FRIDAY | OCTOBER 13, 2023 | RABEE AL AWWAL 27, 1445 AH
333 | PAGES 12 | BAISAS 200
Established 1981. Editor-in-chief: Abdullah bin Salim al Shueili
P4
CIVILIANS IN GAZA
FEEL THEY’RE
‘GETTING CLOSER
TO DEATH’
MUSCAT
LEGAL, JUDICIAL
PACTS DISCUSSED
The Sultanate of Oman, represent-
ed by the Ministry of Justice and
Legal Affairs, on Thursday chaired
the 33rd meeting of GCC min-
isters of justice. Dr Abdullah bin
Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister
of Justice and Legal Affairs, said
they discussed a draft agreement
on legal and judicial coopera-
tion among GCC states in civil,
commercial and personal statute
matters, in addition to a draft
agreement on legal and judicial
cooperation. Al Saeedi pointed
out that the challenges posed by
the rapid development in various
fields reflect heavily on judicial
and legal systems. — ONA
OQ GAS NETWORKS IPO
OVERSUBSCRIBED
The Capital Market Authority
(CMA) announced the approval
of allocation of the shares of OQ
Gas Networks (OQGN) based
on the categories outlined in the
company’s prospectus. The issue
was oversubscribed by about 14
times at RO 4 billion, against an
overall offering size of RO 288.2
million. This reflects the confi-
dence of local and foreigner inves-
tors in the issuer and the Omani
capital market in addition to the
attractiveness of the national
economy. DETAILS ON P7
CAA pioneers sustainable aviation to cut emissions
VINOD NAIR
@vinot_nair
In a recent forum on Sustainable,
Low-Carbon Aviation Fuels and Clean
Energy, the Civil Aviation Authority
(CAA) has outlined its ambitious plans
to reduce international civil aviation
emissions and enhance
environmental protection.
The CAA’s State Action Plan (SAP)
is geared towards achieving a long-
High inflation means children go hungry around the world: Survey
Food sits in a box of free groceries for residents at a food pantry run by La
Colaborativa in Chelsea, Massachusetts, US. — Reuters File
WEATHER MUSCAT: Max 370 C
HM, UN CHIEF REVIEW
GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
MUSCAT: During a phone call on Thursday evening, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and UN
Secretary-General António Guterres reviewed current developments in regional and international
arenas. They discussed efforts to enhance international peace and security. They also exchanged
views about various issues of common interest. — ONA
Badr, PLO leader discuss Palestine
MUSCAT: Sayyid Badr bin
Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign
Minister, received here on
Thursday a phone call from
Hussein Al Sheikh, Secretary-
General of the Executive
Committee of the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO).
During the phone call,
the two officials discussed
developments in Palestine and
their repercussions emanating
from the brutal Israeli escalation
term aspirational goal by 2050,
focusing on three key pillars, with
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) playing
a pivotal role. Mubarak al Ghailani,
DG of Regulations at CAA,
emphasised the importance of SAF,
which is set to provide 55 per cent of
the solutions to achieving Net-Zero
emissions by 2050. In line with this
commitment, the CAA aims to
procure aircraft with reduced CO2
emissions as an immediate goal.
Oman’s aviation market presents
Min 270 C SALALAH: Max 310 C Min 240 C
P7
DHOFAR TOURISM
PARTNERS WITH F&M
FOR MIRBAT’S TOURISM
TRANSFORMATION
against Gaza. The two officials
also reviewed regional and
international efforts for de-
escalation, cessation of the
aggression, release of hostages
and opening of humanitarian aid
corridors for the people in Gaza.
They stressed the need
for a political solution to
the Palestinian issue that
guarantees fair and final
justice in accordance with the
International Law.
CAA aims to procure aircraft with
reduced CO2 emissions as an
immediate goal.
UXBRIDGE: High levels of
inflation and increased costs
of living are contributing to
worldwide hunger, according
to a survey of 16 countries
commissioned by the
humanitarian group World Vision
International.
The survey, which comes
ahead of World Food Day on
Monday, found that 59 per cent
of parents surveyed were very
concerned about child hunger and
malnutrition in their families, with
46 per cent worried about finding
NIZWA: Max 400 C Min 240 C
SHURA COUNCIL’S
10TH TERM
MEMBERSHIP
Meanwhile, Sayyid Badr
also received on Thursday a
phone call from Sergey Lavrov,
Foreign Minister of the Russian
Federation, dealing with recent
developments in the region and
their repercussions.
The two ministers stressed the
need to stop the cycle of violence
and aggression and resort to
peaceful solutions based on the
rule of law and international
legitimacy. — ONA
unique opportunities for the export of
SAF not used domestically and
encourages airlines to operate
modern, efficient fleets while offering
shorter travel routes to reduce
emissions.
Sustainable aviation fuels, which
can be produced from non-
petroleum-based renewable
feedstocks such as food and yard
waste, woody biomass, and fats/
greases/oils, are gaining traction in
the aviation industry. TURN TO P2
59%
OF PARENTS
SURVEYED WERE VERY
CONCERNED ABOUT
CHILD HUNGER AND
MALNUTRITION IN
THEIR FAMILIES,
WITH 46 PER CENT
WORRIED ABOUT
FINDING THE MONEY
TO BUY FOOD
PRAYER TIMINGS SUNRISE: 06:03 FAJR: 04:48
VOL. 42 NO.
Abbas urges end
of aggression
against Palestine
RAMALLAH: Palestinian
President Mahmud Abbas
called on Thursday for
“an immediate end to the
comprehensive aggression
against the Palestinian people”,
his office said following a
meeting with Jordan’s King
Abdullah II.
In his first public remarks
since a massive Hamas
onslaught on southern Israeli
communities early on Saturday
that spiralled into deadly war,
Abbas rejected “practices related
to killing civilians or abusing
them on both sides”, according
to a statement.
The two leaders met in
Amman and discussed “ways
to stop the Israeli aggression
against the Palestinian people
and deliver aid and relief ” to
Hamas-controlled Gaza, the
statement said.
The targeting of civilians
by both Israeli forces and
Palestinian fighters “contravenes
morals, religion and
international law”, Abbas said.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II meets with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas in
Amman. — Reuters
the money to buy food. It also
found that 37 per cent of parents
said their children fail to receive
proper nutrition each day and 21
per cent said their children have
gone hungry in the last month.
The percentage of children
going to bed hungry rises to 38 per
cent in low-income countries. In
the US, 18 per cent of respondents
said a child has gone to bed
hungry in their home.
“Hunger is a global problem,
and it isn’t limited to any one
country or part of the globe,”
DHUHR: 11:58 ASR: 15:19
editor@omanobserver.om
P12
SOUTH AFRICA
CRUSH
GO-SLOW
AUSTRALIA
According to the statement,
he stressed Palestinians
“renounce violence and adhere
to international legitimacy,
peaceful popular resistance,
and political action as a path to
achieving our national goals”.
Abbas also “warned of the
danger of the only power plant
in the Gaza Strip stopping
working due to running out of
fuel” and urged action to secure
the supply of electricity and
water as well as “opening urgent
humanitarian corridors”.
With dozens of Israeli
civilians and security personnel
believed to be held captive in
Gaza and Palestinian fighters
captured by Israel, Abbas called
“for the release of civilians,
prisoners and detainees”. In
a statement after a meeting
in Amman, they also warned
against a “rise in violence and its
spread” as a humanitarian crisis
worsens amid Israel’s intense
bombing campaign in Gaza
after a devastating cross-border
attack by Hamas. — Reuters
Andrew Morely, the president of
World Vision International, said.
The survey, conducted by Ipsos,
polled more than 14,000 people of
all income levels.
Among respondents who
said their children went to sleep
hungry, 46 per cent cited inflation
and the cost of living as the
main reason. The next two most
common reasons cited were low
household income (39 per cent)
and not enough government
focus on ending hunger (25 per
cent). — Reuters
MAGHRIB: 17:49 ISHA: 18:59
oman
2 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
F R I DAY l O C TO B E R 1 3 l 2 0 2 3
Email us on:
local@omanobserver.om

Oman chairs 33rd meeting of IIA Oman, KPMG Oman

GCC Justice Ministers
GCC ministers discussed a draft agreement on the extradition of the accused and convicts in member states. — ONA
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of
Oman, represented by the
Ministry of Justice and Legal
Affairs, on Thursday chaired the
33rd meeting of GCC ministers of
justice.
Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed
al Saeedi, Minister of Justice and
Legal Affairs, said that the meeting
discussed a draft agreement on
legal and judicial cooperation
among GCC states in civil,
commercial and personal statute
matters, in addition to a draft
agreement on legal and judicial
cooperation in penal matters.
Al Saeedi pointed out that the
challenges posed by the rapid
development in various fields
reflect heavily on judicial and
legal systems. This necessitates the
modernisation of justice systems
to help keep pace and develop
innovative solutions, he added.
The GCC has gone a long way
on consolidating foundations
of cooperation in various areas,
including the judicial and legal
fields, Al Saeedi said.
In their meeting, the GCC
ministers discussed a draft
agreement on the extradition
of the accused and convicts in
member states.
They also exchanged views
about a scheme for developing
a GCC draft agreement on
implementing court rulings and
judicial announcements, among
other matters. — ONA
hold annual conference
MUSCAT: The Institute of
Internal Auditors Oman
recently held its Internal
Audit and Organisation
Excellence Conference,
which marked a defining
moment in the domain
of internal audit and
organisational governance.
Under the patronage of
Dr Abdullah al Salmi, the
conference, in collaboration
with KPMG Oman, saw
a confluence of industry
stalwarts from major banks,
advisory firms, and key
governmental bodies. They
shared pivotal insights on
areas such as the future
trajectory of auditing, the
challenges and prospects
of AI, and the increasing
prominence of ESG in
auditing.
One of the standout
themes this year was the
conference’s focus on the
younger generation. Through
workshops, networking,
and mentorship, the event
crafted a platform where
the seasoned expertise
met youthful exuberance,
fostering a collaborative
environment and a vision for
the future.
The underlying sentiment
echoed throughout was that
the realm of auditing and
organisational excellence is
not only about navigating
present challenges but
also equipping the next
generation to lead and
innovate.
Organised by KPMG in
partnership with IIA Oman,
this annual conference has
become a touchstone in the
auditing field, championing
dialogue, collaboration, and
forward-thinking. With its
recent focus on engaging the
youth, the event reaffirms its
commitment to shaping the
future of the industry.

Seminar explores new leadership assessment criteria
MUSCAT: Acting in cooperation with
the Omani Society for Human Resources
Management (OSHRM), the Ministry
of Labour on Thursday organised a
symposium titled “Improving Leadership
Capabilities” in government and private
sectors.
More than 250 general managers,
executive directors and human resources
and training managers took part in the
symposium, which was held at Oman
Convention and Exhibition Centre
(OCEC), under the auspices of Minister of
Labour, Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain.
The symposium explored new methods
for assessing leaders in public and private
sectors, building high-performance teams
and consolidating core values when
organising teamwork. It also laid emphasis
The Ministry of Labour on Thursday organised a symposium titled “Improving Leadership Capabilities” in on the potential of women in the field of
government and private sectors. — ONA leadership and innovation. — ONA
CAA pioneers
sustainable aviation
FROM PAGE 1
The forum showcased
international experiences, future
plans, challenges and local
efforts in utilising biofuels.
The CAA has taken a
significant step by signing a
memorandum of cooperation
with the OQ Group and Sky
Energy Company to study the
development of a sustainable
aviation fuel facility in Oman.
This collaboration will harness
global expertise to explore green
aviation fuel manufacturing
technologies and build essential
capabilities in the field.
As the aviation industry
increasingly looks towards
sustainable solutions, CAA is
actively positioning itself to
make a significant contribution
to reducing aviation emissions
and fostering a cleaner, more
environmentally conscious
future for civil aviation.
The memorandum of
cooperation also stipulates
examining the technologies used
in manufacturing sustainable
green aviation fuel.
The agreement was signed
by Eng Naif bin Ali al Abri,
President of the Civil Aviation
Authority, Ghaleb bin Saeed
al Mamari, Vice-President of
Alternative Energy Sector at OQ
Group, and Oscar Meijerink,
General Manager of Future Fuels
at Sky Energy.

Rajasthan Wing of ISC celebrates re-inauguration

LAKSHMI KOTHANETH
@lakshmioman
The Rajasthan Wing of the Indian
Social club celebrated their re-
inaugural ceremony with a cultural
fiesta held at ISC multi-purpose
hall.
One of the largest states in
India, Rajasthan is known for its
rich history and vibrant traditions,
culture and colours. There are
about 700 families residing in
Oman.
In his speech on the occasion,
Ambassador of India to Oman,
Amit Narang congratulated the
wing members for taking up the
initiative of re-registration of the
wing.
“Rajasthan as the name
suggests is land of Royals with
heritage and culture being
vibrant with ancient foods and
palaces with distinct cuisine,” he
said in his speech.
He pointed out how Rajasthan
plays a central part in the
international campaign of India,
‘Incredible India’.
The convener of the Rajasthan
Wing, Pankaj Phophaliya
welcomed the audience.
Addressing the gathering P
Babu Rajendran, ISC Chairman,
congratulated the wing members
and expressed gratitude to the
Ministry of Social Development
for the guidance and support.
The event of the wing was
coordinated by Sudha Pankaj Joshi
and featured traditional folk art
forms of Rajasthan.
Rajasthani community living in
Oman, who had gathered enjoyed
the state’s songs, folk dances
and other cultural programmes
The event featured traditional folk art forms of Rajasthan conducted on the occasion.
 oman
Follow us on
@omanobserver
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
F R I DAY l O C TO B E R 1 3 l 2 0 2 3 3

In ‘Khoor Al Melh’ the production process goes through several stages. The salt water is initially retained in basins designed in a way that allows them to store quantities of water for long periods

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY establish a modern factory in which a

YAHYA AL SALMANI new technology will be used to produce
salt. “The site could be qualified to

W
ithin the summer produce large quantities of high-quality
season, which salt that can be invested in exporting this
extends from May local product abroad,” an Omani investor
until October, the told the Observer.
quantity of salt In the past, the Omanis called this
production in the traditional method in product the ‘White Gold’ because of its
the Wilayat of Qurayat increases. By the multiple uses and abundant financial
end of October, production quantities returns. It was used in preparing
decline due to lower temperatures which ‘Al Maleh’ meal which is a popular
reduce the level of water evaporation. traditional meal that is prepared on
For centuries, natural salt producers the basis of ‘Yellow Fin and Long Tail
in this wilayat have relied on using Tuna’. These fish are cut, cleaned, then
traditional tools that were passed down saturated with natural salt and stored for
from father to grandfather. long periods in metal containers. This
In this spacious site called ‘Khoor popular meal is still widely accepted in
Al Melh’ the production process goes various parts of the Sultanate and the
through several stages. The salt water is Arab Gulf countries.
initially retained in basins designed in a The use of natural salt is not limited
way that allows them to store quantities to preparing traditional meals, but
of water for long periods. it is also used to feed livestock, as
After about a week, the salt deposited natural salt is mixed with fodder as it
on the floor of the ponds is collected in is one of the healthy nutrition options
an area called locally (Al Band), then the recommended by livestock breeders
process of drying and purifying it begins, in the Sultanate. In addition to its
after which comes the stage of storing it economic benefits, ‘Khoor Al Melh’
in cloth or plastic bags, then marketing it is today considered one of the tourist
in local markets. attractions in the Sultanate. Many
In the past, salt producers in this tourists stand in amazement as they
wilayat relied on animals such as donkeys watch pools of white crystals divided
and camels to transport this product into squares, and then approach dozens
to markets. And excess quantities were of piles of white salt hills that dot the
exported to India and East Africa by horizon of this place.
ships that were anchored near ‘Burj Al ‘Khoor Al Melh’, which is located on
Sirah’ which is located on the marine the coastal strip of the village of Daghmar
coast of the Qurayat. Today, four- (6 km south of Qurayat), is considered
wheel drive cars and trucks are used to the most important environmental and
transport bags of salt for distribution to archaeological landmark in the state.
local markets in various wilayats of the Historical studies indicate that some
Sultanate. conch and human waste dating back
The estimated quantities produced to the third millennium BC has been
from this site during the summer period discovered.
reach around 400 tonnes. This quantity The ponds of this site are owned by
meets the needs of the local market. The more than 500 citizens who are trained
price of 30 kilogrammes of salt is only in producing natural salts. They pass
RO 2, which is a very cheap price when this traditional craft on from generation
compared to the international market to generation. Each of them has its own
prices. basins. This site has been divided into
However, those working in this field several divisions in length and width,
are calling on the competent authorities and each basin is given a name that
to develop this exceptional site and distinguishes it.
world
4 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
F R I DAY l O C TO B E R 1 3 l 2 0 2 3
EGYPT
FACILITATING
DELIVERIES
OF AID TO SINAI
FOR GAZA
CAIRO: Egypt called on Thursday
for humanitarian relief to be
provided to Palestinian civilians
inside the Gaza Strip and said it
was directing international aid
flights to Al Arish airport near its
border with the enclave.
The Rafah crossing between
Sinai and Gaza remained open,
the foreign ministry said in a
statement, adding that Egypt
had asked Israel to avoid
targeting the Palestinian side
of the crossing after strikes that
prevented normal operations
there.
Israel’s massive bombardment
and imposition of a total siege
on Gaza has caused alarm in
Egypt, which shares a border
with the south of the Palestinian
enclave and controls the main
exit point for the 2.3 million
residents living there.
Movement of registered
travellers through Rafah, which
is subject to tight controls,
has been interrupted since
Israeli bombardments hit the
Palestinian side of the crossing
earlier this week.
Egypt, a key mediator
between Israel and the
Palestinians during periods
of unrest in Gaza, has said it is
trying to facilitate the delivery of
relief but that the situation inside
the enclave has hampered plans.
Egypt has also signalled its
rejection of Gaza residents being
forced south across the border.
“From the beginning, we
emphasised the continued
opening of the Rafah crossing
to provide humanitarian aid,
and the crossing will remain
open until we meet the urgent
humanitarian needs of Gaza
Strip,” Egyptian Foreign Minister
Sameh Shoukry said in a press
conference with his Lithuanian
counterpart. — Reuters
A tank and soldiers from an
artillery unit gather near Israel’s
border with the Gaza Strip, in
southern Israel, yesterday.
— Reuters
Israeli army awaiting govt decision on ground offensive
TEL AVIV/GAZA: The Israeli
army stood poised on Thursday
to receive a possible government
go-ahead for a ground offensive
in the Gaza Strip, while intense
efforts were focused on the release
of hostages held there by the
Hamas militant group.
The army is “waiting to see
what the political leadership
decides,” army spokesman Richard
Hecht said. “We are preparing
for a groundmanoeuvre if it is
decided.”
The military was “preparing
for the next stages of war,” the
spokesman added.
Hamas insurgents carried out
massacres last Saturday, killing
more than 1,200 people in Israeli
border towns and at a music
festival. Around 150 people were
captured and are being held
hostage in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has responded with a
heavy air bombardment of Gaza.
According to the territory’s Health
Ministry, at least 1,354 people
have been killed there and more
than 6,000 injured.
The Red Cross said it is in
continual contact with Hamas —
as well as the Israeli authorities —
in an effort to secure the release of
People sprinkle water on the graves after burying bodies of Palestinians from Samour family, who were killed in Israeli strikes on their house, at a land near to their home
as the residents struggle to find spaces in cemeteries, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday. — Reuters
Civilians in Gaza feel they’re
‘getting closer to death’
GAZA: People living in the Gaza
Strip, which has been cut off from
electricity, water and food supplies
since the devastating attack carried
out by Hamas on Israeli border
towns last week, are running out of
places to hide from the retaliatory
Israeli airstrikes that have been
pounding Gaza for days.
For Tahani Jaber walking
everywhere is now the only
option as driving a car has
become unthinkably dangerous.
She has left her children with their
mother north of Gaza City while
she tries to procure medicine for
her infant, who is suffering from
A Palestinian man sits with members of his family outside a building destroyed in an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza
Strip on Thursday. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas
militants entered Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip enclave on October 8. — AFP
a high fever for the second day
in a row. “I feel like I’m getting
closer to death every moment,
but the lives of children are more
important,” Jaber says.
Hamas fighters attacked Israel
on Saturday, causing the worst
bloodshed in the state’s history,
Israel says. The Israeli army has
since bombed hundreds of targets
in Gaza which it says are linked
to the Palestinian extremist
organisation which rules the
densely populated area on the
Mediterranean coast.
According to the Health
Ministry in Gaza, at least 1,354
people have been killed, and more
than 6,000 others injured in the
coastal strip.The Israeli military
accuses Hamas of using people as
“shields” and of hiding or storing
weapons among the civilian
population.
Entire streets have been
reduced to rubble by the Israeli
airstrikes, Mohammed Baroud
from the Al-Nasr neighbourhood
in Gaza City says. Anyone
currently going outside could be
bombed and die at any moment,
Baroud told dpa. “We can’t move
or buy important things for our
children.”
Follow us on facebook:
omanobserver
After every attack, he says,
another one comes. “What is
happening is crazy.” Eyewitnesses
say neighbourhoods such as
Al-Rimal, Al-Mukhabarat and Al-
Tuffah have all been devastated.
Two million Palestinians live in
the sealed-off coastal enclave, and
many have been forced to leave
their homes. Jaber Al-Sufi is one
of them. He and his family spend
the night in a shelter in the centre
of Gaza, he says. However, he
fears that the situation could get
even worse as the attacks on the
Gaza Strip continue to increase.
— dpa
the hostages taken from southern
Israel.
Fabrizio Carboni, the Middle
East regional director for the
International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC), said he would
not provide any further details to
avoid jeopardising the talks.
“We have regular dialogue
with Hamas — that is what we
do around the world. As far as
the content of the dialogue is
concerned: I can just say it is a
sustained engagement,” he said.
Since Saturday’s surprise attack,
Israel has completely sealed off
the narrow coastal territory on the
Mediterranean Sea and stopped
the entry of food, fuel, water and
medicines.
Egypt said its Rafah crossing
to the Gaza Strip had not been
closed, contrary to reports. A
Foreign Ministry statement
blamed Israeli strikes for a halt in
operations, urging these to stop
so aid deliveries to the enclave can
resume.
But the provision of basic
services for civilians in the Gaza
Strip is linked to the release of
Israeli hostages held by Hamas,
Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz
said.
TWO KEY SYRIAN
AIRPORTS OUT
OF SERVICE
AFTER ISRAELI
STRIKES
DAMASCUS: Israeli warplanes
struck Damascus and Aleppo
airports in war-torn Syria on
Thursday, putting them out
of action, Syrian state media
reported.
“The Israeli enemy
simultaneously carried out
an air aggression with bursts
of missiles, targeting the
international airports of Aleppo
and Damascus, which led to
damage in their landing strips
and thus put them out of
service,” Syria’s state news agency
(SANA) said, citing a military
source.
It added that the attack was a
“desperate attempt” by Israel to
divert attention “from the
crimes it is committing in
Gaza and the great losses it is
suffering at the hands of the
Palestinian resistance.”
The Syrian Observatory for
Human Rights, which reports
violence in the country, said
Israel had carried out 34
attacks in Syria so far this year.
The Israeli military did not
immediately comment.
The reported strikes come
amid a massive escalation in
violence between Palestinians
and Israel, which is pursuing
an onslaught on the Gaza Strip in
retaliation for a massive surprise
attack by Hamas at the weekend.
More than 1,200 people have
died on both sides.
Earlier this week, rockets
were fired from Syria at Israeli
positions. According to the Israeli
army, several rockets fell in open
areas on Tuesday.
The military said it responded
with artillery and mortar shells.
Israel regularly bombs targets
in neighbouring Syria in an effort
to prevent arch-rival Iran from
expanding its influence there.
— dpa
Palestinians drive their carriage
amid the rubble of buildings
destroyed in an Israeli air strike in
Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip
on Thursday. — AFP
“No electricity switch will
be turned, no water tap will be
opened and no fuel truck will go
in until the Israeli hostages have
returned home,” Katz wrote on X,
formerly known as Twitter.
The UN agency for Palestine
refugees (UNRWA) warned
of a water crisis in Gaza on
Thursday, the sixth day of Israeli
bombardment.
“A water crisis is looming in
UNRWA emergency shelters
and across the Gaza Strip due
to damaged infrastructure, lack
of electricity needed to operate
pumps and desalination plants,
and limited supply of water in the
local market,” the UNRWA said in
statement.
Some 218,000 people were
currently seeking refuge in UN
buildings.
In total, at least 340,000
Palestinians have been displaced
throughout the enclave so far,
according to UN figures. More
than 2 million people live in the
Gaza Strip.
UN and and Palestinian health
officials said Gaza’s over crowded
hospitals had reached their limits
and supplies of critical medicines
were running out. — dpa

Follow us on instagram:
omanobserver
In brief
LIBREVILLE
WIFE OF GABON’S
DEPOSED
LEADER JAILED
The wife of Gabon’s deposed
president Ali Bongo Ondimba,
who has been under house
arrest since a late August coup
over alleged embezzlement of
public funds, was on Thursday
put in a Libreville prison. Sylvia
Bongo Ondimba Valentin,
who is Franco-Gabonese, was
charged on September 28 with
money laundering, forgery and
falsification of records.
The 60-year-old was
provisionally imprisoned in the
early hours following a long
hearing in front of a judge, her
lawyer Gisele Eyue-Bekale said.
The lawyer said a request for
a hearing in 10 days had been
granted, at which she would be
able to appeal for her client’s
release. — AFP
PRAGUE
POLAND, CZECH
REPUBLIC EXTEND
BORDER CONTROLS
Poland and the Czech
Republic will extend temporary
controls on their borders with
Slovakia into November as
countries seek to restrict the
flow of illegal migrants.
The Polish government has
decided to extend the controls
by 20 days to November 2,
the interior ministry said in a
statement.
Interior Minister Mariusz
Kaminski had said earlier that it
would do so following a similar
order announced by the Czech
government.
The two countries, along with
Austria, tightened their borders
with Slovakia on October 4 to
guard against smugglers and a
rise of illegal migrants.
— Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr Japarov shake hands as they deliver a joint press
statement following talks in Bishkek. — AFP
Putin in Kyrgyzstan, no risk
of arrest on ICC warrant
BISHKEK: Vladimir Putin on
Thursday called to strengthen
military ties with Kyrgyzstan in a
trip to the Central Asian country,
his first foreign visit since the
International Criminal Court
issued an arrest warrant for him
in March.
President Putin is wanted by
the court over the deportation
of Ukrainian children. Its
ruling requires members of the
ICC, which does not include
Kyrgyzstan, to make the arrest if
he sets foot on their territory.
Televised footage showed Putin
greeting Kyrgyz counterpart Sadyr
Japarov in the capital Bishkek for
a summit of the post-Soviet group
Commonwealth of Independent
States.
“I would like to thank the
president for the invitation. We
have good reasons (to be here),
but even without reasons this visit
is long overdue,” Putin said in
talks with Japarov. “I expect that
military and military-technical
cooperation between Russia and
Kyrgyzstan... will continue to
strengthen and expand,” Putin
said.
Kyrgyzstan is part of the
Collective Security Treaty
Organization, a Nato-style
I expect that military
and military-
technical cooperation
between Russia and
Kyrgyzstan... will
continue to strengthen
and expand
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Russian President
military alliance of ex-Soviet
states led by Russia.
Putin has rarely left Russia
since launching the Ukraine
offensive in February 2022.
This year, he has travelled
only to Russian-occupied parts
of Ukraine, with his last foreign
trips to Belarus and Kyrgyzstan
last December — a far cry from
the busy international schedule
he had earlier in his rule. He is
expected to travel to China next
week.
Moscow has likened the
prospect of Putin being arrested
abroad to an act of war, calling the
warrant “illegal”.
In practice, however, it has
F R I DAY l O C TO B E R 1 3 l 2 0 2 3
taken precautions: in August,
Russia sent Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov to a BRICS summit
in ICC member South Africa,
instead of Putin.
While the full-scale offensive
in Ukraine made Putin a persona
non grata in the Western world,
the ICC ruling virtually closed the
door to a large part of the globe
for him.
The Rome Statute, a treaty
requiring members to adhere to
ICC rulings, has been ratified by
123 countries. The ruling caused
a legal headache for ICC member
South Africa, which hosted the
BRICS summit to which Putin
was invited.
In a last-minute decision,
Moscow sent its foreign minister
instead of Putin.
“Why should I create some
problems for our friends during
an event?” Putin said this month,
commenting on his absence from
Johannesburg.
“If I come, a political show
will start,” he added. Putin is
wanted alongside his children’s
rights commissioner Maria
Lvova-Belova for the war crime
of allegedly unlawfully deporting
thousands of Ukrainian children
to Russia. — Reuters
world
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
5
Hurricane Lidia leaves
two dead in Mexico
PUERTO VALLARTA: Hurricane Lidia left at least two people
dead in Mexico after making landfall as a powerful Category
4 storm, causing flooding, damage and blocked roads before
dissipating, authorities said on Wednesday.
Strong winds shattered storefront glass and toppled trees
and utility poles in the popular Pacific coast beach resort of
Puerto Vallarta.
One person died trying to drive a truck through an
overflowing stream in the western state of Jalisco, while another
motorist was killed by a falling tree in neighbouring Nayarit
state, officials said.
Lidia came ashore on Tuesday south of Puerto Vallarta as an
“extremely dangerous” hurricane, packing maximum sustained
winds of around 220 kilometres per hour, the US National
Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Residents inspected damage and began cleaning up after
what 21-year-old student Hannia Curiel called a “horrible”
night.
“In front of my house there’s a garden with palm trees and
they were moving and bending a lot in the wind. Branches were
falling. Tiles and things started to fly,” she said. “Right now we
have no power, no signal, nothing,” she added.
The storm had quickly intensified as it approached the coast,
reaching the second-highest category on the five-step Saffir-
Simpson scale.
Lidia rapidly lost strength as it moved inland over western
Mexico, where its remnants continued to bring flooding and
heavy rain, the NHC said early on Wednesday.
Ahead of its arrival the government deployed around 6,000
members of the armed forces to help residents, according to
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who urged people
to take shelter.
In Puerto Vallarta — a major destination for Mexican and
foreign tourists — shopkeepers earlier boarded up windows
and piled up sandbags in case of flooding.
School classes were suspended, businesses closed early and
most residents waited out the storm at home or in shelters
opened by the authorities. Even so, the strength of the storm
took some residents by surprise. “We didn’t expect it to be so
intense,” said Jorge Reyes, 56-year-old security guard. — AFP
Downed light poles are seen after the passage of hurricane Lidia in
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco State, Mexico. — AFP

WARSAW
POLAND’S RULING
PARTY LEADS IN
OPINION POLL
Poland’s ruling nationalists are
in the lead ahead of October
15 parliamentary elections,
according to a poll published
on Thursday. The Law and
Justice party (PiS) and its small
allies, Sovereign Poland and the
Republicans, collectively known
as United Right, were seen at
34.9 per cent in an IBRiS poll for
the Onet website.
The largest opposition
grouping, the liberal Civic
Coalition (KO), would win 28.1
per cent, according to the poll.
The Third Way would score 10.3
per cent.
The New Left could count on
10.0 per cent support and the
far-right Confederation was on
8.3 per cent. — Reuters
Republican Scalise struggles for votes after winning
WASHINGTON: Steve Scalise,
the Republican nominee to lead
the US House of Representatives,
faced a test on Thursday of
whether he could gain enough
support from his splintered party
conference to be elected speaker
on the chamber floor.
A day after he bested House
Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan
for the nomination in a secret
party ballot, the Louisiana
Republican had not yet proven
whether he could muster the
217 Republican votes needed to
overcome Democratic opposition
and be elected to the role second
in line to the presidency, after the
vice president.
“When we go to the floor,
there’ll be at least a relatively high
expectation on the part of Steve
Scalise and his team that he’s got
the votes,” said Representative
John Duarte, a Scalise supporter.
Republican leaders initially
scheduled a House meeting for
Wednesday, should Scalise, now
the No 2 House Republican,
quickly come up with the votes
US HOUSE SPEAKER NOMINATION
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise speaks to reporters after a closed-door vote meeting to nominate the US Speaker of the
House candidate at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. — AFP
for election. But no vote was
held.
The inability of the House
to act on legislation without a
speaker added a sense of urgency,
as Republicans faced pressure
to act in support of Israel’s war
against Palestinian fighters of
Hamas and restart government
funding legislation while
Congress neared a new shutdown
deadline on November 17.
Jordan planned to vote for
Scalise and encouraged his fellow
Republicans to do the same,
according to a source who spoke
on condition of anonymity.
But a mood of uncertainly
hung over the House more than
a week after eight Republicans
ousted former Speaker Kevin
McCarthy from the job with the
help of Democrats, with some
lawmakers still publicly backing
Jordan and others vowing to vote
for McCarthy. While McCarthy
was the first speaker to be
removed in a formal vote, the last
two Republicans to hold the job
wound up leaving under pressure
from party hardliners.
“Clearly, this does not look
good for the House or for the
country,” Representative Dusty
Johnson, a Republican, told
reporters. “We have incredibly
tight margins, and frankly,
some members who have a hard
time getting to ‘yes’ on almost
anything.”
Republicans are determined
to avoid a recurrence of the
embarrassing public spectacle
that occurred in January, when
hardline conservatives forced
McCarthy to endure 15 floor
votes over four days before
winning the gavel. — Reuters
 6 Opinion FRIDAY OCTOBER 13, 2023
Follow us on Youtube:
omanobserver

Building a strong immune system ROYALS PROMOTE MENTAL FITNESS

I
t has been established that
one of the most important
factors in supporting a healthy,
balanced immune system is
good nutrition. Nutrition plays
a major role in both the production
and action of both the cells and soluble
factors of immune system.
Lack of high-quality protein leads to
depletion of immune cells, inability of
the body to make antibodies and other
immune related issues. Immune system
can be 25 per cent compromised in
protein deficiency.
Essential amino acids (glutamine
and arginine) deficiency or imbalance
can compromise the immune system
especially in the pre-surgery patients.
Eggs, fish, poultry, whole grains
— sources of excellent immune
stimulating amino acids so also nuts,
seeds, pulses and legumes
Free radicals and other damaging
molecules are formed at the sites of
infection and inflammation. These
are needed by the body at the site of
infection to kill unhealthy cells.
When your antioxidant systems
are not functioning and when not
enough antioxidants in your diet,
these molecules are not disarmed after
they have done their jobs and can be
damaging to healthy tissues as well.
It is imperative to get a regular
supply through diet. The sources are
fruits, veggies, especially coloured ones
i.e. strawberries, cherries, tomatoes,
carrots. Nearly all the vitamins are
essential to promote and maintain
some aspect of your immune system.
While Vitamin C reduces the length
of time and severity of symptoms
linked to the URTI, promote
phagocytic cell functions, support
healthy T cell function and provide
antioxidant activity to support healing
of inflammation sites.
Vitamin B is very important in
supporting a healthy immune system,
promote production and release of
antibodies from B-cells, deficiencies
lead to decrease in T cells and impair
normal antibody response.
Some of the lifestyle guidelines to
enhance the immune system are to eat
a well-balanced and varied diet with
whole grains, proteins, essential fats
and ensure substantial servings of fresh
fruits and veggies.
Dr Monika Seth Limit consumption of processed
foods, aerated drinks, sweets, salt, sugar
and nutrient deficient foods.
The writer is a
Avoid too much fried, spicy foods.
nutritionist and
Keep your body hydrated with plenty
freelance consultant of water intake for best immune
function.
Smoking and alcohol adversely affect
immunity and increase the risk and
severity of infections; hence must be
avoided.
Maintain healthy body weight; both
underweight and overweight impair
immunity.
Exercise regularly and indulge in
yoga, meditation to manage stress.
Whole grains, fruits, vegetables
especially romaine lettuce, cauliflower,
turnip greens, mushrooms, red bell
peppers, oily fishes. Vitamins A, D,
E, K also play very important roles in
strengthening the immune system.
The sources here are turnip greens,
Swiss chard, mustard greens, leafy
greens, carrots, sweet potato, asparagus,
cauliflower and spinach.
Deficiency of iron leads to impaired
response to antibodies and defective
phagocytic cell functioning.
Spinach, Swiss chard, beet greens,
dry fruits, lean meat, collard green,
FOR A HEALTHY turnip greens must be had in plenty.
LIFE, EXERCISE Copper (nuts, seeds, greens),
REGULARLY Selenium (fish, tofu, whole grains), and
Manganese. Garlic does a lot to our
AND INDULGE
immune system; increases not only the Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales plays netball while attending a mental fitness workshop run by
IN YOGA, number of natural killer cells but also SportsAid, with Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre near Marlow,
west of London. The Prince and Princess of Wales are carrying out engagements across the country to mark
MEDITATION TO their potency. Ginger is known for its World Mental Health Day, which took place on October 10. During the visit they joined sessions with young
MANAGE STRESS anti-inflammatory property. athletes and parents to see the support being offered by SportsAid to build their mental fitness. — AFP

Dispelling misconceptions:
Why BRI is not predatory
I
n 2013, the multi-billion-dollar
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),
hailed by Chinese President Xi
Jinping as “the project of the
century,” was announced.
As a vast network of transportation,
energy, and telecommunications
infrastructure aimed at connecting
maritime and overland trade, the BRI
has steadily extended from Asia to
Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Latin
America.
Among the countries participating
in the BRI, the largest bloc is from
Africa. Among the 53 African countries
that have established diplomatic
relations with China, 52, plus the
African Union Commission, have
signed BRI cooperation documents
with China.
However, in some areas, particularly
the West, the increasingly close
relationship forged between China and
Africa, as powerfully reflected in the
robust and growing cooperation under
the framework of the BRI, has led to a
high level of criticism.
Frequently, the relationship is
portrayed in an unjustifiably harsh
negative light, often based on a
Sino-phobic narrative and involving
paternalistic warnings to Africans of
Fikrejesus Amahazion
The writer is an
educator and research
analyst at the Eritrean
Center for Strategic
Studies in Asmara
the alleged dangers of China’s
“predatory” activities on the
continent.
Despite these concerns and
notwithstanding the fact that
the BRI has faced multiple
challenges since its inception, a
large body of research has strongly
rejected these criticisms, while
the populations of many African
countries actually regard China
and the BRI in a much different
light.
For many Africans, China’s
engagement with the continent, as
embodied by the BRI, has met the
diverse needs of locals, promoted
development, and helped improve
living standards.
“China is not here to exploit
Africa as the Western world
perceives, because looking
at the African infrastructure
development side, the BRI is
helping Africa to transform
itself. China comes with the help
Africans need,” Frederick Golooba
Mutebi, a Ugandan independent
researcher and analyst, was quoted
by Xinhua as saying.
A 2022 survey issued by the
Inter Region Economic Network,
a Kenya-based think-tank, found
that China takes a substantial
lead timely completion of
infrastructure projects in Africa
and has tangibly contributed to the
continent’s development.
Since its inception, the BRI
has been particularly important
for African integration and
connectivity, industrialisation,
energy, and plugging the
continent’s longstanding
infrastructure deficits — all of
which are high-priority areas
under the African Union’s Agenda
2063 and various regional or
The construction of a BRI-funded railway in Indonesia.
national development strategies.
This is also in keeping with the
win-win cooperation approach
that has historically guided China-
Africa relations.
In the energy sector alone,
China has funded more than 36
projects in at least 19 African
countries. In addition, China has
helped African countries build
more than 6,000 kilometres of
railways, 6,000 km of roads, and
nearly 20 ports, among other
major infrastructure, thus not
only significantly improving
transportation and trade between
China and the continent, but also
spurring intra-continental links
and breaking a major bottleneck
which has long held back Africa’s
aspirations for sustainable
development.
Moreover, under the framework
of the BRI, over two dozen
economic and trade cooperation
zones have been established in 16
African nations.
This has led to the development
of hundreds of businesses, created
jobs, and attracted billions of
dollars in investment flows.
Notably, although many
traditional types of infrastructure
have remained central to the BRI
in Africa, digital technology is an
increasingly important area for
growth and investment.
Worth keeping in mind, too,
is that the BRI, and Chinese
investment and engagement more
broadly, are especially critical for
Africa moving forward, in light of
the fact that the continent is home
to some of the world’s fastest-
growing economies, possesses
a young population, and holds
a middle class that is rapidly
expanding.

To comment & email: opinion@omanobserver.om

E D I T O R I A L ADVERTISING PRINTED AND

Tel: 24649444, 24649430, 24649437, 24649401 PUBLISHED BY:
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DESK LOCAL BUSINESS SPORTS FEATURE Fax: 24649434
Tel: 22651222 Tel: 22651209 Tel: 22651221 Tel: 22651208 Tel: 22651205 Tel: 22651220 Ministry of Information
DISTRIBUTION AGENT P.O. Box 974,
SECRETARY ONLINE DESIGN TRANSLATION PROOFREADING Tel: 24649351/24649360 Postal Code 100, Muscat,
ESTABLISHED ON 15 NOVEMBER 1981 Tel: 22651200 Tel: 22651202 Tel: 22651210 Tel: 22651204 Tel: 22651206 Fax: 24649379 Sultanate of Oman

Website: omanobserver.om EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Abdullah bin Salim al Shueili e-mail: editor@omanobserver.om

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these pages are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the opinion of the Observer.
FRIDAY | OCTOBER 13, 2023 | RABEE AL AWWAL 27, 1445 AH
business
OQ GAS NETWORKS’ IPO GARNERS RO 14 BN
IN PROCEEDS, OVERSUBSCRIBED 14 TIMES
BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, OCT 12
The Capital Market Authority
(CMA) has announced the
approval of allocation of the
shares of OQ Gas Networks
(OQGN) based on the categories
outlined in the company’s
prospectus.
The issue was oversubscribed
by about 14 times at RO 4 billion,
against an overall offering size of
RO 288.2 million.
This reflects the confidence
of local and foreigner investors
in the issuer and the Omani
capital market in addition to the
attractiveness of the national
economy in general, the CMA
said.
The results of subscription
show that the amounts of bids
collected from the subscription
have multiplied by 6.1 times for
the Individuals category and by
28.9 times for the Institutions
category.
The CMA has considered all
the available options to specify
the proper mechanism for
allocation in accordance with
the methodology specified in the
prospectus.
The approval of allocation
Dhofar Tourism partners with F&M
for Mirbat’s tourism transformation
A night view of one of the hotels in Dhofar
NASRULAH AL AJMI
MUSCAT, OCT 12
In a move to rejuvenate the
pristine shores of Mirbat in
Dhofar Governorate, publicly
traded Dhofar Tourism Company
SAOG (DTCo) has embarked
on an endeavour to transform its
freehold land into a world-class
tourism destination.
As a first step, Dhofar Tourism
Company has inked a strategic
partnership with leading
design and architectural firm
F&M Middle East Engineering
Consultancy to support the
development of a master plan for
Mirbat, a heritage-rich town on
the Dhofar coast.
Dhofar Tourism, which is listed
on the Muscat Stock Exchange
(MSX), owns a luxurious 5-star
property, currently branded as
the Wyndham Garden Salalah
Mirbat Resort. Launched as the
Mirbat Resort & Spa in 2011,
it was the first luxury property
on Dhofar’s east coast, a short
distance from Salalah City,
results of the Individuals category
is based on a policy observing
the interest of all subscribed
categories to strike balance and
enhance confidence in IPOs.
In regards to the methodology
of shares allocation for
Institutions category, the
CMA clarified that shares were
allocated based on the standards
and mechanisms approved by the
issuer in the prospectus.
The allocation percentages are
as follows: The CMA approved the
allocation results for Individuals
category on the basis of allotment
of the minimum limit at 3,300
shares and allocation of 4.987 per
cent for each subscriber from the
remaining shares.
The value of the offering
allocated for this category is
about RO 80.2 million.
Allocation of 4.4773 per
cent of the total subscribed
amounts for Local Institutions
proportionality.
The value of offering allocated
for this category is RO 59.42
million.
The share of foreign companies
in the total offering is RO 59.42
million.
The allocation methodology
approved by the CMA ensured
enabling international tourists
to spend their winter holidays in
this distinctive part of Oman. For
a while, the prestigious Marriott
chain too operated the property.
Among its many facilities is a dive
centre.
More recent enhancements to
the property include a 500-metre
boardwalk to the beach, a small
amphitheatre, a mini soccer field,
and a children’s games room have
been added.
One of the most exciting
aspects of this endeavour is the
construction of 80 residential
units, set to be offered for sale
after detailed graphics and all
official procedures have been
completed. These residential units
are expected to be a significant
addition to the Mirbat Resort,
providing a unique investment
opportunity.
A master plan for the holding’s
unused areas is divided into seven
phases, and the collaboration with
F&M Middle East Engineering
Consultancy marks the initiation
of Phase 2. Dhofar Tourism’s
Infographics — OQ Gas Networks IPO
that all categories of investors
were taken into account.
This contributes to broadening
ambitious vision is to create a
modern, integrated tourism
complex that will not only cater
to local tourists, but also attract
international investors.
In a filing to the Capital
Market Authority this week,
Dhofar Tourism said it has
secured funding ranging between
RO 250,000 to 300,000 from a
third party provider, Dolphin
International LLC, to support
ongoing expenses associated
with the project. Importantly,
this is a non-profit arrangement,
with Dolphin International
LC extending the funds on an
arm’s length basis. Interest paid
by Dolphin for borrowing the
amount will be recharged to
Dhofar Tourism without any
markup, and the loan will be repaid
once Dhofar Tourism secures
additional funding. The Board
has already given its approval to
this arrangement, and it is set to
be presented at the next Annual
General Meeting for shareholders’
approval, the company added in
the filing.
participation in public offerings
and enhances the role taken by
the capital market as one of the
Pact signed for expansion
of car storage hub in Sohar
THIS project has evolved to
prioritise logistics excellence.
By importing vehicles from
renowned manufacturer
BUSINESS REPORTER
MUSCAT, OCT 12
Sohar Port and Freezone has
announced the signing of an
expansion agreement with The
Middle East Group (SFZ) LLC
for the expansion of their Open
Yard Car Storage Hub in Sohar
Freezone.
This expansion demonstrates
Sohar Port and Freezone
commitment to strengthening
logistics capabilities and
enhancing import and re-export
operations.
Originally established as a
dedicated hub for automotive
brands, this project has evolved
to prioritise logistics excellence.
By importing vehicles from
renowned manufacturers from
countries such as Thailand, Japan,
Mexico, China, Egypt and South
Africa, and subsequently re-
exporting them to international
markets in North Africa, Sohar
Port and Freezone is positioned
to play a pivotal role in facilitating
global trade.
Mohamed Abdulla Aghil,
Chairman of The Middle East
Group SFZ LLC, emphasised the
significance of this expansion,
stating, “Our partnership
with Sohar Freezone has been
instrumental in our journey to
MUSCAT CRUDE
STOCK OIL PRICE
EXCHANGE
Oman Crude $ 87.16
4,785.980 Brent Crude
Light Crude
effective financing sources in the
national economy.
This contributes to achieving
the objectives of the National
Programme for Financial
Sustainability and Financial
Sector Development hence
achieving the priorities of Oman
Vision 2040.
The CMA emphasises that huge
turnout and confidence in IPOs
demonstrates the importance of
utilising this market to support
the national economy.
The remaining phases will be
completed based on the timetable
included in the prospectus.
The surplus funds will be
refunded on October 17 and the
listing of the company in the
MSX will be on October 24.
Meanwhile, OQ Gas Networks
SAOG (under transformation)
announced that, following
the successful completion of
the bookbuilding and public
subscription process for its initial
public offering, it has set the final
offer price at Baiasa 140 per share.
Having received overwhelming
demand from investors, the final
offer price was set at the top of the
price range by OQ in its capacity
as the selling shareholder.
A total of around 2.1 billion
Sohar Freezone has emerged has an important hub for automotive trade
enhance our automotive logistics
operations. We believe that this
expansion will attract a broader
customer base and foster valuable
business relationships.”
Commenting on this
milestone achievement, Omar al
Mahrizi, CEO of Sohar Freezone
and Deputy CEO of Sohar
Port, highlighted the project’s
contribution to the integrated
logistics system. He stated, “This
expansion significantly enhances
our ability to meet the growing
demand for top-notch logistics
solutions within the Sohar
Port and Freezone ecosystem.
We take pride in our ability to
$ 86.83
$ 84.27
Follow us on
omanobserver.om/business
business@omanobserver.om
ordinary shares, representing
49 per cent of OQGN’s issued
share capital, were offered, which
will generate approximately RO
288 million (around $750m)
of gross proceeds for the selling
shareholder upon settlement,
making the OQGN IPO the
largest ever IPO in Oman.
This includes commitments
from anchor investors amounting
to approximately RO 89 million
(approx $230m).
Immediately following
completion of the OQGN IPO,
OQ will continue to own 51 per
cent of OQGN’s share capital.
The offering saw strong investor
demand and oversubscription for
both the Category I offering and
Category II offering.
Total demand for OQGN
shares amounted to around RO 4
billion (approx $10 bn).
OQGN shares are expected
to commence trading on the
MSX on 24 October 2023, under
the symbol “OQGN” and ISIN
“OM0000009072”.
Upon listing, the Company
will have a market capitalisation
of RO 606 million (around $1.6
billion), which will make OQGN
the third largest company on the
MSX by market capitalisation.
attract more tenant companies,
reflecting investor confidence
in our logistics capabilities.
Our commitment to industry
diversification and strategic
collaborations reinforces Sohar
Freezone’s competitiveness
and further contributes to
Oman’s ongoing economic
diversification.”
With this expansion, the
automotive cluster in Sohar
Freezone has expanded its
footprint to encompass a
substantial area of 70,000 sqm,
strengthening its position as a
logistic hub in the automotive
business landscape.
business
business
8 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
F R I DAY l O C TO B E R 1 3 l 2 0 2 3

IUCN unveils ocean Exxon’s $60 billion deal secures

breakthroughs to support dominance in leading US oilfield
HOUSTON: Exxon Mobil

biodiversity and climate (XOM.N) has acquired Pioneer

Natural Resources (PXD.N)
for $59.5 billion, solidifying
its position as the leading
producer in the largest US
oilfield.
The deal, priced at $253 per
share, combines Exxon, the
largest US oil company, with
Pioneer, a successful player
in the shale revolution that
transformed the US into the
world’s largest oil producer in A worker operates equipment on a drilling rig near Midland, Texas, USA.
just over a decade.
Exxon’s CEO, Darren and Pioneer’s cost-effective Exxon’s largest deal since its
Woods, emphasised the operations. Pioneer’s share $81 billion purchase of Mobil
synergies resulting from this price received a 9 per cent Oil in 1998. It surpasses Shell’s
acquisition and the rapid premium in the deal, and $53 billion acquisition of BG
deal closure. Post-merger, Exxon plans to finalise it early Group in 2016, positioning
the combined company aims in 2024. RBC Capital Markets Exxon as a significant player in
to boost daily oil and gas analyst Scott Hanold suggested the global liquefied natural gas
production by 700,000 barrels that the market share of this market.
within four years, with a target combination may not trigger With Exxon’s recovery from
of 2 million barrels per day. antitrust concerns. recent losses and debts through
Furthermore, they intend Exxon’s move comes as cost reduction, asset sales, and
to reduce greenhouse gas the Permian Basin shale field, strong energy prices, it is well-
emissions while increasing known for its low production prepared for this acquisition,
oil output efficiency by costs, becomes a key focus. aligning with the shift toward
leveraging Exxon’s technology This acquisition represents reducing emissions. — Reuters

UK economy recovers by 0.2 per cent

Razan Al Mubarak, unveiled an ambitious global marine conservation at the IUCN Leaders Forum in Geneva.

GENEVA: Razan al Mubarak, MARINE CONSERVATION: resilient and nature-rich world.

President of the International
Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN), has unveiled an ambitious
global marine conservation and
climate action initiative at the
IUCN Leaders Forum in Geneva.
The Ocean Breakthroughs
are science-based targets across
five key ocean sectors: marine
conservation, ocean renewable
energy, shipping, aquatic food, and
coastal tourism. Achieving them
will deliver significant biodiversity
gains as well as reduce global
greenhouse gas emissions by up to
35 per cent by 2050.
Resulting from the joint efforts
of the Marrakech Partnership
for Global Climate Action and
developed with the support of
the UN Climate Change High-
Level Champions, the Ocean
Breakthroughs identify five turning
points which should be reached by
2030 in order to achieve a healthy
and productive ocean in 2050. They
are:
„ at least $72 billion invested
to protect, restore and conserve at
least 30 per cent of the ocean;
SCIENCE-BASED TARGETS WITH
THE POTENTIAL TO SLASH
GLOBAL EMISSIONS
BY 35% BY 2050 LAUNCHED
AT IUCN LEADERS FORUM
IN SWITZERLAND
„ at least 380 GW of installed
offshore wind capacity and the
availability of concessional finance
to support renewable energy
projects in developing countries;
„ upskilling 450,000 seafarers,
creating climate-adapted ports
and achieving 5 per cent of zero-
emission fuels in shipping;
„ providing at least $ 4 billion per
year in support of resilient aquatic
food systems to ensure sustainable
and secure food supplies for three
billion people; and
„ sustainable coastal tourism.
Razan al Mubarak, who is also
the UN Climate Change High-
Level Champion for COP28, said
the initiative comes at a time when
we know that nature can help
protect us against climate change.
“In the vast expanse of our ocean
lies the potential for a brighter, more
At the IUCN Leaders Forum,
I am honoured to introduce the
Ocean Breakthroughs — a science-
aligned blueprint which will see five
pivotal sectors converge to make
over a third of the emissions cuts
we so greatly need. Let’s dive deep
and unite in purpose for the world
we hold dear.”
“Oceans provide us with every
other breath we take,” said Al
Mubarak.
“Our very survival, from
our daily bread and water to
protection from extreme weather
events, hinges upon healthy ocean
ecosystems.
The planet’s capacity to sustain
us, to ensure our wellbeing, is
critically dependent on our oceans.”
The Ocean Breakthroughs will act
as a compass, not only for non-
State actors (NSA) but also for
Governments.
The Ocean Breakthroughs aim at
informing the Global Stocktake to
ensure the potential of ocean-based
climate solutions is well-recognised
in the outcomes of the process to
resume at COP28.
in August amidst sluggish growth
LONDON: Britain’s economy
partially recovered in August after
a sharp drop in July but the bigger
picture remained one of only
sluggish growth after last year’s
surge in inflation and 14 back-
to-back interest rate hikes by the
Bank of England.
Official data showed economic
output expanded by 0.2 per cent
in August from July, matching the
median forecast in a Reuters poll
of economists.
But July’s drop, when rainy
weather and strikes by teachers
and other workers hit the
economy, was estimated to have
been steeper than first thought,
falling by 0.6 per cent rather than
the initial estimate of 0.5 per cent.
The last time the economy
shrank by more than that on a
month-on-month basis was in
June last year which reflected the
impact of a one-off holiday to
mark the late Queen Elizabeth’s 70
years on the throne.
The International Monetary
Fund this week forecast Britain
A man walks past a Poundland store
in London
would have the slowest growth
among the Group of Seven nations
in 2024. The signs of a slowdown
prompted the BoE to refrain from
raising borrowing costs again last
month.
“The UK economy is holding
up but remains in a precarious
state,” said David Bharier, head of
research at the British Chambers
of Commerce.
“Our research is clear about the
issues UK firms are facing — three
years of economic shocks, high
inflation and interest rates, skills
shortages, and trade barriers with
the European Union.”
Nonetheless, August’s growth
reduces the possibility of a
recession starting as early as the
July-September period.
The ONS said the economy
would need to grow by 0.2 per
cent in September to avoid a
contraction in the third quarter,
excluding other factors.
The data showed Britain’s huge
services sector grew by a slightly
stronger than expected 0.4 per
cent in August from July while
manufacturing and construction
shrank by 0.8 per cent and 0.5 per
cent.
Over the three months to
August, the economy grew by 0.3
per cent, a performance the ONS
described as modest and helped
by car manufacturing and sales as
well as construction.
— Reuters

Asian shares rise amid dovish Fed remarks

SYDNEY: Asian shares rose on
Thursday as markets wagered that
US rates have peaked after more
dovish remarks from Federal
Reserve officials, while traders
awaited the US consumer inflation
report due later in the day for further
monetary policy clues.
Europe is set to extend the rally,
with EUROSTOXX 50 futures up
0.3 per cent and FTSE futures rising
0.4 per cent. S&P 500 futures and
Nasdaq futures were 0.3 per cent
higher.
In Asia, MSCI’s broadest index
of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan
gained 0.9 per cent to the highest
level in three weeks.
Tokyo’s Nikkei rallied 1.7 per cent,
climbing away from its five-month
low hit last week.
News that Central Huijin
Investment, a Chinese state fund,
raised stakes in the country’s big four
higher after Fed minutes showed a
growing sense of uncertainty around
the path of the US economy, with
volatile data and tightening financial
markets posing risks to growth and
leading policymakers to extend a
rate pause last month.
The recent buoyancy in sentiment
also owes much to comments from
more Fed officials suggesting US
rates may have peaked, which
triggered a welcome pullback in
Treasury yields. US Fed Governor
Christopher Waller on Wednesday
said higher market interest rates may
help the Fed slow inflation and allow
the central bank to “watch and see”
Passersby walk past an electric monitor displaying the Japanese yen exchange rate against the US dollar outside a brokerage in if its own policy rate needed to rise
Tokyo again or not.
Waller has been among the most
banks also boosted confidence in the China, however, has also issued clients for offshore trading, which vocal advocates for higher interest
broader market. Hong Kong’s Hang a notice prohibiting domestic will restrict capital outflows, Reuters rates to fight inflation, and his
Seng index jumped 2.0 per cent, and brokerages and their overseas units reported on Thursday. comments added weight to similar
China’s blue chips rose 0.8 per cent. from taking on new mainland Overnight, Wall Street closed statements this week by Fed Vice
Chair Philip Jefferson and Dallas
Fed President Lorie Logan.
The dollar drifted near a two-
week low, but the yen is still under
pressure at 149.09 per dollar, just
a whisker away from the 150 level
that could spur intervention from
Japanese authorities.
Markets moved to further
trim the chance of a Fed hike in
November to just 9 per cent, down
from 13.2 per cent a day earlier, and
there is a 70 per cent chance that the
rate is already at its peak, according
to CME FedTool.
With the long-awaited pivot
for the Fed in sight, traders are
bracing for the all-important US
consumer inflation report due later
on Thursday.
Stakes are higher because a
producer price inflation report
came in hotter than expected on
Wednesday. —Reuters
FRIDAY | OCTOBER 13, 2023 | RABEE AL AWWAL 27, 1445 AH

sport Follow us on
omanobserver.om/sports
sport@omanobserver.om

Sur make an attack at the Seeb goalmouth during the seventh round match of Omantel League at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat.

Last-gasp goal sees Seeb on top

O M A N C L U B A N D A L N A S R E A R N D R A W S I N O L
AHMED AL KAABI OMANTEL LEAGUE POINTS TABLE
MUSCAT, OCT 12

POS CLUB P W D L GF GA GD PTS

A last-minute goal powered Al 1 Seeb 7 6 1 0 15 2 13 19
Seeb to a valuable victory over 2 Al Nahda 7 4 3 0 14 8 6 15
Sur in the seventh round of the 3 Sohar 7 4 2 1 15 5 10 14
Omantel League at the Sultan 4 Oman Club 7 4 1 2 6 7 -1 13
Qaboos Sports Complex in 5 Sur 7 2 3 2 10 9 1 9
Bausher on Wednesday. 6 Al Shabab 7 2 2 3 6 7 -1 8
Mohsen al Ghassani scored the 7 Al Rustaq 7 1 4 2 6 8 -2 7
8 Dhofar 7 2 1 4 7 10 -3 7
goal for Al Seeb from a follow-up
9 Al Wahda 7 2 1 4 6 15 -9 7
after a corner kick, in the eighth
10 Al Nasr 7 1 3 3 3 5 -2 6
minute of stoppage time for the 11 Ibri 7 2 0 5 5 10 -5 6
second half (90+8). 12 Bahla 7 1 1 5 2 9 -7 4
Al Seeb, led by Brazilian coach
Jorvan Vieira, strengthened their Al Nahda’s
lead in the OL, raising their points Salah al managed to take the lead in the season, contributing to the team’s
to 19. Meanwhile, Sur’s tally Yahyai 49th minute through Salah al unbeaten record over seven
remained at nine points, placing celebrates a Yahyai. After that, Al Nahda’s rounds. Essam al Sabahi, another
goal against
them in the fifth position in the Oman Club. Ahmed al Matroushi received a player from Al Nahda, leads the
championship standings. red card after receiving two yellow league’s top scorers with a tally of
The end of the match witnessed cards in the 68th minute, reducing four goals.
an objection from Sur coach, their number of players.
Tunisian Abdelhaleem al Werimi, serious errors against the club, The first half saw a balanced Oman Club took advantage AL NASR HOLD AL RUSTAQ
to the continuation of the game describing them as egregious and performance from both teams, of this numerical advantage and Al Nasr tied with Al Rustaq 0-0 at
despite the end of injury time (6 causing Sur to be deprived of their with Al Nahda pressing through managed to equalise through Al Rustaq Stadium on Wednesday.
minutes), which was added by rights. the wings and long balls, and professional player Charlemagne The draw put Al Nasr in 10th
the Omani international referee The statement also affirmed Oman employing a defensive in the 73rd minute from a direct spot with six points, while Al
Ahmed al Kaf. that the club management will strategy and attempts to penetrate free kick. In the last minutes of Rustaq are ninth with seven
Sur coach’s objections increased promptly communicate with from depth to reach Al Nahda’s the match, there were mutual points.
after the final whistle as Al Seeb the chairman of Oman Football goal. The danger of Al Nahda opportunities for both teams, and Al Rustaq continued their
scored the winning goal. Association (OFA) and the head of increased over time, as they began the match ended in a 1-1 draw. series of draws in opposite results
Following these events, Sur the referee’s committee to inform to press Oman from all angles, After the draw, Al Nahda to their performance last season,
Club issued a statement on them of Sur’s refusal to assign any exploiting the retreat of Oman remained in second place in the where they finished fifth and were
Wednesday evening expressing match in which Al Kaf is involved. Club players. Al Nahda managed standings with 15 points, missing strong contenders for the top three
their strong dissatisfaction with to earn several corner kicks, but the chance to catch up with leaders positions until the last rounds.
the refereeing of Ahmed al Kaf, OMAN CLUB Oman’s defence effectively repelled Al Seeb (19 points). Oman Club’s Al Rustaq drew in four out of
who officiated the match. HOLD AL NAHDA them and cleared the dangerous tally rose to 13 points, securing the seven matches, lost two matches,
The statement included severe In a closely contested match, Al balls. The first half ended in a fourth position. and won only one match. As for
criticism of the referee’s bias Nahda and Oman Club ended in goalless draw between the two Of notable mention, Salah Al Nasr, they only tasted victory
against Sur, and that this is not a 1-1 draw at Al Buraimi Sports teams. The second half started al Yahyai played a pivotal role in one match, lost 3 matches, and
the first time the referee has made Complex. strongly for Al Nahda, and they in Al Nahda’s performance this drew the same number.
sport
10 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
F R I DAY l O C TO B E R 1 3 l 2 0 2 3

Pitchford stuns Lin, Harimoto advances

ANUROOP ATHIPARAMBATH
MUSCAT, OCT 12
World No 33 England’s Liam
Pitchford stunned World No 8
Lin Yun-ju of Chinese Taipei 3-1
(11-6, 11-9, 3-11, 11-9) to enter
the men’s singles quarterfinals of
the WTT Contender Muscat 2023
on Thursday.
At the Sultan Qaboos Sports
Complex, the Briton was in full
flow in the first two sets to take a
2-0 lead. Lin, who showed signs
of a comeback in the second
set, pulled one back in the third
set 11-3. However, Pitchford
returned to his best form in the
fourth to claim it 11-9.
Pitchford will face the winner
of last 16 contest between
Japanese paddlers Shunsuke
Togami and Sora Matsushima, in
the quarterfinal.
Japan’s World No 4 Tomokazu
Harimoto advanced to the men’s
singles quarterfinals after a
hard-fought 3-2 victory against
compatriot Hiroto Shinozuka.
Harimoto prevailed 11-8, 9-11,
11-7, 10-12, 12-10 in a see-saw
contest.
Harimoto will meet World No
23 Anton Kallberg in the last-
eight clash. Sweden’s Kallberg
accounted for compatriot World
No 37 Kristian Karlsson 3-2 in
another thriller.
Kallberg won 9-11, 13-11,
7-11, 15-13, 11-6.
France’s Simon Gauzy (World
No 27) beat Anders Lind of
Denmark (World No 29) 3-1
to make it to the men’s singles
quarterfinals.
After losing the first set closely
by 10-12, Gauzy was in his
elements in the next three sets
winning the match 11-8, 11-2,
11-8.
Portugal’s Joao Geraldo and
Brazil’s Hugo Calderano will meet
in the men’s singles quarterfinals
after progressing from their last
World No 8 Hayata moves into quarters in WTT Contender Muscat 2023
16 matches on Thursday.
Geraldo beat Germany’s
Benedikt Duda 3-1 while
Calderano edged France’s Jules
Rolland 3-2.
HAYATA THROUGH
In the women’s singles, World
No 8 Hina Hayata of Japan set up
a quarterfinal date with World No
33 Jeon Jihee of South Korea.
Hayata edged out Yang Ha Eun
of South Korea 3-2 (5-11, 11-9,
11-9, 11-13, 12-10) while Jihee England’s Liam Pitchford was in great
touch at the Sultan Qaboos Sports
beat Italy’s Giorgia Piccolin in
Complex on Thursday.
straight sets 11-3, 11-5, 11-5.
Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu
will take on Miyu Nagasaki of
Japan in the women’s quarterfinal
after advancing from the last-16
matches.
Also advancing to the last eight
were Germany’s Nina Mittelham
who set up a match with Miwa
Harimoto of Japan.
On Wednesday, 17-year-old
star Oh Junsung dramatically
secured his ticket to the last 16
of the men’s singles after an upset
3-2 win over Dimitrij Ovtcharov
(9-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8).
Ranked at No 101 in the ITTF
World Rankings, Oh was meeting
the World No 9 for the first time
at an international ranking event.
Making his WTT Series debut
almost exactly four months ago
in Lagos, Oh was well aware the
odds weren’t stacked in his favour,
with his round of 32 opponent in
Muscat being a two-time Olympic
men’s singles bronze medallist
and former World No 1.
Dimitrij Ovtcharov set the
pace early on, winning the first
set but Oh was brilliant in the
second to take it 11-5. Ovtcharov
repeated his show in the first set
to claim the third set. However,
Junsung was unstoppable in the
fourth and fifth for a famous win.
A frustrating day at the office Dima’s German compatriot Dang Like Ovtcharov, fifth seed Qiu but Qiu failed to press home in the decider to upstage the
for Ovtcharov, it proved an Qiu, who also saw his campaign led twice in his opening round the advantage as World No 47 penholder (8-11, 14-12, 6-11, 11-
equally disappointing day for halted at the first hurdle. encounter against Joao Geraldo, Geraldo saved four match points 8, 16-14).

Oman sports officials, athletes praise Royal Directives

ADIL AL BALUSHI
MUSCAT, OCT 12
The sports family in the Sultanate
of Oman appreciated the directions
of His Majesty Sultan Haitham
bin Tarik to begin steps to carry
out a project for establishing an
integrated Sports City capable of
hosting regional and international
tournaments and competitions.
The Royal directives of His Majesty
the Sultan were announced on
Wednesday during the Council of
Ministers meeting at Al Barakah
Palace.
The directives were inline to
the affirmation of Royal attention
to the care and welfare of youth
— including proper grooming
of youth as the best asset for
subsequent generations. Moreover,
His Majesty gave directives to
develop infrastructure for camel
races, serving major sports events
to which the activities of a large
number of citizens are linked.
These include furnishing main
racecourses in the governorates
of Oman in coordination with
offices of governors and Oman
Camel Racing Federation. This
is envisaged to activate tourism
activities in the governorates.
Chairman of Oman Table Tennis
Association (OTTA), Abdullah bin
F o r m a t i o n
Abdullah Bamakhalif2
Mohammed Bamakhalif, said, “On
behalf of the table tennis family,
I would like to raise my sincere
thanks to His Majesty the Sultan for
this major project that will support
all the athletes. Establishing an
integrated Sports City with the top
o f i n t e g r a t e d
Dr Abdulrahim Al-Droushi
international standards will assist
the sports family to prepare well for
their domestic and international
events.”
The chief of OTTA added that
the Royal directives are inline to
His Majesty care on utilising the
S p o r t s
Mohammed al Mutawa
youth power to the right direction
to build up a healthy sports
community and create a new
generation who can represent and
raise the Sultanate of Oman highly
in the globe events. “The integrated
Sports City will help the sporting
C i t y
associations and committees to
host sporting major events that
will have positive impact on the
economy and sporting tourism
fields to the country,” he added.
Dr Abdul Rahim bin Muslim
al Droushi, Chairman of Oman
Racket Sports Committee, said
that the Royal directives to begin
the procedures for establishing the
Sports City project are considered
a clear indication of the renewed
Renaissance’s care and interest
in sports as an essential element
in the progress of the country
and of a distinctive approach
that adds cohesion to the existing
sports resources in a specific area
and which prepares itself to host
sporting events.
“There is no doubt that sports
cities contribute to providing a
developmental addition to the
country as they are a contributing
tool to the comprehensive change
of urban infrastructure, which
is pivotal in diversifying local
economies, which is evident
through sports cities’ investment in
hosting various sporting events so
that they help accommodate sports
tourists category.
Sports orientation is seen as an
engine to fuel growth in the future,
leading to the development of new
ways to overcome the dominant
economic system, which Oman
Vision 2040 is concerned with
within the framework of national
development plans,” he added.
The Assistant Professor in
Sport Management and Sports
Policy at Sultan Qaboos University
commented as an academic and
researcher in hosting sporting
events, “I value the Royal directives
to establish a comprehensive
sports city because of its great
importance in improving the
image of the destination, especially
when viewed as a combination of
participatory activities, physical
exhibits, and thoughtful media
outputs to create an environment
with a sporting nature that is
attractive to tourists.”
Oman’s young paddler
Mohammed al Mutawa expressed
his happiness on the recent
directions of His Majesty to
construct multi-sports city for
all the sports. “I am very excited
to see this project in the coming
future. This sports city was one of
the awaiting projects for the sports
family and it came in the right time
as Oman will host many top major
events in this world standard city. I
am sure this city will act as a major
role in preparing the athletes for
the domestic and international
events,” he said.

KORDA HOLDS OFF SHELTON TO
BATTLE INTO SHANGHAI SEMIS
SHANGHAI: Sebastian Korda
reached his first Masters semi-
final as he battled back to tame
fast-rising fellow American Ben
Shelton 6-7 (10/12), 6-2, 7-6
(8/6) in Shanghai on Thursday.
The 26th seed finally sealed
the quarterfinal on his sixth
match point and plays Poland’s
16th seed Hubert Hurkacz for a
place in Sunday’s final.
With the centre-court roof
closed because of rain in
Shanghai, the first set went to a
tie break after they exchanged
breaks in the 11th and 12th
games.
US Open semifinalist Shelton,
who uncorked a serve clocked at
236 kilometres per hour earlier
in the set, had Korda on the
back foot throughout a gripping
tie break.
The pressure finally told
when the recently turned
21-year-old Shelton unleashed
an ace on his fifth set point that
Korda could only watch whizz
by.
The 23-year-old Korda,
whose father Petr reached
two in the world at his peak,
recovered to break Shelton’s
big serve at the start of the
second set and raced to level
the quarterfinal at one set all.
Korda broke the 19th seed at
the start of the deciding set and
then dug himself out of a hole,
saving three break points to
OMANDAILYOBSERVER
F R I DAY l O C TO B E R 1 3 l 2 0 2 3
Sebastian Korda of the US in action during his round of 16 match against Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in the Shanghai Masters. — Reuters
sport
11
extend his lead to 3-1 and then
4-2.
But Korda, whose only
previous ATP title came in
2021 in Parma, allowed Shelton
back in again and they went to
another tie break.
Korda let slip five match
points from 6-1 in the tie break
before belatedly sealing an
absorbing encounter in just
under three hours.
Hurkacz fights back
In the first quarterfinal,
Hurkacz similarly fought back
to defeat unseeded Hungarian
Fabian Marozsan 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.
The Shanghai Masters is back
after four years following the
pandemic and has witnessed a
succession of shocks.
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz
was turfed out in the last 16
to follow Daniil Medvedev
— beaten by Korda — Holger
Rune, Stefanos Tsitsipas and
Jannik Sinner out the exit door.
There is only one player from
the world’s top 10 left in the
draw in the form of seventh-
ranked Russian Andrey Rublev.
The fifth seed faces 32nd
seed Ugo Humbert of France
in the quarterfinals while 18th
seed Grigor Dimitrov -- who
turfed out Alcaraz -- plays
22nd seed Nicolas Jarry.
World number one
Novak Djokovic skipped the
tournament. — AFP

Jabeur rides roller coaster on way to Zhengzhou last eight

SHANGHAI: World number
seven Ons Jabeur defied a bad
knee on Thursday to finally defeat
Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-3, 7-6
(7/5) and reach the quarterfinals
of the Zhengzhou Open.
Playing with her right knee
taped, the Tunisian three-time
Grand Slam finalist failed to
serve out the victory on three
occasions and needed five match
points to move past the 63rd-
ranked Italian in just under two
hours. A champion in Ningbo
two weeks ago, Jabeur will next
face eighth seed Daria Kasatkina,
who beat home player Bai
Zhuoxuan 6-2, 6-4.
“It was a tough finish
obviously, she’s a great player,
such a fighter,” said the 29-year-
old Jabeur.
“So I’m glad that I got to finish
in two (sets). It would have been
a different story if it was three
sets. We will learn a lot from this
match.
“I tried to do my best, it’s the
end of the season and it’s very,
very tough with the knee. Today
it wasn’t 100 per cent.”
A seesaw opening set saw a
combined five breaks of serve
but it was Jabeur who carved out
a 5-2 gap and the Tunisian took a
one-set lead after 45 minutes.
The fourth seed earned a
double-break lead in the second
set and looked on track for a
smooth victory when she served
for the match at 5-2.
But Bronzetti had other ideas
and snatched the next three
games, breaking Jabeur twice
to level the frame for five-all,
saving a match point along the
way.
Laura Siegemund
Jabeur stopped the bleeding
as she used her signature drop
shot to maximum effect to break
Bronzetti and put herself in
position to serve for the win for
a third time.
Still the North African could
not close as Bronzetti saved three
more match points and broke
serve on a Jabeur double fault to
take the set into a tiebreak.
Jabeur finally closed out the
74-minute second set, and the
contest, on her fifth match point.
Kasatkina also had to
overcome a second-set fightback
from her opponent and needed
four match points before she
completed a 90-minute victory
over 117th-ranked Bai.
The 26-year-old Russian
has lost her last five matches to
Jabeur.
“Ons is an amazing player,
she’s creative on the court and
you never know what to expect
from her,” said Kasatkina.
Germany’s Laura Siegemund
upset 11th seed and recent
Beijing runner-up Liudmila
Samsonova 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 to book
a quarterfinal against Italian
A champion in Ningbo two weeks ago, Tunisia’s World No 7 Ons Jabeur will next face eighth seed Daria Kasatkina of Russia.
Jasmine Paolini. — AFP
 OMANDAILYOBSERVER
F R I DAY l O C TO B E R 1 3 l 2 0 2 3
SOUTH AFRICA
CRUSH GO-SLOW
AUSTRALIA
DE KOCK
STARS WITH
SECOND
CENTURY IN
134-RUN LUCKNOW, India: Quinton de
Kock hit his second successive
century at the World Cup on
WIN Thursday as South Africa sent five-
time champions Australia crashing to
a 134-run defeat.
After the Proteas had made 311-7,
Australia lost six wickets with just 70
on the board and then focused solely
on attempting to limit the damage to
their net run-rate.
They were eventually dismissed for
177 with 55 balls to spare.
For South Africa, it was a second
win in two games while Australia
have lost both of their matches.
Australia, who lost by six wickets
to India in their opener, saw five
catches dropped when South Africa
batted. Their mood did not improve
once they began chasing a 312-run
target, losing wickets on a regular
basis as South Africa’s fast bowlers
ripped through their top order.
Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi
sent back openers Mitchell Marsh
(seven) and David Warner (13)
before Kagiso Rabada took three
quick wickets.
Rabada had Steve Smith lbw
controversially on review for 19,
clean-bowled Josh Inglis for five and
had Marcus Stoinis smartly caught
down the legside by wicketkeeper De
Kock, also for five.
Australia were unhappy with the
decision as Stoinis appeared to have
his hand off the bat when the ball
brushed his glove on its way to De
Kock.
In between, off-spinner Keshav
Maharaj claimed dangerman Glenn
Maxwell off his own bowling as the
Australian nicknamed ‘The Big Show’
suffered stage fright and was out for
just three.
With the match virtually lost,
Australia went into damage
limitation, hoping to ease the damage
to their run rate with still seven pool
matches to play in the marathon
event.
At the halfway stage of 25 overs,
they had crept to 95-6 before Marnus
South Africa’s Quinton de Labuschagne (46) and Mitchell Starc
Kock celebrates after reaching
(27) put on 69 for the seventh wicket.
his century. — Reuters
They fell in the space of seven balls
before the innings collapsed with
leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi wrapping
up the tail.
‘SICK’ OF DE KOCK
Earlier, 30-year-old De Kock
reached his 19th ODI hundred off 90
balls with eight fours and five sixes
having also made a century in South
Africa’s opening win over Sri Lanka.
De Kock, who will retire from
international cricket at the end of the
tournament, was batting in familiar
surroundings at the Ekana Stadium
where he plays in the IPL for the
Lucknow Super Giants.
He was eventually dismissed for
109, bowled by off-spinner Maxwell
while trying to reverse sweep in the
35th over.
“I’m sick of watching him score
runs, feels like it happened a lot
against us. He’s a superstar,” said
Maxwell at the innings break.
South Africa were on 197-3 when
De Kock departed before Aiden
Markram then took up the charge.
Having made the fastest World
Cup century off just 49 balls in the
win over Sri Lanka, Markram raced
to 56, making the most of being
dropped by Australia skipper Pat
Cummins when he had made just a
single.
It was a miserable day in the field
for Australia as South Africa captain
Temba Bavuma was also dropped
twice on 19 and 32. Bavuma’s luck
ran out on 35 when he was caught at
midwicket by Warner off Maxwell.
— AFP
SCOREBOARD
SOUTH AFRICA
Q de Kock b Maxwell ...........................109
T Bavuma c Warner b Maxwell ...............35
R van der Dussen c sub (S Abbott)
b Zampa .................................................26
A Markram c Hazlewood b Cummins ....56
H Klaasen c Inglis b Hazlewood .............29
D Miller b Starc ......................................17
M Jansen c Warner b Starc .....................26
K Rabada not out ..................................... 0
K Maharaj not out .................................... 0
Extras (b4, lb2, w7) ...............................13
Total (7 wickets, 50 overs) ........... 311
Fall of wickets: 1-108, 2-158, 3-197,
4-263, 5-267, 6-310, 7-311
Bowling: Starc 9-1-53-2, Hazlewood
9-0-60-1, Maxwell 10-1-34-2, Cummins
9-0-71-1, Zampa 10-0-70-1, Marsh 1-0-6-0,
Stoinis 2-0-11-0
AUSTRALIA
M Marsh c Bavuma b Jansen ................... 7
D Warner c van der Dussen b Ngidi .......13
S Smith lbw Rabada ...............................19
M Labuschagne c Bavuma b Maharaj ....46
J Inglis b Rabada ..................................... 5
G Maxwell c & b Maharaj ......................... 3
M Stoinis c de Kock b Rabada .................. 5
M Starc c de Kock b Jansen ....................27
P Cummins c Miller b Shamsi ................22
A Zampa not out ....................................11
J Hazlewood c Rabada b Shamsi ............. 2
Extras (lb4, nb2, w11) ..........................17
Total (all out in 40.5 overs) .......... 177
Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-27, 3-50, 4-56,
5-65, 6-70, 7-139, 8-143, 9-175, 10-177
Bowling: Ngidi 8-2-18-1, Jansen 7-0-54-2,
Rabada 8-1-33-3, Maharaj 10-0-30-2,
Shamsi 7.5-0-38-2
RESULT: South Africa win by 134 runs