P15 P18

WEATHER TODAY

MUSCATMAX: 420CMIN: 310C

SALALAHMAX: 340CMIN: 290C

NIZWAMAX: 410CMIN: 270C

SUNRISE 05.21 AM

35 HURT AS TORNADOES FLATTEN BUILDINGS IN DAYTON, OHIO P8

INSIDESTORIES

MALAYSIA TO SHIP BACK HUNDREDS OF TONNES OF PLASTIC WASTE P6

TBILISI: Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili received Dr Qasim bin Mohammed al Salhi who presented his credentials as the Sultanate’s non-resident Ambassador to Georgia. The ambassador conveyed the greetings of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos along with his best wishes to the President and the friendly people of Georgia. On her turn, the Georgian President asked the ambassador to convey her greetings and best wishes of good health and well-being to His Majesty, and the Omani people further progress and prosperity.

MUSCAT: Shaikh Mohammed bin Said al Kalbani, Minister of Social Development, on Tuesday issued a ministerial decision establishing Al Wafa Center for Rehabilitation of Disabled Children in Maqniyat in the Wilayat of Ibri. The centre was established as the town of Maqniyat is 80 km far from Al Wafa Center for Rehabilitation of Disabled Children in Ibri. The centre provides social and psychological rehabilitation services, rehabilitation programmes to improve mobility, functional abilities, speech abilities from an early age.

HM greetings toGeorgia conveyed

New centre fordisabled in Ibri

OMAN

P12

OMAN DAILY

VOL. 38 NO. 196 | PAGES 20 | BAISAS 200

FAJR: 03:55DHUHR: 12:09ASR: 15:29MAGHRIB: 18:52ISHA: 20:13

PRAYER TIMINGSRAMADHAN

editor@omanobserver.om www.omanobserver.omfollow us @omanobserverEditor-in-chief Abdullah bin Salim al Shueili

WEDNESDAY | MAY 29, 2019 | RAMADHAN 23, 1440 AH

23

ALIBABA PLANS $20 BILLION HK LISTING TO BOOST INVESTMENT

RIVERS ARE LOADED WITH ANTIBIOTICS WASTE: STUDY

AL HARTHY DETERMINED TO EXTEND PERFECT PODIUM RUN

KABEER YOUSUF AND MAI AL ABRIMUSCAT, MAY 28

A letter from the sponsor is

compulsory for the renewal of

resident card, according to a Royal

Oman Police (ROP) official.

This is mandatory for all expatriate

workforce in both private and public

sectors.

“One needs to bring a letter from

his/her individual sponsor or from the

company with the stamp and signature

of the competent authority saying

that the applicant is still working for

the firm concerned, and that, he/she

has no objection in getting a resident

card,” a source at the ROP told

the Observer. This new rule is an update of the

earlier condition to get a resident card

even without a consent letter from the

sponsor.

“The practice till recently had

been, once the visa renewal is done

on the passport, the employee was

able to approach the resident card

department in Seeb and get his/her

card after usual procedures such as

getting the application typed, getting

finger print verified and stamped and

paying a fee of RO 11,” the official said.

He further clarified that this was

a move to curb malpractice in visa

and resident card irregularities and

to offer better services to expatriate

workforce.

Resident card is mandatory for

all expatriates in the country once

the permanent visa is stamped as it

not only serves as a quick identity

card, but also stores all information

pertaining to the individual in the

chipped card.

However, although expatriate

children below the age of 15

were exempted from getting a

resident card, the ROP has earlier

clarified that resident children in

Oman, aged five or above, can now

apply for a resident card.

“This is done to make easy access

at Muscat International Airport’s

e-gate system and to help authorities

and parents process various

documentations faster and efficient

from time to time,” he added.

MUSCAT: On the occasion of

the blessed Eid al Fitr 1440 AH,

Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal al Busaidy,

Minister of the Diwan of Royal

Court, Chairman of the Civil Service

Council, on Tuesday issued a decision

stating that Eid al Fitr holiday for

employees in the ministries, public

authorities and other departments

of the state administrative apparatus

will start from Tuesday (June 4) till 3

Shawwal, which may fall on Friday or

Saturday, corresponding to June 7 or 8,

in light of the authorities’ decision in

respect of moonsighting of Shawwal

1440 AH. Work will resume on

Sunday (June 9).

The minister extended his

greetings to His Majesty Sultan

Qaboos on this blessed occasion,

praying to the Almighty Allah to

protect His Majesty, grant him good

health, happiness, and long life and

for the return of this and similar

occasions on His Majesty for many

years to come and the Omani people,

and our dear country further progress

and welfare under His Majesty’s wise

leadership, and all Muslims blessings

and prosperity.

Meanwhile, Shaikh Abdullah

bin Nasser al Bakri, Minister of

Manpower, issued a decision stating

that Eid al Fitr holiday for the private

sector companies and establishments

will start from June 4 till

Thursday June 6.

The decision allows employers

and employees to agree on work

arrangements during the holiday if

the necessity arises.

All employees in the private

sector extended their greetings to His

Majesty the Sultan on this blessed

occasion, praying to the Almighty

to protect His Majesty, grant him

good health, happiness and long life

and for the return of this and similar

occasions on His Majesty, the Omani

people and all Muslims with blessings

and welfare. — ONA

Eid al Fitr holidays from June 4

Sponsor letter must for resident card renewal

HM GETS SAUDI INVITATION

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos received a written message from King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia, inviting him to attend the GCC Emergency Summit, scheduled to be held in Mecca on May 30. The message was received by HH Sayyid Asaad bin Tareq al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs, Personal Representative of His Majesty the Sultan, when he received at his office on Tuesday Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid al Zayani, GCC Secretary-General, in the presence of the Secretary-General and the two advisers at the office of HH Sayyid Asaad. — ONA

The International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP) on Tuesday announced that the Photographic Society of Oman of the Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for Culture and Science has won silver medal at the 28th Colour FIAP Biennial in Spain in the colour print section. The winning picture is Glowing Spirits. P19

CAPTURING

FACES

KABEER YOUSUFMUSCAT, MAY 28

The stunning tourist spots across the

Sultanate are set to receive tourists

during Eid al Fitr holidays.

With the announcement of Eid

holidays and followed by weekend,

domestic tourism promotion

department at the Ministry of

Tourism is expecting a decent rise in

the number of visitors.

“We have all reasons to expect

more tourists to various local

destinations,” says Saleh al Khaifi,

head of promotions at the ministry.

Oman’s numerous local tourist

destinations are nothing short of a

perfect holiday spot, and the number

of tourists being pulled to the charm

are on the rise, he added.

The movement of both nationals

and residents too has been on the rise,

especially after some of the castles and

forts got major facelift and additional

amenities were added at important

tourist spots.

In February this year, 297,000

tourists visited Oman against 282,000

in January, while Oman recorded an

average of 267,000 tourist arrivals

a month between 2015 and 2019,

touching an all-time high of 466,000

in October, 2018.

According to Al Khaifi, Oman’s

unique coastline, rugged mountains,

well-maintained lakes, parks and

beaches, forts and castles of historic

importance, and beautiful landscapes,

all in one frame are a big attraction to

both domestic and foreign tourists.

Tourist spots geared up for Eid holiday rush

MOVE AIMED AT CURBING MALPRACTICE IN VISA REGULATIONS

One needs to bring a letter from the sponsor or from the company saying that the applicant is still working for the firm concerned, and that, he/she has no objection in getting a resident card

SOURCE Royal Oman Police

TURN TO P2

WASHINGTON: US President

Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared

Kushner is heading to the Middle East,

the White House said on Tuesday,

signalling a fresh push on

a long promised but yet

to be delivered peace plan

for the region.

Kushner is accompanied

by Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s

special representative for

international negotiations,

and Brian Hook, the special

US representative for Iran,

the White House said.

They “will travel from

May 27 to May 31 to Rabat, Amman,

and Jerusalem,” said a White House

official, speaking on condition of

anonymity.

The Trump administration is

expected to unveil the plan — after

numerous failures by its predecessors

— possibly as early as next month,

but the Palestinians have

already rejected it as heavily

biased in favour of Israel.

Upon his arrival in the

White House more than

two years ago, Trump

proclaimed his ambition to

secure a final accord ending

the conflict.

But the odds of his

succeeding have failed

appear particularly low.

Palestinians have boycotted the

process since Trump recognised

Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in

December 2017. SEE ALSO P5

Kushner heads to Mideast to press US peace plan

Jared Kushner

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 92

insideoman

Majlis Ash’shura discusses draft bankruptcy billSTAFF REPORTERMUSCAT, MAY 28

Majlis Ash’shura approved the

Economic and Financial Committee’s

report regarding the Bankruptcy and

Insolvency Bill and referred it to the

State Council.

Majlis Ash’shura held its 14th

ordinary session of the 4th annual

sitting of the 8th term under the

Chairmanship of Khalid bin Hilal al

Maawali, on Tuesday. The meeting was

attended by Shaikh Ali bin Nasser al

Mahrouqi, Secretary-General of Majlis

Ash’shura and the council members.

Abu Bakr bin Sulaiman Ba

Omar, Rapporteur of the Economic

and Financial Committee read out

the articles of the Bankruptcy and

Insolvency Bill. The bill was then put

up for discussion by the members

who raise a number of observations

and proposals for amendments with

regard to some terms. Some members

suggested adding some items and

others requested explanations for

the articles which are included in the

text referred by the government and

were discussed during the session

and comparing them with the visions

of the specialized committees which

studied the bill based on the Economic

and Financial Committee’s report.

Also discussed at the session

were the procedures for requesting

preventive reconciliation and the

required mechanisms for taking

protective measures on the insolvent’s

money as well as the aspects relating to

the declaration of bankruptcy and its

effect on the creditors and the other

parties.

It is worth noting that the

Bankruptcy and Insolvency Bill

referred by the Majlis Ash’shura by

the Council of Ministers contains 242

articles apart from the articles that

were added by the Majlis Ash’shura.

FROM PAGE 1

“We have been focusing on developing domestic

tourist sites with moderate temperatures to serve

as destinations through out the year. These include

Dhofar Governorate, Jabal Shams, Jabal Akhdhar, Al

Hamra, Wadi Bani Khalid, Wakan and the like which

offer a perfect holiday for the yearning tourists,” Al

Khaifi said.

The recently-reopened Bayt al Rudaydah Castle

is hosting a “Traditional Weapons Exhibition”, in

Birkat al Mouz at Al Dakhiliyah Governorate for

visitors. This is open 5 days a week, from Wednesday

to Sunday. The Bayt Rudaydah Castle was open

to public in April this year after being closed for

months for maintenance works.

Additionally, maintenance of trekking paths

in the Western and Eastern Hajar Mountains are

currently under way which too will be another

attractions to tourists.

Accordingly, trekking paths of more than 100

km length have been under maintenance and

development to attract tourists. They will also be

developing and maintaining paths suitable for a

wilderness/semi wilderness setting.

“We will also be installing large signboards

showing trail map with contour lines and coloured

layers indicating heights, cliff faces, elevation

section of the trail, new and old villages or areas of

habitation, marked and unmarked walking paths,

road network indicating the standard of roads and

vehicle tracks, and points of interest in order to assist

the trekkers”, he added.

Tourist spots geared up for Eid holidays

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 9 3insideoman

Open data contest yields 10 innovative projectsSTAFF REPORTER MUSCAT, MAY 28

The Information Technology

Authority (ITA) announced winners

in the Oman Open Data Competition

during an awarding ceremony held at

the Oil and Gas Centre on Monday.

The competition was held to

complement the Sultanate’s efforts

in developing the digital society and

eGovernment and to benefit from the

information and data produced by

government agencies.

The three winners in the

competition were honoured in the

presence of Dr Salim bin Sultan

al Ruzaiqi, CEO of ITA and ITA

management.

The competition produced 10

projects with innovative ideas and

practical applications that can be used

commercially and socially.

Three winning projects were

selected based on jury committee

evaluation which count for 75 per

cent and public vote counting for 25

per cent. The first place was taken

by Shopping Facilitator project and

received RO 2,000.

Reyadh al Balushi, one of the

jury committee members said, “The

Sultanate has made good strides

in the field of open data and many

government agencies have published

their data online. This competition

is a good step in this field since it

encourages the public to use this

data and to know what is available

online.” The teams which participated

in the competition have a variety of

participants as it contains employees,

students and job-seekers that came

from different regions of the Sultanate

as well, and this was a good thing, he

added.

Shopping Facilitator is an online

app which connects the appropriate

consumables available in the various

consumer centers in the market. It

makes it easy for users to search for

the materials they want to buy and

allows them to compare prices and

give them the best shopping centre

in terms of price or location based

on the user’s choice. InvestGo came

in the second place and received RO

1,500. The application aims at finding

suitable investment opportunities

for each investor so as to provide

easy and quick methods in analysing

data to invest by region, location and

available services. The 3rd winner was

Sakani and got RO 1,000. Sakani is an

app that can help university/college

students to find the most convenient

accommodation as quickly as possible

as well as showing the nearest services

needed by students in and around the

college such as transportation stations,

health centres and restaurants.

Oman Open Data Competition is

an online competition, which allows

participants to work virtually while

being engaged through workshops as

a checkpoint for follow up support.

It targeted individuals with

expertise in various areas like design,

development, entrepreneurship and

engineering. It Focuses mainly on

encouraging participants to come

up with an idea for using open data

provided by government agencies

to find solutions to the challenges

related to different sectors such as:

Education and Employment, Tourism,

Logistics, Housing, Public Health,

Agriculture and Fisheries and Energy

and Environment.

The number of participants in

the competition reached 223 and

were distributed into 39 teams. 19

of them were qualified to meet the

jury committee, and the committee

selected 10 teams, qualified for the

final stage.

On the innovative ideas

participated, Ahmed al Mafraji, a

jury member commented, “Oman

Open Data Competition achieved

its objectives. We have seen excellent

ideas for using the open data. Some of

them suffered from the lack of data.

Therefore, we call on all public entities

to provide their open data in an

accessible, readable and sharable mean

so that it can be easily and effectively

utilised.”

Dr Salim bin Sultan al Ruzaiqi, CEO of ITA, with winners of Oman Open Data Competition.

The Sultanate has made good strides in the field of open data and many government agencies have published their data online. This competition is a good step in this field since it encourages the public to use this data and to know what is available online. REYADH AL BALUSHI Jury member

STAFF REPORTER MUSCAT, MAY 28

Public Authority for Small and

Medium Enterprises (Riyada)

received the ISO 9001/2015

certificate, after fulfilling all

requirements including auditing

by LIoyd’s Register.

This breakthrough

achievement assures

Riyada’s commitment to

improving the level of

services and performance by

identifying all the challenges,

finding suitable solutions to

overcome them, and setting

up developing performance

indicators to measure its

operations.

“We are very pleased with

this new achievement. The ISO

certificate is a recognition of our

commitment to improvement

and a culmination of the efforts

and dedication of our staff,’’

said Badriya Abdullah al Hanai,

Director of Planning Services

and Quality Assurance at

Riyada.

According to her, the

certificate is an important step in

improving Riyada’s services and

contributing to the development

of performance in accordance

with international standards.

“This is reflected positively

on the performance of the

employee during the next stage”,

she said.

Badriya also pointed out

the authority earns the fruits of

hard work, good planning and

efficiency of all departments in

Riyada.

The Director of Planning

Services and Quality Assurance

poined out that the certificate

will contribute to motivating

the authority to continue its

efforts to achieve the main

objectives, especially the

development of small and

medium enterprises, which will

help in the development of the

entrepreneurship sector and

accomplish the progress and

development of the national

economy.

The new version of ISO

(9001/2015) focuses on

increasing the effectiveness and

efficiency of the procedures.

The most important change

is the risk-bases thinking

system, which contributes to

increasing knowledge of the

risks, identifying the available

opportunities of the authority

and t developing a plan to deal

with them.

The system also helps to

organise processes and develop

guidelines for each employee

so that he/she can perform

the tasks in a more structured

manner.

“Riyada is one of the first

government units to design

internal electronic platforms to

manage the quality system and

to document the operational

procedures according to Riyada’s

administrative divisions’’, said

Badriya.

She explained that the

authority aimed at improving

the level of services it

provides and improving the

procedures and operations

related to the stratification of

the beneficiaries by identifying

their needs and meeting their

requirements. As well as,

striving for the development of

the staff and developing their

skills.

Badriya also illustrated

the phases of the project,

which includes four basic

ones: preparation phase,

diagnosis and assessment

phase, documentation and

implementation phase and

internal audit, management

review and external audit phase.

Each phase has specific

goals and outputs, which were

evaluated through special

indicators.

ISO 9001/2015 certification gives fillip to Riyada THE CERTIFICATE IS AN IMPORTANT

STEP IN IMPROVING RIYADA’S SERVICES

AND PERFORMANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH GLOBAL STANDARDS

MUSCAT: A tender of Government Treasury Bills, issue number 140 was held at the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) this week.

The total value of the allotted Treasury bills amounted to RO 3 million, for a maturity period of 182 days, from May 29 until November 27.

The average accepted price reached 98.750 for every RO 100 while the minimum accepted price arrived at 98.750 per RO 100. The average discount rate and the average yield reached 2.50 per cent and 2.53 per cent.

The interest rate on the Repo operations with CBO is 2.92 per cent for the period from 28/5/2019 to 3/6/2019 while the discount rate is 3.68 per cent for the same period.

The Treasury Bills are short-term highly secured financial instruments issued by the CBO on behalf of the Government, which helps the licensed commercial banks to gainfully invest their surplus funds.

— ONA

MUSCAT: Lt Gen Ahmed bin Harith al Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF), visited the Southern Horizon Exercise on Tuesday. The exercise is conducted by the students of the Command and Staff batch (32) at the Command and Staff College (CSC), in the presence of Commodore Abdullah bin Ali al Selaimi, CSC Commandant.

SAF Chief of Staff was briefed on the exercise and the objectives of its implementation within the framework of the general curriculum of the batch. He inspected the cells of the exercise and was briefed on the tasks and work of each cell and the roles assigned to the participants in activities of the exercise. — ONA

CBO announces Treasury Bills tender results

SAF Chief of Staff visits Southern Horizon Exercise

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 94

insideoman

Jubilant Nadhirah returns homeLAKSHMI KOTHANETH MUSCAT, MAY 28

Nadhirah al Harthy, the first Omani

woman to have climbed the Mount

Everest, was accorded a warm

welcome on her return to Muscat on

Tuesday.

“I am grateful to God that I made

it to the top of the Mount Everest and

thus my dream has come true,” said a

jubilant Nadhirah.

Although her Everest mission

began in April 2019, the preparation

began months in advance.

“I am happy that I am back in

Oman with my family and friends

and everyone who supported me. I am

thankful that everything went well,”

added Nadhirah.

When asked what was the most

challenging part of it all she replied

with a smile, “The challenging part

was to stay at the base camp. It was not

easy.

The food and water and everything

we are used to in a day to day lifestyle

are all different when you decide to

live in nature.

We are far away and we must accept

the way things are to stay healthy and

do what we have to do.” “I love Nepal

and I already miss Nepal,” she added

as she reflected on her journey that

began in April.

To another question what she

would like to tell her beloved country

and its people, she said, “I hope I did

something for my country when I

raised our Omani flag on top of the

world. I am very happy to see how

happy everyone is to see what we have

achieved.” On arrival at the airport, the

Ambassador of Nepal to the Sultanate

of Oman, Sarmila Parajuli Dhakal,

greeted her with the traditional

scarves of Nepal.

“We were following her each

movement because the weather was

challenging. Nadhirah has proven her

strength and endurance,” she said.

STAFF REPORTER MUSCAT, MAY 28

On Monday, the port in Khasab

received the first ship to arrive in

Oman after the winter cruise season.

Karnika, also the first Indian

cruise ship to visit the Sultanate,

arrived with 1,043 travellers and

crew. They were given a formal

reception by officials at the Ministry

of Tourism.

The visit of Karnika comes as

part of the efforts of the Ministry

of Tourism to attract the cruise

ships and promote tourism in the

Sultanate.

Abdullah bin Saif al Saadi,

head of cruise ships department at

the Ministry of Tourism, said the

visit of the Indian cruise ship is an

important step to introduce tourists

from the Indian subcontinent and

neighbouring Asian countries to the

Sultanate.

Oman to emerge as all-weather cruise destination

Slaughterhouses ready for Eid al Fitr rushMAI AL ABRIA MUSCAT, MAY 28

The Ministry of Regional

Municipalities and Water Resources

said that the slaughterhouses in

various governorates are all geared up

for the Eid al Fitr rush.

“As part of the keenness for safe

and quality meat, it has intensified

checking at slaughterhouses and

is following up to ensure that all

health requirements are in place”, the

ministry said in a statement.

Officials are also monitoring the

meat shops to ensure that quality

control measures are in place, it said.

According to the ministry, safety

inspectors and veterinarians will be

present at all slaughterhouses to see

that only animals fit for consumption

are slaughtered.

“These steps are being taken as

a precautionary measure to prevent

transmission of diseases, if any,

from animals to humans”, said the

statement. As part of ministry’s

keenness at facilitating the process

of slaughtering in a smooth and easy

way, it equipped all slaughterhouses

with tools and machines that fasten

the work. The tools are made of

stainless materials.

The teams were provided with

equipment, spray machines and

personal protective equipment to

ensure a safe working environment

for the workers. The ministry also

called upon residents to refrain

from slaughtering animals outside

designated facilities to maintain

public health and hygiene.

A meeting of specialists in the

general directorates of regional

municipalities and water resources in

all the governorates was held to take

appropriate measures to regulate the

operation of the slaughterhouses.

“More butchers and cleaning

staff will be deployed to expedite the

work and to insure safe disposal of

slaughter waste. Veterinarians in the

ministry will help examine the safety

of meat and to ensure the cleanliness

of slaughterhouses”, the statement

said. The ministry has developed a

comprehensive development plan for

the slaughterhouses, which began in

2018, including the construction of

16 new slaughterhouses in the various

wilayats under the supervision of

the ministry. The construction of a

municipal slaughterhouse in Yanqul

in Al Dhahirah Governorate has

been completed and the construction

of other slaughterhouses in Dima

W’attayeen, Haima and Nakhl is

under way.

The ministry have completed the

maintenance of 27 slaughterhouses,

and executed some expansion for

some slaughterhouse halls. It also

installed glass barriers between

waiting halls and the slaughtering

areas to enable them customers watch

the slaughtering.

The Ministry of Re-gional Municipalities and Water Resources called upon resi-dents to refrain from slaughtering outside designated facilities to maintain public health and hygiene

Nadhirah al Harthy at the airport on her return from Nepal on Tuesday after scaling Mount Everest.

regionOMANDAILYOBSERVER

W E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 9 5

BEIRUT: Another wave of government

air strikes on Tuesday struck a militant

bastion in northwest Syria where more

than 40 civilians have been killed in

several days of heavy bombardment, a

war monitor said.

Four children were among 10 people

killed on Tuesday in government fire

on several towns in Idlib province and

neighbouring Aleppo countryside, the

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

said.

A hospital in the Idlib town of

Kafranbel was hit by artillery shells,

said David Swanson, a spokesman for

the UN humanitarian office.

“The facility is reportedly out

of service due to severe structural

damage,” he said.

The hospital’s Administrative

Director Majed al Akraa confirmed

the attack. “The hospital is completely

out of service,” he said.“It was a strong

attack. The generators and even my car

caught fire,” he said.

It follows two days of intensified

government bombardment on the

region that killed a total of 31 civilians

on Sunday and Monday, according to

the Britain-based Observatory.

Rescue volunteers and civilians

were seen pulling dust-covered victims

from the rubble of destroyed buildings

in the wake of those strikes. — AFP

KHARTOUM: Thousands of

Sudanese workers began a national

strike on Tuesday, leaving air

and bus passengers stranded as

protesters piled pressure on the

military to hand power to a civilian

administration.

The leaders of an umbrella protest

movement remain at loggerheads

with army generals who ousted

president Omar al Bashir last month

over whether a civilian or a soldier

should head a new governing body.

The body is expected to install

a transitional civilian government,

which in turn would prepare for

the first post-Bashir elections after a

three-year interim period.

In a bid to step up pressure on the

ruling military council, the Alliance

for Freedom and Change protest

movement called for a two-day

general strike starting on Tuesday.

Thousands of employees of

government offices, banks, private

sector firms and at the Red Sea hub

of Port Sudan joined the strike,

insisting that only civilian rule can

lift Sudan out of its political crisis.

“This strike is the first step. If our

demands are not heard we will go for

comprehensive civil disobedience,”

warned banker Yousef Mohamed,

as he chanted slogans along with

his colleagues outside his bank in

Khartoum.

“We tried a military government

but it didn’t work for us in Sudan.”

AFP correspondents who toured

parts of the capital saw groups of

employees participating in the strike

and protesting at several squares.

Traffic in Khartoum was normal

but travellers in private vehicles

whistled and clapped to express their

solidarity with those participating in

the strike. — AFP

TUNIS: The controversial founder of a major private television channel in Tunisia has said he will run for presidency of the North African nation in November polls.

Nabil Karoui, 50, announced his decision late on Monday in a live interview with his broadcaster Nessma TV, playing up his highly-publicised charity work.

Karoui is looking to take over from outgoing President Beji Caid Essesbi, 92, whom he backed during the last election in 2014.

The media boss has been accused by regulators and some politicians of using Nessma to bolster his ambitions.

Karoui has launched high-profile charity campaigns in recent years, handing out food and clothing in front of cameras from Nessma, which he launched in 2007.

“I met people, I helped them, neighbourhood by neighbourhood,” he said as he announced his candidacy.

“I saw the difficulty in which these people live.”

Karoui said he had drawn together a group of experts to compile a programme and list of candidates for parliamentary elections in October.

Tunisia’s broadcast watchdog last year seized equipment from Nessma after accusing it of trying to “influence” state bodies. — AFP

Tunisia media magnate announces presidential bid

BAGHDAD: A Baghdad court sentenced two more Frenchmen to death on Tuesday for joining the IS group, raising the number of French IS members on death row in Iraq to six.

Brahim Nejara and Karam El Harchaoui, both in their 30s, were among 12 French citizens transferred to Iraqi authorities in January by a US-backed force fighting the militant group in Syria.

The court’s decision came despite France reiterating its opposition to capital punishment after a series of similar rulings this week against French citizens handed over to Baghdad.

In recent months, Iraq has taken custody of thousands of militants, including foreigners.

Four other French citizens — Kevin Gonot, Leonard Lopez, Salim Machou and Mustapha Merzoughi — have been given death sentences in recent days by a Baghdad court.

Nejara, 33, was involved in IS’s foreign fighter operations, according to the French Terrorism Analysis Center.

He allegedly helped foreign fighters join IS in Syria, persuaded one of his brothers to commit an attack in France, and was associated with Foued Mohamed-Aggad, one of the bombers at the Bataclan theatre during the 2015 Paris attacks. — AFP

Iraq condemns two more French IS members to death

TEHRAN: Iran’s foreign ministry on Tuesday insisted it did not currently see the need for mediation with the United States, as it played down the chances of a military clash with Washington.

Spokesman Abbas Mousavi told a press conference that Tehran “does not feel any tension or (the possibility of ) clashes” and said concerns had been “created by others”.

He told journalists that the Islamic republic “does not presently believe in” mediation.

Iran is locked in a standoff with the United States which has beefed up its military presence in the Middle East in response to alleged threats.

Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group and B-52 bombers to the region in a show of force.

The moves are the latest spike since US President Donald Trump withdrew from a landmark 2015 deal on Iran’s nuclear programme and reimposed sanctions. — AFP

Iran says does not ‘presently’ believe in mediation with US

CAIRO: Egyptian security forces

have committed widespread abuses

against civilians in northern Sinai,

some of which amount to war

crimes, Human Rights Watch

(HRW) said on Tuesday.

Egypt’s ground and air forces last

year launched a major operation

in Sinai to crush militants behind

a wave of attacks against civilians

and security forces. President Abdel

Fattah al Sisi ordered the operation

after gunmen killed hundreds of

worshippers at a Sinai mosque

months earlier. The HRW report

accused security forces of arbitrary

arrests including children, torture,

extrajudicial killings, collective

punishment and forced evictions.

An Egyptian military spokesman

denied the report, saying it was

based on undocumented sources.

“The armed forces take into

consideration the lives of civilians

while implementing military

operations against terrorist elements

by conducting air raids outside

population centres,” military said.

New York-based HRW said its

134-page report was researched from

2016-2018 and based on interviews

with 54 North Sinai residents and

former government and military

officials, as well as official statements.

— Reuters

HRW accuses Egyptian forces of war crimes

WASHINGTON/RAMALLAH:

US President Donald Trump’s son-

in-law Jared Kushner is heading to

the Middle East, the White House

said on Tuesday, signalling a fresh

push on a long promised but yet

to be delivered peace plan for the

region.

Kushner is accompanied by

Jason Greenblatt, Trump’s special

representative for international

negotiations, and Brian Hook, the

special US representative for Iran,

the White House said.

They “will travel from May 27

to May 31 to Rabat, Amman, and

Jerusalem,” said a White House

official, speaking on condition of

anonymity.

The Trump administration

is expected to unveil the long-

awaited plan — after numerous

failures by their predecessors —

possibly as early as next month,

but the Palestinians have already

rejected it as heavily biased in

favour of Israel.

Washington has yet to commit

to an exact timetable with respect

to the political aspects of the plan.

Kushner is the chief architect

of the proposals and Greenblatt,

a longtime Trump lawyer, has

served as his right-hand man on

the Middle East initiative.

Boycott call: Meanwhile,

leading Palestinian businessmen

announced on Tuesday they would

boycott an economics-focused

conference next month in Bahrain

that is part of the United States’

Middle East peace plan.

The Palestinian political

leadership had already announced

it would not attend the June 25-26

conference, but the US had invited

key Palestinian businesspeople,

saying the meeting was focusing

on economic issues only.

In a joint press conference in

the Palestinian city of Ramallah

Tuesday, the bodies representing

the vast majority of Palestinian

businesses said they had jointly

agreed to skip the conference.

“Many Palestinian businessmen

received invitations to attend the

conference in Bahrain but we

decided not to participate,” Arafat

Asfour, chairman of the Palestine

Trade Centre, said.

“What is needed is a political

solution because building an

economy without sovereignty and

control over land, water, sea and

natural resources cannot succeed,”

he added.

“Any economic project without

a political solution is selling an

illusion.”

The US has said the conference

will focus on the economic part

of its long-delayed peace plan,

ahead of further proposals on the

political front.

Palestinians say the primary

restrictions on their economy

are political, particularly the

Israeli occupation of Palestinian

territory, and separating the two is

impossible

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf

states are expected to attend the

conference. — AFP

Kushner leads US team to give push to ME peace plan

Civilian toll mounts as Syria govt pounds militant bastion

Sudan protesters go on strike as deadlock with military persistsSTEPPING UP PRESSURE: The Alliance for Freedom and Change calls for a two-day strike

White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, US special envoy Jason Greenblatt and Brian Hook.

Smoke billows during reported Syrian government forces’ bombardments on the village of Shaikh Mustafa in the southern countryside of the militant-held Idlib province on Monday. — AFP

Members of Sudanese alliance of opposition and protest groups chant slogans outside an office block during the first day of a strike in Khartoum on Tuesday. — Reuters

IN BRIEF

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 96

asia

TOKYO: Japan rolled out the red

carpet for US President Donald

Trump this week, winning a

brief respite in its trade battle

with the United States, but

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe faces

pressure to deliver concessions

after a summer election.

Trump on Tuesday wound up

a four-day state visit featuring

golf, sumo, a state dinner

with Emperor Naruhito and

inspections of US and Japanese

warships meant to showcase the

alliance, but shadowed by a feud

over the two-way trade gap.

After his Monday summit

with Abe, Trump said he expected

the allies to be “announcing

some things, probably in August,

that will be very good for both

countries” on trade.

On Tuesday, however,

Japanese Economy Minister

Toshimitsu Motegi said the

US leader’s comment probably

reflected his hope for quick

progress in the trade talks.

“When you look at the exact

wording of his comments, you

can see that the president was

voicing his hopes of swift progress

in talks towards something that

is mutually beneficial,” Motegi

told reporters at a regular cabinet

meeting.

Concessions on trade before

an upper house election in July

could upset Japanese voters,

especially farmers, who are

important backers of Abe’s

Liberal Democratic Party,

although consumers might

welcome cheaper food products.

Japanese officials have denied

that the two countries had agreed

to reach a trade deal by August.

Opposition parties said

farmers would be in the line of

fire after the election, adding

that Trump had said “agriculture

and beef were heavily in play” on

Twitter on Sunday.

“Trump’s comments can only

be taken to mean that Japan has in

fact made major concessions on

agriculture and livestock,” Yukio

Edano, head of the opposition

Constitutional Democratic Party

of Japan (CDPJ) told a news

conference.

“We cannot allow them to

fight the upper house election

by hiding this,” media quoted

Edano as saying.

The United States wants

Japan to cut tariffs on US

farm products to restore their

competitiveness after Trump

shunned an 11-nation Pacific

trade pact. Japan has signalled it

might cut the levies to levels in

the pact, the Trans-Pacific Trade

Partnership (TPP).

Some experts saw an assertion

from Trump that he had “nothing

to do” with the TPP as suggesting

he wanted deeper cuts, while

Motegi stressed the two countries

had agreed in a September deal

that market access steps, or tariff

cuts, for farm goods would not

exceed those of Japan’s other

deals, such as the TPP.

— Reuters

Trump’s red carpet visit gives Japan brief reprieve on trade

SYDNEY: An Australian man who kidnapped and raped a British backpacker during a harrowing road trip hostage ordeal was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 years in prison, Australia’s national broadcaster said. Marcus Martin, 24, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and one count of deprivation of liberty in October last year.

He met the then 22-year-old victim at a party in Australia’s northeast in January 2017 before forcing her on a 1,600-kilometre road trip in which she was repeatedly beaten and raped.

The court heard the pair had moved from hotel room to hotel room, with Martin often forcing her to drive at gunpoint after destroying her passport, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said.

— AFP

Australian jailed in backpacker assault case

Malaysia to ship back hundreds of tonnes of plastic wastePORT KLANG, Malaysia: Hundreds

of tonnes of imported plastic waste

will be shipped back to where it came

from, Malaysia said on Tuesday,

insisting the country did not want to

be a global dumping ground.

Around 300 million tonnes of

plastic are produced every year,

according to the Worldwide Fund

for Nature (WWF), with much of it

ending up in landfill or polluting the

seas, in what is becoming a growing

international crisis.

China had previously taken a

large amount of waste for recycling,

but abruptly stopped last year,

saying it wanted to improve its own

environment.

Now Southeast Asian countries

that stepped in to plug this gap say

they have had enough.

“We urge developed countries to

stop shipping garbage to our country,”

said Yeo Bee Yin, Malaysia’s Minister

of Energy, Technology, Science,

Environment and Climate Change,

adding it was “unfair and uncivilised”.

“We will return it back to the

country of origin without any mercy,”

she said, after an inspection of several

waste-filled containers at Port Klang,

the country’s busiest port.

Plastic imports to Malaysia have

tripled since 2016, to 870,000 tonnes

last year, official data showed.

The influx has sparked a rapid

increase in the number of recycling

plants, many of them operating

without a licence and with little regard

for environmental standards.

Lee Chee Kwang, an activist with

Environment Protection Agency

Kuala Langat, said Malaysia has “failed

miserably” to manage the rubbish

coming into the country.

“The government must ban entry

of plastic waste and declare it as public

enemy number one,” he said.

While Malaysia allows the import

of homogenous and clean waste

plastics for the recycling industry,

there are growing public calls for the

government to ban the import of used

plastics altogether.

The country’s move to ship the

refuse back was “only a symbolic

public stunt which does not solve the

problem,” Lee said. “The solution is

a total ban of imports of all kinds of

plastic.”

Minister Yeo vowed a crackdown

on illegal imports and recycling

facilities. The Malaysians involved in

importing the waste are “traitors”, she

said.

“Malaysia will not be a dumping

ground to the world,” Yeo added. “We

cannot be bullied by the developed

countries.”

The ministry said 450 tonnes

of contaminated plastic waste in

10 containers — from Australia,

Bangladesh, Canada, China, Japan,

Saudi Arabia and the United States —

will be shipped back.

Port officials said their contents

were misdeclared, but did not give a

date for the shipment. — AFP

Two dead, including schoolgirl, after Japan mass stabbingKAWASAKI: Two people including a

schoolgirl were stabbed to death and

more than a dozen injured in Japan

on Tuesday in a rampage that targeted

children as they waited for a bus.

The attacker, a man in his 50s who

has not yet been identified, crept

silently up behind a group of children

at the bus stop and slashed randomly

at them before fatally stabbing himself

in the neck.

Police said an 11-year-old

schoolgirl named Hanako Kuribayashi

and a 39-year-old parent, identified as

government official Satoshi Oyama,

died in the attack, which shocked a

country where violent crime is rare.

Seventeen more people, mainly

young children, were injured,

according to authorities who had

previously given the schoolgirl’s age

as 12.

Koji Shimazu of the St Marianna

University School of Medicine, said

that one woman in her 40s and

three schoolgirls had to undergo

surgery for knife wounds to the head

and neck.

“It is a very harrowing case. I feel

strong anger,” Japan’s Prime Minister

Shinzo Abe said in televised remarks.

“I offer my heartfelt condolences

to the victims and hope the injured

recover quickly.”

A local man living nearby, who

identified himself as Matsumoto, 25,

said he went outside after hearing

screams.

“It’s hard to describe what it was

like, how it sounded. It wasn’t girls

having fun, it was a sound that was

absolutely not normal,” he said.

“I saw a man lying on the street. I

also saw a girl hunched over on the

ground. There were also five or six

girls, maybe they were the ones who

screamed... There was blood all over

them.”

The attack occurred during the

busy early morning commute as

workers headed to their offices and

children to school. Fire department

officials said they received the first

emergency calls shortly before 8:00

am (2300 GMT) on Monday.

The scene of the attack was still

swarming with emergency personnel

hours later, with three police vans

parked around the spot to block it

from view.

Emergency workers set up an

orange medical tent to treat the

wounded, and ambulances and fire

engines were parked nearby. — AFP

RAMPAGE: The attacker crept silently up behind children at bus stop and slashed at them

North Korea must legalise markets to prevent rights abuses: UNSEOUL: North Korea must create a

legal framework for traders buying

and selling basic necessities such as

food and clothing to tackle rights

violations in the country, the UN’s

human rights body said on Tuesday.

Campaign groups estimate around

three-quarters of North Korea’s

population depends on private market

activity to survive since the collapse of

the public distribution system — a

state rations network — in the mid-

1990s.

But despite being widespread,

market activity remains a “legal grey

area” in the North and a “source of

further human rights violations”,

said the UN’s Office of the High

Commissioner for Human Rights

(OHCHR).

“In the Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea, people face both a

failed public distribution system and

an insecure informal sector where

they are exposed to prosecution and

corruption,” it said in a report, using

the country’s official name.

The OHCHR document — based

on interviews with 214 North Koreans

— said Pyongyang had failed to

legalise people’s efforts to find food

and clothing outside the public

distribution system, even though it

was their only way to secure daily

necessities. — AFP

Yeo Bee Yin, Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change, shows samples of plastics waste shipment from Australia before sending back to the country of origin in Port Klang, west of Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday. — AFP

Police forensic experts work at the crime scene where a man stabbed 19 people, including children, in Kawasaki on Tuesday. — AFP

US President Donald Trump greets sailors after a speech aboard the USS Wasp at JMSDF Yokosuka base in Yokosuka, south of Tokyo, on Tuesday. — Reuters

Human rights officer Daniel Collinge (R) speaks as the UN Human Rights Office’s Seoul representative Signe Poulsen (L) looks on during a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday. — AFP

TRUMP ON TUESDAY WOUND UP A FOUR-

DAY STATE VISIT FEATURING GOLF,

SUMO, A STATE DINNER WITH

EMPEROR NARUHITO AND INSPECTIONS

OF US AND JAPANESE WARSHIPS MEANT TO SHOWCASE THE

ALLIANCE

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 9 7

india

Karnataka rout:Congress blames ‘polarisation’, Modi wave

BENGALURU: Shocked by its worst

defeat in parliamentary elections, in

which it managed to retain only a

lone seat in Karnataka, the Congress

has blamed the “polarisation” of

votes and an unseen Modi wave for

the spectacular performance of rival

BJP, which won 25 of the 28 Lok

Sabha seats in the southern state.

“Instead of focusing on real issues

like joblessness and rural distress,

the BJP succeeded in polarising the

electorate by whipping up a frenzy

in the name of national security

following February’s Pulwama terror

attack and the air strikes on Balakot

in Pakistan thereafter,” Congress’

state spokesman K E Radhakrishna

said.

As part of a pre-poll seat-sharing

arrangement with its ruling ally

Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S), the

Congress contested 21 seats, but

lost 20, including eight it won in the

2014 general elections.

The lone seat won by the party

is Bangalore Rural, where DK

Suresh defeated the Bharatiya Janata

Party’s Ashwath Narayangowada

by 2,06,870 votes. Suresh is the

younger brother of state Minister

DK Shivakumar, who belongs to

the politically dominant Vokkaliga

community (Gowdas).

Even the JD-S won only one

seat, Hassan, the home turf of party

supremo HD Deve Gowda.

Admitting that the party failed

to notice the Modi wave as it was

an undercurrent, the official said

polarisation of the electorate and

“money power” helped the BJP to

retain the 17 seats it had won in 2014

and wrest eight from the Congress

and the JD-S. — IANS

Rahul unlikely to be leader of Congress in LS, may head CPP

Three MLAs, over 60 councillors from West Bengal join BJP

NEW DELHI: Congress President

Rahul Gandhi is unlikely to be the

party leader in the Lok Sabha and

the post may go to someone else as it

happened in the previous Lok Sabha,

party sources said on Tuesday. But

Gandhi is expected to be the CPP

leader.

Two senior Congress General

Secretaries IANS spoke to confirmed

that Rahul Gandhi was not willing

to take the position of Leader of the

Congress in the Lower House.

They said that Gandhi was more

eager to continue the ideological

battle with the Bharatiya Janata Party

(BJP) and its ideological mentor RSS

in and outside parliament.

The leaders pointed out that he

had taken the party’s poor showing in

the Lok Sabha elections in which the

Congress won just 52 seats personally

and offered to step down as the

Congress President and called for

someone outside the Gandhi family to

head the party.

Gandhi told senior leaders that

he did not want to get into the

appointments of state unit and district

chiefs.

But party sources said that Rahul

Gandhi was likely to opt for the post

of Congress Parliamentary Party

(CPP) leader in the Lok Sabha.

His offer to step down as Congress

President was earlier rejected by

Congress Working Committee

members.

Meanwhile, DMK President

MK Stalin on Tuesday urged Rahul

Gandhi not to resign from his party

post. In a statement issued here, the

DMK said Stalin spoke to Gandhi on

the phone and told him that he had

won the people’s hearts.

On his part, Gandhi greeted Stalin

on the DMK-led alliance’s sweeping

electoral victory in Tamil Nadu.

Stalin will be attending the

swearing in ceremony of Andhra

Pradesh Chief Minister designate

Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday at

Vijayawada. — IANS

NEW DELHI: Three MLAs from

West Bengal, including Trinamool

Congress-turned-BJP leader Mukul

Roy’s son Subhrangshu Roy, along with

more than 60 councillors on Tuesday

joined the BJP here in the presence of

BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya who

said more TMC leaders will join the

saffron party soon.

The other two MLAs are Tushar

Kanti Bhattacharya from Bishnupur

(Trinamool) and Debendra Roy from

Hemtabad (CPM).

The dramatic development

followed the shock reverses suffered

by the Trinamool Congress in the Lok

Sabha elections in West Bengal where

the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won

18 of the 42 seats — from just two won

in 2014.

Subhrangshu Roy, a two-term

MLA from Bijpur constituency,

was suspended from the Trinamool

Congress for making anti-party

comments. Apart from Vijayvargiya,

Mukul Roy also welcomed the West

Bengal leaders amid cries of “Bharat

Mata ki Jai” and “Jai Shri Ram”.

Among the councillors, there were

17 from Kanchrapara Municipality.

“Out of 26 councillors from

Kanchrapara Municipality, 17

are joining the BJP including the

chairman. So from today, the

entire board of the Kanchrapara

Municipality is with BJP and it will

be controlled by the BJP,” Mukul Roy

announced.

From the Halishahar Municipality,

out of the total strength of 23, 17

councillors, including the chairman

and vice chairman, have joined the

BJP. In Naihati Municipality, 29 of the

31 councillors joined the BJP.

“All the three municipalities will

be ruled by the BJP now,” Mukul Roy

added triumphantly.

Apart from them, some panchayat

heads also joined the BJP.

“The way Bengal is going under

the leadership of Vijayvargiya, all the

TMC people will join the BJP,” Mukul

Roy said. “From June 1 or 2, you will

see the queue of MLAs (willing to join

the BJP).”

While campaigning in West

Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra

Modi had said that 40 MLAs from the

Trinamool Congress were in touch

with him.

Reacting to Modi’s claim,

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’

Brien had boasted: “Nobody will go

with you. Not even one councillor.”

Vijayvargiya said: “Today over 50

councillors and three MLAs are here

(at the BJP office). We will do a seven-

phase programme of joining, just like

the state saw the elections in seven

phases.”

He also said that in different phases

every month more and more people

will join the BJP.

“In the first phase, we got three

MLAs and three municipalities.

Slowly the number will go up. Those

who feel suffocated in the TMC

because of Mamata (Banerjee) want to

join the BJP.” — IANS

IN BRIEF

Town pauses every day for national anthem

Medico suicide: One doctor held, 2 others on run

Mother denied ambulance, carries son’s body in arms

HYDERABAD: Life in Jammikunta, a town in Telangana, comes to a halt every day at 8 am as people pause for a minute to sing the national anthem.

Since August 15, 2017, this has become a daily routine of the people in this town located in Karimnagar district, about 140 km from Hyderabad.

An initiative of a local police inspector, it is aimed at instilling sense of patriotism among people.

Sharp at 7.58 am an announcement is made in Telugu and Hindi from public address system installed at 16 places in the town to alert the people and two seconds later the national anthem starts playing.

The vehicular traffic comes to a standstill and those walking stop. Office-goers, workers and schoolchildren all halt for 52 seconds to salute the national flag. Those who can sing the national anthem sing it while others stand in silence.

Over the last two years, the town police, with the help of volunteers, have trained citizens in paying respects to the national anthem. People have now become accustomed to the daily practice. Jammikunta Police Inspector Pingili Prashanth Reddy introduced this practice to promote a sense of patriotism among people.

— IANS

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Police claimed to have arrested one of the three absconding doctors of BYL Nair Hospital, wanted in connection with suicide of medical student Payal Tadvi, here on Tuesday.

“We have arrested Bhakti Mehere,” Mumbai Police spokesperson and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Manjunath Shinge said. Two others — Hema Ahuja and Ankita Khandelwal — are on the run and have moved the court for anticipatory bail.

On May 22, 25-year-old Tadvi, a second year resident postgraduate gynaecology and obstetrics student, hanged herself in the hostel of the hospital. The deceased’s family has accused the three doctors of allegedly discriminating, harassing and torturing Muslim-tribal medico Tadvi.

In a related development, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation, which runs the BYL Nair Hospital, has suspended licences of the three doctors and the head of department Yi Ching Ling for alleged abetment of Tadvi’s suicide. The trio was earlier suspended by the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors and (MARD) later by the BMC for allegedly abetting her suicide with casteist insults.

The Mumbai Police on last Sunday slapped charges on the three under the Atrocities Act, the Anti-Ragging Act, IT Act and Indian Penal Code.

— IANS

SHAHJAHANPUR: In a shocking incident, a woman was forced to carry the body of her son, Afroz, in her arms because no ambulance was provided to her. The incident took place here in Uttar Pradesh on Monday night.

The father of the child said that he had brought his son to the hospital because the child was suffering from high fever.

“We took our child to the hospital in the morning. The doctors told us to take him elsewhere for treatment. We asked them for a vehicle but they refused (to provide any). There were three ambulances parked in the premises. I do not know why we were denied one,” he said.

The parents said that they could not hire a private vehicle due to shortage of money.

“We told the ambulance driver and other staff that we do not have any money but they refused to carry my child,” the mother said.

The doctors, however, have denied the claims made by the couple. — IANS

GHAZIABAD: In a swift move,

the Uttar Pradesh government

has cancelled land allotment

worth several hundred crores

to city-based Institute of

Management Technology (IMT).

The institute is owned by Madhya

Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal

Nath’s (pictured) family and is

headed by his son, Bakul Nath.

Confirming the news, BJP

corporator Rajendra Tyagi said:

“Acting on my complaint, the

allotment of land, measuring

around 10,841 square metres, has

been cancelled by the Ghaziabad

Development Authority (GDA)

and construction done on

the campus would now be

demolished.”

Tyagi had accused the college

owners of fraudulently taking the

possession of 15 acres of prime

land in the heart of Ghaziabad,

a few kilometres away from the

national capital.

According to Tyagi, the

land belonged to the state-

run Chowdhary Charan Singh

University (CCSU) and he had

documentary evidence to prove

that the IMT grabbed it through

fraudulent means.

“Documents reveal that the

Uttar Pradesh State Industrial

Development Corporation

(UPSIDC) in 1973 allotted the

IMT a plot near the Rajnagar

Extension. The Institute was

supposed to be built on this land.”

The IMT website reveals that the

prestigious institute was founded

by Kamal Nath’s father Mahendra

Nath in the 1970s. — IANS

Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President BS Yeddyurappa greets party workers, supporters and journalists as he arrives to the party office on the vote results day. — AFP file photo

Rahul Gandhi, President of Congress party, speaks with his mother and leader of the party Sonia Gandhi during Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. — Reuters file photo

BEAUTIFIED BUILDING

People walk past a wall painting on a building in Mumbai on Tuesday. — AFP

SETBACK: The dramatic development followed the shock reverses suffered by Trinamool

UP cancels land allotment of college owned by Kamal Nath’s family

FROM THE HALISHAHAR MUNICIPALITY,

OUT OF THE TOTAL STRENGTH OF 23, 17 COUNCILLORS HAVE

JOINED THE BJP

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 98

world

EU parliament rallies around lead candidates for top jobBRUSSELS: Top EU lawmakers

insisted on Tuesday that the next

European Commission chief should

be one of their party candidates,

boosting the standing of Germany’s

Manfred Weber, while paving the way

for a stand-off with EU leaders.

European Parliament elections last

week have triggered a contest for the

successor to commission President

Jean-Claude Juncker. EU leaders were

meeting later on Tuesday for their first

stab at the issue.

Weber is the lead candidate for the

centre-right European People’s Party,

which came first in the EU-wide polls,

despite suffering heavy losses.

Under the so-called system of

Spitzenkandidaten, introduced in

2014 to boost interest in the EU

elections, the candidate put forward

by the best-performing group in

parliament should have first dibs at the

top commission job.

However, Weber’s candidacy has

not been wholeheartedly embraced

by EU leaders, with French President

Emmanuel Macron in particular

opposed to the Spitzenkandidaten

system.

A majority of political group leaders

underlined their commitment to the

system in a statement on Tuesday, “so

that the next commission president

has made her/his programme and

personality known prior to the

elections and engaged in a European-

wide campaign.”

However, the liberal ALDE group,

the third largest in the new legislature

and home to Macron’s party, was not

on board. Under EU rules, national

leaders nominate the commission

president, but their choice requires

majority backing in parliament.

The parliamentary leaders did not

single out any preferred candidate on

Tuesday.

Complex negotiations are under

way, with Weber requiring a majority

of at least 376 lawmakers in the 751-

seat parliament. At very least, he would

need the backing of the second-largest

party, the Socialists and Democrats, as

well as the Greens, in order to succeed.

“The European People’s Party

is ready for all the necessary

compromises,” Weber said on

Tuesday. “We are ready to talk now

with everyone.”

But the Socialists are backing their

own lead candidate, commission Vice-

President Frans Timmermans. The

Greens have made overtures at other

parties, with co-leader Ska Keller

praising Margrethe Vestager of the

liberal ALDE group as a rare female

candidate.

Later on Tuesday, EU leaders

were expected to hold their own first

attempt at hashing out the bloc’s top

appointments.

Besides the commission president,

other vacancies include European

Council President Donald Tusk’s

successor, the European Central

Bank chief and the next parliament

president. — dpa

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez meet ahead of a European Union leaders summit in Brussels on Tuesday. — Reuters

Trump backers launch construction on private US-Mexico border wallSUNLAND PARK: A US military

veteran has launched construction

on the first section of private border

wall between the United States and

Mexico, using money crowdsourced

by supporters of President Donald

Trump.

Sporting a red “Make America

Great Again” hat, New Mexico

resident Jeff Allen proudly oversaw

the groundbreaking last weekend

as workers with heavy construction

equipment began erecting a towering

fence of steel slats on land he co-owns

in the city of Sunland Park, across

from Ciudad Juarez, in Mexico.

“This is Americans’ way of saying,

‘Congress, you’re worthless, and we’re

fighting it. We’re going to build (the

wall) ourselves,’” Allen, 56, said.

“This is not Europe. This is

America. We protect our borders.”

Determined to help Trump fulfil

his promise to build a “big, beautiful

wall” on the border, Allen decided to

do part of it himself, together with

the United Constitutional Patriots,

a right-wing militia that carries out

vigilante border patrols.

He said the project was being

funded by We Build the Wall, a

company launched by war veteran and

triple amputee Brian Kolfage using

millions of dollars in private donations

he raised through an online campaign

called “We The People Will Fund The

Wall.”

The company’s advisory board is

chaired by Steve Bannon, the far-right

strategist and former Trump adviser.

Kolfage celebrated the new wall on

Monday by posting a sleek video of its

construction on Facebook.

The new private barrier is being

built at the spot where the states of

New Mexico and Texas intersect with

Mexico, outside El Paso.

It is a spot often used by migrants,

mainly Central Americans, to reach

the United States. — AFP

Heavy machinery moves a bollard-type wall, to be placed along the border of private property using funds raised

from a GoFundMe account, at Sunland Park as seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. — Reuters

VIENNA: Austrian Chancellor

Sebastian Kurz left office on

Tuesday after parliament voted

out his conservative provisional

government, blaming him in part for

a political crisis triggered by a video

sting scandal that felled his far-right

deputy.

President Alexander Van der

Bellen formally relieved the cabinet of

its duties and asked ministers except

Kurz to carry on for some days until

a caretaker cabinet is chosen pending

the next parliamentary election,

expected in September.

Being ousted does not spell the

political demise of the 32-year-old

Kurz, however. He remains leader of

his People’s Party and intends to lead

it back to victory in September after

it came first in Sunday’s European

Parliament election.

“I am still here,” he told a party

rally after Monday’s parliamentary

no-confidence vote against his ruling

coalition.

The opposition Social Democrats

and Kurz’s ex-coalition ally, the far-

right Freedom Party (FPO), backed

the move.

Vice Chancellor and Finance

Minister Hartwig Loeger took over

temporarily as chancellor and will

represent Austria at a summit of

European Union leaders in Brussels

on Tuesday. — Reuters

Austrian President Alexander Van Der Bellen (L) appoints the current finance minister Hartwig Loeger to be interim Chancellor in Vienna on Tuesday. — AFP

Clashes in Brazil prisons leave 40 dead

France sued over ill health from air pollution RIO DE JANEIRO: At least 40

inmates were killed in four jails in

northern Brazil on Monday over an

apparent gang dispute, authorities

said, in the latest wave of violence

to rock the country’s severely

overpopulated and deadly prison

system.

The victims appeared to have

been killed by “asphyxiation,” the

Amazonas state government said in

a statement, a day after 15 people

were killed in one of the prisons.

Officials had initially put the

number of dead at 42, but later

revised the number to 40.

At least 25 of the victims were

found in the Antonio Trindade

Penal Institute near Manaus, the

capital of Amazonas, where all four

prisons are located.

No guns or knives were used in

the killings, which prison officials

said appeared to have been sparked

by a “rift between prisoners who

belonged to the same criminal group

and were involved in drug trafficking

in the state.”

“I just spoke with (Justice)

Minister Sergio Moro, who is

sending a prison intervention team

to Amazonas so that he can help

us in this moment of crisis,” state

Governor Wilson Lima said.

An investigation launched into

Sunday’s mass killing at the Anisio

Jobim Penal Complex, in which

some of the prisoners were stabbed

with sharpened toothbrushes during

visiting hours, has been widened to

include Monday’s deaths.

Four of those killed in the latest

violence were found at the Anisio

Jobim jail, which was also the scene

of a prison rebellion that lasted

almost 20 hours and left 56 people

dead in January 2017.

Another five were killed at

the Provisional Detention Centre

for Men and six died at the

Puraquequara Prison Unit.

“The fact that the killings were

coordinated across four separate

prisons... suggests that this was a

settling of scores,” Robert Muggah,

research director at the Igarape

Institute think-tank in Rio de

Janeiro, said.

The latest violence in Amazonas,

one of Brazil’s most violent states,

was “almost guaranteed to inspire

retribution inside and outside the

prison walls.” — AFP

BOBIGNY: A Paris court on

Tuesday began hearing a case

brought by a mother and daughter

who, in a legal first in France, are

suing the state for damages over ill

health caused by air pollution.

The mother and the daughter are

asking for $179,000 in damages from

the state at the administrative court

of Montreuil in the east of Paris.

They argue the authorities did

not take effective measures against

atmospheric pollution, in particular

during the very high pollution that

Paris endured in December 2016.

The pair say this had an effect on

their health, especially as they were

living at the time in the northern

Paris suburb of Saint-Ouen, just

outside the clogged peripherique

ring road.

The peripherique — opened in

1973 — takes 1.1 million drivers a

day but is also a nightmare for the

100,000 people living around it.

Both say they developed

respiratory problems that were

accentuated during pollution peaks.

The mother, 52, has had to take

time off work and the daughter, 16,

suffered asthma crises. — AFP

ATLANTA: Tornadoes pulverised

western Ohio early on Tuesday,

killing one person, injuring scores

of others and requiring emergency

officials to send out snowploughs to

clear debris from a major highway,

officials and media reports said.

At least one tornado hit

Dayton and at least two touched

down near the city, including one

near Wright-Patterson Air Force

Base, just east of the city, media

reports said. An 81-year-old man

was killed in Celina, a small city

105 km north of Dayton, after a

tornado sent a vehicle crashing

into his home, Celina Mayor Jeffrey

Hazel said at a news conference on

Tuesday. Another seven people

were injured in the storm, three of

them seriously, he said.

At least 35 people in and

around Dayton went to hospitals

with injuries, most of them minor,

according to Elizabeth Long, a

spokeswoman for the Kettering

Health Network. “We’ve had

injuries ranging from lacerations

to bumps and bruises from folks

being thrown around in their

houses due to the storms,” she said.

The latest storm follows

tornadoes and floods killed at least

six people in Oklahoma during

the previous week, including two

people in El Reno on Saturday.

More than 60,000 homes

and businesses in Ohio were

left without power on Monday

morning, according to the

PowerOutage. US tracking service,

and officials advised people to boil

water after water plants and pumps

went out of service.

Some media outlets reported

that rescue workers were going

door-to-door in parts of Dayton.

Twitter users posted images

of debris flying in the air and

damaged mobile homes and cars.

Media images online showed

snowploughs from the Ohio

Department of Transportation

clearing debris from US Interstate

75 just north of the city.

The National Weather Service

said multiple tornadoes were

reported in the Dayton area

between 11 pm Monday and 1

am Tuesday. Seven people were

reported injured in the storm in

Pendleton, Indiana, on Monday,

about 160 km west of Dayton,

according to media reports.

— Reuters

A car is covered with debris that was ripped from an apartments building after a tornado touched down in Trotwood near Dayton, Ohio. — Reuters

CRUCIAL MEET: Leaders to hold first attempt at hashing out the bloc’s top appointments

Kurz leaves office, eyes return within months

Millions of Americans were under flood warnings on the Memorial Day holiday. Deluges hit Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois

One dead, dozens hurt as tornadoes flatten buildings in Ohio

OMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 9 9

analysis

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

JEFFREY HELLER

rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to declare himself

winner of last month’s Israeli election, but he now has until

Wednesday to appease an erstwhile ally, form a government and avoid

a possible rematch.

The man at the centre of the crisis in Netanyahu’s coalition-

building, former Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, is sticking

to his guns in a stalemate over military draft exemptions for Jewish

seminary students.

The brinkmanship six weeks after the April 9 election poses another

challenge to the decade-long reign of the right-wing leader some

Israelis have hailed as “King Bibi” and deepens political uncertainty in

a country riven with division.

Barring a breakthrough, Israel could hold a new election, with

parliament already making initial moves towards a fresh poll and

legislators proposing September for the national vote.

Without the support of Lieberman’s far-right Yisrael Beitenu party,

which has five seats in the 120-member Knesset, Netanyahu cannot

put together a majority government led by his Likud party. Under a

deadline mandated by law, he has until 2100 GMT on Wednesday to

announce a new administration. Political commentators were hedging

their bets. “Netanyahu is a wounded animal.

Rivals had already smelled blood in the water when Israel’s attorney

general said in February he intends to charge Netanyahu in three graft

cases. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing, saying he is the victim

of a political witch-hunt. But in the closely contested April election,

Netanyahu — dubbed “crime minister” by his opponents — appeared

on course for a fifth term as head of a right-wing bloc.

All it would take, according to conventional wisdom, was the usual

wheeling and dealing on cabinet posts and allied factions’ pet projects.

Few imagined Netanyahu would not put a coalition together, even

after he asked for and received a two-week extension to an original

28-day deadline.

Suddenly, Lieberman became a wild card and the clock was ticking,

with Netanyahu facing a scenario in which President Reuven Rivlin

could pick another legislator to try to form a government if he failed.

“A lot can be done in 48 hours,” Netanyahu said on Monday after

parliament gave initial approval to a motion to dissolve itself.

“The voters’ wishes can be respected, a strong right-wing

government can be formed,” he said.

If efforts to break the political deadlock fail, parliament would take

a final vote on an election on Wednesday. A new ballot would mean

Rivlin could not choose someone else to put together a governing

coalition. — Reuters

Netanyahu could face an election rematch

Mangroves on the front line of climate changeNACHO DOCE

ishermen like Jose da Cruz have made

their living for decades hunting for crabs

among Brazil’s vast coastal mangrove

forests, dense thickets of twisted

plants in deep black mud that grow where

fresh-water rivers meet the brackish

Atlantic Ocean.

Cruz, who is known by the nickname

Vampire because of his distinctive teeth,

doesn’t use a rod and reel or a net. Instead

he parks his two-foot-wide boat at the

shore of the Caratingui river and wends

his way on foot through the tangle of

mangroves to dig out crabs with his hands

from the dark muck.

He slowly begins to blend into his

surroundings as he becomes increasingly

caked in mud, sometimes lying flat to

submerge his arm in search of crabs.

He pulls out two of the spikey-legged

creatures, larger than his hands.

But this tenuous livelihood is facing

a series of threats, including rapid

alterations to the environment caused by

climate change, and Cruz’s average daily

catch is half of what it was 10 years ago.

In that time, the water line has advanced

3 metres inland from where it used to be,

according to Cruz.

A battery-powered radio may be his

principal connection to the outside world,

but Cruz knows about global warming.

“Nature is upset.... In Antarctica,

it’s melting, nature is melting,” he said.

“People, you have to have some awareness

about what is happening. It’s clear what

is happening.” Climate scientists lend

credence to Cruz’s interpretation of what

he sees. Rising water levels, they say, are a

sign of global warming, which also causes

water temperatures to rise, killing off

some marine life.

Globally, scientists have warned that

water temperatures are increasing far

faster than expected, which drives rising

sea levels. Climate change and human

development are putting 1 million species,

a large share of which live in marine

environments, at risk of extinction,

according to a report published this year.

These changes in turn are threatening

the dozen or so families in Cruz’s village

that depend on the coastal ecosystem.

His unofficial community is known

as “The Train” because the mud houses

are arranged single file along the edge of

the Caratingui river like train cars. The

low-lying island, otherwise covered in

mangroves, is quickly receding under

the water. Water levels have risen 20-30

centimetres over the past 100 years in

coastal Bahia state, where Cairu is located,

according to climate researcher Carlos

Nobre at the University of Sao Paulo.

Mangroves cover 13,989 square

kilometres along Brazil’s coast — an area

larger than the US state of Maryland —

and are a vital protection against climate

change, according to biologist Renato

de Almeida with the nearby Federal

University of Reconcavo da Bahia. One

acre of the ecosystem absorbs as much or

more carbon dioxide as a similar area of

Amazon rainforest, he said.

They protect the coast from eroding

as intense storms grow more frequent as

climates shift, the two scientists say. The

plants themselves are resilient, following

water levels as they rise, but creatures like

the crabs and oysters that Cruz harvests

less so. Global warming is causing water

temperatures to rise, which can kill off

crabs and other animals in their food

chain if it becomes hotter than the narrow

range they are adapted to, Almeida said.

Hotter water is also more acidic, which

corrodes the shells of crabs and other

marine life, he said.

To be sure, global warming is not the

only threat. Overfishing — by fishermen

exactly like Cruz — is likely also a major

reason for the decline in the crab and

other fish populations as urban demand

for seafood expands, Almeida said.

Growing tourism has led to the clearing

of mangroves to make way for small inns

and piers that pop up along the coast,

the researchers said. Increased traffic

can disrupt oysters from growing on

riverbanks and the constant inundation

from passing vessels can erode the

attachment of mangroves to the soil.

Areas like The Train will face more

rapid change in the years to come. Even if

all greenhouse gas emissions were halted

today, water levels could rise another

2 or 3 metres in the next 200 years,

10 times as much as the last hundred,

according to Nobre. — Reuters

ESTABLISHED ON 15 NOVEMBER 1981

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Abdullah bin Salim al Shueili

HEAD OFFICETel: 24649444, 24649450, 24649451, 24604563, 24699437 Fax: 24699643

SALALAH OFFICETel: 23292633Fax: 23293909

NIZWA OFFICETel: 25411099P.O. Box 955, P.C. 611

Website: omanobserver.om e-mail: editor@omanobserver.om

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and AdvertisingP.O. Box 974, Postal Code 100, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

subscribe@omanobserver.om

ADVERTISINGAL OMANEYA ADVERTISING & PUBLIC RELATIONS, P.O. Box 3303, P.C. 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of OmanTel: SWITCHBOARD: 24649444 DIRECT: 24649430/24649437/24649401Fax: 24649434

DISTRIBUTION AGENTAl OMANEYA for Distribution & Marketing, P.O. Box 974, P.C. 100, Muscat, Sultanate of OmanTel: 24649351/24649360Fax: 24649379

Europeans stop short of giving populist earthquake

I

F

P

HELEN MAGUIRE

f European Parliament elections are a

measure of the state of the European

Union, one thing seems clear:

voters are demanding change, but

not a fundamental redesign of the

European project.

While the elections dealt a blow to the

centrist parties that have dominated the

legislature throughout its 40-year history,

they did not deliver the “earthquake”

predicted by Steve Bannon, the former

strategist of US President Donald Trump

and poster boy of the populist movement.

Sunday’s election results spelt the end

of the grand coalition between the centre-

right European People’s Party (EPP)

— the home of German Chancellor

Angela Merkel — and the Socialists and

Democrats group, who jointly fell short

of a majority in the 751-seat legislature.

“The monopoly of power is broken,”

declared Margrethe Vestager, who

is running for the post of European

Commission president on behalf of the

liberal ALDE group. Her group was one

of Sunday’s main winners, surging to

105 seats — according to partial results

— with the backing of French President

Emmanuel Macron. The Greens also

performed unexpectedly well, coming

fourth with 67 seats.

“Underlying all of this is a vote for

change from the status quo,” said Susi

Dennison of the European Council on

Foreign Relations, a think-tank.

The high turnout of around 50 per

cent — an 8-percentage-point leap

reversing steadily declining figures

— showed that voters understood the

elections as being critical for the future of

the EU, she argued.

Many in Brussels had feared a lot

worse, after populist parties such as

Italy’s governing League and Marine Le

Pen’s National Rally in France had vowed

to reshape the European Union in their

image. While the far-right made gains,

League leader Matteo Salvini fell far short

of his aim to form the largest grouping

in parliament with his new European

Alliance of Peoples and Nations.

Overall, the eurosceptic right-

wing groups won 172 seats in the new

legislature, just 17 seats more than in

the outgoing legislature, according to

Sunday’s partial results.

Meanwhile, the parliament’s far-right

spectrum will remain divided, consisting

also of the European Conservatives and

Reformists — the home of Britain’s

ruling Tories and Poland’s Law and

Justice Party — while having to bridge

over divisions between Salvini and his

bedfellows.

However, Dennison argued that it

would be wrong to think the EU has

narrowly escaped a worst-case scenario.

“That would be one of the biggest risks in

this election,” she said.

After all, the far-right share of the new

parliament is almost 23 per cent, giving it

enough disruptive power to put pressure

on the centrist parties.

“I would read it more as a last chance

for Europe to prove it is capable of

changing direction,” she added.

The first test will be the appointment

of EU commission president, which

will also put on trial the system of lead

candidates under which Germany’s

Manfred Weber of the EPP has staked his

claim on the post.

The coming hours will be crucial

if Weber wants to secure a majority in

parliament, which has a final say on the

appointment. However, he also needs the

backing of EU leaders, who will hold a

first round of talks on Tuesday.

“My outstretched hand goes to all

those who stand for a unified Europe,”

Weber said on Saturday. — dpa

EU Parliament elections have not

delivered the results projected, but the

new legislature will differ from what

came before it, as the dominant centrist groups have lost their majority

Scientists have warned that water temperatures are

increasing far faster than expected, which drives rising sea levels. Climate change and human development are putting 1 million

species at risk of extinction, according

to a recent report

OMANDAILYOBSERVER10football/local

W E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 9

LONDON: Harry Kane was included

in England’s 23-man squad for next

month’s Nations League finals on

Monday but Tottenham Hotspur

team-mates Harry Winks and Kieran

Trippier were both left out.

Gareth Southgate, the England

manager, has reduced his group from

the list of 27 he named earlier this

month, with Southampton’s James

Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond

also sidelined. England captain Kane,

who has not played since suffering

ankle ligament damage in April, was

retained by the Southgate on the day

he insisted he was “ready” for Spurs’

clash with Liverpool in Saturday’s

Champions League final.

Kane has not played since suffering

the injury in the first leg of Tottenham’s

quarter-final against Manchester

City on April 9, which was also when

Winks made his last appearance.

Spurs subsequently announced

Winks had undergone groin surgery,

although the midfielder said he hoped

it was not the end of his season.

Trippier, a full-back, was a member

of the England squad that made it to

the semi-finals of last year’s World

Cup and was an

unused substitute

in the Euro 2020

qualifiers against the

Czech Republic and

Montenegro in March.

Redmond was a surprise

inclusion in Southgate’s 27-man

squad, having been overlooked

since winning his only England

cap in March 2017, with Ward-

Prowse making just his second

appearance against Montenegro.

England face the Netherlands

in their Nations League semi-final

in Guimaraes, northern Portugal,

a week on Thursday. Seven players

in Southgate’s 23 could potentially

be involved in both the Champions

League final in Madrid five days

earlier and the Netherlands match.

‘DIFFICULT DECISIONS’

“There have been some difficult

decisions to make and we are

obviously a little bit complicated

with so many players involved in the

Champions League as well but we

are really excited by the squad and

the players that are around it,” said

Southgate in a statement issued by the

Football Association.

“Some players who have had really

good finishes to the season like James

Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond

are staying with us for this period to

train because although we have cut

the squad to 23, we have still got two

weeks to get through and two really

big finals ahead.

“Harry Winks is a player we really

like and that’s a tough one because

he has not played for a couple of

months and we don’t get to see him in

training,” added Southgate.

Meanwhile the former England

international said right-back was “as

hard a decision as we have had to

make”. “Of course, Kieran Trippier

has had such a big impact, he had such

a brilliant World Cup. He has been a

really valuable member of our squad

and has a great attitude with us, real

passion in playing for England but

Trent (Alexander-Arnold) and Kyle

(Walker) have finished the season so

strongly.

“So it (right-back) is a position

where we have got real competition

for places.” Portugal face Switzerland

in the other semi-final the day before

England’s game, with both the final

and third-place playoff taking place

on Sunday, June 9.

England squadGoalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke), Tom Heaton (Burnley), Jordan Pickford (Everton)Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Leicester City), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Michael Keane (Everton), Harry Maguire (Leicester), Danny Rose (Tottenham), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham), Ross Barkley (Chelsea), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Declan Rice (West Ham).Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)

Ramadhan sports activities conclude at Haya Water

Belotti recalled, Balotelli out of Euro 2020 qualifiers

BRASILIA: Neymar has been

replaced as captain of the Brazil

national team for next month’s

Copa America by Paris St

Germain team mate Dani Alves,

the country’s football federation

(CBF) has said.

The Copa America will be

played from June 14 to July 7,

with hosts Brazil, who have

not won the title since 2007,

taking on Bolivia in the opening

match in Sao Paulo before facing

Venezuela and Peru.

“Daniel Alves will be captain

of the Brazilian national team

in the friendly matches against

Qatar and Honduras and in

Copa America Brazil 2019,” the

CBF said in a statement.

Right back Alves, who

has 138 caps for Brazil, was

informed of his new role on

Sunday. The 36-year-old has

captained his country on four

previous occasions, the last of

which was a 1-0 friendly victory

over Germany in 2018.

Brazil coach Tite had named

Neymar permanent captain a

few months after Brazil’s World

Cup quarter-final exit at the

hands of Belgium last year, but

has been under pressure to

replace the 27-year-old due to

his disciplinary issues.

Neymar was banned for three

matches by the French football

authorities earlier this month for

hitting a fan after PSG’s French

Cup final loss to Stade Rennes,

and was also reportedly involved

in a dressing fracas with his PSG

team mates. — Reuters

MUSCAT: Haya Water concluded

Ramadhan activities organised for its

employees and their family members.

Football and table tennis competition

were held during the holy month of

Ramadhan to enhance Haya Water

values of team work, corporation and

respect.

A celebration was recently held

at the end of these activities under

the auspices of Eng Mohammed

bin Salem al Busaidy, Majlis Ash’

shura Member, Representative of

the Wilayat of Bausher, and with the

presence of the Haya Water’s CEO and

members of the Company’s Executive

Management and a large number of

employees and fans.

Eng Hussain bin Hassan Abdul

Hussain, CEO of Haya Water said:

“The Company is keen to promote the

spirit of competition among members

of Haya Water. The company carries

out Ramadhan sports activities on

annual basis because of positive

impact in instilling familiarity and

unity among team members which

is considered an integral part of the

organisation’s philosophy.

The CEO also thanked the guest of

honour of the ceremony for attending

the event.

Yousif al Balushi, Business

Development Manager and the Sports

Committee Chairman said: “The final

football match was between Finance

and Human Resources Management

(HR) teams where Finance won the

championship.

The tournament’s top scorer was

Mahmoud al Hasani from Corporate

Support team, the best player was

Basam al Mufarji from HR team

and the best goalkeeper was Bader al

Raqami from Finance”.

He added: “As for the tennis

championship, Mahmood al Hinai

won first place and Ibrahim al

Hadrami came in second and Jamal al

Hajri finished third”.

At the end, the guest of honour

awarded the winning teams and

players from both the football and

table tennis tournaments.

Mahmood al Hinai, the first place

in the table tennis competition said:

“I am proud to be part of Haya Water,

which is always keen to organise

such events and activities that

contribute to building understanding

among employees. The tournament

contributes to the development

of staff capabilities in table tennis,

specifically,and other sports, in

general”.

MILAN: Torino forward Andrea

Belotti has been recalled but

Marseille’s Mario Balotelli left of Italy’s

33-man squad named on Monday for

Euro 2020 qualifiers against Greece

and Bosnia next month.

Belotti, who has been absent from

the Azzurri since last September, was

included on coach Roberto Mancini’s

list, with AC Milan goalkeeper

Gianluigi Donnarumma ruled out

with a hamstring injury.

Balotelli, who has scored eight

goals in 15 games since joining

the French club in January has not

featured on the international stage

since September. Roma’s Antonio

Mirante, who received one call-up

under former Italy coach Antonio

Conte, comes in for Donnarumma,

with Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi

Gollini also handed a first call-up

after his side’s first-ever Champions

League qualification.

Cagliari forward Leonardo

Pavoletti has been preferred up

front along with Belotti, Stephan El

Shaarawy, and Sampdoria’s Fabio

Quagliarella, 36, the top scorer in

Serie A with 26 goals this season.

In defence are Chelsea’s Emerson

Palmieri, Torino’s Armando Izzo

and Juventus pair Leonardo Bonucci

and Giorgio Chiellini. Youngsters

Moise Kean, Federico Chiesa, Nicolo

Barella and Lorenzo Pellegrini have

been included ahead of the European

Under-21 Championships.

Italy play Greece on June 8 in

Athens before welcoming Bosnia to

Turin on June 11. The Azzurri are

top of Group J — which also includes

Finland, Armenia and Liechtenstein

— after two wins from two. — AFP

Al Hail CT organising Inter-Academy Ramadhan cricket tournament

MUSCAT: Al Hail School of

Cricket (Omani Club) is organising

Inter Academy Ramadhan cricket

tournament 2019 among all Al Hail

Cricket Club Omani players.

The tournament will begin from

May 31, 2019 at Al Hail Cricket

Ground, Mabailah. A total of four

teams will be participating in this

event.

This is the first time the club has

introduced this kind of an event and

also organised the Iftar party for the

players and for management staff.

This is the league format tournament

and each team will play three matches

in the round-robin stage and the top

two teams will qualify for the final.

The chief guest of the event will

be Waleed al Balushi, senior member

of club. The following teams will

be participating in this event (Al

Hail Royals, Al Hail Kings, Al Hail

Gladiators and Al Knight Riders)

The tournament is sponsored by

Cricket Cottage.

Neymar loses Brazil captaincy to Alves for Copa America

BATON PASSAGEKane in England squad for Nations League finals

KANE HAS NOT PLAYED SINCE SUFFERING THE INJURY IN THE FIRST

LEG OF TOTTENHAM’S QUARTERFINAL

AGAINST MANCHESTER CITY ON APRIL 9, WHICH ALSO WHEN WINKS MADE

HIS LAST APPEARANCE

Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane takes part in a team training session at Enfield Training Centre, north London, on Monday. — AFP

LOCAL FLAVOUR

OMANDAILYOBSERVER 11cricket

W E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 9

LONDON: England fast bowler

Mark Wood has been passed fit

for the World Cup opener against

South Africa, a team spokesman

announced on Monday.

The Durham quick left

the field early while running

in to bowl during Saturday’s

warm-up defeat by Australia in

Southampton after suffering a

foot injury.

Wood’s injury-plagued career

has been blighted by a history

of repeated ankle problems but

hospital scans saw the 29-year-

old given the all clear for

Thursday’s opening match of the

World Cup, against South Africa

at the Oval.

Wood was scheduled to bowl

during the warm-up immediately

before Monday’s practice match

against Afghanistan but will not

play any part in the fixture itself.

Wood has been one of

England’s quickest bowlers of

recent years.

But fears over his ability to

stay fit for prolonged periods

remain and he has bowled a

mere 13.1 overs since the start

of the season in a bid to reduce

his workload prior to the World

Cup. — AFP

England’s Wood cleared for World Cup opener

Skipper Morgan tells England to embrace World Cup excitementLONDON: England captain Eoin

Morgan has urged his side to enjoy the

pressure and expectation that comes

with opening the World Cup.

Tournament hosts and favourites

England launch the showpiece event

against South Africa at the Oval on

Thursday.

Their last warm-up match saw them

rout Afghanistan by nine wickets at

the south London venue on Monday,

with England dismissing the outsiders

for just 160 and then reaching their

target in fewer than 18 overs.

The Dubliner was back in the side

for this match after recovering from

a finger injury but took no active part

as he did not field and wasn’t required

to bat in an England innings where

opener Jason Roy scored 89 not out on

his Surrey home ground.

England, top of the one-day

international rankings, won 4-0 at

home to Pakistan in a recent series

before a team missing several first-

choice players suffered a 12-run

warm-up defeat by world champions

Australia in Southampton on Saturday.

“We have felt ready the last week or

so, even if we didn’t play these warm-

up games,” said Morgan. “As a whole I

was very happy with the preparation.

“When you play as convincingly as

that it builds confidence in the hard

work you’ve done both in training

and in the game and the other side of

it is that it gives us the afternoon and

evening to switch off — not playing

another close game against a strong

side.”

Now Morgan has urged England

to relish the challenge of facing the

Proteas first up in the World Cup.

“Everyone is going to feel that

anticipation and excitement of playing

the first game and it will be different

than any other day and I will be

encouraging guys to embrace it,” he

said.

As well as Morgan’s clean bill of

health, England were also boosted

on Monday by the news that fast

bowler Mark Wood had been passed

fit following fears over a possible

recurrence of a longstanding left ankle

injury.

‘ALL READY’

“It’s the best possible news with

both of them,” said Morgan. “With

Woody being a fast bowler it’s

inevitable we would have injuries but

to come back with the scan as clear as

it could be is great, so we are all ready.”

The sight of Wood pulling up as he

ran in early in his spell in Southampton

was understandably concerning given

his injury-plagued career, but the

Durham quick insisted he had not

feared his World Cup might be over

before it started.

“I wasn’t worried about the scan

because I knew it was precautionary,”

he said.

“I probably could have carried on

bowling but I didn’t want to take any

risks with it when I knew what was

round the corner, especially with my

background.

“I had a light bowl this (Monday)

morning and felt fine, then I had a bit

of a heavier bowl whilst the lads were

playing football and that felt absolutely

fine.

“If anything, I just need to get it

on the ice machine 24/7 for the next

couple of days. I will fully join in with

practice on Wednesday and then be

ready to go on Thursday if selected.”

England have a trio of new-ball

bowlers in their 15-man World Cup

squad — Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer

and Wood.

But, having seen England rotate

their attack in recent weeks, Wood was

ready to wait his turn.

“It is a long tournament with a lot

of games so I expect we will mix and

match,” he said. — AFP

LONDON: Usman Khawaja did his

World Cup prospects no harm as

Australia overpowered Sri Lanka by

five wickets in a warm-up match at

Southampton on Monday.

Khawaja, who appears to be vying

for a place at number three with Shaun

Marsh, made 89 in a total of 241 for

five.

The world champions rested opener

David Warner (leg soreness) while

former Australia skipper Steve Smith,

also returning to the international

scene following a year-long ban for

his part in a ball-tampering scandal,

batted in the nets.

Australia appear to have a settled

opening combination in captain

Aaron Finch and Warner.

But Warner’s absence saw Khawaja

open against Sri Lanka.

“I wasn’t thinking about securing

an opening berth, we’ve looked to be

clinical and not take it lightly,” said

Khawaja.

“We’ve won three warm-ups here,

and it was more about us continuing

the winning ways in Dubai and India.”

Australia’s latest win followed

previous warm-up successes against

the West Indies and World Cup hosts

England that built on an encouraging

3-2 series win in India.

“Behind the scenes we’ve put in

a lot of hard work, you need that to

be able to compete at this level,” said

Khawaja.

“Everyone has put in a lot of effort.

We had India over in our place for a

series and while we lost, that was a big

turning point for us.”

He added: “They’re one of the best

sides and we gave them a run for their

money. Then we went to India, lost

the first two matches and went on

to win the series. We always had the

confidence we could do that.

“Winning is a habit, we say that a

lot among the team. We want to keep

that going, we might have lost that

before, but we might have found that

again heading into the World Cup.

“This time last year there was a lot

of talk about our batting, everyone has

their different plans — it’s just about

winning games and we’re managing to

do that,” he explained.

Australia, who begin the defence

of their title against outsiders

Afghanistan in Bristol on Saturday,

saw fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and

Pat Cummins get in the groove as they

restricted Sri Lanka to a meagre 239

for eight.

For Sri Lanka, only Lahiru

Thirimanne went past fifty.

“We did not bat very well,” said Sri

Lanka’s Kusal Mendis.

“There was a chance to get to

300 out there on that wicket but we

struggled in the middle overs and lost

any momentum.

“It was a battle and it ruined the

plan we had as a team. We did our

best from there but we did not score

enough runs and they were able to

knock them off.”

But Mendis forecast Sri Lanka

would find their form in time for

their opening match against New

Zealand

“We are confident we can turn this

around,” he said.

“Angelo Mathews and Lasith

Malinga will step it up at the weekend

and that will give everyone a lift with

bat and ball,” Mendis insisted.

— AFP

Roy completes England warm-up game rout of Afghanistan

LONDON: Jason Roy sealed an

England thrashing of Afghanistan

as the tournament hosts cruised to

victory in their final match before the

World Cup.

Roy made 89 not out on his Surrey

home ground on Monday as England

hammered outsiders Afghanistan by

nine wickets with nearly 200 balls to

spare. England, two days after losing

their previous practice match to world

champions Australia, returned to

winning ways in convincing fashion

ahead of their tournament opener

against South Africa at the Oval on

Thursday.

A target of 161 was never likely

to test England, with Roy proving

as much in a 46-ball innings that

included 11 fours and four sixes.

Before play started, England

were boosted by the news that fast

bowler Mark Wood had been passed

fit to face South Africa after a foot

injury and that one-day captain

Eoin Morgan was back in the team

following a fractured finger.

Morgan did not field, however,

and was not required to bat with the

only wicket Afghanistan took coming

when Jonny Bairstow was stumped by

Rahmat Shah off Mohammad Nabi

for 39. Roy ended the match in the

18th over of England’s reply with a six

over midwicket.

ARCHER STRIKES

Earlier, Jofra Archer and Joe

Root took three wickets apiece as

Afghanistan slumped to 160 all out.

— AFP

Australia’s Usman Khawaja plays a shot during the 2019 Cricket

World Cup warm up match against Sri Lanka at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. — AFP

England’s Eoin Morgan during the warm up before the match. — Reuters

England’s Mark Wood in action. — Reuters

England’s Jason Roy in action. — Reuters

Khawajastakes WC claim as Australia win Lanka warm-up

Khawajastakes WC claim as Australia win Lanka warm-up

editor@omanobserver.om www.omanobserver.om

follow us @observersportzsport

PARIS: Top seed Novak Djokovic

might be out of pocket after trashing

the floor of a Roland Garros gym but

there was little else troubling the Serb

after he opened his French Open bid

on Monday by dismantling Poland’s

Hubert Hurkacz.

The 32-year-old, bidding for

a second Roland Garros title and

to become the first man in the

professional era to hold all four

Grand Slam titles on two separate

occasions, mixed power and

precision in equal measure to win

6-4 6-2 6-2.

Reigning champion Rafael

Nadal, the man most likely to block

Djokovic’s path to a second “Nole

Slam”, had earlier launched his bid

for a 12th title on the Parisian clay in

sublime style.

But Djokovic more than

matched the Spaniard’s display

with a near faultless performance

in the afternoon sunshine on Court

Philippe Chatrier to seal a 22nd

consecutive win in Grand Slam play

since losing in the quarter-finals here

last year.

On Friday Djokovic posted a

video after the medicine ball he

was working out on went through a

wooden floor.

“I probably will,” Djokovic told

reporters when asked if he had

received a repair bill. “The damage

was pretty big, I must say. You know,

huge muscles that I possess, it’s kind

of expected I make the big hole like

that.

“I just swing with the ball quite

hard in front of me, kind of to warm

up upper body, and after a second

throw, I heard a crack. The wooden

floor completely collapsed under).

“They fixed it in less than a day.

Next day it wasn’t there. But next day

I was doing it on a concrete wall and

concrete steps. I learned my lesson.”

Djokovic is bidding for his second

title at Roland Garros having beaten

Andy Murray in 2016 to hold all

four Slams together and match Rod

Laver’s 1969 feat.

Since his first, the French Open

has undergone a huge makeover and

Djokovic said he is impressed with

the revamp of Chatrier, hinting that

it could give him a subtle advantage.

“Very nice. Great job, Roland

Garros, for sure, to make this kind of

renovation in less than 12 months is

really impressive,” he told reporters.

“It’s a pleasure to play in the new

court. It’s different. It’s a different

feeling.

“It looks different, obviously, and

feels a bit different. Feels a little bit

more like indoor, which I like.”

Djokovic broke serve in the

opening game on his way to taking

the opening set in routine fashion

and the only blip was when he

dropped serve at 4-1 in the second

set. The match was more or less

in the bag by then, however, and

Djokovic cantered to victory to set

up a second-round clash with Swiss

lucky loser Laaksonen.

Djokovic has prior experience in

needing a French Open title to win

four Grand Slams in a row, although

this time perhaps there is less

pressure as he already triumphed on

the clay. The routine will be the same

though.

“I just need to be in my lockdown,

so to say, mentally, and just do things

that have worked for me in the past,”

he said. — Reuters

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his first round match against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz. — Reuters

MUSCAT: Muscat’s multiple motor

racing champion Ahmad Al Harthy

arrives in France later this week ready

to challenge for his first Pro-Am class

victory of 2019 when the third round

of the Blancpain Endurance Cup, the

annual six-hour ‘into the night’ race,

takes place on Saturday, 1st June, at

Paul Ricard.

Obviously important in its own

right as a key part of the season, the

encounter at the Le Castellet track

also acts as prime preparation for the

championship’s biggest race — July’s

Total 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium —

and so huge significance is always

placed on the third Endurance outing

of the year.

Heading into the midway point of

the current campaign, Al Harthy and

Oman Racing team-mates Charlie

Eastwood and Salih Yoluc are second

in the Pro-Am standings and just

three points shy of the top of the

championship.

Having been third and second in

the opening two rounds, at Monza

in Italy and Silverstone Grand Prix

Circuit in the UK respectively, could

Paul Ricard provide the opportunity

for the trio to stand on the top step of

the podium for the first time in 2019?

Oman Racing’s return to the Pro-

Am class this year, having raced

in the Silver Cup category in 2018,

has been very successful so far with

terrific competitiveness displayed by

the No.97 Aston Martin Vantage GT3

which is prepared and engineered

by British squad TF Sport. Notably,

of course, the round one podium at

Monza was the first in Blancpain for

the new generation Aston Martin.

Al Harthy, Eastwood and Yoluc will

arrive at Paul Ricard with an unbroken

pole position qualifying run so far

this season, and added to the 100 per

cent podium finishing record for 2019

confidence is quite rightly high for the

six-hour race.

Equally too, the Muscat racer —

who enjoys key support from partners

the National Bank of Oman, Oman

Ministry of Sports Affairs, Omantel

and Barr Al Jissah — has an impressive

record at Paul Ricard with a second

place finish in Pro-Am during

his title winning season and

a top four result last year in

the Silver Cup. Only a late

Safety Car period in last

season’s race prevented

another podium.

“Paul Ricard is always a

real highlight of the Blancpain

season, we love competing there and

the evening race is obviously one of the

most spectacular in GT racing”, said Al

Harthy, “It’s been a good season so far,

two podiums from two races is exactly

what we wanted to achieve so now we

need to try and keep that momentum

going at the weekend.

“It’s very close at the top of the

championship so consistent scoring

is vital, as we know from our title

winning year in 2017, but we are

confident of a strong performance on

Saturday after the start we have had to

the current season. All of the guys in

the team are working incredibly hard

and, from a driving point of view,

Charlie, Salih and I are determined to

deliver the best performance we can.”

Featuring an immense combined

grid of almost 50 cars, the Blancpain

Endurance Cup is more than living up

to its status as the biggest and best GT3

championship in global motorsport

and the eagerly awaited Paul Ricard

six-hour race could play a pivotal role

in the title battle.

Free practice and pre-qualifying

will take place in Le Castellet on

Friday, 31st May, at 13.10 (local time)

and 17.00 (local time) respectively.

On Saturday, 1st June, final qualifying

will get underway at 10:30 (local time)

with the six-hour race itself beginning

at 18.00 (local time). All of the action

will be live online here: https://www.

blancpain-gt-series.com/live

Al Harthy determined to extend perfect podium run at Paul Ricard

DEMOLITION MAN

DJOKOVIC POWERS PAST HURKACZ

WEDNESDAY | MAY 29, 2019 | RAMADHAN 23, 1440 AH

BUSINESS REPORTERMUSCAT, MAY 28

The removal of US waivers on

Iranian crude oil export sanctions

in April will not push Brent prices

above $80/bbl in the second

quarter, according to 61 per cent

of those polled in GIQ’s monthly

Energy Market

Survey in May.

Although the

re-imposition of

US sanctions

has provided

some support to

prices — Brent

has averaged in

the low $70s/bbl

range in the past month compared

to the $60s/bbl in the first quarter

of the year — they have yet to

break through $80/bbl.

On the direction of prices for

the second half of the year, 59 per

cent of survey participants felt it

would rest on whether the Opec +

group of producers extends output

cuts when it meets in Vienna in

June. The other 41 per cent said

the main impetus would continue

to be US sanctions on Iran.

Meanwhile, 68 per cent were of

the opinion that output should be

increased at the end of June, given

rising geopolitical tensions in the

region, with the remaining 32 per

cent voting for a retention of the

current production agreement.

The Opec + group, which

includes Russia, has pledged

to reduce supply by 1.2 million

b/d during the first six months

of this year, with statistics so far

indicating strong adherence to the

pact. At the most recent meeting

of the Opec Joint Ministerial

M o n i t o r i n g

Committee in

Jeddah, Saudi

Arabia on May

19, Saudi Arabia’s

Energy Minister,

Khalid al Falih,

indicated a

c o n s e n s u s

a m o n g

producers to continue to drive

down crude inventories, but in the

same breath said that the kingdom

would remain responsive to the

needs of the market, effectively

leaving all options on the table

come June.

On US-China trade deal

dynamics, 79 per cent of the

GIQ polled audience felt that US

President Donald Trump would

blink ahead of Chinese Premier,

Xi Jinping. The tit-for-tat rhetoric

on tariffs between the world’s two

largest economies has held the

global economy on tenterhooks

for the past year, with the most

recent development diminishing

any renewed hope of a prompt

settlement.

Brent unlikely to rise above $80/bbl in Q2

Goods subject to Excise Tax definedCONRAD PRABHUMUSCAT, MAY 28

An insightful primer issued by the

Secretariat General of Taxation (SGT)

on the scope and applicability of the

new Excise Tax on select goods, due

to come into force from June 15,

2019, provides further clarity on the

definitions of products subject to this

new levy.

Tobacco products and their

derivatives subject to 100 per cent

Excise Tax shall include any products

that fall under Chapter 24 of the

‘Unified Customs Tariff of the GCC

States’, according to the SGT. These

products shall include, but are not

limited to, cigars; cigarettes; cigarillos;

water pipe tobacco; and other tobacco

products.

Carbonated drinks, which

shall attract a 50 per cent Excise

Tax, are described as any aerated

(fizzy) beverage except unflavoured

carbonated water. “This includes, for

example, carbonated water with added

sugar or other sweeteners or flavours

such as cola and soda derivatives.

The carbonated drinks category

for Excise Tax purposes also covers

concentrates, powder, gel, or extracts

intended to be made into a carbonated

beverage. Energy drinks and drinks

containing alcohol will not be

considered as carbonated drinks, even

if these beverages are carbonated,” the

SGT stated in its explainer.

As for the applicability of the tax

to concentrates, the tax authority

explained: “In case of a concentrate

supplied to a retailer to transform it

into a carbonated drink (for example,

bag-in-box concentrates) and has

already been subject to Excise Tax

in Oman, the drink which is made

from that concentrate would not

be considered an Excise Good and

consequently would not be Taxable at

the point of retail sale.”

Significantly, mineral water that

is aerated and flavoured is subject to

Excise Tax. However, unflavoured

mineral water will not considered as an

Excise Good, even if the mineral water

is aerated. Similarly, if the mineral

water is flavoured, but is not aerated,

the mineral water is not considered an

Excise Good, it explained.

Energy drinks, which attract a

100 per cent levy, are described as

“beverages that are marketed, or

sold as an energy drink, containing

stimulant substances that provide

mental and physical stimulation”.

“Such substances can include

caffeine, taurine, ginseng and guarana,

but could also include other substances

that have an identical or similar effect.

This also includes any concentrates,

powder, gel or extracts intended to be

made into an energy drink,” the tax

authorities further noted, adding that

energy drinks made from concentrates

that are already subject to Excise tax

will not attract a further tax.

Also subject to the new tax are

‘special purpose goods’, notably

alcohol and pork products, which

attract a 100 per cent levy with effect

from June 15.

The implementation of Excise Tax

stems from the promulgation of the

National Excise Tax Law issued by His

Majesty the Sultan via Royal Decree

23/2019 on March 13, 2019. The Law

was officially published in the Official

Gazette on March 17, 2019.

It comes into effect on June 15 —

ninety days from this date. The Law

allows six months from the date of

publication of the Decree Law for

the publication of the Executive

Regulations.

KEY CLARIFICATIONS: Mineral water that is aerated and flavoured is subject to Excise Tax

JOMAR MENDOZAMUSCAT, MAY 28

Omani businesses

dealing in goods covered

by the new Excise Tax

are required to file a

Transitional Excise Tax

return on excisable

commodities held for

commercial purposes on

the eve of the National

Excise Tax Law coming

into force on June 15,

2019.

A select category of

goods deemed harmful to health, notably tobacco,

carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and ‘special purpose

goods’, will attract a new excise levy, ranging from 50 –

100 per cent, effective from June 15.

“All businesses that hold a stock of Excise Goods

for commercial purposes at the time of Excise

Tax implementation will need to file a ‘one-time’

Transitional Excise Tax return for the goods held for

business purposes at midnight June 14, 2019,” the

Secretariat General of Taxation (SGT) of the Sultanate

stated. “The Transitional Excise Tax return is required

to be filed by June 30, 2019 and the business must pay

any Excise Tax due upon filing this return,” it added in

guidelines published on its website.

The objective behind the Transitional Excise

Tax return, according to authorities, is to “capture

the Excise Tax due on all the goods that are already

released in Oman’s local market when the Excise Tax

is implemented”.

Businesses liable to submit a Transitional Excise Tax

return will include: local producers of Excise Goods,

importers of Excise Goods, wholesalers, supermarkets,

retail shops, hotels and restaurants.

Businesses must file Transitional Excise Tax return by June 30

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

MUSCAT STOCK

MARKET

CRUDE OIL PRICE

3,918.80Oman Crude $ 68.48Brent Crude $ 68.75Light Crude $ 59.04

WEDNESDAY | MAY 29, 2019 | RAMADHAN 23, 1440 AH

THE LAW WAS OFFICIALLY PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL GAZETTE ON MARCH 17, 2019. IT COMES INTO EFFECT ON

JUNE 15 — NINETY DAYS FROM THIS DATE

businessOMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 914

insideoman

BUSINESS REPORTERMUSCAT:, MAY 28

Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN), the executive arm of the Sultanate responsible for tourism development, has recently completed the first phase of its hotel upgrade at its landmark property, InterContinental Muscat.

The renovation process undertaken by OMRAN in collaboration with InterContinental Muscat will upgrade the 40-year-old hotel to modern luxury standards which will allow it to match the quality of the newest five-star hotels in Oman. The first phase concentrates on the rooms and so far, a total of 80 rooms have been upgraded with new interiors, elevating this iconic hotel to a new level of modern luxury.

“OMRAN’s InterContinental Muscat has been integral part of the capital’s social and business life for the past 40 years. Being the very first international hotel to open in the country, we

are committed to making sure that this hotel retains its premier market position by investing in renovations and upgrades for both the interior and exterior. The upgrade programme will be executed over a number of years so that customers will not be inconvenienced and will ensure a smooth transition from old to new,” says Peter Walichnowski, CEO of OMRAN.

“This urban regeneration project is also needed to make sure that the InterContinental hotel integrates properly with the high-quality projects that have just been completed next to it being the Royal Opera House Muscat expansion and OMRAN’s new W Muscat Hotel”.

OMRAN completes first phase of InterContinental upgrade

MUSCAT: The four-day exhibition for small businesses

organised as an initiative by Bank Muscat najahi and Zubair

Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) at the Nizwa Grand

Mall from May 23 to 26, 2019 ended on a successful note

after receiving a huge response from an encouraging public

and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Fifteen members of Zubair SEC and 15 small business

clients of najahi participated in the exhibition. Most of the

participants were from the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah.

The success of the exhibition indicated that collaboration

between two of the strongest SME support programmes in

the Sultanate can result in scalable impact and better results.

The successful exhibition emphasised the importance of

such joint efforts to endorse small businesses and provide

them market-access opportunities.

The small businesses exhibition, which was held under

the framework of the memorandum of understanding

(MoU) signed between Bank Muscat and Zubair SEC in

2016, comes as yet another development in their efforts to

extend joint services to small businesses.

The exhibition also demonstrated both the partners’

keenness in reaching out to small businesses across the

Sultanate, including regions outside Muscat. This was

particularly significant because access to market is one

of the main challenges for small businesses, and similar

exhibitions can go a long way in promoting and enabling

small businesses to reach markets.

Lina Hussein, Head of Communication & Social Impact

at Zubair SEC said, “We are delighted with the response the

exhibition has received and would like to thank Bank Muscat

for their unstinting support. Holding this small businesses

exhibition in partnership with Bank Muscat najahi is in line

with our commitment to cooperate with leading entities

who are enthusiastic supporters of SME development.”

Small Businesses Exhibition by Bank Muscat najahi, Zubair SEC echoes very well in Nizwa

ALERTBUSINESS

Khimji Ramdas hosts annual iftar gathering for extended families

MUSCAT: Spreading the spirit of joy and

togetherness during the holy month of

Ramadhan, Khimji Ramdas hosted its

annual iftar at the Oman Convention and

Exhibition Centre for over 1,000 employees,

their families, business partners and

local media partners. Directors of Khimji

Ramdas alongside senior management team

joined the guests to break their fast with

their loved ones amidst the renowned KR family spirit, demonstrating the social

values emanating from local communities throughout the holy month.

Pankaj Khimji, Director, Khimji Ramdas said, “Our annual family iftar

gathering truly embodies the spirit of togetherness and unity that each and every

team member of Khimji Ramdas holds dearly, and we believe that the holy month

of Ramadhan is the perfect time for our extended family to get together.” He

added “Driven by our corporate core values of Trust, Care, and Commitment, we

remain committed to bringing positive change in the lives of our people, the local

communities across the Sultanate and our beloved nation at large.”

McCain Foods to host Battle of the Burgers Oman at Food & Hospitality Expo

FROM October 14 to 16, professional chefs

from leading local burger joints will showcase

their grilling skills in a competition for the best

burger in Oman.

The competition, dubbed “Battle of the

Burgers Oman,” the first-of-its-kind competition

in Oman, was launched in Omanexpo’s 2018

edition of Food & Hospitality Oman exhibition

as an initiative to help rouse interest in young

talents in honing their skills and encourage budding cooks and chefs to further

their culinary education in a professional environment.

McCain Foods, a global frozen food company and the world’s largest

manufacturer of frozen potato specialties, has once again given its thumbs up to

host the competition and support the exhibition as Gold sponsor.

McCain Foods’ participation in the pioneer organiser’s latest show offering

demonstrates its commitment to promote the food industry by continuously

developing new and innovative food products, identifying new insights and trends,

and working with suppliers and collaborators to explore new food technologies.

World’s fast growing Geely brand has over 7,000 happy customers in Oman

ONE of the fastest growing brands in the world,

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding),

the parent company of Geely Auto, has registered

an aggregate sales of over 2.15 million units in 2018

across its diversified companies, up 18.3 per cent

compared to 1.81 million units in 2017.

In 2018, Geely Auto sales comprised almost

860,000 SUVs and crossovers, with the remainder

composed of sedans. Geely Emgrand7 continued to be the best selling Chinese

sedan for the seventh year running with sales reaching 246,933 units worldwide

in 2018, averaging sales of more than 20,000 units per month.

Since its launch in Oman in 2011, Geely, represented by Towell Auto Centre

(TAC), has sold over 7,000 vehicles in Oman. Geely is being appreciated for its

aerodynamic styling and C-NCAP five-star safety standard, thanks to ex-Volvo

design chief Peter Horbury taking the brand to the next level. With Geely’s

acquisition of Volvo, Terrafugia flying cars, Lotus racing cars, the London Taxi

Company and Proton, customers are rest assured that they have state-of-the-art

technology offered to them.

BUSINESS REPORTERMUSCAT, MAY 28

Petroleum Development Oman

(PDO) has committed to support a

range of infrastructure commitments

to benefit communities and boost

sustainable development across the

Sultanate.

The Company is funding the

construction of two fish markets in

Adam and Yanqul, which come as

part of the Ministry of Agriculture

and Fisheries’ fish markets rollout plan

across the Sultanate.

The facilities, each of which will

include storage facilities and an

ice factory, will boost the fisheries

industry in the area and create

employment opportunities.

PDO opened its first funded fish

market in Ibri at the beginning of

this year and signed a commitment

to construct another in Bahla last

month. The addition of these latest

two facilities in Adam and Yanqul will

bring the total number of fish markets

funded by PDO to four.

PDO is also building 13 new

majlises in Bahla, Thamrait, Al Jazir,

Manah, Haima and Adam as part of

a second phase, which was mapped

according to population density and

beneficiaries in co-ordination with

Wali offices.

The buildings are being funded

by the Company in an effort to

provide safe and suitable community

gathering spaces for the villages and

the surrounding communities.

The majlises will be built according

to a standardised design developed in-

house to meet customer expectations

and quality standards.

Fifteen Memorandums of

Understanding (MoUs) confirming

these commitments were signed

at an official ceremony held under

the auspices of Eng Khalid bin

Hilal al Busaidy, Under-Secretary

of the Ministry of Interior, at PDO’s

Knowledge World venue in Muscat

yesterday.

PDO Managing Director Raoul

Restucci said: “Our Social Investment

programme aims to contribute to the

sustainable development of Omani

communities and to address their

specific needs through a variety of

different projects executed in co-

operation with governmental and

non-governmental bodies and focused

on key themes. Our mantra is that we

only succeed if the communities in

which we operate succeed, and these

new projects will undoubtedly serve

citizens in their day to day lives for

many years to come.”

PDO to fund new fish markets, majlises

MUSCAT: In line with its strategic plans to stay close to customers by continuously providing them with the products and services they need, Alizz Islamic Bank has launched a special Ramadhan cashback campaign. Customers will receive 10 per cent cashback on all purchases made using their Alizz Islamic Bank credit cards. The offer is valid during the last 10 days of Ramadhan for both online and offline shopping within Oman and internationally.

Designed to meet all the needs and requirements of customers, Alizz Islamic Bank offers a world of exclusive privileges, rewards and experiences through its Titanium, Platinum and World Credit Cards. The Alizz Islamic Bank credit cards offer a wide range of Sharia compliant benefits, rewards and lifestyle experiences, including access to airport lounges around the world, luxury retail shopping advantages, secure online shopping and also cash withdrawals of up to 80 per cent of the card limit.

It is worth noting that Alizz Islamic Bank was the first Islamic bank in the Sultanate to offer sharia compliant credit cards & the bank offers the most affordable credit cards in the local market.

The objective of the campaign is to encourage customers to use their credit cards as an alternative to cash to create a non-cash community, as well as to educate customers on the advantages of using cards.

Alizz Islamic Bank launches 10pc cashback

Insurance sector opens up opportunities for Omanisn trend with the growth of the

insurance sector in the Sultanate

over the past five years, the number

of Omanis joining this sector has

been gradually increasing as well.

Nevertheless, this sector needs to get

more Omani talent in the coming

years to balance employment ratios

that are currently more in favour of

expatriates. This can be achieved only

through the training of nationals for

jobs held by non-Omanis.

At the same time, the number

of public shareholding companies

established in this sector has been

increasing over the past years too. So

have the number of private hospitals

and health centres in various parts

of the country. Consequently, the

authorities concerned must organise

more training programmes to qualify

young Omanis for job growth in this

vital sector.

Omani society is still a young

society with around 45 per cent of

the people under 20 years of age,

while only 6 per cent are about 60

years, according to 2016 data. The

average size of the Omani family is 7.8

persons; based on current maternity

rates, averaging four live births per

Omani woman, the size of the Omani

population is expected to double over

the next 25 to 30 years, assuming

current fertility and death rates stay

the same.

Given these trends, the health,

insurance and related sectors

represent promising markets for

national employment. The Capital

Market Authority (CMA), which

oversees the insurance sector in the

Sultanate, organises a number of

training programmes in cooperation

with the Oman Chamber of

Commerce and Industry. Recently, the

Authority celebrated the conclusion

of the training of 230 Omani recruits

of insurance and brokerage firms.

This was achieved in the framework

of the CMA’s strategy for driving

Omanisation in the insurance sector.

The insurance sector in the Sultanate

is witnessing today high growth in

insurance premiums, with the share

of the health insurance segment rising

significantly as well. Health insurance

premiums now account for 33 per

cent of the total insurance premiums,

surpassing motor insurance, which

has a 31 per cent share. According to

the Capital Market Authority statistics,

insurance firms operating in the

Sultanate generated RO 248.7 million

in business last year. The total assets

of insurance companies increased to

RO 1.105 billion, entailing a growth of

around 5 per cent.

Of RO 463.495 million raised in

insurance premiums last year, the

share of health insurance premiums

totalled RO 152.298 million —

representing 37.7 per cent of the

total. This growth in the insurance

sector represents a challenge to the

authorities in striking a balance

in the portfolio of the insurance

sector and risk diversification. It

faces other challenges because of the

scarcity of technical and managerial

competencies that can manage the

insurance portfolio, especially in the

health insurance. At the same time,

more investment is needed in private

hospitals, equipment and medical

specialists to meet the increasing

demand for healthcare services from a

population size of 4.6 million people,

of whom 45 per cent are expatriates.

Moreover, hospitals, health and

medical centres should also be suitably

classified.

The next stage will witness an

uptick in training and qualifying

programmes designed to channel

more numbers of young Omanis

into this key industry. These efforts

should also include initiatives to

build the technical and managerial

competencies of Omani personnel to

meet the requirements of this sector.

ITHE INSURANCE SECTOR IN THE SULTANATE IS WITNESSING

TODAY HIGH GROWTH IN INSURANCE PREMIUMS, WITH THE SHARE OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE SEGMENT RISING

SIGNIFICANTLY AS WELL

HAIDER AL LAWATIhaiderdawood@hotmail.com

businessOMANDAILYOBSERVERW E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 9 15international

Alibaba plans bumper $20 billion HK listing to boost investment war chestHONG KONG: Alibaba is

considering raising as much as

$20 billion through a listing in

Hong Kong, people familiar with

the matter said, lining up a second

blockbuster deal following its

2014 record $25 billion float in

New York.

The deal, the biggest follow-on

share sale in seven years globally,

would give Alibaba a war chest to

keep investing in technology - a

priority for China as growth flags

and as the world’s second-largest

economy is locked in a mounting

trade spat with the United States.

The e-commerce giant is

working with financial advisers

on the offering and is aiming to

file an application confidentially

in Hong Kong as early as the

second half of 2019, three people

said on condition of anonymity as

the plans are not public yet.

While advisers and others

close to the deal downplayed any

trade war reasoning for the move,

analysts said the context and

geography could not be ignored.

“For Chinese companies listed

in the United States, one has to

prepare a contingency plan,” said

Hao Hong, head of research at

broker BOCOM International.

“Given most of the Alibaba

investors are in Asia, it makes

sense to come closer to your home

base and give investors an option

to trade in the same time zone.”

Last week, Chinese chipmaker

SMIC said it was delisting its New

York shares in favour of focusing

on its Hong Kong listing.

Sources with knowledge of

Alibaba’s plans cautioned that

many details were not yet clear,

including the final planned

size. One person with direct

knowledge said it was more likely

to be between $10 billion and $15

billion.

At $20 billion, Alibaba’s deal

would be the sixth-biggest follow-

on share sale ever, Refinitiv data

shows.

It would rank behind NTT’s

1987 $36.8 billion sale, crisis era

offerings of $24.4 billion and

$22.5 billion from the Royal Bank

of Scotland and Lloyds Banking

Group, and the $20.7 billion

raised by US insurer AIG in 2012.

SoftBank Group, Alibaba’s

largest investor, did not

immediately respond to a request

for comment.

The Japanese tech investor

has a 28.8 per cent stake, worth

$115.7 billion, in Alibaba after

it sold a small part of its original

holding via derivatives to fund its

acquisition of chip designer ARM

in a transaction that completes

next month.

SoftBank founder and CEO

Masayoshi Son is a close friend of

Alibaba founder Jack Ma.

Bloomberg was the first to

report the plan for a Hong Kong

listing.

Since its US listing, Alibaba

has nearly doubled in size to

become the largest-listed Chinese

company with a market value of

more than $400 billion.

A Hong Kong listing would

give mainland investors their

first direct access to one of

China’s biggest success stories,

via the stock connect trading link

between Hong Kong, Shanghai

and Shenzhen.

It would also give the company

an extra pocket of liquidity and

potentially a better valuation if

the household name became a

favourite among retail investors in

Hong Kong.

An analyst said while Alibaba

is not in need of cash, the listing

could help it improve its access to

loans from Asian banks. “It means

closer access to Chinese investors,

and maybe Chinese investors

are more bullish than the global

investors in Alibaba,” the analyst

added. — Reuters

Jack Ma and other senior executives of the Alibaba Group pose for pictures prior to the IPO launching in New York, in this file photo. — AFP

SINGAPORE: Oil prices were

mixed on Tuesday as supply cuts,

led by producer club Opec, and US

sanctions on fuel exports from Iran

and Venezuela supported crude,

while concerns about an economic

slowdown weighed on the market.

Front-month Brent crude futures,

the international benchmark for oil

prices, were at $69.99 at 06:37 GMT,

down 12 cents, or 0.2 per cent, from

the last session’s close, when they

rose 2.1 per cent.

US West Texas Intermediate

(WTI) crude futures were at $59.03

per barrel, up 40 cents, or 0.7 per

cent, from their last close on Friday.

WTI did not trade on Monday due

to a US public holiday.

Prices have been supported by

supply cuts led by the Organization

of the Petroleum Exporting

Countries (Opec) since the start of

the year, and by political tensions in

the Middle East.

Opec and some allies including

Russia are due to meet on June 25

and 26 to discuss output policy.

Beyond the output cuts, US bank,

Citi said, “Geopolitical turmoil

across the Middle East ... are likely

to encourage financial investors to

realign with their bullish physical

counterparties.” In physical oil

markets, Middle East crude

premiums hit their highest levels in

years earlier this month amid falling

supply.

Beyond the Opec cuts, US

sanctions on petroleum exports

from Iran and Venezuela have

tightened markets.

“Iran exports remain under

pressure as US sanctions bite.

This comes as Opec appears to be

heading towards extending the

current production cut agreement,”

Citi added. — Reuters

Oil mixed as cuts, sanctions prop up prices while trade war weighs

Billionaires develop taste for boutique wealth managersHONG KONG: Growing demand by

Asia’s rich for independent advisory

services and access to a wide variety

of investment products is spurring the

surge of boutique wealth managers

more associated with the established

wealth hubs of Switzerland and

London.

The boutiques, or so-called external

asset managers (EAMs), mainly tap

small-and-mid-level business owners

and executives, who are typically out of

reach for private banks, by leveraging

their locally based advisers’ contacts

and family ties.

As a result, more and more private

banks are also leaning on boutique

managers to boost their assets in a

region which is seeing the fastest

billionaire population growth in the

world.

While it is a long-established

practice in developed wealth centres,

with Switzerland and London home

to over 2,000 EAMs each, industry

officials say Asia has scope to multiply

the current pool of less than 200 such

boutique wealth managers.

Hong Kong-based Chi Man Kwan

— a former private banker with BNP

Paribas and Standard Chartered,

who set up an independent asset

management firm three years ago — is

one of the beneficiaries of the growth.

“We are, as an industry, a lot

younger than our counterparts in

Europe,” Kwan said. “But if you

benchmark us against the amount of

wealth that is being created in Asia, it’s

the tip of the iceberg.”

Having started out by managing his

parents’ wealth, Kwan’s Raffles Family

Office now has 35 staff, $2 billion (1.57

billion pounds) in assets and more

than 70 clients. Kwan said his start-

up would double the headcount and

assets over the next two to three years.

EAMs offer investment advisory,

tax and succession planning services

to clients, and partner with the large

wealth managers such as Credit Suisse

and UBS to open accounts and execute

deals.

As they are not tied to any particular

private bank, they are free to offer

bespoke and independent advisory

services, a flexibility that Asia’s rich

find increasingly attractive.

EAMs account for up to 6 per cent

of total wealth management assets in

Asia, according to a survey by trade

publication Asian Private Banker. That

will double over the next three to four

years, industry executives said.

The trend is getting a foothold

in Asia at a time when the overall

individual wealth is expanding.

Asia Pacific saw total household

wealth grow 3 per cent last year to

$114.6 trillion from a year ago, making

it the largest wealth region globally, a

Credit Suisse global wealth report

shows.

“EAM accounts are relatively low-

maintenance accounts for private

banks,” said Alexander Florsheim,

chief investment officer at Carret

Private, which manages more than $1

billion in assets in Asia.

“Private banks don’t have to spend

much and pay incentives to in-house

relationship managers for originating

the business.”

Schroders Wealth Management

announced in February it was

acquiring the wealth management

business of Singapore-based

independent asset manager Thirdrock

Group, which had $3 billion of assets.

Besides UBS, Credit Suisse and

Julius Baer, who work with EAMs in

Asia, Bank of Singapore set up a desk

last year to work with independent

asset managers covering Greater

China and North Asia. — Reuters

L O N D O N :

Fallout from

Brexit has

helped New

York overtake

London to

become the

world’s pre-

e m i n e n t

fi n a n c i a l

centre, a survey

of financial

e x e c u t i v e s

by Duff & Phelps showed. The consultants said their

annual Global Regulatory Outlook survey contacted

180 executives in asset management, private equity,

hedge funds, banking and brokerage.

They were asked where they think the top financial

centre is located. More than 60 per cent of responses

were from Britain and the United States, with the

rest mainly from Hong Kong, Ireland, Singapore and

Luxembourg.

Just over half of respondents now see New York as

the world’s top financial centre, up 10 per cent from

2018, while 36 per cent see London as the leader, down

17 per cent from last year.

“Last year, Brexit cast a shadow of uncertainty over

the United Kingdom’s economy; it has now escalated to

a full-blown crisis,” Duff & Phelps said.

“Looking ahead, however, globalisation’s diffusion

of influence begins to be apparent: 12 per cent of

respondents expect Hong Kong to be the world’s

preeminent financial centre five years from now.”

British government ministers said last week that

the UK financial sector would emerge stronger from

Brexit. — Reuters

Brexit helps New York take top finance spot from London: Survey

PRE-EMINENT CENTRE

STOCKHOLM: Scandinavian airline

SAS announced on Tuesday that its

second-quarter earnings were severely

impacted by a week-long pilot strike

in late April, saying it would lower its

forecast for the year.

The carrier incurred a net loss of

933 million Swedish kronor ($97.7

million or 87.1 million euro) for its

second quarter from February to

April, compared to a net loss of 349

million for the corresponding period

a year earlier.

After months of failed negotiations,

1,400 SAS pilots went on strike

on April 26, disrupting domestic,

European and long-haul flights.

The airline and the pilots’ union

failed to reach an agreement until the

evening of May 2, after around 4,000

flights were cancelled, affecting more

than 370,000 passengers.

“The total impact on income

before tax of the strike is estimated

at 650 million kronor, of which 430

million relate to the last five days of

the second quarter,” SAS CEO Rickard

Gustafson said in a statement.

Since the strike ran into May, the

last two days of the strike will also

impact the company’s third quarter

results.

SAS said that rising jet fuel prices,

a weakened krona and decreased

demand for domestic travel, especially

in Sweden, had also weighed on

results.

The airline said it was expecting a

“positive” result for the full year, but

with the pilot strike and other factors

it would be “challenging to reach a

positive result”. — AFP

Pilot strike drags SAS net loss further down

A man walks at a petrol station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. — Reuters

FRANKFURT: Growth in lending to firms and households in the euro zone picked up in April, official data showed on Tuesday, in a glimmer of encouragement for a bloc still stalked by gloom.

The pace of growth in credit to the private sector reached 3.4 per cent year-on-year last month, the European Central Bank said in figures adjusted for some purely financial transactions.

That was 0.2 percentage points higher than in March.

Looking in more detail, loan growth to households ticked up to 3.4 per cent, while expansion in credit to non-financial firms added 0.3 points, reaching 3.9 per cent.

Lending to ordinary people and companies is closely watched as an indicator of economic health.

The ECB has for years aimed to boost credit with historic low interest rates and trillion-euro interventions on financial markets.

By keeping loans flowing freely, it hopes to stimulate growth and push up inflation towards its price stability target of just below two per cent.

While the threat of deflation has been largely banished, trade conflicts, the threat of a chaotic Brexit and weakness in emerging markets have braked euro zone expansion since late last year. — AFP

Growth in lending picks up euro zone

The Wall Street Bull is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City. — Reuters

AS A RESULT, MORE AND MORE PRIVATE BANKS

ARE ALSO LEANING ON BOUTIQUE MANAGERS TO BOOST THEIR ASSETS IN A REGION WHICH IS SEEING THE FASTEST BILLIONAIRE POPULATION GROWTH IN

THE WORLD.

WEDNESDAY | MAY 29, 2019 | RAMADHAN 23,1440 AH

CLASSIFIED SECTIONRUWI :

24785668/ 99841230 Behind Royal Oman Police,

Adjacent to Dhofar Building, Ruwi.

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

94501166

For Rent For Rent

For Rent

For Rent

For Rent

Rent a Car

Buttercup Rent A Car

AMAZING OFFERS Rent a car for 10 days and get an extra free day.

Rent for one month and get 5 days free.

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

972494490.· · · · ·

SPECIAL Rates on New Cars & 4 WDs

RENTING & LEASINGTours and Airport Transfer

Tel: 24582663 GSM: 95859497, Fax: 24582664,

abcrent@omantel.net.om· · · · ·

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

· · · · ·

Umrah/HajFREE

INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAMIf you would like to know more

about Islam, please

call: Tel : 99425598,

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

99321360, 99730723Or visit:

www.iicoman.omwww.islamfact.com

Available on UNBEATABLE PRICES

HP2130 3 in 1 Printer

RO 10.900 only

All Cartridges also available

on UNBEATABLE prices

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

COMPUTER SUPPLIESRuwi: 24792-792

comsuply@omantel.net.om

WE BUY CARS BY

CASH

90202090

Ahd 2000 car rent. 93203481/ 93204059/

24487827.· · · · ·

APARTMENT has 2 bedrooms, sitting room, 2 toilets at Athaiba.

99773958.· · · · ·2BHK Flat, Muttrah Corniche. 99024949, 99414644.· · · · ·IN Athaiba, 6 bedrooms brand new villa, high

security system and car park. 92014914.· · · · ·

FROM OWNER A house in Al Amerat 5, close to Al Ihsan Roundabout. Consists of 3 bedrooms, majlis, sitting room, large kitchen. Area of building 205 sqm. Total area of land 450 sqm. It was built 16 years ago. Requested RO 52,000. Negotiable. Serious buyers only. 99639264.

· · · · ·

PROFESSIONAL movers company number

94551284.

· · · · ·

PAINTING, Plumbing, Building maintenance, Excavation, Stone Pitching, Gabion. 99057348.

· · · · ·

MAINTENANCE: 1. AC Maintenance & Servicing; 2. Fridge, Washing Machine & Dish washer repairing; 3. Painting & cleaning services; 4. Electrical & Plumbing Carpentry work. Contact: 99447257, 97014234, 24504281.

· · · · ·KAWKAB Atarad United Co LLCPO Box: 237 Postal code: 320, Sultanate of Oman1. A/C installation and

servicing2. Electrical installation3. Plumbing works

system5. Painting6. Maintenance of all workM Nader Hossain

90611994/ 96319522.· · · · ·

PAINTING/ plumbing/ building maintenance. Excavation/ stone pitching/ gabion. 99057348.

· · · · ·

TO ADVERTISE HERE, CALL:

99639264 Ali al Maashari ali.almashari@omandaily.om

99841230 Mohammed al Rashdi m.alrahdi86@yahoo.com

DIRECT: 24649593 — FAX : 24649590

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

We buy used and broken

cars which have instalments

in cash. 90202090.

Buying

AL Awsad Modern LLC, electronic and furniture used.

99834373.

· · · · ·

MEDICAL Polyclinic with full equipment for sale or investment at Izki. For details 94449114.

· · · · ·

HOUSE for sale in Wadi Udai for RO 27,000 (neg).

99462401/ 99243291.· · · · ·PROVIDES all kinds of legal works, LLC registration, agreements, contracts. Takes all kinds of cases of companies. 97351649.· · · · ·JEWELLERY workshop attached with showroom for sale at Walja, Way Number 4301, Al Fursan Street, shop Number 25. 24835276, 93035380.· · · · ·INDUSTRIAL land for sale. Area of 20,500 square metres in the Rusayl area, Price RO 70/- per square metre. 99369192.· · · · ·

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

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

95959166.· · · · ·

WE supply quantities of excellent mountainous soil in Bausher (suitable for

99242445, 99327939.

· · · · ·

A SHOWROOM in Al Qurum in strategic location with extravagant interior design on 280 sqm is offered for sale at RO 25,000. 92470024.

· · · · ·

PICK-UPS, Double Cabin, Buses, Cranes, Primover & Trailers. 99465358 & 99454660.

· · · · ·

RESTAURANT in an excellent location in Salalah with equipment and workers.

93397812.

· · · · ·

FOR sale industrial land in the area at Rusayl area 20500 metre, price per square metre RO 70.

99369192.

· · · · ·

FOR sale: Extravagant and furnished residences for female students in Al Khuwair, Al Mawaleh and Al Khoudh along with all assets. 99001332.

· · · · ·

Manpower

MANPOWER from Philippines. WhatsApp:

91206344.

· · · · ·

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

99321426· · · · ·

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

91291219.

· · · · ·

DARSAIT, Near Indian

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

attached, Hall, Kitchen, Guest toilet.

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

attached, Hall, Kitchen

are provided with AC. 92351172/92902313.

· · · · ·

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

99700908.

· · · · ·

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

· · · · ·

A HOUSE in Al Mabaila near

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

· · · · ·

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

99700908.

· · · · ·

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

Area, at the public road. Close to Jeep Showroom. There are also mini showrooms 91111966.

· · · · ·

COMMERCIALrent, Al Maabela behind Zamzam Hypermarket. 07

or bachelors. 2 BHK big

Clean, well maintained building. Lift and shaded car

Call Iqrar 99076557.

· · · · ·

FLAT big 3 bedrooms Al Awabi, Muscat from owner.

99466380.

· · · · ·

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

99315986.

· · · · ·

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

99383446.

· · · · ·

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

2 Bedroom, Kitchen, 3 Toilets, Every room with split

Interested persons, please contact. 00968-92225523.· · · · ·FLAT 1 room, hall, bathroom, kitchen, 2 split AC in Ruwi, Al Qurum, Wadi Al Kabir, Al Khuwair. 99358589, 95084327, 97079146.· · · · ·ONE bedroom flat at Darsait near Medical RO 170/-. Two BHK Al Khuwair RO 300/-. Athaiba behind Zubair RO 300/-. (24790449, Fax: 24790559.· · · · ·NEW building in Maabela Industrial Area available for rent. Corner location for showroom, hypermarket

99323030· · · · ·NEW penthouse, N Ghubra — 2 bedroom + 3 toilets + 1 maid room with toilet and 1 big hall 99370300.· · · · ·NEW apartment for rent, one room, 2 toilets, kitchen and dinning. Location, Al Khoudh Market, Red Taj

rent RO 190/-. 92838118.· · · · ·FLATS for rent in Al Khuwair, Al Hail, Wadi Kabir, Al Falaj, MBD and Muttrah.

99119699/ 95250300/ 24813002.

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

95852046.· · · · ·APPROVED residential for labour camp available. Near Sohar Port. Area 15,000m2. Water and electricity available. For contact

91577774, 96198460.· · · · ·

2 BEDROOMS hall in Mumtaz. 200 RO. Way No 3352, Building No 3447 and 3668.

Flats in Al Khuwair 2 bedroom and 1 bedroom. Contact 99341138/ 90991079.

· · · · ·

EXECUTIVE including ACs/water & electricity in central Ruwi 99238012/ 24704994.

· · · · ·

1 BHK/ 3 BHK & in central Ruwi

99238012/ 24704994.

· · · · ·

OPEN for rent at Qurum, adjacent to Muscat Private School on the main road, ground

every meter is RO 6.500 with general services.

95308724.

· · · · ·

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

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

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

99315986.· · · · ·

For Sale

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

92181524 WhatsApp.

· · · ·

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

71136222.

· · · · ·

WELL maintained 1&2

store available at Rex Road. Contact (92227165

· · · · ·

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

99315490.

· · · · ·

TWO new apartment for rent in Al Qurum near Mina al Fahal. 94664635, 95850345.

· · · · ·

middle Al Khuwair 93663380.

· · · · ·

SHOP in Seeb market. 95250300/ 99110600/

24182000.

· · · · ·

2 BEDROOM Khuwair. 99322344.

· · · · ·

FURNISHED in Muscat Grand Mall

99445771, 93204595 93203481.

· · · · ·

NEW apartment in Ruwi near church consists of 2 rooms with its facilities. Contact. 94664635, 95850345.

· · · · ·

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

99083071, 99323015.

· · · · ·

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

· · · · ·

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

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

· · · · ·

INDUSTRIAL land 5,500 sqm in Jufnin 95490842, 97928817.· · · · ·1BHK & 2 BHK flats for rent at Ruwi and Al Khoudh.

93994402, 93994403, 24834644.

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

99639269.· · · · ·

for rent in Salalah, north Auqadain. Call 91711118.· · · · ·

THE located Al Ghubra Healthcare Centre is offering them for rent against RO 260 95548774,

99346417.· · · · ·

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

91117335.· · · · ·

FLAT for rent in Mabaila 3 master rooms.

96088926.

· · · · ·

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

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

For Sale/Rent

PART TIME accounting

free software. Contact 91720465.

· · · · ·

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

Services

AC maintenance and servicing.

Fridge, washing machine and dish washer repairing.

Painting and cleaning services. Electrical, plumbing and carpentry work 97014234, 99447257, 24290686.· · · · ·ORIENT Trading LLC, Shampooing, sofa, carpet,

repairing. 99834373.· · · · ·

Asubjects:

Life Skill teacher

All Teachers should have bachelor degree of education and at least 2 years of teaching experience. Kindly send your updated CVs with your recent photography to:

omaniacademy@gmail.com

classifiedsOMANDAILYOBSERVER 17classifieds

W E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 9

INDIAN male (25) Electronics & Communication Engineer with Automation Knowledge having two years Oman experience in sales and servicing looking for a suitable job. Currently in Oman. NOC available. contact: 91472173, Email: munir3494@gmail.com· · · · ·ELECTRICAL Engineer, 2 years experience in Transformer, Relays, Control Panels testing and commissioning. Calibration of Meters and Gauges. On

in Autocad, Primavera and Microsoft tools. Contact

+968 96104349. sachinvs.4631@gmail.com· · · · ·INDIAN male civil Engineer with 35 years Experience in Oman with Consultants & Ministries seeks full/part time/ temporary/regular placement. can work in presen visa. also NOC Available. TEL : 99315714.· · · · ·MECHANICAL Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 27 years, with 1+ years of Experience as MEP, HVAC

Autocad, HVAC, HSE), look-ing for suitable position. Staying in Muscat on visit visa, contact(Oman): +968 91921038 (India): +91 7842348772, Email: mmuq-tark@gmail.com · · · · ·INDIAN male, BE+ MBA, 15 years experience in electrical products in projects and retail segment at senior position with valid D/L and NOC, seeks placement. Contact 95954779· · · · ·

12 yrs Exp, 14 GCC) Procurement/supply chain/Materials professional looking for job,currently on visit Visa. Exp in Mfg, trading, Oil and Gas, Metal fabrication, Construction etc. Contact 95839707, Email: jenef11@gmail.com· · · · ·

SRI LANKAN accountant (CMA & BBA) FM. Chief Accountant with 13 years of experience (8 years in Oman) in Finalisation of accounts, Cost and Mgt A/C, Cash Flow, MIS reporting, ERP etc, is looking for a suitable opening. NOC and D/L available. Contact

98698563. E-mail: faabidh@gmail.com· · · · ·SALES and marketing expert having Oman D/L, currently working as marketing manager in Suhar, handling Dubai and Muscat markets is looking for a good break.

92593515· · · · ·MECHANICAL Engineer, 21, Indian Male, Currently in Oman Looking to work

Contact 91217663, Email: adolmisba@gmail.com.· · · · · ID PROJECT Engineer/ Site Inspector, Indian male 29 with 7 +years of GCC & India experience in all related areas in mid to high level of residential, commercial & five-star hospitality projects. Specialised in design software & MS office. Possesses valid driving license. 00968 91987393. Email:shershadhharoon@gmail.com· · · · ·MECHANICAL Engineer, INDIAN female 26, MCA graduate, looking for a suitable position. On visit visa. Contact: 99644493· · · · ·INDIAN, male, Age 26, B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, with 1+year Experience of India as site Engineer,

Equipment Maintanance and Technical works, seeking suitable job. Contact

91921038, E-mail: muqtarkhan80@gmail.com · · · · · SALES/Marketing/retail executive BMS in Marketing. 6 years experience. Contact 93920174. Rehankadri91@hotmail.com· · · · ·INDIAN, female(22),

suitable position. Contact: +968 96448041 Email id:

ashlindavis28@gmail.com· · · · ·

CIVIL Engineer/QS Engineer, 11 years in Oman & UAE, Freelance, D/L available, Looking for full time or part time Job 79474364· · · · ·PAKISTANI, energetic male, having experience

years as a supervisor of site projects. Good at IT as well as administration, looking for suitable placement in Oman. Contact 97531100 E-mail: awaisaliwaisi@gmail.com· · · · · A SUDANESE mechanical engineer, has 3 years experience in Saudi Arabia

good command of Arabic and English, driving licence. Contact 79318246· · · · ·JOB seeking for Draftsman AutoCad, Civil. Presently working in

experience in buildings and villa arch and structure drawings. Having Oman driving licence. NOC available. 98483692, 98163986. W/A #+919000721840· · · · ·A MECHANICAL engineer with 1 year experience as operations manager looking for a job. Available in Muscat till 5th October on visit visa. 96041682. Email: abdulhamid13P@gmail.com· · · · ·INDIAN graduate Civil Engineer with 4 years experience and good knowledge in Piling works, seeks placement anywhere in GCC countries. Contact.

98481023.· · · · ·INDIAN male, 24 years, BE in electronics & communication with 1 year experience in production & quality control, seeks placement. Now available in Oman on visit. 92534934, E-mail: varunvaideshwaran @gmail.com· · · · ·

EXPERIENCED BDM with several years’ experience in Hardware, Software and various Network Securities portfolio. Possesses a sound knowledge of Oman Market. NOC available Contact :

98011322 / 98027887· · · · ·BE Mechanical Engineering: Indian male with 3.5 years experience in project maintenance and HVAC. Now on visit visa is looking for a career opportunity. E-mail: kjsachin@hotmail.com. Contact 90185015.· · · · ·INDIAN Civil Engineer more than 35 years experience in Oman with ministries & consultants, seeks suitable placement. NOC available. Contact 93121505.· · · · ·CIVIL engineer/QS engineer, 11 years in UAE, freelance & Oman driving licence available, looking for full-time or part-time job 97299165.· · · · ·INDIAN male, Kerala, 24 years with B.Com and experience in sales

currently in Oman, looking for job in any company.

94260655, WhatsApp 811898323. · · · · ·ACCOUNTANT male - Seeking good position. Experience more than 10 years with 4 years experience of Oman. Now on visit visa. 96090127· · · · ·FRESH MBA (HR & Marketing) graduate Indian with BTech (computer science & Engineering) seeking immediate placement. Contact

92382195/ 99002103.· · · · ·EXPERIENCED Electrical Engineer from India (Keralite), 25 years in Oman, O/H, Underground U/G Cables, up to 33KV Substations, seeks suitable placement. 95791089. · · · · ·A FEMALE driver from home to work place— from Amerat to work place in Qurayat — Mizara’ 5 days a week. 94005648.· · · · ·3 YEARS experienced female Architect, looking for suitable placement.

94005818.· · · · · ENGG/ TECH/ MECH BE Mechanical Engineer, Indian male, 20 years Oil & gas experience, specialised in Pipeline & Piping Design Engineering, 9 years of Oman PDO experience, currently on visit visa. Contact: 93238983, rvasudevan44@yahoo.com· · · · ·

TO ADVERTISE HERE, CALL:

99841230 Mohammed al Rashdi m.alrahdi86@yahoo.com

99639264 Ali al Maashari ali.almashari@omandaily.om

DIRECT: 24649593 — FAX : 24649590

AL AWAEL Private School Teachers are required for the new academic year 2019/2020 in specialisations. Physics, Chemistry, Biological, General Science, Mathematics, English. Conditions: Experience more than 3 years,

minimum of 6.5 degrees. Contact Phone:

24535906 E-mail: alawael2016@yahoo.com

· · · · ·

THE White Pearl Enterprises urgently need experienced 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.

· · · · ·

SUR building products LLC urgently requires Lab Technician for Redimix Concrete - No of post: 1. Plant Operator Redimix Concrete - No of post: 1. Experienced candidates will be preferred. For more details please contact 25542760, 94057313. E-mail: scpfsur@hotmail.com

· · · · ·

LEADING National Construction Company in Oman, urgently requires Planning Engineer with

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

· · · · ·

GRADUATE Salesperson required for a high-end luxury store. Must be

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

· · · · ·

WE in Al Fakhama Trading & Contracting Company LLC wishes to appoint a General manager with such experience and competency as follows:

1. Aged between 40 to 50 years old and be healthy.

2. Bachelor of business administration and courses in decision making, strategic planning and human resources management.

3. Administrative work experience not less than 15 years.

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

eligible can apply sending CV on e-mail: alfakhama04@gmail.com

· · · · ·

LOOKING for Saleswoman to work in printing press. Contact: 92673716.

· · · · ·

Situation Vacant Situation Vacant

URGENTLY required Beautician. Visa will be provided. Contact

94939252.· · · · ·

AN Omani company based in Muscat wants to employ a sales representative of non-Omani nationality with a work experience not less than two years in Muscat and has a driving licence. CVs with experience

on the below mail id: jobvacancy.tuag@gmail.com· · · · ·

CIVIL Engineer with experience in building construction and road pavement. 97876920.· · · · ·

REQUIRED HSE with 3 years

experience for reputed electrical company

Management Safety, NEBOSH or OSHA —30 hours. Send the CV to: rashid.engineer@hotmail.com· · · · ·

A LEGAL translation

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

Situation Wanted Situation Wanted

CIVIL engineer with one year experience in road pavement and projects of buildings construction with driving license, looking for a job. Call

97876920

· · · ·

FEMALE with Masters in Microbiology and 7 years’ experience at Kuwait University. Can handle Diagnostic & Research laboratory procedures with skills in Microbiology, Molecular Biology & Histology. Good communication skill and smart in report preparation. Please call

91783826.

· · · · ·

INDIAN, 24 years in Oman market with technical background + (MSc in International Management/Liverpool University) with Excellent communication skills, clients, consultants, contractors (PAEW water pipeline projects/engineering products, valves, pipes, mechanical joints and other fittings). E-mail tjsaji@gmail.com

96899537472.

· · · · ·

INDIAN male, 21. Recent B.Tech graduate in Mechanical Eng. (graduated 2 months back). Currently in Salalah looking to work in any engineering field in Oman. 99114330 e-mail: shyam.jcf@gmail.com

· · · · ·

YOUNG Indian female, M.Com (Accounting & Finance), ability to handle various general accounting and audit tasks, 2 years experience in India as Senior Audit Clerk, seeks to secure position as Audit assistant in

documents and verifying accounts.

98074554, 92800441.

· · · · ·

WANTED experienced Accountant and Sales Representative for a fruit import

97755588, 97711344. Email: pkalatif@gmail.com

· · · · ·

Urgently required Male/Female nurse (full time) for immediate

appointment for an Omani family

SITUATION VACANT

Send CV to Email-id: saajaaj@omantel.net.om Mobile No: 00968 99320239

PAKISTANI male driver, 8 years experience in Oman, knows Arabic, seeks job. 96551602.· · · · ·

I NEED a driver job, urgent, with NOC paper. My name: Masum Billah.

968 94991705.

· · · · ·

ENGINEERING

looking for Architect engineer. Experience: 3 years. Email CV to: HR@EPCOMAN.COM

· · · · ·

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

94380002.· · · · ·TWO corner landplots in Athaibah, 2nd phase near the sea and 18 November Street, every land 546 sqm, one land is RO 125,000 and collectively they are RO 230,000 for both contact

94380002.· · · · ·

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

97722292.· · · · ·DIESEL Tanker, 1,600 gallon Volvo, 1987.

92836774.· · · · ·

For Sale

experienced Personal Fitness Trainer, seeks placement. 96539653.· · · · ·INDIAN male, Mechanical Engineer with more than 25 years experience in Galfar Oman as M&P Engineer, seeks suitable placement. NOC available. Contact

92056639.· · · · ·MECHANICAL Engineer, 38-year-old Tunisian with 12-year Experience in administration, marketing, sales and customer service, looking for a job in these or

95643359.· · · · ·PAKISTANI male driver, 8 years experience in Oman, knows Arabic, seeks job.

96551602.· · · · ·

HIGH Pressure Trading

for Accounts Clerk and PRO with one or two years experience in Suhar. Kindly send your CV with

eim.ae

· · · · ·

REQUIRED Counter Sales Staff for building and carpentry material shop with two to three years experience at Wadi Kabir, contact 97914594.

· · · · ·

URGENTLY required Electrician with electrical licence (DCRP). Omani or expatriate (3 years experience). Contact

99337587, 99043127, 99348493.

· · · · ·

A FILIPINO worker GENERAL Nurse

24540056, e-mail: alexcenter@live.com

· · · · ·

WANTED

E-mail your resume to/ sawsan@swan-intl.com

CERTIFICATIONTo Whom It May Concern

Said bin Juma Al-SalamaniRegistrar

Sun-kissed and shag-gy-haired, Nguyen Thai Binh swaps his flip flops for bulky boots ahead of snow-boarding practice on

the sand dunes of southern Vietnam — the unlikely training ground for the country’s fledgling winter athletes with mountain-sized ambitions.

Binh is one of Vietnam’s top snowboarders, pioneering a push to boost winter sports in Southeast Asia where snowfall is virtually unheard of.

But it’s been an uphill battle for athletes like him facing fund-ing shortfalls, lack of public inter-est and few training facilities, namely snowy mountains.

“This sport is so new for Vietnamese, and we don’t have any snow to practise on,” said 29-year-old Binh, looking California cool in a Quicksilver cap and bright boardshorts.

Though Vietnam’s northern Sapa mountains see the occa-sional dusting in winter months, there are no snow slopes for aspiring skiers and snowboard-ers in the tropical country.

Instead, Binh boards on the undulating sand dunes of Mui Ne, better known for picture-perfect vistas and breakneck ATV rides on offer for tourists in the sunny southern province of Binh Thuan.

Binh made his international debut at the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan in 2017, joining

Vietnam’s first-ever team to compete

in the tourna-ment long-

dominated by Japan, South

Korea and China.It was a lifelong dream for

Binh who fell in love with sports as a scrawny kid, so skinny that he was taunted by classmates for looking like a drug addict.

Committed to bulking up, he tried his hand at martial arts, then kitesurfing and longboard-ing before he started sandsurfing in 2007.

Like most of his teammates, the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo was his first time seeing snow. The skiers too had only ever trained on sand using tree branches as slalom poles on the sandy slopes of Mui Ne.

“I was hesitant, I’d been prac-tising on the sand dunes for a while so I had the technique, but the snow was so slippery,” Binh said.

BROKEN LIMBS, FROZEN TOES

It was an eventful week for the seven athletes who competed for Vietnam.

Many didn’t have proper win-ter gear and froze if they stayed outside for too long. Skier Pham Tien Dat tumbled during slalom training, broke his shoulder and couldn’t compete. The Vietnamese journalists covering the games got sick and were hos-pitalised.

As for sports junkie Binh, his other hobbies served him well in Sapporo.

“Binh was a fast learner because of his longboarding and surfing skills,” said Le Quan, the Vietnam team coach.

Vietnam walked away with no medals, but plenty of pride.

“We went to Sapporo not aim-ing for a high ranking but to chal-lenge ourselves,” Quan said.

There were eight Southeast Asian teams at the 2017 games, the highest number since 1986 when the Philippines became the first country from the region to compete.

The director general of the

Olympic Council of Asia Husain Al Musallam said winter sports have developed among Southeast Asian athletes “in a very good way” and expects the number of participants to jump for the next games in 2021.

Many athletes so far have been skaters, thanks to an increasing number of ice rinks in malls and sports centres across the region, including Vietnam.

Further afield, countries with warm climates from Ghana to Mexico to Nigeria have broken into winter sports.

Perhaps the most famous tropical team is Jamaica’s bob-sled troupe whose story is chron-icled in the popular 90s comedy “Cool Runnings”.

The main hurdle for winter sports in warm weather coun-tries is money.

Vietnam’s communist govern-ment has put some money into skating and ice hockey, but Binh says snowboarding remains a neglected sport.

“Snowboarding is struggling to develop here because there’s no snow, and Vietnam doesn’t have much money to send athletes abroad to train,” he said.

Binh is hoping to compete at the next Asian Winter Games in 2021 — if he can find a sponsor.

Until then his main focus is on longboarding, with sights set on the Southeast Asian Games in Philippines later this year.

Skateboarding made its debut at the competition last year and will premier at the Olympics in Japan in 2020.

But Binh says snowboarding is still his first passion, and he’s proud to have helped it grow in Vietnam.

“Before we competed (in Sapporo) no one knew about win-ter sports, no one could have even imagined we could have a team.” — AFP

oman/world

ramadhanOMANDAILYOBSERVER18 Share your story on We know you have your own story to tell. Get a chance for your photos to be our Instagram

‘Photo of the Day’ by following and tagging us on

instagram.com/omanobserver/ INSTAGRAMW E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 9

INSTAGRAM TOP PICKS

WADING THROUGH WADI

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

Want to share your photos with our readers? Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and when you post your photos, use #OmanObserver and #BeAnObserver.

MOTHER NATURE

CALMING SCENE

INSPIRING TALES Get full stories online at www.omanobserver.om

Sandman: The Vietnamese

snowboarder training on dunes World’s rivers

loaded with antibiotics waste: studyRIVERS WORLDWIDE ARE polluted with antibiotics that exceed environmental safe-ty thresholds by up to 300 times, according to research unveiled at a conference on Monday.

Scientists found one or more common antibiotics in two-thirds of 711 samples taken from rivers in 72 countries, they told a meet-ing of environmental toxi-cologists in Helsinki.

In dozens of locations, concentrations of the drugs — used to fight off bacterial infection in people and live-stock — exceeded safety lev-els set by the AMR Industry Alliance, a grouping of more than 100 biotech and phar-maceutical companies.

Ciprofloxacin, a frontline treatment for intestinal and urinary tract infections, sur-passed the industry thresh-old at 51 of the sites tested.

At one location in Bangladesh, concentrations of another widely used anti-biotic, metronidazole, were 300 times above the limit, the researchers said.

“The results are quite eye opening and worrying, dem-onstrating the widespread contamination of river sys-tems around the world with antibiotic compounds,” Alistair Boxall, a scientist at the York environmental Sustainability Institute, said in a statement.

The widespread pres-ence of antibiotics not only impacts wildlife, but likely contributes to the problem of antimicrobial resistance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the world is running out of antibiotics that still work, and has called on industry and gov-ernments to urgently develop a new generation of drugs.

Discovered in the 1920s, antibiotics have saved tens of millions of lives from pneumonia, tuberculosis, meningitis and a host of deadly bacteria.

Overuse and misuse of the drugs are thought to be the main causes of antimi-crobial resistance.

THAMES TO TIGRIS -

But the growing pres-

ence of antibiotics in the environment may be a key factor too, the new research suggests.

Boxall and his team looked for 14 common antibiotics across six continents.

Safety limits were most frequently exceeded in Asia and Africa, but samples from Europe and the Americas showed that the problem is global in scope.

The countries with the highest levels of antibiotic river pollution were Bangladesh, Kenya, Ghana, Pakistan and Nigeria.

Within Europe, one site in Austria had the biggest con-centrations anywhere on the continent.

Frozen water samples were collected from the Danube, Mekong, Seine, Thames, Tigris, Chao Phraya and dozens of other rivers.

“Until now, the majority of environmental monitoring work for antibiotics has been done in Europe, North America and China,” said co-author John Wilkinson, also from the University of York, where the samples were examined.

“Our study helps fill this knowledge gap with data from countries that had never been monitored before.”

River systems around world are coursing with over-the-counter and pre-scription drugs of all kinds, according to another study from last year.

On current trends, it esti-mated, the amount of phar-maceutical effluence leach-ing into waterways could increase by two-thirds before mid-century.

A large number of drugs found in the environment — analgesics, antibiotics, anti-platelet agents, hormones, psychiatric drugs, anti-his-tamines — have been detect-ed in nature at levels dan-gerous for wildlife.

Endocrine disruptors, for examples, have notoriously induced sex changes in fish and amphibians.

The two-day annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry ends on Tuesday. — AFP

D I S C O V E R Y

un-kissed and shag-gy-haired, Nguyen Thai Binh swaps his flip flops for bulky boots ahead of snow-boarding practice on

the sand dunes of southern Vietnam — the unlikely training ground for the country’s fledgling winter athletes with mountain-sized ambitions.

Binh is one of Vietnam’s top snowboarders, pioneering a push to boost winter sports in Southeast Asia where snowfall is virtually unheard of.

But it’s been an uphill battle for athletes like him facing fund-ing shortfalls, lack of public inter-est and few training facilities, namely snowy mountains.

“This sport is so new for Vietnamese, and we don’t have any snow to practise on,” said 29-year-old Binh, looking California cool in a Quicksilver cap and bright boardshorts.

Though Vietnam’s northern Sapa mountains see the occa-sional dusting in winter months, there are no snow slopes for aspiring skiers and snowboard-ers in the tropical country.

Instead, Binh boards on tht e undulating sand dunes of Mui Ne, better known for picture-perfect viviv ststasas aandnd bbrereakakneneckck AATVTV rrididesese on offer for tourists in the sunny soso tuthehernrn pprorovivincncee ofofof BBininhh ThThuauann.

Binh made his international debub t att tthe Asian Winter Games inin SSapapppopop roro, , JaJapapp n ini 20117,7, jjoioininingng

ViVietetnanam’m ss fifirsrst-t-eveverer team to coc mpete

inin thhe ttouournrnaa--memementntnt llononong-g-g

dominatetedd byby JaJaJaaJaJapapapapann,n,,, SSSououoo thth

KoKoKK rerererereaaaaaa ananannanannnnddd d ddd ChChChChChChhChhiiininniinni a.aaa.aa.ItItttttt wwwwwwwwwasasasasa aaaaa llllififfifififififfeeleleleleleleeele onononononnononnnnnggggg gg g drdrdreaeaaeaeam mmm m m fofofofofoforrrrr r rr

oman/world

ramadhanOMANDAILYOBSERVER 19Join the discussion on

TWITTERReact on topics that affect you the most. Share your views, analysis and opinions and get a chance to see them featured here. Follow and tweet us on

twitter.com/omanobserver/ W E D N E S D A Y l M A Y 2 9 l 2 0 1 9

FIVE QUESTIONS

IS RAMADHAN CELEBRATED IN YOUR COUNTRY? HOW?

In my country, Egypt, Ramadhan is celebrated with great reverence to traditions. Children play with the lanterns in the streets. In many areas, “Fanoos” — lanterns made of tin and

coloured glass — has become one of the holy month’s greatest symbol decorating streets and mosques.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE FOR YOU DURING RAMADHAN?

A typical day means doing some adjustments. I wake up early for Suhoor (pre-dawn breakfast) and pray Tahajjud,

recite Quran before Fajr prayer and after Fajr prayer, Pray names and recite Quran before leaving home for office. I also

use office break time for remembering tasbeeh.

IS THERE A PARTICULAR RAMADHAN TRADITION YOU ALSO DO?

This month is the period of solidarity, praying Taraweeh, Reading Quran and doing charitable deeds is a must. We also

pay Zakat al-Fitr.

WHAT FOOD DO YOU LIKE HAVING DURING IFTAR OR SUHOOR?

Ramadhan is a great opportunity to break the chains of bad eating habits. I like to break my fast by eating dates before

beginning the iftar meal. In Egypt, there are special platters and sweets that are related to the month of Ramadhan. Argu-

ably the most famous are Qatayef, Zalabia, and Konafa.

IS THERE A PERSON (LIVING OR DEAD) WHO INSPIRES YOU TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON?

My father definitely instilled in me the fundamental behav-iours and attributes that put me on the “right” road, work

ethic, integrity, respect, perseverance, also to get closer to Allah etc. But, there were other people who helped nurture

my love of reading and learning, putting me on the path (albeit somewhat circuitous) to where I am today.

ALAA AHMEDFinancial Controller

Learning how Muslims and non-Muslims spend the Holy Month

The 28th FIAP Colour Biennial held in Barcelona in Spain received thousands of entries this year.

Considered as one of the most important events offered by the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), the biennial not only looks at “the quality of the individual work... but FIAP asks for coherent col-lections, as well of the view-point of inspiration and con-ception as from the viewpoint of execution and presentation.”

Photographers from Oman this year represented by the Photographic Society of Oman (PSO) submitted a collection comprised of Omani faces — men of a certain age the lines and marks on their faces tell the story and the life they lived.

The collection is a great deep dive into what makes the coun-try unique highlighting the dif-ferent ways traditional dishda-shas are worn and how the muz-ars — the headscarves worn on the head — expand the story of the men that are featured in each photograph.

It was a cohesive collection never before seen in the inter-national level and the power of the visual storytelling by the Omani photographers resulted in Oman contingent winning the silver medal in the printed imag-es category.

The Sultanate participated with (10) works and the group of works was collectively called “Glowing spirits”.

The Sultanate in this Biennale was represented by ten of Oman’s outstanding photogra-phers namely Majid al Amri, Hamad al Ghanbousi, Mohammed al Hajri, Saeed al Shukaili, Ahmed al Qaudhi, Ahmad al Batashi, Hassan al Amri, Hatem al Rashdi, Mohammed al Balushi and Mohammed Khaled al Dhm.

The judgement of the collec-tions, according to FIAP is made in two steps: first, the judgement of each work of the collection and second, the global judge-ment of the collection.

“The collection obtaining the highest score by the addi-

tion of the points of the first and the second judgement wins the World Cup of the cor-responding Biennial. Individual prizes are also awarded to the best works regardless of the classification by federations,” organisers shared.

The silver medal award that Oman photographers won is another feather on their cap cementing their status as emerging global rockstars in the world of photography.

Spain topped the list by win-ning the World Cup in the Biennale for the printed image where it won 169 points. Russia won the gold medal with 168 points and the Sultanate of Oman won the silver medal with 164 points. Italy won the bronze medal with (162) points.

Biennials are organised every two years and held in a different member country. “Even years (are dedicated) for Black and White and Nature Biennials, (and the) odd years for the Colour Biennial.

For this year’s Colour Biennial, it was divided into two categories: the first is the print-ed images in which the compet-ing country is required to par-ticipate with a number of (10) photographs carrying the same theme with each photographer entitled to participate with only one photo in each category; and the second category is the digit-al images in which the compet-ing country participates with a maximum of 20 images and the photographer can participate with one or two works.

The Sultanate also participat-ed in the digital photo category with a collection of colourful pic-tures featuring children of dif-ferent age groups in their cheer-ful Omani costumes in different national occasions, such as national holidays and celebra-tions that reflect Omani tradi-tions inspired by the culture of society. In this category, the Sultanate got the 11th place.

The jury this year included photographer Luis Franck from Argentina, photographer Bebo Vazquez from Andorra, and photographer Jean Salelli from France.

The award ceremony will take place in November this year on the sidelines of the 33rd Congress of the Spanish Confederation of Photography.

MAI AL ABRIA

If interested to join this section, answer the five questions below and DM your answers and a photo of you on our social media accounts or e-mail us at features@omanobserver.om

‘Omani faces’ help photographers take home coveted medal

A woman reacts upon seeing a relic, believed to be a hair from the beard of Prophet Mohammad(PBUH), displayed to devotees on the death anniversary of Hazrat Ali, son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad(PBUH), at Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, India, during the holy month of Ramadhan. — Reuters

REVERENCE TO THE PROPHET

Food of different variety and preparation were served for iftar at the GuruNanak Darbar Sikh temple, during Ramadhan in Dubai. — Reuters

BREAKING THE FAST

Muslims reach out to touch a model of a tomb, during the reli-gious procession of Yaum-e-Ali, on the 21st day of the fasting month of Ramadhan, marking the anniversary of the death of Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib, son-in-law of Prophet Mohammad(PBUH), in Lahore, Pakistan. — Reuters

STREET PROCESSION

WEDNESDAY | MAY 29, 2019 | RAMADHAN 23, 1440 AH

features@omanobserver.om www.omanobserver.omfollow us @omanobserver

TIP OF THE DAY

SCHEDULE YOUR IBADAH.With the different changes happening during the holy month, it’s quite hard to keep up with everything that you are supposed to do. Set-up realistic goals by creating a calendar plan. Make sure to note down how much Quran you are supposed to read a day, or when to fit in the much-needed sadaqah including a period to make dhikr.

GUIDE FOR THE FAITHFUL

HADITHThe right of one Muslim over

another are five: returning the greeting, visiting the sick, attending funerals, accepting

invitations and saying yarhamukallah (may Allah have mercy on you) when

someone sneezes.

Saheeh al Bukhari, 1240

QURANVERSE OF THE DAY

Say, “It is He who has produced you and made for you hearing and vision

and hearts; little are you grateful.”

Verse 23, Surah al Mulk

FATWAHIS EMINENCE

SHAIKH AHMED BIN HAMAD AL KHALILIGrand Mufti of Oman

QUESTION:Do blood withdrawal and

testing break the fast?

ANSWER:No. Blood withdrawal and

testing do not break the fast.

hh

HAMAD AGrand Muf

QDo blood w

testing b

No. Blood wtesting

‘Omani faces’ help

photographers take home

coveted medalEvery two years, photographers from all over the world flock to a specific International Federation

of Photographic Art (FIAP) member country to participate in one of the organisation’s most important photography competition. Omani

photographers joined in on the 28th FIAP Colour Biennial held in Spain of which they come home

bringing a coveted medal... P19