STAR
TUESDAY | JULY 3, 2018 | SHAWWAL 19, 1439 AH
OMAN DAILY
P16
UNITED STATES
RISKS $294 BILLION
GLOBAL HIT OVER
AUTO TARIFFS: EU
OMAN
HM condolences
to Ras Al Khaimah
172 WORKERS
MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has
sent a cable of condolences to Shaikh
Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi, Member of the
UAE Supreme Council, Ruler of Ras Al
ABSCOND ON
DAILY BASIS
Khaimah, on the death of Shaikh Hamad
bin Mohammed al Qasimi. In his cable,
His Majesty the Sultan expressed his
sincere condolences and sympathy to
Shaikh Saud, praying the the Almighty SAMUEL KUTTY
Allah to rest the deceased’s soul in peace MUSCAT, JULY 2
and grant his family patience.
An average 172 expatriate
workers flee their employers daily a manpower recruitment agency.
HM greetings to in the Sultanate amid crackdown
Belarus President by the authorities.
Although the figure is based
MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has on the number of
sent a cable of greetings to President workers declared
Alexander Lukashenko of the Republic as absconding in
ACCORDING TO
of Belarus on the occasion of his the previous years, DATA, THERE HAS
country’s National Day. In his cable, His
Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere
it may be more BEEN A YEAR-
greetings along with his best wishes of in the following ON-YEAR RISE
years, say experts.
good health and happiness to President
Lukashenko. His Majesty wished the According to
IN THE NUMBER I n f o r m a t i o n
friendly people of Belarus further data, there has OF WORKERS
progress and prosperity. been a year-on- LEAVING THEIR
year increase in SPONSORS
the number of
workers leaving
their sponsors with whom they
are obliged to work.
This is evident from the rising an official at the Ministry of
number of people being rounded
up by the authorities in different workers cannot seek jobs under
parts of the country, they say.
“Most of the absconding cases
refer to workers who enter the
Sultanate on the so-called free
Salalah Tourism Festival from July 10 Khazaen city awards
KAUSHALENDRA SINGH
SALALAH, JULY 2
The Salalah Tourism Festival (STF)
will start from July 10 and continue
INSIDESTORIES until Eid al Adha holidays, which
is likely to fall in the third week of
August.
This was announced during a
review meeting of STF Committee,
which was held under the
chairmanship of Sayyid Mohammed
bin Sultan al Busaidy, Minister of
State and Governor of Dhofar, on
Monday.
Participants at the meeting
included Salim bin Aufit al Shanfari,
Chairman of Dhofar Municipality;
Ahmed bin Ali al Amri, Technical
P7
UN CHIEF HEARS OF ‘UNIMAGINABLE’ Affairs Adviser, Office of the
ATROCITIES ON ROHINGYAS Minister of State and Governor of
Dhofar; Abdul Qader bin Ahmed
al Haddad, Deputy Chairman of
Dhofar Municipality; and officials
representing departments of tourism,
health, Royal Oman Police, Public
MEXICO’S LOPEZ COMMITS TO
NAFTA AFTER LANDSLIDE WIN P11
Thai boys trapped in cave for 9 days found alive
MAE SAI, Thailand: Twelve boys
WEATHER TODAY and their football coach trapped in
MUSCAT SALALAH NIZWA a flooded Thai cave for nine days
MAX: 380C MAX: 320C MAX: 450C were “found safe” late on Monday,
MIN: 320C MIN: 280C MIN: 290C in a miracle rescue after days of
painstaking searching by specialist
SUNRISE 05.24 AM
divers through muddy waters and
PRAYER TIMINGS winding tunnels.
There had been no contact with
FAJR: 03:57
the boys, aged between 11 and 16,
DHUHR: 12:16
since they went missing with their
ASR: 15:34 25-year-old coach last Saturday.
MAGHRIB: 17:03
The massive rescue effort had for
ISHA: 20:25 days been hampered by heavy rains
TODAY’S MATCHES
Sweden v Switzerland 6pm
Colombia v England 10pm
visa and those who ‘jump’ the
sponsor to make quick money by
doing odd jobs,” said an official at
Similarly, he said, “Owners
of some companies also declare
their workers as absconding
when they fail to
provide them with
jobs.”
According
to data from the
National Centre
for Statistics and
(NCSI), 63,000
workers fled their
employers in 2016
compared with
60,000 in 2015.
Clarifying that there is nothing
called a free visa in the country,
Manpower said, “Expatriate
an employer other than the same
sponsor who brought him/her to
the country.”
TURN TO P5
Authority for Consumer Protection
(PACP) and some Municipal Council
members.
The governor expressed happiness
over the efforts of the government
and private bodies as well as members
of the community during and after
the Cyclone Mekunu in minimising
that flooded the Tham Luang cave in
northern Thailand, blocking access
to chambers where it was hoped the
group would be found alive.
But late on Monday Chiang Rai
provincial governor broke the news
of their rescue, delighting a nation
which has anxiously followed every
twist and turn of the dramatic effort
to save them.
“We found all 13 safe... we will
take care of them until they can
move,” Narongsak Osottanakorn
told reporters, who broke into
O F T H E
GOAL
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P21
BRAZIL
BLANK
MEXICO
the impact of the storm.
Al Busaidy told the Observer that
the cyclone was both a “boon and
bane” as it caused loss of property,
but restored the greenery in Salalah
one and a half months ahead of the
khareef season.
TURN TO P3
spontaneous applause and cheering.
“We will bring food to them and
a doctor who can dive. I am not sure
they can eat as they have not eaten
for a while.”
Divers took advantage of a brief
window of good weather on Monday
to edge further into the cave, with
the water levels dropping slowly but
steadily every hour thanks to round-
the-clock pumping.
They had hoped to find the “Wild
Boar” team on an elevated ledge
dubbed “Pattaya beach”. — AFP
VOL. 37 NO. 231 | PAGES 28 | BAISAS 200
D AY
NEYMAR scored a stylish opener
and set up substitute Roberto
Firmino for a late second as Brazil
1
cruised into the quarterfinals of
the World Cup with a 2-0 win
over Mexico on Monday. Bidding
for a record-extending sixth title
ASSIST in Russia, Brazil weathered an
early storm at Samara Arena
before Neymar turned on the
style to underline their status as
favourites.
www.omanobserver.om editor@omanobserver.om
P25
TURKEY’S ANCIENT
TEMPLE SITE GETS
UNESCO HERITAGE
STATUS
RO 2.6m contract
MUSCAT: Khazaen Economic City
LLC (KEC), the master developer
plan and detailed master plan work for
the project, which is expected to take
of the first integrated economic city around six months to complete.”
in northern Oman, has appointed Atkins’ scope of work includes
Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin full consultancy services for the
Group, as a lead consultant for integrated urban planning of the city
Khazaen’s master planning, design and covering 51.5 million square metres,
supervision work, for RO 2.6 million. detailed master plan, environmental
Eng Kalat al Bulooshi, Chairman assessment, sustainability assessment,
of KEC, said: “We are delighted to engineering designs for infrastructures
appoint Atkins as the lead consultant and utilities, preparation and
for Khazaen. This is a demonstration of evaluation of construction tenders for
our approach of entering partnerships various infrastructure work of the city.
with global firms with a proven track The scope of work also includes
record in delivering truly outstanding supervising the implementation of
projects and also implementing true the first phase of the infrastructure of
in country value. Today’s award of the Khazaen.
contracts comes after months of in- Al Bulooshi added that the contract
depth evaluation and discussions with is for five years, and can be extended
each of the shortlisted firms. for two additional years upon mutual
“Atkins will lead the concept master agreement. DETAILS ON P13
A happy
family
member
looks at the
latest
pictures of
the missing
boys taken
by rescue
divers inside
Tham Luang
cave in the
Mae Sai
district.
— AFP
 insideoman
2 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8

Ministry signs 2 projects with FAO

MUSCAT: The Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries on Monday signed two documents
with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO). The first one is to implement the research
development project for the production of
citrus that are free of pests, while the second is
related to enhancing agricultural guidance and
subsidy system in the Sultanate.
The two agreements were signed by Dr
Ahmed bin Nasser al Bakri, Under-Secretary
of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for
Agriculture, and by Nora Orabeh Haddad, FAO
State Council members discuss
selective commodity tax law
representative in the Sultanate.
These agreements come within the
framework of technical cooperation between
the Ministry and the FAO in order to develop
the agricultural sector and the exchange of
experiences in order to achieve a sustainable
strategy for the sector.
MUSCAT: The 12th Regular
— ONA
Sessions held on Monday was
chaired by Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh
al Mantheri, Chairman of the
State Council in the presence of
the Council members and the
Secretary-General of the Council.
Dr Mantheri in his opening
speech welcomed the members and
reviewed the agenda of the session. Mohammed bin Abdullah al to national economies.
The Council Chairman stated Harthy presented the Economic
Members stressed The members stressed the
that a joint session of the State committee’s statement on the the importance of importance of the Draft law
Council and Majlis Ash’shura will draft tax law on selective goods, the Draft law in in protecting public health by
be held on Thursday to resolve the pointing out that the selective tax imposing tax on goods harmful to
differences between the two Draft is primarily aimed at protecting
protecting public human health.
Laws in ‘Living Aquatic Wealth ‘ public health by increasing the health by imposing The Session today will discuss
and the ‘Selective Goods Tax’. prices of a number of harmful tax on goods harmful the proposal of the Education and
The speech concluded with consumer goods. to human health Research Committee on the study
the Chairman appreciating He said that the draft law on ‘Enhancing the role of education
the Council’s efforts and that it selective goods tax, despite being in supporting the knowledge
culminates in national progress a local law, was issued pursuant Committee pointed that it has economy’, as well as the proposal
under the wise leadership of His to the Sultanate’s signing of the been taken into account that the that the Committee desires to
Majesty Sultan Qaboos. unified agreement on selective Gulf region is a unified customs study, titled ‘the development of
The Head of the Economic taxation of the GCC countries. area, which must be close to tax the system of training at the top of
Committee of the Council, Shaikh The Head of the Economic competitiveness and non-damage education’.

Sultanate signs licence agreement for GIS

MUSCAT: The Sultanate represented
by the National Centre for Statistics
and Information (NCSI) on Monday
signed the standard governmental
licence agreement for geographic
information system (GIS) with
Esri Global of the USA for the
improvement of the Sultanate’s level as
an advanced government in the field
of spatial services and information.
Dr Khalifa bin Abdullah al
Barwani, CEO of the NCSI said that
Esri is an international supplier of
geographic information system (GIS)
software, web GIS, including Spatial
Analyst for raster analysis, and 3D
Analyst for terrain mapping and
analysis.
The agreement provides new
licenses and maintenance for the
existing GIS license of different
categories, either the programmes
operating on servers provided with
spatial applications and services or
the desktops or the smart phones
to meet the needs of users at these
organisations. — ONA

Al Raffd Fund beneficiaries take

part in Switzerland exhibition
GENEVA: Entrepreneurs benefiting
from financing support of Al Raffd
Fund concluded their participation in
the Omani exhibition, which was held
on the sidelines of meetings of the
WIPO Intergovernmental Committee
on Intellectual Property and Genetic
Resources, Traditional Knowledge
and Folklore from June 27 to 29 in
Geneva, Switzerland.
This participation comes as per
an invitation from the Sultanate’s
Permanent Delegate to the United
Nations (UN) and International
Organisations.
The participation aims to highlight
the Omani authentic cultural heritage
and support the government’s
efforts to transform this heritage
into contemporary products that
contribute to the national economy
through entrepreneurs.
Al Raffd Fund was represented in
this international exhibition by small
and medium enterprises (SMEs) that
depict the Omani cultural and craft
heritage, as well as the Sultanate’s
ancient history, such as Omani
authentic craft industries.
— ONA

COOPERATION WITH IRAN
Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, received on Sunday Dr Mohammad Javad Zarif,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in Salalah, along with the accompanying delegation, currently
visiting the Sultanate. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed aspects of the existing cooperation between the two
countries in various spheres and ways to boost them. The two ministers exchanged views in relation to regional and
international issues. The meeting was attended by officials from both sides. — ONA
251 firms found violating mid-day break rule
SAMUEL KUTTY
MUSCAT, JULY 2
A total of 251 companies have been
found violating the mid-day break
rule, according to the Ministry of
Manpower.
As per Omani law, workers should
not be employed at construction
sites between 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm
during the peak summer months of
June, July and August.
The ministry officials visited 1,003
Salalah Tourism Festival from July 10
FROM PAGE 1
“We are in July. This time around,
the mountains and Salalah plains are
dry. But the cyclone brought early
greenery in Salalah; most of the
natural springs are full,” he said.
On the municipality’s preparedness,
the Dhofar Municipality chairman
reiterated that all the municipal
services are fully prepared to receive
Al Baleed, Samahram see
over 4,000 footfalls in June
SALALAH: The number of visitors
to Al Baleed and Samahram
archaeological sites during June
stood at 4,669, according to
statistics from the Department of
Frankincense Land Sites at His
Majesty the Sultan’s Adviser’s Office
for Cultural Affairs.
Al Baleed Archaeological Park
companies and found 251 of them
violating the rule.
The ministry has not given any
indication regarding the penalty to be
imposed on the erring companies.
The law stipulates that private
sector establishments should not
deploy workers at construction sites or
open places with high temperature.
According to reports, temperature
has started hovering around 50
degrees Celsius in some parts of the
country.
guests as all the internal roads
damaged in the aftermath of the
cyclone are operational.
Keeping in mind a large flow of
tourists to Salalah, the health services
have been upgraded with a number of
medical staff, centres, health points,
emergency departments and other
facilities at the festival ground and
tourist places.
and Frankincense Land Museum
received 3,051 visitors and Samahram
Archaeological Site received 1,333
visitors. Wadi Dokka received 181
visitors and Wbar Archaeological
Site received 104 visitors.
Al Baleed Archaeological Park,
Samahram, ‘Shasir Area’ and Wadi
Dokka are registered sites on the
Reports said Mahout in Oman
recorded the highest temperature last
week, with the mercury touching 50
degrees Celsius.
Qurayat too touched 50 degrees,
while Bidiya recorded 49.9.
According to Article 118 of the
Oman Labour Law, violators can be
penalised with fines ranging from RO
100 to RO 500, or a jail term of not
more than one month, or both.
The penalty will be doubled for
repeat violations.
Emphasis has been laid on
coordination with various medical
bodies across governorates and
availability of medicines and
ambulance services.
At the end of the meeting, the
governor urged the government
authorities to ensure more
coordination to provide best services
to tourists, citizens and residents.
World Heritage List under the name
‘Land of Frankincense’ sites.
The Office of His Majesty the
Sultan’s Adviser for Cultural Affairs
is developing several archaeological
sites and providing them with
utilities to serve the goals of cultural
and archaeological tourism in the
Governorate of Dhofar. — ONA
insideoman
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8 3
NRAA Centre is new
addition to tourist list
MAI AL ABRIA
MUSCAT, JULY 2
The Permanent Exhibition of National
Records and Archives Exhibition
Centre of National Records and
Archives Authority (NRAA) has
been added to the list of tourist and
cultural attractions by the Ministry of
Tourism.
The decision has been taken in
view of tourist interest in cultural
destinations and to attract more
tourists to the documentary
exhibition.
According to the ministry, listing
the exhibition of records and national
archives on the tourist map of the
Sultanate is in the interest of cultural
tourism that distinguishes the
Sultanate from the other countries.
The ministry supports Omani citizens have supported
documentary exhibitions, museums NRAA directly as well as indirectly
and activities that highlight the by registering their own documents
country’s culture and history. with NRAA. Through the Permanent
Many settlements on the coasts Exhibition, NRAA seeks to highlight
and slopes of mountains have been the cultural and historical value of
discovered, which indicate Oman its records and archives and raise
has been a “magnet for the man awareness among citizens of the
since ancient times”. It is still a tourist photographs and films. importance of preserving documents.”
destination today. Hanan Mahmoud, Director of Saleh al Khaifi, Director,
This story needs to be told to the Documentary Exhibitions at NRAA, Tourism Promotion and Marketing
world. NRAA set up the Permanent said: “Listing the exhibition among Department, Ministry of Tourism,
Exhibition of National Records and the top tourist attractions emphasises said: “The experience of visiting the
Archives to acquaint visitors with the the goal of establishing this cultural exhibition is enriching; NRAA and
history of the Sultanate. edifice, which emphasises the role the ministry are working to find a
Omani history has not only
been written on paper, it was
sculpted on stones and sketched
of NRAA and the importance of
this exhibition, its historical value in
preserving documents and archives,
mechanism to promote the exhibition.
Pictures and some information on
the exhibition will be posted at the
on international maps, stamped on and introducing the Sultanate’s history e-tourism gate and on different media
coins, documented in manuscripts, to tourists of all ages.” accounts of the ministry. It will also be
published in international newspapers “It is important to stress the listed in the programmes of tourism
and magazines, and documented in awareness of documentary culture. companies in Muscat.”
insideoman
4 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8
Saudi business delegation discusses investment
MUSCAT: Dr Ali bin Masoud al
Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce
and Industry, on Monday met in his
office with an official Saudi delegation
headed by Jaber bin Minwer al Meshal,
Director-General for International
Relations and Commercial Attaché
at the Ministry of Commerce and
Investment in the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia (KSA), to discuss horizons of
investment in the Sultanate and to
promote commercial cooperation
between the two brotherly countries.
The meeting discussed available
opportunities in the Sultanate, where
the delegation was briefed on the
available investment opportunities
in several fields, particularly in the
five sectors that the 9th Five Plan is
focusing on, as well as reviewing the
potentials provided by the system of
ports, airports and highways.
During its visit to the Sultanate,
the delegation will meet with officials
STRANDED TOURISTS RESCUED
Police in Al Buraimi rescued stranded tourists in the sands in the Wilayat of Al
Sinaina. In another incident, after videos went viral on social media about a driver
drifting in Samayil, the ROP swung into action and arrested the motorist. The
vehicle was seized.
Sultan Qaboos Academy for
Police Sciences holds workshop
AMAL AL RIYAMI
NIZWA, JULY 2
The Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police
Sciences is organising a workshop
on the rules of scientific research for
police officers, which will last for a
week.
The workshop, which will see
participation from members of Royal
Oman Police (ROP), aims to provide
participants with a number of skills for
scientific research through discussions
on several topics, including the
basic elements of scientific research,
scientific research tools and formal
rules for scientific research.
Participants will be guided to select
appropriate topics for research, which
are expected to produce results and
recommendations that contribute to
the improvement of police work.
from the Special Economic Zone
Authority at Duqm (SEZAD), State
General Reserve Fund (SGRF) and
the Oman Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (OCCI), in addition
to visiting Sohar Port to view the
The workshop was attended by Col
Sulaiman bin Mohammed al Alawi,
Assistant Commander of the Sultan
Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences
for Academic Affairs.
He drew attention to the need
to take into account the formal
and objective rules for conducting
research in order to arrive at “practical
conclusions”.
On Sunday, the police academy at
the Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police
Sciences began to offer a new course
for specialised candidate officers
recruited newly by the ROP.
During the course, candidates will
be offered a foundation programme
which includes sports programmes
and military training to acquire
military and field skills, besides the
academic programme.
facilities offered for investors in the
port, the free zone and industrial area
of Sohar.
The meeting was attended by Eid
bin Mohammed al Thaqafi, Saudi
Ambassador to the Sultanate, and
CAS Academic Council reviews amendments
MUSCAT: The Academic Council
of Colleges of Applied Sciences
(CAS) held its fourth meeting this
year under the chairmanship of Dr
Abdullah bin Mohammed al Sarmi,
Under-Secretary of the Ministry of
Higher Education and Chairman of
the Council.
The meeting included a follow-
up to the recommendations of the
Council at its first, second and third
meetings for the academic year 2017-
2018, a review of the results of CAS
graduate students for 2017-2018 and
a discussion of the development study
of the 2012 graduates’ batch prepared
by the Academic Programmes
Department.
During its meeting, the Council
Italian expertise
in fish farming
discussed
ROME: The Omani delegation,
which is currently visiting
Italy, headed by Dr Hamad bin
Said al Oufi, Under-Secretary
of the Ministry of Agriculture
and Fisheries for Fisheries,
met with the President of the
of Italian Fish Companies
Association.
The meeting, attended by
the Sultanate’s Ambassador
to Italy, Dr Ahmed Ba
Omar, discussed the
cooperation programme
and put in place a practical
programme for follow-up and
implementation to benefit
from Italian expertise and
attracting Italian investments
in fishing, fish industries
and fish farming, as well as
increasing exports of Omani
fish to Italy.
During the visit, a
workshop was held between
the Omani and Italian
manufacturers entitled
‘Omani-Italian Partnership
in Fish Industries: Investment
Opportunities’, to benefit from
the Italian experience in the
field of fishing, value-added
industries, attracting Italian
investments and increasing
the exports of Omani fish
to Italy in particular and the
European Union in general,
in addition to discussing the
challenges facing increasing
bilateral trade in the field
of fisheries and developing
appropriate solutions.
The two sides agreed to
organise a visit to the Sultanate
by Italian companies in the last
quarter of 2018 to explore the
possibilities and opportunities
of available investment and
to establish partnerships
with SMEs in particular and
the Omani private sector in
general. — ONA
officials in the Ministry of Commerce
and Industry and the Public
Establishment for Industrial Estates
(PEIE).
Meanwhile, Qais bin Mohammed
al Yousef, Chairman of Oman
adopted the dates of the meetings
of the Academic Council, the
College Councils, the Joint Scientific
Symposium, the Sports Forum, the
Graduates Forum (Proud of You)
and the dates of the graduation
Sultanate wins bid to host international
symposium on atherosclerosis in 2024
MUSCAT: The Board of the
International Atherosclerosis Society
(IAS) has announced at the General
Assembly at the XVIII International
Symposium on Atherosclerosis
2018 in Toronto, Canada, that the
Sultanate, represented by Oman
Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis
(OSLA), has won the bid to host the
Triennial International Symposium
on Atherosclerosis in 2024.
The 3-day event will have an
expected attendance of up to 2,500
delegates. The 20th edition, will be
the first time that the conference will
be hosted in the Middle East with the
first one held in 1967 in Chicago and
more recent editions in Sydney and
Amsterdam. The 19th edition will be
in Kyoto, Japan, in 2021.
The team, led by Dr Khalid al
Rasdi, President, and Dr Fahad al
Zedjali, Secretary of OSLA, won the
competitive bid.
The winning team included Khalid
al Zedjali, Director of the Oman
Convention Bureau (OCB), and
Gillian Taylor, Director of Business
Development, Oman Convention and
Exhibition Centre (OCEC).
Dr Khalid said, “Bringing this
international conference with global
experts and having them share their
knowledge will benefit the Sultanate.
We are very confident that we will get
large numbers of delegates from all
over the world as Oman is such an
attractive destination.”
One of the key reasons cited
for winning was the involvement,
engagement and activities undertaken
by OSLA who hold annual courses
along with local and regional events.
The association is also strongly
involved with the International
Atherosclerosis Society of which Dr
Khalid is an active Board’s member.
Dr Khalid expressed his
appreciation of the strong support of
the OSLA Board’s members and their
vision and ambitions to bring such
important events to the region in the
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(OCCI), also received the economic
delegation from the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia (KSA) under the chairmanship
of Jaber bin Minwer al Meshal.
The OCCI Chairman stressed the
ceremonies.
It also reviewed the proposed
amendments to the strategic plan
of CAS and the most important
challenges faced by the colleges in the
implementation of their operational
The team, led by
Dr Khalid al Rasdi,
President, and Dr
Fahad al Zedjali, Sec-
retary of OSLA, won
the competitive bid
field of Lipid and Atherosclerosis.
The Ministry of Tourism supports all
efforts towards enhancing the MICE
tourism sector in Oman.
The ministry’s initiative in
establishing the Oman Convention
Bureau under its supervision is
a milestone towards building a
foundation and achieving objectives
in the MICE tourism sector.
The bureau also aims to use various
external channels to promote MICE
internationally. Khalid al Zedjali,
Director of the Oman Convention
Bureau stated that, “The symposium
will bring direct, indirect and induced
economic benefits to the Sultanate in
addition to the strategic impact such
an event has on the country.
“Conference attendees are high on
importance of intensifying efforts to
enhance bilateral trade exchange and
activate the private sector relations in
both countries.
He affirmed that OCCI is fully
ready to provide services to encourage
and increase investments and trade
exchange between the two countries.
On his part, head of the KAS
delegation said that the visit comes
within the framework of enhancing
bilateral trade relations.
He stressed the importance of
enhancing the economic relations
through increasing reciprocal trade
and joint investments.
He also stressed the distinguished
relations that contribute to activating
the business relations between the
Omani and Saudi sides.
He pointed out that the
investment opportunities enjoyed by
the two countries can represent joint
ventures. — ONA
plans, and the extent to which the plan
meets the requirements of the standards
of the Oman Academic Accreditation
Authority and recommending the
proposed amendments to the Board of
Trustees. — ONA
the list of visitors that Oman wishes
to attract and we know that they will
leave with a positive impression and
may return at a future dates with their
families, colleagues or friends.”
The Ministry of Tourism of Oman
is targeting 11 million visitors by
2040 and “Business Events” is one of
the key target markets as, typically,
they bring more economic value to a
country than leisure travellers.
The world class Oman Convention
and Exhibition Centre has been built
specially to attract and accommodate
international events, such as this
and includes a 3,200-person theatre,
22,000 sq m of pillar-less exhibition
space and 55 different meeting spaces
to choose from.
OCB and OCEC have spent
some time already in working
with and helping to develop the
local association market in Oman
and have encouraged leaders
and subject matter experts to bid
for the international association
conferences in their field. Oman is
lucky in that the local association
market is very strong especially in
the fields of healthcare, heritage,
culture and tourism, infrastructure
and logistics. — ONA
 insideoman
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8 5
NEW MOSQUE IN AL AMERAT Mwasalat may link Ministries
Area with other locations
KABEER YOUSUF
MUSCAT, JULY 2
Mwasalat, Oman’s national transport
company, is studying the feasibility of
connecting the Ministries Area in Al
Khuwair with other areas, especially
Muscat.
Traffic in the area during work
hours is high and people find it
difficult to reach their destinations on
time on week days.
Aimed at easing the traffic rush
in the area, Mwasalat has conducted
a survey, which indicates 75 per cent
favour such routes.
Most of the ministries are located “I’ve tried bus service from Al she said.
A new mosque called Ali bin Abi Talib was inaugurated on Monday under the auspices of Ahmed bin Saud Al Maashari,
in this area, while embassies are Khoudh to Al Khuwair and back Ridvan Sidhiq, an employee at
member of Majlis Ash’shura Council and representative of the Wilayat of Al Amerat. Saud al Rahbi hailed the efforts by
companies and private institutions towards its completion. He also thanked the deputy of the mosque for follow-up and located a little beyond. Employees and found it amazing. However, I’m Muscat International Airport, who
supervision. Located in the third area in Al Amerat 3, the new mosque occupies an area of nearly 500 square metres and and officials at these ministries and more concerned about the safety of uses Mwasalat services for his daily
accommodates up to 1,000 worshippers. embassies find it difficult to reach passengers on board,” he added. commute from his home in Ruwi to
their respective offices and they prefer Ruqayya al Numani tweeted that the airport and back, says: “Buses
an alternative solution. in order to safeguard the passengers do not stop when there is only one

172 workers abscond every day “It’s a wonderful idea to connect

FROM PAGE 1
Under Oman’s laws governing foreign
labour, each expatriate must be tied
to an Omani sponsor and must work
exclusively for him or her.
According to Article 114 of Omani
Labour Law, a non-Omani employee
who works in Oman without a licence
from the directorate concerned or
works with any employer other than
the employer who obtained a licence
to bring him to the Sultanate, shall be
punished.
An employer who allows any of
his workers to work with another
employer shall be punished with
imprisonment for a term not
exceeding one month and a fine not
exceeding RO 1,000 for each worker.
Legal experts familiar with the
labour system in Oman say many
workers are declared as absconding
for no mistakes committed by them.
The Omani labour law demands
that an employer file an absconding
case against a worker if he/she doesn’t
turn up for work without prior notice
of leave, either due to illness or any
other reason.
At the same time, the employer
should approach the authorities,
LEGAL EXPERTS
FAMILIAR WITH THE
LABOUR SYSTEM
IN OMAN SAY
MANY WORKERS
ARE DECLARED
AS ABSCONDING
FOR NO MISTAKES
COMMITTED
BY THEM
including the police, to lodge a
complaint against the employee.
“In several cases, small companies
and individual sponsors
absconding cases when they fail to pay
them regularly or for other reasons,”
said a legal expert.
Similarly, there are a large number
of ‘free visa’ holders in different fields,
including construction.
“Owners of rogue companies, in
connivance with middlemen in the
respective countries, collect a lump
sum amount, bring workers to the
country and let them work anywhere
they want,” he said.
They charge a ‘monthly fee’ of not
less than RO 10 a month from each
employee.
While ‘free visas’ are lucrative for
sponsors, workers also enjoy some
advantages till the time they are
caught by the authorities.
Experts point out that the free visa
workers can work according to their
whims and fancies.
In some cases, they get more
amount of money than what they
would earn with a single employer.
To escape the manpower registry,
sponsors help them open bank
accounts and transfer a fixed amount
in the form of salary to these accounts.
The ATM cards of the respective
file accounts are retained by sponsors so
that they can withdraw the amount
later.
Recently, the Ministry of
Manpower, in cooperation with
the Central Bank of Oman, made
it mandatory for employers to pay
workers’ wages through banks.
With a database in the system in
regard to the payment of wages, the
ministry will get automatic updates
of salary transfers from employers to
banks.
the Ministries Area with the rest of
the city, including Muscat, Seeb and
using Mwasalat, a separate lane should
be provided for buses.
“In many countries, including the
passenger. There have been instances
when I’ve had to wait too long at the
bus stop.”
Al Khoudh, during the peak hours,” neighbouring countries, we can see Ali Rashid al Balushi had another
said Noah al Shamsi, an official separate lanes for heavy vehicles and suggestion. “All bus stops should be
at the Ministry of Transport and buses. This can be considered while air-conditioned so that people don’t
Communications. introducing newer routes in Oman,” have to bear the scorching heat.”
3 held for poaching wild gazelle
MUDHAIBI: Three citizens were
nabbed for poaching a wild gazelle in
the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi, the Ministry
of Environment and Climate Affairs
(MECA) has announced.
The competent authorities affiliated
to the Office for Conservation of the
Environment at the Diwan of Royal Court
successfully nabbed the three people after
they were found illegally hunting the
gazelle by using their vehicles, two sharp
weapons, and binoculars.
Mohammed al Hajri, Director of
MECA Directorate in North Al Sharqiyah
said: “After the arrest, the defendants and
the tools were handed over to Al Mudhaibi
police station for further legal procedures”.

SQU gets 3rd woman Dean

MUSCAT: Dr Department of Child
Mona bint Ahmed Health in the Faculty.
al Sadoon, has Dr Mona was
become the first appointed to State
woman Dean for Council in 2016
the College of and has been a
Medicine and Health member of the Social
Sciences at Sultan Committee. She will
Qaboos University. be the third woman
Previously, she held the post Dean at the Sultan Qaboos
of Associate Professor in the University.

MSM index
down
marginally
MUSCAT: Muscat
Securities Market (MSM)
general index 30 on
Monday lost 4.49 points,
comprising a decline by
0.10 per cent to close at
4556.02 points compared
to the last session, which
stood at 4560.51 points.
The trading value
stood at RO 1,918,081,
comprising rose by 28 per
cent compared to the last
session, which stood at
RO 2,492,746.
The report pointed out
that the market value fell
by 0.063 per cent to reach
about RO 17.60 billion.
The report added that
the value of shares bought
by non-Omani investors
reached RO 505,000,
comprising 26.31 per cent.
The value of shares sold
by non-Omani investors
reached RO 978,000,
comprising 50.98 per cent.
— ONA
region
6 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8

Conflicting reports on rebel surrender IN BRIEF

UNENDING EXODUS: United Nations says number of displaced in southern Syria climbs to 270,000
AMMAN/BEIRUT: A major insurgent-held
town in southwestern Syria has accepted the
return of President Bashar al Assad’s rule, pro-
government media and a war monitor said,
though some local activists and rebels disputed
a deal had been completed.
Losing Bosra al Sham, a major town near
the provincial capital of Deraa, would be a
significant loss for the opposition in the teeth
of a Russian-backed Syrian army offensive in
the southwest that has taken chunks of rebel
territory.
Jordan on Sunday mediated a new round
of talks between rebels in the southwest and
Russia, seeking a wider truce in the area to
avert more bloodshed and another wave of
displaced people near its border.
Russia has played a critical role in supporting
Assad’s two-week offensive with air power and
negotiating local deals initially overseen by its
military police.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights,
a state television correspondent and media run
by Hezbollah said insurgents in Bosra al Sham,
east of the provincial capital Deraa, had agreed
a deal and were handing over heavy weapons.
Activists distributed footage of armoured
vehicles being handed to Russian troops,
though some local sources said it was a goodwill
gesture as talks went on, rather than a sign that
a surrender deal was being implemented.
Diplomatic sources said the wider
negotiations were difficult, with Russia
PROTEST AGAINST US SUPPORT
A displaced Syrian child from the Daraa province fleeing shelling waits at a makeshift camp
to cross the Jordanian border, near the town of Nasib.
insisting on sweeping surrender terms, and
rebels seeking an agreement that would make
Jordan a guarantor of the safety of Deraa
province’s 800,000 civilians.
The United Nations said on Friday at least
160,000 people had already fled their homes.
Opposition officials involved in steering
the rebel negotiating team said continued air
strikes during the talks had undermined trust
UN envoy arrives in Yemen for
— AFP
in the process.
Fighting and bombardment on Sunday
initially focused on the area around Tafas,
northwest of Deraa, along with heavy air
attacks, but later involved clashes in the
area between Deraa and Bosra al Sham, the
Observatory said.
The offensive in the southwest aims to
reclaim one of two remaining rebel strongholds
in Syria, the other being Idlib and adjacent
areas in the northwest.
Syrian forces captured the last enclaves near
Damascus and Homs earlier this year.
Southwest Syria is a “de-escalation zone” of
reduced warfare and bombardment agreed by
Russia, Jordan and the United States last year.
Washington warned it would respond to
violations of this agreement, but has done
nothing so far.
Last week, rebels said the United States had
told them not to expect any American military
support.
The opposition’s chief negotiator in wider
UN peace talks, Nasr al Hariri, last week accused
the United States of complicity in Syrian
southwest offensive, saying American silence
could only be explained by “a malicious deal”.
A military media unit run by the Hezbollah, a
Syrian state television correspondent and the
Observatory said rebels in Bosra al Sham had
started to hand over their weapons.
Bosra al Sham, whose black-rock Roman
citadel and theatre are a Unesco World Heritage
site, was captured by rebels in 2015.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi
said the kingdom was engaged in intensive
diplomacy with all parties in the conflict to
help broker a ceasefire that would ease the
plight of displaced civilians. “We are moving in
all directions and with all the parties to bring
a ceasefire and protect civilians,” he said on
Twitter on Saturday. — Agencies
Top Gulenist suspect
dies in Turkey jail
ANKARA: A former Turkish police
intelligence chief arrested on charges of
links to a preacher blamed for the failed
2016 coup has died of a heart attack in jail,
state media reported on Monday.
Zeki Guven, who was arrested last
month in the wake of the attempted putsch
aimed at unseating President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, died in his prison cell at Sincan
on the outskirts of Ankara on Sunday, the
official Anadolu news agency said.
Guven, 48, the former intelligence chief
of the Ankara Police Department, belonged
to a Gulenist faction named “golden
children”, Anadolu reported.
He was among tens of thousands of
people including soldiers, prosecutors and
police officers who have been arrested in
Turkey over suspected links to exiled cleric
Fethullah Gulen, who has strongly
denied the charges of links to the July 2016
coup bid.
Guven was one of 171 suspects in a trial
accused of leaking private images of
politicians including Baykal.
Israel tries Frenchman
for gun-running
TEL AVIV: A French employee of his
country’s consulate accused of smuggling
dozens of guns from Gaza to the West Bank
in an official car appeared in an Israeli court
on Monday.
Romain Franck, a 24-year-old French
citizen, is accused along with several
suspects of belonging to a gun-running
network. He appeared in court in the
southern city of Beersheba in a grey t-shirt.
His parents and a French embassy
representative also attended the hearing.
After Franck’s lawyer requested more
time to prepare his case and asked for an
official translation into French of the charge

talks to resolve Hodeida issue
SANAA: The United Nations envoy for Yemen arrived
in Sanaa on Monday for another round of talks aimed
at finding a solution to fighting in the key port city of
Hodeida.
Martin Griffiths is set to meet with Yemen’s
Ansarullah fighters, who control the capital along with
the Red Sea city of Hodeida, home to the country’s most
valuable port.
He did not make a statement upon his arrival at the
Yemeni capital’s international airport.
Two weeks of UN-brokered talks have not yet found
a solution to the government offensive on Hodeida, by
the Arab coalition supporting President Abedrabbo
Mansour Hadi.
The Hodeida offensive has raised fears of for civilians
in a country already devastated by years of war between
the Ansarullah and Hadi’s government.
The United Arab Emirates said on Sunday it had
halted the offensive to give a chance to UN diplomatic
efforts. Hodeida port is the entry port for some 70 per
cent of imports to Yemen, where eight million people
face imminent famine.
Both the UAE and the Hadi government have
held firm to their rejection of anything short of a full
Ansarullah withdrawal.
Griffiths has said a proposal to grant the UN a major
role in managing the port was being studied.
The UN envoy met with Hadi in the southern city of
A man holding a Palestinian flag shouts slogans during a rally in support of Aden last Wednesday and is reported to be pushing for
President Mahmoud Abbas, in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, on Monday. the Ansarullah to cede control of Hodeida to the United
The Palestinians are demonstrating against US policy supporting Israel. — Reuters Nations.
UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths is escorted
by bodyguards upon his arrival in Sanaa, Yemen,
on Monday. — Reuters
The Ansarullah has controlled Hodeida and its port
since 2014, when they also drove the Hadi government
out of the capital and seized large swathes of northern
Yemen.
The fight for Hodeida has claimed 429 lives,
according to military and medical sources.
There are no confirmations of civilian
casualties, although the UN has documented
thousands of residents fleeing combat zones. The
United Nations has called Yemen the world’s largest
humanitarian crisis. — AFP
sheet, the judge adjourned the trial to
September 16.
Franck allegedly took advantage of
reduced security checks for consular
vehicles to transport the weapons out of
the Gaza Strip to the Israeli-occupied West
Bank.
Israeli authorities have stressed he acted
on his own without the consulate’s
knowledge, adding that diplomatic
relations with France were not affected.
Sudan opposition
leader blocked from
Egypt airport
KHARTOUM: Authorities at Cairo airport
blocked entry for Sudan’s main opposition
leader Sadiq al Mahdi, who has been living
in exile in Egypt, his party said.
The Umma Party said security stopped
former prime minister Mahdi from entering
the country as he returned to Cairo after
participating at an opposition conference in
Berlin.
Mahdi, who has been based in Cairo,
then flew to London with his daughter
Mariam and an aide, his party said. A fixture
of Sudanese politics since the 1960s, Mahdi
was prime minister from 1966 to 1967 and
again from 1986 to 1989.
He briefly returned to Khartoum in
January 2017 after more than two years of
exile in Cairo, but had since returned to the
Egyptian capital. In April Sudanese media
reported that the state security prosecutor
had charged Mahdi with collaborating to
overthrow Bashir after a meeting with rebel
leaders in Paris. — Agencies

For Syrian refugees, fear of conscription prevents return home

SAADNAYEL, Lebanon: Eking
out a living in a ramshackle camp
in east Lebanon has been hell for
Syrian refugee Mohammed, but the
alternative is far worse — going home
means taking up arms.
“Who would voluntarily choose
to go on a death march?” says the
slim 18-year-old, sheltering from the
searing sun under the white tarp of a
refugee tent.
Now that he is of age, stepping back
into Syria would mean compulsory
military service.
Mohammed fled his native Aleppo
in northern Syria seven years ago,
seeking sanctuary in Lebanon with his
parents and four siblings when the civil
war in his homeland was in its infancy.
But Lebanese citizens are increasingly
demanding the approximately 1.5
million Syrian refugees hosted by their
tiny country go home, as fighting has
abated in areas Syria’s military has
retaken from rebel groups.
Yet, with few jobs, no basic services
and clashes continuing on multiple
fronts, returning to Syria is not
attractive for many refugees.
And for men above 18 years of age,
one deterrent dwarfs all others — the
fear of conscription.
“No one forgets their country. But
if we go back now, I’ll have to join the
army. Who will feed my family?” says
Mohammed.
He and his father work six days
a week in the potato orchards of
Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa valley.
Between them, they earn about
$400 (340 euros) per month.
Returning to battered Aleppo
would mean swapping potato sacks
and a steady salary for rifles and
bloody front lines.
Before Syria’s conflict erupted in
2011, men aged 18 and older had to
serve up to two years in the army, after
which they became reserves available
for call-up in times of crisis.
But in the past seven years fatalities,
injuries and defections have sapped
President Bashar al Assad’s once
300,000-strong army.
Before conflict
erupted, men aged
18 and older had
to serve up to two
years in the army,
after which they
became reserves
available for call-up
in times of crisis
corrugated iron and wooden planks —
A convoy of Syrian refugees arriving in their country from the eastern Lebanese and going home to Idlib province.
border town of Arsal on Sunday. — AFP “I’d return today if I could,” sighs
the father of two.
To compensate, the government mandatory service. But the fear of conscription keeps
has relied on the reservists and Thousands have been enlisted him in Lebanon, he says.
militias, while indefinitely extending this way, most recently in the former “Of course they’ll take me”, he says
service for young conscripts. rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta, near of Syria’s military. “And when they do,
Now, as it retakes rebel territory, Damascus. Syrian refugee Hassan who’s going to feed my children?”
the military is replenishing its ranks Khleif, 23, dreams of escaping the rows “Will my relatives? They’ve each got
with newly accessed reservists and of makeshift homes — haphazardly four or five kids to take care of already,”
locals who did not complete their assembled from plastic sheeting, adds Khleif, his voice full of anguish.
A 2018 poll by the United Nations’
refugee agency found that nearly
90 per cent of Syrian refugees in
Lebanon hope to return home. But
many identified security and financial
worries as obstacles.
“For refugee families to feel
confident to return, breadwinners...
need... assurances that they will be able
to provide for their family upon return
and not be sent to front lines, leaving
families” on their own in a destroyed
environment, says the UN survey.
In an effort to facilitate refugee
returns, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister
Gebran Bassil sent a formal letter to
his Syrian counterpart demanding
a “fair solution” to the conscription
issue.
There has been no response, a
Lebanese official said.
In the interim, Lebanon has
indicated it will organise piecemeal
returns, like an operation in April
coordinated with Syrian authorities
that saw 500 refugees leave southern
Lebanon for home. — AFP

UN chief visits Rohingya camps,
hears of ‘unimaginable’ atrocities
HEARTBREAKING: Guterres describes the situation as ‘a human rights nightmare’
KUTUPALONG, Bangladesh: UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
said he heard “unimaginable” accounts
of atrocities during a visit on Monday
to Bangladesh’s refugee camps and
called for Myanmar to be held
responsible for “crimes” against the
Rohingya.
Guterres described the situation
for the persecuted Muslim minority
as “a humanitarian and human rights
nightmare” before touring makeshift
shelters crammed with people who
escaped a huge Myanmar army
operation last year that the UN has
likened to ethnic cleansing.
The UN chief heard harrowing
testimony of rape and violence from
refugees living in the crowded camps,
where nearly a million Rohingya have
sought refuge from successive waves of
violence in Myanmar.
“It is probably one of the most
tragic, historic, systematic violations of
human rights,” Guterres told reporters
in Kutupalong camp, the world’s
largest refugee settlement.
“Sometimes people tend to forget
who is responsible for what happened.
So let’s be clear where the responsibility
is — it is in Myanmar.
“But it’s true the whole international
community was not able to stop (it).
The responsibilities of the crime
committed in Myanmar needs to be
attributed to those who committed
those crimes.”
ON CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari waves to supporters at the start of his election campaign for interior Sindh,
an area of rural Sindh province, on the outskirts of Karachi on Monday. Pakistan’s forthcoming elections, scheduled for July 25, are
expected to pit the PML-N against its main rival, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party led by former cricketer Imran Khan. — AFP
China aims to outstrip Nasa with super-powerful rocket
BEIJING: China is working on a
super-powerful rocket that would be
capable of delivering heavier payloads
into low orbit than Nasa, a leading
Chinese space expert was quoted as
saying on Monday.
By 2030, the Long March-9 rocket
under development will be able to
carry 140 tonnes into low-Earth orbit
— where TV and earth observation
satellites currently fly — said Long
Lehao, a senior official from the
Chinese Academy of Engineering,
according to the official Xinhua news
Rohingya refugees hold placards prior to the arrival of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and World Bank President Jim
Yong Kim at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar on Monday. Guterres arrives at the camp. — Reuters/AFP
The bulk of the Rohingya in
Bangladesh, or some 700,000 people,
flooded across the border last August
to escape the violence.
They are loathed by many in
Myanmar, where they were stripped
of citizenship and branded illegal
immigrants from Bangladesh, despite
calling Rakhine state their homeland.
Guterres, accompanied by World
Bank head Jim Yong Kim, said he
heard “unimaginable accounts of
killing and rape” during his first visit
to the Rohingya camps as UN chief.
“Nothing could’ve prepared me
for the scale of crisis and extent of
suffering I saw today,” Guterres said on
agency.
This compares to the 20 tonnes
deliverable by Europe’s Ariane 5 rocket
or the 64 tonnes by Elon Musk’s Falcon
Heavy, which in February catapulted
one of the US entrepreneur’s red Tesla
Roadster cars towards Mars.
It would also outstrip the 130
tonnes of Nasa’s Space Launch System,
which is due to become operational in
2020.
China’s Long March-9 would have
a core stage measuring 10 metres in
diameter and boast four powerful
Twitter.
“I heard heartbreaking accounts
from Rohingya refugees that will stay
with me forever.”
A UN Security Council delegation
visited Myanmar and Rakhine state
in early May, meeting refugees who
gave detailed accounts of killings, rape
and villages torched at the hands of
Myanmar’s military.
Myanmar has vehemently denied
allegations by the United States, the
UN and others of ethnic cleansing.
Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed
in November to begin repatriating the
Rohingya but the process has stalled,
with both sides accusing the other of
By 2030, the Long March-9 rocket under development will be able to carry 140
tonnes into low-Earth orbit
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8
Mayor who held drugs war
‘walk of shame’ shot dead
MANILA: A Philippine mayor
who paraded suspected drug
dealers through the streets was shot
dead on Monday while attending
a weekly flag-raising ceremony,
police said.
Mayor Antonio Cando Halili
was hit by a single bullet to the
chest as he and civil servants sang
the national anthem in Tanauan, a
city in Batangas province southwest
of the capital, Manila.
“We are shocked, we are
saddened,” Vice Mayor Jhoanna
Villamor, who was standing beside
Halili, told radio station DZBB.
What appeared to be a
smartphone video of the shooting
went viral on social media, showing
a single shot ringing out as the
anthem played, then screaming and
pandemonium. The video could
not be immediately verified.
Halili gained prominence for
introducing a “walk of shame”
frustrating the effort. parade of alleged drug dealers
Fewer than 200 have been resettled, through Tanauan.
and the vast majority refuse to Police say they have killed more
contemplate returning until their than 4,200 suspected drug dealers
rights, citizenship and safety are during shootouts in a bloody war
assured. on drugs launched by President
Around 100 Rohingya staged a Rodrigo Duterte two years ago, a
protest just before Guterres’s visit, campaign condemned by domestic
unhappy about a preliminary UN deal and international human rights
with Myanmar to assess conditions on groups.
the ground for their possible return Halili was stripped of his
home. supervisory powers over local
Mohibullah, a community leader police in October 2017 due to a
for the displaced minority, said he proliferation of illegal drugs in
raised concerns with Guterres about his city, amid allegations by the
the UN agreement not referring to the national police that he may have
Rohingya by name. — AFP
US has plan to dismantle N Korea
N-programme within a year: Bolton
SEOUL/WASHINGTON: White
House national security adviser John
Bolton said on Sunday he believed
the bulk of North Korea’s weapons
programmes could be dismantled
within a year, as the United States
and North Korea resumed working-
level talks.
Bolton told CBS’s “Face the
Nation” that Washington has devised
a programme to dismantle North
Korea’s weapons of mass destruction
— chemical, biological and nuclear
— and ballistic missile programmes
in a year, if there is full cooperation
North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un tours a factory in Sinuiju, North Korea, in this
and disclosure from Pyongyang. undated photo released by Korean Central News Agency on Monday. — Reuters
“If they have the strategic
decision already made to do that and
they’re cooperative, we can move Panmunjom within the demilitarised
very quickly,” he said. “Physically zone separating the two Koreas to
we would be able to dismantle coordinate an agenda for Pompeo’s
the overwhelming bulk of their next visit to North Korea.
programmes within a year.” Kim’s delegation delivered
He said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s letter to Kim Yong Chol,
Pompeo will likely discuss that a top Pyongyang official who met
proposal with the North Koreans Pompeo and US President Donald
soon. The Financial Times reported Trump ahead of last month’s historic
that Pompeo was due to visit North summit between Trump and North
Korea this week but the State Korean leader Kim Jong Un in
Department has not confirmed any Singapore, Yonhap news agency
travel plans. said, citing an unnamed diplomatic
South Korea media reported source.
on Sunday that Sung Kim, the US Some experts disputed
Ambassador to the Philippines, Bolton’s optimistic time frame
met with North Korean officials for decommissioning the North’s
on Sunday at the border village of weapons.
boosters, each with a diameter of five
metres.
Xinhua quoted Long as saying
the rocket could be used in manned
lunar landings, deep space exploration
or constructing a space-based solar
power plant.
In addition, China is working
on a reusable space rocket, which is
expected to make its maiden flight in
2021. The first stage and the boosters
will be retrieved after a vertical landing,
Long said in a speech in Beijing.
China is pouring billions into its
asia
7
This file photo taken on July 18,
2016 shows Antonio Halili leaving a
stadium in Tanauan. — AFP
been involved. Halili denied the
allegations.
In an interview with Reuters in
August 2016 — the second month of
the crackdown — he said he backed
Duterte’s campaign but believed drug
kingpins should be the main targets,
otherwise thousands of people would
be killed.
He expressed concern over the
way police conducted the war on
drugs and the reliability of their
intelligence, and that he might be
accused of colluding with narcotics
gangs.
Duterte’s spokesman, Harry
Roque, vowed justice for the mayor,
describing him as a “staunch
advocate against illegal drugs”.
Duterte, speaking at an airport
inauguration in the central
Philippines, said merely that he
suspected drugs were behind the
killing. — Reuters
“It would be physically possible
to dismantle the bulk of North
Korea’s programmes within a year,”
said Thomas Countryman, the State
Department’s top arms control officer
under president Barack Obama.
“I do not believe it would be
possible to verify full dismantlement
within a year, nor have I yet seen
evidence of a firm DPRK decision to
undertake full dismantlement.”
North Korea is completing a
major expansion of a key missile-
manufacturing plant, the Wall Street
Journal reported on Sunday, citing
researchers who have examined new
satellite imagery from San Francisco-
based Planet Labs Inc. — Reuters
military-run space programme, with
hopes of having a crewed space station
by 2022, and of sending humans to the
Moon in the near future.
The Asian superpower is looking to
finally catch up with the US and Russia
after years of belatedly matching their
space milestones.
China is also planning to build a
base on the moon, the state-run Global
Times said in early March, citing the
Communist Party chief of the China
Academy of Space Technology.
— AFP
india
8 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8

HIKERS’ PARADISE
Interpol’s red
corner notice
against Nirav
DRAGNET: CBI said Interpol would also
issue an RCN against Nirav’s uncle Mehul Choksi
NEW DELHI: Interpol has issued
a red corner notice (RCN) against
fugitive diamond jeweller Nirav Modi
following a CBI request to this effect
in connection with Rs 13,500-crore
fraud on Punjab National Bank (PNB),
officials said here on Monday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI) officials said that the Interpol
would also issue an RCN against Nirav
Modi’s uncle Mehul Choksi of Gitanjali
A Congress supporter puts his hand
Group. “Interpol has accepted our on the face of a cut-out of Nirav Modi
request to issue RCN against Nirav during a protest in New Delhi. — AFP
Modi, his brother Nishal Modi and file photo
an executive of his company Subhash
Visitors walk along the ruins of the Lohagad hill fort, near Lonavla in Maharashtra. First built upon by dynasties stretching back to the Satavahana Empire around the first Parab,” a CBI official said. INTERPOL HAD SLAPPED
century BC, the fortified Lohagad — meaning Iron Fort — is based on a flat-top hill in Western Ghats mountain range and was still in use by successive empires up until the The official said that the THE CHARGES OF MONEY
1800s. The fort is a popular destination for hikers during the monsoon season. — AFP Interpol had slapped the charges LAUNDERING AGAINST THE
of money laundering against the FUGITIVE DIAMANTAIRE,
fugitive diamantaire, as levelled by
AS LEVELLED BY
Lynchings: Damages announced, 23 held Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The RCN against Nirav Modi
contains his photograph, personal
details such as the date of birth and the
ENFORCEMENT
DIRECTORATE

MUMBAI: With the lynching of
five mendicants (bhikshus) on
Sunday threatening to snowball
into a controversy, the Maharashtra
government on Monday announced a
compensation of Rs 500,000 to the kin
of each victim, and other assistance
while at least 23 suspects were arrested.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
while making the announcement
of compensation, appealed to the
people not to get misled by rumour-
mongering on social media and to
approach police for help instead of
taking the law in their hands.
Simultaneously, police in Dhule
arrested at least 23 people in connection
with the lynching of the five persons
in a public place in Rainpada tribal
village on Sunday afternoon, sending
shockwaves across the state. They have
been remanded to police custody till
July 6.
All closely related, the victims hailed
from Solapur district and belong to
the nomadic ‘Nath Gosavi’. They were
identified as Dadarao Shankar Bhosale,
Gram Panchayat office.
Earlier on Monday, their kin
refused to accept the bodies but were
later convinced by the Dhule Collector
Rahul Rekhavar and Superintendent
of Police M Ramkumar. The bodies are
en route to Solapur for the final rites,
said a police official.
“What can we say.. We are poor
people, and we have lost everything,
even our sole breadwinners. All we
want is justice for our people,” said
a grieving Santosh Bhosale, son of
Dadarao, one of the victims.
The families have demanded a case
Village leaders speaking to the relatives of men killed in a lynching incident in of murder and abetment to murder
Dhule district, some 330 km from Mumbai, on Sunday. — AFP be lodged against the sarpanch of
Rainpada as the attack took place in
Bharat Shankar Bhosale, Raju Bhosale Pimpalner. the gram panchayat office and the
and Bharat Malve of Khave village and When they deboarded in Rainapada cases be tried in a fast track court.
Anagu Ingole of Manewadi village — village, a weekly tent-market was The opposition Congress and
both located in the Mangalvede tehsil underway and one of them was espied Nationalist Congress Party have
of Solapur. speaking with a young girl. condemned the incident in strong
They were part of a larger group This led to rumours that they words, barely two days before the
which had come by a state transport could be child-kidnappers and a large upcoming Monsoon Session of the
bus from Solapur to Dhule to set number of villagers attacked them legislature due to start in Nagpur this
up their camps on the outskirts of with sticks, stones and bricks near the week. — IANS
charges against him.
However, the pictures and personal
details of Nirav Modi’s brother Nishal
and his company’s executive Parab was
not visible in the Interpol’s website.
A CBI source said that the personal
details and the pictures of the two
would soon be updated in their website.
He said that the Interpol would also
issue the RCN against Choksi in next
three to four days.
According to agency officials, with
the RCN issued against the three, now
they can be arrested by any of the 192
member countries of the Interpol,
after which extradition or deportation
proceedings can begin. The ED and the
CBI had written to the Interpol in June
to issue the RCN against the jeweller.
On June 11, the CBI first
approached the Interpol to issue the
RCN. On June 13, it again approached
to issue an RCN against Nishal Modi, a
Belgian national, and Parab.
Earlier, the CBI tried to track
Nirav’s movements through a diffusion
notice issued to six countries — the US,
Singapore, Belgium, the UAE, the UK
and France — through the Interpol on
February 15, but only the UK replied
with details about his movements to
and from London’s Heathrow Airport
till March 31.
According to the information
from the UK, Nirav managed to travel
across several countries — US, Hong
Kong, France and the UK — even after
the Indian government informed the
Interpol that his passport had been
revoked.
The CBI sent the request to the
Interpol after it filed the first charge-
sheet naming Nirav Modi, Nishal and
Parab, besides 18 others in a special
court in Mumbai on May 14.
The CBI filed three FIRs between
January and March to probe the
PNB fraud. Most of the accused are
common to these cases. The fraud was
committed during 2011-17 by illegally
issuing Letters of Undertaking (LoUs)
and Foreign Letters of Credit (FLCs).
— IANS

31 tmcft Cauvery
IN BRIEF water for TN Delhi police explore occult angle in deaths of 11 family members
NEW DELHI: The Cauvery Water NEW DELHI: A day after 11 members behind their backs. talked about how the human body is adding that autopsy reports were

SFI activist killed in Management Authority, which held

its first meeting on Monday amidst
of a family were found mysteriously
dead at their Delhi home, police were
The exact cause of death and the
motive behind them has not been
temporary, ways to attaining salvation
and overcoming fear by covering the
awaited.
The dead included two brothers
Kerala, 3 in custody reports of Karnataka planning to
appeal in the Supreme Court against
investigating the possibility of a link to established, police said, although eyes and mouth — a strong similarity and their families. Police earlier said it
“mystical” or “occult” practices. robbery was ruled out as there was no to the condition in which the bodies could be mass murder by one member
KOCHI: An SFI member was stabbed its formation, directed Karnataka to
release about 31 tmcft water to Tamil Ten members from the extended loss of property. were found. of the family, who then committed
to death while two others were injured
when two student groups got into a Nadu in July. family were found hanging from the A police statement said hand- “It appears to be mass suicide. We suicide.
late night brawl over graffiti space on “The quantum of water which ceiling at their home in the Burari written notes found in the house are investigating whether mystical The deaths perplexed the police
the walls of the Maharaja’s College has been in the tribunal award after area, while a 77-year-old woman was pointed at the observance of “definite or occult practices were behind the and sent shock waves in the capital
here, police said on Monday. adjusting whatever has been the found on the floor. spiritual/mystical practices” that deaths, influences on the family or as locals said the family was happy
Kerala Police has taken three surplus in the month of June that Most of the dead were blindfolded could have a link to the deaths. if it was connected to some group or and well-integrated with the
members of Campus Front into would be released by Karnataka,”
and gagged with their hands tied Police officers said the notes cult,” police officer Vinit Kumar said, neighbourhood. — dpa
custody and are on the lookout for Central Water Commission (CWC) and
about a dozen other suspects who CWMA Chairman S Masood Husain
got into a fight at the state-funded told reporters after the meeting.
institute. As per the tribunal’s order, the
The dead activist of the Students tentative monthly deliveries during a
Federation of India was identified as
Abhimanyu, 19. He was a second year
Chemistry student hailing from Idukki.
Trouble started when the SFI and
normal year indicate 34 tmcft water
to be released to Tamil Nadu in July.
Officials at CWC inform that the excess
water received by Tamil Nadu in June
Keeping Delhi cool, one ice block at a time
Campus Front activists wanted to put due to good monsoon was excess by
up their wall graffitis ahead of the more than 3 tmcft. NOIDA: Keeping people cool in point than ordinary water and is
commencement of the new academic Husain said the first meeting of Delhi’s baking summer is hot work — chilled with ammonia.
year. According to SFI state president the authority was held in a “cordial just ask Shreeram Yadav, supervisor The containers are then taken
Sachin Dev, the incident occurred atmosphere” and it marked a historic at a factory supplying the capital with out and workers extract the ice
around midnight. moment after a long period of tonnes of ice per day. blocks, each weighing around 50
“Many Campus Front activists had litigation. The meeting was attended
Yadav toils away alongside fifty kilogrammes.
come from outside and they created by all four party states — Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. other workers inside a dark and humid “The whole capacity of the tanks
a ruckus.”
hangar in Noida just outside the city, is 1,100 slabs of ice. It takes 55 litres
rushing to meet booming demand of water to fill one tank and get one
Four Orthodox priests booked for abuse from the markets and small shops slab of ice,” says Babloo, the factory’s
serving Delhi’s 20 million inhabitants. manager.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Police’s Crime Branch, probing the case
“Some will buy 50 blocks, some will “There are coils in the tanks, and
of alleged sexual exploitation of a woman by some priests of the Kottayam-
headquartered Malankara Orthodox Church, on Tuesday registered an FIR against buy 10, some five, some 25,” he said, the motor keeps rotating the salt water
four priests on the victim’s complaint. taking a break from the back-breaking inside. The temperature has to be 10
Inspector General of Police S Sreejith, who led the probe team, said that the FIR work. degrees Fahrenheit (minus 12 degrees
charging the four priests with rape has been filed, while clarifying on the number of “They go everywhere, and they’re Celsius) to freeze the water,” Yadav
the accused. sold in different quantities. We sell explains.
“It was true that in the initial news reports there were five priests, but in her it to the distributors, and then the Labourers load ice blocks into a transportation van in an ice factory in Noida, some Once extracted, the blocks are
complaint, only four of them have been named,” he said. 20 km east of New Delhi. — AFP
distributors sell them in pieces.” moved and slid about with large metal
He said that the woman will now be asked to give a statement before a
magistrate and then again the probe team will sit to decide the next course of action. The process is anything but state- tongs along the floor into the back of
“At the moment, arrests of the four might not happen, as there are formalities and of-the-art. Workers first fill up large the outside, with filtered water. for 24 hours in large tanks filled with clients’ waiting refrigerated lorries, each
procedures to be undertaken,” Sreejith added. — IANS rectangular containers, a bit rusty on Once sealed the vessels are placed salt water, which has a lower freezing chunk costing 130 rupees. — AFP
 analysis
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8 9
Health is definitely the wealth of a nation
irth of a child is joy. The sound of a At the event that day, their eyes stage with his/her story along with the any treatment.

B
child crying as he learns to breathe on
his own is pleasing to the ears of parents
and doctors.
Indeed, the first cry is nature’s lesson
to the child to breathe on his own.
The parents I came across at an
event held to mark the milestone
of performing 1,500 bone marrow
transplants had a different expression
all-together.
There was relief in their eyes. They
were parents of children who had
gone through successful bone marrow
transplants.
It must have been devastating for
them to realise their child is unable to
produce blood normally. Having found
a candidate within the family with
LAKSHMI KOTHANETH matching blood group for treating the
lakshmiobserver@gmail.com child must have come as a huge relief
for them.
twinkled as their child walked on stage
with a “spring in his step” along with the
donor, in most cases a sibling or in other
instances, one of the parents.
They were on stage, dancing to music
and celebrating life. Life that many
people often take for granted. But for
the survivors who were celebrating, it
was their second chance.
Some of the little ones probably may
not even know what they went through
so early in their lives, just like the boy
who was asking his mother for another
balloon at the celebration.
Yet, there was a nine-year-old bright
boy who came and thanked his doctors
while paying a special tribute to his
unknown donor from Germany. The
youngster explained the importance of
donors for a bone marrow transplant.
His parents looked on with pride.
donors, tears flowed down the faces of
Health checkups several members of the audience.
ought to be part There are moments when it seems
of our lifestyle, the world is complete but it has puzzles
for us to solve. Here we are experiencing
according to problems and at times questioning our
medical experts. existence only to find there are others
That includes even working on outcomes that are positive.
That brings us to the question —
nutrition and diet Living aside what fate throws at life, how
because a lack of will we be able to define ourselves? Are
balanced diet can we problem-solvers or are we part of the
have an impact on problem?
It seems when it comes to health,
the mind as well there is a question we should ask
ourselves. “How healthy are we?”
For many of us, that very thought
They were in a different frame of mind can cause anxiety. This is what health
because “there was a future” they could experts have to say, “The earlier the
plan together for their young son. diagnosis, quicker the recovery.” It is the
Each time a survivor came on quality of life that is the main focus of
In other words, health checkups
ought to be part of our lifestyle,
according to the medical experts. That
includes even nutrition and diet because
a lack of balanced diet can have an
impact on the mind as well.
It seems this is another part of our
complex world consisting all answers,
but it is for us to find out what the
questions are, in the first place.
The entire process of finding the right
questions and answers requires us to
have our quiet moments to reflect. But
one thing is for sure: the world needs
more technology and research to solve
health issues via research on stem cells
to genetics to mysteries of the mind.
That also definitely means more
donors for bone marrow. There is so
much more each one of can do.
Here’s to health.

Portugal a European nation

that wants more migrants
THOMAS CABRAL
nlike most European nations, who are trying to reduce the
influx of migrants, Portugal is bucking the trend by looking to

U
immigration as a way to counter its declining population.
“We need more immigration and we won’t tolerate any
xenophobic rhetoric,” Prime Minister Antonio Costa told activists
at a party conference in May, drawing resounding applause.
Portugal was one of the first that volunteered to take in some
of the migrants on board the Lifeline, a rescue ship which had
been stranded at sea since June 21 after Italy refused it safe
harbour.
As European leaders struggled to reach a deal at a summit last
week over who should take in migrants rescued off the coast of
North Africa, Portugal’s socialist government was already taking
steps to make itself a more attractive destination.
“It was a very difficult summit and the apparent consensus
reached in the deal did not hide the deep divisions which are
today threatening the European Union,” Costa said after leaving
the summit.
And Friday’s election of former Portuguese minister Antonio
Vitorino as head of the International Organization for Migration
“demonstrates the great importance that Portugal places on
dialogue about the issue,” the foreign ministry said.
Costa, whose father was a well-known communist writer
descended from an aristocratic family in the former Portuguese
colony of Goa in India, has made reviving the declining
population a key element of his political programme.
And it will be a central issue for him as the country heads into

Crime, Trump: new Mexican president’s inbox
YUSSEL GONZALEZ
nti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel
Lopez Obrador won a resounding victory
elections next year in which Costa is the frontrunner.
According to studies quoted by the government, Portugal
needs at least 75,000 new residents every year simply to maintain
a stable working population, which today numbers just 10.4
director of the Center for Economic and million people.
Policy Research in Washington. In this context, the government on Thursday adopted a raft of
From corruption to “But he has made it clear that he wants new regulatory measures to simplify the procedures for getting a

A
in Mexico’s presidential election on
Sunday, but he won’t have much time to
celebrate.
From endemic corruption to record
crime, from a lacklustre economy to the
phenomenon that is Donald Trump,
the man known as ‘AMLO’ inherits a
messy to-do list when he takes office on
December 1.
Lopez Obrador vowed in his victory
speech to change the government’s
current strategy for fighting the country’s
powerful drug cartels.
The blowback from the military
crackdown the authorities launched in
2006 has been enormous.
Fragmented cartels battling each other
and the authorities have unleashed a wave
of violence. Last year, a record 25,000
people were murdered.
Obrador promised to combat “the root
causes of violent crime,” citing inequality
and poverty — though his speech was
short on details.
But the violence is unlikely to end
soon, said Mike Vigil, former head of
international operations for the US Drug
Enforcement Administration.
“Criminal groups are fighting each
other for control of opium poppy crops,
heroin distribution networks, and I think
the violence won’t decrease for a long
while,” he said.
The keys, he said, will be training local
police forces and rooting out corrupt
officials who are allied with the cartels.
This is Lopez Obrador’s number one
issue.
Outgoing President Enrique Pena
Nieto’s government and party were
mired in a seemingly bottomless series of
record crime, from a
lacklustre economy
to the phenomenon
that is Donald
Trump, the man
known as ‘AMLO’
inherits a messy
to-do list when he
takes office
scandals.
Obrador calls corruption the root of all
Mexico’s evils, from inequality to poverty
to violence.
“The issue of corruption was the
outlet where much of Mexican society’s
dissatisfaction was channelled,” said
Arturo Sanchez of the Technological
University of Monterrey.
“People will be expecting immediate
results.”
Mexico’s relations with its powerful
neighbour the United States have been
rocky since President Donald Trump won
the White House in 2016, on a platform
that featured anti-Mexican insults and
promises to build a massive border wall.
Obrador has lashed out at Trump in
the past, vowing to “put him in his place”.
But he said in his victory speech he
wanted a relationship of “friendship and
cooperation”.
Trump meanwhile tweeted he was
“very much looking forward to working
with” Obrador.
“AMLO is not going to pay for the wall,
that’s for sure,” said Mark Weisbrot, co-
good relations with the US.”
Latin America’s second-largest
economy, after Brazil, has had lacklustre
growth in recent years.
And Obrador faces deep scepticism
from the business sector — though both
sides extended tentative olive branches on
Sunday.
The president-elect vowed to pursue
market-friendly policies, while the head
of the Business Coordinating Council,
Juan Pablo Castanon, pledged to “work
together... to build an agenda for stability,
trust and development.”
Among the stickiest issues on the
economic to-do list: the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the
United States and Canada, which Trump
insisted on renegotiating.
Negotiators from the three countries
failed to strike a deal before the elections,
and may now have to start over with a
new, trade-sceptical Mexican president in
charge.
The deal is crucial for Mexico, which
sends some 80 per cent of its exports to
the United States.
The ongoing NAFTA talks are expected
to resume this month and run into 2019.
“Reaching some sort of deal will
depend mostly on the US softening its
stance and abandoning some of its most
controversial proposals,” said consulting
firm Eurasia Group.
Trump has also lashed out over the
issue of Mexican and Central American
migrants arriving in the United States.
His administration’s “zero-tolerance”
policy on undocumented migrants and
separation of migrant families have newly
strained ties. — AFP
visa for students or those wanting to create a start-up.
It also opened the way to regularise the status of some 30,000
foreign nationals who arrived legally in Portugal but do not have
any authorisation to work.
During the three years of recession which followed the
financial crisis of 2011, more than 300,000 Portuguese left
in search of a better standard of living, many of them young
university graduates.
Last year, the Portuguese authorities issued 61,400 new
residency permits, an increase of 31 per cent from 2016. — AFP
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europe
10 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8
May gets new customs idea
as party bickers over Brexit
LONDON: British Prime Minister
Theresa May’s advisers have come
up with a new proposal for handling
customs with the EU after Brexit as
lawmakers in her party bicker before
a crunch meeting of senior ministers
on Friday.
With less than nine months
left before the country leaves the
European Union, little is clear about
how trade will flow as May is still
trying to produce a customs plan that
her divided Conservative Party can
agree on.
May, who leads a minority
government dependent on the
support of a small Northern Irish
party, has ruled out staying in the
EU customs union, which groups EU
members in a duty-free area where
there is a common import tariff for
non-EU goods.
So far, May’s advisers have come
up with two options, neither of which
have the full support of her party.
As EU negotiators await the long-
delayed proposal from London, the
BBC reported that British officials
have come up with a third model,
though no details were immediately
available and May’s office declined to
comment on the report.
May will gather the squabbling
ministers at her Chequers country
residence on Friday for an “away-
day” aimed at agreeing the contents
of a “white paper” policy document.
“There is going to be a lot of
speculation between now and
EU opens new legal
case against Poland
over court changes
BRUSSELS: The European Commission
opened a fresh legal case against
Poland on Monday over changes to the
Supreme Court that it fears will further
undermine judicial independence in
the largest ex-communist member of
the bloc.
The European Union’s executive arm
gave Poland a month to respond, which
means it will not stop changes entering
into force on Tuesday under which
one-third of Supreme Court judges will
retire unless granted an extension by
President Andrzej Duda, an ally of the
ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party.
“The Commission is of the opinion
that these measures undermine the
principle of judicial independence,
including the irremovability of judges,”
it said in a statement.
The Commission has challenged
several changes to Poland’s judiciary
since the nationalist PiS won power
in late 2015, saying they weaken
democratic checks and balances. The
government says they are needed to
reform a system which dates back to
communist times.
“This law is currently binding and
we will not be changing anything here,”
Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz
said on Monday. — Reuters
France seeks gangster, and answers, after helicopter jailbreak
PARIS: The French government
admitted possible security failings on
Monday after a notorious gangster
used a helicopter to stage the second
brazen jailbreak of a crime career
inspired by films such as “Scarface”.
The latest dramatic escape by
Redoine Faid, who had multiple
convictions for armed robbery, has
left French authorities red-faced, and a
manhunt involving some 2,900 officers
has been launched to track him down.
The 46-year-old movie buff was
sprung from a prison near Paris by two
accomplices who used smoke bombs
and angle grinders to break through
doors and whisk him to a waiting
helicopter.
Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet
told Europe 1 radio that she had sent a
team of inspectors to the prison “to see
whether the security measures were
defective so that we can rectify them”.
She suggested that Faid had been
left in the same prison for too long,
giving the serial fugitive, who had
Chequers, some of it might even be
true, but I’m not going to engage in
it in advance of the away day taking
place,” May’s spokesman said when
asked about the third option.
Ahead of the away-day, May will
meet German Chancellor Angela
Merkel in Berlin on Thursday.
Brussels has poured scorn on
both concepts raised so far by the
government. Under one, Britain
would collect tariffs on imports
from outside the bloc on the EU’s
behalf. The other would implement a
technology-based plan.
Asked whether the white paper
would contain a range of policy
options or a settled government
position, May’s spokesman said: “I
would expect it to set out what we
want to achieve.”
Under the current timetable, both
London and Brussels are working
towards a final Brexit deal in October
to give enough time to ratify it by
Brexit day in March 2019.
— Reuters
RE-ENACTING BATTLE
Military enthusiasts take part in a re-enactment of a World War II battle on the eve of Independence Day at the ‘Stalin Line’ memorial
near the village of Goroshki, Belarus, on Monday. — Reuters
professed to have reformed, time to
plot his escape.
“We must be careful not to leave the
same people in the same places for too
long when we’re dealing with this type
of individual,” she said.
The two accomplices hijacked the
helicopter on Sunday by posing as
aspiring students at a flight school,
ordering a terrified instructor to
pick up a third accomplice before
continuing on to the prison.
On arrival at the high-security
facility in Reau the pilot headed
towards the courtyard — the only
part of the prison not fitted with anti-
helicopter nets.
Two black-clad men armed with
assault rifles then alighted and set off
smoke bombs before breaking into the
visiting room, where Faid was talking
to his brother.
The wardens, who were unarmed,
fled and raised the alarm. But within
10 minutes Faid was gone, with his
fellow inmates reportedly cheering as
Malta detains second charity
ship as death toll at sea rises
PERILOUS JOURNEY: Two shipwrecks have claimed lives of 200 people in recent days
VALLETTA: For the second time in
a week, Malta on Monday detained
a humanitarian vessel that normally
rescues boat migrants off the coast
of Libya, where two shipwrecks have
claimed the lives of as many as 200
people in recent days.
The Sea Watch 3 vessel, operated by
a German charity, requested to leave
port after undergoing maintenance
and the port authority refused, a Sea
Watch spokeswoman said. The port
authorities said only that the vessel’s
status was under review.
Another humanitarian ship,
Lifeline, was detained last week after
Malta for the first time in years opened
its port to a large number of migrants,
some 230, when Italy refused it safe
haven. A new Italian government
including the League, a far right anti-
immigrant party, took power last
month and has shut Italian ports to
charity ships carrying migrants.
Lifeline’s captain attended a court
hearing in Malta on Monday in
which the prosecutor said the ship
was not properly registered. The
groups operating both ships deny any
wrongdoing.
“They are creating the conditions
This file photo shows guards walking in the Centre Penitentiaire Sud-Francilien
prison in Reau, outside Paris. — AFP
the helicopter lifted off.
Belloubet said on Sunday that the
gang probably used drones to stake out
the seven-year-old prison, which was
built on a site surrounded by fields to
give a clear view in every direction —
specifically to prevent breakouts.
The helicopter was found later in
a northeastern suburb of Paris about
Claus-Peter Reisch, the captain of the charity ship MV Lifeline, leaves the court after
an arraignment on charges related to improper ship registration at the Courts of
Justice in Valletta, Malta on Monday. — Reuters
to make it impossible for non- said. The incidents raised the toll for
governmental groups to operate at this year above 1,000 people lost at sea.
sea,” Sea Watch’s Giorgia Linardi said. The humanitarian groups say
“Against this background, people are they are being wrongly targeted by
dying and no one seems to care.” governments — Malta and Italy —
In two separate incidents, as many that are seeking to stem migrant
as 204 migrants have drowned since arrivals to Europe, and they say the
Friday after being packed into unsafe policy spearheaded by the new Italian
vessels by smugglers, the International government is causing deaths.
Organization for Migration (IOM) has Italy’s far-right interior minister
Putin and Trump will not
discuss Crimea: Kremlin
MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Monday
said Vladimir Putin and Donald
Trump can discuss “all other issues”
except Crimea, the peninsula
Moscow annexed from Ukraine in
2014, at their highly anticipated first
summit this month.
Putin has “repeatedly stated and
explained that Crimea cannot be and
will never be on the agenda because
it is an inseparable part of Russia,”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov
told reporters.
“All other issues are ones of
consensus, discussion and finding
possible points of contact,” he added.
Peskov also said that while
Moscow and Washington “differ”
on “many” issues, “political will
has prevailed and understanding is
growing.”
On Saturday, Trump refused to
rule out accepting Russia’s annexation
of Crimea when he meets Putin for a
first one-on-one summit of the two
leaders in Helsinki on July 16.
Asked by reporters whether he was
Investigators are looking into
whether Faid, who had been at the
Reau prison since November, had
inside help.
Journalist Jerome Pierrat, who co-
wrote a book with Faid about his life,
told the Parisien newspaper he was a
“charmer” who was popular with his
guards and had even lunched with
prison officials after a previous stint
behind bars.
Born into a family of 11 brothers
in the gritty Paris suburb of Creil, Faid
dabbled in crime from an early age,
stealing a supermarket trolley filled
with sweets at the age of six.
By the age of 12 he had found what
60 kilometres from the prison, along he called his “vocation”: he would
with the pilot, who had been beaten become a robber.
and was taken to hospital in a state of After starting out as a small-time
shock. drug trafficker the smooth talker, who
The men then continued their described his rise from petty criminal
getaway by car, changing vehicles to crime boss in two books, specialised
along the way from a hatchback found in cash-in-transit heists.
burnt out in a shopping mall carpark “He liked adrenalin and wanted to
to a white van. be like the big guys,” a police officer
says the rescue ships are colluding
with Libyan smugglers, a charge never
proven in court and denied by the
rescuers. Malta said last week it would
no longer provide logistical support to
the vessels under the suspicion they
were acting illegally.
The flow of migrants into Europe
has abated since a 2015 peak, with
the number attempting the dangerous
sea crossing from North Africa to
Italy falling to tens of thousands from
hundreds of thousands. The other
main route, from Turkey to Greece,
used by more than a million people in
2015, was shut two years ago.
But the journey by land through
the Sahara and then across the
Mediterranean remains world’s
deadliest migration route, and as
polarising as ever in European politics.
In addition to Italy, anti-immigrant
parties are now firmly entrenched in
the ex-Communist states of central
Europe and won seats in the German
parliament for the first time since the
1940s last year.
In Germany, the issue threatens to
bring down Angela Merkel’s ruling
coalition.
— Reuters
considering — as has been reported
— dropping Washington’s opposition
to the 2014 land grab, Trump said:
“We’re going to have to see.”
Trump’s refusal to reaffirm the
long-standing US opposition to
Russia’s intervention in Ukraine will
dismay European allies ahead of next
month’s Nato summit on July 11, just
days before his meeting with Putin.
Accepting that Crimea is never to
return to Ukrainian control would
be a major concession to Russia,
which is languishing under tough
international trade sanctions over its
actions.
In early 2014, with areas of
Ukraine falling into chaos in the wake
of a Kiev street revolt that ousted
a pro-Russian president, Russian
troops — in unmarked uniforms —
seized Crimea.
A referendum was called in the
territory, which has a large Russian-
speaking population, and on March
18, 2014 Russia formally annexed it
to the Russian federation. — AFP
said. Along the way, police sources
said, Faid picked up some tricks from
former soldiers in Israel, where he hid
out from the law on one occasion and
said he dreamed of living.
Faid also claimed to have learned
from Hollywood heist movies, writing
that he had watched the 1995 film
“Heat” starring Al Pacino and Robert
De Niro dozens of times to make
notes.
His latest escape comes five years
after he blasted his way out of a prison
in northern France, using dynamite to
blow up five doors.
Faid briefly took four guards
hostage with a pistol before escaping
in a getaway car but was recaptured six
weeks later at a hotel on the outskirts
of Paris.
In 2017 he was sentenced to 10
years over the escape, which earned
him a cult following in the tough
suburbs where he grew up, and 18
years for an attack on an armoured car
in 2011. — AFP

Chancellor Angela Merkel takes a folder out of her bag prior to a parliamentary
group meeting of the conservative CDU/CSU union, at the Bundestag (lower
house of parliament) in Berlin, on Monday. — AFP
Merkel meets Seehofer
as asylum row threatens
German coalition
BERLIN: Chancellor Angela Merkel
and her dissenting Interior Minister
Horst Seehofer met on Monday
afternoon in an attempt to hammer
out potential solutions to the asylum
row that is threatening to topple
Germany’s coalition government.
The meeting, also attended by
Parliamentary Speaker Wolfgang
Schaeuble, comes amid a last-ditch
push by Merkel to appease Seehofer
on migration policy, after he offered
his resignation on Sunday over her
refusal to introduce tougher controls
at Germany’s borders.
Leaders from Merkel’s conservative
Christian Democrats (CDU) and their
more hardline Bavarian partners, the
Christian Social Union (CSU),were
originally set to meet at 5 pm (1500
GMT) in Berlin to see if a migration
policy can be agreed upon. That
meeting has since been delayed.
If no compromise is found, the
decades-old CDU-CSU alliance
could break up, robbing Merkel’s
government of its parliamentary
majority and imperilling her three-
way coalition, which also includes the
Social Democrats (SPD).
Seehofer wants Germany to
unilaterally turn away migrants at the
border who have already registered
elsewhere in the European Union. He
has indicated that he could be willing
to remain as interior minister if the
CDU backs down on its opposition to
such measures.
Merkel is adamant that a common
EU solution to reduce so-called
secondary migration must be found,
arguing that Seehofer’s policy would
undermine the bloc’s core principle
of free movement and weaken EU
solidarity.
Both the SPD and the opposition
Greens have said they are prepared
for all outcomes, including fresh
elections.
Trump lawyer Cohen says family, US have his ‘first loyalty’
WASHINGTON: US President
Donald Trump’s longtime personal
lawyer Michael Cohen, in a television
interview aired on Monday, declared
his loyalty to his family and the United
States and said he would fight back if
the president or his legal team tried to
discredit him.
Cohen’s comments to ABC News
signalled that he may abandon Trump
and cooperate with prosecutors
investigating his business dealings.
“I will not be a punching bag as part
of anyone’s defence strategy,” Cohen
said in the interview, which was taped
during the weekend. “I am not a villain
of this story and I will not allow others
to try to depict me that way.”
The comments to ABC were
If no compromise is
found, the decades-
old CDU-CSU
alliance could break
up, robbing Merkel’s
government of
its parliamentary
majority and
imperilling her three-
way coalition
Last week, it seemed Merkel’s hand
had been strengthened when she
pulled an EU deal migration out of
the hat at a Brussels summit, as well
as moves towards bilateral agreements
to return secondary migrants arriving
in Germany.
Yet Seehofer dug his heels in, saying
the deals would not be as effective as
his proposals.
CDU sources said that Merkel
rejected a compromise suggested
by Seehofer on Saturday that would
entail turning away only migrants
who had formally submitted asylum
requests in other countries.
On Monday, however, the CDU
expressed willingness to make further
concessions, saying in a statement
issued after an emergency meeting
that it was still “hoping for an
agreement on a joint approach.”
Meanwhile, Seehofer’s hardline
stance seems not to have resonated
with the German public as he may
have hoped.
More than two-thirds of Germans
(69 per cent) support Merkel’s bid to
find an EU solution to the problem
of irregular migration instead of the
unilateral path demanded by Seehofer,
according to a survey. — dpa
Cohen’s comments to
ABC News signalled
that he may abandon
Trump and cooperate
with prosecutors
investigating his
business dealings
Cohen’s his first significant remarks
to a major media outlet since federal
prosecutors in New York raided his
home, office and hotel room in April.
Cohen and his lawyer, Guy Petrillo, did
not immediately respond to Reuters’
request for comment.
Mexico’s Lopez Obrador commits
to NAFTA after landslide win
PROMISE: Obrador says he will pursue a frank dialogue and friendly relations with US
MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s next
president, Andres Manuel Lopez
Obrador, said on Monday he will seek
to remain in NAFTA along with the
United States and Canada and that
he respects the existing Mexican team
renegotiating the trade pact.
Lopez Obrador won a landslide
election victory on Sunday, getting
more than double the votes of his
nearest rival, dealing a resounding
blow to establishment parties and
becoming the first leftist to win the
Mexican presidency since one-party
rule ended in 2000.
“We are going to accompany
the current government in this
negotiation, we are going to be very
respectful, and we are going to support
the signing of the agreement,” he told
Milenio TV in an telephone interview,
saying the aim was a deal on the North
Atlantic Free Trade Agreement that
was good for Mexico.
He also said he would pursue a
frank dialogue and friendly relations
with the United States. Lopez Obrador,
who will take office in December,
said he would discuss NAFTA with
President Enrique Pena Nieto in their
first meeting after the election, set for
Tuesday.
US President Donald Trump has
been openly antagonistic to Mexico
over trade and migration since his
own presidential campaign. The
current NAFTA talks began last year
after Trump called for the agreement
to be renegotiated to better serve US
interests.
Although Trump congratulated
Lopez Obrador in a Twitter message on
Sunday night, a White House aide then
reiterated one of the US leader’s most
controversial campaign promises.
US man hurts nine in stabbing
spree at kid’s birthday party
WASHINGTON: A man went on a
stabbing spree at a toddler’s birthday
party at a low-income apartment
complex for refugees in the US state
of Idaho, wounding nine people
including six children, police said on
Sunday.
The attack was apparently
motivated by revenge after the man,
identified by police as Timmy Kinner
(pictured), 30, of Los Angeles, was
asked to leave the residence in the
state capital Boise on Friday.
He was not a refugee himself
but had been staying with an
acquaintance for a few days,
police chief Bill Bones told a news
conference.
He then returned on Saturday
night to “exact vengeance,” first
targeting the children attending a
three-year-old’s birthday party, then
the adults who tried to protect them.
The children ranged in age from
President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen (C) leaves the US Court
house in New York on April 26. — AFP file photo
Documents and files were seized
from Cohen as part of an investigation
Lopez Obrador cheers his supporters at the Zocalo Square after winning general elections, in Mexico City. — AFP
“In the case of Mexico, obviously
we share a border with them (and) this
president has made very clear about
building that wall and having Mexico
pay for it,” Kellyanne Conway said on
Fox News.
Mexican politicians across the
political spectrum have long said
that Mexico will not pay for Trump’s
proposed wall along the southern US
border, which he has said is needed to
keep out both illegal immigrants and
narcotics.
Lopez Obrador has said he wants
to make Mexico more economically
independent of the United States.
At the same time, he also hopes
to persuade Trump to help develop
Mexico and Central America in order
to contain illegal migration.
three to 12 years old. Four of the
victims had life-threatening wounds,
but police did not specify how many
of these were children or adults.
“It appears from the investigation,
it was a matter of where they lived,
not a matter if they knew the suspect,”
Bones added.
Most of the refugees in the
stemming in part from a referral by
the US special counsel office probing
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8
Lopez Obrador, a 64-year-old
former mayor of Mexico City, won
more than 53 per cent of votes
in Sunday’s election, preliminary
results showed. Mexicans also
voted for congressional candidates
and thousands of state and local
government posts.
Lopez Obrador won the biggest
share of the vote in a Mexican
presidential election since the early
1980s, giving him a strong mandate
both to address the country’s domestic
problems and to face external
challenges like the threat of a trade
war with the United States.
In his victory speech and in
comments to local TV networks, Lopez
Obrador sought to assure investors
he would pursue prudent economic
complex are from Syria, Iraq and
Ethiopia.
Kinner, who has been charged
with nine counts of aggravated
battery and six counts of injuring a
child, had previously been convicted
for numerous crimes and served
prison time in Kentucky, said Bones.
Boise, in the southwestern corner
of the western state, has a population
of about 220,000.
The state of Idaho has a small
but growing immigrant population,
accounting for about six per cent of
the total. Immigrants make up some
40 per cent of the labour force in the
farming and fishing sectors.
On Saturday, several thousand
people marched outside the Idaho
State Capitol in Boise to protest the
immigration policies of President
Donald Trump’s administration,
one of many such rallies across the
country. — AFP
possible collusion between Russia and
Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Cohen has not been charged but
made clear his allegiances in the
interview.
“My wife, my daughter and my son
have my first loyalty and always will,”
he said. “I put family and country first.”
Prosecutors are investigating
Cohen for possible bank and tax fraud,
possible campaign law violations
linked to a $130,000 payment to adult
film actress Stormy Daniels, and other
matters related to Trump’s campaign, a
person familiar with the investigation
has said.
Trump has alternately defended
Cohen, expressed outrage over the raid
and distanced himself from the man
world
11
policies and the independence of the
central bank. His economic advisers
repeated this message in a call on
Monday with investors.
Even so, the peso weakened 1 per
cent against the dollar and Mexico’s
S&P/BMV IPC benchmark stock
index was also down almost 1 per cent
as exit polls showed Lopez Obrador’s
MORENA party could win the first
outright majority in Congress in over
20 years.
Pollsters’ early estimates suggested
the party was close to winning the
lower house but farther away in the
Senate.
Rating agency Moody’s said Lopez
Obrador’s election win brought short-
term market volatility and raised risks
for the oil sector. — Reuters
‘Dead’ woman
found alive in
mortuary fridge
JOHANNESBURG: A South
African woman who paramedics
had declared dead after a horrific
car crash was later found alive in
a mortuary fridge, emergency
services said on Monday.
Ambulance service Distress
Alert confirmed that the unnamed
woman had been certified dead
by paramedics at the scene of the
pile-up outside of Carletonville,
southwest of Johannesburg, in the
early hours of June 24.
Mortuary technicians then
found her alive in a morgue fridge
several hours after the crash in
which the victims’ car rolled,
throwing all three occupants clear
of the vehicle, killing two of them.
“We followed our procedures
— we’ve got no idea how
it happened,” Distress Alert
operations manager Gerrit
Bradnick said.
“The crew is absolutely
devastated — we’re not in the
business of declaring living people
dead, we’re in the business of
keeping people alive.” — AFP
who has described himself as a “fixer”
for Trump long before he became
president.
In April Trump blamed news outlets
for trying to destroy his relationship
with Cohen, tweeting that he did
not think he would “flip” allegiances.
Trump later told reporters Cohen did a
small fraction of his overall legal work.
Trump has denied collusion with
Russia, calling the investigation a
witch hunt, while Moscow has denied
election meddling.
Cohen, in the interview,
dismissed Trump’s characterisation
of the investigation and said it was
“unsustainable” to accept Russian
President Vladimir Putin’s denial of
interference. — Reuters
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A fan of Brazil holds a hen as she watches the match between Brazil and Mexico
on a big screen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. — AFP A Mexico fan before the match at the stadium. — Reuters Brazil fans inside the stadium before the match. — Reuters

A Brazil fan watches the match broadcast at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. — Reuters
Fans of Mexico react during the match between Mexico and Brazil during a public event at the Angel de la Independencia Monument in Mexico City. — AFP

Fans inside the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow before the Spain vs Russia match. — Reuters

A Russia’s fan celebrates in central Moscow after Russia won the match against Spain. — AFP Croatia’s supporters celebrate their team’s victory against Denmark on the main square in the Croatian capital Zagreb. — AFP
TUESDAY | JULY 3, 2018 | SHAWWAL 19, 1439 AH

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Khazaen awards RO 2.6 million contract to Atkins

COUNTRY VALUE: The scope of work includes supervising the implementation of the first phase of the infrastructure of Khazaen
BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JULY 2
Khazaen Economic City LLC (KEC),
the master developer of the first
integrated economic city in northern
Oman, has appointed Atkins, a
member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, as
a lead consultant for Khazaen’s master
planning, design and supervision
work, for RO 2.6 million.
Eng Kalat al Bulooshi, Chairman of
KEC said, “We are delighted to appoint
Atkins as the lead consultant for
Khazaen. This is a demonstration of
our approach of entering partnerships
with global firms with a proven track
record in delivering truly outstanding
projects and also implementing true in
country value.
Today’s award of the contracts
comes after months of in-depth
evaluation and discussions with each
of the shortlisted firms. Atkins will
lead the concept master plan and
detailed master plan work for the
project, which is expected to take
around six months to complete”.
Atkins’ scope of work includes
full consultancy services for the
integrated urban planning of the city
covering 51.5 million square metres,
detailed master plan, environmental
assessment, sustainability assessment,
engineering designs for infrastructures
and utilities, preparation and
evaluation of construction tenders
for various infrastructure work of the
ATKINS HAS EXPERTISE
IN DELIVERING MASTER
PLANS AND SITE DESIGNS
FOR A RANGE OF MAJOR
INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
ACROSS THE REGION,
INCLUDING DUQM CITY
FOR SEZAD IN OMAN.
city. The scope of work also includes
supervising the implementation of
the first phase of the infrastructure of
Khazaen.
Al Bulooshi added that the contract
is for five years, and can be extended
for two additional years upon mutual
agreement. The priority will be on
completing the engineering and
design work of about 5 million square
metres area related to the first phase of
the logistics & industrial area, the dry
port, the truck terminal project, the
central fruit and vegetables market and
the central auto market in addition to
the head office of Khazaen.
Marco Malpiedi, Atkins’ managing
director for Oman, added: “It is a
fantastic for us to be retained to
assist Khazaen Economic City. This
is an exciting time to be part of the
realisation of such an important
project in Oman’s economic
expansion, and we are looking forward
to bringing our projects expertise
to this development.” Atkins has
expertise in delivering master plans
and site designs for a range of major
industrial facilities across the region,
including Duqm City for SEZAD in
Oman.
In March 2018, Oman Investment
Corporation SAOC (OIC) and the
Saudi-based Mohammed Ali al
Swailem Group (MASCO) signed
the shareholders’ agreement to set up
KEC as a joint venture for the master
development of Khazaen. OIC owns
the majority stake in the Omani-Saudi
JV developing the new economic
city in northern South Al Batinah
Governorate.
Khazaen is the first and only
integrated economic city within
60 km of Oman’s capital, and the
second integrated economic city
in the Sultanate of Oman after the
Special Economic Zone in Duqm.
KEC will offer attractive investment
opportunities to develop and set
up warehousing, logistics, light and
medium industries, large showrooms
and markets, hotel, residential and
commercial projects, and will provide
a significant boost to economic
development and job creation in
Oman.

Roll-out of Sultanate’s integrated public

transportation system in stages
CONRAD PRABHU
1,486km of paved roads was also undertaken
MUSCAT, JULY 2
in 2017, in addition to around 17,000km of
A strategy for the implementation of an
GROWING NETWORK: graded roads. Furthermore, the ministry
integrated public transportation system for 17 new road projects has kicked off construction work on 21 road
the Sultanate continues to be rolled out in under implementation in projects aggregating 788km in length, in
a phased manner in line with an approved various governorates, he said.
master-plan, according to a high-level
various governorates Following the promulgation of the
BP launches $28 billion official of the Ministry of Transport and
Communications.
Land Transport Law by Royal Decree last
year, a Ministerial Decision setting out the

Azerbaijan gas pipeline Eng Salim bin Mohammed al Nuaimi

BAKU: British petroleum giant BP has started operating
a $28-billion pipeline in Azerbaijan to supply gas to
Turkey and elsewhere in Europe, the company said .
The “Shah Deniz 2” development is “the starting point
for the Southern Gas Corridor series of pipelines that will
for the first time deliver natural gas from the Caspian Sea
direct to European markets,” BP said in a statement.
The pipeline bypasses Russia and has been
supported by the European Union, which is keen to
reduce Europe’s energy dependence on Moscow.
“Together with the Southern Gas Corridor pipeline
system, Shah Deniz 2 will deliver significant new energy
supplies to Europe, further diversifying its sources of
energy,” said BP group chief executive Bob Dudley,
quoted in the statement. — AFP
(pictured), Transport Under-Secretary
at the Ministry of Transport and
Communications, said the strategy has
already led to the introduction of nine
bus routes by state-owned bus operator
Mwasalat within Muscat, with a further 17
routes launched outside of the capital city.
“The ministry continues to deliver on
the master-plan for public transportation
centring on an integrated multimodal system
designed to serve the transportation needs
of the general public, while also helping
alleviate traffic congestion and mitigating
environmental impacts associated with
vehicle use in general,” Al Nuaimi said.
Also as part of the public transport
system, two licenses have been granted
for the operation of public taxi services
— one to Ebtikar IT for the operation and
management of taxis outside 3, 4 and 5-star
hotels, and the other to Mwasalat with a
focus on providing services outside malls
and Muscat International Airport.
In a Q&A that followed a panel discussion
on the upcoming World Congress of the
International Road Union (IRU), due to be
held in Muscat in November, the official
reviewed recent efforts by the ministry in
building a modern road network in the
Sultanate. A comprehensive and well-
maintained road system, he said, was pivotal
to the goal of boosting trade and commerce,
as well as economic development in general.
Despite the rugged terrain, which renders
any road construction work a challenging
pursuit, the ministry has ensured that all
road projects are designed and executed
to internationally approved standards, said
the Under-Secretary. “These standards
are being constantly updated in step with
evolving specs adopted internationally,” he
noted.
In all, 17 asphalt road projects were
completed during 2017 and the first half
of 2018, said Al Nuaimi. Notable is the
Batinah Expressway, an 8-lane carriageway
extending a total distance of 270 kilometres,
he said. Maintenance work covering
executive regulations was issued earlier this
year, said the Under-Secretary, pointing out
that key provisions of these regulations are
currently being implemented.
One such provision calls for the
monitoring of trucks carrying loads above
approved weight limits — a practice that
can potentially damage road surfaces, said
Al Nuaimi. Accordingly, the ministry is
inviting private service providers to invest
in weigh stations along key carriageways
aimed at zeroing in on trucks that ply with
loads above stipulated limits. A number of
weigh stations are proposed to come up at
key locations along the Batinah Expressway
— a tender for which was floated last month,
the official added.
insideoman
business
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Dhofar Generating Co IPO opens for subscription

BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JULY 2
Dhofar Generating Company (DGC)
SAOG (under transformation),
announced the opening of its Initial
Public Offering (IPO) for subscription.
The company is the owner and
operator of the Salalah II IPP and is
currently the largest power supplier
in the Dhofar Governorate. The
founding shareholders are selling
these shares to the public to comply
with their obligations in the Project
Founders Agreement signed with the
Government of Oman.
DGC is offering 88,896,000 offer
shares at a price of 259 baisas per
Offer Share (comprising a nominal
value of 100 baisas, premium of 157
baisas and offer expenses of 2 baisas
per offer share). The IPO represents an
offer of 40 per cent of the share capital
of the company.
The IPO opened for subscription
on July 1, 2018 and will close on
July 30, 2018. The IPO is open for
subscription to Omani and non-
Omani investors including individual
and institutional investors. In the IPO,
65 per cent of the shares made available
for subscription have been reserved
for investors applying for a minimum
of 1,000 shares and a maximum of
100,000 shares, and 35 per cent of the
shares have been reserved for investors
applying for a minimum of 100,001
shares up to a maximum of 8,889,600
shares.
At the IPO price, the company
offers an average projected dividend
yield of 7 per cent for the first five
years (excluding issue expenses). The
first dividend of 9 baisas per share is
expected to be paid in February 2019
and 9 baisas per share to be paid
in August 2019 with twice yearly
dividend declaration thereafter. At the
offer price, the company offers an IRR
of 11 per cent — 13 per cent to the
investors.
Bank Dhofar — Investment
Banking Division is the ‘Issue Manager’
and EFG Hermes UAE Limited is the
‘Global Coordinator and Bookrunner’
for the transaction.
DGC (or Salalah II IPP) comprises
of two power generation plants with a
combined contracted capacity of 718
MW, located at Raysut in the Dhofar
Governorate of the Sultanate of Oman.
The original plant, which commenced
commercial operations in 2003 has a
THE COMPANY IS NOW
THE LARGEST POWER
SUPPLIER IN THE DHOFAR
GOVERNORATE, WITH
ITS TOTAL CONTRACTED
POWER CAPACITY
REPRESENTING 61.74
PER CENT OF THE TOTAL
CONTRACTED CAPACITY
IN THE DHOFAR
POWER SYSTEM
contracted capacity of 273 MW. The
founding shareholders acquired DGC
in June 2015. A second new 445 MW
plant was developed by DGC with
commercial operations commencing
as per schedule on January 1, 2018.
The company is now the largest
power supplier in the Dhofar
Governorate, with its total contracted
power capacity representing
approximately 61.74 per cent of the
total contracted capacity in the Dhofar
Power System. The company has a
world-class safety record with zero LTI
since acquisition featured with stable
and efficient growth while achieving
69.2 per cent Omanisation.
The founders of the Company
are well reputed global leaders with
an established track record in the
global and regional power industry:
Mitsui & Co Ltd, ACWA Power and
Dhofar International Development &
Investment Holding Company SAOG.
On the occasion of the opening of
the IPO, Naif al Awaid, CEO of DGC
commented, “The DGC IPO is a
compelling investment opportunity in
a company that is powering Dhofar —
one of the largest governorates of the
Sultanate of Oman. It also promises to
take DGC into the next level of success.
The company benefits from a marquee
shareholder group, robust agreements
with the government including OPWP
and the umbrella of the AER, with
stable and predictable cash flows that
support the strong investment case.
The Company also benefits from fully
operating assets, with no construction
and commissioning risk, and a strong
track record of safety, reliability and
localisation.”

Oxy Oman funds public Meethaq concludes ‘Little Investor’ programme

park in Hamra Al Duroo
BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JULY 2
As part of its long-term commitment
to serve the local community in
Oman, Occidental Oman (Oxy
Oman) will construct the first
public park in Hamra Al Duroo in
Ibri Wilayat. In collaboration and
coordination with the Ministry of
Regional Municipalities and Water
Resources (MRMWR) Occidental
Oman will build the park and hand it
over as a gift to the people of Hamra
Al Duroo.
In order to coordinate the
efforts, a sponsorship agreement
was signed between Occidental
Oman and MRMWR yesterday. The
signing ceremony was held at the
headquarters of Occidental Oman
under the auspices of Shaikh Saif bin
Himyar al Shihhi, Governor of Al
Dhahirah, and was attended by the
Deputy Wali of Hamra Al Duroo,
Shaikh Hamad bin Sultan al Busaidi.
Abdullah bin Mohammed al Siyabi,
Director of Ibri Municipality and
Stephen Kelly, President and General
Manager of Occidental Oman were
signatories for their respective
organisations.
Under this agreement, the
construction of the park will be
carried out under the supervision of
MRMWR, which will also operate
and maintain the park upon the
completion of the construction.
The park will cover a total area of
7,018 square metres and will consist
of landscaped areas, children’s play
areas, shaded sitting areas and paved
walkways, as well as permanent
structures such as toilets, prayer
rooms and a coffee shop. The park
will be planted with natural grass,
palm trees, shade trees and flowers.
“This initiative is one of many
carried out by Occidental Oman in
its endeavour to strengthen its social
ties with the local community where
we operate. We present this gift to
the community of Hamra Al Duroo
as a token of being a good neighbour
and we hope that it will be a popular
gathering area for families to socialize
and children to enjoy themselves and
play,” said Stephen Kelly of Occidental
Oman.
MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic
banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, in step with
the bank’s vision ‘To serve you better, everyday’
and commitment to promoting sustainable
development, successfully concluded the 2018
‘Little Investor’ programme for school students all
governorates in the Sultanate. With the conclusion
of the programme, a total of over 10,500 students
have been trained in financial literacy across the
Sultanate.
The ‘Little Investor’ financial literacy programme
succeeded in organising over 370 session covering
over 130 schools, with the contribution of over
170 teachers and the participation of over 140 the Ministry of Education and Injaz Oman. The
volunteers. Targeting school students, the ‘Little programme aimed at developing a healthy savings
Investor’ financial literacy programme was habit as well as entrepreneurial skills from an
launched last year by Meethaq, in association with early age, which was notably recognised after the
BUSINESS ALERT
Bank anytime, anywhere with
Maisarah Mobile Banking App
MUSCAT: Maisarah Islamic Banking Services’
Mobile Banking App continues to offer its
customers an enhanced banking experience. The
App, which is the most convenient and easy way to
stay connected to the bank, delivers a bouquet of
outstanding features.
With an intention to continue leveraging
technology to provide a world-class banking
experience to its customers, Maisarah Mobile
Banking App has been designed to offer various benefits.
The instant and convenient way of banking app, which is available to all
Maisarah’s retail banking customers, supports English and Arabic language.
Dr Tariq Taha (pictured), Chief Information Officer, said, “We have
pioneered several innovative solutions for our customers and through this
mobile banking App we are aiming to offer our customers an unparalleled
experience in their interactions with us. The App has been designed to
provide a greater digital banking experience for our customers, empowering
them to easily and securely manage their banking on the go. We have created
an App that creates additional value for the customer and manages to engage
completion of the programme.
The ‘Little Investor’ programme is a core
component of the Imprints CSR initiative launched
by the bank. Reaching out to the nation against
the backdrop of prevailing economic and social
situation, the Imprints initiative seeks to unite
people in making a difference in reciprocating to
what the country has given them. The four pillars of
the Imprints initiative are focused on programmes
to inculcate financial literacy, promote sustainable
tourism, sustain green environment and encourage
enriched lifestyle.
Injaz Oman is a not-for-profit organisation
focused on enhancing the skills of youth for
participation in the economy by bridging the gap
between knowledge acquired through education
and skills required for the job market.
Mitsubishi ASX: Best choice for family
GENERAL Automotive
Company (GAC), the official
distributor of Mitsubishi
vehicles in Oman, offers its
customers a wide range of
Mitsubishi models. Among
them is the ASX, known for
its outstanding performance,
superior quality, and fuel
efficiency, and one that also
provides its owners with an enjoyable and thrilling driving experience.
Commenting on the appeal of the Mitsubishi ASX, Manoj Ranade,
General Manager of GAC noted, “ASX stands apart on the road with its
sharp dynamic shield front styling and overall bold design, representing a
sharper and sportier alternative to traditional SUVs. The ASX also offers the
renowned reliability that can be expected of any vehicle carrying the triple-
diamond badge and combines this with a stylish design and class-leading
safety and fuel saving technology. This, together with its dynamic handling
and performance, makes every journey in an ASX an adventure.”
Featuring a design optimised for space, aerodynamics, and efficiency, the

OOCEP, MOE partner to deliver with them on a more regular basis.”

A host of financial and non-financial transactions can be initiated on the
app, including instant funds transfer and locate the Qibla direction.
oil and gas lessons to students
ASX frontal profile shares a close family resemblance with the Montero and
Outlander. At the rear, the ASX offers a low and wide silhouette, highlighted
with a sharp aerodynamic lip at the bottom of the backlight and slim slanted
combination lamps.

MUSCAT: Oman Oil Company

Exploration and Production
Lulu awards keys to Dream Drive winners Ooredoo offers 50pc free extra data
(OOCEP) has collaborated with
the Ministry of Education (MOE) LULU Hypermarket CONTINUING to enrich
to deliver a series of lessons from concluded its biggest customers’ digital lives,
the ‘Oil and Gas: Exploration to annual promotion of the Ooredoo is giving customers an
Production’ digital book. The e-book year, Dream Drive 2018, exciting welcome offer on their
contains chapters that cover with a grand key handover new Shababiah plans. New
the main aspects of the oil and
ceremony. Shababiah already comes with
gas industry, aiming to provide
students with the highest level of The final draw held on endless social data and local
understanding. The development June 25 marked the end minutes, but those customers
and programming of the book of the two-month long promotion. The key handover ceremony was in the signing up to one or more of
was sponsored by OOCEP. The initiative is a part of the company’s corporate social presence of staff and officials of the Lulu group at the Bausher outlet. the plans before July 22, 2018, will get a further 50 per cent extra free data, so
responsibility and seeks to provide students with insights into the chemistry behind Apart from the luxury cars, many others won an array of gift products that they can chat, network, stream and share even more. And those who opt
selection of materials and processes implemented across the oil and gas sector. from Ikon. The ceremony witnessed the presence of a huge number of people to automatically renew their new Shababiah plans will get the 50 per cent free
“We are happy with the continuous partnership with the Ministry of Education
who crowded the outlet to be spectators of the joyous occasion. extra data every month for 3 months on successful renewal; that’s up to 20 GB
that has led to the formation of sustainable educational initiatives. Oil and gas
significantly influences every aspect of our economic framework, hence, it is Speaking after the event, A V Ananth, Director of Lulu Hypermarkets free data over a three month period.
crucial to enhance our understanding of this field, its processes, challenges and Oman, India & Sri Lanka, remarked “This year’s Dream Drive promotion too The plans, all available through the new Shababiah section of the Ooredoo
opportunities,’’ said Ashraf al Mamari, Director of Corporate Affairs. concluded on a happy note. The promotion has overall been very encouraging. Oman app, are easy, flexible, and give customers what they want in today’s
‘’This will not only lead to creating new ways of promoting this major sector and We would like to congratulate all the winners of this promotion. We also digital world. But that’s not all, Ooredoo also have Shababiah MIX; the new
reap its many benefits but also open doors to new opportunities,” he added further. thank everyone who participated in this promotion, thus making it a huge way to fully tailor-make your very own plan; customers can choose up to
The lessons will be held for 12 days with three lessons on a daily basis. Through success. This promotion is an opportunity to reward our valuable customers 1,000 minutes and up to 25 GB of data. Users can buy their New Shababiah
the programme, students will acquire scientific knowledge about the oil and gas for their loyalty every time they visit us and to add more excitement to their SIM cards through the app at the touch of a button. They can also choose
industry and learn about its associated functions, economic importance as well as overall shopping experience.” their own number or simply port in their existing number.
introduce methods and processes by which the final product is made.
 insideoman

Oman Air highlights tourism

potential of Oman in Morocco
CASABLANCA: Ja’afar bin
Juma al Lawati, Deputy Regional
Manager for Middle East and
Africa at Oman Air affirmed that
the Muscat-Casablanca route,
operated by the national carrier
of the Sultanate by four weekly
flights on its 787-778 Dreamliner
is witnessing a remarkable
turnout from passengers from the
Sultanate, or through connections
with Oman Air.
Al Lawati explained that the
turnout on the route came due to
competitive fares compared with
the various airlines operating
flights to Morocco, in addition
to the timing of the flight that is
most important in connecting
passengers to this destination
from different destinations of
Oman Air in general and from the
GCC countries in particular.
He said that special attention
is given to transfer passengers
to Morocco through Muscat
International Airport by
minimising the waiting hours.
He added, “This route targets
Omani students in Morocco,
businessmen and Moroccan
communities in different GCC
countries. There is tourism and
trade activities between Morocco
and the GCC countries”.
He further said that since the
beginning of the year, Oman Air
has witnessed a good operating
rate in all its routes to the different
countries of the world as a result
of the tourism promotion and
competitive fares adopted by the
company, as well as selecting the
appropriate times to connect
different destinations of the carrier.
He added that the new Muscat
International Airport contributed
to facilitate traffic between the east
and the west.
During the conference, a
documentary was screened
highlighting the tourism
potentials, different terrains,
beaches along the coasts of
the Sultanate and the large
infrastructure projects, such as the
new Muscat International Airport,
Oman Convention and Exhibition
Centre and other projects and
landmarks that attract tourists.
business
Sultanate to host global leaders
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8 15
at 32nd IRU World Congress
KEY PLATFORM: From November 6 to 8, government ministers, business executives and
logistics experts will come together at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre to network,
discuss and explore innovative solutions on road transport and trade.
BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JULY 2
Under the auspices of Sayyid Asaad
bin Tareq al Said, Deputy Prime
Minister for International Relations
and Cooperation Affairs and Personal
Representative of His Majesty, Oman
will host the International Road
Union (IRU) World Congress titled
‘Innovation on the Move’.
A platform for global decision-
makers to exchange ideas, debate
solutions and define the future of the
transportation and logistics industry,
the congress will be organised by
the IRU and co-hosted by ASYAD
and the Ministry of Transport and
Communications. From November 6
to 8, government ministers, business
executives and logistics experts
will come together at the Oman
Convention and Exhibition Centre challenges and create solutions IRU is an international organisation
to network, discuss and explore affecting the world’s transport and that represents national road transport
innovative solutions on road transport Oman is an up and trade networks.” associations across the globe and their
and trade. Situated at the centre of some members, the hundreds of thousands
“The IRU World Congress’s
coming logistics hub of the most dynamic transport and of road transport companies who
selection of Oman to host such a with a modern and fast trade corridors in the world, Oman provide commercial road transport
prestigious event is a testament to is working on becoming one of services across the planet every
quality and future of the transportation
diversifying economy. the leading logistics players in the day. With 70 years of experience in
and logistics infrastructure within We continue to leverage coming years. With development in bringing both the public and private
the Sultanate,” said Eng Salim bin transportation, trade and logistics, sectors together, IRU has facilitated
Mohammed al Nuaimi, Under-
innovation as a tool combined with the Sultanate’s 2020 the proposal of new standards, and
Secretary of Transport at the Ministry to advance in today’s and 2040 strategies in place, the training while raising awareness,

Galfar wins arbitration award of Transport and Communications

and Chairman of the IRU World
Congress Organizing Committee.
highly competitive and
connected global market.
against Haya Water “Oman is an up and coming
logistics hub with a modern and fast
diversifying economy. We continue
BUSINESS REPORTER
to leverage innovation as a tool to
MUSCAT, JULY 2
advance in today’s highly competitive
Local Omani firm Galfar Engineering & Contracting has claimed victory and connected global market.”
in arbitration proceedings against state-owned Oman Wastewater Services Over three days, leaders from
Company (Haya Water) in respect of disputed claims in the construction of Al around the world will come together
Ansab sewage treatment plant back in 2004. to shape the future of road transport
In a filing to the Capital Market Authority (CMA), the publicly listed and trade. Centred around innovation,
company said Haya Water is obligated to refund Galfar a sum of RO 2.074 the programme will address logistics,
million. Additionally, the defendant is obligated to pay a sum of RO 558,535 technology and the rapidly revolving
as bank interest on the disputed amount, as well as bear the cost and fee of the industry. With innovative and
arbitration proceedings. “The total awarded amount is RO 2,635,866.640. This interactive sessions, participants will
is a gain to the company, subject to receipt of money. The Arbitration Award is be able to network and exchange ideas
a final ruling and not subject to appeal except in the cases provided for in Article and best practices.
53 of the Arbitration Law of Oman,” stated Hans Erlings, Chief Executive Officer Nabil bin Salim al Bimani, Group
— Galfar Engineering & Contracting, in the filing. Chief Ports and Freezones at ASYAD
ENG SALIM AL NUAIMI
Under-Secretary,
Ministry of Transport
and Member of the IRU World
Congress Organizing Committee said,
“As Oman’s flagship logistics group,
this event will further support our
efforts to lead the implementation of
the Sultanate’s Logistics Strategy 2040
and raise Oman’s logistics’ profile
on the global stage. Businesses and
regulators are all facing increasing
market disruption. This event brings
renowned experts and high profile
speakers together to examine the
country has come to the forefront as
an ideal host for the 2018 IRU World
Congress.
Boris Blanche, Managing Director
at IRU said, “Transport, logistics
and mobility are changing quickly,
becoming increasingly digital,
connected and automated. At the
heart of ancient and modern trade
corridors, with its comprehensive
logistics strategy and ongoing reform
of passenger transport, Oman is
an excellent place for the industry,
governments and the international
community to come together this
November. With ASYAD’s strong
commitment, the IRU Congress will
help determine the future of road
transport, driving debate in particular
on trade and innovation in the region
and beyond.”
which has helped transform road
transportation. The organisation has
contributed to safer roads, a boost in
trade, economic growth and making
transport more sustainable.
ASYAD is a government holding
company and the premier provider
of integrated logistics services within
the Sultanate of Oman. The company
manages a diverse portfolio that
includes but is not limited to: free
zones, ports, transport companies and
logistics support services companies.
ASYAD actively seeks innovative
opportunities to create value while
becoming a leader within the sector.
With a unique business structure
differentiating the company in the
market, ASYAD is able to continuously
deliver competitive multi-modal
logistics services.

DME Oman crude deliveries reach 2 billion barrels
BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JULY 2
Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME), the
leading international energy futures and
commodities exchange in the Middle East,
has announced the delivery of its second
billionth barrel of Oman crude oil since
inception in June 2007, following the expiry
of its August-delivery contract at the end of
June 2018.
Ali A al Riyami, Director-General of
Marketing, Ministry of Oil and Gas, Oman,
said: “The Dubai Mercantile Exchange has
proved a great success in enabling Oman, its
equity partners and customers to transact
Oman crude oil at a fair and transparent
price. The two billion barrels of delivered
Oman crude is a clear demonstration that
transacting and pricing oil through a fully
regulated exchange is a very positive step for
both buyers and sellers.”
The two-billion milestone underscores
the position of DME Oman contract as
the commodities contract with the largest
physical delivery in the world. Deliveries via
the exchange have grown sharply in recent
years, culminating in 2017 in a monthly
Training
IN BRIEF centre to hold
average of more than 29 million barrels.
stone laying
Ahmad Sharaf, chairman, DME, said:
“Today’s milestone is a great testament to
Oman oil price MUSCAT: The foundation
the partnership between Oman, the CME reaches $75.62 laying of the training centre
Group and Dubai in creating the OQD of SV Pittie Sohar Textiles
contract. The DME Oman contract is now MUSCAT: Dubai Mercantile (FZC) LLC is to be held on
one of the leading price indicators for oil in Exchange (DME) said that Thursday, July 5.
the world and has proved to be a valuable Oman oil price (September SV Pittie Sohar Textiles
asset for the Middle East and Asia when it 2018 delivery) yesterday (FZC) LLC, backed by
comes to price discovery and valuing crude reached $75.62. The DME India’s ShriVallabh Pittie
oil across the region.” statement said that the price Group (SVP), a global
In terms of oil shipments, two billion of Oman oil yesterday rose leader in the manufacture
barrels is enough to fill 1,000 Very Large 30 cents from the price last of cotton yarn — the raw
Crude Carriers (VLCCs), commonly Friday, which was $75.32. material for textiles, is
referred to as supertankers, which are The average price of developing a textile mill on
the primary vessels for shipping crude oil Oman oil (July 2018 delivery) land leased at the free zone.
around the globe. At current values, two has stabilised at $74.41, thus Total investment in the
billion barrels of Oman crude oil would be $6.10 per barrel higher than project is estimated at $300
worth approximately $150 billion. June 2018 delivery. million.

Bank Nizwa unleashes potential for future Omani leaders

BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, JULY 2
Showcasing its support to developing
Omani leaders in public and
private sector industries, Bank
Nizwa hosted participants in the
‘Accelerator Leaders’, one of the key
programmes within the National
Project for Accelerating Government
Performance. The nation-wide
programme is jointly organised by the
Ministry of Civil Service, the Institute
of Public Administration and the
Information Technology Authority. CEO of Bank Nizwa welcomed the from a business perspective, rather from
Organisers have identified Bank future Omani government leaders. a management perspective. Therefore,
Nizwa as a key stop for participants to Al Kayed highlighted how they these leaders of tomorrow must learn
gain knowledge related to improving can transform their daily routines how to link strategy and leadership to
efficiency standards and overall to a high-performance culture, improve overall performance. From
performance. ultimately improving and optimising our side, it was a great opportunity
Sharing the Bank Nizwa successful government processes across the to support and contribute to their
journey to date, the ins-and-outs of board for the benefit of Oman, its leadership development through our
how the bank soared to the top of economic diversification goals and experience. We are here for these
the Islamic banking sector in Oman, prosperity of its people. fine women and men to help them
while also, drawing from his own Al Kayed, said, “The main objective hone their skills and always adopt a
three decades of experience in the of a leader is to bolster bottom-line high-performance culture, both key
banking sector, Khalid al Kayed, performance. This is not necessarily ingredients of success.”
international

business
16 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8

Japan’s business confidence index drops amid trade tensions

TOKYO: Business sentiment among large
Japanese manufacturers fell in June for the
second quarter in a row amid growing concerns
about trade with the United States, a Bank of
Japan quarterly survey showed on Monday.
The Tankan index fell from plus 24 in March
to plus 21 in June, almost in line with the
estimated level of plus 22 predicted by analysts
surveyed by the Nikkei Business Daily.
Large manufacturers forecast that business
conditions would change very little in the
current quarter, as the index is expected to be
flat at 20 in September, the survey showed.
Sentiment among medium-sized
manufacturers rose to plus 20 in June from
plus 19 in March while the index for small
manufacturers edged down to plus 14 from
plus 15, according to the survey.
The index for large non-manufacturers
edged up to plus 24 from plus 23 in March, the
survey showed.
Positive numbers on the Tankan index
indicate the extent to which optimists
outnumber pessimists in a sector of industry.
Large corporations in the manufacturing
and non-manufacturing sectors expected
their investment to jump 13.6 per cent for the
current financial year through March from the
previous year.
The reading be at a median forecast of a 9.3
per cent increase surveyed by Nikkei.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government
views strong corporate investment as key to
Japan’s economic recovery.
Japan’s exports have slowed amid a rising
yen this year. The appreciation of the currency
makes Japanese goods less competitive overseas
and hurts repatriated revenues.
The survey showed that large manufacturers
expect the Japanese yen to rise to 107.26 yen
A humanoid robot works next to an employee at a factory in Tokyo. — Reuters
per dollar this financial year from 110.79 yen in
the previous year.
The Bank of Japan surveyed 9,950 companies
from May 29 to June 29 for the latest survey.
Monday’s survey comes amid growing
tensions over trade with the United States,
Japan’s major ally.
The US Commerce Department has been
conducting an investigation into whether
imports of vehicles and car parts would pose a
risk to national security.
The move came after President Donald
Trump imposed high tariffs on steel and
aluminium imports.
The Japanese government warned on Friday
that potential US tariffs on vehicles and car
parts would have a “devastating” impact on the
global economy.
The tariffs, if imposed, could “seriously
affect more than 1.5 million jobs created by
Japanese auto-related companies in the United
States and by inflicting costs on the consumers,
lead to devastating effects on the US and global
economy,” Tokyo said. — dpa

Nafta must
wait for US
congressional
polls: Trump
WASHINGTON: US President
Donald Trump has said he
would prefer to wait until
after the November mid-term
congressional elections before
signing an updated North
American Free Trade Agreement
(Nafta).
“Nafta, I could sign it
tomorrow, but I’m not happy
with it,” Trump told Maria
Bartiromo of the Fox Business
Network on Sunday.
“I want to make it more fair.”
“I want to wait until after the
election. You are going to have
an election. I think it will be very
interesting. I think it is going to
be fine,” Trump said.
“If they are not fine, I am
going to tax their cars coming
into America. That’s the big
one,” he added.
The broadcast of the
interview with Trump coincided
with Canada’s imposition of
tariffs on select US goods in
retaliation for Washington’s
levies on Canadian steel and
aluminium.
A long-time critic of Nafta,
Trump demanded that Mexico
and Canada agree to re-open
the 1994 pact with an eye
toward changing provisions he
sees as an unfair to the US, Efe
news reported.
Those talks, which began in
2017, were originally supposed
to conclude before the start of
2018. — IANS
United States risks $294 billion
global hit over auto tariffs: EU
BRUSSELS: The European Union
has warned the United States that
imposing import tariffs on cars and car
parts would harm its own automotive
industry and likely lead to counter-
measures by its trading partners on
$294 billion of US exports.
In a 10-page submission to the
United States Commerce Department
sent last Friday, the European Union
said tariffs on cars and car parts
were unjustifiable and did not make
economic sense.
The Commerce Department
launched its investigation, on grounds
of national security, on May 23 under
instruction from President Donald
Trump, who has repeatedly criticised
the EU over its trade surplus with the
United States and for having higher
import duties on cars.
The EU has a 10 per cent levy,
compared to 2.5 per cent for cars
entering the United States.
Trump said last week that the
government was completing its study
and suggested the United States
would take action soon, having earlier
threatened to impose a 20 per cent
tariff on all EU-assembled cars.
The bloc exported 37.4 billion
euros ($43.6 billion) of cars to the
United States in 2017, while 6.2 billion
euros worth of cars went the other
way.
The European Union says that for
An employee works on a 2013 Mini at BMW’s plant in Oxford, southern England. — Reuters
some goods, such as trucks, US import
duties are higher. In its submission,
the EU said that EU companies make
close to 2.9 million cars in the United
States, supporting 120,000 jobs — or
420,000 if cars dealerships and car
parts retailers are included.
Imports had, it said, not shown
a dramatic increase in recent years
and largely grown alongside overall
expansion of the US car market, with
increased demand that could not be
met by domestic production.
The submission said that tariffs on
cars and car parts could undermine
US auto production by imposing
higher costs on US manufacturers.
The EU had calculated that a 25
per cent tariff would have a initial
$13-14 billion negative impact on
US gross domestic product with no
improvement to its current account
balance
Assuming counter-measures along
the lines of those taken in response
to existing US import tariffs on steel
and aluminium, up to $294 billion of
US exports — 19 per cent of overall
US exports — could be affected, the
submission said.
The submission also said that the
link between the automotive industry
and national security was “weak”.
Military vehicles, such as the Humvee,
were made by different, more niche
producers. — Reuters
Oil falls as Saudi,
Russian production
output rises
People work at the Halfaya oilfield in
Amara, southeast of Baghdad. — AFP
LONDON: Oil prices fell on Monday as
supplies from Saudi Arabia and Russia
rose while economic growth stumbled
in Asia amid an escalating trade
dispute with the United States.
Benchmark Brent crude oil fell
$1.24 a barrel to a low of $77.99 before
recovering to $78.40, down 83 cents,
by 0735 GMT.
US light crude was 50 cents lower
at $73.65.
Oil prices rose strongly last week,
with the US crude contract hitting its
highest in 3-1/2 years at $74.46.
But a flurry of US announcements
over the weekend unsettled oil
markets.
US President Donald Trump
tweeted on Saturday that Saudi
Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al
Saud had agreed to pump more oil,
“maybe up to 2,000,000 barrels”. The
White House later walked back on the
comments.
Saudi Arabia’s output is up by
700,000 barrels per day (bpd) from
May, a survey showed, and close to
its 10.72 million bpd record from
November 2016.
Russian output rose to 11.06
million bpd in June from 10.97 million
bpd in May, the Energy Ministry said
on Monday. — Reuters

Carrefour and Tesco to

form strategic alliance
The logo of Carrefour is seen on shopping trolleys at the Carrefour Lingostiere in
Nice, Italy. — Reuters
PARIS/LONDON: French
supermarket retailer Carrefour and
British peer Tesco announced on
Monday plans to form a global long-
term purchasing alliance, as they seek
to cut costs.
The deal is the latest partnership
within the European retail industry,
which has seen US Internet giant
Amazon make in-roads into the
sector in recent months.
The alliance, whose financial
terms were not disclosed, will cover
the strategic relations with global
suppliers in areas such as marketing
services or data collection as well as
the joint purchasing of own-brand
products and goods not for re-sale,
said Carrefour in a statement.
The alliance, which will be formally
agreed in the next two months, will
exclude fresh food products, while
each company will continue to work
with supplier partners at a local and
national level.
“This strategic alliance between
Carrefour and Tesco is a major
agreement as it combines the
purchasing expertise of two
world leaders, complementary in
their geographies, with common
strategies,” said Carrefour CEO
Alexandre Bompard. Tesco, Britain’s
biggest supermarket with sales of
$67.2 billion, has been rebuilt by Chief
Executive Dave Lewis after a 2014
accounting scandal compounded a
sharp downturn in trading. — AFP
Asian factories lose momentum even
before Trump’s tariffs kick in
HONG KONG: Asian exporters lost
momentum last month even before
tariffs on US and Chinese goods kick
in this week, pressuring regional
factory activity in a worrying sign
the Trump administration’s “America
First” protectionist policies could
derail global growth.
Shipments from China and
Japan, major manufacturing hubs,
contracted in June, while businesses
across Asia also took on higher input
costs as the price of oil and other
commodities rose, according to
monthly manufacturing surveys.
A separate Bank of Japan survey
showed business confidence among
big manufacturers worsening for a
second straight quarter, in a blow for
Abenomics and the Bank of Japan’s
plans to wean the economy off
stimulus.
Stocks eased and oil prices fell as
data across Asia showed world trade
might have peaked, suggesting the
strain on regional economies is likely
to intensify as the effects of the heated
Sino-US trade war ripple through
global supply chains.
“We expect the net contribution of
trade to growth to become negative in
the second half of the year, if it hasn’t
A man inspects 1,000 Philippine peso bill in an exchange house in Manila. — AFP
already for some countries,” ANZ Asia high to prevent destabilising capital
economist Eugenia Victorino said. outflows.
“The story for 2018 then becomes Apart from China potentially
domestic demand, but it is not a cutting reserve requirements further
homogenous story... and we don’t this year, no other central bank is
expect a homogenous reaction from seen easing monetary policy, and the
Asian central banks.” countries running current account
However, with the US Federal deficits may have to hike rates further.
Reserve increasingly hawkish on rates, China’s Caixin/Markit
hardly any Asian central bank has any Manufacturing Purchasing
room to support consumption as they Managers’ index (PMI) declined to
need to keep their own rates relatively 51.0 in June from May’s 51.1,with a
subindex showing new export orders
contracting for the third straight
month and the most in two years.
An official PMI survey on Saturday
also fuelled concerns about the
strength of the world’s second largest
economy, where recent data including
credit growth, investment and retail
sales have disappointed.
The economy is feeling the pinch
of an internal crackdown on debt
and risky financing as well as external
pressure from US President Donald
Trump’s ‘America First’ policies.
The United States has threatened
to impose duties on up to $450 billion
of Chinese imports, with the first $34
billion portion set to go into effect on
July 6. Beijing plans to retaliate.
This has caused anxiety in
financial markets, leading to the
worst performance on record for the
yuan and the deepest monthly fall in
Chinese stocks since January 2016.
“The latest PMI readings
suggest that the economy lost some
momentum last month.
With credit growth still cooling and
US tariffs imminent, we expect further
weakness ahead,” said Julian Evans-
Pritchard, senior China economist at
Capital Economics. — Reuters
perspective

SLOW PROGRESS
business OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8 17
Experts look at situation with nine months to Brexit
ith two years having elapsed since the ALTHOUGH IT MUST BE SAID THAT MANY ‘REMAINERS’ “regulatory chapters” in front of Brussels comes down from the PM, meaning

W
referendum, it appears little has changed
with the public on either side of the
debate.
More or less, the voters still have the
same view as they did on that landmark
day in June 2016.
Although it must be said that many
‘Remainers’ now think the government
should get on with what seems inevitable
and deliver Brexit.
But even for those who backed
‘Leave’, the past two years have been
challenging.
The former campaign director of
Vote Leave, Dominic Cummings,
occasionally writes about the
government’s mishandling of the Brexit
process, no doubt feeling the progress is
slow. The chief executive of the winning
campaign, Matthew Elliott, takes a more
considered view.
He believes most of the progress
will be made “in the final few weeks,
if not days or hours”, dismissing any
suggestion that not enough work has
ANDY JALIL been done in the last couple of years.
andyjalil@aol.com While Elliott has a few quibbles
with some of the decisions that have
NOW THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD GET ON WITH
WHAT SEEMS INEVITABLE AND DELIVER BREXIT. BUT EVEN
FOR THOSE WHO BACKED ‘LEAVE’, THE PAST TWO
YEARS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGING
been made over the past two years
— particularly Teresa May’s decision
not to take into account the voices of
businesses prior to the election and her
reluctance to give status guarantees to
EU citizens at the time — he sees no
sign of wobbles over leaving the Single
Market or customs union because of
the knock-on effects it would have on
Britain’s ability to sign trade deals with
other countries.
But Elliott is frustrated that the
government hasn’t been clear what a no-
deal scenario looks like.“It needs to be
clear to the public and to Brussels that
we are willing to walk away,” he says.
“It’s only through having that no-deal
scenario set out and prepared for that
you can get the best possible deal for
the UK.” For Elliott, everything comes
down to the crunch weeks ahead of the
European Council in October this year.
He said: “By that point government
will have got all relevant legislation
through, published a white paper, have
a clear idea of what their stance is,
have already discussed the money —
then it’s just about what happens in the
negotiation room.” Others, however, are
not so confident.
Brexit specialist at the Institute of
Economic Affairs, Shanker Singham,
who has been influential in shaping
policy, says a change of strategy is
needed.
“We have to retake the initiative. The
only way for the UK to do that is put text
on the negotiating table. The time for
speeches and while paper is over.”
Sangham argues that putting
would get the cogs going for various
reasons — not only because there would
be something concrete the EU could
work with, but also because it might
help “divide” the member states which
he believes would work to the UK’s
advantage.
But the “UK’s dithering” means
that right now Sangham puts just a 50-
50 chance on a successful conclusion
within the time frame.
He cites the to-and-fro over the
customs debate as a “classic example” of
the PM’s political timidity but one which
is baffling to him and his colleagues.
He said: “We don’t understand why
the government is incapable of moving
forward on anything.”
David Henig from the European
Centre for International Political
Economy, is of similar view.
“We don’t have any certainty for
businesses about their trade relations.
There is no sensible post-March plan for
trade agreements. It doesn’t add up to
much,” he said.
One of the main criticisms of the
government’s “obsessive secrecy”, which
businesses can’t begin to start planning.
He fears by December the
government will be “in crisis mode,
frantically trying to pull together a deal.”
Ultimately the decision will come down
to Ireland, Henig claims.” If it wasn’t
for Ireland you wouldn’t have had this
delay,” he said.
Sam Lowe, research fellow at the
Centre for European Reform, claims
there is “no coherent vision” of what the
UK sees as its future relationship with
the EU, exacerbated by divisions in the
Cabinet.
Lowe believes things could tip
towards a partial Single Market
membership for goods and believes
the government would like parliament
to “force its hand” into staying in the
customs union.
Lowe claims officials on both sides
admit the period for transition currently
agreed, until December 2020, isn’t
long enough and that “some kind of
implementation period will be required.”
The author is our foreign
correspondent based in the UK. He can
be reached at andyjalil@aol.com

* TRUMPING MARKET
*Manufacturers clutching
PLASTIC PRESSURE

at straws on plastic war

or decades, plastic straws have been essential props for cocktail

F
makers, smoothie lovers and fast food addicts.
But that may be starting to change, thanks largely to vigorous
environmental campaigning.
Under pressure from activists, the European Union, Britain,
India and even fast food giants like McDonald’s have all made some
headway towards bringing the use of plastic straws to an end.
And with public pressure growing on governments, particularly
in Europe, to ban single use plastics, manufacturers are feeling the
heat. According to peer-reviewed US journal Science magazine,
eight million tonnes of plastic are dumped into the Earth’s oceans
and seas each year — 250 kilogrammes every second.
For years, the focus of environmentalists has been on plastic
bags. But plastic straws have now come into the spotlight, thanks in
part to images that have gone viral on the Internet.
One online video about the danger posed by seemingly
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York. — Reuters innocuous straws shows a sea turtle rescued off Costa Rica getting
one removed from its nostril.

Investors seek cover as trade battles rattle markets
SAIKAT CHATTERJEE, HELEN REID
nvestors have sharply increased their use
market fall does not materialise.
Despite rising concerns among
investors, the world economy is on a
The British government in April said it planned to ban the sale of
single-use plastics including straws. The European Union followed
suit in late May.
In India’s commercial capital Mumbai, Burger King, McDonald’s
Investors also appear to be seeking and Starbucks were fined for violating a ban on single use plastics,
more options market protection against an official said earlier in June. India’s Prime Minister Narendra
currency losses, especially on trade- Modi has pledged to make his country free of single use plastic by

I
of hedging strategies, signalling concerns
that the intensifying trade battle between
the United States and China might hit
economies from Germany to South Korea.
Money managers say that mounting
barriers to trade between the United States
and trading partners — Washington’s
latest proposal for tariffs on $675 billion
of Chinese goods is expected to elicit a
response from Beijing — is prompting
them to look for ways to protect profits in
the event equity markets take a dive after
years of growth.
That includes bets against declines in
equity indexes and currencies as well as
dividends and bonds.
“Only now have trade war concerns
grabbed the spotlight for investors after
bubbling away in the background for most
of this year, prompting the rush for such
hedging trades,” said Gerard Fitzpatrick,
London-based Chief Investment Officer
for Europe Middle East and Africa at
Russell Investments, which has nearly
$300 billion of assets under management.
Trade isn’t the only issue weighing
on investors’ minds. European growth
has lost steam, oil prices are near $80 a
barrel while the US, European and many
emerging central banks are tightening
monetary policy.
And politics could exacerbate any
downturn, with Germany’s coalition in
uproar over migration, and Italy’s new
government flirting with a big-spending,
possibly eurosceptic, agenda.
Hedging strategies also carry risk,
however, namely that an anticipated
strong footing, with the global economy
expected to grow 3.9 percent this year and
next, according to the IMF.
MONEY MANAGERS SAY
THAT MOUNTING BARRIERS
TO TRADE BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES AND
TRADING PARTNERS IS
PROMPTING THEM TO LOOK
FOR WAYS TO PROTECT
PROFITS IN THE EVENT
EQUITY MARKETS TAKE
A DIVE AFTER YEARS OF
GROWTH
While many investors are reducing
their exposure to equities, most remain
reluctant to completely move away from
stocks. As a result, demand has risen for
investment positions aimed at offsetting
potential losses, according to money
managers, market indicators and data.
That includes trades such as “put”
options on certain indexes — allowing
them to sell at a preset price if the index
falls below a certain level in exchange for
paying a premium — or short selling the
bonds of highly indebted companies.
Short selling is when hedge funds and
other investors borrow securities and sell
them, betting the price will fall so they can
buy them back later at a lower price for
return to the lender.
sensitive currencies such as the Australian 2022.
dollar or the Chinese yuan, via purchasing Some corporations are also taking steps. In the UK and Ireland,
put options on these currencies in the $5.1 McDonald’s has pledged to complete a transition to paper straws by
trillion a day foreign exchange markets. 2019. In France, the burger giant is testing alternatives.
“Some of these trades are an extension The Hilton Hotel giant in May vowed to remove the offenders
to what we have been seeing from earlier from its 650 properties by the end of 2018.
this year but there is no doubt that there “Laid end to end, the straws saved each year in (Europe, the
is increased nervousness now reflected Middle East and Africa) would exceed the length of the River
in markets,” said Eugene Philalithis, a Seine,” the hotel chain said in a statement.
portfolio manager at Fidelity International, There are alternatives to plastic straws, but they are much pricier.
which manages $2.4 trillion assets under The five-star Monte Carlo Palace Hotel in Monaco has
management globally. introduced biodegradable straws. Others are using raw pasta and
Shifts in the costs of derivatives indicate bamboo sticks.
hedging demand has picked up since trade The United States is resisting change while Europe takes the lead
concerns intensified. with biodegradable plastics made either from fossil fuels or crops
For instance, the cost of hedging such as potatoes and corn.
against falls in Germany’s DAX index, Some 100,000 tonnes of bioplastics were produced in 2016 in the
highly exposed to exports to the United world, according to Germany’s specialist Nova-Institute. — Reuters
States and China, has increased sharply
in the past week, according to Mathilde
Richardot, a derivatives strategist at BNP
Paribas based in London.
The Euro Stoxx 50 Volatility Index skew
— a measure that derivatives markets look
at to gauge demand for protection against
volatility spikes — hit an all-time high as
investors bought protection against sharp
drops in equity prices for July and August.
Similar moves were seen in US stocks.
Some market specialists say out-of-
the-money put options are increasingly
popular; they are typically cheaper and
provide protection in the event of larger
price drops.
Investors have also purchased options
that hedge against a drop of 10 per cent
or more in US indexes, according to UBS Plastic straws are seen at a McDonald’s in London, after it was revealed that they are to
strategists. — Reuters replace their plastic straws with paper ones in UK and Ireland in 2019. — Reuters
 TUESDAY | JULY 3, 2018 | SHAWWAL 19, 1439 AH

www.omanobserver.om editor@omanobserver.om

Rent a Car Matrimony Umrah/Haj

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Contact No: 91991455.
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0091-8086299163
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99522963.
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97902093.
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·····
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91577774, 96198460.
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99119699/ 95250300/
24813002.
·····
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270, for family only. Contact.
99882551.
·····
AL GHUBRA, near Mars Hyper
ƒ”‡–ǣ—‹Ž†‹‰ǡͳͳϐŽƒ–•
Ȅ–™‘„‡†”‘‘ϐŽƒ–ǡ„ƒ–Š
attached, hall, kitchen and
‰—‡•––‘‹Ž‡–Ǥ‡„‡†”‘‘ϐŽƒ–
—‹Ž†‹‰ǡʹ͵ϐŽƒ–•Ǥ‘–ƒ…–
GSM: 92902313.
·····
1BHK & 2 BHK flats for rent
at Ruwi and Al Khoudh.
93994402, 93994403,
24834644.
·· · · · ·
A HOUSE in Al Maabela near
ȋ‰”‘—†ϐŽ‘‘”Ȍ–™‘
kitchen + toilet for each room.
ƒ†ϐŽƒ–•ˆ‘””‡–
in Salalah, north Auqadain.
Call 91711118.
·····
PREMIUM ‘ˆϐ‹…‡•’ƒ…‡
available for rent of 370sqm,
sqm. Covered parking.
95852046.
·····
ELFAYED for sedative
introduces the best price
ˆ—”‹•Š‡†ϐŽƒ–•ǡ†ƒ‹Ž›ǡ‘–ŠŽ›
and yearly. 98035135/
96177304/ 91788999.
·····
Saada al Rashdi: 95919344
Ali al Maashari: 99639264 ali.almashari@omandaily.om
Mohammed al Rashdi: 99841230 m.alrahdi86@yahoo.com
AII HP, Epson, Canon,
Lexmark, Samsung
Cartridges also available
COMPUTER SUPPLIES
Ruwi: 24792-792
comsuply@omantel.net.om
For Rent
FLAT with 3 rooms,
3 bathrooms, kitchen
with dining room and
car parking, Al Wadi Al
Kabir. 95434171.
·····
FLATS for rent in Al
Hamriya. 79033790.
·····
WE have a farm for rent.
The fee is RO 1/metre. The
farm is located on Muscat-
Yeti road. It is suitable for good situation in the centre
labour residency or for
storage purposes. Contact
99639269.
·····
SEMI furnished 2 & 3 BHK
flats at Bausher — near
Atlas Hospital. 99348493/ · · · · ·
93200424/ 24502254.
·····
FLATS for rent near Diwan
Zafraniya area end of
Muttrah Corniche close
to (Muscat Shiva Temple),
family, bachelor. Contact
99083071, 99323015.
·····
ONE ϐŽ‘‘”Š‘—•‡‹Žƒ‹Ž
and 2km from Wave Muscat,
contains 4 bedrooms, living
room, a kitchen and 2 toilets, FURNISHED ϐŽƒ–•ˆ‘””‡–
RO 300. 99077722.
·····
FLAT for family for rent,
Alaom Al Akhtar shop,
behind Irani Bank, Abu
Abdullah 99627724, Abu
Abdulrahman 99315490.
·····
4 NEW detached town
houses at Bausher
Heights, adjacent to
Expressway (between
Golf Club and the Flyover
#7). Each town house
consist of 5 bedrooms,
with 5 toilets, 2 halls, a
kitchen with store, and
laundry room. RO 600
per month. Contact:
71547607.
·····
FLATS for rent in Salalah
European design, farm view,
‡ƒ”–Š‡•‡ƒǡ‡™ϐŽƒ–•Ǥ
92181524 WhatsApp.
····
FLATS in Al Wadi Al Kabir
near to the Al Kuwaiti
Mosque. 99425958.
BUILDING near Ruwi
2 BEDROOM flat in Al
Ghubra near Oman Oil 18
November Street, RO 330
monthly. 99333479 or
95215360.
·····
NEW apartment in Ruwi near
church consists of 2 rooms
with its facilities. Contact.
94664635, 95850345.
·····
in Muscat Grand Mall
99445771, 93204595
93203481.
·····
TWO new apartment for rent
in Al Qurum near Mina al Fa-
hal. 94664635, 95850345.
·····
99353988,
99253818,
99341395,
99379133,
For ladies:
99415818,
99321360, 99730723
Or visit:
www.iicoman.om
www.islamfact.com
Services
1. AC maintenance and
servicing.
2. Fridge, washing
machine and dish
washer repairing.
3. Painting and cleaning
services. 4. Electrical,
plumbing and carpentry
work 97014234,
99447257, 24290686.
·····
ORIENT Trading LLC,
Shampooing, sofa,
…ƒ”’‡–ǡϐŽ‘‘”’‘Ž‹•Š‹‰Ǥ
Old house repairing.
99834373.
·····
PAINTING, Plumbing,
Building maintenance,
Excavation, Stone Pitching,
Gabion. 99057348.
·····
MAINTENANCE: 1. AC
Maintenance & Servicing;
2. Fridge, Washing Machine
& Dish washer repairing;
3. Painting & cleaning
services; 4. Electrical &
Plumbing Carpentry work.
Contact: 99447257,
97014234, 24504281.
·····
KAWKAB Atarad United Co LLC
PO Box: 237 Postal code:
320, Sultanate of Oman
1. A/C installation and
servicing
2. Electrical installation
3. Plumbing works
ͶǤ ‹”‡ϐ‹––‹‰ƒ†ƒŽƒ”
system
5. Painting
6. Maintenance of all work
M Nader Hossain
90611994/ 96319522.
·····
MIDAWA Trading &
Cont. Est — plumbing,
painting, interlock,
maintenance,decor,ceramic
installation. 98078455
·····
PAINTING/ plumbing/
building maintenance.
Excavation/ stone pitching/
gabion. 99057348.
·····
For Rent
and broken
Market, 6 Flats, 3
bedrooms, 3 toilets &
kitchen, Split Unit (AC),
family only. 99428284,
92425454.
·····
94501166
DIRECT: 24649595 — FAX : 24649590
),
ȋŠ‘’•Ȁ‘ˆϐ‹…‡•ˆ‘”
rent/ Al Khuwair)
(Flats for rent/Wadi
Kabir).96596348.
·····
WANTED
CHEVROLET Sonic low
mileage model 2012 & above
around RO 1000 pls call.
99462401.
·····
AL SUMRI AC
maintenance. We are
ready to repair and
install all types of
Air-Conditioner within
Muscat Governorate.
94301888.
·····
WORLDWIDE air/sea
cargo, packing moving
and relocation. Daily
road transportation
— Muscat-Salalah
& Muscat-Duqm.
Trucks and Hiab
for hire. Contact
90105765/90193519.
·····
MADAWAH Trading and
Contracting Establishment,
specialised at painting,
installing tiles-ceramic
and building maintenance.
98937266/ 96191837.
·····
PROVIDES all kinds of legal
agreements, contracts.
Takes all kinds of cases of
companies.97351649.
·····
WE offer you the Business
Services: Maintenance
of buildings and villas
for paint and carpentry
and decoration works
and installation of
material water proof and
cleaning services building
management and leasing
of real estate (Out motto
is to provide quality in
all our business). Muscat
Renaissance Development
and Investment.
99070093.
·····
Buying
AL Awsad Modern LLC,
electronic and furniture
used. 99834373.
·····
We buy used
cars which have
instalments
in cash.
90202090.
classifieds
Situation Vacant
SITUATION VACANT
Renowned GSA for reputed Airlines
has vacancies for the following
positions:
Sales Executives:
The ideal candidate must be a
graduate or IATA qualified, having
Š A minimum of 3 years’ experience in
Airline/Travel Agency Sales — with
Agents, Corporates and Ministries
Š A valid Omani driving licence
Š Excellent communication skills
(English) spoken and written
Interested candidates may
please apply to:
jobseekersmarch2018@gmail.com
on or before 31st March, 2018.
REQUIRED an auditor: An
ƒ‹ƒ—†‹–ϐ‹”‹ƒŽƒŽƒŠ‹•
seeking an auditor. With 6 years
‘ˆ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡ǤŠ‡…ƒ†‹†ƒ–‡
should be a commerce graduate
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡†‹ƒ—†‹–ϐ‹”Ǥ
Interested candidates may mail
–Š‡‹”ǯ•–‘ǣƒ—†‹–ϐ‹”ʹͲͳ͹̷
gamil.com
·····
REQUESTED Nurses with 3
›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡–‘™‘”‹
Sultanate of Oman, Nizwa
with Prometric Oman 60%
ƒ†ƒ–ƒϐŽ‘™ǤŠƒ–•ƒ’’ǣ
0096895099955. E-mail:
alhazfatrd@hotmail.com
·····
REQUIRED Finance Manager.
—ƒŽ‹ϐ‹…ƒ–‹‘ǣƒ•–‡”‘”ƒ…Š‡Ž‘”
‹•‹‹Žƒ”ϐ‹‡Ž†Ǥš’‡”‹‡…‡ǣͳͲ
›‡ƒ”•‘ˆ”‡Ž‡˜ƒ–‡š’‡”‹‡…‡
—Žˆ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡† ·····
preferred in Oil Field service.
›Ǧ…‡”–‹ϐ‹‡†‡”•‘ƒŽ
Work location: Muscat.
Candidates who match the
Situation Vacant
A LEGAL translation
‘ˆϐ‹…‡‡‡†•
Marketeers. Contact
E-mail: oman4n@gmail.com
·····
URGENTLY required
beautician. Visa will
be provided. Contact
94939252.
·····
REQUIRED HSE
ˆϐ‹…‡”with 3 years
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡ˆ‘””‡’—–‡†
electrical company
™‹–Š“—ƒŽ‹ϐ‹…ƒ–‹‘‘ˆ
Management Safety,
NEBOSH or OSHA —30
hours. Send the CV to:
rashid.engineer@hotmail.
com
·····
GENERAL Nurse 24540056, · · · · ·
‡Ǧƒ‹ŽǣƒŽ‡š…‡–‡”̷Ž‹˜‡Ǥ…‘
·····
A NURSE required with
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡–‘™‘”‹ƒ…Š‘‘Žǡ
spoken English and Arabic.
92297695,92742116,
24797116.
·····
REQUIRED Marketing/
PR Manager for a modern
restaurant group in Oman.
FEMALE NURSE required
for Dental Centre in
—•…ƒ–ǡ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡
of 2+years with MoH
licence. Send CV to:
greenhealth2018@
gmail.com Contact
22063849.
·····
LOOKING for salesman
to work in printing press.
Contact: 92673716.
·····
CATERING Supervisor,
Diploma in Catering or Five
›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹ˆ‘‘†
related job. Fluent in English
language is must. Contact
99428310. alshehisons@
yahoo.com
·····
URGENTLY required electri-
cian with electrical licence
(DCRP). ƒ‹‘”‡š’ƒ–”‹ƒ–‡
ȋ͵›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡ȌǤ‘–ƒ…–
99337587, 99043127,
99348493.
A REPUTABLE real estate and
construction company looking
ˆ‘”ƒ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡†Civil
Project Engineer. Submit
your CV to dapco@dapcooman.
com
·····
REQUIRED
INDIAN male B.Com 10 years
Aluminium Fabricators
ˆ‘”‡™Ž›•–ƒ”–‡†ϐ‹”Ǥ
95060980.
classifieds
Situation Wanted
CIVIL engineer with one
›‡ƒ”‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹”‘ƒ†
pavement and projects
of buildings construction
with driving license,
looking for a job. Call
97876920
····
INDIAN male, 23 years,
BE Electronics and
Telecommunication
Programming Languages:
C(Basic), HTML (Basic), JAVA
(Basic). Software: AutoCAD
360, EAGLE, CISCO Packet
Tracer, Matlab, Circuit Maker,
Wireshark, IE3D, PSoC Creator
IDE (Intermediate), ARM Mbed
IDE (Intermediate), Microsoft
ˆϐ‹…‡Ǥƒ”†™ƒ”‡ǣ‘”–‡š
MO+ (Basic), Programmable
SoC (PSoC 4) (Intermediate),
ADC (Intermediate), UART
(Intermediate), IoT (Basic),
WiFi (Basic), Bluetooth
Low Energy (BLE) (Basic),
Accelerometer (Intermediate).
Currently on visit visa in
Oman, seeking suitable job.
E-mail: roystoof252gmail.com
93469386
·····
SUDANESE Engineer,
production, planning,
…ǡͶ›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡Ǥ
+968 79150679.
INDIAN ͳͺ›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡†
accounts and operations
MARKETING manager
(female - Indian),
Hospitals, 15 years of
ƒ‡š’‘•—”‡™‹–Š
Oman driving licence,
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡†‹ƒ”‡–‹‰
hospital services, medical
products, having good
contact with doctors,
medical insurance co,
ministries and all private
hospitals seeks suitable
placement in a managerial
position. Contact
95158748
····
MOBILE Software and Hardware
Technician having 8 years
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡ȋͷ›‡ƒ”•‹ǡ
ƒȌ‡š’‡”–‹͵ǡͶŽ‡˜‡Ž•
with Oman driving licence,
seeking suitable job in Oman.
Contact: +968 98590123.
E-mail: rafsheen.ap@gmail.com
·····
SUDANESE looking for a
job, civil engineer, 9 years
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡Ǥƒ•–‡”
degree. Profound knowledge in
construction and infrastructure.
Visit Visa. Contact 91261657.
·····
INDIAN male, civil engineering
fresh graduate, seeking for a
suitable job currently
A YOUNG Indian, Gold’s
residing in Muscat.
79102756.
·····
Situation Wanted
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8
INDIAN Female (25)
Audiologist and Speech
Language Therapist.
Bachelor of Audiology
and Speech Language
Pathology; Masters in
Audiology, with 3 years
of clinical training and
™‘”‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹–Š‡
area of both diagnostic
hearing assessments;
hearing aids and
cochlear implant based
rehabilitation for adults
and children in New
Zealand. Currently in
Oman on visit visa.
Contact: +968
97591192. Email:
johannabensam@yahoo.com
·····
B.TECH civil engineer with post
graduate degree in structural
engineering from UK, 2 years
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹ƒ™‹–Š†”‹˜‹‰ · · · · ·
licence. Contact 95525925.
·····
INDIAN male, MBA, 10
›‡ƒ”•ƒ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹
marketing and sales of IT
products. Seeks suitable
placement. 92696973. Email: controllers and system. Looking
nvten2017@gmail.com
·····
Purchase/ Procurement
ȋ…‘•–”—…–‹‘Ȍš’‡”‹‡…‡‹
Oman with valid D/L and NOC.
Situation Wanted
10 YEARS ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡†
Accountant as well as
worked in Administration.
Worked in Oman on
permanent visa, looking
for a job in Accounts/
Administration. Contact
91464758.
·····
A DRIVER with driving licence
issued 5 years ago, light
driver + heavy driving licence.
92169686 Mohammed Islam.
·····
INDIAN, male, 14+ years
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹’Š›•‹…ƒŽ•‡…—”‹–›
solutions (CCTV, ACS etc), ready
with D/L, NOC/local transfer.
95779686
·····
MA, economics, social science,
BEd, IELTS, female looking for
suitable job. 93982343,
99898263, SheenammaSiju@
gmail.com
INDIAN male, electronics and
communication engineer with
automation knowledge and
Šƒ˜‹‰ƒ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‘
electro chlorination system,
dataloggers and irrigation
for any suitable job. NOC
available and ready to join
immediately. 91472173,
·····
SRI LANKAN, apartment
manager, with several years
19
LOOKING for suitable
placement, Indian female,
Master in computer
application with 11 years
‘ˆ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹†ƒ–ƒ
warehousing, Teradata and
date modelling looking
for suitable placement
in Muscat. (91192543.
E-mail: priyakthomas@
gmail.com
·····
EXPERIENCED driver on
valid visa requires suitable
related jobs. Available
immediately. Speaks
Arabic, Hindi, English
ϐŽ—‡–Ž›ǤŽ‡ƒ•‡‘–ƒ…–
71762319, 97741632.
·····
INDIAN female architect with
6 months professional Gulf
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡ΪͳͲ‘–Š•‹–‡”-
ship done. Looking for suitable
placement. Please contact
95471174
·····
INDIAN female, 25, B.Sc nurs-
‹‰ǡǡͶ›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡
in advanced cardiovascular life
support, 63 per cent in Oman
Prometric. Presently in Oman
on visit visa. 94926358
·····
Fitness Trainer is looking
for placement. He holds BLS,
requirements, please send your
C.V. to: Amjad.Al-Harmali@
me.borets.com
·····
REQUIRED a partner in Cement skills. Degree in relevant area.
Factory in Salalah with following Fluent in English. Send CV to
manufacturing/ production
•’‡…‹ϐ‹…ƒ–‹‘•ǣ
1. Mosaic tiles.
2. Blocks in all sizes.
3. Interlock in all sizes.
4. Curbstone.
5. Factory area 8,000 sqm.
Machinery assembly
equipment with all
attachments are completely
new. Whatsapp 95337795.
·····
Announcement of sales
manager
Sales manager job description/
role:
Achieve growth and hit sales
targets by successfully managing · · · · ·
the sales team.
Design and implement a
strategic business plan that
‡š’ƒ†•…‘’ƒ›
Responsible for the target
setting and achieving.
”‘ϐ‹…‹‡–‹ŽŽ—•–”ƒ–‘”ƒ†
Photoshop. Charismatic,
”‘ƒ…–‹˜‡ǡ…”‡ƒ–‹˜‡ƒ†ϐŽ‡š‹„Ž‡Ǥ WE
š…‡ŽŽ‡–™”‹–‹‰Ȁ‡†‹–‹‰
marketingpr2016@gmail.com
·····
REQUIRED counter sales staff
for building and carpentry
material shop with two to three
›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡ƒ–ƒ†‹ƒ„‹”ǡ
contact 97914594.
·····
THE White Pearl Enterprises
—”‰‡–Ž›‡‡†‡š’‡”‹‡…‡†
beautician lady & henna artist
for a beauty salon in Bausher.
They should be honest and
hardworking. Limas. Beauty
Centre. If you are interested,
99350707 or 99250707.
GRADUATE salesperson
”‡“—‹”‡†ˆ‘”ƒŠ‹‰ŠǦ‡†Ž—š—”›
•–‘”‡Ǥ—•–„‡ϐŽ—‡–‹‰Ž‹•ŠǤ
”‡˜‹‘—•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹•ƒ
privilege. Send CV to hena 82@
hotmail.com
·····
are looking for Salesman
in paint division as well as
material division. Kindly send
your CVs to the following
e-mail: woejordan@gmail.com,
mohansinghsoor@gmail.com.
+968-93502050, 93206636
·····
Announcement
LEARN English language
from its origin with Hilal Al
Busaidy Higher Education
Services#HBHE and enjoy
the rich learning experience
during 2018.
Our offer to study English
in different countries as
following:
1. UK (GB)
4 weeks: from 550 rials
8 weeks: from 995 rials
12 weeks: from 1,440 rials
24 weeks: from 2,835 rials
manager looking for
suitable placement. Contact
95362046. Email:
srjobsinoman@yahoo.com
·····
DYNAMIC accounting
professional Indian, M. Com,
Šƒ˜‹‰ʹͷ›‡ƒ”•‡š’‘•—”‡ȋͳ͸
years in Oman) in various
•‡…–‘”Ǥš’‡”–‹•‡‹—†‰‡–‹‰ǡ
……‘—–‹‰—’–‘ϐ‹ƒŽ‹•ƒ–‹‘ǡ
Financial reporting and analysis,
ect. Looking for placement in
reputed organisation. NOC and
driving licence available. Contact
94676186. Email: vijayvb@
hotmail.com
·····
GRADUATE in Economics
Šƒ˜‹‰͸›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹
Consumer Electronics, Sales-
Marketing (2 years as Assistant
Manager) & Retail Marketing
in UAE & Oman with UAE
driving licence, seeking suitable
job in Oman. Contact +968
93353864.
·····
LOOKING for job “mobile
‡‰‹‡‡”dz‡š’‡”–‹
hardware and software, 5
›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡Ǥ‘–ƒ…–
95918300.
·····
FRESH MBA (HR & Marketing)
graduate Indian with
BTech ( computer science &
Engineering) seeking immediate
placement.
Contact 92382195/
99002103.
·····
INDIAN male, MBA Finance
™‹–Šͷ›‡ƒ”•‘ˆ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹
Investment Banking, Fund
management, capital markets,
Equity funds, Hedge funds,
Mutual funds, Accounting
and Financial consultant with
good communication skills,
seeks suitable placement. Now
available on visit visa in Muscat.
93129561/95755620. jaison.
vincent1389@gmail.com
·····
Looking for suitable position.
E-mail: snnkurian@gmail.com
95131814/96574390.
·····
INDIAN B.Com, 17 years
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹ƒǤͳͲ
years construction industry
procurement, store, accounts,
admin and logistic, valid D/L
and NOC. Email: snnbkurian@
gmail.com 95131814,
96574390, seeks opportunities. · · · · ·
····
I AM looking for work and
Šƒ˜‡‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹’Ž—„‹‰ǡ
maintenance work, decor,
tiles and interlock works.
9619837, 98937266.
·····
A YOUNG Indian, Gold’s Gym-
…‡”–‹ϐ‹‡†‡”•‘ƒŽ ‹–‡••
Trainer is looking for placement.
He holds BLS, CPR and AED
skills. Contact 98270993.
·····
SUDANESE, BA in English +
Celta, more than 20 years
‘ˆ‡š’‡”‹‡…‡ȋ‘”‡–ŠƒͳͲ
years in Oman-Sur), looking
for suitable placement. Contact
92084552.
·····
INDIAN with 35 years
‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‘ˆ‹’‘”–ǡ‡š’‘”–ǡ
trading and mining in UAE,
Oman and Kenya on visit visa
seeks suitable placement.
Contact: 93121505.
INDIAN male (38), looking for
suitable job in senior technical
’‘•‹–‹‘Ǥš’‡”‹‡…‡†‹
Physical security solutions (cctv,
Acs etc) and able to design/
maintain/co-ordinate high-end
system. Contact 95726788.
·····
I AM searching for sales
manager or accountant
’‘•‹–‹‘Ǥ͹›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡
in sales and accounting with
valid 2 years visa. Syed Ikram
+968 90165754
·····
CPR and AED skills. Contact
98270993.
···
A DRIVER looking for a job in
any company. Noveal Karoth
93243853.
·····
PAKISTANI light duty driver, 7
›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡‹ƒǡ•‡‡•
job. Contact 96551602.
·····
INDIAN male 30 years
master of engineering VLSI
†‡•‹‰Ͷ›‡ƒ”•‡š’‡”‹‡…‡
as assistant professor in
electronics and communication
engineering department on visit
visa seeking job in engineering
colleges and schools.
99639965, 93310197.
·····
HSE ‘ˆϐ‹…‡”Ȁƒ†˜‹•‘”ǡŠƒ˜‹‰
BTech, NEBOSH, IOSH, OHSAS,
ƒ†”‹˜‹‰Ž‹…‡…‡ǡ‘‹Žϐ‹‡Ž†
training and amp, 2 years
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ͻ͵ͺͻͶͲͳͺǡ ƒšǣʹͶͷͻͲͺ͸͸Ǥ
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invites quotations from
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* Construction of rest rooms
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our purchase department at
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Last date for submission of June 2018, driven by a lady.
Interested candidates send projects). Interested candi-
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resume to: hr@aljood-oman.com dates send CV to: tariqalimo- 25,000. 92470024. and workers. 93397812.
ƒšǣʹͶͶ͵͹ͲͲ͹Ǥ hd@gmail.com 14th June 2018 95959166. contact. 98192770. RUWI : 24785668
····· ····· ····· ····· ····· ····· ·····
businessfeature

business
20 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8

WEBSITES AND ONLINE

ADVERTISERS TEST LIMITS OF
EUROPEAN
PRIVACY LAW The stakes are high in Europe’s
$22 billion online display
advertising market because
websites and apps can charge
advertisers as much as 10
times more when ads can be
targeted using factors such as
an individual’s browsing history
or precise location

B
PARESH DAVE
usinesses engaged in online
advertising are taking divergent
approaches to a new European data
protection law, with some shutting
services to ensure compliance
while others test the limits of what
regulators will allow, a review shows.
Some major websites continue to deliver targeted
advertisements to users in Europe who have not given
consent for their personal information to be used,
according to advertising industry sources, owners of
major websites and a review of about 10 websites.
Such consent is a central element of the new
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), but
some websites and advertising software vendors
contend that consent can be bypassed legally — and
with the law only a month old, regulators have yet to
weigh in.
Gabriel Voisin, an London-based attorney
following GDPR at international law firm Bird & Bird,
said that limited enforcement of consent requirements
is enabling companies to push the line.
“Saying 100 per cent of ad inventory is properly
obtained at the moment is a massive overstatement,”
he said, referring to advertising space for sale.
Somewhere between 10 per cent and 30 per cent
of European consumers are refusing to consent
to personalised ads when given the choice, four
advertising industry executives said, citing their
companies’ internal data.
The stakes are high in Europe’s $22 billion online
display advertising market because websites and apps
can charge advertisers as much as 10 times more when
ads can be targeted using factors such as an individual’s
browsing history or precise location.
Companies risk fines of as much as 4 per cent of
their revenue for GDPR violations.
German media company Axel Springer has not
sought user consent for targeted ads on properties
such as news website Bild, citing an exception in the
law for when a company has a “legitimate” business
interest.
Regulators have said fraud prevention or marketing
can fit the definition, provided that any privacy affect
on consumers is limited, reasonably expected and
likely to be accepted.
“Axel Springer takes the view that the use of certain
tracking technologies in Germany continues to be
allowed without prior consent — as long as users can
opt out and provided there is a legitimate interest,” an
Axel Springer spokesman said.
Newspapers owned by Britain’s Reach, including
the Ealing Gazette and Grimsby Telegraph, loaded
personalised ads before seeking users’ consent,
according to a review on June 28.
Meanwhile, Alphabet Inc’s Google, the software of
which is widely used by websites and apps to deliver
advertisements, has advised clients that the practice
may be legally problematic.
North America’s National Hockey League website,
NHL.com, maintained targeted ads in Europe without
prominent disclosure about data use, according to a
Reuters review on June 28.
The league did not respond to a request to comment.
A spokesman for the British Information
Commissioner’s Office said “that consent must be
unambiguous, freely given, fully informed and involve
a clear affirmative action in order to be valid under
GDPR”.
The findings are in line with broader assessments
by consumer groups and other organisations.
More than a third of 75 major websites reviewed
by media consultancy Oko Digital in early June
“presented no notice” about personalised ads.
Dutch consumer advocacy organisation
Consumentenbond, meanwhile, found that about
half of 150 websites it reviewed started tracking users
before establishing consent.
Kean Graham, whose company MonetizeMore
manages ad sales for several websites that each
generate 20 million monthly page views or more, said
that clients’ revenue fell 67 per cent on the week after
GDPR came into force because he removed the facility
for personalised ads on websites of clients who were
unprepared to seek consent.
“We’ve taken it quite seriously,” he said of the new
law. — Reuters
TUESDAY | JULY 3, 2018 | SHAWWAL 19, 1439 AH
NEYMAR HOGS LIMELIGHT THE PSG FORWARD WAS BOTH ARCHITECT AND EXECUTIONER FOR BRAZIL,
SLIDING HOME IN THE SECOND HALF AND THEN TEEING UP ROBERTO FIRMINO LATE ON
SAMARA, Russia: Neymar barged his
way into the World Cup limelight with
a goal, an assist and another helping
of histrionics as Brazil roared into the
quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory over
Mexico on Monday that inflicted a
seventh straight last-16 exit on the
central Americans.
The PSG forward was both architect
and executioner for Brazil, sliding home
in the second half and then teeing up
Roberto Firmino late on, but he also
writhed on the floor, seemingly in
agony, after Mexico’s Miguel Layun had
made slight contact with his ankle.
That should not overshadow his
generally positive display however,
as the five-time champions beat an
otherwise stubborn Mexico, whose
World Cup began with such promise
Brazil’s Neymar celebrates scoring their first goal
with teammates. — Reuters
with a victory over champions
Germany, but ended in familiar fashion
in the first knockout round.
It was the seventh World Cup
running that Brazil have reached the
last eight, while Mexico have not made
it to that stage since they hosted the
tournament in 1986. Mexico, who
enjoyed an enviable recent record
against Brazil having won seven of their
previous 15 matches against them, were
a threat on the counter in the first half
but then faded without ever really being
put to the sword.
For all their quasi-mythological
attacking traditions, this Brazil side
have a pragmatism that keeps them in
check in such a way that you cannot
see them ever truly cutting loose at this
tournament.
Brazil’s Roberto Firmino scores their second goal against Mexico. — Reuters
Having kept clean sheets in seven of
their previous eight games, they were
never going to commit men forward
and allow Mexico to pick them off
on the counter in the same way that
Germany did in the group stage.
We have to learn That is not to say that they were not
under the cosh in the early stages as
to suffer and we Mexico sought to isolate the Brazilian
did suffer, it was a fullbacks Fagner and Filipe Luis, who
both looked vulnerable as Carlos Vela
tough match. We and Hirving Lozano bore down on
knew they were them. Lozano had an effort blocked
a high-quality after two minutes as did Hector Herrera,
but as the first half wore on Brazil got on
opponent. top in the stifling Samara heat.
A glaring spotlight had been
NEYMAR
on Neymar after his opening three
Brazil forward performances saw him miss a litany
of chances, frequently squander
Brazil’s Neymar
scores their first
goal. — Reuters
possession and spend far too long on
the turf.
Yet he answered a number of
questions with his performance and a
decisive finish early in the second half
from a move that he had started himself.
Minutes after the restart Brazil
took the lead in exquisite fashion with
Neymar starting and ending the move.
He darted across the edge of the
area before a perfect backheel released
Willian, whose low cross fizzed into
the danger area where Neymar slid in
to turn the ball home. It was a choking
blow for Mexico, who had been the
better side for the opening half an hour.
Brazil had to wait until the 88th
minute to put the match to bed when
Neymar was the architect, crossing for
Firmino to tap the ball home. — Reuters
 22 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8
SENSATIONAL
SUBASIC
CROATIA WITHSTAND SCHMEICHEL BRAVERY
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia:
Croatia showed none of the spark that
marked their romp through the group
phase but still did enough to edge
Denmark in their round-of-16 clash
on Sunday and ensure they will take
on Russia in the World Cup quarter-
finals next weekend.
They triumphed 3-2 on post-
match penalties after a 1-1 stalemate
at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium,
having squandered a chance to wrap
up the match five minutes from the
end of extra time, though they had
come back after conceding in the first
minute.
Denmark goalkeeper Kasper
Schmeichel made a brilliant stop to
deny Luka Modric’s penalty in extra
time and then saved twice more in the
post-match shoot-out but still came
out on the losing side as Croatia now
go to Sochi to meet the hosts, who had
earlier on Sunday knocked out Spain
in similar fashion.
Modric put aside the anguish of
squandering what surely would have
been the match winner to bravely step
up again in the shoot-out and convert
one of his team’s kicks.
“It can happen that you miss a
penalty but I am fascinated with
his determination to shoot after he
missed in extra time,” said Croatia
coach Zlatko Dalic.
TRUE CAPTAIN
“He took the responsibility as a
true captain and it speaks volumes for
Luka. He said it himself ‘I’m going to
take a penalty in the shoot-out’. Can
you imagine if he had not scored? But
he is a great player.”
Croatia goalkeeper Danijel Subasic
made three saves in the shoot-out —
only the second to do so in World
WHO’S
SAYING
WHAT
Cup history after Portugal’s Ricardo
against England in 2006.
“I am leaving with a nasty taste
in the mouth. We screwed ourselves
because we didn’t manage to make that
extra step.”
— Spanish midfielder Andres
Iniesta on being knocked out
by Russia for his 131st and last
appearance for his country.
“What is there to hide, we were
hoping for penalties.”
— Russia’s goalkeeper Igor
Akinfeev, who saved two spot-kicks to
help his team reach the last eight for
the first time since 1970, when they
“He was our hero tonight, he
saved three penalties in a shoot-out,”
played as the Soviet Union.
“You have to earn your luck and the
lads earned theirs... without luck you
cannot do anything in life.”
— Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic
after his team secured a last eight
spot with a dramatic penalty shoot-
out win over Denmark.
“We’ve never practised penalty
kicks as a team.”
— Japan’s coach Akira Nishino
makes a startling admission after
both Russia and Croatia rely on
Croatia’s Luka
Modric and Dejan
Lovren celebrate
winning the penalty
shoot-out. — Reuters
said Dalic. “You don’t see that every
day. He pulled us through when we
penalties to reach the quarterfinals.
“I don’t think we ever think about
that type of thing with England. It
would put you on a bit of a downer.
— Marcus Rashford on England’s
long record of failure in penalty
shoot-outs.
“We won’t sit back and wait, Brazil’s
attackers are too good for that to be
the right plan. We will try to keep
possession, we have midfielders who
are very skilled. It will be very tough,
but we’ll try to do so.”
Croatia’s Danijel Subasic saves a penalty from
Denmark’s Lasse Schone (not pictured) during
the shoot-out. — Reuters
needed him most.”
It was a game that started with two
chaotic goals and finished with high
drama but in between was banal and
pedestrian.
Mathias Jorgensen took all of 57
seconds to breach the Croatia defence
at the end of a long throw-in by Jonas
Knudsen, stabbing at the ball with his
left foot as he took it off team-mate
Thomas Delaney to score the quickest
goal of the tournament.
The lead lasted one minute and
52 seconds and there was an element
of comedy to the equaliser for Mario
Mandzukic.
PINBALL EFFECT
A kick across the Danish defence
was firmly cleared by Henrik
Dalsgaard but straight into the face
of team-mate Andreas Christensen,
creating a pinball effect that saw the
ball fall for Mandzukic, who then
expertly turned it into the net from
just metres out.
Chances thereafter were rare and
play was repeatedly broken with
Denmark’s defence resolute but
— Mexico coach Juan Carlos
Osorio on his country’s plan to beat
Brazil at a World Cup finals for the
first time.
“As a team, we play as a collective,
all the players together... with Zlatan,
as a person, as a player he’s an
individualist, and the play goes around
him. Instead, now, we play more the
team all together.”
— Swedish goalkeeper Karl-Johan
Johnsson on being within reach of the
the quarterfinals without star Zlatan
Ibrahimovic. — AFP
their occasional attacks languid, and
talisman Christian Eriksen missed a
telling contribution.
Croatia sparked only occasionally
too.
“It was really the small margins
that decided it,” said Denmark coach
Age Hareide.
“We had a fair chance to win
against Croatia. I think we did well
to stop them playing given they have
very good players.”
Croatia had catapulted themselves
into the category of ‘strong outside bet’
for World Cup glory after impressive
group wins but Russian fans will now
have more confidence in their team’s
chances in the next round.
“I am going to say to my lads that
we will now be playing the best team
in the World Cup,” said Dalic about
Saturday’s quarterfinal.
“We must not be arrogant, it will
be a huge test for us. But we have
come so far, we do not intend to stop
here, but I’m sure Russia thinks the
same,” added the Croatia coach.
— Reuters
 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8 23

COLOMBIA
PRESENT ENGLAND
WITH FIRST MAJOR TEST Radamel Falcao’s failure to
make a strong impact in the
Premier League during spells
with Manchester United and
Chelsea, should not disguise
the fact that he is a prolific
finisher and a real threat

Tuesday July 3 Spartak Stadium

1800 GMT Moscow

COLOMBIA ENGLAND
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Ǧth participation knockout stage. strong impact in the Premier League to be aware of that,” he said.
England qualified from Group during spells with Manchester United Trippier suggested England will
ǴǼǶdz ǴǼǶǷ ǴǼǶǻ ǴǼǸdz ǴǼǸǷ ǴǼǸǻ ǴǼǹǵ ǴǼǹǹ ǴǼǺdz ǴǼǺǷ ǴǼǺǻ ǴǼǻǵ ǴǼǻǹ ǴǼǼdz ǴǼǼǷ ǴǼǼǻ ǵdzdzǵ ǵdzdzǹ ǵdzǴdz ǵdzǴǷ G thanks to wins over Tunisia and and Chelsea, should not disguise the continue with the approach they have
Panama and with their place booked fact that he is a prolific finisher and a shown so far in this tournament and
ǠǢth participation they fielded a second-string side in real threat. indeed Southgate is expected to return
Source: federations, FIFA *Total for all players
their 1-0 defeat to a similarly weakened Likewise winger Juan Cuadrado’s to the line-up that he started with in
Belgium in a strange final group game disappointment at Chelsea needs the opener against Tunisia. — Reuters

Swedes trust in the collective ahead of Swiss showdown

TUESDAY JULY 3 SAINT PETERSBURG
Last 16 1400 GMT Saint Petersburg Stadium

SWEDEN SWITZERLAND
Augustinsson Lang
Forsberg Shaqiri

Granqvist Xhaka Djourou

Ekdal
Toivonen Dzemaili
Olsen Gavranovic Sommer
Berg
COACH Lindelof Behrami Akanji COACH
Hiljemark
Janne Wladimir
Andersson Petkovic

Lustig Claesson Zuber Rodriguez

Captain REFEREE
Damir Skomina (SLO)
Swedish players during training at Saint Petersburg Stadium. — Reuters

ST PETERSBURG: Sweden are the
underdogs going into their World Cup
last 16 match with Switzerland but
are counting on strategy and trust in
the collective to help them reach the
quarter-finals, their captain Andreas
Granqvist said on Monday.
Sweden face Switzerland in St
Petersburg on Tuesday in what promises
to be a game of fine margins.
The Swiss came through Group E
unbeaten, winning once and drawing
twice to finish second behind Brazil,
while Sweden, whose defensive style
of play has been criticised in some
quarters, topped Group F despite being
beaten by Germany.
“We know what got us this far,”
Granqvist told a news conference. “We
know Switzerland have been playing
really well over a long period of time.
“They are the favourites for the
match tomorrow and that we would in
any way underestimate them is not even
in the cards. We know what brought us
here — very strong collective defence
and the courage to attack as well.”
With the teams evenly matched and
neither boasting a wealth of attacking
options, the tie could well be decided by
a penalty shootout, and Sweden coach
Janne Andersson said he had a plan for
that eventuality.
“It’s my job to decide on the players
who need to perform, in this case for
the penalty shootout situation,” the
55-year-old said. “We’ve talked about
it in the squad... and I’m going to rank
the players, the entire squad in terms of
penalties.
“We have a clear plan in place for
what we’re going to do, but I’m not
going to enter into any more details.”
Granqvist, who has Granqvist, who has scored two
penalties in Russia already, said he
scored two penalties was confident of adding to that tally
in Russia already, if it came down to it, but was hoping
said he was confident Sweden could prevail in normal time.
“If we do get to penalties, Janne will
of adding to that tally decide the order and call the shots. I have
if it came down to absolutely no clue at this stage,” he added.
it, but was hoping Beaten 2-1 by a last-gasp goal by
Sweden could prevail 2014 champions Germany in the group
stages, the Swedes were aggrieved over
in normal time what they perceived to be excessive
celebrations by the German coaching
staff in front of their bench.
Andersson criticised the Germans
in the wake of that defeat, but both his
captain and him denied they gloated
over Germany’s shocking failure to get
out of their group.
“I think it’s unfortunate for Germany
that they were eliminated,” Andersson
said. “As far as we’re concerned we don’t
really worry about how other teams are
doing.
“There was absolutely no gloating
whatsoever in terms of Germany or any
other team for that matter.” — Reuters
tennis/local
sport
24 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8
Summer Sports completes 40 events, unveils sponsors
ADIL AL BALUSHI
MUSCAT, JULY 2
Ruqaiya al Jabri, chairman of Summer
Sports programme, stated that as many
as 40 activities has been completed
from the commencement of the
programme on June 14.
Ruqaiya said this during a press
conference held at the Ministry of
Sports Affairs to unveil the sponsors of
the Summer Sports on Monday.
The 13th edition of Summer Sports,
run by the ministry, is considered as
the oldest summer programme and
aimed to target people aged from
five years and above. She said most
of the upcoming events in Muscat
governorate namely: open days at
the Seeb, Azaiba and Barr Al Jissah
beaches in July at the weekends.
Ooredoo and Hala FM are the
4 Omani
athletes get
wild card for
Tokyo Games
qualification
Hamad al Khatri
Mazoon al Alawiyah
Abdul Rahman al Kulaibi
Issa al Adawi
MUSCAT: Four Omani athletes
—shooter Hamad al Khatri,
sprinter Mazoon al Alawiyah,
swimmers Issa al Adawi and
Abdul Rahman al Kulaibi will
get wild card entry into the
qualification events for the
Tokyo 2020 Olympics, according
to a press statement from the
Oman Olympic Committee
(OOC).
The OOC has managed to
obtain the qualification spots as
part of the support programme
of the Olympic Solidarity of
the International Olympic
Committee.
The OOC has nominated
a number of athletes after
coordination with the concerned
sports associations in order to
take advantage of the grants
offered by the International
Olympic Committee. Based on
the coordination conducted with
the international federations and
the results scored by the Omani
athletes, four of them were
selected.
The scholarships offered aim
to enable these athletes to qualify
for participation in the Olympic
Games Tokyo 2020.
Ruqaiya al Jabri
exclusive sponsors for this edition of
Summer Sports.
Also, Ruqaiya mentioned about the
training centres, which were set up in
the beginning of July until August 9.
There centres give training in more
than 23 sports. She explained that the
main objective of the programme is
spreading the theme of ‘Sports for all’ to
New-look Federer eases through
STEPHENS SLUMPS TO CROATIA’S VEKIC AT WIMBLEDON ON DAY ONE
Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action during the first round match against Serbia’s
Dusan Lajovic at the Wimbledon Championships. — Reuters
LONDON: Defending champion
Roger Federer marked the start of his
20th successive Wimbledon with a
new look and a comfortable 6-1, 6-3,
6-4 win over Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic
on Monday.
Top seed Federer marched out
on Centre Court dressed for the first
time in gear designed by Japanese
giant Uniqlo in a deal reported to be
worth $300 million after a two-decade
association with Nike.
But everything else was familiar for
the 36-year-old eight-time champion
as the Swiss cruised past world
number 57 Lajovic in just 79 minutes.
It was the second successive year
that Federer had knocked out the Serb
at Wimbledon.
“I’m very happy, I felt good from
the start too which was nice and that
was not the case last year against him.
I remember I struggled early on a lot,”
said Federer who hardly broke sweat
in Monday’s 30-degree hothouse.
“It was a really nice feeling. I always
got the early break in each set and was
able to bring it home.”
After just 20 minutes to complete
the first set, Federer went on to fire
different categories in the community.
“This year we added some new
changes by having ‘laser run’ event.
This is a community game and will
be implemented at four different
governorates. It includes shooting and
running by using laser tools,” Ruqaiya
al Jabri, said.
“In this edition, we open the floor for
35 winners past Lajovic, breaking
serve five times, setting up a second
round encounter against either Lukas
Lacko of Slovakia or French qualifier
Benjamin Bonzi.
Federer was joined in the second
round by the man he defeated in the
2017 final, Marin Cilic.
Third seed Cilic enjoyed a 6-1,
6-4, 6-4 win over Japan’s Yoshihito
Nishioka.
Cilic, who won the Wimbledon
warm-up event at Queen’s Club last
month, fired 21 aces and 44 winners
past his 259th-ranked opponent.
He will face either Australian
qualifier Jason Kubler or Guido Pella
or Argentina for a place in the last 32.
US Open champion and fourth
seed Sloane Stephens became the
tournament’s first big name casualty
when she slumped to a 6-1, 6-3 loss to
Croatia’s world 55 Donna Vekic.
For Stephens, fresh from making
the French Open final last month, it
was her second successive first round
loss at the tournament.
Vekic, who sealed the upset on her
fourth match point, faces Slovakia’s
Viktoria Kuzmova or Sweden’s
the volunteers to take part into different
sections like: registration, designing,
photo shooting, management of
sports events, editing of videos ..etc,”
Ruqaiya added. “I would like to thank
our sponsors (Ooredoo and Hala FM)
for their continuous support to the
programme. Their sponsorship will
play an efficient role to develop the
Donna Vekic of Croatia celebrates winning her first round match against Sloane
Stephens of the USA. — Reuters
Rebecca Peterson in the second
round.
Later on Monday, Serena Williams
tackles Dutch outsider Arantxa Rus
on Court One.
The American returns to the
tournament for the first time since
claiming a seventh title in 2016 having
missed last year to give birth to her
daughter.
Williams, seeded 25 this year
despite a ranking of 181, has never
played Rus, the world 107 who made
the third round in 2012 but failed to
get out of qualifying on her last three
visits.
Monday’s other Centre Court
matches see Australian Open
champion Caroline Wozniacki face
Varvara Lepchenko of the United
States while Bulgarian sixth seed
Grigor Dimitrov, a semi-finalist in
2014, faces three-time major winner
Stan Wawrinka.
Also getting their campaigns
under way on Monday are five-time
women’s champion Venus Williams
against Johanna Larsson.
Elsewhere, Sam Querrey, the
American 11th seed who made the
Summer Sports,” Ruqaiya concluded.
Mutasim Hamood al Zadjali,
General manager of branding and
communication at Oredoo company
affirmed that the renewal of sponsorship
with summer sports programme came
under the social responsibility which is
raised by Oredoo company to different
categories of community specially to
semi-finals last year, saw off Australia’s
Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.
In the women’s event, there were
wins for Czech seventh seed Karolína
Pliskova who defeated Britain’s
Harriet Dart 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 6-1 and
10th seeded American Madison
Keys, a 6-4, 6-2 winner over Ajla
Tomljanovic of Australia.
However, 2017 semifinalist
Magdalena Rybarikova lost 7-5, 6-3 to
Sorana Cirstea. — AFP
WIMBLEDON RESULTS
Men (first round)
Sam Querrey (USA x11) bt Jordan
Thompson (AUS) 6-2, 6-4, 6-3; Philipp
Kohlschreiber (GER x25) bt Evgeny Donskoy
(RUS) 6-2, 6-4, 7-5; Marin Cilic (CRO x3) bt
Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-1, 6-4, 6-4; Lucas
Pouille (FRA x17) bt Denis Kudla (USA) 6-3,
6-3, 2-6, 6-3; Dennis Novak (AUT) bt Peter
Polansky (CAN) 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7)
Women (first round)
Karolina Pliskova (CZE x7) bt Harriet
Dart (GBR) 7-6 (7/2), 2-6, 6-1; Alexandra
Dulgheru (ROM) bt Kristyna Pliskova (CZE)
6-4, 1-6, 6-2; Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) bt
Mona Barthel (GER) 7-5, 6-4; Sorana Cirstea
(ROM) bt Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK x19)
7-5, 6-3; Evgeniya Rodina (RUS) bt Antonia
Lottner (GER) 3-6, 7-5, 6-4
juniors and youth. He also stated that
these kinds of activities will add a great
value to the participants and improve
their technical skills and benefited
leisure time.
“We will have a series of promos
about Summer Sports programme
and continuous news about it in daily
radio programmes. Also, we will have
live connection for some events of
the programme,” Qusai Mansoor,
representative of Hala FM radio, said.
The press conference held at the
Ministry was attended by Ruqaiya
al Jabri, chairman of summer sports
programme, Mutasim Hamood al
Zadjali, General-Manager of branding
and communication at Oredoo
Company, Ahmed al Jahdhami,
director of marketing at the ministry,
and Qusai Mansoor, representative of
Hala FM radio.
Australia’s
Stanlake
tears through
Pakistan
HARARE: Australia fast bowler Billy
Stanlake rediscovered his aggressive
streak to demolish Pakistan’s top
order and set up a nine-wicket win
for his side in the second match of
the T20 tri-series in Zimbabwe. “The
boys have been talking to me in the
last few days about being a little more
aggressive, so that’s why I came out
and tried to do that,” said Stanlake.
The tactic brought almost
immediate success, and he went on
to record figures of four for 8 in his
opening burst, the most economical
spell by an Australian in T20I cricket,
and second only to James Faulkner’s
5 for 27 the last time these two teams
met. Stanlake’s wickets, backed up by
three quick strikes from Andrew Tye
at the death and one each for Jhye
Richardson and Marcus Stoinis, kept
Pakistan to 116 all out, a score which
Australia chased down with ease,
captain Aaron Finch registering an
unbeaten 68 as they cantered home
with more than nine overs to spare.
Shoaib Malik, who became the
first male cricketer to play 100 T20Is
in this game, briefly rallied alongside
Asif Ali before a horrible mix-up led
to his run out for 13. It was left to
Pakistan’s lower order to guide the
team beyond 100. — AFP
SCOREBOARD
Pakistan
M Hafeez c Finch b Stanlake -----------------------------0
F Zaman c Carey b Stanlake ------------------------------6
H Talat c Finch b Stanlake -------------------------------10
S Ahmed c Finch b Stanlake -----------------------------4
S Malik run out ----------------------------------------------13
A Ali b Stoinis -------------------------------------------------22
S Khan c Head b Tye ---------------------------------------29
F Ashraf c Tye b Richardson ----------------------------21
M Nawaz c Agar b Tye --------------------------------------- 6
H Ali c Agar b Tye ----------------------------------------------0
U Khan not out -------------------------------------------------0
Extras (lb1, w4) -----------------------------------------------5
Total (all out, 19.5 overs) ----------------------116
Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-12, 3-19, 4-24, 5-47,
6-61, 7-91, 8-114, 9-116
Bowling: Stanlake 4-0-8-4, Richardson 4-0-22-
1, Stoinis 3-0-17-1, Tye 3.5-0-38-3, Agar 4-0-27-
0, Maxwell 1-0-3-0
Australia
D Short c Talat b Ali -----------------------------------------15
A Finch not out -----------------------------------------------68
T Head not out ------------------------------------------------20
Extras (lb5, w9) ---------------------------------------------14
Total (1 wkt, 10.5 overs) -----------------------117
Fall of wickets: 1-35
Bowling: U Khan 3-0-31-0, Nawaz 2-22, Ali 2-0-
18-1, S Khan 3.5-0-41-0
Australia’s Billy Stanlake delivers a
ball during the T20 against Pakistan
at Harare Sports Club. —AFP
 international

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OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8

HERITAGE SITES
25
Turkey’s ancient
temple site gets
Givenchy’s Unesco heritage
C
lare Waight Keller, the
Givenchy stylist who

status
grabbed the world fashion
spotlight by designing
Meghan Markle’s wedding
dress, on Sunday unveils
her haute couture collec- British
designer
tion as the shows kick off in Paris.
Her show will be the first since the
house’s founder Hubert de Givenchy died
in March at the age of 91.
It is 47-year-old Waight Keller’s second

to kick
haute couture collection since she suc-
ceeded Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy in
March 2017, shortly after leaving rival
label Chloe after six years at the helm.
The British artistic director created

off Paris
the boat-necked, sculpted dress that
Markle wore for her wedding to Prince
A TURKISH ANCIENT tem- nature,” it added.
Harry on May 19, featuring a five-metre ple site in southeastern On the “distinctive”
(16-foot) train embroidered with flowers Anatolia was given Unesco T-shaped large pillars,
from all 53 Commonwealth countries. World Heritage status on there are images of wild

haute
Markle also chose Givenchy for her Sunday, the UN agency animals, which Unesco
first official engagement
gagement on June 14 a along-
longg- announced at a meeting in said provided “insight into
side Queen Elizabeth
zabeth II, sporting
spporting a beigee the Bahraini capital the way of life and beliefs
wool crepe dress ss with a small
smmall cape. Manama. of people living in Upper
The official haute couture
coutu ure programme
progra ammee Named Gobekli Tepe Mesopotamia about 11,500

couture
includes 35 shows, running runnning through
thrrough h (Potbelly Hill), the site is the years ago”.
world’s oldest known meg- The late German pro-
Wednesday, with collec collections
tions from
froom 11 alithic structure located in fessor Klaus Schmidt led
nations: Belgium, m, China, France, Israel,
Israel, Upper Mesopotamia and is the excavations of Gobekli
Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Morocco, Thee some 11,000 years old. Tepe from 1995.

shows
Netherlands, Russia and annd the United
United d The site, considered In March this year, his
States. to be the world’s oldest wife Cigdem Koksal-
Unlike ready-to-wear
dy-to-wear shows, haute hautee temple, is in the present- Schmidt warned of heavy
couture rolloutss in January
Januarry and Julyy are a day
d southeastern prov- machinery and concrete
solely Parisian affair. ince
in of Sanliurfa and being used to build a path
The prestigious
ous “haute couture”
c label
abel iss
la reopened
re to tourists ear- at the site with images she
lier
li this year after resto- shared on social media.
accorded by thee French in industry ministry
dustry min nistryy ration
ra work was under- “I don’t know how to
to acknowledgee traditionall craftsmanship
craftsma anship p taken
ta including a protec- articulate the sadness I feel
in hand-sewn, custom-made
custom-m made garments
garm mentss tive
ti roof for the site. now. Every time I visit, I see
using strict criteria.
teria. The site contains “mon- a new disintegration come
Only 14 fashion
ion houses currently boas boastst umental
u circular and rec- to light,” she was quoted as
the recognition, ion, including
inclu uding Ch Chanel,
hanell, tangular
ta megalithic struc- saying by Hurriyet daily at
Christian Dior, or, Giambattista
Giamb battista Valli, tures,
tu interpreted as enclo- the time.
Givenchy, Jean-Paul
n-Paul Gaultier,
Gaaultier, Maison
Maison n sures,
su which were erected The site had been on
Margiela, Schiaparelli,
parelli, Alexis
Alexxis Mabillee and by hunter-gatherers in the Unesco’s World Heritage
Pre-Pottery
P Neolithic age Tentative List of Turkey
Stephane Rolland. nd. between
b 9,600 and 8,200 since 2011 and the resto-
BC”,
B Unesco said in a state- ration work was part of
WEDDING DRESS SS AND JEANS
JEAANS ment.
m efforts to attain World
The catwalk displays off some of “It is likely that these Heritage status.
the world’s most expensive
expeensive monuments
m were used in It has become Turkey’s
clothes will be followed d on connection
co with rituals, 18th entry on the Unesco
Thursday by high-end
igh-end jewel-
jew
wel- probably
p of a funerary World Heritage List. — AFP
lery collectionss by the likes
lik
kes
of Anna Hu, Bulgari, Chanel,
lgari, Chane el,
Chopard, De Beers, Dior, Dioor,
Louis Vuitton and Mikimoto.
nd Mikimot to.
Off the official
ial programme,
program mme,
fashionistas on Sundayy were SPACE EXPLORATION
treated to a show of ex exclusive
xclusive
creations by Sonia
onia Rykiel,
Rykieel, the
fashion house founded byy the
influential French designer
ench desi igner
Nasa’s Hubble spots
who died in 2016.
16.
Although thee house develops
deevelops
massive cluster of 10
ready-to-wear lines, it worked
up handmade,, limited-ed
worked
limited-edi-
di-
billion-years-old stars
tion items to mark
ark its 50th h
anniversary forr the show w NASA’S HUBBLE SPACE The hundreds of thou-
in the elegant courtyard Telescope has detected a sands of stars within the
of the Ecole des es Beaux stunning image of a huge NGC 6139 are believed to
Arts. collection of ageing stars, have been formed over 10
Artistic Director believed to be 10 billion- billion years ago, the
Julie de Libran an paid years-old. report said.
homage to some This rich and dense As a result, they contain
ome of smattering of stars is a some of the oldest stars in
the label’s classics,
lassics, massive globular cluster, a our galaxy, formed very
with trademark k mesh, gravitationally bound col- early in the galaxy’s histo-
and black contrasted
ntrasted lection of stars that orbits ry.
with bright colours,
ours, and the Milky Way, the US However, their role in
lots of sequins and embrembroi-
roi- space agency said in a galactic evolution is still a
dery. statement. matter of study.
See-through tulle
h black tull le skirts were Globular clusters are This cluster is seen
paired with bigg coats or wool pullovers, denser and more spheri- roughly in the direction of
while a wedding cal than open star clusters the centre of the Milky
ng dress was w worn with like the famous Pleiades. Way, in the constellation of
jeans. They typically contain Scorpius (the Scorpion).
The pioneeringing Rykiel was
w a fixture in hundreds of thousands of This constellation is
the industry forr half a cen
century,
ntury, buoyed by stars that are thought to a gold mine of fascinat-
the Swinging Sixties
ixties crazee in London and have formed at roughly ing astronomical
the emerging feminist movement
eminist mo ovement across the same time. objects. — IANS
the globe. — AFP P

CROSSWORD
CRYPTIC PUZZLE
ACROSS
4 Possibly blast a rock (6)
7 Space for wild rapture,
sweetheart! (8)
8 Hardly rare? (6)
10 Freely available for panto
production (2,3)
13 Sweet or not, it can be golden
(4)
14 A runner up the pole? (4)
15 Pat middle-men on the head!
(4)
16 She upsets us at closing time
(3)
17 For a start, a dog may be in
one! (4)
19 Prod so as to make fall (4)
21 Politicians’ union (9)
23 Wimbledon’s Spaniards? (4)
24 Statesman who broke the
Scottish heart? (4)
26 Only a minority have noisy
ways (3)
27 A hack or policeman getting
out of breath (4)
29 Walking pace (4)
32 The end of certain rabbits (4)
33 Gem, perhaps, a fat lady
wouldn’t mind losing? (5)
34 Remember about a visit (6) (3) 34 Naturist (6) 14, Ted 16, Rates 17, Loud 19,
35 Able to read that tea can be 28 In Caerphilly, it’s not really 35 Personifies (8) Helen 21, MI-Ned 22, B-ip-ed
made by the litre! (8) mountainous (5) 36 Clergyman (6) 23, Scab 26, B-ruin 28, H-U-e 29,
36 Does rhubarb feel so? (6) 30 Garments derived from goats DOWN Lentil 30, Can-dle 31, O-gle 32,
DOWN (5) 1 Eye inflammations (5) Trib-ut-es 33, Tithes.
1 Had he his own ladder? Yes, 31 Great tsar’s favourite operatic 2 Location (5)
DOWN: 1, Ves-S-el 2, To-Ur-Ed.
and a horse! (5) piece (5) 3 Competent (4) 3, R-and 4, Figured 5, Co-p i-t 6,
2 She’s in love - starry eyed! (5) 32 Powder used in dental clinics 4 Love (5)
Myth-s 8, Tutu 9, Red 12, Nan 13,
3 Don’t go south to finish up (4) (4) 5 Melt (4) Sepia 15, Ren-EW 18, Ochre 19,
4 To infatuate, it’s best to have 33 Made sure of five out of seven 6 Breakfast food (6)
Hip 20, LED 21, Min-I-b-us 22,
love within (5) (4) 9 Keep (6) Bit 23, Su-nl-it 24, Cede 25, Bleats
5 After starting school, is able to EASY PUZZLE 11 Limb (3)
26, B-lots 27, Unti-l 28, Hag 30,
read (4) ACROSS 12 Monotonous sound (5)
C-ost.
6 It needs nothing more than 4 Season (6) 13 Relegated (7)
YESTERDAY’S EASY
pluck to break out of prison! 7 Shook (8) 15 Mother, informally (3)
SOLUTIONS
(6) 8 Spoke in public (6) 16 Pig-pen (3)
9 It’s on the cards as being 18 Country houses (6) ACROSS: 1, Creche 7, Recapped
10 Evade (5)
merely plastic (6) 20 Alloy (5) 8, Peer 10, Screws 11, Nature 14,
13 Sketched (4)
11 Most recent part of the mine 21 Diving bird (3) Ore 16, Sitar 17, Ends 19, Baton
14 Prophet (4)
workings (3) 22 Term of respect (3) 21, Medal 22, Cedar 23, Slip 26,
15 Encounter (4)
12 To Ann, he’s a changed man 16 Cunning (3) 23 European river (6) Shrug 28, Lie 29, Neural 30,
(5) 17 Egg (4) 25 Lip (3) Panama 31, Eden 32, Composer
13 Where statesmen can work to 19 Sparkling wine (4) 28 Go in (5) 33, Tussle.
get coal out of a mine (7) 21 Hatred (9) 30 Acceptable (5) DOWN: 1, Chaste 2, Cheers 3,
15 Friend who made Palgrave less 23 Fight (4) 31 Untied (5) Errs 4, Parasol 5, Spout 6, Adder
solemn? (3) 24 Prong (4) 32 Table (4) 8, Prod 9, Ewe 12, Tin 13, Radii
16 Chap who gives prisoners 26 Tibetan ox (3) 33 Soon (4) 15, Madam 18, Niche 19, Bed
heart (3) are concerned? (5) (3) 27 Ogle (4) YESTERDAY’S CRYPTIC 20, Tar 21, Megaton 22, Cur 23,
18 Cars wrecked by a learner 29 Wicked (4) SOLUTIONS Sinews 24, Lean 25, Plaice 26,
driver - the devil! (6) 21 Subdue a female (3) 23 Hate being unfairly tested (6) 32 Country (4) ACROSS: 1, Victor 7, Anti-body Snack 27, Rummy 28, Lad 30,
20 The seat of rule, where birds 22 One generous in the extreme? 25 It could well be spent in Japan 33 Texan mission (5) 8, Turn 10, So-ured 11, Pu-ni-sh Pert.
oman/world
features
26
INSTAGRAM TOP PICKS
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8
CURIOSITY
TRAVEL TALES
The seven
tallest summits
in the world
TITASH CHAKRABORTY
F
or professional climb-
ers all over the world,
there is but one prima-
ry goal everyone
seemed to share —
climb all the seven
highest summits in the
world. The seven summits are the
highest mountains located in each of
the seven continents.
The first to climb all summits was
American climber Dick Bass. Starting
with six summits in 1983, he was
guided by David Breashears to climb
the summit of Everest in 1985. As of
2016, over 400 people have success-
fully completed reaching the peak of
all seven summits.
MOUNT EVEREST, NEPAL
29,035’/8,850m
Known in Nepali as Sagarmāthā
and in Tibetan as Chomolungma,
Mount Everest is the earth’s highest
mountain above sea level. Located in
the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of
the Himalayas, the international bor-
der between China and Nepal across
its summit point.
Mount Everest attracts many
climbers, some of them highly expe-
rienced mountaineers. Mt Everest
was first summited by Sherpa
Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary
with a British expedition in 1953.
Everest presents dangers such as
altitude sickness, weather, and wind,
as well as significant hazards from
avalanches and the Khumbu Icefall.
ACONCAGUA, ARGENTINA
22,902’/6,960m
The highest mountain outside
Asia, at 6,960.8 metres (22,837 ft),
Aconcagua, which translates as
“Stone Sentinel,” highest mountain in
the Americas and is located in the
Andes mountain range, in the
Mendoza Province.
This spectacular mountain is sur-
rounded by numerous peaks over
20,000 ft. The surrounding lowlands
(up to 13,000 ft.) consist of beautiful
desert landscapes with a large diver-
sity of flora and fauna. Though an
ascent of Aconcagua by any of these
routes requires minimal technical
skills, it does require excellent physi-
cal condition and good backpacking
and camping skills.
DENALI, ALASKA
20,320’/6,194m
Denali is the third most promi-
nent and third most isolated peak on
Earth, after Mount Everest and
Aconcagua. Located in the Alaska
Range in the interior of the US state
of Alaska, Denali is the centrepiece of
Denali National Park and Preserve.
The Koyukon people who inhabit
the area around the mountain have
referred to the peak as “Denali” for
centuries. It is classified as an
extremely challenging expedition
due to the severe weather and diffi-
culty in acclimating. Because of its
far northern latitude of 63 degrees,
Denali has lower barometric pres-
sure than the world’s other high
mountains.
KILIMANJARO, AFRICA
19,341’/5,895M
Mount Kilimanjaro with its three
volcanic cones, “Kibo”, “Mawenzi”,
and “Shira”, is a dormant volcano
in Tanzania. It is the highest moun-
tain in Africa, about 4,900 metres
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(16,100 ft) from its base to 5,895
metres (19,341 ft) above sea level.
There’s plenty of wildlife on the
mountain, though your chances of
seeing much are slim. This is large-
ly because the animals prefer to
avoid those parts of the mountain
where more than 40,000 people
tread every year.
Kilimanjaro’s main claim to
fame is that it is the highest
Mountain in Africa. It is also said to
be the tallest free-standing moun-
tain in the world as it’s not part of a
mountain range but stands all by
itself in the heart of the East
African plains.
ELBRUS, RUSSIA
18,513’/5,642m
The highest mountain in Europe,
and the tenth most prominent peak
in the world.[6] A dormant volcano,
Elbrus is in the Caucasus Mountains
in Southern Russia, near the border
with Georgia.
Elbrus has two summits, both of
which are dormant volcanic domes.
Snowfields of blinding white
ascend gradually, allowing climb-
ers to see far and wide. The snow
can be deep and soft or, in peak
season, firm and crunchy under-
foot. In one section, climbers must
use fixed ropes. Here, the gradient
is steeper with a vertiginous drop
to the basin below.
The ancients knew the mountain
as Strobilus, Latin for “pine cone”, a
direct loan from the ancient Greek
strobilos, meaning ‘a twisted object’
— a long-established botanical term
that describes the shape of the vol-
cano’s summit. In Greek mythology,
the Titan Prometheus was chained
to the mountain by Zeus as a punish-
ment for stealing fire from the gods
and giving it to mankind.
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featured here.
VINSON, ANTARCTICA
16,067’/4,897m
A large mountain massif in
Antarctica that is 21 km (13 mi) long
and 13 km (8.1 mi) wide and lies within
the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth
Mountains. It overlooks the Ronne
Ice Shelf near the base of the
Antarctic Peninsula. Vinson Massif
was discovered in January 1958 by
US Navy aircraft, Adventure
Consultants pioneered guided
ascents of Vinson Massif in 1990 and
has been operating successful trips
to the mountain ever since.
Climbed for the first time in
1966, Vinson still sees very few
visitors and remains a pristine
and majestic peak.
CARSTENSZ PYRAMID,
NEW GUINEA
16,023’/4,884m
Puncak Jaya is the highest moun-
tain in Indonesia, on the island of
New Guinea (which consists of the
Indonesian West Papua region plus
Papua New Guinea), on the continent
of Australia (which consists of New
Guinea, the country of Australia,
Timor, other islands, and submerged
continental shelf), and in Oceania, as
well as the 5th highest mountain in
political Southeast Asia.
Being equatorial, there is little
variation in the mean temperature
during the year (around 0.5°C) and
the glaciers fluctuate on seasonal
basis only slightly. It is located in
what is variously called the
Sudirman Range or the
Dugunduguoo, in the western cen-
tral highlands of Papua, just fifty
miles from the island’s southern
shore. Much of this range is charac-
terised by easy terrace, surmounted
by severe rock walls.
Share your story on
PEER THROUGH
THE WINDOW
CLIMATE CHANGE
Earth’s first
animals caused
global warming:
Study
WHILE GLOBAL WARMING
is deemed as the direct
result of man-made activi-
ties, a new research has
claimed that the climate
change phenomenon was
caused by the evolution of
Earth’s first animals more
than 500 million years ago.
The study revealed that
some 520-540 million years
ago, animal life evolved in
the ocean and began break-
ing down organic material
on the seafloor, leading to
more carbon dioxide (CO2)
and less oxygen in the
atmosphere.
In the 100 million
years that followed, con-
ditions for these earliest
animals became much
harsher, as ocean oxy-
gen levels fell and CO2
caused global warming.
“Like worms in a garden,
tiny creatures on the sea-
bed disturb, mix and recy-
cle dead organic material
— a process known as bio-
turbation,” said Tim Lenton,
Professor at Britain’s
University of Exeter.
“Because the effect of
animals burrowing is so big,
you would expect to see big
changes in the environ-
ment when the whole ocean
floor changes from an
undisturbed state to a bio-
turbated state.”
This impact of bioturba-
tion on global biogeochem-
istry likely affected animal
evolution through expand-
ed ocean anoxia, high
WELLNESS
Antioxidant treatment can
help lung disease patients
ADMINISTERING AN ANTI-
OXIDANT-ENRICHED vita-
min may decrease respira-
tory exacerbations in peo-
ple with cystic fibrosis, a
study suggests.
Cystic fibrosis is an
inherited life-threaten-
ing disorder that dam-
ages the lungs and the
digestive system.
The findings showed
that supplementation with
an oral antioxidant-
enriched multi-vitamin was
safe and well tolerated, and
led to increased systemic
antioxidant concentrations
and a transient decrease in
systemic inflammation.
People with cystic fibro-
sis typically experience
chronic bacterial infec-
tions, which lead to inflam-
mation and the release of
“vast amounts of reactive
oxygen species in the air-
ways,” said Scott D Sagel,
Professor at the University
of Colorado in the US.
While normally the body
would marshal an antioxi-
dant defence to neutralise
this oxidant stress, but
cystic fibrosis is character-
ised by dietary antioxidant
atmospheric CO2 levels
and global warming and
possibly contributed to a
number of mass extinction
events.
“The critical factor was
to realise that the biggest
changes happen at the low-
est levels of animal activity,”
said Sebastiaan van de
Velde, of the Vrije
Universiteit Brussel in
Belgium.
“This meant that the
first bioturbators had a
massive impact.”
According to the
researchers, this realisa-
tion was the “missing piece
of the puzzle”, and allowed
them to construct a math-
ematical model of Earth
around that time to look to
the changes caused by
these early life forms.
“We knew that warming
occurred at this point in
Earth’s history but did not
realise it could be driven by
animals,” they said.
The researchers noted
that “there is an interesting
parallel between the earli-
est animals changing their
world in a way that was bad
for them, and what we
human animals are doing
to the planet now”.
Lenton said: “We are
creating a hotter world
with expanding ocean
anoxia (oxygen deficien-
cy) which is bad for us
and a lot of other crea-
tures we share the planet
with.” — IANS
deficiencies. This contrib-
utes to an oxidant-antioxi-
dant imbalance and more
inflammation, which leads
to lung damage and a pro-
gressive loss of lung func-
tion, Sagel added.
For the study, published
in the American Journal of
Respiratory and Critical Care
Medicine, the team included
nearly 100 patients for a
16-week study where 53 per
cent of the antioxidant-
treated group experienced
28 exacerbations, com-
pared to 68 per cent of the
control group who experi-
enced 39 exacerbations.
The results showed a 50
per cent reduced risk to the
first exacerbation requir-
ing antibiotics in those
receiving the supplemental
antioxidants.
“Improving antioxidant
status in cystic fibrosis is
an important clinical goal
and may have a positive
effect on health,” Sagel said.
“Developing safe and
effective anti-inflammato-
ry treatments remains a
key priority of the cystic
fibrosis community,” he
noted. — IANS
 oman/world
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features OMANDAILYOBSERVER
T U E S D A Y l J U LY 3 l 2 0 1 8 27
Five books to
look forward to
this July 2018 Traditional
WITH SUMMER IN full swing, getting out on weekends
is often a challenge. If you are looking for something
medicine
remains
to entertain you and what some good books to read,
here are a few suggestions you might want to check
out soon:

LATITUDES OF LONGING
Shubhangi Swarup
HarperCollins

If a publicist informs
you at midnight that you
relevant
to Omani
need to leave everything
aside and begin reading
a novel slated to release
in the upcoming
month, it surely brings

society
with it a ray of hope
— the sublime joy of
finding your next
read. Shubhangi
Swarup is
described by sea-
soned editor and
publisher Udayan
Mitra as “an extraor-
dinary talent”, while poet-nov- Al Alyya village, her expertise is on herb
elist Jeet Thayil says her’s is “a RUQAYA AL KINDI
therapy.
remarkable debut”.
Beginning in the depths of the Andaman Sea, “Herbs, as many people already know,

W
and circling through Burma and Nepal to end amidst hile people all have many important benefits to the
the highest glaciers and passes of the Karakorams, over the world human body. Although herbal treatments
the story is said to sweep through worlds and times
inhabited by unlikely but seemingly convincing char- have different have decreased due to the progress made
acters. Of all novels releasing in the coming month, opinion about in modern medicine, there are still a lot of
Swarup’s seems to be the most compelling. alternative diseases that individual plants or a mix of
medicine and two or three herbs can cure faster and in
PAKISTAN ADRIFT: traditional most efficient manner,” she shared.
NAVIGATING TROUBLED WATERS healing, locals in Al Awabi and the nearby “For example, cooking Al Suommer
Asad Durrani
Westland villages flocked to some unimposing herb with salt can treat acne. If children
houses in this laid-back village for are having high fever, mixing Al Harmal
The author of this upcoming book, a former spy- traditional medical care. with dry lemon and salt and bathing the
master of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI),
recently made headlines after he teamed up with Although these locals have access kid on it will help them heal faster. The
RAW’s A S Dulat in a book of dialogues. Durrani was to modern technology and advanced roots of Al Suffun herb can be used to
later summoned by the Pakistan Army to explain his scientific medical care, it’s ingrained in treat cancer too,” he shared.
position on views attributed to him in the book.
Coming up with a new book in July, Durrani will their system to check out local healers Al Bahari said that he has been treating
reflect on his time in office — refined by distance and first as many of them have proven that patients from his home for several years
by diplomatic stints in Germany and Saudi Arabia. His
assessment of the challenges faced by Pakistan in the
last few decades, according to the publisher, is both
novel and informed. Though critical of the country’s
civil and military leadership — also conceding some
of his own flaws — he argues that the real causes of
Pakistan’s travails differ from what international
observers have come to believe.

THE WIND IN MY HAIR:

MY FIGHT FOR FREEDOM IN MODERN
IRAN
Masih Alinejad
Hachette

This memoir is the extraordinary

story of how one woman, Masih Alinejad, they can heal just as good as doctors. now and he hasn’t received any complaint
an awe-inspiring journalist and activist Nazih al Bahri has been known as a but rather was happy that his experience
from a small village in Iran, overcame great Al Tajbeer healer and she has been and more practise led him to refine his
enormous adversity to fight for what
she truly believed and founded a receiving patients in her home for over herbal therapy skills.
major movement for women around two decades. While alternative healing or traditional
the world with the simple removal of “I deal with the non-life threatening medicine works differently from person
her hijab. It all started with a single
photo, a bold statement on Masih’s fractures — some injuries of the bones in to person, the local healers are aware
Facebook page: A woman standing the hand or leg or any parts of the body that there are diseases that can only be
proudly, her face bare, her beautiful, that were injured after a fall or traffic cured by an experienced doctor.
curly hair blowing in the wind. Her crime:
Simply removing her veil, or hijab, which is compul- accident,” she shared. In their experience as well, if traditional
sory for women in Iran. It sparked a social-media lib- “These are the lowest degree of medicine cannot cure their patients,
eration movement, and across Iran, women started fractures,” she clarified. they also refer them to hospitals. For
posting pictures of their uncovered hair on Masih’s
page in open defiance of the strict religious beliefs of Al Tajbeer is an easy process. Al them, it is very important to know
their country. But behind the scenes of this move- Bahri shared that once she determined if the traditional methods can
ment, Masih has been fighting a painful personal bat- the condition of the patient, she would lead to acceleration of healing
tle. Read “The Wind in My Hair” to know more. The
memoir released in the United States on May 29 and “repeatedly massage the fractured area, or cause more problem.
will be hitting the stands here in July. put flour mixed with egg on it and then Although traditional
cover the place of the injury for several medicine is a cultural
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE: THE UNTOLD STORY days.” symbol and heritage which
Karan Thapar “The egg and flour mixture serves like deserves proper regulation
HarperCollins a medical plaster. It is also lightweight and and support, social
In “Devil’s Advocate”, veteran journalist Karan its purpose is to maintain the integrity of researcher Mubarak
Thapar dives deep into his life to come up with many the bones and help avoid jerking motions al Hamdani, said the
intriguing moments. The book will feature stories of which can dislocate it,” she said. people nowadays are
lasting friendships and long associations with Benazir
Bhutto, Aung San Suu Kyi, Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi, She added that with this process, the more aware of their
among others. However, not all friendships lasted; for patient usually recovers after two or conditions.
example, L K Advani, with whom he shared a close three days of treatment much faster than He added that
bond until an unfortunate disagreement over an
interview caused a fallout. The tension generated the hospital treatment. because of distrust to
during an interview has spilled over off-screen multi- Asia al Kindi is one of many Omanis medical institutions,
ple times, and the author discusses these incidents in who practises Al Wassim Therapy. traditional healers
detail. The untold story of two of his most controver-
sial interviews — with Jayalalithaa and Narendra Welcoming patients in the living room of are usually granted
Modi — are also elaborated in the book. Riveting and her house, she shared that she usually high social status
fast-paced, “Devil’s Advocate” is said to be as no- treats adult diseases that cannot be and good reputation
holds-barred as any of Karan Thapar’s interviews.
The book is scheduled to release on July 20. treated in hospitals. by the locals and
She added that one of the frequent because of this good
diseases she cures is Al Mouallada, which standing in the
THE GENERATION OF RAGE IN KASHMIR
David Devadas takes place between the chest and the society that people
Oxford University Press abdomen and causes the abdomen to go to them and opt
swell. for more natural
In this book David Devadas, a former
political editor at Business Standard, focus- The therapy includes a piece of nail or means of healing.
es on the rise of militancy in Kashmir. The iron called ‘kia’ being placed in the fire. “ S o m e
book also explores the roots of the angst It is heated to a certain degree and then people regard
among Kashmiri youth, which exploded
after the killing of Burhan Wani. He placed on the neck, chest or other body traditional
relates the increase in the generation parts where there is injury and left there medicine
of rage in Kashmir to the inability of for a few minutes. The heat from the nail as a myth
those in power to declare the end of
militancy at the right time. Exploring or iron has therapeutic effect on the while others
vital aspects of the conflict economy, injury. rely on its
murders for rewards, and terror “People with fever or high effectiveness to
acts by state-backed mercenaries,
Devadas shows how simplistic temperatures cannot be treated with this cure diseases. It all
black-and-white narratives suit therapy. They have to go to the hospital depends on the level of
both pro- and anti-state actors for that,” she shared. trust and confidence people
equally and lead the poor and
marginal to their deaths. For Khamis al Bahari who hails from have on who cure them,” he said.
— IANS
TUESDAY | JULY 3, 2018 | SHAWWAL 19, 1439 AH

follow us @omanobserver www.omanobserver.om observerfeatures@gmail.com

Traditional
medicine
remains
relevant to
Omani society
In laid-back villages of Rustaq and the
surrounding area, many Omanis still
head out to their favourite traditional
medicine practitioners for healing. With
high-trust rating among patients, their
relevance may be here to stay... 27

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Running Time: 135 min DESIGNER TO
Starring: Asha Madathil, Mithun KICK OFF PARIS
ARIS
Ramesh, Suraj Venjaramoodu HAUTE COUTURE
UTURE
SHOWS
Language: Malayalam
Subtitle(s): Arabic, English Clare Waight
Keller, the
Plachottil Kuttan Pillai is an st
Givenchy stylist
honourable police man. He lives a who grabbed the
contented life with his wife, Sub- world fashion
Inspector Shakunthala. An army of spotlight by THE SEVEN TALLEST
his relatives — his children, their designing SUMMITS IN THE WORLD EARTH’S FIRST ANIMALS CAUSED
spouses and extended family —
converge at his humble home to wedding dress,
kle’s
Meghan Markle’s
s, on For professional climbers all over the
GLOBAL WARMING: STUDY
attend the annual Shiva Rathri Sunday unveils ls world, there is but one primary goal While global warming is deemed as the
festival attached to the famous Shiva uture
her haute couture everyone seemed to share — climb all direct result of man-made activities, a new
Temple in the neighbourhood. The he
collection as the the seven highest summits in the research has claimed that the climate
festive mood sets in, blowing off shows kick offf in world. The seven summits are the change phenomenon was caused by the
Pillai’s meager domestic budget. Paris p25 highest mountains located in each of evolution of Earth’s first animals more
the seven continents p26 than 500 million years ago p26