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<rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Times Of Oman]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/</link><description><![CDATA[Times of Oman Now Globally Available.]]></description><language>en-us</language><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright 2009, TimesofOman.com]]></copyright><category><![CDATA[Newspapers]]></category><item><title><![CDATA[HM issues royal decree]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25708</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MUSCAT â€” His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued Royal Decree no. 34/2009 issuing first class License for the Omani-Qatari Telecommunications Company SAOG for installing and operating a common fixed telecommunications services system. 

Article one: Issued first class license to Omani-Qatari Telecommunications Company SAOG for installing and operating a common fixed telecommunications services system for a period of 25 years. However, the Frequent Spectrum rights shall be granted to the Broad Range Access Networks for a period of 15 years as per manner attached to license.

Article two: The decree takes effect from date of issue.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[His Majesty condoles with Bahrain king]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25707</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MUSCAT â€” His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of condolences to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain on the death of Sheikh Khalid bin Salaman bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. In his cable, His Majesty expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy praying to Allah the Almighty to rest his soul in peace and grant his family patience to bear the loss. ]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[RO28m Arab Fund loan for Thumrait-Salalah road]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25706</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MUSCAT â€” The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development yesterday agreed to part-finance the RO47.8 million Thumrait-Salalah dual carriageway project by extending a loan of RO28 million.

Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and Deputy Chairman of Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council said the loan will contribute to financing the 73km-long carriageway. 

The loan will cover the cost of constructing a new road and rehabilitating the existing one that links the two regions, a senior government official said.

The amount will also be used to reconstruct roads, besides constructing rain water drainage systems, lighting and installing traffic safety signs, the official said.

While Ahmed bin Abdul-nabi Macki signed the loan agreement on behalf of the government, Abdul Latif Yousef Al Hamed, director-general and Chairman of the Board, signed for the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.

The signing ceremony was attended by Sultan bin Salim Al Habsi, undersecretary of the Finance Ministry and other officials at the national economy and finance ministries. 

The construction of the dual carriageway began at the end of 2006, officials said. ]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Layali Al Asalah exhibition opens]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25705</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MUSCAT â€” Fashion event management company Layali Al Asalah started its second annual exhibition yesterday under the patronage of Her Highness Sayyida Thuraya bint Thuwaini bin Shihab Al Said. The exhibition displays the participantsâ€™ creativity, which vary from casual wear, to stylish abayas, jewellery, exquisite evening gowns, stunning jalabiyaat, amazing Omani traditional and modern dresses, and much more.

Layali Al Asalah began its journey in 2006. Samah Al Wehebi and Nadia Al Zakwani were the only owners of the company. After the success of their first exhibition, Najla Al Kindi joined the group.

The company is specialised in organising annual events and activities related to fashion. Further, it organises a yearly competition in fashion, which aims to combine different cultures from all over the world. â€œIn 2006, the competition was about creativity in designing dresses to combine the cultures of Oman, Morroco and India,â€ Najla Al Kindi told Times of Oman.

â€œIn 2008, we concentrated on the Omani, Chinese and Yemeni cultures. This yearâ€™s competition, which will be held in October, will focus on the cultures of Oman, Zanzibar and Turkey,â€ she added.

This year, Layali Al Asalahâ€™s all-women exhibition displays several items, which include different designs of abayas and shelas, jalabiyaat, sweets, childrenâ€™s wear, gift packaging, beauty and healthcare products, shoes and accessories. 

The event also offers paid photo shoots with full make-up and a dress chosen by the customer.

The all-woman event is due to continue till June 12. It is open to customers from 9am to 10pm everyday. 

The exhibition venue is Asalah villa located at Al Ghubra South.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Learning experience in parenthood]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25704</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MUSCAT â€” â€˜Parenthood a Family Affairâ€™, a two-day event held at Qurum City Centre, was a great hit with families. Parents and children enthusiastically took part in the quiz, entertainment and games.

The audience observed the chefs from Park Inn prepare four varieties of salads. After a quiz session they thoroughly enjoyed the magic show. 

Parenthood a Family Affair was held in association with Oman Mobile, presented by Qurum City Centre and supported by Aâ€™saffa and Park Inn. The event was organised by White Candle Entertainments and electronically supported by Omasco. 

Siham Al Riyami, from the Ministry of Education, spoke about the role of children and parents in education. She spoke to children and parents, which turned out to be a lively session. â€œThe children were so open about their thoughts and feelings. I think it was a learning experience for the parents and me. It was great to see the children and parents in an informal setting. 

â€œThe childrenâ€™s response encouraged the parents to join the discussion,â€ said Siham Al Riyami on Radio Omanâ€™s Road Show that was live from Qurum City Centre on the first day of the event.

Adults and children won gifts on both the days from Oman Mobile and Aâ€™saffa. â€œIt was a great time for the whole family but it was also a time to reflect,â€ said a father whose children participated in the games. Language was no barrier as the show was presented both in Arabic and English.

On the 90.4 Live Show, parents were asked for tips. Mothers gave some valuable advice such as it all depends on how you talk to the children, and not ordering them around, giving examples to follow and praising good behaviour.

One father questioned: â€œHow about listening to them  We tend to be from the old school. Many a times a five-year-old can come up with some wonderful suggestions.â€]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ahli Bankâ€™s Sohar customer wins RO10,000 in draw]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25703</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MUSCAT â€” Ahli Bank has announced the results of its monthly draw of â€˜My Hassadâ€™ saving scheme. Ali Salim Said Al Shibli of Sohar branch emerged the lucky winner of RO10,000 cash prize. 

Rabani Rahim Al Balushi, branch manager handed over the cheque to the winner.

Ali Salim Al Shibli was excited to win the RO10,000 just before the summer holidays.

The new MyHassad scheme, launched by Ahli Bank in March 2009, continues to create a sensation in the country, encouraging people to open new accounts. The prize scheme offers a chance to win RO250,000 as RO1,000 Monthly Salary for Life (250 months) by the end of September as well as RO10,000 monthly prize draw while maintaining its daily prize draw scheme.

Congratulating the winner, Ghaya Al Barwani, head of marketing in Ahli Bank, said: â€œI would like to congratulate our lucky winner and wish him all the best on behalf of the bank. We have received excellent response from the market since the launch of this saving scheme and we, at Ahli Bank, make every effort to understand our customersâ€™ needs and provide the very best for them. With Ahli Bankâ€™s MyHassad account there are no limits to the number of times you can win, as long you maintain the balances required in the account.â€ 

Customers need to open their MyHassad account with RO100 for their chance to win RO1,000 in the next working dayâ€™s draw hence their chance to â€œopen today and win tomorrowâ€ started in 2008 continues. To participate in the RO10,000 monthly draw, customers need to maintain a minimum RO250 during the month. This highlights the commitment of the bank to its long-term MyHassad account holders. Further more, every RO500 maintained each month with effect from March 1, 2009, gives the customer one chance to win in the â€˜Salary for Lifeâ€™ draw. Therefore, a customer opening an account with RO500 today and maintaining this balance will get five chances to win RO1,000 in each daily draw, two chances to win in each monthly draw as well as one chance per month to win in the Salary for Life draw.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oman and Italy to boost trade]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25702</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MILAN â€” Sayyid Badr bin Hamed bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, secretary-general of the Foreign Ministry, opened the economic symposium on â€˜Cooperation Opportunities between Omani and Italian Companies,â€™ at Manzoni Hall at the National Establishment for Foreign Trade here yesterday.

The meeting was attended by a number of officials at the public and private sectors in the Sultanate and Italy and representatives of more than 80 Italian companies. 

In a speech delivered at the opening of the seminar, Sayyid Badr expressed his gratitude for the efforts made by the Italian Economic Development Ministry, the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade, Stefania Gabriella Anastasia Craxi, secretary of state for foreign affairs in enhancing positive relations between the two sides. 

He also thanked the city of Milan for hosting the first economic event of its type, which comes within the framework of developing economic and investment relations between the Sultanate and Italy. 

Sayyid Badr also appreciated the Italian governmentâ€™s efforts and the Sultanateâ€™s profound respect to the role being played by Italy in supporting joint programmes on technical assistance rendered in fields of environment, climate affairs in the Middle East and North Africa in collaboration with the World Bank and the 
European Commission since they receive a global attention and their relations to issues of water scarcity, regional security and peace. 

He also pointed to the great progress in the trade and investment laws system witnessed by the Sultanate during the past years, the availability of modern infrastructure, legislative frames that support development in the Sultanate and free economy. 

This ensures that the investment atmosphere in the Sultanate is economically, culturally, socially and politically prepared to attract more investments and constructive partnership in a number of vital fields.

Sayyid Badr pointed out that the Sultanate occupies advanced ranking among countries of the world in terms of peace and stability. The Sultanate is also enjoying a free economy that is based on competition, free markets and mechanism of prices. 

Stefania Craxi affirmed in her speech the importance of organising the seminar and working papers to be presented that explain the real investment opportunities in the Sultanate of Oman and the economic co-operation between the Sultanate and Italy. 

Then, a working paper by the Commerce and Industry Ministry in collaboration with the Capital Market Authority (CMA) was presented by Dr Abdullah bin Ali bin Zaher Al Hinaâ€™ei, director-general of industry at the Commerce and Industry Ministry familiarising with economic status in the Sultanate. 

During the seminar, a working paper by the Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Exports Development (Ociped) in collaboration with Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) titled â€˜Available investment opportunities in the Sultanate,â€™ was presented by Nisreen bint Ahmed Jaâ€™afar, director-general of Ocipedâ€™s investment promotion, which dealt with the Sultanateâ€™s investment plansâ€™ programmes and as per Oman Future Vision 2020, the current development plan 2006-2010 as per oil production in the Sultanate and price per barrel. 

During the seminar, Hamed bin Saloom Al Athoobi, director of developing projects at Oman Oil Company (OOC), gave a briefing on the OOC, its objectives investment portfolio of the company, in addition to, sectors that the company invest in and outside the Sultanate. 

The Tourism Ministry also presented a working paper on tourism potentials in the Sultanate and available investment opportunities in the Sultanate presented by Ameenah bint Abdullah Al Balushiyah, director of census and geographical information at the Tourism Ministry. 

The seminar was attended by Dr Abdulmalik bin Abdullah Al Hinaâ€™ei, National Economy Ministryâ€™s undersecretary for economic affairs, Said bin Nassir Al Sinawi Al Harthy, Sultanateâ€™s ambassador to Italy and Talib bin Miran Al Raâ€™esi, head of economic and technical cooperation department at the Foreign Ministry. 

On the sidelines of the seminar, a number of meetings between Omani and Italian businessmen and businesswomen were held aimed at discussing the possibility of cooperation between the two sides and identifying the business features in their companies. ]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Muscat shares post minor gains]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25701</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MUSCAT â€” The MSM-30 index rose marginally to close 0.73 per cent higher at 5,747 points yesterday with advance to decline ratio of 0.86:1. 

The total shares exchanged increased by 7.8 per cent to 38.916 million shares against the previous dayâ€™s 36.107 million shares. 

The total value increased by 20.7 per cent, from RO14.042 million to RO16.950 million. 

Foreign investors were net sellers yesterday; they sold a net of two per cent (RO0.33 million) in the total turnover. 

The Industry sector was the only gainer yesterday which closed 4.07 per cent higher at 6,809 points. However, the Banking &amp; Investment and Services &amp; Insurance sector declined to closed at 0.48 per cent lower at 7,716 points and 0.05 per cent lower at 2,361 points, respectively. 

The market was weak with 22 declines and 19 advances out of 54 traded securities. 

The top two gainers were: National Aluminum (9.54 per cent) and Al Jazeera Steel Product (8.58 per cent) to close at RO0.402 and RO0.405, respectively. 

The top two losers were: Oman Chemical Industry (-46.09 per cent) and AES Barka (-4.14 per cent), both closed at RO0.062 and RO1.712, respectively. 

The top two by volume traded were: Oman &amp; Emirates Inv. (OM) (3.3 million shares) and BankDhofar (2.9 million shares). 

The top two by value traded were: Renaissance Services (RO1.8million) and BankDhofar (RO1.5million). NAVs as of June 7, 2009: Muscat Fund RO1.214, Oryx Fund-RO1.193 and BankMuscat MSCI Kuwait Fund: (June 4,2009) $0.6759. ]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Disparities leveled off]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25700</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MUSCAT â€” With a view to avoid discrimination, the new tax law provides for a parity of tax rates between foreign and local companies. 

Foreign companies, prior to 2001, were paying taxes at certain income levels, at the rate of 50 per cent. This rate was reduced to 30 per cent in 2001 and now to 12 per cent. 

Further, foreign companies like local companies, would not pay tax on the first RO30,000 of profits. With this development, Omanâ€™s tax rates are the lowest in the region amongst countries that impose taxes.

90-days threshold 

Foreign companies are liable to corporate tax (other than withholding taxes) only if they have created a permanent establishment (PE) in Oman. 

Foreign companies previously had encountered difficulties in arguing that a PE is not created in case of limited visits to Oman. 

The new tax law provides for clarity by specifying a 90-day threshold in a tax year for creating a service PE.

The new tax law also clarifies that a PE can be created for a foreign company through a dependent agent. Agency PE rules were always strictly applied in Oman. 

Hopefully the new law will help in confirming that a PE cannot be constituted for a foreign company through an independent agent.

Income liable to tax

There has been much debate under the old tax law on the scope of income accruing to foreign companies which would be liable to tax in Oman. The practice of the tax authorities has generally been to tax all income accruing to a foreign company from a contract which requires a permanent establishment in Oman irrespective of whether such income relates to activities carried out in Oman or outside.

It is only with countries with whom Oman has a Double Tax Avoidance Treaty that the tax authorities have generally accepted that profits attributable to activities carried out outside Oman are not liable to tax. The new tax law does not contain any special rules to determine the income which could be taxed in Oman. In fact, the new tax law provides for taxation of all income wherever earned. This is likely to encourage the tax authorities to tax profits arising from activities carried out outside Oman in relation to a contract which requires a permanent establishment in Oman.

Capital gains tax

The new tax law specifically provides for taxability of capital gains wherever earned. When a foreign company, therefore, disposes of their operations in Oman, they would be liable to tax on the capital gains they make from the sale of their business. 

This has been the position even under the old tax law for the last few years in view of certain Supreme Court judgements confirming that there is nothing in the old tax law prohibiting taxation of capital gains.

Withholding tax 

Withholding taxes of 10 per cent are applicable on certain specified categories of payments made to foreign companies who do not have a permanent establishment in Oman. These comprise:

ï® Royalties, which are now defined to include rental of equipment and know how; 

ï® Fees for research and development; and Management fees.

Transfer pricing 

The new tax law does not contact specific transfer pricing rules either in respect of head office expenses or other transactions. 

Our discussions with the tax authorities indicate that these would be specified in the executive regulations that are likely to be issued later this year and which would be effective from January 1, 2010.

It is widely anticipated that the current rules for allowance of head office overhead expenses would be changed with a view to remove the
 artificial capping of the allowance to the average of the allowance given in the previous three tax years. 

Foreign companies would be eagerly awaiting the new rules to understand to what extent expenses charged by regional centres and other affiliates of the head office would be covered by the new head office expenses rule. 

We believe that directly identifiable expenses whether charged by the head office or its affiliates would continue to be an allowable deduction.

 It is also likely that rules on allowance of interest to the head office and other affiliates (internationally referred to as thin capitalisation rules) would be introduced. 

It remains to be seen whether the executive regulations would specify rules for transfer pricing in the case of other transactions.



The author can be contacted at ahariharan@kpmg.com. The views expressed 
are his own]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Al Wahda sign-up Mudhafar]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25699</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MUSCAT â€” Omanâ€™s Gulf Cup hero Hassan Mudhafar yesterday signed a one-year contract with Al Wahda to fill the berth left for an Asian professional for next season.  The 29-year-old midfielder, moves to Abu Dhabi on a free transfer after a season with Qatari club Al Rayyan. 

The Number 17 national player who is in prime form was on a hunt by various clubs in the region ever since Sultanate clinched the Gulf Cup for the first time in its history. 

Hassan Rabeâ€™ea, who is playing for Al Nasr Club in Saudi Arabia is the most expensive player in the Middle East. 

With Hassan Mudhafarâ€™s departure from Al Rayyan, Imad Al Hosni will be the lone Omani player for this seasonâ€™s Emir Cup finalist. 

Speaking to Times Sport from UAE, an Al Wahda Club official on condition of anonymity confirmed Hassanâ€™s contract with the club. 

â€œHassan coming to Al Wahda is excellent news and with the kind of form he is in at the moment, we are sure he can deliver for us too,â€ said the official who refused to comment on the price tag they brought Hassan for. He can now play alongside UAE star player Ismail Mattar. 

Meanwhile, after a brilliant performance against South Korea in Dubai last week, Le Roy coached star-studded Oman team will take on Bosnia in France today in the last friendly match ahead of their crucial Asia Cup qualification round in October against the Socceroos. 

Le Roy is expected to test his reserves including upcoming star Said Shalhoob. Times Sport has learnt from close Oman FA sources that, Le Royâ€™s team will have few preparatory camps in France soon after the match against Bosnia.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ahli Bank awards football fans with MyHassad accounts]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25698</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MUSCAT â€” Five lucky football fans who attended the friendly match between Oman and Egypt received their gifts recently from Ahli Bank. 

Besides attendeing the friendly match they were rewarded with a raffle draw which was conducted by the bank during the half time. Abdul Majeed Al Hooti, head of branch operations and control at AhliBank, conducted the raffle draw and announced the lucky winners. 

All the winners of the raffle draw had MyHassad accounts worth RO100 opened in their names by Ahli Bank. 

The five lucky winners were Bichoy Nabil, Mohammed Yahya Mohammed Al Sayyid, Arif Abdul Karim Mohammed Al Rawahi, Matar Said Nasser Al Farsi and Ahmed Said Al Ghamari, who completed the banking formalities of opening their MyHassad Saving Accounts last week, where RO 100 was automatically credited to their accounts by Ahli Bank. 

Abdul Majeed Al Hooti said: â€œCongratulations to the raffle draw winners from the friendly match between Oman and Egypt, with Ahli Bankâ€™s MyHassad Accounts these winners have additional chances to continue their winning streak through MyHassadâ€™s daily draw which entitles them to win RO1000 every working day.â€ 

â€œMyHassad savings scheme provides the Ahli Bank customers with an attractive savings option, that not only ensures that their savings are secure but also provides them with multiple chances of winning on the daily, monthly and â€˜Salary For Lifeâ€™ draws,â€ he added.]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Tajik Jimmy  sings his way to fame in Russia]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25697</link>
			<description><![CDATA[KOLOMNA: Baimurat Allaberiyev, a diminutive native of Tajikistan who has herded sheep, picked cotton and toiled in construction, hardly looks like Russia s latest musical sensation.
	   
But Allaberiyev has remarkable talent sets him apart from the millions of Central Asians who come to Russia to escape crushing poverty at home. 

A musical prodigy, he can perform Bollywood show-stoppers as a one-man band, equipped with nothing but an uncanny falsetto and a metal bucket. 

That -- and the miraculous star-making powers of the Internet -- have turned this 37-year-old into a cult celebrity here. 

Allaberiyev won fame after shaky videos shot with mobile phones surfaced on the Internet that showed him performing songs like "Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja" from the 1983 Bollywood classic "Disco Dancer". 

Set against grim backdrops like a construction site or a storeroom full of boxes, the videos became a viral sensation. They have now been viewed more than 400,000 times on YouTube, the movie-sharing website. 

Allaberiyev -- who is widely known as "Tajik Jimmy" despite the fact that he is actually an ethnic Uzbek -- now has a record deal and has given concerts in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. 

His success is striking given that Central Asians suffer widespread discrimination in Russia and are often targeted in racist attacks. 
	   
Despite his budding musical career, Allaberiyev remains down-to-earth and has not quit his day job hauling cardboard boxes at the Rio shopping centre in Kolomna, a town 100 kilometres (60 miles) southeast of Moscow. 
	   
"I can t quit working here," Allaberiyev said in an interview, surrounded by the sleek glass and metal of the shopping mall. "But if someone asks me to do a concert, I ll go and perform." 

But fame has led to surreal changes for Allaberiyev, who has been compared to Susan Boyle, the middle-aged Scottish woman who soared to fame when her audition on "Britain s Got Talent" became a smash hit on YouTube. 

Allaberiyev spoke to AFP the same day he was filmed by a television crew and visited by a local newspaper photographer. He recalled how his talents were noticed after he arrived in Russia in 2008 to build the Rio shopping centre, toiling side by side with labourers from across the former Soviet Union. 

"When I worked on the construction site, I used to sing songs to myself. Then all the guys -- Russians, Uzbeks, Tajiks -- would come up and film me," said Allaberiyev, who looks much older than his 37 years. 

"And they d say, Jimmy, now we re going to put that on the Internet. And it got on the Internet and lots of people downloaded my songs and heard them.... And that s how I became a star." 

Music came early to Allaberiyev, who was born on a collective farm in what was then the Soviet republic of Tajikistan, close to the Afghan border, in a family where he was one of 10 brothers and sisters. 

Encouraged by a musician uncle, Allaberiyev enrolled in after-school music classes, while a projectionist brother introduced him to the colourful world of Indian musical films. 

Relatives noticed that Allaberiyev could break out into a falsetto and sing the female parts of Bollywood songs, as well as the male ones. 

No less impressive was his ability to memorize a song within several days by repeatedly listening to it on tape, and then re-create it with perfect rhythm, without even knowing the language. 

"My uncle used to play drums. He used to tell me, when you grow up, I ll buy you drums and a synthesizer," Allaberiyev said. 

But history interfered when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and civil war broke out in newly independent Tajikistan. The country plunged into deep poverty. 
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Digital piracy looms over World Copyright Summit]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25696</link>
			<description><![CDATA[WASHINGTON: Movie directors, composers, authors, legal experts, policy-makers and others are meeting here this week to discuss the "threats and opportunities" the Internet poses to copyright in the digital age.
	   
Some 500 delegates from more than 55 countries are scheduled to attend the 2nd World Copyright Summit being held on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan Convention Center.

Web and software giants Google and Microsoft and representatives of movie, music and book rights societies are also among those attending the summit organized by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), whose president is Bee Gees brother Robin Gibb.
	   
French Culture Minister Christine Albanel, Hollywood director Milos Forman and US Senator Patrick Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, are among the nearly 100 speakers slated to address the gathering.
	
Looming over the summit is the threat posed to artists by digital piracy.

Organizer CISAC, listing the "key issues" for the summit, cited "How the digital media environment is providing common threats and opportunities to all creative repertoires."

Kathy Garmezy, assistant executive director for government and international affairs of the Directors Guild of America, said that while counterfeit DVDs and the like remain a concern for the movie industry, the biggest danger is on the Internet.

"The counterfeiting kind of piracy is certainly a problem," Garmezy said, "but it s so much more manageable than online piracy."
	   
Delegates to the summit will be looking to hammer out a united approach to illegal downloading, she said. "Just like the Internet is global, the battles are global and we can only win them with united action," she told AFP.
	   
"We have to find a way to reach common peace between those who think the Internet is free and the artists who create the works," Garmezy said.
	   
"This is not about spoiled artists or rich studios," she added. "It s about the act of creation and the future of it. Nobody s going to stop piracy altogether but can you keep it to a point where it won t destroy you "
	   
Garmezy and others praised the recent passage of a bill in France to combat Internet privacy that is considered one of the toughest in the world.
	   
"We re adamant about taking a stand to support the French," she said.

The legislation sets up a "three-strikes" system for illegal downloaders of music or film who first receive an email warning, then a letter and finally lose their Internet account for up to a year if they are caught a third time.
	   
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the United States, however, have been notably reluctant to act as copyright "enforcers." The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced in December that it planned to stop suing people who download music illegally and focus instead on getting ISPs to take action.
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ubisoft merges videogames and film making]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25695</link>
			<description><![CDATA[LOS ANGELES: French videogame powerhouse Ubisoft is building its movie-making muscles. While pairing films with videogames is a long-running trend, Ubisoft is rising to a new level by collaborating with famed director James Cameron on a title crafted as an extension of his highly-anticipated 3D movie "Avatar."

"Ubisoft didn t want to just put something flashy on the screen; they wanted a soul behind the videogame," Cameron said during a press conference with Ubisoft at a recent Electronic Entertainment  Expo (E3) in Los Angeles.

"The world of the  Avatar  game is, in some ways, considerably richer than what you are going to see in the film."

Cameron said the film and videogame teams have worked so closely together that ideas from each side have been incorporated into the other.

"We are learning from the best," said Yannis Mallet, head of Ubisoft s Montreal studio.

"The film and videogame industries are on lines that are not quite parallel, so let s anticipate that the talents are converging and build collaboration so the whole is greater than the sum of the parts."
	   
Ubisoft was free to create its own characters, vehicles, and weapons for the videogame, as well as embellish on settings on the fictional moon called "Pandora" where the film story takes place.

"Ubisoft challenged themselves to set the bar pretty darn high," said Academy Award winning Cameron, whose films include  Titanic  and  Terminator. 

"We are all pretty passionate about making  Avatar  the coolest new game out there; I can stand here now and tell you the guys at Ubisoft have done it."

The "Avatar" story centers on a magical, lush "Pandora" where an indigenous tribal population living in rain forests is standing against an Earth-based corporation s efforts to plunder the world of precious minerals.
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Slumdog  child stars dream of Hollywood]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25694</link>
			<description><![CDATA[HONG KONG: Despite becoming celebrities in their own right, the child stars of the Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" said Sunday they still hoped to emulate the success of Hollywood s top names.
	   
Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Rubina Ali, and Azharuddin Ismail, who played the younger versions of the three key characters in the rags-to-riches tale set in Mumbai, sang and danced at a Community Chest event on their first visit to Hong Kong.
	
Ayush, who played the child version of the film s central character, Jamal, said he wanted to be an actor when he grew up, just like his father.

"My father is an actor. He does original plays," the nine-year-old said.

Ayush said he thought Brad Pitt was the best actor in the world. "He s very cute and he s a very nice actor."

Rubina, who played the young Latika, the main female character in the movie, said her idol was "Tomb Raider" star and Pitt s wife, Angelina Jolie. 
	   
But for Azharuddin, 11, who played Jamal s elder brother in the hit film, his hero in the movie industry is prominent Bollywood actor Salman Khan.
	   
The trio attracted a large crowd in a shopping mall as they sang "Jai Ho!", the theme song that helped win India s celebrated composer A.R. Rahman two of the eight Oscars awarded to Slumdog this year.

An Indian teenage fan was in tears after the charity event s organisers allowed her to have a photo taken with the three stars and ask for their autographs.
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Global airline losses to hit $9 bln in 2009: IATA]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25693</link>
			<description><![CDATA[KUALA LUMPUR: Global airlines are likely to lose $9 billion this year, the International Air Transport Association said on Monday, nearly double its estimate of just three months ago, as rising fuel prices and weak demand create an unprecedented crisis for the industry.
    
"This is the most difficult situation the industry has faced," Giovanni Bisignani, IATA s director general and CEO, told the aviation body s annual meeting in the Malaysian capital.

"I am a realist. I don t see facts to support optimism."

However, there was some optimism. John Leahy, the commercial director at European aircraft manufacturer Airbus said 2009 would be tough, but plans by United Airlines to order as many as 150 new planes from Airbus or rival Boeing Co showed the market was starting to turn.
    
"Cancellations are not as much of an issue as deferrals. I don t think we ll have that many more cancellations," he said. Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting earlier, the chairman of state-owned Air India said his company was
considering delaying planes on order from Boeing.
    
"We are looking at options including rescheduling," Arvind Jadhav told reporters. "I don t have cash, what do you expect me to do "
    
Air India has over $8 billion worth of planes on order from Boeing, including 27 B787 Dreamliners.

Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong s largest carrier, said it was also looking to further delay deliveries of new planes as it had seen no signs of recovery in its business. 

One note of optimism, however, came from Qatar Airways, which has about $27 billion worth of planes on order and wanted deliveries speeded up, its chief executive said. 

Globally, about 4,000 aircraft are scheduled for delivery in the next three years, which is 17 percent of the current fleet, IATA s Bisignani said.
    
"Once again, aircraft ordered in good times are being delivered in recession. Finding customers to fill them will be a challenge," he said.
     
IATA had predicted in March that 2009 losses for the airline industry would total $4.7 billion. It also revised its estimate of 2008 losses to $10.4 billion from $8.5 billion. 

In an effort to ride out the crisis, made worse by the recent outbreak of the H1N1 flu virus, airlines have been looking to reduce costs elsewhere too.
    
Japan Airlines Corp, Asia s biggest carrier by revenues, said it planned to cut capacity on international routes by 10 percent in the year to March 2010.
    
Another major problem was rising fuel costs, a problem it would be "irresponsible" of governments not to act on, Bisignani said.

"The risk that we have seen in recent weeks is that even the slightest glimmer of economic hope sends oil prices higher. Greedy speculation must not hold the global economy hostage." 

At Monday s formal opening of the IATA conference, which ends on Tuesday, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak drew laughter when he noted that he had walked over from an oil and gas conference being held next door.

"I was discussing what should be the price of oil which seems to be something we are all grappling with," Najib said. Prices for jet fuel in Singapore have jumped almost 60 percent since bottoming out around $46 a barrel in March. 

IATA estimates the industry fuel bill will decline by $59 billion to $106 billion in 2009, or 25 percent of costs versus 31 percent in 2008.
    
Bisignani said the aviation industry s 2009 revenues would fall by $80 billion to $448 billion because of the global economic crisis.
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spain media giant Prisa announces TV merger plan]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25692</link>
			<description><![CDATA[MADRID: Shares in Spanish media giant Prisa, owner of leading daily El Pais, closed sharply higher on Friday after it announced plans to merge its television operations with rival Imagina within a month.
	   
The stock closed up at 17.65 percent at a session high of four euros, bringing gains during the week to over 40 percent. "Prisa and Imagina have agreed to give themselves a month to sign a merger deal with the aim of joining up their audiovisual activities in a newly-created company," Prisa said in a statement.

Prisa runs the television channel Cuatro while Imagina holds another, La Sexta.

The government in February passed a law that eliminated a 5.0 percent limit on cross shareholdings at television broadcasters. The law is intended to ease sector mergers at a time when Spain s media is being hammered by the country s worst recession in over five decades, with advertising revenues dropping sharply.

Prisa and Imagina s parent company Mediapro also announced that they had reached a deal on sharing broadcasting rights of top Spanish football matches for the next three seasons, ending a bitter dispute.

La Sexta and Prisa s pay-TV unit Digital+ have shared the broadcast rights for the first division and Spanish Cup but have clashed over which matches should be shown on which channel and at what time.
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Qatar ready to help Porsche take over VW]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25691</link>
			<description><![CDATA[BERLIN: Qatar is ready to help German carmaker Porsche take full control of Volkswagen, Europe s biggest carmaker, according to a report due out Monday in the German magazine Focus.

The emir of the gas-rich Gulf state has given his verbal agreement to Porsche boss Wendelin Wiedeking to take a stake via the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), said the magazine.

A Porsche spokesman contacted by AFP refused to comment Saturday.

In March, Qatar s emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani told another German weekly, Der Spiegel: "We will certainly invest in the German automotive sector."

It was just a question of finding the right time and the right price, he added.
	   
He was speaking a week after Abu Dhabi s Aabar Investment fund announced it had invested 1.95 billion euros (2.59 billion dollars) in another German car company, Daimler.

Heavily indebted Porsche said last month that it was now seeking a merger with VW, in which it already holds a 51 percent stake, rather than taking over the much bigger car maker.

But tension between the two auto manufacturers has hampered the process after they gave themselves four weeks to agree terms. A new investor would give them access to much-needed fresh capital and would allow them to envisage the possibility of returning to their original takeover plan.
	   
Christian Wulff, the leader of Germany s Lower Saxony region, which has shares in Volkswagen, told Focus magazine that he had no objection to Qatari investment.

"From the start, I envisaged such as solution," he told the magazine.
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[German retailer Arcandor in last-ditch talks with rival]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25690</link>
			<description><![CDATA[BERLIN: Stricken German retail giant Arcandor held crunch tie-up talks with a rival firm on Sunday as reports said that the majority owner of Thomas Cook could file for insolvency imminently.
	   
The negotiations about a possible merger of Arcandor and Metro s department store chains Karstadt and Kaufhof included the chief executives of both companies plus two banks, a Metro spokesman told AFP.
	   
The talks came as Chancellor Angela Merkel again upped the pressure on Arcandor, which employs 50,000 people in Europe s biggest economy, and its owners to do more to rescue the company.

Last week the European Commission said it would object to Arcandor getting 650 million euros (930 million dollars) in loan guarantees from a government fund set up to help companies hit by Germany s worst postwar slump.

A spokesman for EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said that Arcandor was already in difficulties before the credit crunch hit in mid-2008, meaning it was ineligible to receive help.

Instead the company applied on Friday for 437 million euros worth of cheap loans from a different source -- the state development bank, the KfW.
	   
In late May, Merkel s government agreed to support with billions of euros (dollars) of taxpayers  money a takeover of General Motors  Opel unit by Canada s Magna and state-owned Russian lender Sberbank.

But she has insisted that Opel was a "special case" and on Sunday Merkel hit out at what she called the "serious mis-management" of the company and called on the firm s owners and creditors to do more to save it.
	   
"I find it unacceptable that people call on the state for help when they themselves must do something," Merkel told the Bild am Sonntag weekly.
	   
Arcandor owns a 52-percent stake in Europe s second biggest tourism group Thomas Cook, the Karstadt chain of department stores and iconic shops such as the KaDeWe in what used to be the commercial heart of West Berlin.
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Barclays confirms talks with BlackRock]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25689</link>
			<description><![CDATA[LONDON: Barclays on Monday said it had held talks with US money manager BlackRock on the possible sale of the British bank s asset management arm.

The Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported over the weekend that a sale of Barclays Global Investors (BGI) to BlackRock for 13 billion dollars (9.3 billion euros) could be announced this week.

"Barclays has had discussions with a number of parties, including with BlackRock" regarding the sale of BGI, the bank said on Monday.  
	   
"The discussions are not yet concluded and there are a number of significant open issues which could affect the nature and terms of any transaction," it added in a brief statement. 
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dollar eases against yen, euro in Asian trade]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25688</link>
			<description><![CDATA[TOKYO: The dollar lost ground against the yen and euro in Asian trade Monday after recent gains, as investors raked in profits following data that signalled the job crunch in the US may be easing.
	   
The dollar slipped to 98.39 yen in Tokyo afternoon trade from 98.62 in New York, when it staged a surprise rebound Friday to three-month highs against major currencies. 

The euro edged up to 1.3979 dollars from 1.3970 but slipped to 137.54 yen from 137.80.

The dollar had unexpectedly risen Friday after the US Labor Department said the jobless rate surged to 9.4 percent in May while the number of job losses slowed to 345,000 from 539,000 in April.

The report, seen as one of the best indicators of economic momentum, offered conflicting signals about a weak labour market where the pace of massive job cuts is easing, a positive sign for the recession-battered economy.

The US currency s rally fuelled speculation of an earlier-than-expected interest rate hike but market players remained cautious over the outlook, dealers said. 

"I think that the recession (in the United States) has hit bottom, but the fundamentals signal that the weak labour situation will continue," said Chuo Mitsui Trust Bank chief strategist Yosuke Hosokawa.

"Investors are trying to figure out whether to make bets on the assumption that the dollar will strengthen further."

Nomura Securities chief forex analyst Hiroshi Maeba said that Tokyo players are "still in shock" about the payrolls data. Despite some profit-taking, traders were "hesitant to sell too much" before watching European investors  reaction to the data, he told Dow Jones Newswires. 
	   
The yen remained pressured after official data showed Monday that Japan s current account surplus in April fell 54.5 percent from a year earlier as exports slumped further.

The surplus dropped to 630.5 billion yen (6.39 billion dollars) against a surplus of 1,385.9 billion yen a year earlier despite signs that global demand was picking up, the finance ministry said.

A separate survey Monday showed that Japanese companies will collectively cut their capital investment by 15.9 percent in the year to March 2010, representing the sharpest decline on record.

Planned capital spending by 1,475 major firms for the year stood at 22.7 trillion yen, down 4.28 trillion yen from fiscal year 2008, the Nikkei business daily said.

It was the second straight year of decline and the biggest percentage fall since the newspaper began the twice-yearly survey in 1973.
	   
The world s second largest economy has been hit hard by the global economic crisis, forcing blue-chip exporters to carry out aggressive cost-cutting programmes, including massive layoffs and factory closures.
	   
The dollar was higher at 1.4557 Singapore dollars from 1.4447, and rose to 1,252.50 South Korean won from 1,244.80, to 47.48 Philippine pesos from 47.27, and to 32.83 Taiwan dollars from 32.57.
	   
It also gained to 9,991.25 Indonesian rupiah from 9,981.25 and to 34.36 Thai baht from 34.17.
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ruthless Proteas please Smith]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25687</link>
			<description><![CDATA[LONDON: South Africa captain Graeme Smith said his side had "sent a message" after their crushing 130-run win over Scotland at the ICC World Twenty20.

Victory in their first match of the tournament saw the Proteas into the second round Super Eights and provided a textbook display of how a Test side ought to deal with one of the minnow nations at this event.

The tournament began in dramatic style on Friday with hosts England losing off the last ball to the Netherlands at Lord s while Saturday saw Scotland give New Zealand a scare in a match reduced by rain to seven overs per side.

But led by AB de Villiers s blistering 79 not out, featuring six sixes, South Africa piled up a huge total of 211 for five here at the Oval.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn then struck early on and when Scotland were bowled out for 81 they d suffered the second heaviest defeat suffered by any side in a Twenty20 international - Sri Lanka beat Kenya by 172 runs during the inaugural World Twenty20 in Johannesburg two years ago.
	   
"We probably had a few more nerves after watching the first few days of the tournament and seeing a few of the unpredictable results," said Smith, who shared a first-wicket stand of 87 with Jacques Kallis. 

"It was important to send a message and we did that."

Scotland captain Gavin Hamilton admitted his largely part-time team had been given some object lessons, especially by the Proteas  batsmen.
	   
"They are an absolutely fantastic outfit," ex-England all-rounder Hamilton said. "They didn t give any breathing space at all. It is a reality check.
	   
"The clean striking of the ball was just outstanding. You don t really appreciate it until you are in that fielding ring listening to the sound off the bat."

Defeat saw Scotland - who failed this year to qualify for the 2011 World Cup in Asia - bow out of the tournament. Hamilton, who said a national academy ought to be providing younger players for the Scotland side, admitted there was a danger of an unbridgeable gap opening up.
	   
"We ve had eight days together and we are playing against the world s best cricket teams but unless we chug along behind them we will get left behind," Hamilton said.

South Africa are likely to face a far sterner test from New Zealand at Lord s on Monday and Smith said: "We ve played against New Zealand enough to know they are tough competitors, and on their day they can challenge and beat anybody. We will respect them as we would any opponent."

He added: "The big focus for us is playing to our intensity, and playing our game. If we can do that, we can challenge any team in this tournament." 
	   
South Africa s batting, as evidenced by their opening stand and the way 83 runs were scored off the final five overs, has both depth and variety. 
	   
"We have got good players in both areas," said Smith. "It is about finding a balance between the touch players and the power players."
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Woods wins at Memorial with birdie-birdie finish]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25686</link>
			<description><![CDATA[DUBLIN: Tiger Woods came from four strokes behind to win the Memorial tournament by a shot on Sunday, sealing his 67th PGA Tour victory with a dramatic birdie-birdie finish.
    
Helped by one of the best driving displays of his career, the world number one rammed in a nine-footer at the 17th before hitting an exquisite approach to 14 inches at the par-four last.

He tapped in the putt for his seventh birdie of the day and a seven-under-par 65 at Muirfield Village Golf Club before removing his cap to acknowledge the roars from the crowd. 

Woods won the tournament for a record fourth time with a 12-under total of 276, finishing ahead of fellow American Jim Furyk who rolled in a 22-foot birdie putt at the 18th for a 69. 

"That was unbelievable," tournament host Jack Nicklaus said to Woods as he shook hands with the 14-times major champion on the edge of the 18th green.

American Jonathan Byrd, who held a two-shot lead with six holes to play, battled over the tough closing stretch to card a 72 and share third place at eight under with compatriot Mark Wilson.
    
Tour veteran Davis Love III was a further two strokes back after closing with a 73, level with Americans Matt Kuchar (71) and co-leader overnight Matt Bettencourt (75). 

Woods, sidelined for the second half of last year while recovering from reconstructive knee surgery, was delighted to win his second PGA Tour title this season in just seven starts. 

"It was just about being patient," the 33-year-old told reporters after shooting the lowest round of the day. "It was a matter of time because I was able to start practising after rounds again, and I had only been doing that for a couple of tournaments. I knew it was coming around."
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Grand Slam king Federer has time on his side]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25685</link>
			<description><![CDATA[PARIS: Roger Federer, with a first French Open and a career Grand Slam carved into his storyboard of achievements, believes he is poised for another record-setting spell, with time stacked in his favour.
	   
The Swiss maestro realised a lifetime dream of finally lifting a Roland Garros title to become only the sixth man in history to win all four majors with his 6-1, 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 victory over Robin Soderling equalling Pete Sampras s record of 14 Grand Slam trophies.

But Federer, who is not 28 until August, vowed there is more to come, with his professional ambition fuelled further by his private life soon to be enriched by wife Mirka bearing their first child.

Federer, acutely aware of the history of the sport, knows that Sampras was four years older, at 31, when he won his last Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2002.

Andre Agassi was already 29 when he won in Paris in 1999 to become the fifth man to complete the Grand Slam.

The colourful American, who presented the French Open trophy to Federer on Sunday, won the last major of his career, his eighth in total, at the Australian Open in 2003 when he was 33.

Agassi was still reaching Grand Slam finals at 35, when he lost the 2005 US Open final to Federer.

The Swiss also knows that more majors will only serve to finish, once and for all, arguments over who is the greatest player of all time.
	   
"I just tried to have the best possible career I can. I think it should be judged at the very end. How well did I do   Good   Great  Very good  Or medium  It s for other people to decide," said Federer.
	   
"Right now, I m still playing. I haven t retired, and I think I still have many more tournaments to go and many more Grand Slams.  

"I ll give it my best shot to have the best possible career.

"I hope I can maintain the records I have and I hope to break some other ones along the way. I hope to stay healthy. That s most important because motivation and drive is not a problem for me."
]]></description></item><item><title><![CDATA[Collingwood salutes  brave  England]]></title><link>http://www.timesofoman.com/innercat.asp?detail=25684</link>
			<description><![CDATA[LONDON: England captain Paul Collingwood praised the "brave" way the hosts kept themselves alive in the ICC World Twenty20 after a 48-run win over Pakistan here at the Oval.
	
The embarrassment of an early exit beckoned after a humiliating four-wicket loss to the Netherlands in Friday s tournament opener at Lord s.
	   
But Kevin Pietersen, who missed the dramatic Dutch defeat with an Achilles injury, returned to make 58 in a total of 185 for five on Sunday before three wickets in the powerplay, with fast bowler Stuart Broad taking two in two balls, put paid to Pakistan s chase.

Indeed so convincing was England s victory that it guaranteed them a place in the second stage Super Eights regardless of the outcome of Tuesday s final Group B match between the Netherlands and Pakistan.
	   
"That performance is what we needed," Collingwood told reporters. "We showed a lot of character.

"Friday was a massive blow to us, so it was fair to say we were under quite a lot of pressure to put in a performance like that. "From ball one we proved how much we wanted it and had them under pressure.
	   
"People put their hands up and all 11 can be very proud of themselves.

"They showed how brave they are as blokes. And I am now more excited than I was before the Netherlands game."

England still face a worrying time regarding Pietersen s fitness ahead of the start of the Ashes Test series in July and Collingwood said: "He ticked all the boxes and was desperate to play

"The medical staff had a good look at him and he is not going to be risked at all this summer, it s as simple as that."

Pietersen meanwhile was glad to be back on the field and the South Africa born batsman said: "It was a huge match.

"If we didn t win we were out and that is not nice.

"It was a huge evening - I was desperate to play, I ve never had an injury that has kept me out which has been hard to deal with.

"I reckon I m about 70 percent fit. Hopefully, that is the last of it now because I just love playing. I am happy to play with a bunch of boys who played like they did this evening."

Pietersen said he hoped the Dutch defeat would remain an aberration.
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