Development Plan. The company 

has also strengthened its footprint in 

the healthcare sector of Oman. 

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET 

MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013


Business Alert, 

Daihatsu launches innovative hybrid 

MUSCAT — In Japan, Daihatsu launched a new hybrid passenger vehicle, built in 

arrangement with Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota), named MEBIUS. 

The name MEBIUS is based on the German word Möbius (the Mö bius strip 

is a symbol of ininity), and signiies a car that is a symbol of sustainability, 

with low fuel consumption and roomy interior for travelling anywhere. 

This launch is a part of the business collaboration in the environmental 

technology ield in Japan agreed between Toyota and Daihatsu in September 

2010, and the MEBIUS is the second hybrid vehicle supplied under an OEM arrangement 

after the ALTIS. 

The MEBIUS is equipped with a 1.8 litre hybrid system and achieves low 

fuel consumption of 26.2 km/l with outstanding aerodynamic performance 

and weight reduction. 

Additionally, the vehicle combines a spacious and comfortable interior with 

a high-capacity trunk space in a body that is 4,615 mm long, 1,775 mm wide 

and 1,575 mm high, and features two rows of seats in a ive door vehicle. By 

positioning the seats a little higher, the vehicle ensures a good ield of vision 

while delivering a comfortable interior with suficient head clearance and ample 

leg space. 

In Oman, Daihatsu is a favourite of the people. Daihatsu’s popularity in 

Oman stems from the fact that it is perceived as the most practical choice. As 

one auto analyst put it, “For starters, Daihatsu is a Japanese brand. Secondly, it 

is a Toyota Group Company, so the quality is assured. Thirdly, it is a very economical 

choice. Above all is the assurance of Saud Bahwan Group nationwide 

parts and service support that is always behind this proven performer. Conidence 

levels are further enhanced by the 6 years 'Enayat Bahwan' protection 

plan ensures that customer enjoy total peace of mind. These are the principal 

reasons behind the brand’s popularity here in the Sultanate.” 

Daihatsu's impressive range consists of the Sirion, a compact car that has 

been appreciated by buyers all over the globe. Available in 1.3 and 1.5 Litre 

variants, the Sirion clearly stands out as the most affordable Japanese car in its 

class. In today’s age of bumper-to-bumper trafic snarls, parking problems and 

rising expenses, the Sirion is the most practical choice, thanks to its ease of 

maneuvering, ease in parking, and also its amazing fuel economy. What more, 

it’s easy on the environment too. 

Since its establishment in March 1907, Daihatsu, a Toyota Group Company 

offers the best-in-class Japanese technology. Daihatsu's innovative automobile 

manufacturing practices serve to make it a truly global company. 

Some of the key achievements of Daihatsu include crossing the 25 million 

sales mark, capturing 30 per cent share of Japan's domestic market share in its 

segment and pioneering award-winning technologies across the world. 

Oman Air appoints new service manager 

OMAN Air has appointed a new Airport 

Service Manager, of who is an Omani woman, 

to its team at Abu Dhabi International 

Airport, United Arab Emirates. 

Following extensive induction training, 

Gheitha Suleiman Salim Al Hosny 

has joined the team at Abu Dhabi. 

Wayne Pearce, Oman Air’s Chief Executive 

Oficer, welcomed the appointee 

to her new role, saying: “I am delighted, 

on behalf of all at Oman Air, to welcome 

Gheitha Al Hosny to her new role, where 

I am sure she will excel”. 

She has strong track record within 

Oman Air and was appointed in the face of stiff competition. Gheitha is also 

the irst Omani women we have appointed to the key international position of 

Airport Services Manager and I am sure that she will provide great inspiration 

for other Omani women who are considering a career in aviation. 

Prior to her appointment in Abu Dhabi, Gheitha Suleiman Salim Al Hosny 

began her career with Oman Air in 1994 as a lounge receptionist, rising to Acting 

Duty Manager at Muscat International Airport. 

Whilst Oman Air operates a fully transparent recruitment policy and employs 

a multi-national workforce across its 42-destination network, the national 

carrier of the Sultanate of Oman is also committed to supporting career development 

within the Sultanate and assisting Omani workers to achieve their 

full potential. This approach dovetails with the country’s policy of Omanisation 

and has seen highly experienced and well-qualiied Omanis appointed to positions 

at every level of the company. Omani citizens now comprise two thirds of 

Oman Air’s workforce. 

Dental laser unit at Badr Al Samaa 

BADR Al Samaa, Al Khuwair has launched a state-ofthe-art 

dental laser treatment unit. Being the latest buzz 

word in the field of dentistry, this novel technology is 

poised to make painless dentistry a reality. Dental procedures 

now can be performed quicker, more effectively and 

more comfortably, thanks to the advancements of Lasers” 

said Dr Sayed Fazlur Rahman, Dental Surgeon at Badr 

Al Samaa Al Khuwair. “Laser practice is a process where 

needles, drills and perceived dreadful dental visits are a 

thing of past. A miracle tool with fabulous expertise, Laser 

can be used to replace the conventional treatment or to 

supplement the existing one, he further added. 

Laser Dentistry is the best overall choice for your health. Experience the 

new safe, kind, gentle and precise dentistry. Dr Sayed Fazlur Rahman, Dental 

Surgeon will be based at Badr Al Samaa, Al Khuwair and available on all working 

days between 9 am to 1pm and from 5pm to 9pm. 

GMC 2013 Terrain: A notch above the others 

THE GMC Terrain 

has been a strong 

seller primarily for 

the way it takes the 

road with a steadiness 

hard to find in 

other vehicles. The 

new 2013 Terrain 

takes the SUV to a 

new level of engineering,technology, 

performance 

and style. 

Across the Terrain 

line-up for 

2013, a larger 

displacement 3.6L 

V-6 engine with 

direct injection 

and continuously 

variable valve timing 

makes it one 

of the fastest and 

most powerful iterations 

ever. SAE 

certiied at 292 

horsepower and 

369 Nm of torque, 

this engine makes 

14 per cent more 

horsepower and 

22 per cent more 

torque than its 

previous 3.0L V-6, but delivers the same EPA estimated fuel economy including 

9.8L/100km on the highway (FWD models). 

Additionally, it packs all the latest technology and safety features. For 2013, 

a new Safety Package has been introduced that includes Forward Collision 

Alert Lane Departure Warning and Rear Park Assist that has taken it to the 

‘Top Safety Pick’ by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, USA. 

The Terrain includes many standard technology and convenience features 

such as the GMC IntelliLink that delivers segment-exclusive infotainment tech- 

TEL: 24601003, 24600586 • FAX: 24600736 

• WEBSITE: www.salalahport.com 

OMAN 

19 

nology at a time more and more consumers are buying smartphones. IntelliLink 

extends the information and entertainment by seamlessly integrating 

the capability of a smartphone into the vehicle so that hand-held phones may 

be safely stowed while driving. IntelliLink features upgrades USB connectivity 

that adds the ability to play music iles directly from lash memory devices 

and also provides the customer with a choice to update IntelliLink with future 

feature enhancements. All variants of Terrain will now be equipped with IntelliLink 

and Navigation system. New for 2013 is GMC’s colour touch navigation 

radio with touch-screen control that incorporates all of the IntelliLink features 

and more. It is available on SLE-2, SLT models and Terrain Denali. 

“The 2013 GMC Terrain raises the bar even higher packing in high performance 

and the latest in infotainment technology and safety. It has always been 

popular and the new model gives all the more reason for people to opt for the 

Terrain,” said Virendra Agarwal, CEO, Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Co LLC. 

Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Co LLC is the exclusive distributor of GMC 

vehicles in the Sultanate of Oman with branches and a service network that 

covers all major locations across Oman. 

Advanced features in 2013 Nissan X-Terra 

THE Nissan X-Terra is designed with the intent of being a tough, essential SUV that 

inspires and facilitate outdoor enthusiasts’ active lifestyles. 

All X-Terra models feature an advanced 4.0-litre straight-six engine, rated 

at a muscular 291 horsepower, along with Nissan’s rugged “F-Alpha” ladder 

frame platform for adventure-ready performance. 

The 2013 model boasts of enhanced features like navigation system, rear 

view camera, centre mirror with auto glare, digital compass and outside temperature 

recording and USB /I-POD/AUX Connectivity. 

Standard interior features include sporty reclining front bucket seats, footrest, 

dual front and rear 20-ounce cup holders, power windows, power locks, 

power mirrors, remote keyless entry and cruise control with steering wheelmounted 

controls. It also comes with driver seat height adjustment and lumbar 

support. Taking into consideration driver comfort and conveniences, the 

X-Terra features a center console and leather steering wheel. 

X-Terra’s signature exterior styling features include large lared fenders, a 

versatile roof rack with latchable lid and a rear bumper design with side steps 

for easy access to the roof rack. It also offers a large, powerful looking hood 

and headlights and Nissan SUV-style angled strut grille. The vehicle also features 

Chrome ORVM and Fr. fog lamps. The new X-Terra looks good on the road 

with its enhanced styling that includes a roof rail with attachments and side 

step. 

X-Terra’s long wheelbase gives a smooth ride and ample interior room, yet 

overall length is highly manageable due to the short front overhang – helping 

to enhance maneuverability in off-road hill climbing and trail situations. 

The new X-Terra is also known for its other key elements that include 6” 

Off Road Wheel, Bilstein Shock Absorber, Off Road tire 265/75R16 OWL 

BFGoodrich, 

6 speakers, the steering wheel comes with audio and cruise controls, Bluetooth 

hands free and AUX-in and lastly a rear diff lock. 

The Nissan X-Terra offers drivers today a long list of advanced technological 

features including a booming sound system and Bluetooth Hands-free phone 

system. Today the Nissan X-Terra has the technology to keep drivers rocking 

and talking no matter where the trail takes them. 

Hyundai’s Centennial 

named Best Luxury Car 

MUSCAT — Hyundai Motor Company’s 

new lagship model, the New 

2014 Centennial has been named Best 

Luxury Full-Sized Car of 2013 by top 

Middle East motoring magazine, Automobile. 

Vice-President and Head of 

Hyundai’s Middle East regional Headquarters, 

Tom Lee was presented with 

the award by Ibrahim Fakhri, General 

Manager and Editor-In-Chief of Automobile 

magazine. 

Lee commented “Receiving this 

award just a few months after the 

New 2014 Centennial’s launch is a 

great honour. The outgoing model 

won 2012 Car of the Year from Sport 

Auto magazine, so it’s nice to enioy 

yet more recognition for our luxury 

segment model from Middle East automotive 

experts. It’s a true testament 

to how far we have come as an automotive 

company that we now produce 

cars that meet and exceed the very 

highest quality standards.” 

The New 2014 Centennial was 

launched in the Middle East earlier 

this year and is even better placed to 

challenge the established names in 

the luxury car sector than ever before, 

with a signiicantly enhanced interior, 

the addition of a range of cutting-edge 

features, and the introduction of two 

new, high performance GDI engines. 

The New 2014 Centennial exudes 

quality, with high class leather and 

wood trim all around the cabin. The 

dashboard has been totally redesigned 

as have the rear seats, which now offer 

even greater comfort. Passengers 

in the back can enjoy new dual 9.2inch 

LCD rear monitor entertainment 

screens and control their travel experience 

via a new DIS system. To ensure 

the highest standards of comfort, the 

electronically-controlled multi-link 

suspension has been ine-tuned, while 

an air suspension option is also available. 

OTE Group is the exclusive dealer 

of Hyundai’s range of vehicles in 

Oman. With a nationwide network of 

showrooms and service centers, OTE 

Group ensures that Hyundai customers 

are never far from getting a wide 

range of high quality after-sales service. 

For more details please contact 

800-77007

Rent-A-Car 

Luxury Cars 

BMW 750il Mercedes 430SL 

on hourly & daily basis 

with chauffeur. 

Contact: 

Contact: 99337159/99359628 

SPECIAL Rates on 

New Cars & 4 WDs 

RENTING & LEASING 

Tours and Airport Transfer 

Tel: 24582663 

GSM: 95859497, 

Fax: 24582664, 

abcrent@omantel.net.om 

OFFICE & house general 

cleaning & polishing. 

96642500. 

· · · · · 

MARBLE Marble 

polishing and 

crystallisation building, 

cleaning floor, floor 

polishing, carpet, sofa 

shampooing, pest 

control, anti-termite, 

shifting, maintenance. 

99504275. 

· · · · · 

HOOPOE SMART 

CARD SERVICES Sanad 

Service Centre 

We provide the following 

services: Typing, clearing 

all transactions related to 

government departments 

and private sector, eg 

labour agreement for 

Omanis and expatriates, 

typing of labour 

card for expatriates, 

typing of visas and 

document clearing from 

immigration department, 

Ministry of Commerce 

& Industry, Ministry of 

Manpower, Commercial 

names reservation, 

renewal of commercial 

registration, renewal 

of OCCI membership, 

attestation of all 

documents from OCCI 

& Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs. Renewal of 

labour cards through 

electronic payment or 

cash payment. Please 

note you may deliver 

your transaction 

through our e-mail 

and our representative 

will deliver it to your 

ofice personally after 

completion. Our address 

is: Ruwi, near Gulf 

Transport Co. (GTC), 

Fax: 24793331, GSM: 

98793665 (Direct) 

99231500. 

E-mail: hoopoeoman@ 

gmail.com 

AL FAHAD 

TRANSLATION 

SERVICES 

Translation of all kinds of 

legal, medical, and other 

types of documents, 

Commercial Agencies, 

etc. Ruwi, near Gulf 

Transport Co (GTC), 

Fax: 24794286. GSM: 

98793665 (Direct) 

95959838. E-mail: 

bptland@gmail.com 

LANDRAIL TRADING 

& SERVICES (Smart 

Card) Ruwi, near 

Gulf Transport Co. 

(GTC), Tel: 24789117, 

GSM 98793666 (Dir), 

96777170. E-mail: 

landrailoman@gmail. 

com 

· · · · · 

Services 

PEST CONTROL 

OMAN CO. LLC. 

Supply of 

Pesticides, 

Gel (Cockroaches), 

Public Health 

chemicals, 

Agriculture 

chemicals, 

Snake repellent, 

Rodent 

baits and 

other insect 

repellent from 

Agropharm 

Ltd UK. 

PROFESSIONALS 

in Pest Control Service, Bedbug 

Treatment, Rodent 

Treatment, Snake Treatment 

and Termite Treatment 

(Pre and Post Construction). 

Tel: 24787606 / 24787503 

Fax: 24787607 

E-mail: pcomctom@omantel.net.om 

P. O. Box: 565, Wadi Kabir, 

Postal Code: 117, 

SULTANATE OF OMAN 

INSTALLING, 

transferring furniture. 

98949690. 

· · · · · 

1. AC, Fridge & Washing 

Machine Servicing & 

Repairing 2. Painting, 

Plumbing, Electrical 

& Carpentry Works. 

Contact: 97014234/ 

97123569, 24504281. 

· · · · · 

INSTALLING, transferring 

furniture. 

92471173. 

· · · · · 

For Sale 

LAND at Al Ansab 3, 

area: 600m2 , price: RO 

70,000. 99009179, 

99466655. 

· · · · · 

1- HYDRAULIC 

bending machine 

-capacity 80 tonne - 

made in India width 

of bed 2500mm motor 

rating 5.5kw. 

2- HYDRAULIC 

bending machine 

-capacity 80 tonne - 

made in UAE. width 

3200mm motor rating 

5.5kw. 

3- HYDRAULIC 

press 160 tonne 

made in Taiwan. 

95210073/97056153. 

· · · · · 

Tours 

MARINE Tourism 

92808636, e-mail: 

info@alainain.com 

· · · · · 

Sit Vacant 

LEADING FMCG 

cosmetics 

manufacturing 

company in Muscat 

looking for 4-5 

years experienced 

Salesman Cum 

Merchandiser 

with valid Omani 

driving licence. 

Candidate with 

knowledge of 

spoken Arabic 

preferred. 

Interested 

candidates may 

send their resume 

at: sunnex3@gmail. 

com 

· · · · · 

Monday 

MAY 27, 2013 RAJAB 17, 1434 AH 

www.omanobserver.om facebook.com/oman observer twitter.com/omanobserver editor@omanobserver.om AppStore 

OFFICES, shops, 

lats (Al Khuwair), 

furnished 1 

bedroom deluxe 

lats (Al Ghubrah), 

new 6 bedroom 

villas (Mumtaz), lats 

(Wadi Kabir). 

96596348. 

· · · · · 

SAVILLS OMAN 

QUALITY homes 

for rent throughout 

Capital Area 

Muscat. Contact: 

24692151. 

www.sav-oman. 

com 

OFFICE rental: 

Business centre with 

furniture ofices 

inclusive of all 

utilities and Internet 

in a prime location 

in Al Khuwair starts 

from RO 120 per 

month. 

99463334/ 

99201763/24475400. 

· · · · · 

AL KHUWAIR 33 big flat 

ground floor. 

92133551. 

· · · · · 

VILLA at Al Mona Bausher. 

Rent: RO 1,000 

99009179, 99466655. 

· · · · · 

FLAT, 4 rooms at Amerat al 

Mahaj. Rent: RO 300 

99009179, 99466655. 

· · · · · 

DELUXE 3 B/R flat in Ruwi 

Mumtaz with split unit AC. 

RO 500 99009179, 

99466655. 

· · · · · 

INDUSTRIAL plot at Al 

Misfah 99009179, 

99466655. 

· · · · · 

A NEW building in 

Al Suwaiq for rent. 

Opposite Al Suwaiq 

Police Station on the 

main road. 6 loors of 

apartments and shops. 

99331110 

· · · · · 

BIG shed for rent in Sur. 

Area: 2,000 sq m. Can 

be used as a warehouse 

or workshop and 

accommodation. Owner 

is ready to modify to 

accommodate any 

other type of use. 

95274004. 

· · · · · 

FOUR bedroom Villa at 

Madinat al Alam 

RO 1,000/- office flat 

one BHK at Ruwi above 

Alukkas RO 350/- HBK 

RES Ruwi RO 350/- all 

with split A/cs. 

99332668. 

· · · · · 

FLAT at Al Qurum. 

92763863. 

· · · · · 

For Rent 

9,000 m 2 open land 

in Ghala for long and 

short term lease. 

98469938, 

24791485 

· · · · · 

FULLY furnished 

3 bedroom villa in 

Ansab. Boasting a 

central location with 

easy access to Muscat 

highway. New and 

modern furniture 

with fully equipped 

kitchen. High quality 

bed linen is provided. 

Spacious bedrooms 

with balconies and 

in-suit bathrooms. 

2 sitting-rooms, and 

2 covered garages. 

Short rent period is 

accepted. Internet 

access in all rooms. 

Very quiet and friendly 

neighbourhood. 

Suitable for children. 

RO 900 per month. 

99201122. 

· · · · · 

FLAT for rent in 

Al Khoud Market 

near Al Fair, 2 BED 

rooms, Family Hall, 

2 bathrooms. 

95120900. 

· · · · · 

For Sale/Rent 

CLASSIFIED SECTION: 

ILYA MANPOWER 

HOUSEMAIDS 

available from 

Philippines, Sri 

Lanka & Africa. 

All types of 

SKILLED 

WORKERS 

(Waiters, 

Cooks, Drivers, 

Constructions, 

Industrials, Hotels 

& Ministries...) 

Tel/Fax: 22050086 

Hail Shimaly al Jabri 

Bldg, next to 

Bahja Mall. 

Driving School 

MORNING STAR 

DRIVING SCHOOL — 

Learn driving 

manual/ automatic 

with professionally 

qualified male/ 

female trainees in 

brand new cars and 

flexible payments. 

Call: 99043283, 

24478589, 24478505, 

www.chamberman. 

com/member/ 

morningstar www. 

morningstar.com 

· · · · · 

Ali al Maashari: 99639264 

Salim al Naamani: 99355675 

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

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

Available on very GOOD prices 

HP 3000 d wifi inkjet Printer 

RO 12.900 only 

HP 2510 3 in 1 Printer 


HP 4610 4 in 1 Printer 


HP 4540 i5 2GB Gr Laptop 

RO 199.900 only 

AII HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, 

Samsung Cartridges also available 

COMPUTER SUPPLIES 

Ruwi: 24792792 

Change of Name 

Sebastin Raj (Name 

exactly as in present 

passport) son / 

daughter of A Sebastin 

presently residing at 

the following address 

in Nizwa, P B No 301 

PC 611, Sultanate 

of Oman and having 

permanent address in 

India 16 Sivan Koil 

ST, Sivalingapuram, 

Ariyanguppam, 

Pondicherry-7 (as 

per present passport), 

holder of passport No 

L0076970 date of issue 

8/4/2013 place of 

issue Muscat solemnly 

afirm and declare 

that I have changed 

my name as Sebastin 

Sakayaraj (new name) 

for all purposes. 

· · · · · 

Lost 

AMAL Abu al Halqan 

Hamada has lost 

Egyptian passport No 

541801. Finder please 

handover to ROP. 

· · · · ·· · · · · 

SANTOKH has lost Indta 

passport No H 1890193. 

Finder please handover 

to ROP. 

· · · · ·· · · · · 

HAROON Man Phool Kazi 

has lost Indian passport 

No K 3692297 and his 

new passport No E 

2886131. Finder please 

handover to ROP. 

· · · · ·· · · · · 

GOOD PRICE!!! GOOD PRICE!!! 

DIRECT: 24649595 — FAX : 24649590 

e-mail: classified@omandaily.om 

PORTA CABINS / TURNKEY CAMPS 

Our Services Manufacturing, Erection, Mobilization. 

Our Products Camps, Kitchens, Offices, Ablutions 

Phone 24503725 Fax 24503723 

Mobile 95228450 Mobile 99277505 

e-mail info@speedhouseoman.com 

Web www.speedhouseoman.com 

SPEED HOUSE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION LLC 

Buying/Sale 

USED ofice & 

household items. 

99834373/97102699. 

· · · · · 

Required 

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

REQUIRED a special 

Yacht driver with a 

background in marine 

machines. CV should 

be e-mailed to: 

scpfsur@hotmail.com 

99339448. Fax: 

25544979. 

· · · · · 

For Investment 

al-haditha 

AUTO REPAIR 

CENTRE 

(ROP approved Grade A Workshop) 

HURRY! HURRY! 

FREE AC CHECKUP 

with every Service 

of your Vehicle 

50% DISCOUNT 

on every 3rd Service 

(Offer valid for a limited period only) 

Conditions apply 

Best Mechanical & 

Electrical Repairs 

Top Class Denting & Painting 

with Quality Service at Very 

Reasonable cost 

Call: 24595951/Fax: 24597979 

Workshop@ahoman.com 

www.AlHadithaOman.com 

FREE 

INFORMATION 

ABOUT ISLAM 

If you would like to 

know more about 

Islam, please call: 

Tel : 99425598, 

96050000, 99353988, 

99253818, 99341395, 

99379133, For ladies: 

99415818, 99321360, 

99730723 

Or visit: 

www.islamfact.com 

Guest House 

QURUM BEACH HOTEL 

24564070. 

· · · · · 

WANTED AT MUSCAT 

FOR leading Co with ofices in Oman has position 

open for role of senior sales engineer/sales manager. 

Candidate shall have at least 5 years experience 

oil ield industry, including at least 2 years in the 

sales function. Position is open to Omani as well as 

expat candidates. Suitable candidates requested to 

forward their detailed resume to following. 

E-mail: pscoman@psc-llc.com 

Manpower 

FOR Sale/Rent to sole 

owner only. 

New Building 

consists of 7 loors 

and an exhibition 

hall, 18 lats. 

COM/RES land area: 

8,300 m 

FRIENDS MANPOWER: 

Filipino housemaids 

and all kinds of workers. 

24489268 Tel/ 

Fax: 24478153. 

Commercial and 

domestic use. 

· · · · · 

Permission for hotel 

apartment available. 

Situation Vacant Good News 

Bausher Commercial 

District, near the new 

Bahwan Mosque. 

Asking price: Sell: RO 

1.3 million, monthly 

rent: RO 12,000. 

92461818, 

99387455. 

· · · · · 

ONE of the most reputed 

construction company 

requires very urgently 

Experienced and 

competent: 

1. Tendering/Estimation 

Engr. 

2. Mech and Elect Engr 

(Mep) 

ALL Season clinic 

Ayurvedic Treatment, 

Yoga massage & 

slimming. Contact: 

92504980/24475280. 

· · · · · 

ANKLE pain, back & 

Umrah/Haj 

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 costeffective 

price, 

including transport, 

housing, meals 

and visits to shrine 

locations. Land and 

air trips weekly. 

(99311310, 

24566016, 

99361982, 

99707248, 

99322124. 

· · · · · 

CLASSIFIED 

SECTION 

RUWI: 

24785668 

Behind Royal Oman 

Police, Adjacent to 

Dhofar Building, 

Next to KM 

Hypermarket 

3. Civil Engr. 

Forward CV to Email: 

hr@civilco.com.om or 

arehman206@gmail.com 

or Fax: 24590541 MOB 

96249265. 

· · · · ·· · · · · 

LEADING medical 

equipment supplier 

company in Muscat 

looking for 2-3 years 

experienced store 

keeper. Candidates 

with diploma 

mechanical/electronic 

engineering 

background with Oman 

driving licence are 

preferred. Interested 

candidates may send 

their resume to Asst 

Finance Manager, PO 

Box 737, Muscat-100, 

Oman OR 

ca.phanivanka@gmail.com 

· · · · ·· · · · · 

shoulder pain, knee 

pain or injury 

treatment, language & 

swallowing disorder 

— experienced 

physiotherapist, 

speech therapist, now 

available at reputable 

clinic in Qurum. Take 

advantage of the FREE 

GP consultant. Call 

Rochester Clinic 

24691137 or 

97377859. 

· · · · · 

Car Buy & Sell 

IF you are interested 

to sell your cars, send 

SMS, we pay cash. 

Contact: 99333088. 

· · · · · 

2 on main 

road near Al Khoud 

R/A 99009179, 

99466655. 

· · · · · 

Classifieds 

Continued on P21

INDIAN male, 24, MBA 

(Operations 

management) B.E 

(Electronics and 

Communication), 

seeking a suitable 

placement on visit 

visa. Contact: 

99506099. 

· · · · · 

SRILANKAN male, 29 

years, B.com AATSL, 

CIMA (M) having 6+ 

years experience, 3 years 

in Oman working as a 

chief accountant, looking 

for suitable placement. 

Contact: 

95220435. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, having 

MBA - marketing and 

sales with 8 years 

experience in Oman and 

India with valid Oman 

driving licence, working 

in building material 

division, seeks suitable 

position. Contact: 

96718464. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, B.com, 

looking for suitable 

opening in sales/ 

marketing. Having 2 

years of experience. 

Please contact: 

92638918. 

· · · · · 

MALE, 27 years, Indian, 

on visiting visa. Seeks 

suitable placement in 

administration/HR, B.E 

CSE with 4.5 years of 

experience. Contact: 

91215771, 92997722. 

· · · · · 

CHIEF accountant, 

Indian male, 32 years, 

MBA and M.com, 9 

years of experience 

(5 years in Oman) in 

accounts and inance 

upto inalisation with 

Oman D/L. Currently on 

visit visa. Ready to join 

immediately. Contact: 

94460345. 

· · · · · 

DEGREE of civil 

engineering (BE). 5 

years experience in 

Oman with (D/L), 

good experience in 

government and private 

projects. Knows staad 

pro. primevera, Auto cad. 

Seeks suitable position 

in reputed contracting 

or consultancy, join 


96381205. 

· · · · · 


CHARTERED 

Accountant - 6 years 

in Oman, 9 years in 

India experience in 

Finance/Accounts/ 

Audit, seeking suitable 

placement. Contact: 

95782629, E-mail: 

hkellatn@hotmail. 

com. 

· · · · · 

CHIEF Executive Oficer/ 

General Manager, 

MBA with Engineering 

background and over 

20 years International/ 

GCC/Oman experience 

in Multi Functional 

General Management 

including FMCG Trading, 

Automotive, Heavy 

Equipment Leasing, 

Business Development, 

LP Gas & Drinking Water 

Marketing, Agriculture 

and Real Estate 

Management. Contact: 

98672030. 

· · · · · 

INTERNAL Auditor, MBA 

Finance, Indian male, 26 

years, 4 years experience 

(2 years in Oman) in 

audit and accounts. 

91072738, e-mail: 

prth4111@gmail.com 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, 23 

years, BBM, 1 year 

experience in indoor 

sales, knowledge in MS 

Ofice, Tally. Contact: 

99853194. 

· · · · · 

ACCOUNTANT 32 years 

Indian male, 10 years 

experience (3 years 

in Oman) in inance, 

accounts and audit (Tally 

and SAP), seeks suitable 

placement. E-mail: 

paulvadacode@gmail. 

com 98153971. 

· · · · · 

PAKISTANI 26 years, 

BSc computer science 

engineer looking for 

job as IT support 

engineer/system 

support engineer, with 

2 years of experience in 

IT ield. Now in Oman 

on visit visa. Contact: 

92576484. E-mail: 

engineeromerbajwa@ 

gmail.com 

· · · · · 

13 YEARS experienced 

Driver looking for job 

with own car. Contact: 

93876770. 

· · · · · 

LOGISTICS Executive, 

20 years experience in 

Indian Air Force and 8 

years in Oman, seeks 

suitable placement. 

Contact: 

95853146. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, 30 years, 


Oman as electrician and 

maintenance in-charge 

with Omani driving 

licence, seeks suitable 

placement immediately. 

Contact: 92787631. 

· · · · · 

JASFER Anwar, young, 

energetic, Pakistani 

male, 28 years, with 

DBA, diploma in 

computer networking 

and hardware, 3 years 

experience in 

supervising and sales in 

exhibitions in the 

Sultanate of Oman & 

UAE, willing to do any 

job, seeks suitable 

placement. Contact 

99808693. 

· · · · · 

HARRISON Anwar, 

young, energetic, 

Pakistani male, 22 years, 

having diploma in 

computer science, MS 

Office, Graphic Designer 

and Photoshop, 2 years 

experience in exhibitions 

in sales in Sultanate of 

Oman, willing to do any 

job, seeks suitable 

placement. Contact 

99808693. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN female, 24 years, 

2 years experience as 

teacher in CBSE school 

in India (BA, B.Ed), 

looking for suitable 

placement 99164461 

or archanajanardhnan@ 

gmail.com 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, 29 years 

MBA (HR & Marketing) 

with 6 years experience 

in Qatar. Looking for 

suitable position in HR/ 

Admin/Sales/Marketing. 

Suman 91259100- 

98084073, E-mail: 

sumanraj@gmail.com 

· · · · · 

MORE than 15 years 

experienced House cook, 

kowing Arabic, Indian, 

Chinese Foods. Contact: 

97227219. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male with 

driving licence, 15+ 

experience in Oman 

(Commercial /Admn 

Sales) seeking suitable 

placement., (B.com 

M.A.Public Admn, PG 

diploma in Supply Chain 

& Logistics Mgmt.) 

98523067, E-mail: 

sumanraj@gmail.com 

· · · · · 

SRI LANKAN CIMA/B. 

com, young professional 

accountant with GCC 

experience looking for a 


Contact: 

+94776757464/ 

98682464. E-mail: 

mh.hamjath@gmail.com 

· · · · · 

PURCHASE oficer Indian 

having 9 years 

experience in Oil & Gas 

and power sector with 

driving licence , seeking 

suitable placement in 

Purchase or Logistics. 

Contact: 98610456. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, Post 

Graduate , above 10 

years work experience 

(working now Oman 4 

Yrs as stoerkeeper) in a 

requted organization 

seeks suitable 

placementin warehouse. 

Contact: 96303264, 

E-mail: 

lakshman20245@gmail. 

com 

· · · · · 

EXPERIENCED 

watchman for building. 

Contact: 97227219. 

· · · · · 

ACCOUNTANT/camp 

boss, having more than 

20 years of experience in 

accounts upto 

inalisation seeks 

immediate placement. 

Contact: 93292187, 

E-mail: jcpillai555@ 

gmail.com 

· · · · · 

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

Location: OEPPA HEAD OFFICE, Medinat Al Alam, 

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

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

FEMALE Pakistani 

MBA computer literatc, 

exp. in Oman, Pakistan 

& Bangladesh 10+ 

years Marketing, 

Shop running School, 

Private Companies 

indoor sale/ out door 

driving licence holder, 

seeking suitable 


95687726. 

SITUATION WANTED 

INDIAN MBA with 

valid driving licence 

and 17 years 

managerial experience 

in marketing and sales 

(UAE, Oman and 

India) in banking, 

insurance, 

automobiles and 

telecom sectors. 

Seeking chalenging 

and suitble placement. 

Please Contact: 

94406367. 

· · · · · 

SAJID Mahmood having 

more than 13 years 

experience in 

Environmental 

Laboratory (Water, 

Wastewater, Air Quality 

Analysis) with some 

experience in Ro 

designing, need suitable 

position. Contact 

98610458. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male 30 years, 

BA, 6 years experience in 

Oman as sales and sales 

co-ordinator in a leading 

building material Co, 

Oman, valid Omani 

driving licence seeks 

placement Contact: 

94186515. 

· · · · · 

PAKISTANI, male, post 

graduate MA English 

language and literature, 

IELTS Band - 7 with 18+ 

years of professional 

teaching experience , 

both in Oman and 

Pakistan, seeks suitable 

placement. Contact: 

99744032. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, 28 years, 

MBA having 5 years of 

experience, 2 years in 

UAE. Seeks a suitable 

placement in 

operations/ 

administration/HR/ 

inance/logistics. 

Contact: 95702821. 

· · · · · 

CHARTERED accountant, 


Oman in inance, 

banking and accounts in 

contracting and 

manufacturing Co. Seek 

immediate placement. 

Contact: 98226058. 

· · · · · 

ACCOUNTANT Indian 

male having 9 years 

experience in Oman. 

Seeks a suitable 


93903413. 

· · · · · 

WELL experienced light 

duty driver seeks job. 

Please contact 

95724597. 

· · · · · 

SENIOR joinery 

draughtsman/project 

co-ordinator in it out 

work, 10 years 

experience in Muscat as 

project co-ordinator 

with valid Omani driving 

licence seeks suitable 


92802735. E-mail: 

umath2013@gmail.com 

· · · · · 

HSE Adviser, 10 


Oman administration, 

logistics seeks suitable 

placement. Contact 

92825053. 

· · · · · 

MBA (finance), B.Com 

(costing), 5 years 

exposure in finance as 

A/C, capable to handle 

payables, receivable and 

payroll section. 

Experience in auditing, 

knowledge about 

banking activities 

(LC/LTR/BD) good in 

Tally, V.Com. Valid D/L 

(Oman). Reday to join 

immediately, contact: 

98460472. 

· · · · · 

PROFESSIONAL 

financial executive 

with more than 7 

years of experience 

in the preparation 

and finalisation of 

accounts, internal/ 

external audit and 

finance with CA Inter, 

BCom and Articleship 

completed, seeks 

placement. 

98508174. E-mail: 

zahidgulf@live.com 

· · · · · 

SIKANDARHAYAT Land 

Surveyor having 4 years 

experience, 2½ years in 

Oman.Nationality 

Pakistani, seeking 


Contact: 93665009 - 

94261963. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male (MBA - 

sales - marketing) 5 

years total experience in 

sales and credit 2 years 

in IT sales holding 

Omani driving licence, 



92827143. 

· · · · · 

YOUNG, Indian male, 

BBM from Bangalore 

University, diploma in 

Business Major in 

Management, Auckland, 

New Zealand, QMS, 

SMART, Timekeeping, 

Code of Ethics and 

Business Conduct 

certificates from 

DynCorp Intl, worked as 

Finance specialist (2012- 

2013) with CentreScope 

Tech Inc (sub contractor 

for DynCorp Intl) in New 

Delhi; 2009-2012 as 

Store Manager with 

Central Petrochem, 

Epsom, Auckland; 2007- 

2008 Assistant Manager 

with Star Mart, 

Auckland; seeks suitable 

placement. 

0091+9037280175 

garrypadua@hotmail. 

com 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, 27, 

diploma in Electronics 

and Communications, 5 

years work experience, 

home appliance, leading 

company in Oman, 

having valid Omani 

Driving Licence, seeks 


Contact: 96609789. 

E-mail: yasmatco2009@ 

gmail.com 

· · · · · 

CLASSIFIEDS 

INDIAN, Forklift 

Operator , 20 years 

experience in cold stores 

in Oman ready to join 


99562344, 

· · · · · 

INDIAN B.Sc Male nurse 

with MoH, ACLS and 

BLS. Seeking for a job 

either in Hospital or 

industrial, having 

experience in critical 

care and emergency 

departments. Contact: 

96118684. E-mail: 

jjjinoy@gmail.com 

· · · · · 

CHARTERED accountant, 

experienced 9 years in 

India and 6 years in 

Oman. Seeks a suitable 

opportunity in finance/ 

accountants/audit. 

Contact: 95782629. 

E-mail: hkellath@ 

hotmail.com. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, 23 years. 

BBM more than one year 

experience in sales office 

works in Oman, 

knowledge in MS office, 

Tally visual basics. 

Contact: 99853194. 

· · · · · 

ACCOUNTANT, MBA 

inance with 5 years 

experience in India, 

on visit visa. Contact 

93805390 or 

sumeshthiruvizha@ 

gmail.com 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male 30, 

B Com, 9 years 

experience in accounts 

up to finalisation. Better 

knowledge in focus ERP, 

tally and MS office. 6 


Oman, seeking a suitable 


95946853. 

· · · · · 

SUPERVISION , stock and 

delivery — Indian male, 

BA + 28 years gulf 

experience in store and 

despatch with 

knowledge of ERP. 

Speaks English, Hindi 

and fluent in Arabic. 

Seeks a suitable 


95857120. 

· · · · · 

TWENTY years 

experienced Foreman, 

Civil pipeline and 

building, looking for a 

suitable placement 

97008745, 99245931. 

· · · · · 

21 

MALE, 29 years, on visit 

visa, MBA graduate with 

3½ years experience in 

Audio/Video editing, 

graphic design and 

Visual Effect Composing, 


opportunity with visa in 

Oman: 99836793. 

· · · · · 

27 YEARS, male, 

Nebosh & Osha 

certiied engineering 

graduate, having 3 years 

experience in HSE, 

searching for suitable 

position. Contact 

92738392. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, 26, 

Electronics & 

Communication, B Tech, 

PG, CCNA, MCIP, 2 years 

MNC experience, seeks 

suitable position 

97893997, 99348528. 

· · · · · 

MALE 28 Pakistani, 7 

years experience in IT 

including 2 years 

experience in Petroleum, 

Computer Hardware & 

Software, networking, 

CCTU siren system, 

seeks for a suitable 


99248938. 

· · · · · 

FINANCE manager, 18 

years experience, project 

financing, MIS, ERP, 

management accounts, 

cost control, feasibility 

study, business process, 

seeks suitable 

opportunity. Contact: 

92439941. 

· · · · · 

INDIAN male, graduate 

with diploma in 

computer management 

having 14 years of 

experience in logistic 

field of Oman. (PDO 

approved Logistic 

Supervisor). Seeks 

placement. 91287896. 

· · · · · 

MBA (Finance) B.com 

(costiny), 5 Yrs. Oman 

experience in Accounts 

& Finance, exposure in 

Payables receivables and 

payroll sections, 

experienced in auditing, 

handling cashflows, 

budgeting, good in Tally, 

Oracle, valid D/L (Oman) 

vist visa. 98460472. 

· · · · ·

22 

Cinema 

FILM INFORMATION 

www.citycinemaoman.net 

AL BAHJA CINEMA: 

24540856, 24540855. 

AL NASR CINEMA: 

24831358, 24831809 (after 3pm) 

AL SHATTI PLAZA: 

24607360, 24692656 (after 2pm) 

STARS CINEMA: 

24791641, 24792360 

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Addresses 

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

Log on to the Majlis’s website: 

www.shura.om 

and the Majlis’s 

e-mail: info@shura.om 

Or write to the Majlis’s postal address: 

P O Box 981 

Postal Code 111, Muscat 

Tel: 24510344 / 24521427/ 

Fax 24510560 

Information 

Ministry Websites 

Ministry: www.omanet.om 

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www.oman-tv.gov.om 

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1540 

1540 

1715 

1730 

1805 

1815 

1855 

1905 

1905 

1905 

WY616 B737-8 Dubai 2145 WY667 B737-8 Doha 1910 

AI907 A319 Madras 2200 WY681 B737-8 Riyadh 1910 

WY406 B737-8 Cairo 2215 WY655 B737-8 Bahrain 1915 

LH618 A340 Frankfurt-Abu Dhabi 2225 G9118 A320 Sharjah 1945 

QR168 A320 Doha 2235 WY635 E175AR Abu Dhabi 2015 

EY388 A320 Abu Dhabi 2235 WY623 ATR42 Al Ain 2015 

LX242 A330 Zurich-Dubai 2235 WY613 B737-8 Dubai 2045 

GF566 B737-7 Bahrain 2250 FZ048 B737-8 Dubai 2105 

WY624 ATR42 Al Ain 2305 KL450 A330 Abu Dhabi-Amsterdam 2200 

WY656 B737-7 Bahrain 2305 AI978 A319 Hyderabad-Bangalore 2200 

AI985 A321 Ahmedabad-Bombay 2310 UL206 A320 Colombo 2240 

WY668 B737-8 Doha 2310 WY913 B737-8 Salalah 2245 

WY928 B737-8 Salalah 2310 AI908 A319 Madras 2300 

WY672 B737-8 Jeddah 2315 AI974 A320 Delhi 2310 

WY636 E175AR Abu Dhabi 2315 EY381 A320 Abu Dhabi 2325 

WY686 B737-8 Dammam 2320 QR169 A320 Doha 2335 

WY425 B737-8 Amman-Beirut 2325 LX243 A330 Dubai-Zurich 2335 

9W534 B737-8 Cochin 2330 WY673 B737-8 Jeddah 2340 

9W540 B737-8 Bombay 2340 GF567 B737-7 Bahrain 2345 

KQ318 B737-8 Nairobi-Dubai 2350 LH619 A340 Abu Dhabi-Frankfurt 2345 

Quotations for Today 

The whole purpose of education is to 

turn mirrors into windows. 

— Sydney J Harris 

The sense of smell, like a faithful 

counsellor, foretells its character. 

— Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin 

TAURUS 

(April 21-May 20) 

A colleague’s resignation 

will offer a 

chance to assume some of his responsibilities 

and thus move you 

forward in line for promotion. 

GEMINI 

(May 21-June 21) 

The next few weeks 

promise to be very 

busy socially for you and you will 

begin to think that you will have 

to refuse some invitations. 

CANCER 

(June 22-July 21) 

After a protracted argument 

which threatened 

to get out of hand accept 

part of the blame graciously and 

don’t insist on proving that you 

were right on all points. 

LEO 

(July 22-August 21) 

Don’t fail to keep a 

promise made for today 

not matter how unimportant it 

may seem to you now. The other 

party has set great store by the arrangement. 

PHARMACIES 

24-HOUR SERVICE 

Al Hashar ph, Ruwi 24783334 

Muscat ph, Ruwi, 24702542 

Al Sarooj, 24695536 

Scientific ph, Qurum, 24566601 

DAY DUTY 

Muscat Al Farooq 24451347 

Waleed 24563550 

Al Farabi 24793797 

Belqees 24540622 

Sur Muscat 25543660 

Ibri Muscat 25689025 

Buraimi Yass 25653855 

Nizwa Muscat 25410235 

Salalah Muscat 23291635 

NIGHT DUTY 

Muscat Belqees 24535398 

Atlas 24503585 

Badr Al Samaa 

24799760 

Muscat 24535977 

Sur Badr Al Samaa 

25546112 

Ibri Al Iraqi 25694515 

Buraimi Yass 25653855 

Barka Muscat 26885372 

Rustaq Muscat 26878631 

Nizwa Al Hazfah 25431650 

Samayil Al Hurriya 25359435 

Salalah Muscat 23291635 

Khoula Hospital Visiting Hours 

Private & Other Wards 

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

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

ICU 

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

Holidays: 16:00-17:00 

Special Care Baby Unit 

Working Days: Parents may visit at any time. 

Weekends & Public Holidays: Parents may visit at 

any time 

YOUR STARS 

IF IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY: It is all very well to hold on to certain aspects of the past but if you want to get ahead you will 

have to consider the present and plan for the future on a sound basis. Take full advantage of any opportunity, which 

arises and let everyone see your complete confidence in yourself. 

VIRGO 

(August 22-Sept 22) 

Information you receive 

today will prove 

to be very misleading and you 

will know in future whom not to 

consult when you need advice. 

LIBRA 

(September 23- 

October 22) 

Don’t neglect to 

resume work on a job, which you 

left uninished yesterday. You will 

gain great satisfaction from inishing 

it. 

SCORPIO 

(October 23- 

November 21) 

Discouraging reports 

from a friend living abroad will 

cause you to change your mind 

about seeking your fortune further 

a ield. 

SAGITTARIUS 

(November 22- 

December 21) 

Look after your money 

and don’t let someone with 

crazy ideas lead you into spending 

more than you can afford. 

CARTOONS 

CAPRICORN 

(December 22- 

January 20) 

Regular voluntary 

work in a cause you believe in 

may be of more value than a cash 

contribution and will give you 

greater satisfaction. 

AQUARIUS 

(January 21- 

February 19) 

Although you may be 

content with your present circle 

of friends you will soon have the 

advantage of meeting new people. 

PISCES 

(February 20- 

March 20) 

The gains a speculation 

may eventually bring you may not 

compensate you for all the worry 

you have had concerning its outcome. 

ARIES 

(March 21-April 20) 

If you know that a 

particular person 

thrives on unpleasant scenes 

keep your distance as much as 

possible and respond to his 

remarks with cool politeness. 

ADAM @ HOME by Brian Basset 

CALVIN AND HOBBES by Bill Watterson 

GARFIELD by Jim Davis 

STONE SOUP by Jan Eliot 

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

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

Health Services Department 

Muttrah . . . . . . . 24797602 

Quriyat . . . . . . . 24845001 . . . . 24845003 

SQH, Salalah. . . 23211555 . . . . 23211151 

Police. . . . . . . . . 24603988 . . . . 24603980 

Al Nahda . . . . . . 24831255 . . . . 24837800 

Ibn Sina. . . . . . . 24876322 . . . . 24877361 

Nizwa. . . . . . . . . 25439361 . . . . 25425033 

Al Rustaq. . . . . . 26875055 . . . . 26877186 

Sumayil . . . . . . . 25350055 . . . . 25350022 

Izki . . . . . . . . . . . 25340033 . . . . 25340033 

Haima . . . . . . . . 23436013 . . . . 23436055 

Sohar . . . . . . . . . 26840022 . . . . 26840099 

Other Hospitals 

CRYPTIC PUZZLE 

ACROSS 

1 John, perhaps, born to 

drift out West (5) 

6 Like Odin, he rebuilt a 

town (5) 

9 Some chump suffered 

when brought low! (7) 

10 Cash in hand at the 

angling shop? (5) 

11 Decorate sailors with 

some fuss (5) 

12 People who put Leslie 

out of the race (5) 

13 Though pretty, she 

possibly bored us (7) 

15 Scuba-diving youngster? 

(3) 

17 Fluids swirling in the 

sink (4) 

18 Plead with a person in a 

case of dismissal (6) 

19 One singer in three? (5) 

20 Associated a boy with a 

ballad (6) 

22 It’s eaten at times (4) 

24 Left the Italian girl (3) 

25 Grenade explosion to 

drive one mad! (7) 

26 Complaint of being 

noisy all the time? (5) 

27 Grace Darling’s tree (5) 

28 Protection for a pub in 

the outskirts of Paisley 

(5) 

29 Managed to go ahead in 

the city (7) 

30 My little boy’s name (5) 

31 Usually colourful weird 

tale by a party leader 

(5) 

DOWN 

2 This implies eager 

anticipation of 

something to wear (4,2) 

3 Points out healthy 

animals (6) 

4 Head teachers’ union? 

(3) 

5 Ran away to sea! (5) 

6 Is it on the windy side? 

(7) 

7 They’re not even 

against you! (4) 

8 Fighter plane’s weapon? 

(6) 

12 Invited to a bit of lunch 

ACROSS 

1 Begs (6) 

5 Troublemaker (6) 

9 Relaxed (5) 

10 Rue (6) 

11 Recent (6) 

12 Danger (5) 

14 Furnace (4) 

17 Spot (3) 

18 Location (4) 

20 Giant (5) 

22 Skinflint (5) 

23 Bullfighter (7) 

24 Slumber (5) 

26 Cap (5) 

29 Difficult (4) 

30 Fowl (3) 

32 Observe (4) 

33 Pattern (5) 

35 Rota (6) 

36 Ambled (6) 

37 Advantage (5) 

38 Scorn (6) 

39 Character (6) 

DOWN 

1 Repeat (6) 

2 Bird (6) 

3 Profound (4) 

4 Satisfied (5) 

Al Buraimi. . . . . 25650855 . . . . 25652319 

Sur . . . . . . . . . . . 25440244 . . . . 25461373 

Tanam . . . . . . . . 25499011 . . . . 25499033 

Masirah . . . . . . . 25404018 . . . . 25404018 

Ibra. . . . . . . . . . . 25470533 . . . . 25470535 

Adam. . . . . . . . . 25434167 . . . . 25434055 

Bidiya . . . . . . . . 25483535 . . . . 25483535 

Ibri . . . . . . . . . . . 25491011 . . . . 25491990 

Saham . . . . . . . . 26854427 . . . . 26855148 

Khasab . . . . . . . 26830187 . . . . 26830187 

Dibba. . . . . . . . . 26836443 . . . . 26836443 

Burkha. . . . . . . . 26828397 . . . . 26828397 

Sinaw. . . . . . . . . 25474338 

with a leftist (5) 

13 Figure a shifty liar’s 

about to be a 

competitor (5) 

14 Jolly Roger’s just a 

bonehead! (5) 

15 Cold cooker for witches! 

(5) 

16 Girl flier going round 

the corner on the left 

(5) 

18 Nice place to be with a 

bird? (5) 

19 Where Iranian 

capitalists can possibly 

lose heart (7) 

21 It’s probable such lads 

have been on TV (6) 

22 Is he of service to a 

miner maybe? (6) 

23 Business information 

absorbed by a woman 

(6) 

25 Condescend to struggle 

with a bit of weeding 

(5) 

26 Game to go a long way 

for love (4) 

28 Music to drink in? (3) 

EASY PUZZLE 

ACROSS 

1 Took an exam again (5) 

6 Bear (5) 

5 Send (5) 

6 Hero (4) 

7 Essay (6) 

8 Messenger (6) 

13 Turned (7) 


Museums in Oman 

FAISAL BIN ALI AL SAID MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24641650 

MUSEUM OF OMANI HERITAGE, 

Tel: 24600946 

CHILDREN’S SCIENCE MUSEUM. 

Tel: 24605368 

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24641374 

NATIONAL MUSEUM, Tel: 24701289 

SULTAN’S ARMED FORCES 

MUSEUM, Tel: 24312646 

CURRENCY MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24796102 

MUSCAT GATE MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24739005. 

OMANI-FRENCH MUSEUM (Bait 

Fransa), Tel: 24736613 

BAIT AL ZUBAIR, Tel: 24736688 

BAIT A’NAMAN, Tel: 24641300 

SOHAR FORT MUSEUM, 

Tel: 26844758 

NAHKAL FORT, Tel: 26781384 

BAIT AL MAKHAM, Tel: 24641300 

BAIT ADAM MUSEUM, QURUM, 

Tel: 24605033, 24605013 

OIL AND GAS EXHIBITION CENTRE 

AND PLANETARIUM, Tel: 24677834. 

PLANETARIUM, Tel: 24675542. 

AQUARIUM at the Marine Science 

and Fisheries Centre (located next 

to Marina Bandar Rowdha, Sidab). 

SALALAH MUSEUM, Tel: 23294549 

CULTURAL CENTRE, Tel: 23294549. 

SUR MARITIME MUSEUM, 

Tel: 24541466. 

BAIT AL BARANDA, Tel: 24714262. 

CROSSWORD 

9 Pirate (7) 

10 Play guitar (5) 

11 Poor (5) 

12 Heather (5) 

13 Sharply (7) 

15 Beer (3) 

17 Aquatic bird (4) 

18 Restraint (6) 

19 Viper (5) 

20 Secret (6) 

22 Healthy (4) 

24 Floor covering (3) 

25 Lubricated (7) 

26 Yields (5) 

27 Detest (5) 

28 Hidden store (5) 

29 Runaway (7) 

30 War-horse (5) 

31 Wear away (5) 

DOWN 

2 Landed property (6) 

3 Perception (6) 

4 Male cat (3) 

5 Money-lending (5) 

6 Squeezer (7) 

7 Region (4) 

8 Easy task, informally (6) 

12 Evade (5) 

13 Vapour (5) 

14 Upright (5) 

15 Book of maps (5) 

16 Strayed (5) 

18 Dreads (5) 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

15 House (5) 

16 Called (5) 

18 Temptress (5) 

19 Principle (5) 

21 Card-game (3) 

Royal Oman Police 

EMERGENCY 9 9 9 9 

DG of Passports & Residency, 24569603 

DG of Customs, 24714626 

Traffic offences, 24510227/228 

ROP Public Relations, 24569270 

Consumer Complaints Cell, 24817013 

Muscat Governorate Headquarters, 24560021 

Muscat, 24736611 

Wattayah, 24677990 

Ruwi, 24701099 

Muttrah, 24712211 

Bausher, 24600099 

Al Amerat, 24875999 

Qurayat, 24845555 

A’Seeb, 24420099 

Al-Athaiba, 24521099 

AI-Khodh, 24425012 

Directorate of the University Security, 

24513999 

Directorate of Traffic Muscat, 24567898 

Al Batinah Headquarters, 26840096 

Al Rustaq Division, 26875099 

Al Dakhiliyah, 25425099 

Nizwa Division, 25425099 

Samayil Division, 25350099 

Al Sharqiyah Headquarters, 25545070 

Ibra Division, 25570100 

Al Dhahirah Headquarters, 25650099 

Al Buraimi Division, 25650199 

Ibri Division, 25689099 

Al Wusta Headquarters, 23436099 

Haima Division, 23436211 

Special Task Force, 24560088 

Coastguard Headquarters, 24714888 

Dhofar Governorate Headquarters, 23234599 

Salalah Police Station, 23290099 

Thamrait Division, 23279099 

Musandam Governorate Headquarters, 

26730299 

Khasab Division, 26731502 

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

ropoman.net and 

e-mail: ropnet@omantel.net.om 

19 Irritated (7) 

21 Long-eared mammal (6) 

22 Horse’s headgear (6) 

23 Under contract (6) 

25 Type (5) 

26 Centre (4) 

28 Regard (3) 

YESTERDAY’S CRYPTIC 

SOLUTIONS 

ACROSS: 1, Whist 6, Spice 

(Girls) 9, Pointer 10, 

A-NG-Ry. 11, Caste 12, 

Rusty 13, Penni(n)es 15, 

Mum 17, Edit (rev) 18, 

L-OC-ate 19, Bison 20, 

Credit 22, F-IO d-O 24, Has 

25, Pelican 26, Scour 27, 

Bijou 28, P-itch 29, Air 

O s-hot 30, Heart 31, Perry 

(Mason). 

DOWN: 2, Hun-Ted 3, Sprin-t 

4, Toy (boy) 5, Ang-u-s 

6, Sec-ti-on(d) 7, Pray 8, 

Cut-out 12, Remit 13, 

P-each 14, Nines 15, Ma- 

GI-c 16, Melon 18, Loser 

19, Biscuit 21, Ra-vine 22, 

Finite 23, D-ance-r 25, 

Purse 26, Soar 28, Pop. 

YESTERDAY’S EASY 

SOLUTIONS 

ACROSS: 1, Carat 6, Padre 

9, Drummer 10, Today 

11, React 12, Padua 13, 

Sleeper 15, Wed 17, Lobs 

18, Berate 19, Greed 20, 

Mental 22, Hope 24, 

Pry 25, Trainer 26, Piles 

27, Stool 28, Adept 29, 

Restore 30, Acute 31, 

Crude. 

DOWN: 2, Apollo 3, 

Adages 4, Try 5, Smear 6, 

Perused 7, Area 8, Racket 

12, Pearl 13, Slump 14, 

Ebony 15, Wagon 16, 

Deter 18, Bears 19, Galilee 

21, Erotic 22, Hinder 23, 

Peeped 25, Tenth 26, Port 

28, Arc. 

22 Crowd (3) 

24 Mutual (6) 

25 Rubber (6) 

27 Firework (6) 

28 Offer (6) 

30 Mammal (5) 

31 Pillar (5) 

33 Drink (4) 

34 Tardy (4) 

YESTERDAY’S QUICK 

SOLUTIONS 

ACROSS: 4, Board 7, 

Rocked 9, Tap 10, Due 12, 

Sense 13, Foul 15, Enter 

17, Poster 19, Army 20, 

Loyal 22, Rub 24, Daggers 

27, Pie 28, Aimed 31, Area 

33, Stance 35, Satin 37, 

Keen 38, Topic 39, Cos 41, 

Did 42, Nailed 43, Sewed. 

DOWN: 1, Artful 2, Occupy 

3, Bed 4, Base 5, Opera 6, 

Resemble 8, Duet 11, Energetic 

14, Load 16, True 

18, Slap 21, Overcome 23, 

Bran 25, Gist 26, Sick 29, 

Meekly 30, Denude 32, 

Aside 34, Anon 36, Acid 

40, Sad.

Finance 


Commodities market 

Pension fund 

PERSPECTIVE 

The role of stock markets in economic development 

By Lo’ai Batainah 

Lbb_65@yahoo.com 

THERE might be no consensus 

about the important role played 

by Stock markets in any given 

economy and the ability of these markets 

in steering that economy into 

certain economic cycles that ensure 

enhancing the growth of national 

economies. Stock markets also play 

an important role in shaping the inancial, 

economic and monetary policies, 

plans and programmes. 

The establishment of stock markets 

in Arab countries came in line 

with the Arab governments' policies 

and programmes. It came also after 

such governments realised the importance 

of the role played by such markets 

in enhancing the comprehensive 

development processes taking place 

in their countries especially the capital 

market experience in many countries 

has been very successful. 

Weakness in Chinese data 

results in bumpy road 

By Ole S Hansen 

COMMODITY markets had to deal with 

several pieces of news and events this 

past week. Of these the most important 

were the weaker than expected Manufacturing 

PMI from China, the mini crash in the Japanese 

stock index together with comments 

from Ben Bernanke, the chairman of the US 

Federal Reserve about continued asset purchasing. 

Cyclical commodities, such as energy and 

industrial metals which rely on growth to 

spur demand fell after the manufacturing 

data from China pointed towards continued 

weakness. This once again brought about talk 

of whether the super cycle that commodity 

markets have witnessed in recent years and 

which primarily was driven by rising demand 

from growth in emerging economies, especially 

China, was coming to an end. The dollar 

reached the highest level since July 2010 

against a basket of currencies and this also 

created some headwinds. 

Precious metals 

The year has so far shown negative returns 

for both the Dow Jones-UBS and S&P 

Goldman Sachs index. These are two of the 

world's most followed indices by investors 

seeking passively managed exposure to the 

asset class. All sectors are showing a negative 

return with the odd one out being the 

energy sector in the DJ-UBS index which can 

be explained by a relatively large exposure in 

natural gas, the top performer both this past 

week and year to date. Precious metals scrape 

the bottom this week as weakness in silver — 

down one-quarter and gold down 17 per cent 

— more than off-set better performances in 

platinum and especially palladium. 

Precious metals survived an early scare 

last Monday when silver dropped by 10 per 

cent in a matter of minutes before rallying to 

end the day higher. Such levels of daily volatility 

can be expected as the tug of war between 

buyers and sellers continues to escalate with 

traders currently very uncertain about where 

markets are headed from here. Overall, both 

metals managed some small gains as the 

mini-crash in Japan on Thursday and soothing 

words from Ben Bernanke the day before triggered 

some buying interest in both metals. 

It is a truth universally acknowledged 

that economic development at 

any country would require large capitals 

to achieve the prospective growth 

rates in their budgets. Stock markets 

may therefore become the ideal mean 

for collecting funds and channeling 

them into the different investment 

channels. They may also act as communication 

links among the sectors 

that have surpluses and other sectors 

that are in need for liquidity to fund 

their investments. This balance will 

deinitely bring beneits to any country. 

The main role of the stock markets 

is thus to avail funds needed to 

inance the projects promoted by existing 

or under development at reasonable 

terms that bring beneits for 

everyone. 

Due to lack of inancial resources 

and low capitals, especially in countries 

whose inancial resources are 

limited, stock markets may be the 

only source and main provider for the 

capitals of such projects. 

The main reasons behind many 

companies' reliance on the funds provided 

by the stock markets in emerging 

economies to inance project 

include the lack of capitals and high 

risk. These factors limit the ability of 

such companies to get the required 

inance from commercial banks. 

Moreover, in most cases the inance 

should be made in foreign currency. 

The high risk associated with funding 

Supply issues 

The agriculture sector saw very different 

performances between crops and soft commodities. 

All three key crops — soyebeans, 

wheat and corn — rose as supplies left over 

from the drought-plagued 2012 harvest 

continue to dwindle, especially triggered by 

strong US export sales. 

New supply from the coming crop season 

will not be available for another few months 

leaving a major price gap between the cost 

of what buyers pay for prompt delivery compared 

with delivery later this year. Examples 

of this are in soybeans and corn where the 

new crops are trading at 17 per cent and 19 

per cent discounts respectively to current old 

crop prices. 

High inventory levels 

Oil markets are currently well supplied 

with inventory levels in the US near the highest 

level since 1931 as domestic production 

continues to rise while Chinese demand is 

showing signs of not growing by the amount 

initially anticipated. 

These developments combined with the 

continued recession in Europe have despite 

the risk of a geopolitical event kept the price 

of oil, both WTI and Brent Crude, near the 

lower end of their current ranges — especially 

Brent Crude which remains the global 

benchmark for a large proportion of physical 

oil transactions. 

WTI crude oil's discount to Brent crude oil 

has seen a sharp reduction during the past 

months but with inventory withdrawals from 

Cushing, the delivery point for WTI Crude 

oil, slowing over the past couple of weeks a 

further tightening much below 7.5 $/barrel 

seems unlikely at this stage. 

Global growth concerns should help con- 

Traders work on the loor of the New York Stock Exchange. — Reuters 

in local currency, dificulty in availing 

fund and foreign exchange risks make 

the regional and international banks 

unable in many cases to provide such 

inance. As for developing and Arab 

countries, money markets are still in 

emerging and developing phases. The 

Arab banking and inancial system, 

which mainly consists of banks and 

inancial Co’s, is very active in offering 

inance to new set up Co’s. 

Over the last decades, the sector 

has provided the required inance for 

such development projects. The funding 

policy of any bank or inancial Co 

states that founders should ensure 

a capital percentage in order to receive 

the necessary funding. Hence, 

the funding decision at any bank relies 

mainly on participation and risks, 

thus stock markets were established; 

whether primary and/or secondary 

markets. They will serve the founders 

and developers by ensuring capitals 

necessary to start any project, and assist 

in receiving funds from commercial 

banks. Unfortunately the banking 

systems limit their funding and commercial 

activities to certain sectors. 

Such inancial Co’s are also reluctant 

to secure funding for certain sectors 

with high risks and/or incapable of 

tain the price of Brent Crude near the lower 

end of its current range with the chance that 

further weakness could see it trade back 

down below $99 per barrel before inding 

support. Resistance above 105 has now been 

conirmed on a couple of occasions during the 

past month leaving room for the upside limited 

at this stage. 

Gold outlook 

Gold and silver markets took some comfort 

from Ben Bernanke's comment that it 

would be a major concern to pull back from 

quantitative easing too early and that more 

progress in job creation had to be seen before 

such a pullback from asset purchasing could 

be considered. The mini-crash in the Japanese 

Nikkei on Thursday, however short-lived, also 

created a sense of light to safety lending both 

markets some support. Up against this the 

continued reductions of gold held in exchange 

traded products, especially by institutional 

investors, remains a concern and reduces the 

upside potential. 

Together with this we have seen hedge 

funds build up the largest short position on 

record. Although this shows the current negative 

approach to gold among many of these investors 

it could also have a signiicant positive 

impact on prices if the outlook turns more favourable 

as short covering will follow. 

For the outlook to turn more positive 

the double bottom on the charts, which is 

currently in the making, needs to be con- 

irmed. For that to happen, traders using 

technical analysis would want to see the price 

climb back above $1430 per ounce which represents 

a 61.8 per cent retracement of the recent 

sell-off. 

(The author is the Head of Commodity 

Strategy at Saxo Bank) 

satisfying their requested guarantees. 

Some might say that banks; in Arab 

region in general and Gulf in particular, 

has lack of the qualiied personnel 

who are qualiied to study different 

business environments and who 

have business acumen. The activities 

of such banks are limited to certain 

economic sectors due to a number 

of reasons, including inability to provide 

proper funding solutions and/ 

or the administrative and legal complications 

they face in such processes 

given the applicable systems and procedures 

at these countries. 

Primary markets have a vital role 

in providing inancial and funding 

resources to public and private institutions. 

In addition, they ensure the 

funds required for development processes 

and spending of governments 

and their central banks, thus helping 

these governments to accelerate 

spending over infrastructure, industrial 

and social investments, which by 

far are the main pillars for development. 

Recently, countries started to rely, 

almost completely, on strategic reserves 

and budget deicits through 

relying on primary markets to cover 

these inancial requirements, in addition 

to ensuring the requirements of 

other economic sectors. 

In a bid to promote stock markets, 

each country seeks to develop the 

proper legal and institutional setup 

for these markets to encourage and 

BILLIONAIRE hedge fund manager 

Steven A Cohen is losing the 

inancial support of Blackstone 

Group Inc , the largest outside investor 

in his embattled SAC Capital Advisors, 

which is yanking much of its client 

money, according to a letter reviewed 

by Reuters. 

A pension consultant, in a May 21 

letter to clients, said Blackstone has 

notiied Cohen that it intends to "fully 

redeem" a signiicant portion of the 

roughly $550 million the investment 

irm has invested with the $15 billion 

hedge fund. The letter from pension 

consulting irm Russell Investments 

said Blackstone submitted its redemption 

notice to SAC Capital sometime 

before May 15 because of ongoing concerns 

about the insider trading investigation 

that continues to engulf Cohen's 

fund. 

Blackstone's investment with SAC 

Capital is through several investment 

funds known as hedge fund of funds 

and also through separately managed 

accounts it maintains for clients. The 

decision to redeem from SAC Capital 

impacts only client money invested 

in its hedge fund of funds, according 

to the letter. It's not clear how much 

of the $550 million is in those hedge 

fund of funds and it is not clear what 

Blackstone is advising clients who 

have money in separately managed accounts 

that is invested with SAC Capital. 

Russell did say in the address to 

its pension clients that Blackstone 

"expects to receive 100 per cent of investors' 

capital by year-end." Russell, 

which manages $173 billion in assets 

and oversees a number of index funds, 

also provides advice to pensions and 

institutional investors on where to invest 

their dollars in hedge funds. 

The timing of Blackstone's request 

to withdraw money from SAC Capital 

is critical because it came before 

the hedge fund told investors on May 

17 that its co-operation with federal 

authorities was no longer unconditional. 

Soon after, news broke that federal 

prosecutors had issued grand jury 

subpoenas earlier this month to Cohen 

and several of his top executives, seeking 

their testimony about insider trading 

at the hedge fund. 

The decision by Blackstone, which 

has invested with SAC Capital for at 

least a decade, is a big blow to the 56year-old 

fund manager, who is widely 

regarded as one of the most successful 

traders of his generation. Blackstone 

— which manages about $46 billion 

23 

increase their ability to attract local 

and foreign investments. It is true 

that attracting foreign and local funds 

to invest in local stock market will 

increases foreign exchange reserves, 

creates more job opportunities, and 

increases the income and public revenues 

generated from income taxes, 

duties and other direct/indirect taxes. 

Having realised the important role 

these markets play in achieving development, 

many countries started 

supporting, developing and improving 

stock markets to compete international 

markets and enhance their 

abilities to attract new companies and 

capitals to invest in their countries. 

The role of these markets varies 

from country or region to the other 

depending on different reasons and 

targets of either of them, as a reason 

of difference in systems and inancial 

policies, level of capital growth, economic 

characteristics, institutional 

readiness, legal reference appropriateness 

or other supporting or hindering 

factors. 

“It is unlikely that the role played 

by stock markets in advanced industrial 

countries like the USA, UK or 

Japan, is the same one played in the 

less-advanced countries such as Arab, 

African and other countries” said one 

of the researchers. That goes back to 

several reasons; most important of 

which is that money markets at advanced 

countries are the pillars and 

basics of the economic structure 

Cohen losing Blackstone’s 

inanacial support 

Hedge fund manager Steven A Cohen 

in hedge fund investments for public 

pensions, foundations, corporations 

and wealthy individuals — is seen as 

something of a bellwether for other investors 

in the $2.2 trillion hedge fund 

industry because of its stature. 

Representatives for Blackstone did 

not immediately respond when asked 

for comment on Saturday. An SAC Capital 

spokesman declined to comment. 

The letter from Russell Investments, 

which was reviewed by Reuters, made 

no mention of the subpoenas on Cohen 

and his executives and was sent after 

a Russell representative talked to 

a Blackstone executive about the redemption 

decision. 

The letter said Blackstone decided 

to submit a redemption notice to SAC 

Capital after reviewing the terms of a 

$616 million deal SAC Capital reached 

in March with the US Securities and 

Exchange Commission to settle allegations 

that the hedge fund's employees 

had engaged in insider trading in four 

stocks. 

Blackstone, according to the letter, 

said the settlement with the SEC "did 

not give additional comfort that the issues 

at-hand were resolved." 

A representative for Russell Investments 

did not respond to a request for 

comment about the letter from its Russell 

Research division. 

Outside investors in SAC Capital like 

Blackstone, who account for roughly 

$6.75 billion of the $15 billion managed 

by Cohen, have until June 3 to 

decide whether to submit redemption 

notices for the second quarter. In the 

irst quarter, outside investors notiied 

Cohen they intend to withdraw about 

$1.7 billion of that $6.75 billion by 

year's end. 

People close to SAC Capital said 

Cohen, who has roughly $8 billion of 

his money invested in SAC Capital, is 

bracing for another large round of redemption 

requests.

24 

Banking 

FRANKFURT — With banking union brewing 

and London mulling an EU exit, is Frankfurt 

ready to take on the mantle as Europe's unchallenged 

inancial capital? 

Although the epicentre of the euro, Europe's 

single currency, there is a long list of 

things Frankfurt is not. 

With just 700,000 inhabitants, this compact 

German city — often referred to as the 

world's smallest metropolis — can't compete 

in size to other inancial centres, such as 

London, Tokyo or New York. 

In fact, on the Global Financial Centres 

Index, it ranks only 10th in the world and 

fourth in Europe behind London, Zurich and 

Geneva. 

INTERNATIONAL 

It isn't a capital city either, not even of the 

central regional state of Hesse where it is 

based. 

Although home to more than 300 banks, 

both national and international, it isn't Germany's 

wealthiest city, even if — with its 

ever-growing skyline of gleaming steel and 

concrete skyscrapers — it likes to style itself 

as "Mainhattan", a play on the name of the 

river on which it is built. 

In terms of household income, Frankfurt 

is Germany's 23rd richest city, behind Hamburg 

and Munich and even the likes of Stuttgart, 

Duesseldorf, Cologne and Bonn. 

Greater Frankfurt ranks third behind Munich 

and Hamburg in terms of gross domes- 

tic product (GDP) per capita. 

It is home to the once-mighty Bundesbank 

and now the European Central Bank, and 

also hosts Deutsche Boerse, Europe's secondbiggest 

stock exchange after London. 

Despite the competition however, Frankfurt 

has fared much better than all other European 

inancial and banking centres during 

the region's long and debilitating debt crisis. 

The German economy, too, has weathered 

the crisis storms much better than its euro 

zone neighbours and its blue-chip stock index, 

the DAX, has recently soared to new alltime 

highs. 

While the challenges are the same — an 

economic slowdown in the euro area, an 

environment of ultra-low interest rates and 

profound restructuring of Europe's banking 

sector — analysts say Frankfurt has a 

number of advantages. 

London's City axed more than 30 per cent 

of the workforce in its banking and inancial 

sector between 2007 and 2012 to 249,000, 

according to data compiled by the Centre for 

Economics and Business Research (CEBR). 

And more than 13,000 more jobs are facing 

the chop by the end of next year, bringing 

the number of people employed in the sector 

to its lowest level since 1993. 

By contrast, a study by German regional 

bank Helaba calculated that just 3,000 jobs 

have been lost in Frankfurt since the 2008 


Frankfurt weathers euro crisis better than rivals 

The city skyline with the bank high rise buildings are seen from the 38th loor of ECB’s new building under construction in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany. — AFP 

Swiss-China trade on the rise 

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang (left) gestures next to Swiss President Ueli Maurer at the 

Lohn residency in Kehrsatz, near Bern. — AFP 

BERNE — Applauded by Switzerland's business 

sector, the country's free-trade deal with 

China is heavy with symbolism, coming as 

Beijing locks horns with the European Union 

in a raft of commercial disputes. 

The staunchly non-EU Swiss inked a preliminary 

accord on Friday during Chinese 

Premier Li Keqiang's irst visit to Europe 

since taking the helm in March's once-in-adecade 

power transfer. 

The inal Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is 

set to be signed in July, capping two years of 

talks. 

"This has huge meaning for global free 

trade," Li said in Switzerland, explaining that 

it sends the world "a strong signal about the 

ight against trade and investment protectionism, 

as well as the liberalisation and facilitation 

of trade". 

Swiss Economy Minister Johann Schneider- 

Ammann echoed that. 

"The FTA will not only further develop and 

deepen our bilateral relationship, but it will 

also contribute to much needed progress towards 

global liberalisation of trade and to 

curbing protectionism," he said. 

In Switzerland, Li took the opportunity to 

launch a broadside against the EU, challenging 

its punitive import duties on Chinese- 

made solar panels, as well as moves against 

the mobile telecommunications sector. 

The EU argues that such Chinese products 

are being dumped on its market, hurting European 

irms, but China's Xinhua news agency 

quoted Li as saying the moves "harm others 

without beneiting oneself". 

The economies of China and the 27-nation 

EU are tightly linked. 

The EU is China's top export market, while 

China is second to the United States for EU 

exports. 

But the balance is largely in China's favour, 

with Chinese exports to the EU worth $375 

billion in 2012, and EU exports to China, $186 

billion. 

In contrast, Switzerland is one of the rare 

Western countries with a positive trade balance 

with China, its third-ranked partner after 

the EU and the United States. 

Swiss-Chinese bilateral trade totalled $26.3 

billion in 2012, with $22.8 billion of that in 

Switzerland's favour. 

Its top exports to China are watches, pharmaceuticals 

and chemicals, and machinery, 

while textiles and machinery head the list of 

imported Chinese goods. 

The Swiss upper hand goes a long way 

to explaining its business sector's positive 

stance on the FTA, but the Alpine country also 

sees it as a way to get the edge on competitors. 

With the strong Swiss franc and high labour 

costs making it hard to beat rivals on 

price, Swiss irms have long made quality 

their selling point. 

"This free-trade agreement is an important 

step into the right direction. It will facilitate 

the access to the Chinese market and 

will strengthen the competitivity of Swiss 

industry's products. And it will also provide 

advantages compared to international competitors, 

especially from the EU," Ivo Zimmermann 

of the Swissmem engineering federation 

said. 

He said he could not comment in detail until 

the FTA was signed, but that he expected 

"substantial facilitations" for exports, even 

if Chinese tariffs may not be reduced on all 

goods. 

Even the country's solar power body, Swissolar, 

sees no threat. 

"In the Swissolar perspective the free-trade 

deal with China has to be judged positively," 

said its head David Stickelberger, noting that 

Swiss manufacturers focus on niche markets 

and that cutting duties on Chinese panels 

would lower end-user prices in Switzerland. 

Jean-Daniel Pasche, head of Switzerland's 

FHS watchmaking federation, also gave the 

thumbs up. 

"It will give a legal framework to our cooperation," 

he explained. 

He said his industry was hoping to see a 

fall in Chinese import duties on watches — 

currently at 12 to 16 per cent — as well as 

better safeguards against counterfeiting. 

Besides inking the FTA plan, the two countries 

also signed a deal boosting inancial sector 

ties, amid reforms of the Chinese sector. 

"Emerging markets such as China are attractive 

because there's a huge variety of activities 

ongoing at the same time," said Riccardo 

Moretto of Zurich Insurance Group. 

"Populations are large and demographics 

are favourable, with a high proportion of 

young people. There is also growing GDP," he 

said. 

During his Swiss visit, Li underlined that 

the Swiss FTA was the irst with one of the 

globe's 20 leading economies. 

China signed its irst European FTA last 

month with non-EU Iceland, and Beijing has 

been pressing the EU for a similar accord. 

Despite the China-EU spats, Brussels said 

on Thursday that it aimed to negotiate an investment 

protection agreement with Beijing, 

which would be the irst step on the FTA path. 

Such deals, including a planned EU-US accord 

and a proposed trans-Paciic agreement, 

are sharply in focus as the 159-nation World 

Trade Organisation struggles to craft a global 

treaty on liberalising international commerce, 

a process launched in 2001. — AFP 

collapse of Lehman Brothers and the number 

of people employed in the sector is projected 

to fall by just 2.0 per cent to 73,000 people at 

the end of next year. 

"Frankfurt is doing well as a inancial centre," 

said Lutz Raettig, spokesman for Frankfurt 

Main Finance, a inancial sector lobby 

group, and supervisory board chief for Morgan 

Stanley in Germany. 

"The climate has deteriorated somewhat 

as a result of the inancial crisis, but there's 

been no downturn. Frankfurt's banks haven't 

had to cope with the dramatic blood-letting 

that we've seen in London or Paris," Raettig 

said. 

Christoph Schalast, professor at the Frankfurt 

School of Finance & Management, argues 

that unlike other European inancial centres, 

Frankfurt has never been a major player in 

investment banking, which is at the root of 

the crisis. 

On the contrary, Germany's banking sector 

is largely centred on credit and savings, 

and entertains close ties to the small and medium-sized 

enterprises, or SMEs, that form 

the main backbone of the country's economy, 

Schalast said. 

"There is a close link with the real economy 

which is absent from other inancial centres," 

said Raettig. 

"The excesses seen elsewhere have not 

been seen here." 

Foreign banks are also drawn to the established 

inancial centre of Frankfurt because 

"Germany's federal structure isn't always 

easy to understand," said Schalast. 

"Thus when they consider setting up a 

branch in Germany, it's Frankfurt they'll 

choose because of the presence there of the 

Bundesbank, the ECB and Deutsche Boerse," 

he argued. 

With the ECB now also to become responsible 

for banking supervision across the euro 

area, Frankfurt's importance might grow still 

further. A referendum vote on Britain's place 

in the EU, as promised by Prime Minister 

David Cameron, could also prove decisive. 

But Schalast reckons that it is unlikely 

the city can de-throne London as Europe's 

inancial capital any time in the foreseeable 

future. — AFP 

BoJ's Kuroda says pain from 

bond yield rise is manageable 

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda 

TOKYO — Bank of Japan Governor 

Haruhiko Kuroda said the country's 

inancial institutions have suficient 

buffers against losses they may incur 

from rises in bond yields, as long as 

the market moves are driven by prospects 

of an economic recovery. 

The central bank will also be vigilant 

to any signs of overheating of asset 

prices or excessive risk-taking by 

inancial institutions, the BoJ chief 

said, adding that there were no signs 

of that now. 

"Japan's inancial system as a whole 

seems to possess suficient resilience 

against such shocks as a rise in interest 

rates and deterioration in economic 

conditions," Kuroda told a seminar 

involving academics yesterday. 

The BoJ unleashed the world's most 

intense burst of stimulus last month, 

promising to inject $1.4 trillion into 

the economy in less than two years via 

massive asset purchases to meet its 

pledge of achieving 2 per cent inlation 

in roughly two years. 

But the central bank's huge bond 

purchases have jolted bond markets 

and sent the 10-year yield to its highest 

in a year last week, casting a cloud 

over the effectiveness of its easing that 

attempts to push down borrowing 

costs. 

Declines in bond prices, and a resulting 

rise in yields, hurts the value 

of Japanese banks' huge bond holdings 

and boosts the cost of funding the 

country's massive public debt. 

Kuroda said estimates by the BoJ in 

April showed a rise in interest rates by 

around 1-3 percentage points would 

not cause major concerns over Japan's 

inancial system, as long as the rise is 

accompanied by improvements in the 

economy. 

That is because the economic recovery 

would lead to increased lending 

and help improve banks' earnings, he 

said. 

But Japanese banks will take a hit 

if the rise in interest rates is not accompanied 

by improvements in the 

economy and is driven by heightened 

concern over Japan's iscal state, Kuroda 

said, calling on the government to 

keep up efforts to curb the country's 

huge debt. 

"The BoJ made a clear commitment 

to achieve its price target. I'd like to 

call on the government to map out 

a clear plan to restore Japan's iscal 

health and a growth strategy — and 

most importantly, ask that they be implemented," 

he said. 

The BoJ will also be mindful of any 

signs of overheating in asset prices 

and take "appropriate action" if inancial 

imbalances emerge, Kuroda said, 

suggesting that the BoJ will seek to unwind 

its ultra-loose policy if the lood 

of money it is pumping causes an unwelcome 

asset price bubble. 

"There is no sign at this point of excessively 

bullish expectations in asset 

markets or in the activities of inancial 

institutions," he added, stressing that 

current economic conditions do not 

warrant any tightening of monetary 

policy in the forseeable future. 

The aggressive monetary stimulus 

launched by Kuroda, which is meant to 

vanquish 15 years of entrenched delation 

by expanding the supply of money 

at an annual pace of 60 trillion($593 

billion) to 70 trillion yen, has sent 

stocks soaring to 5-1/2-year highs. 

But the mood soured in the past 

week after subdued Chinese factory 

data and expectations that the US Federal 

Reserve may unwind its stimulus 

hit global shares. Tokyo's Nikkei average 

suffered its worst one-day loss in 

two years on Thursday. — Reuters

CRICKET 

>> FOOOTBALL P26 Bayern are European champions >> FORMULA ONE 

P27 Rosberg makes history in Monaco 

‘Our focus is on 

Trophy not Ashes’ 

SYDNEY — The Ashes will be playing 

at the back of every Australian 

cricketer's mind but captain Michael 

Clarke wants them to focus on the 

immediate job in hand — the Champions 

Trophy. 

Clarke and his men left for the 

United Kingdom yesterday, embarking 

on a long tour starting with next 

month's Champions Trophy to be 

followed by ive Tests against Ashes 

rivals England from July 10. 

"We know already that if you are 

not 100 per cent focused, you've got 

no chance," Clarke told reporters at 

Sydney airport, dwelling on Australia's 

chances of a Champions Trophy 

hat-trick. "I think you'll see a really 

focused one-day outit in this Champions 

Trophy tournament. 

"Obviously the build-up and the 

talk is going to be about the Ashes, 

but we're very focused on the Champions 

Trophy," added Clarke, whose 

team begin their campaign against 

hosts England on June 8. — Reuters 

RUGBY 

Whitelock to miss 

France series 

AUCKLAND — All Blacks lock Sam 

Whitelock will miss next month's 

three-test home series against 

France with a fractured inger, New 

Zealand head coach Steve Hansen 

said yesterday. 

The 24-year-old Crusaders lock 

injured the ring inger of his right 

hand in Canterbury's 28-19 Super 

Rugby loss to the Chiefs at Waikato 

Stadium on Friday, ruling him out of 

action for four to six weeks. 

"Sam will undergo a follow-up 

X-ray after which we should have 

a clearer picture of the injury and 

what that means for his return to 

rugby," Hansen said in a statement. 

"While this is disappointing for 

Sam, and for the All Blacks, one 

man's misfortune is another man's 

opportunity, so we look forward to 

seeing that opportunity being realised." 

— Reuters 

P26 

Monday 

MAY 27, 2013 | RAJAB 17, 1434 AH 

P27 P28 

www.omanobserver.om facebook.com/omanobserver twitter.com/omanobserver editor@omanobserver.om AppStore 

Inside 

Spurs take lead over Grizzlies 

England in control of Headingley Test 

Man City down Chelsea in NY 

Federer, Serena stroll into second round 

Ivanovic made to toil Simon sends Hewitt packing Somdev advances 

PARIS — Serena Williams and Roger 

Federer both enjoyed yesterday afternoon 

strolls at Roland Garros as they 

seized the opportunity to gain head 

starts over their French Open rivals in 

ruthless fashion. 

A year after suffering her only 

irst round loss in a Grand Slam, a 

defeat that still haunts her, American 

Williams destroyed Georgian Anna 

Tatishvili 6-0, 6-1 in an ominous 51minute 

display of power tennis. 

Federer followed Williams on to a 

less than full Chatrier court and barely 

raised a sweat in cool, overcast conditions 

as he disposed of Grand Slam 

debutant Pablo Carreno-Busta. 

The Swiss former champion, seeded 

two and with a realistic chance of 

reaching the inal after being placed 

in the opposite half of the draw to his 

Roland Garros nemesis Rafa Nadal 

and world No 1 Novak Djokovic, 

breezed to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 victory over 

the fresh-faced Spaniard. 

He will face another qualiier, Somdev 

Devvarman, for a place in the 

third round after the Indian advanced 

with a 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 win over Daniel 

Munoz of Spain. 

Serbian Ana Ivanovic, a third 

former French Open champion scheduled 

to brighten up a irst day which 

featured 32 matches, had to work 

a little harder to reach the second 

round. 

The 2008 champion, who has 

never hit those heights again, got past 

Croatia's Petra Martic despite losing a 

set. 

Gilles Simon, one of six Frenchmen 

seeded as the host nation desperately 

craves a irst male champion since 

Yannick Noah in 1983, gave fans on 

Suzanne Lenglen anxiety attacks as he 

Serena Williams of the US hits a return to Anna Tatishvili of Georgia during their women’s singles match at the 

French Open at the Roland Garros in Paris yesterday. — Reuters 

lost the opening two sets to old warrior 

Lleyton Hewitt before recovering 

to win 3-6, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-5. 

Federer once had his nose put out 

of joint when forced to launch the 

French Open's yesterday start, unique 

amongst the four Grand Slams, in 

2006, describing it as 'tricky'. 

PRACTICE SESSION 

However, there was nothing complicated 

about a swift victory over 

a 21-year-old rookie who had won 

seven consecutive titles at the lower 

Futures level of the men's tour this 

season. 

"I remember they sort of forced 

me to play on Sunday years back to 

promote their Sunday thing," Federer 

told reporters. 

"Wimbledon does it in 13 days and 

the French does it in 15. So it doesn't 

make sense. But I do understand that 

a weekend for tennis is very important 

for the people who can show up. 

"But I'm happy this time around. 

I told them if they wanted me to 

play Sunday, whatever, I'm ine with 

it. They took that opportunity right 

away." 

Williams turned her irst round 

match against Tatishvili, a player who 

reached the fourth round of last year's 

US Open, into little more than a practice 

session. 

Looking conident and razor-sharp 

on the back of a 24-match winning 

streak, the 2002 champion took the 

irst set in 20 minutes, striking winners 

with nonchalant ease. 

"I have to say I'm always a little 

nervous going into irst round matches 

at slams, but this time I wasn't as 

nervous as I was previously," said the 

31-year-old, who has been almost unbeatable 

since a shock loss to Virginie 

Razzano last year. 

"I felt pretty safe and felt good 

about my game and that if I can just 

do what I do in practice, I'll be okay." 

Far more testing was her on-court 

interview conducted in French by 

former French favourite Fabrice Santoro. 

"It's way, way, more nerve-racking 

than playing tennis," the 15-time 

Grand Slam champion said. 

RESULTS 

Men's singles: 1st round: Andreas Seppi 

(ITA x20) bt Leonardo Mayer (ARG) 6-7 (4/7), 

6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (2/7), 6-4; Blaz Kavcic (SLO) bt 

James Duckworth (AUS) 6-2, 6-2, 6-2; Milos 

Raonic (CAN x14) bat Xavier Malisse (BEL) 6-2, 

6-1, 4-6, 6-4; Kevin Anderson (RSA x23) bat 

Illya Marchenko (UKR) 6-3, 7-5, 6-4; João Sousa 

(POR) bt Go Soeda (JPN) 6-1, 6-3, 6-2; David 

Ferrer (ESPx4) bt Marinko Matosevic (AUS) 6-4, 

6-3, 6-4; Roberto Bautista (ESP) bt Gilles Muller 

(LUX) 6-3, 6-4, 6-2; Jeremy Chardy (FRA x25) 

bt Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-4, 6-2, 7-5; Gilles 

Simon (FRA x15) bt Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) 3-6, 

1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-5; Jan Hajek (CZE) bt Denis Kudla 

(USA) 6-2, 5-7, 6-0, 6-4; Sam Querrey (USA x18) 

bt Lukas Lacko (SVK) 6-3, 6-4, 6-4; Somdev Devvarman 

(IND) bt Daniel Munoz (ESP) 6-3, 6-3, 

7-5; Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Pablo Carreñ o 

(ESP) 6-2, 6-2, 6-3. 

Women's singles: 1st round: Serena Williams 

(USA x1) bt Anna Tatishvili (GEO) 6-0, 

6-1; Caroline Garcia (FRA) bt Yulia Beygelzimer 

(UKR) 6-3, 6-4; Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS 

x19) bt Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 

6-4; Petra Cetkovska (CZE) bt Olga Puchkova 

(RUS) 6-0, 6-2; Mallory Burdette (USA) bt Donna 

Vekic (CRO) 6-3, 6-4; Ana Ivanovic (SRB x14) 

bt Petra Martic (CRO) 6-1, 3-6, 6-3; Monica Puig 

(PUR) bt Nadia Petrova (RUS x11) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4; 

Shelby Rogers (USA) bt Irena Pavlovic (FRA) 

6-3, 6-4; Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) bt Ayumi Morita 

(JPN) 6-2, 6-3; Sara Errani (ITA x5) bt Arantxa 

Rus (NED) 6-1, 6-2. 

Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic celebrates after defeating Croatia’s Petra Martic at French Open yesterday. PICTURE CENTRE: India’s Somdev Devvarman hits a return to Spain’s Daniel Munoz-De La 

Nava. PICTURE RIGHT: Switzerland’s Roger Federer (left) shake hand with Spain’s Pablo Carreno-Busta after winning their irst round match.

26 

SPORT 

Bayern Munich win Champions League 

Bayern Munich’s players celebrate with the trophy after their victory in the Champions League inal match against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday. — AFP 

LONDON — A brilliant Franco-Dutch 

move involving Franck Ribery and 

Arjen Robben in the inal minutes settled 

a memorable all-German Champions 

League inal as Bayern Munich 

beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Wembley 

on Saturday. 

Frenchman Ribery's backheel allowed 

Dutchman Robben to break 

through a gap in the Dortmund defence 

and dance round goalkeeper 

Roman Weidenfeller to score the 89th 

minute winner. 

The goal sent Bayern's fans into 

raptures as their team became European 

champions for the ifth time to 

match Liverpool's haul of titles. 

Only Real Madrid with nine triumphs 

and AC Milan with seven have 

been crowned champions more often. 

Stormers defeat Reds 

CAPE TOWN — A try by Springbok 

skipper Jean de Villiers made the difference 

as Western Stormers defeated 

Queensland Reds 20-15 in a tense 

Super Rugby tussle on Saturday. 

After a irst half that produced 

only three points at windy Newlands, 

a brilliant try by the veteran lifted a 

game between South African and 

Australian sides with very different 

agendas. 

Fly-half Elton Jantjies launched 

the move on 44 minutes with a cross- 

ield kick that found left wing Bryan 

Habana, and he passed inside to Joe 

Pietersen. 

The full-back surged forward before 

unleashing De Villiers on the 

outside and the centre darted over 

for a try which Pietersen failed to 

convert in dificult goal-kicking conditions. 

Pietersen and Reds ly-half Quade 

Cooper then traded penalties — inishing 

with ive goals each — in a 

match that ended with the home 

team desperately defending the 

try-line. The Reds were awarded a 

last-minute scrum that had to be reset 

twice before the Brisbane outit 

launched a slow, multi-phase effort 

Bayern soaked up almost non-stop 

Dortmund pressure before going 

ahead in the 60th minute when Ribery 

and Robben again combined in 

the build-up to set up Croatian Mario 

Mandzukic to hook in with his left 

foot from close range from a Robben 

cross. 

Dortmund, who fashioned seven 

scoring chances in the irst half, 

pulled level when Bayern defender 

Dante clumsily kicked Marco Reus in 

the stomach eight minutes later with 

Ilkay Guendogan sending Manuel 

Neuer the wrong way with his penalty. 

But just as the match appeared 

destined for extra time, Robben, who 

missed a penalty in last season's inal, 

pounced to collect Ribery's clever 

to score the converted try that would 

have brought victory. 

BULLS WIN THRILLER 

In Durban, Morne Steyn became 

the leading points scorer this season 

by kicking six penalties as Northern 

Bulls edged Coastal Sharks 18-16 in a 

thriller. The experienced Bulls ly-half 

came face to face with Patrick Lambie, 

the younger Sharks playmaker 

who replaced him in the Springboks 

team last season. 

And Steyn won the individual 

goal-kicking battle by seven points 

with Lambie landing three penalties 

and converting a try from scrum-half 

Charl McLeod. 

Steyn has scored two tries, converted 

21, and kicked 42 penalties 

and a drop goal for a 181-point haul 

— 18 more than Gareth Anscombe 

from title-holders Waikato Chiefs of 

New Zealand. 

Lambie lies fourth with 150 

points, but that will be little consolation 

after a defeat at hyper-humid 

Kings Park that cost the 2012 runners-up 

any chance of a place in the 

knockout stages. 

The outit from Indian Ocean city 

Durban have 34 points. — AFP 

Salalah Indians edged Salalah Kings by two runs in the inaugural match 

of the seven-a-side under-arm cricket tournament in Salalah. In the 

second match Seven Stars defeated Blue Seven. There are eight teams 

— Blue Seven, Seven Stars, Salalah Mosquitoes, Salalah Indians, Salalah 

Waves, Seven Tigers, Salalah Kings and United Seven — participating in 

the tournament. 

backheel and score the winner. "So 

many people told me I'd score a goal 

tonight. the irst few chances I missed. 

I got another chance at the end and 

took advantage of it," said Robben. 

"It means a lot to me. It's still 

hard to fathom. I'll be able to put it in 

words later. There are so many emotions 

right now, it's incredible." 

The victory eased the pain of Bayern's 

defeats by Inter Milan in the 

2010 inal and the heartbreaking defeat 

to Chelsea on penalties in their 

own stadium a year ago as they lifted 

the European Cup for the irst time 

since 2001. 

Bayern's success puts them in 

touching distance of an unprecedented 

treble for a German club as they 

have already been crowned Bundes- 

Benitez wants 

Champions 

League club 

LONDON — Rafael Benitez has admitted 

he wants to manage a team 

competing in the Champions League 

next season after bringing his reign 

as Chelsea interim manager to a 

close. 

Benitez will shortly leave Stamford 

Bridge having taken charge of 

the Premier League team for the 

inal time on Saturday when the 

Blues were beaten by Manchester 

City in a friendly in New York. 

The Spaniard guided Chelsea to 

the Europa League crown and also 

helped them qualify for next season's 

Champions League after being 

brought in on a short-time basis to 

replace Roberto Di Matteo in November. 

Benitez is set to make way for the 

return of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea 

and the former Liverpool boss can 

now focus on his future after being 

linked with Napoli and Paris Saint- 

Germain, who can both satisfy the 

53-year-old's desire to compete in 

Europe's elite club competition. 

Napoli are the front-runners for 

Benitez's services. 

Asked about his plans and a link 

to Napoli following Chelsea's 5-3 defeat 

to City, Benitez told Sky Sports 

News: "I am going to London now. 

"I want to be in a top side so 

that we can play in the Champions 

League, if that is possible." 

Benitez faced hostility from many 

Chelsea fans, but he insisted he 

enjoyed his spell in west London 

because he was able to deliver success. 

"I think it was a good challenge 

and I enjoyed it at the end," he said. 

"We won a trophy, (we reached) 

some semiinals, a inal (and inished 

in the) top three so I am really 

pleased." — AFP 

liga champions and play VfB Stuttgart 

in the domestic cup inal in Berlin 

next week. It also means Bayern's 68year-old 

coach Heynckes, who is leaving 

at the end of the season, becomes 

only the fourth manager to win the 

European Cup with two different 

clubs following his earlier success 

with Real Madrid in 1998. 

For their part, Bayern, coming back 

off the ropes, attacked almost as much 

and between them the two sides produced 

12 scoring efforts in the opening 

45 minutes with Bayern creating 

ive good chances — three of them 

falling to Robben. 

However, both goalkeepers were in 

superb form with Weidenfeller saving 

everything Bayern conjured up while 

Neuer was just as eye-catching at the 

other end in the irst all-German European 

Cup inal. 

Dortmund, looking to add a second 

European crown after their 1997 victory, 

played Bayern at their own game 

with a high intensity, penetrative attacking 

plan devised by their impressive 

young coach Juergen Klopp. 

Next season he will have to pit his 

wits against Pep Guardiola who will 

inherit a Champions League-winning 

side who just had a little too much 

depth and experience for the losers. 

"It was a dramatic match. A close 

match," said Klopp. "It was a long season 

and we were all exhausted. Congratulations 

to Bayern, and to Jupp. 

We wanted to win the thing today... 

but that's the way it goes and we can't 

change it." — Reuters 

Brazil’s Neymar announces 

transfer to Barcelona 

SAO PAULO — Brazilian Neymar announced 

on Saturday that he is about 

to sign up with Spanish powerhouse 

FC Barcelona. 

"On Monday, I sign a contract with 

Barcelona. I want to thank the Santos 

fans for nine incredible years," wrote 

Neymar, 21, who is currently a forward 

for the Brazilian team Santos. 

Santos had received offers for 

Neymar from both Barca and its rival 

Real Madrid, according to Spanish 

newspaper El Pais, quoting the club's 

vice-president. 

In Spain, Barca conirmed the 

move yesterday. 

"FC Barcelona and Santos FC have 

agreed terms for Neymar da Silva 

Junior. The Brazilian forward will 

don the Blaugrana strip for the next 

ive seasons," said a statement on the 

club's website. 

On its English-language Twitter 

account, the club said that Neymar 

"will join FC Barcelona for the next 

ive seasons." 

Despite his tender age, Neymar 

has been a irst-team regular for 

Santos for the past four years, scoring 

156 goals and providing 77 assists in 

256 matches. 

In 2011, he guided them to their 

irst Copa Libertadores triumph since 

the days when Pele represented the 

club in the 1960s, and has already 

established himself at international 

level, scoring 20 times in 32 appearances 

with Brazil. 

"It's a different moment for me, 

sad (bidding farewell) and happy 

(new challenges)," he wrote. 

Neymar plays his last game for 

Santos on Sunday against rivals Flamengo, 

at the opening of this year's 

Brazilian football season. 

"I want the chance to enter the 

ield one more time and hear the fans 

cry out my name," he wrote. 

The young star, who often sports 

Neymar 

a Mohawk haircut, is a native of Sao 

Paulo. Youths ask barbers for "a Neymar" 

when they go for a haircut, and 

young women scream and chase after 

him as if he were a rock star. 

Brazil lacks the megastars of yesteryear 

as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and 

Robinho have aged, and the country's 

hopes for winning the World 

Cup 2014 — to be held in Brazil — 

largely rests on the young prodigy's 

shoulders. 

Time magazine described Neymar 

in February as "the future Pele," 

while the US magazine Sports Pro 

chose him for the second year running 

as the sports personality with 

most worldwide marketing potential, 

ahead of Argentina's Lionel Messi 

and Irish golfer Rory McIlroy. 

Off the football pitch, Neymar's 

face is omnipresent: he's constantly 

being interviewed on TV, he appears 

in scores of ads and on websites, and 

his personal life is feverishly covered 

by the celebrity press. 

Fans are avid to ind the latest 

news about Neymar and his young 

son, or Neymar and his latest girlfriend. 

Feeling the pressure? "It's part of 

the job, it's a responsibility, but it's 

enjoyable," he said. — AFP 


Heynckes makes 

record books 

after retirement 

LONDON — Bayern Munich coach 

Jupp Heynckes's career looked over 

a few years ago but the 68-year-old 

veteran capped a third spell at the 

Bavarians on Saturday by becoming 

only the fourth manager to win the 

European Cup with two different 

teams. 

Heynckes joined Ernst Happel, 

Ottmar Hitzfeld and Jose Mourinho 

with two Champions League trophies 

from two clubs after Bayern 

beat German rivals Borussia Dortmund 

2-1 to add to his 1998 European 

crown with Real Madrid. 

With former Barcelona coach Pep 

Guardiola taking over next season, 

Heynckes led the Bavarians to two 

titles, after also winning the German 

league, and could add another with 

the domestic Cup next week for an 

unprecedented treble by a German 

team. 

"It is unusual the way we played 

football this season," Heynckes, who 

also won the World Cup and European 

Championship with Germany 

as a player in a career in football 

spanning half a century, told reporters. 

"No one could have expected 

that. My career was pretty much 

over four years ago," said Heynckes, 

who also coached Bayern in the late 

1980s and won two league titles 

with them and again took over for 

ive games in 2009 following the 

sacking of Juergen Klinsmann. 

The coach had actually come out 

of retirement in 2009 to help Bayern 

clinch a Champions League spot 

as a favour to close friend and club 

boss Uli Hoeness. 

Instead of returning to his countryside 

home, he relaunched his career 

at Bayer Leverkusen. 

"Then I had a couple of good 

years in Leverkusen with a irstclass 

team and now since last year 

we've improved continually here." 

He took over at Bayern in 2011 

from Dutchman Louis van Gaal and 

has now led Bayern to two consecutive 

Champions League inals. 

"We improved a lot of things, 

modiied a lot of things. The product 

we have is a team spirit like never 

before. The players understand each 

other brilliantly," he said. 

Heynckes, nicknamed Osram after 

the German lightbulb manufacturer 

for the way his face reddens when 

agitated, sought to leave Bayern after 

losing the 2012 Champions League 

inal in Munich to Chelsea."Maybe 

I was a little more strict, more concentrated 

in the details this year than 

ever before," he said. — Reuters 

Hooper helps 

Celtic lift 

Scottish Cup 

GLASGOW — A classy double from 

Gary Hooper helped Celtic beat Hibernian 

3-0 to lift the Scottish Cup 

for the 36th time at Hampden Park 

yesterday. 

Hooper broke the deadlock after 

just eight minutes with his 30th 

goal of the season and he doubled 

his side's advantage just after the 

half hour with another smart inish 

from close range. 

Joe Ledley rounded off the scoring 

towards the end of the second 

half. 

The loss means Hibs' wait for 

a irst Scottish Cup triumph since 

1902 continues. It was their 11th 

inal defeat. 

Unlike last year's 5-1 thrashing 

at the hands of Edinburgh rivals 

Hearts, however, they started with 

intent, with Eoin Doyle forcing Celtic 

keeper Fraser Forster into a sharp 

save early on. 

They failed to capitalise on that 

bright opening, however, allowing 

Hooper to volley the ball home at 

the far post after the Hibs defence 

failed to clear and allowed Anthony 

Stokes to provide a perfectly 

weighed cross. 

Hooper repeated the dose after 

31 minutes, evading two defenders 

to nod home another ine ball from 

Stokes. 

Hibs, missing injured captain 

James McPake, came from 3-0 down 

at halftime to beat Falkirk 4-3 in 

their semiinal but were unable to 

muster another great comeback on 

this occasion. 

They had the odd bright spell in 

the second half but never seriously 

threatened Forster's goal and Celtic 

added a third through Ledley on 80 

minutes. — Reuters


MONACO — Nico Rosberg won Formula One's showcase 

Monaco Grand Prix for Mercedes yesterday, 30 years on 

from his world champion father Keke's triumph on the 

streets of the Mediterranean principality. 

The pole-to-lag win, after two safety car deployments 

and a 25-minute stoppage caused by Pastor 

Maldonado crashing his Williams, was only the second 

of the German's career — as it was for his Finnish father 

in 1983. 

Red Bull's triple world champion Sebastian Vettel 

made it a German one-two to extend his championship 

lead to 21 points over Finland's Kimi Raikkonen — who 

inished 10th — after six of the 19 races. 

Rosberg's success, on the familiar streets of a town 

that has been home since his early years, made him the 

irst son of a Monaco Grand Prix winner to win the most 

glamorous race on the calendar. 

"It's amazing. This is my home, I've grown up here 

all my life and it's really special," he said. "The whole 

weekend went perfectly. The car was really good, the 

tyres held on and that was the key to the victory. I am 

ecstatic." 

Australian Mark Webber, last year's winner and Vettel's 

team-mate, was third ahead of 2008 world champion 

Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes. Raikkonen 

scrambled to his 23rd successive scoring inish — one 

short of Michael Schumacher's all-time record — after 

making up three positions on the last lap just when it 

seemed his hopes had been dashed by a collision with 

McLaren's Sergio Perez. 

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso also fell back in the title 

challenge after inishing seventh, with Force India's 

Adrian Sutil ifth and Jenson Button sixth for McLaren. 

Vettel has 107 points, Raikkonen 86 and Alonso 78. 

The day had started with controversy, with Red Bull 

making an oficial protest after discovering that Mer- 

cedes had taken part in a secret tyre test with Pirelli in 

Spain last week, and uncertainty after the German team 

had failed to convert their previous poles into wins. 

Rosberg was not letting that cloud his day. 

"We've had such a dificult time in the last couple of 

races, and dropping back so much," he said. "That was 

a little bit in the back of my mind but it was okay. I hope 

this is going to last. 

"Today, the team gave me a great car. It's really fantastic 

to see how much they have been able to improve in a 

SPORT 

Rosberg emulates his father with Monaco triumph 

Ahmad aims for podium inish at Silverstone 

MUSCAT — Omani racing driver 

Ahmad al Harthy is conident of 

mounting a strong challenge during 

round four of the 2013 Avon Tyres 

British GT Championship at Silverstone 

Grand Prix Circuit tomorrow 

despite a tough qualifying session at 

the Northamptonshire track afternoon. 

Going into the longest race of the 

season so far, a three-hour spectacular, 

equal sixth in the points standings, 

the Oman Air Motorbase racer — 

along with team-mate Michael Caine 

— is determined to try and battle 

for a podium result knowing race 

pace has been the duo’s major 

strength so far. 

With signiicant ballast in the 31year-old’s 

Porsche 997 GT3R, which 

is a result of Caine’s British GT titlewinning 

success from last year, continuing 

to prove a hindrance to their 

speed in qualifying, during today’s 

grid-determining session the pairing 

had to be satisied with 17th on the 

timesheets. 

Caine was tasked with the 45- 

minute qualifying run and he managed 

a best lap of two minutes and 

4.074 seconds (106.20mph), placing 

him just 1.4 seconds shy of pole po- 

sition but 17th out of the impressive 

bumper grid of 38 cars. 

With 180 minutes of racing ahead 

of the team-mates on the inal day 

though, which will be split evenly 

between them into two stints each, 

Ahmad has every conidence of climbing 

through the order and mounting a 

consistently strong challenge. 

“It was another tough session today, 

it’s all to do with the weight we’re 

carrying”, said the Oman Air, Oman 

Ministry of Sports Affairs, Oman Ministry 

of Tourism, Nawras, National 

Bank of Oman and Muscat Eye Laser 

Centre-supported racer. 

“The ballast does affect us badly in 

qualifying, we feel conident for the 

race though — we’ve been strong in 

the races all season. 

“Michael had the duty of qualifying 

and he got everything he could out of 

the car, we obviously want to be higher 

up the grid but we’re feeling very 

positive. 

“It’s a very long race, it’s mandatory 

we have two stints each so I’ll start 

and Michael will take the inal run to 

the lag. As always, we’re happy with 

our race pace from practice and I really 

think we can make a strong challenge.” 

27 

short space of time. This track suited us anyway." 

Hamilton had started alongside Rosberg, who had 

secured his third successive pole and Mercedes's fourth 

on Saturday, but lost two places when the safety car was 

deployed for the irst time this season on lap 31. Ferrari's 

Felipe Massa triggered the intervention when he 

crashed heavily at the Ste. Devote corner at the end of 

the pit straight in a repeat of his Saturday smash at the 

same spot. 

The Brazilian was attended to by medical staff, who 

put him in a neck brace while marshals mended the energy-absorbing 

barriers. 

The safety car, deployed for eight laps, came out at 

the wrong time for Mercedes, who had to bring in Rosberg 

and Hamilton — the main loser — at the same time 

while Vettel had already pitted. 

Eight laps after normal racing resumed, the red lags 

came out when Maldonado and British rookie Max 

Chilton collided, pitching the Williams hard into the 

safety barrier at the harbourside Tabac corner. 

Maldonado, who had pitted for a new front wing after 

a irst-lap incident at the hairpin also involving Caterham's 

Giedo van der Garde, walked away from the impact 

that sent the plastic barrier spilling on to the track. 

There were some brave overtaking moves on the 

tight and twisty circuit, where passing is to be savoured 

rather than expected and cars skim the metal barriers in 

a high-speed train for lap after lap. 

The safety car was deployed for the second time 

on lap 63 when Frenchman Romain Grosjean's Lotus 

rammed into the back of Australian Daniel Ricciardo's 

Toro Rosso at the tunnel exit and left debris scattered 

across the track. 

Frenchman Charles Pic was the irst retirement when 

his Caterham caught ire as he pulled up at Rascasse 

near the pit-lane entry on the ninth lap. — Reuters 

England take control as New Zealand collapse 

From Andy Jalil at Headingley 

LEEDS — England are in control of 

the second Test with an overall lead 

of 249 and all wickets intact. Alistair 

Cook unbeaten on 54, his 30th Test 

half century and Nick Compton on 

seven, were in an unbroken stand of 

69 at the time of going to press with 

the prospects of setting New Zealand 

a daunting target. 

Despite a irst innings lead of 180, 

England decided not to enforce the 

follow-on and began their second innings 

at the start of the inal session 

on the third day having dismissed 

New Zealand for a modest 174 in just 

43.4 overs. 

The start of the New Zealand irst 

innings was similar to England’s in 

term of losing the irst three wickets. 

England were three down for 67 

and Steve Finn’s brilliant spell had 

reduced the tourists to three for 72. 

The irst wicket stand seemed to be 

going well between Peter Fulton and 

Hamish Rutherford as they put on 55. 

Neither James Anderson nor Stuart 

Broad, England bowling heroes of the 

irst Test, made much of an impression 

on either batsman. 

Steve Finn was brought on after 

nine overs and he struck in his third 

over taking a return catch as Fulton 

on 28, tried to play a short of length 

ball to the on-side and got a leading 

edge. That was the start of a collapse 

in the innings. Four overs later 

Rutherford was snapped up at gully 

from a mistimed drive and Finn had 

two wickets in 16 balls having conceded 

just one run. Rutherford had 

27 and the tourists were 62 for two. 

Ten runs later the third wicket 

went with Finn producing a ball that 

rose sharply as it came in to Ross Tay- 

lor who played-on as he went on the 

back foot. With that the lanky pace 

bowler had three wickets for eight 

in 27 balls. There was no quick recovery 

to happen for the struggling 

tourists as England captain Alistair 

Cook brought on off spinner Graeme 

Swann for the 27th over and with 

that change in bowling the next three 

wickets too fell in quick succession. 

In his irst over Swann’s big turn 

crashed through the gate into Dean 

Brownlee’s stumps and in his next 

over the off spinner also bowled Martin 

Guptill for one. Two balls later 

Kane Williamson was trapped in 

front of his stumps and New Zealand 

were in a hapless position on six for 

82 with all recognised batsmen gone. 

Swann had dismissed three for one in 

a seven ball-spell. 

Broad was brought back to replace 

Finn with New Zealand on 100 for six 

and his second over brought the seventh 

wicket with Tim Southee given 

lbw after England asked for a review 

of the decision. The stand had put on 

37 to boost the total a little. Swann 

then completed his haul of four wickets, 

accounting for Doug Bracewell 

and at that point he had conceded 

just 20 runs from 6.3 overs. 

With the captain Brendon McCullum 

becoming Broad’s second victim 

for 20 the end was in sight. But some 

lusty hitting by the last pair added 52 

from 28 balls which included 27 from 

Neil Wagner and 24 from Trent Boult 

who struck three sixes before Wagner 

was bowled as he attempted a wild 

hit off Anderson. Their onslaught on 

the bowling spoilt Swann’s igures 

with 35 runs taken from two of his 

overs 

Earlier, it took less than half-anhour 

for New Zealand to claim the re- 

Mercedes’ German driver Nico Rosberg celebrates in front of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess 

Charlene after winning the Monaco F1 Grand Prix yesterday. — Reuters 

maining three England wickets after 

they had resumed on the overnight 

score of 337 for seven. The ine partnership 

of 51on the previous evening 

between Matt Prior and Graeme 

Swann had added eight runs before 

Prior edged to irst slip in the second 

over of the morning. 

Trent Boult then mopped up the 

innings with the last two wickets to 

add to his three of the second day. His 

in-swinger bowled Steve Finn for six 

and James Anderson gave a return 

catch before scoring. Boult’s second 

ive-wicket haul in Tests had conceded 

just 57 runs with England losing 

three for nine in a space of 21 balls. 

SCOREBOARD 

England 1st innings 

(overnight at tea 178 for 4) 

J Root c McCullum b Boult ..................................... 104 

J Bairstow c McCullum b Boult .............................. 64 

M Prior c Taylor b Southee ...................................... 39 

S Broad c McCullum b Boult .......................................0 

G Swann (not out) ........................................................ 26 

S Finn b Boult ....................................................................6 

J Anderson c & b Boult ..................................................0 

Extras: (b-9, lb-7, w-5, nb-1) .................................. 22 

Total: (all out, 99 overs) ........................................ 354 

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-67, 3-67, 4-146, 5-270, 

6-279, 7-286, 8-345, 9-354. 

Bowling: Boult 22-4-57-5 (w-2); Southee 26- 

6-76-2 (w-2); Wagner 23-4-73-1 (nb-1, w-1); 

Bracewell 19-3-83-1; Williamson 9-0-49-1. 

New Zealand 1st innings (at tea) 

P Fulton c & b Finn ....................................................... 28 

H Rutherford c Bell b Finn ....................................... 27 

K Williamson lbw Swann .......................................... 13 

R Taylor b Finn ..................................................................6 

D Brownlie b Swann .......................................................2 

M Guptill b Swann ...........................................................1 

B McCullum c Prior b Broad ....................................20 

T Southee lbw Broad .................................................. 19 

D Bracewell c Bell b Swann ........................................1 

N Wagner b Anderson ................................................ 27 

T Boult (not out) ........................................................... 24 

Extras: (lb-5, w-1) ..........................................................6 

Total: (all out, 43.4 overs) .................................... 174 

Fall of wickets: 1-55, 2-62, 3-72, 4-79, 5-81, 

6-82, 7-119, 8-122, 9-122. 

Bowling: Anderson 7.4-2-34-1; Broad 15-2- 

57-2 (w-1); Finn 12-3-36-3; Swann 9-1-42-4. 

England’s Steve Finn (fourth right) celebrates with team-mates after dismissing New Zealand’s Peter Fulton 

during the third day of their second Test match at Headingley in Leeds yesterday. — AFP 

British Ambassador Jamie Bowden hands over to the Brazilian 

Ambassador Mitzi da Costa a book about London Olympics 2012 during 

a meeting at the the British Embassy here recently. According to a press 

release issued by the British Embassy yesterday, Bowden met Mitzi da 

Costa to pass on to her the symbolic role of Host Country of the next 

Olympics and Paralympics. Bowden paid particular attention to the 

success of the Paralympic Games during the meeting commenting that 

the UK was “…. still glowing from the record set by the sell-out Paralympic 

Games and looking forward to the irst ever Festival of Disability Sport.” 

He wished da Costa and Brazil every success in hosting the 2016 Olympics. 

Da Costa thanked Bowden for the gesture and congratulated London on 

the successful organisation of the Games while she expressing the hope 

that Brazil would have the same success. The UK will be celebrating the 

irst anniversary of the Games from July 27 to September 9.

28 

SPORT 

Spurs take commanding lead over Grizzlies 

San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker drives to the net against Memphis Grizzlies during their NBA Western Conference inal play-offs in Memphis on Saturday. — Reuters 

MEMPHIS — The San Antonio Spurs 

shook off a sluggish start and dominated 

overtime to beat the Memphis 

Grizzlies 104-93 on Saturday and 

move within one victory of reaching 

the NBA inals. 

The Spurs posted their second 

straight overtime triumph to take a 

commanding 3-0 lead in the best-ofseven 

Western Conference inal series. 

The winners of the set will face either 

Miami or Indiana for the NBA title, 

and the Grizzlies go into game four on 

their home loor on Monday knowing 

that even if they fend off elimination 

they face a daunting task. 

No team has rallied from an 0-3 

Blackhawks thrash 

Red Wings, stave 

off elimination 

CHICAGO — Jonathan Toews 

broke his playoff goal drought as 

the Chicago Blackhawks staved 

off elimination with a 4-1 win 

over the Detroit Red Wings in 

Game Five of the National Hockey 

League Western Conference semi- 

inals on Saturday. 

The top-seeded Blackhawks 

reduced the series deicit to 3-2 

against the seventh-seeded Red 

Wings with Andrew Shaw scoring 

twice and captain Toews grabbing a 

crucial goal. 

Chicago's Bryan Bickell opened 

the scoring late in the irst period 

when he was on hand for a third 

rebound after Jimmy Howard saved 

two separate quick ire Chicago 

shots. 

The rebound theme continued, 

but this time for the Red Wings, 

when Daniel Cleary buried the puck 

from a dificult side angle midway 

through the second period to tie the 

scores. 

Shaw then stole the lead back for 

the Blackhawks with a delection 

from a Brent Seabrook shot in the 

power-play and the home side was 

able to kick on from there. 

Toews produced a critical twogoal 

buffer with a power-play goal 

late in the second period before 

Shaw completed the scoring with 

a wrap around goal seven minutes 

into the inal period. 

"We had to play desperate, it was 

an elimination game and very important," 

Shaw said. 

"The guys came out hard and 

now we have to carry the momentum 

into Game Six." — Reuters 

deicit to win a seven-game NBA playoff 

series. 

San Antonio's veteran star Tim 

Duncan scored the irst ive points 

of overtime. He scored seven of the 

Spurs' 18 points in the extra session, 

inishing with 24 points and 10 rebounds. 

"He was huge the other night in 

overtime and he did it again tonight," 

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of 

Duncan, who connected on an open 

jumper, converted a three-point play 

when he was fouled making a layup 

and added a tip-in in overtime. 

"That's why he is considered as 

great as he has been for the last 17 

years," Popovich said. "He feels responsibility 

to carry us in those situations, 

and he did it again tonight." 

Point guard Tony Parker scored 

26 points and handed out ive assists, 

and Manu Ginobili chipped in 

19 points and pulled down seven rebounds 

as the Spurs rallied from an 

18-point irst-quarter deicit. 

They didn't lead the game until 

Danny Green drained a three-pointer 

15 seconds into the fourth quarter. 

San Antonio built their lead to 

as many as six points with 10 minutes 

left in regulation, but Memphis 

chipped away with the help of threepointers 

from Mike Conley and Quin- 

cy Pondexter. Conley had a chance to 

give Memphis the victory in regulation, 

but he was off target with a running 

layup in the face of determined 

Spurs defence. 

Conley inished with 20 points 

but made only 8-of-21 shots from 

the loor. Marc Gasol inished with 16 

points and 14 rebounds for Memphis 

and Zach Randolph scored 14 points 

with 15 rebounds. 

"We came out with great energy," 

Memphis coach Lionel Hollins 

said. "We just couldn't sustain it. We 

subbed, tried to get some rest, but we 

didn't get production from people off 

the bench and then we couldn't rev 

it back up when we got back to our 

starters." 

The Grizzlies looked to be on their 

way in the irst quarter, when the 

Spurs missed their irst ive shots and 

gave up ive steals in less than four 

minutes. Popovich was so irked he 

took the unusual step of pulling all 

ive of his starters at once. 

The deicit rose from 11 to 18 

points, but when his starters went 

back in it was with renewed focus. 

"It was one of the worst starts I've 

ever seen," Popovich said, but added 

he was proud of his team's ability to 

"mentally hang in and stick with each 

other and continue to play". — AFP 

Man City down Chelsea at Yankee Stadium 

NEW YORK — French midielder 

Samir Nasri scored twice as Manchester 

City defeated Chelsea 5-3 in 

a crowd-pleasing friendly at Major 

League Baseball's Yankee Stadium on 

Saturday. 

In addition to Nasri's double, Gareth 

Barry James Milner and Edin 

Dzeko scored to give Manchester City 

a second victory over Chelsea in three 

days despite a second-half double 

from Ramires and a free-kick goal by 

Juan Mata. 

The English Premiership rivals followed 

up their seven-goal clash in St 

Louis on Thursday — in which City 

erased a three-goal deicit to win 

4-3 — with another free-wheeling 

contest. 

Barry opened the scoring in the 

second minute after a wayward pass 

from Chelsea's Oscar, whose ill-judged 

pass attempt gave the ball to Manchester 

City's Sergio Aguero in front 

of Chelsea's goal. 

Aguero couldn't take advantage. 

But he forced Chelsea keeper Hilario 

into a save, giving Barry room to tap 

home. 

The quick goal warmed up the 

crowd on a chilly night at the home of 

baseball's New York Yankees. 

Nasri doubled the lead in the 26th, 

taking a pass from Spain's David Silva 

and smoothly lofting the ball over 

Hilario. Pressure by Chelsea paid off 

a minute into the second half when 

Ramires controlled a long pass by 

David Luiz and slotted it past substitute 

goalkeeper Richard Wright to 

make it 2-1. 

City responded through Milner, 

who after an exchange with Edin Dzeko 

ired into the far corner to build 

the lead to 3-1 in the 55th. Chelsea 

closed the gap again, Ramires converting 

his second goal of the match 

from a Torres cross in the 69th. 

Nasri re-established city's two-goal 

cushion in the 73rd, working his way 

through the Chelsea defence to lift the 

ball over substitute keeper Petr Cech 

for 4-2. 

With nine minutes left, Chelsea 

again pulled within one when substitute 

Mata's free kick found the net 

off the underside of the crossbar. But 

Manchester City weren't inished, and 

Dzeko's ired in the last goal of the 

night from 20 yards out. — AFP 

Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany kicks the ball as Chelsea’s Oscar challenges during their friendly match at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. — Reuters 


Pagan lifts 

Giants past 

Rockies 

SAN FRANCISCO — Angel Pagan 

belted a rare walk-off inside-thepark 

home run to push world champion 

San Francisco Giants past the 

Colorado Rockies 6-5 in the MLB 

game on Saturday. 

Troy Tulowitski's solo homer in 

the top of the 10th had given the 

Rockies a 5-4 lead but Pagan's blast 

found the right ield wall and the 

angled bounce gave him and Brandon 

Crawford time to beat the relay 

throws for the winning runs. 

The two-run effort meant Pagan 

became the irst player to end the 

game with an inside-the-park homer 

since Rey Sanchez managed the 

feat for the Devil Rays in 2004. 

The result means both sides 

are tied at the top of the National 

League West on 27-22 records, level 

with Arizona, who fell 10-4 to San 

Diego (22-26). 

Elsewhere, Boston Red Sox beat 

the Cleveland Indians for the second 

day running with the Red Sox 

prevailing 7-4 thanks to a big inning 

late in the game. 

The home side scored four runs 

in the eighth to take the advantage 

and held on to notch up their 30th 

win of the year (30-20) and drop 

the Indians to 27-21. 

The New York Yankees remain 

ahead of the Red Sox in the American 

League East after also claiming 

their 30th win. 

The Yankees won 4-3 against 

Tampa Bay in 11 innings after Lyle 

Overbay sent a solo home run over 

the wall and clutch closer Mariano 

Riviera took care of business in the 

bottom of the inning. 

Former Cy Young winner R A 

Dickey failed to maintain his recent 

good form as his Toronto Blue Jays 

went down 6-5 to the Baltimore 

Orioles. 

The Los Angeles Angels' resurgence 

continues as they made it seven 

straight wins with a 7-0 thumping 

of Kansas City. 

Minnesota (19-27) snapped a 

10-game losing streak with an upset 

3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. 

Atlanta Braves inished off their 

suspended game against the New 

York Mets with a 7-5 win before 

adding a 6-0 triumph in Saturday's 

game to remain in control of the National 

League East. 

Results: Baltimore Orioles bt Toronto 

Blue Jays 6-5, Boston Red Sox bt Cleveland 

Indians 7-4, LA Angels bt Kansas City Royals 

7-0, San Francisco Giants bt Colorado Rockies 

6-5, Minnesota Twins bt Detroit Tigers 

3-2, Pittsburgh Pirates bt Milwaukee Brewers 

5-2, Cincinnati Reds bt Chicago Cubs 5-2, 

NY Yankees bt Tampa Bay Rays 4-3, Atlanta 

Braves bt NY Mets 7-5, Oakland Athletics bt 

Houston Astros 11-5, Chicago White Sox bt 

Miami Marlins 2-1, L A Dodgers bt St Louis 

Cardinals 5-3, Philadelphia Phillies bt Washington 

Nationals 5-3, Texas Rangers bt Seattle 

Mariners 5-2. — Reuters 

Kuchar maintains 

lead after third 

round at Colonial 

FORT WORTH — American Matt Kuchar 

put the inishing touches on his 

impressive rain-hit second round 

on Saturday and then maintained a 

one-shot lead after the third round 

of the Crowne Plaza Invitational in 

Fort Worth, Texas. 

Kuchar, who clinched his ifth 

PGA Tour title at the WGC-Accenture 

Match Play Championship in 

February, made three pars in the 

early hours at Colonial Country Club 

to complete a ive-under 65 second 

round before a third-round 69 left 

him with an 11-under total of 199. 

Fellow Americans Matt Every 

(66), Chris Stroud (67) and Boo 

Weekley (66) and Canadian Graham 

DeLaet (69) were a further shot 

back at 10 under. 

The inal round will be wide 

open as 22 players are within ive 

shots of Kuchar. World No 13 Kuchar 

opened his third round with a 

birdie on the irst but stumbled with 

bogeys at the par-four seventh and 

par-three eighth. But the ive-time 

winner steadied the ship and birdied 

the par-ive 11th and par-three 

16th to grab the outright lead. 

DeLaet looked like he would grab 

the third-round lead after three 

birdies in his opening 11 holes but 

thoughts of his maiden PGA Tour 

win were tempered with three bogeys 

at 13, 14 and 17. A closing 

birdie allowed the three-time Canadian 

Tour winner to keep the dream 

alive. Every made his run with three 

birdies in his opening six holes and 

another at the 13th. He bogeyed the 

14th but gained the stroke back with 

a birdie mat 18. — Reuters


Model Ximena Navarrete arrives for the screening of La Venus a la Fourrure (Venus 

in Fur) in competition during the 66th Cannes Film Festival. — Reuters 

Rest is Goldie Hawn’s beauty secret 

ONE needs to 

relax to look 

good, says actress 

Goldie Hawn, 

revealing her beauty 

secret. "A rested face 

is a beautiful face. 

However, you can 

ind your place of 

rest and peace," contactmusic.comquoted 

the 67-year-old 

actress as saying. 

The actress is not 

against cosmetic surgery 

as she believes 

it is something very 

personal. 

"It's very personal. 

You just have to do 

what makes you feel 

good," she says. 

Baldwin’s wife 

scared of delivery: 

Actor Alec Baldwin’s 

wife Hilaria Thomas, 

who is expecting 

Goldie Hawn (left) with daughter Kate Hudson 

their irst child, is 

scared of giving birth. 

Thomas, who is a yoga instructor and will become a mother in August, saw a 

video of child birth and it scared her, reports people.com. 

“Now I have to start thinking about giving birth. I haven’t thought about that 

before. I saw a birthing video the other day and I cried,” Thomas said. 

“Hopefully, I will survive. I just have to remember that a lot of people have 

babies, it’s a unique experience and I will be okay,” she added. Earlier, Baldwin 

has expressed his will to be a doting father as he was unable to be one to his 

elder daughter with ex-wife Kim Basinger. 

Rihanna partying hard, friends worried 

SINGER Rihanna is reportedly partying 

way too hard in order to get over breakup 

pain and it is making her friends worried. 

Rihanna, 25, is said to be heartbroken 

post her alleged split with Chris Brown because 

of model Karrueche Tran, reports belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 

“Pals have told Rihanna not to get upset 

about Chris and Karrueche. They think the 

best revenge would be living well and looking 

good, but so far Rihanna’s answer has 

been to party the pain away,” a source said. 

“It’s understandable that she’d want to 

escape her feelings on this but she’s taking it 

way too far. Everyone around her wants her 

to get some help — they’re genuinely worried 

about her,” the source added. — IANS 

Cara Delevingne keen 

on working with Jay Z 

MODEL Cara Delevingne reportedly 

wants to launch her singing career 

with music producer Jay Z's label 

Roc Nation. 

Delevingne is good friends with singers 

Rita Ora and Rihanna, who are products of 

same music label. Thus, the model is hopeful 

of getting some help from them, reports 

thesun.co.uk. 

"Cara is desperate for a music career and 

has had a lot of advice from Rihanna and 

Rita. Now they have passed her demos to 

their managers Tyran TY TY Smith and Jay 

Brown, who run Roc Nation with Jay-Z," a 

source said. 

Delevingne and Jay Z met at an event recently 

and things 

went well between 

them. 

"She’s hopeful the 

irm will take her on 

to their roster and 

help guide her music 

career. Cara met 

Jay-Z backstage at 

Beyonce’s London 

show earlier this 

month and they got 

on well. So there is 

a good chance Roc 

Nation will take her 

on," the source said. 

Delevingne is 

currently the face of 

Burberry’s Beauty 

campaign alongside 

fellow British models 

Edie Campbell 

and Jourdan Dunn. 

She was previously the face of Burberry’s 

spring/summer 2012 campaign alongside 

actor Eddie Redmayne, shot by Mario 

Testino, and was also featured in the brand’s 

spring/summer 2011 campaign. As a young 

girl she modelled Cadbury chocolate as well. 

Married to Jonas therapy for Kevin: 

Actor-musician Kevin Jonas says his reality 

TV show Married to Jonas is like therapy for 

him because it allows him and his co-star 

wife Danielle Deleasa to review their points 

of view after a ight. The “Jonas Brothers” 

singer tied the knot with Deleasa in December 

2009. He says the show is a unique opportunity 

for them to look back at their moments 

as it follows their lives. 

“The other night we had an argument. 

Sometimes you say things you don’t necessarily 

mean or can be misconstrued. All 

you want is for the person to be with you. 

It came across as me never wanting her to 

get a job and that I think her place is in the 

house, and that wasn’t my opinion at all. It 

had to do with me wanting her to be on the 

road with me,” femaleirst.co.uk quoted Jonas 

as saying. 

“It was a selish moment for sure, but at 

the end of the day you look back and think, 

‘Wow’. Don’t you 

wish you had that 

option in a relationship 

to be able to 

watch back your arguments 

so you can 

see who was right 

and who was wrong,” 

he said. 

“Can it be like 

therapy? Yeah,” he 

added. 

However, Jonas 

admits that the cameras 

can be equally 

problematic as his 

words will always be 

there to haunt him. 

“It takes a toll. 

You have to be open 

and that’s why a lot 

of people have issues 

I think. Because 

you sometimes let things go under, but 

when you’re doing a show like this it’s all 

out there. “So when you say something you 

don’t mean, these things are lasting. Therefore, 

we have to work through that as a couple 

to be as strong as we can,” he said. 

One Direction to donate for charity: 

One Direction band members have announced 

that they will support a charity organisation, 

Stand Up To Cancer by donating 

£200,000 ticket sales of their 2014 stadium 

tour. — IANS 

Malaika’s secret gift to Sophie 

SINGERACTRESS Sophie Choudry is 

elated after receiving a gift from actress 

Malaika Arora Khan (pictured). 

Sophie, 32, tweeeted that she got a gift 

from Malaika's online fashion store — The 

closet, but refused to reveal what exactly 

the gift was. 

"The fab Malaika Arora Khan sent me 

a little something from her clothing label, 

The closet Label.com! Not telling you 

what," Choudry wrote. 

What is Sujoy apologetic about?: This 

is certainly unheard of. Before hitting the 

road, Sujoy Ghosh apologised to his fans 

in advance for boring them with his silly 

tweets during long drive to work. 

"Long drive to work. Like really long. So 

apologies in advance if random crap tweet 

happens. Boring time lies ahead," Ghosh, 

who rose to fame with 2012 hit Kahaani, 

posted on Twitter. 

He is likely to come up with a sequel to 

Kahaani soon. 

Arshad off to Goa for Mr Joe B Carvalho: 

What is actor Arshad Warsi excited 

about? Shooting last schedule of his upcoming 

movie Mr Joe B Carvalho in Goa. He 

loves the city so much that he won't mind 

shooting in the heat. 

"Good morning, off to Goa for the last 

schedule of Mr Joe B Carvalho. Love Goa so 

will deal with the heat," Arshad posted on 

Twitter. 

To be Mr Joe B Carvalho will see the 45year-old 

playing a detective and the cast 

also includes Geeta Basra, Javed Jaffrey and 

Soha Ali Khan. 

— IANS 

Deepti’s documentary hits roadblock 

FILMS about Indian cinema's legendary personalities 

are still a rarity. And one of those rare attempts is 

being made by Deepti Naval — she is keenly interested 

in making a non-ictional ilm on the life and times of 

that amazingly naturalistic actor Balraj Sahni, but facing 

certain problems. 

Deepti, who is aesthetically motivated by Balraj Sahni's 

effortless performances, has been researching his 

life for years. Just when she was ready to put all her research 

material on screen for the immortal actor's birth 

centenary this month, a hurdle has placed in Deepti's 

plans by Balraj Sahni's son Parikshat Sahni. 

Explains Deepti, "I was really keen on making a ilm 

on Balraj Sahni. But when I approached his son Parikshat 

for his consent, he told me he had already given the 

ilming rights on his father's life to another producer. He 

didn't think it was right for me to do a ilm when someone 

else is committed to do the same. I agree. But we're 

trying to ind a solution to the deadlock, because I'm really 

keen to do this." — IANS 

ENTERTAINMENT 

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Heather Graham displays 

yoga skills 

HANGOVER Part III actress Heather Graham 

showed off her yoga skills at a talk show. 

She was on the talk show with Will Smith. 

Will enlisted his son Jaden to perform a brief 

rap before introducing two surprise guests for 

a rendition of the theme tune to TV show The 

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which was Will’s breakthrough 

show, reports femaleirst.co.uk. 

Then Will followed up by helping out Graham, 

a fellow guest, as she showed off her yoga 

moves. 

As the set was male-dominated, Graham 

said: "There are moments when you feel so 

good because there are all these guys and you 

get all this attention as the woman on the set. 

"Then there are other moments when they are 

so bonded with all their testosterone that you 

feel like you are sitting in the corner". 

Lourdes stops Madonna 

from partying? 

POP star Madonna's 16-year-old daughter 

Lourdes reportedly stopped her mother 

from attending a VIP night at Lincoln Centre. The 

teenager, who is dating Homeland actor Timothee 

Chalamet, 17, insisted that Madonna should rip 

up her tickets. "Madonna bought premium tickets 

to the gala and was planning to take toyboy lover 

Brahim Zaibat, but Lourdes begged her not to 

come. She didn't want the event to turn into a 

circus, and she knows anything to do with her 

mum can end up being hijacked," dailystar.co.uk 

quoted a source as saying. 

Madonna has sold more than 300 million 

records worldwide and is recognised as the 

best-selling female recording artist of all time 

by Guinness World Records. Time considered her 

to be one of the "25 Most Powerful Women of 

the Past Century" for being an inluential igure 

in contemporary music. Madonna is the bestselling 

female rock artist of the 20th century and 

the second best selling female artist in the United 

States, with 64.5 million certiied albums. 

Cameron Diaz looking 

for Mr Right? 

ACTRESS Cameron Diaz is following veteran 

actress Jane Fonda's advice these days, 

and brushing up her intellectual abilities to 

ind a Mr Right for herself. Fonda reportedly 

suggested Diaz to read up a lot more to broaden 

her chances of inding a new boyfriend. 

"Cameron's tired of playing the airhead 

blonde and wants to take the next step in her life. 

Jane's encouraging her to read up on politics and 

be more of an activist in the next year. She's convinced 

Cameron will help attract her a seriously 

rich husband," femaleirst.co.uk quoted a source 

as saying. Fonda, 75, is reportedly keen to get 

Diaz to date PayPal billionaire Elon Musk, one of 

the world's most eligible bachelors. — IANS 

Printers and Publishers 

Oman Establishment for Press, 

Publication and Advertising 

29

30 

PEOPLE’S 

PLATFORM 

YOUR article on the crackdown 

on illegal expatriate workers 

is highly commendable. Illegal 

entry gives birth to many irregularities 

and criminal activities. Oman is 

a worker-friendly country and has 

high respect for human rights. Irregularities 

happen when illegal workers 

sneak into the country through 

unlawful means or remain in the 

country despite the expiry of work 

visas. This problem not only creates 

lots of confusion but for their survival 

these elements indulge in illegal 

activities and it is dificult to trace 

these people because they do not 

igure in valid documents. I suggest 

the authorities to be more vigilant 

and do such drives more frequently. 

— Fahad 

Editor: A national strategy has 

been made to address this problem 

through the joint efforts of ROP. The 

local sponsors should also play a 

pro active role in identifying such 

workers and they should ensure that 

the workers hired by them leave the 

country soon after the visa expires. 

Peace push 

THE peace push in Syria is 

a welcome move as Syria's 

opposition resumed talks aimed at 

closing their fractious ranks, crucial 

to launching an international peace 

conference. Failure of the opposition 

to unite could weaken the hand 

of conference co-sponsors Russia 

and the United States in ending the 

Syria's conlict, which has killed 

80,000 people. The war threatens 

LETTERS 

Report on illegal workers enlightening 

to spill across borders and whip up 

wider sectarian conlict. It is good 

that big powers like US and Russia 

are meeting in Paris to discuss how 

to shepherd Syrian President Bashar 

al Assad and the opposition into 

peace talks in Geneva that the two 

world powers have jointly proposed. 

— Hamood 

Editor: The unrest and loss of life 

of innocent civilians is really painful. 

Any peace move is welcome. The role 

of big powers is important in bringing 

the warring factions to the talking 

table. 

Tourism facilities 

THE news of better services and 

facilities during the coming 

Khareef season is something I was 

waiting to hear for a long time. The 

previous Khareef was a kind of chaos 

in terms of lack of accommodation 

facilities and restaurants. The rate of 

accidents was also very high during 

the period mentioned. I would like to 

request the authorities to take care of 

the supply of fuel during the season, 

particularly during the Eid holidays, 

as people from all over the Gulf start 

pouring into Salalah to avail of their 

holidays. Last season witnessed 

long queue of vehicles waiting to 

reill their fuel tanks. I hope these 

issues are there in the minds of the 

policymakers. — Bakhit 

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facebook.com/oman observer twitter.com/omanobserver 

Sohar University wins design award 

SOHAR University was awarded “The Design 

Facebook Application Award” under the category 

of Education during a ceremony held 

Does exercise promote 

larger midbrain? 

ATHLETICISM may be linked to larger brain size. 

The lab of Theodore Garland from the University of 

California, Riverside, measured the brain mass of these 

uniquely athletic house mice, bred for high voluntary 

wheel-running, and analysed their high-resolution brain 

images. 

They found that the volume of the midbrain — a 

small region of the brain that relays information for the 

visual, auditory, and motor systems — in the bred-forathleticism 

mice was nearly 13 per cent larger than the 

midbrain volume in the control or "regular" mice. 

"To our knowledge, this is the irst example in which 

selection for a particular mammalian behaviour - high 

voluntary wheel running in house mice in our set of experiments 

- has been shown to result in a change in size 

of a speciic brain region," Garland, professor of biology 

and the principal investigator of the research project, 

was quoted as saying by The Journal of Experimental Biology. 

In Garland's lab, selection for high voluntary wheel 

running in lab house mice has been ongoing for nearly 

20 years, or more than 65 generations of house mice, according 

to a university statement. 

To analyse brain mass and volume on independent 

samples of house mice, researchers dissected the brains 

into two different 

regions, the 

cerebellum, a region 

of the brain 

crucial for controllingmovement, 

and the 

non-cerebellar 

areas. They then 

weighed these 

sections separately. 

in Dubai recently. The event was organised by Pan 

Arab Awards member of Tatweej Academy. 

Out of 300 Facebook pages registered online, 

the committee has selected around 150 Pages 

that most it the criteria revealed to be nominated. 

The committee which consists of a number 

of experts selected Sohar University Facebook 

page for the award for many objective reasons 

including, Interaction and High Connectivity with 

Audience, Rich in Description and Information, 

Prosperous in Content, Design and Style, and the 

number of likes. 

Mohammed al Moqbali, Pro Vice Chancellor and 

Khalid al Rushdi, Marketing Media Co-ordinator, attended 

the ceremony to receive the award. 

“Social media has been playing bigger and bigger 

role for all businesses and considered as a way 

of communication with all sorts of audiences. It has 

become part of our life, and it became a platform 

for organisations to promote their products and 

services as well as receiving feedback from their 

customers. We are very happy to receive this award 

as it shows the proiciency of Sohar University’s 

interaction with different target groups through 

Facebook and we hope to be nominated for future 

awards. I would like to thank our marketing team 

for their efforts and for gaining this award,” Al Moqbali 

said. 

Designers to take new look at light 

CANDLELIGHT is warm and cosy, but buying 

candles is a hassle, so an idea from 

designer Moritz Waldemeyer could be a 

godsend: he has come up with a modern candle 

that needs neither wax nor a wick. His electronic 

candle is called My New Flame and is a technological 

wonder that never burns down. 

"When you look at the candle it looks as if a 

lame is burning at the top of a narrow black or 

red circuit board," explains Waldemeyer. 

"From up close you can see 128 tiny LEDs on 

each side that emit an image of a lickering candle 

lame." Thanks to some clever programming 

the look and feel of the lame is very realistic. 

LEDs are the electric light source of the future. 

Incandescent light bulbs and halogen 

lamps still make up a large share of the market 

in Europe despite growing legal restriction. 

However, designers are adapting to LEDs. There 

are a number of challenges they face. 

In contrast to conventional light bulbs, LEDs 

are compact and have little physical volume. 

When integrated into a lighting ixture, they 

cannot be replaced, so the whole ixture will 

have to be thrown away if it fails. You also need 

to bundle a lot of them to get a decent amount 

of light. "The lighting industry has been adapting 

to a broad range of new technologies in the 

last few years as light bulbs become less common," 

says German designer Konstantin Grcic. 

That transformation has affected many classic 

designs, where the lampshade was once 

structured around a bulb. That applies to Achille 

Castiglioni and Pio Manzus' iconic light, the 

Parentesi. Grcic has updated their design to 

suit the new technology. His OK lamp's height 

is adjusted in the same way as the Parentesi 

by sliding the light source along a vertical wire. 

However, the OK is latter and larger than the 

Parentesi and can be turned 360 degrees. 

"Creating a new lamp no longer means designing 

everything around a ixed shape of light 

bulb. You need to design the light source itself," 

says Grcic. "That was a real challenge for me and 

I asked myself if it was possible to update the 

Parentesi's design." Iconic lights inspired Czech 

designers Jan Plechac and Henry Wielgus. 

Their Neverending Glory collection was created 

for Lasvit and reinterprets chandeliers 

from the La Scala opera house in Milan, the Palais 

Garnier in Paris, the Metropolitan Opera in 

New York, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and 

Estates Theatre in Prague. — dpa 

By Lakshmi Kothaneth 

lkairwaves@gmail.com 


Editor: Salalah has got RO 15 

million to alleviate tourism related 

services and facilities and I am sure 

it will relect better facilities during 

the coming Khareef season. The Ministry 

of Tourism has already held a 

meeting with all the stakeholders of 

development in Dhofar and discussed 

the issue of raising eficiency and improving 

services. 

Unsafe construction 

sites 

MANY individuals and 

construction companies violate 

civic norms by not protecting the 

construction areas properly. These 

areas not only look like a bad patch 

on the city’s beauty, they also pose 

security threat to workers and people 

who pass by these areas. Sometimes 

the construction activities happen 

so close to the road that the vehicles 

have to reduce their speed suddenly. 

There is always a risk of being hit 

by the vehicles coming from behind. 

Also the pedestrians who live in 

these areas have to walk on the roads 

as the pavements are blocked during 

construction on the roadsides. The 

administration should deal sternly 

with such violators for the safety of 

the general public. 

— Awadh 

Editor: Keeping our cities beautiful 

and clean is not the sole responsibility 

of the civic authorities alone. 

As residents all of us are responsible 

to keep it safe and secure. We should 

report these complaints to the concerned 

authorities at the right time 

for prompt action. 

On The Airwaves 

Who is shaping us? 

IF we tried to trace back we would be surprised. The family 

begins the process, then the teachers, and the professors and 

lecturers at higher education level grooming us to be thinkers. 

Filling in the gaps wherever there is one, are peers and mentors. 

That would be an ideal scenario. Of course, today we see 

the balance tipping to one side a lot of times. The parents dominate 

or peer group takes over. 

A lot of times parents can overlook their children’s shortcomings 

until the behaviour is set and yet there are times the parents 

are such disciplinarians that children look outward to escape 

the stiffness of home rules. 

A right balance would see a clear and simple communication 

low. But who are we to determine on what is the right approach? 

I was reading the other day about the Zulu tribe in South Africa. 

The article said the children wait for elders to speak to them. 

“Zulu children are taught from an early age to respect elders and 

never speak unless spoken to,” according to the website Zulu 

Culture. It is the duty of the mother to raise the children. Boys 

are given a pet name when they are born, the father gives a new 

name when the child reaches seven years of age and as he begins 

to look after the herds, his friends who are also herdsmen 

give him another nickname, and later if he were to enter any of 

the regiment he would receive a new name. 

The Zulu culture is an example where it is clear cut where the 

child gets his inluence from. These inluences are all given identities 

with a personal name. Maybe this way the roles of the child 

with each group are deined and do not merge into each other. 

In most of the cultures, the elders are highly regarded for 

their wisdom and experience. They were always considered the 

power house when it came to solutions to the problems. In the 

Asian cultures the elders in the family enjoyed a special status. 

The greetings are exceptional and have always had authority. In 

some Asian cultures the youngsters did not speak to elders with 

eye contact, lest it is considered disrespectful. 

Today we hear about generation gap and the elders not being 

able to relate to the information age. The youth do not have 

the time because they are engaged with updates on social media 

and friends. The elders have begun to sense loneliness as more 

and more families in the world become nuclear families. Everybody 

wants personal space and it is the elders who really know 

the value of time and has the time to share it with others. 

Old age is inevitable. Today’s youth also has to reach there at 

some time. If we were to take a few seconds each day to relect 

we would be able to foresee how we would want to be treated. 

Today’s young parents would be quick to spend time with their 

parents so their children would know how to treat them when 

they grow old. 

We worry about connectivity all the time. But are we truly 

connected to our families? Only when we truly are connected 

with ourselves can we ind true peace.


SPOTLIGHT 

Youth the backbone of our nation 


THE Sultanate of Oman has one of the largest youth 

population in the region. Every care should be taken 

to nurture their skills and attitudes for they are the 

pillars of the future society. 

With this aim in word and spirit, the National Youth 

Commission formed by a Royal Decree in 2011 has been 

taking all possible measures to help the youth explore 

their innate tastes and preferences while eliminating the 

evils in the society such as drug abuse that destroy them 

at an early age itself. 

“The challenges in front of Omani youth are many. They 

vary from drugs and alcohol to reckless driving to dificulties 

in starting up a company of their own,” says Sayyid 

Nasr Badr al Busaidy, Chairperson, Communication and 

Public relations, National Youth Commission. 

“The commission looks at all forms of challenges that 

the Omani youth is currently facing, and will host a National 

Youth Summit for the young by inviting oficials 

and other experts in the ield from all around the world,” 

he added. 

The commission has launched a series of dialogues between 

the youth of Oman in various governorates and the 

Dhofar governorate’s campaign will commence from June 

1 till 14. 

“The campaign, which is a continuation of what we 

have been conducting in other governorates, will be an 

ideal platform for the youth to discuss and ind solutions 

to various problems they are facing. After the campaign, 

we will raise our observations and recommendations to 

the government," Nasr added. 

The campaign has already evoked very good response 

among the youth in various governorates of the country 

such as Buraimi, Sharqiyah, Dakhiliyah, Batinah and 

Musandam. 

“We are working very closely with the National Commission 

for Drugs, Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances 

besides the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and our collaborative 

efforts have helped many. We need to understand the 

complexities of the youth-related issues. It is very important 

for us to tackle these issues ‘creatively’. For anything 

Go around Asia on luxury cruise this summer 

ASPIRING to give every passenger 

a best-ever cruise experience, 

Royal Caribbean International's 

groundbreaking Voyager-class 

ship Mariner of the Seas, will begin its 

maiden Asian journey from Singapore 

in June. 

The grand liner docked in Goa on 

Friday on its voyage from Dubai to 

Singapore. It will dock at Kochi before 

heading for Singapore, from where it 

will begin its maiden Asian journey on 

June 1. 

The Mariner of the Seas was 

launched in 2003. Some of its offerings 

this year include a three-night 

trip to Malaysia from Singapore, a 

four-night Best of Malaysia Cruise and 

a ive-night Spice of South East Asia 

Cruise. 

The market for Asian cruises is 

increasing year by year, said Ratna 

Chadha, Chief Executive, Tirun Travel 

Marketing, the exclusive India representative 

of Royal Carribean International. 

"Over the past one year, Royal Carribean 

International's guest capacity 

in Asia has witnessed a three-fold increase," 

Chadha said here during the 

announcement of the cruise here. 

With a length of 1,020 feet and 

width of 157.5 feet, Mariner of the 

Seas has a passenger capacity of 

“The challenges in front of Omani youth are many. They vary from 

drugs and alcohol to reckless driving to difficulties in starting 

up a company of their own,” says Sayyid Nasr Badr al Busaidy, 

Chairperson, Communication and Public relations, 

National Youth Commission 

and everything we need to be creative and courageous. 

We ought to think out of the box to ind solutions for the 

various issues that the youth are facing these days. Blame 

game will not help in inding solutions. Owning the re- 

3,807. The onboard atmosphere personiies 

an urban city outlook that 

offers leisure, sports, entertainment, 

dining and kids' entertainment — all 

under one roof. Some in-house experiences 

include an ice-skating rink with 

sponsibility is the best way”, Nasr who has held various 

similar positions for the beneit of the young population 

at home as well as abroad, said. 

He said the NYC has organised dialogues sessions with 

900 seats, eight dining venues, sports 

facilities including a jogging and inline 

skating track, rock climbing wall, a 

mini golf course, basketball court and 

three pools 

Also, the ship has exciting entertainment 

to offer, especially thanks 

to the cruise's alliance with Dream- 

Works. Guests may enjoy 3D screening 

of shows, parades and even get a 

chance to meet and have their photo 

taken with their favourite Dream- 

Works characters like Madagascar's 

Alex and the penguins, Shrek, Fiona 

and more. Other notable spaces on 

board include a three-storey Savoy 

Theatre; a medieval-themed disco 

called the Dragon's Lair; a huge Casino 

Royale; the Boleros Latin-themed 

lounge and nightclub; and the elegant 

Viking Crown Lounge. 

There are also shopping facilities 

and that too on a duty free rate. From 

leading brands jewellery, perfume and 

apparel brands, there's a huge variety 

for shopaholics. — IANS 

Boniface Augustina 

Riddhi Sudhir Padiyar 

31 

The National Youth Commission 

has been taking all possible 

measures to help youth explore 

their innate tastes and preferences 

while eliminating the evils in the 

society such as drug abuse that 

destroy them at an early age itself. 

The commission has launched a 

series of dialogues between the 

youth in various governorates 

the youth pertaining to various topics. In addition to this, 

NYC supports various NGOs on a range of issues from 

road safety to keeping children in the rear seat of vehicles, 

which is an issue that needs to be dealt with seriously. 

NYC has partnered with ‘Safety First’, Oman’s independent 

road safety campaigning organisation, co-founded by 

Hamed al Wahaibi and Ali al Habsi, Oman’s international 

goalkeeping hero. NYC will distribute more than thousand 

children’s car seats in the Dhofar governorate alone 

with the support of the ROP and the private sector. 

“The parents in Oman who leave their children in the 

front passenger seat unbuckled and playing around on 

the rear seat need to think twice when they do it again. I 

sincerely hope that the ROP will seriously consider campaigning 

for keeping the children in the rear seats and to 

buckle the tiny tots with the baby car seats,” he said. 

Besides these initiatives, the NYC has plans to launch 

reading campaign with the support of both the public and 

private sectors. Cinemas and other sources will be used 

to promote reading habits among children. He said many 

leading igures from various ields of the society have 

agreed to take part in these campaigns to make a difference 

in the society. 

“I’m more interested in the youth because they are simply 

the future of our nation. I was selected to be a part of 

the National Youth Commission and I hope that within the 

next two year period we can give back to the society what 

it needs. Another reason is that the youth is the future nation 

builders. I can connect with the different segment of 

the population and understand their mindset. I enjoy listening 

to them and learn from them. The challenge is how 

to unleash their potential and how to take out the true 

creativity in them,” he said. 

Nasr holds various positions within the public and private 

sectors of the Sultanate of Oman. He is the President 

of Go-Marine International, and an active board member 

of various organisations both in and outside the country. 

He also serves on a number of important committees such 

as the Small and Medium Enterprise Committee, which is 

chaired by the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry 

(OCCI). He is also a member of the Sabco Group of Companies. 

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

readers. Send us a colour photograph of your baby (below 10 years) along 

with name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’ names. 

Send in your baby’s picture and other details to: 

observerfeatures@gmail.com or Kids Corner, Oman Daily Observer, 

P O Box 974, PC 100, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

P29 

>> Entertainment 

Turkmen capital 

enters Guinness 

records 

THE Turkmen capital of Ashgabat 

has entered the Guinness World 

Records for the highest number of 

white marble buildings in the city. 

Guinness World Records Chief 

Editor Craig Glendale travelled 

to the former Soviet country to 

present the certiicate on Saturday 

to the mayor of Ashgabat. 

The certiicate names Ashgabat 

as the "most white-marble city" in 

the world for its 543 new buildings 

lined with white marble, covering 

a total area of 4.5 million square 

metres. 

Earlier, the capital of 

Turkmenistan had at least 

four mentions in the Guinness 

World Records for the world's 

tallest lagpole (133 metres), 

largest fountain complex, largest 

architectural image of the star 

and the largest Ferris wheel in an 

enclosed architectural design. 

— IANS 

Nepal celebrates 

60 years of 

Everest ascent 

NEPAL began a four-day 

celebration to mark the 

anniversary of the irst successful 

ascent of Mount Everest, in 1953, 

oficials said yesterday. 

Dipendra Poudel, section 

oficer at the Mountain 

Department, said the celebrations 

opened with a conference in 

Khumjung among climbers to 

address the impact 

of climate change on the 

Himalayas. 

The events would conclude on 

Wednesday, the 60th anniversary 

of the ascent by Sir Edmund 

Hillary and Tenzing Norgay 

Sherpa. 

Nearly 515 climbers had been 

atop Everest this season, taking 

the total of those who have 

reached the summit to 4,367. 

Nearly 300 people are said 

to have died trying to scale the 

world's highest mountain, with 

six deaths recorded in 2013 

alone. — dpa 

P29 Cara Delevingne keen on working with Jay Z Deepti Naval’s documentary hits roadblock 

P31 

Monday 

MAY 27, 2013 | RAJAB 17, 1434 AH 

www.omanobserver.om facebook.com/oman observer twitter.com/omanobserver editor@omanobserver.om AppStore 

P31 

Inside 

Sohar University wins design award 

Designers to take a fresh look at light 

Go around Asia on luxury cruise 

Mona in the irst chamber of Al Hoota cave Flowstone in the middle part of the Al Hoota cave 

An arduous journey across Al Hoota cave 

By Khaled H Abdul Malak 

kamkam@omantel.net.om 

AL Hoota cave system is a major 

underground wadi draining 

the rainwater of four wadis on 

the south face of Al Jabal al Akhdhar. 

It has Al Hoota cave as inlet at 1000 

metres altitude and Al Fallah cave as 

outlet in wadi Munbuk at around 700 

metres altitude. The correct name of 

the widely known Al Hoota cave is in 

reality Al Fallah cave. 

During heavy rains the low of water 

entering the cave can reach 800 

cubic metre per second!! The total 

length between Al Hoota and Al Fallah 

is around 5kms. 

In April 2002 we were a group of 

six crossing this fantastic subterranean 

wadi starting from Al Hoota on the 

mountain and exiting at Al Fallah cave 

in wadi Munbuk. 

Our trip was planned for two days; 

the irst day we entered from Al Fallah 

to check the level of the water in 

the 800 metres long main lake and 

made sure it wasn’t reaching the ceiling 

which would have prevented us 

from swimming through and exiting 

the next day. 

The level of the water was quite 

low; we drove up the mountain to 

camp near the inlet and started our 

cross early the next day after checking 

the forecast. 

The main danger when you are 

inside the cave is to have the tunnel 

looded, if it rains heavily on the 

Mona and Khaled in the main lake 

mountain. In the irst part of the channel, 

the roof is at around 15m from 

the ground and the chamber is 40 

metres in width, but we still saw big 

Philippe and Khaled sitting in a gour 

tree trunks lodged in the ceiling! An 

indication that during heavy rains the 

water ills up the entire chamber!!! 

We abseiled 7 drops ranging from 6 

to 15 metres. Some of them were down 

waterfalls and ended up in pools. 

We were wearing thick and long 

wetsuits because the temperature of 

the water is close to 20 degrees in all 

times of the year. 

Al Fallah cave (known as Al Hoota 

cave) was opened to the public in 

2006. Since then the cave closed several 

times for repairs and maintenance 

works due to damages caused 

by the rain. 

One can reach the edge of the middle 

lake and can see very beautiful 

calcite formations as stalactites, stalagmites, 

curtains etc… 

Inside the cave you ind a lot of 

bats, spiders, beetles and a very rare 

species of blind ish called Garra Barreimiae 

with pale pinkish colour. 

It took us around 11 hours to inish 

crossing the cave system. 

Our last attempt to cross the cave 

in 2011 was a failure because the 

Al Fallah cave (known as Al 

Hoota cave) was opened to 

the public in 2006. Since 

then the cave was closed 

several times for repairs 

and maintenance works 

due to damages caused by 

the rain. One can reach the 

edge of the middle lake 

and can see very beautiful 

calcite formations as 

stalactites, stalagmites, 

curtains etc… 

level of water in the lake was too high 

reaching the ceiling. 

Situated after Nizwa, close to the 

village of Al Hamra, Al Hoota cave is 

considered as one of the largest caves 

in the region. 

Bat hanging from the roof 

Mona abseiling the irst drop of Al Hoota cave Stalactites, stalagmites inside cave One tree trunk lodged in the ceiling at around 15m from the loor

218pc increase in higher education scholarships - Oman Observer

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