Community Community Indian Sports Evridiki Centre will Iliaki, Head P6be formally P16 of HWW, is launched on Qatar conducting a seminar National Sport Day on ‘Attracting Wealth with the organisation of and Abundance’ various sporting events. tomorrow.

Sunday, February 12, 2017 Jumada I 15, 1438 AH

DOHA 18°C—23°C TODAY PUZZLES 12 & 13 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 14

COVER STORY Straight shooter likes to be in control. The Oscar nominee freewheels on the need for people of colour in films. P4-5 2 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 12, 2017 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 4.54am Shorooq (sunrise) 6.11am Zuhr (noon) 11.48am Asr (afternoon) 3.01pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.27pm Isha (night) 6.57pm

USEFUL NUMBERS The LEGO Batman Movie Comics character Batman. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, DIRECTION: Chris McKay writers and directors of the original fi lm, act as producers. WRITTEN BY: Seth Grahame-Smith, Chris McKenna, It stars the voices of Will Arnett, Zach Galifi anakis, Michael Erik Sommers, Jared Stern, and John Whittington Cera, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes. The story revolves CAST: Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson around Bruce Wayne, who must not only deal with the SYNOPSIS: The Lego Batman Movie is a 2017 3D criminals of Gotham City, but also the responsibility of raising computer-animated superhero comedy fi lm produced by a boy he adopted. Emergency 999 Warner Animation Group and DC Entertainment. It is a LOCATIONS: Roxy Cinema, Gulf Mall, Villaggio, Royal Worldwide Emergency Number 112 spin-off of the 2014 film The Lego Movie, focusing on the DC Plaza, The Mall, Landmark, City Centre Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Rings the American Ring franchise, following The Ring (2002) and Qatar Airways 40253374 DIRECTION: F. Javier Gutiérrez The Ring Two (2005). Principal photography began on March WRITTEN BY: David Loucka, Jacob Estes and Akiva 23, 2015, in Atlanta. The fi lm revolves around a young woman, Goldsman who fi nds herself on the receiving end of a terrifying curse that CAST: Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki threatens to take her life in seven days. SYNOPSIS: Rings is a 2017 American supernatural LOCATIONS: Gulf Mall, Landmark, Villaggio, City psychological horror fi lm and the third feature-length fi lm in Centre, The Mall, Landmark ote Unquo Qu te We shall Mall Cinema (1): The Space Movie (2D) 7:15pm; Heartbeats Between Us (2D) 2pm; John Wick: (2D) 9pm; Singam 3 (Tamil) never know all the Chapter 2 (2D) 4:45pm; Singam 10:45pm. good that a simple smile 3 (Tamil) 6:45pm; Rings 3 (2D) Rings 3 (2D) 9:45pm; John Wick: Royal Plaza Cinema Palace 9:30pm; Singam 3 (Tamil) 11:15pm. Chapter 2 (2D) 11:30pm. (2): The Lego Batman Movie (2D) can do. Mall Cinema (2): The Lego Landmark Cinema (2): The 2pm; The Lego Batman Movie Batman Movie (2D) 2:30pm; The Lego Batman Movie (2D) 3pm; (2D) 4pm; Singam 3 (Tamil) 6pm; Lego Batman Movie (2D) 4:30pm; The Lego Batman Movie (2D) John Wick: Chapter 2 (2D) 9pm; — Mother Teresa Jolly LLB2 (Hindi) 6:30pm; John 5pm; The Lego Batman Movie Jolly LLB2 (Hindi) 11:15pm. Wick: Chapter 2 (2D) 9pm; Jolly (2D) 7pm; Jolly LLB2 (Hindi) 9pm; Royal Plaza Cinema Palace LLB2 (Hindi) 11:15pm. Jolly LLB2 (Hindi) 11:15pm. (3): Balu Mahi (Urdu) 2:15pm; The Mall Cinema (3): Singam 3 Landmark Cinema (3): Balu Space Between Us (2D) 5pm; Balu (Tamil) 2:45pm; Kung Fu Yoga Mahi (Urdu) 2pm; The Space Mahi (Urdu) 7pm; Rings 3 (2D) (2D) 5pm; The Lego Batman Between Us (2D) 4:45pm; John 9:45pm; John Wick: Chapter 2 Community Editor Movie (2D) 6:45pm; Balu Mahi Wick: Chapter 2 (2D) 7pm; Kung (2D) 11:15pm. Kamran Rehmat (Urdu) 8:45m; John Wick: Chapter Fu Yoga (2D) 9:15pm; Singam 3 Asian Town Cinema: Singam e-mail: [email protected] 2 (2D) 11:30pm. (Tamil) 11pm. 3 (Tamil) 6, 7, 9 & 10pm; Jolly Telephone: 44466405 Landmark Cinema (1): Singam Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): LLB 2 (Hindi) 6:15pm; Jomonte 3 (Tamil) 2:15pm; Heartbeats Jolly LLB2 (Hindi) 2pm; Singam 3 Suvisheshangal (Malayalam) 6:15 Fax: 44350474 (2D) 5pm; Singam 3 (Tamil) 7pm; (Tamil) 4:30pm; The Lego Batman & 9:15pm. Sunday, Feruary 12, 2017 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

EVENTS organisers bill it as “a great chance for every competitor to test themselves and fight for FCC’s Women’s Sport Festival the title in fair racing conditions and in a WHEN: February 17 professional environment”. Vanitha Sports Fest is being organised by Grandstand and Paddock area are open Friends Cultural Centre Vanithavedi on the for free to all the spectators. occasion of Qatar Sport Day on February 17. The competitions are in the following Al Gannas categories for individuals: walking–1.5 (For school students) kms; skipping race–100metres; sack Until March 31, 2017 race–50metres; running race–100metres; 9am–Noon running race–200metres; lemon running Al Gannas Society race; shot put; and long jump. For groups, Free (For boys only, requires the competitions are 4 x 50metres relay registration) race; tug-of-war; Three legged race– Al Gannas association is participating in 50meters; and throw ball. the “Our culture is a school” programme, For registration and more details, please Motocross World Championship by organising many activities for the contact telephone numbers: 55643799, WHEN: February 24, 25 students every Monday and Wednesday of 66787007, or 55271038. WHERE: Losail Motocross Track the week. The opening round of the 2017 FIM These activities include explanations on Senorita- Ladies Night MXGP World Championship will take place hunting and related items tools, kinds of WHERE: The Club at St. Regis at the Losail Motocross Track for fifth time falcons and preys, in addition to workshop WHEN: Tuesdays in a row. General access is free-of-charge, on how to carry a falcon, set a traditional TIME: 7pm while a Paddock ticket costs QR100 for the tent (made of goat & camel heir), prepare The Club at St. Regis promises the two days. VIP tickets are going for QR1,000 traditional Arabic coffee and start a fire. For ‘finest weeknight in town with Cuban and for the two days. For details of what’s further details, visit katara.net Latin rhythms’. All ladies are treated with included in the Paddock and VIP tickets, In this fun-filled PG13- 2 complimentary drinks until midnight. please visit the Losail Circuit Sports Club rated presentation loaded with cartoon Muhammad Ali: Tribute to a Legend The event starts at 7pm. The dress code is website. The tickets will be available at clips, Mike Reiss, a four-time Emmy Award DATE: Until February 25, 2017 “strictly fabulous-Latin vibe” and there the Welcome Centre of the Losail Circuit winning writer of the Simpsons show, tells WHERE: Eastern Gallery, 4th Floor, are no entrance fees. For more information, Sports Club during the week of the event. you the stories and secrets from behind Museum of Islamic Art please call 4446-0105. the show: dealing with celebrity guests, The temporary exhibition is curated by surprising critics (including George HW Qatar Museums’ 3-2-1 Olympic and Sports Picasso-Giacometti Bush) and even more surprising fans (Pope Museum and presents a unique collection WHEN: February 22 to May 21 Benedict). of artefacts from the boxing legend’s career, WHERE: Fire Station Artist In Residence You do not have to love The Simpsons, including photography from Ali’s outdoor This exhibition brings together more than or even have seen the show, to enjoy this exhibition bout at the Doha Stadium in 120 works by Picasso and Giacometti, drawn presentation. 1971 and memorabilia spanning his journey from the collections of the Musée national Mike Reiss has won some of the to the 1960 Rome Olympics; Ali’s world Picasso-Paris and the Fondation Giacometti most prestigious awards in the world of title winning bout against Sonny Liston in Paris, as well as exceptional loans from entertainment, including four Emmys and in 1964 and his final world title winning French and other international collections, a Peabody Award, during his twenty-six fight against Leon Spinks in New Orleans covering paintings, sculptures, sketches, years writing for The Simpsons. He ran the in 1978. photographs and interviews with the artists. show in Season 4, which Entertainment The exhibition reflects two years of Weekly called “the greatest season of the research undertaken by the Fondation greatest show in history.” In 2006, Mike Giacometti and the Musée national received a Lifetime Achievement Award Picasso-Paris, which reveals for the first from the Animation Writers Caucus. time the previously unknown relationship Reiss has written jokes for such comedy between these two artists, who, despite Revival of Qatar’s musical heritage legends as Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers, an age gap of twenty years, shared many and Qatari Folk singing program Garry Shandling and Pope Francis! moments, both personal and professional. WHEN: Thursday, Friday until April 28 He is also an award-winning The exhibition is organised in six WHERE: Beach 15, Katara mystery writer, children’s book author and sections, evoking different aspects of TIME: 6pm to 10pm playwright. each artist’s production, including the Residents will have the opportunity to A limited number of tickets are on sale development of their work as young artists watch and enjoy authentic Qatari musical at the American Chamber of Commerce through to their modernist creations, arts and folk singing every weekend until in Qatar offices in West Bay. The price is showing the correspondences between April 28, 2017 at Katara. QR280 for adults and QR180 for children Qatar Music Academy their works, the influence of the surrealist The second edition of this cultural under 15, which includes dinner. (For school students) movement, and the return to realism during show dubbed as ‘The Revival of Qatar’s Until March 28, 2017 the post-war period. Musical Heritage and Qatari Folk Singing 11am–2pm The exhibition will be accompanied Programme’ is in line with Katara’s Free (Requires registration) by a series of lectures and an extensive continuous efforts to preserve the heritage Qatar Music Academy focuses on education programme, as well as a self- of Qatar’s ancestors. teaching its students the principles of Arab guided handbook for the visitors. Some sideline activities at the event and Western music. As part of the “Our A richly illustrated catalogue published include training sessions, competitions, Culture is a School” programme, Qatar as co-edition with Flammarion will exhibitions, documentary research, Music Academy has offered interested accompany the exhibition, featuring new publications, and lectures and seminars. schools the opportunity to attend various essays by art historians and the curators of workshops. These workshops will include the exhibition. Chamber Music at MIA: Telemann an introduction to Arab and Western music Concerto for Four Violins and instruments, as well as the teachers Dia al-Azzawi: A Retrospective (from WHEN: March 2 giving a brief overview of the educational 1963 until tomorrow) TIME: 6pm music programmes at the Academy. For WHERE: Mathaf: Arab Museum of WHERE: Museum of Islamic Art Qatar Superstock 600 Championship further details, visit katara.net Modern Art and QM Gallery Al Riwaq The monthly free chamber music concert Round 3 WHEN: Until April 16 by members of the Qatar Philharmonic WHERE: Losail International Circuit Fitness Training Qatar Museums presents a monograph of Orchestra in the atrium of Museum of TIME: 10am DATE: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday one of the most renowned modern artists Islamic Art will be on March 2, with the WHEN: March 23, 24 and 25 TIME: 6pm-7pm of the Arab world: Dia al-Azzawi. The West Bay skyline as a backdrop. No tickets Qatar SuperStock 600 is a new road VENUE: MIA Park exhibition, showcasing over 500 works or reservations required. All ages welcome. racing championship organised by Qatar There are fitness classes in the park on across fi fty years and a range of media, aims Seating will be on a first-come first-serve Motor Motorcycle Federation and Losail Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights at mapping an itinerary of modernism and basis. Circuit Sports Club. between 6 and 7pm. Open to all levels of profi les the practice of the Iraqi artist. The The championship will have 12 races over fitness, Bootcamp is an intensive and fun exhibition is curated by Catherine David, Secrets of the Simpsons 6 rounds at the Losail International Circuit. way to train and also meet new people in Deputy Director of Musée National d’Art WHEN: March 5 The riders are competing using one- the open and friendly group atmosphere. Moderne at the Centre Georges Pompidou, TIME: 7:30pm to 9:30pm make bikes that will be used for the rest More information, from Bootcamp, Qatar Paris. WHERE: Shangri-La Hotel of the season, a stocked 600cc bike. The or [email protected]

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 12, 2017 COMMUNITY COVER STORY “I like to control things because (then) I get to have the say” —Octaviavia SSpencerpencer, OOscarscar nomineenominee fforor HHiddenidden FFiguresigures

I’m grateful for Oscar, and for Golden Globes and Bafta, all of those awards have aff orded me the ability to say: ‘No, no, no, I don’t think I want to do that’

SUNDAY CONVERSATION

By Tom Shone

hen Octavia Spencer fi rst heard the plot of her new movie Hidden Figures, she couldn’t believe it was a true story. ‘I thought it was historical fi ction like The Help,” she laughs. “You know, yourW agents always send you a little teaser blurb: ‘You’ll be meeting with Donna Gigliotti about her upcoming project about three black female mathematicians who helped get our astronauts into space.’ And I thought: ‘OK, well, that’s historical fi ction, because I would know that story.’” Spencer guff aws. Curled up on a sofa in uptown Manhattan, on her second cup of coff ee of the morning, she’s far more striking in person than the unassuming roles she tends to be cast in might suggest, but just as outspoken. “Oh!,” she cries, her voice rising a decibel or two when I tell her this. “Did the world hear that?” She adjusts herself, settling back into her seat. Sunday, February 12, 2017 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

“Thank you. Oh, I just yelled that asked. “Everybody else wants me to out. Sorry.” read for them!” She was duly cast in It’s not hard to see why the a tiny role as Bullock’s nurse –and Academy loves her so much. became fi rm friends with another Spencer won an Oscar for her production assistant and future performance as Minny, the director of The Help, . outspoken maid in 2011’s The Help When Taylor moved to Los Angeles and has just received a second in 1996, she followed, and together nomination for playing supervisor with the likes of and Dorothy Vaughan in Hidden Figures. Melissa McCarthy formed a small AAdapted from Margot Lee Shetterly’s band of displaced southerners in nnonfi ction book of the same name, Hollywood. “We had a community,” it sstars Taraji P Henson, Spencer she says, “and whenever Tate had anandd Janelle Monáe as the trio of anything that he was working on, I mamathematiciansth Nasa called on would work in some capacity.” tot rrunun the maths for the Apollo The two were in New Orleans, mmimissions.ssio It has plenty of basis in working on the sound mix for his fafact,ct, bubut, as directed by Ted Melfi , 2003 short Chicken Party, when the fi lm is a rambunctious, crowd- Taylor’s childhood friend Kathryn plpleasingeasing hybrid: part The Help, part Stockett came down to visit for ThThee RiRightighg t Stuff , with many scenes the day. She was working on a in wwhichhicch HHenson has to make the novel about black maids in 1950s hahalf-milelf-mile dadash, notebooks fl ying, for Mississippi, but Spencer paid it no ththee “c“coloured”olooure bathrooms half a mile heed. “It was August in New Orleans. acacrossross tthehee LLangleyan campus. “At Nasa, Tate had us on a walking tour. We we aallll ppeeee tthehe ssame colour,” yells were walking around in oppressive KeKevinvin CoCostner’ssttnen r’s hardass director of heat. If it was 100 degrees it felt like NaNasa’ssa’s mmathsathhs ffacility:ac toilet humour it was 110 because of the humidity. wiwithth a ccivil-rightsivil-rright history lesson I changed diets every other week. I atattached.tached. was on some fad diet. I was grumpy “Y“You’veou’ve gogotot to rremembere they and hungry and they’d all eaten wewerere aallll tterrifierrifi ed of wwho was biscuits but I was probably not doing gegettingtting to spaspacecce fi rrst,”st,” says Spencer, carbohydrates. When you’re off whwhoseose chcharacteraractter rerenderednde herself the sugar, that fi rst day you are evil. inindispensabledispensable to Nasa bby mastering It was literally like: ‘When are we ththee nenewfangledwfangleed IBM mmainframea getting there?’ She thought it was cocomputer.mputer. “W“WhatWhat woulwouldd that mean, hilarious.” wowoulduld ththeyey hhaveave missiles ppointed at Six years later, she read Stockett’s AmAmerica?erica? AAmericamerica had to gget there, RECOGNITION: Octavia Spencer with the Oscar for the Best Supporting Actress in The Help. book, and found not just a character anandd ththeyey hhadaad to be compecompetitivetit on named Octavia, but another, a ththatat frofront.nt. It behooved ththemem to Spencer knows that an Academy in Montgomery, Alabama, is the as an intern on the set of The Long salty-tongued maid named Minny, didisregardsregard gender. It behoovebehoovedd them Award is not necessarily the magical sixth of seven children. She lost her Walk Home, starring Sissy Spacek whose complaints struck a familiar to ddisregardissrregard race. ThaThanknk GGodod they career panacea everyone supposes, dad when she was 13 and mother and Whoopi Goldberg. “My mom chord. “That’s what she took from didid…d… black aandnd wwhitehit women were particularly for black female actors when she was 18. “I don’t like to had just died,” she says. “It’s not me,” she says. “I just didn’t take any inintegraltegral ttoo ththe space race.” who have a habit of winning and then talk about it, it’s just not for public like we were interacting every day fl ak. I still don’t. I don’t take anything WWith pleasing symmetry, the fading from view, such as Mo’Nique consumption,” she says, but adds: and getting the instruction that you from anybody. I speak my mind. You fi lm has broken down a few barriers and, to a lesser extent, Jennifer “I was the one being taken care of. I would get from your parents, but always know where you stand with of its own. On release in the US in Hudson. “I’m grateful for Oscar, and was next to the youngest and when Whoopi was someone that I could me, but I don’t hold grudges.” December, it earned $60m in just 10 for Golden Globes and Bafta, all of you’re the youngest, you have little look to if I had things that really, After fi ve years on the road, days, knocking Rogue One: A Star those awards have aff orded me the say. Everybody else is older than really, really, really troubled me. I Spencer is trying to take stock and Wars Story off the No 1 spot, despite ability to say: ‘No, no, no, I don’t you. You’re the youngest and you’re guess I could call her and I felt that I settle. “I’m at a point in my career, playing in fewer than 2,000 cinemas think I want to do that’,” she says. always going to be told what to do. could. She took me under her wing I don’t like travelling to be on (and despite Spencer hiring a whole “Now, I have a little more ownership No, you can’t do that, because this while we were on the set and we location for a long period of time,” cinema herself so families could see of what I get to do.” At the same time, older sibling can babysit, and she can laughed every day. Whoopi is my she says. “Because the past fi ve it for free over Martin Luther King she struggled to fi nd good roles after cook, and she can do this, this, this, mentor.” years of my life, I’ve not lived in one weekend). It then parachuted into The Help. and this. You’re only the youngest Most of the directors she worked place. I mean, I’ve had residences awards season to win best ensemble “I loved Fruitvale Station, but then and nobody is going to leave you in for on set asked her to read for a part, in California and Alabama. But I’ve at the Screen Actors Guild awards, there was a lull in things that I wanted charge. Maybe it’s rebelling against but Spencer felt too scared. Finally, only been in LA 12 weeks this year. plus nominations for Golden Globes, to do, because from that point on I that idea. I think I like to control she worked as a production assistant That’s not good. I’m re-evaluating Baftas and three Oscar nods. If got off ered four maid roles, none of things because I get to have the say.” on A Time to Kill with Sandra Bullock what I want to do and where I want to her mixture of eye-rolling and them nearly as good as Minny. My Graduating from local Auburn and Matthew McConaughey. Joel do it.” Next up: a benevolent teacher where’s-mine kvetching in The Help thought is: “Look, if you’re going to University with a liberal arts degree, Schumacher was the fi rst director not in Gifted, plus the female deity in a established her as a kind of cross bring me something that I’ve already she started working on fi lm sets that to request her to read for something. controversial movie version of self- between Esther Rolle and Rodney done, it needs to be better than swung into town, including, aged 19, “What’s wrong with you?,” she published faith phenomenon The Dangerfi eld, it also positioned her this.” After appearing in Fruitvale Shack. Then there’s her recurring role perfectly for a fi lm era in which Station and Smashed, she eventually in Divergent series. She’s also begun civil rights dramas must compete migrated to television to appear in optioning books herself, including with billion-dollar franchises for Fox’s teen medical drama Red Band one about entrepreneur and box-offi ce dollars. In a year that is Society, playing a nurse, something philanthropist Madam C J Walker, shaping up as a historic rebuke to last she has done 16 times, according to the fi rst self-made African-American year’s #OscarsSoWhite controversy, IMDb. It’s either that or the more female millionaire. Spencer’s nomination brings the tally caring type of mom. “I love the small ones, I do. That’s of black nominated actors to six out “It’s one that it’s hard to break my thing, as an actor, when you fi nd of a possible 16. out of because it’s the only box that a small movie, and you know it’s not “I don’t see Oscar voters going: they want to put you in. And I’m going to get made unless some big ‘Oh, here’s a black performance. like: ‘I don’t have kids, I’m nobody’s names get attached to it,” she says. I’m going to vote here for this black mother! If you ask my friends, “But the wonderful thing about it is person. Oh, wait. Here’s Dev Patel. they’re like: ‘You are the last person the big tent-pole movies, if you look He’s Indian. I need to vote.’ That’s not who should be a mom.’ I’m always at it, like Captain America, they are how people think in there,” she says. gone. I’ve gotten very used to the getting more diverse in their casting. “But the wonderful thing is, there needs of one. I am a nurturer of the If you look at Star Wars, if you look are a lot of movies to choose from, people who I love so that comes, I at Thor. That’s important, because whereas last year there were only a guess, a little bit natural, but maybe in that universe, you need to see couple of black performances, and it also is I’m a control freak. When people of colour, all people of colour, there were no Latina performances. you nurture, you can also control and now we are. That’s the industry. There were no Asian performances. the situation. It’s like I need to take That’s the wonderful thing about the You know what I mean? That’s what I control of this situation because I Divergent series. You see all people, want to see. know best how to do it.” and that’s where we need to continue From her own experience, Spencer, who was born and raised RAVE REVIEWS: Spencer in a publicity still from Hidden Figures. to go.” — Guardian 6 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 12, 2017 COMMUNITY

Sri Lankan school organises Business BBQ 2017

The Staff ord Sri Lankan School Doha budget, taxation policies and an alliance (SSLSD) organised its Business BBQ between a clothing retailer in Qatar and 2017 with the theme “Make It Happen” at ODEL (Sri Lanka). Mercure Grand hotel recently. The most eye-catching bit was a The event was organised for senior presentation by some of the Advanced SSLSD students pursuing commerce. Level students, who came up with their Bhathiya Bulumulla, CEO of Aitken business plan for an anti-hairfall tea Spence Plantations Management, was under their own company name called the chief guest, while Dr Tejinder Singh, Mezton. One business manager even Founder of Q Tickets, was the guest went as far as to say that he will have of honour. Brain child of the SSLSD no second thoughts about putting such chairman, the event this year consisted a product on the shelves of his store. of several presentations that included The event also featured an Indian dance an analysis of the Sri Lankan national performance and a hip hop routine.

Indian Sports Centre formally launching Asian Town is all set for sport day celebrations on Qatar National Sport Day Indian Sports Centre (ISC) will be formally launching on Ibn Ajayan projects, the managers of Asian Town and Labour Qatar-UAE Exchange and Al Mirqab Exchange are co- Qatar National Sport Day with the organisation of various City Projects, have said that Asian Town is all set for Qatar sponsors of the event. Ibn Ajayan Projects will distribute sporting events for the entire Indian community Qatar. National Sport Day celebrations. special T-shirts and other gifts among all participants. They ISC President Nilangshu Dey said, “We Indians would like On February 14, the National Sport Day activities will begin will also distribute a limited number of T-shirts among the to integrate our mission with Qatar’s vision for promoting with a fun race at 8am in front of the Asian Town Cricket public. sports and games in the country at various levels. The Indian Stadium. Eight teams have registered for basketball, four teams for Sports Centre would function as the fourth apex body under Following the initial fun race there will be sports competitions ladies volleyball, four teams for gents volleyball and eight the Embassy of India, and would exclusively focus on all that include basketball, tug-of-war, cricket, and volleyball for teams have registered for the tug-of-war competition. aspects relating to promotion of various sports and games men and women. The activities are planned in the cricket The organisers are also holding a painting competition for among the Indian community across all levels. [It will also] stadium ground and the outside parking area in front of it. kids on the occasion. Seen here is a match from the 2016 support various initiatives of our host country, Qatar, in The winners will be awarded with trophies and gifts. edition of the activities. connection with the 2022 FIFA World Cup and other national and international sporting events. “This body will hone talented youngsters in games such as football, cricket, hockey, volley ball, basketball, and others. It will also organise inter-school and inter-organsiation tournaments. The body will also form teams to participate in the various tournaments that are organised by QFA and other sports federations in Qatar. “The focus of ISC will be on games such as football, cricket, hockey, volleyball, basketball, handball, athletics, golf, tennis, aquatics and water sports, indoor games, and badminton.” The centre will be formally launched through a one- kilometre-long walkathon from Sheraton Park on Corniche at 9pm. that will be led by Indian Ambassador P Kumaran and former Indian national hockey captain Zafar Iqbal. Other sport celebrities from India and Qatar will also attend. The organisation will also conduct athletic events for boys and girls in various categories in the Doha sports stadium. Traditional Indian games such as kabaddi and kho kho will also be organised. The centre is organising a table tennis tournament for both students and adults in male and female categories. A tug-of-war competition will be managed by Culture Forum Qatar. Lastly, an exhibition football match between India and Philippines will be played to commemorate the launching of the centre at Doha Stadium. For more information about participating in the activities, please get in touch with the organisers at 5580-2490. Sunday, February 12, 2017 GULF TIMES 7 COMMUNITY Cultural Forum Qatar’s ‘Expats SportEV 2017’ begins

Cultural Forum Qatar has kicked-off its sports activities under the title “Expats SportEV 2017,” to second place was bagged by Sajid Kareem of Youth Forum (37.48), followed by Ameer Suhail of mark Qatar National Sport Day. As many as 30 teams representing diff erent Indian community Calicut Sports Club (37.50) in third place. organisations in Qatar are participating in the competitions. Expats SportEV 2017 will feature a wide range of competitions on February 14 at Qatar Sports Club The starting event was a 50-metre freestyle swimming competition at Hamad Aquatic Complex and on February 17 at Al Wakrah Sports Club. The competitions include volleyball, badminton, tug- in Aspire Zone, which was attended by 25 swimmers. Khalid Abdulla Mohammed, Board Member, of-war, 100-metre race, and 4x100m relay. A number of games will also be organised for children Qatar Swimming Federation, and Nilangshu Dey, President of Indian Sports Centre, flagged off the and women. competition. Culture Forum President Taj Aluva presided over the ceremony. Seen here are Khalid Abdulla The contest was won by Ranjith of SAQ Qatar. He completed the race in 36.76 seconds, while the Mohammed and Nilangshu Dey flagging off the competition.

MES principal appointed CBSE students counsellor for board examination

Dr Mohammad Harun Khan, MES Indian School principal, has been appointed as the Counsellor for Qatar region by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), to provide pre- examination psychological counselling to the Class X and XII students and parents at the time of preparation as well as during the examination to overcome exam related stress. A postgraduate in Education, Sanskrit, English and Management, Dr Khan also holds a Degree Birla Public School bids in Law and a PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling, in addition to a Doctorate on a comparative study of William Shakespeare and farewell to Grade XII students Kalidasa. The counselling commences with immediate eff ect and will continue till April 29. Students Birla Public School bid farewell to its Sharon Sara Varghese, Aranya Nandi, and parents may contact Dr Mohammad at outgoing Grade XII students recently, its Anjana Elizabeth Abraham, Aranya, Syed 44572801/813 between 9:30am to 1:30pm and eighth batch of 215 students. Aditya Arun Mohammed, Mustafa, Kalyani, Aashiya, also between 5:30pm to 6:30pm in the evening. and Mudra Patel were crowned ‘Mr. Birla’ Swayam, Tanishka Kadam, Akshay Abrham, and ‘Ms. Birla,’ respectively. The honour Vaishnav Menon, Akshaya Karthikeyan, goes to students who, according to a panel Aditya Arun, Anashwar Dinesh Kumar, of judges consisting of teachers, were role Anagha Sonu, Sebastian Bose, Neha Prasad, Two IIS students selected for Asianet models in etiquette and conduct. Neha Anto, Reshma Tony Karthik Sunil Every student of the outgoing class was Chambath, Rebecca Sarah Bejoy, and Shreya called on to the stage and were given Mariam Daniel addressed the gathering. Think & Learn Challenge independent appellations by the juniors. Principal A K Shrivastava and his leadership Every class, represented by a student, paid team presented every valedictorian student Adnaan Mazsoor and Abdullah Khan of Ideal Indian School have been selected for the Asianet Think & glowing tributes to the teachers who had with an anorak on behalf of the school as a Learn Challenge, the GCC’s largest inter-school quiz competition for CBSE schools to be held in Dubai. taught them. memento. The team will be leaving for Dubai soon for the first phase of shoot for the TV show. 8 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 12, 2017 COMMUNITY MOTORING Middle East poised for debut of new INFINITI Q60 Red Sport 400

he INFINITI Q60 is INFINITI’s premium motoring a premium sports experience. For customers who coupe that combines are eager to get their hands on this expressive design coupe now, we already have the with exhilarating 3.0T Premium and 2.0T variant performanceT and dynamics. available across all markets in the Following the arrival of the 2.0T Middle East.” that is currently available at The Q60 Coupe’s entry level INFINITI Partner’s across the powertrain into the segment region, the Middle East now offers a four-cylinder 2.0-litre counts down to the arrival of the gasoline engine, turbocharged to all-new powerful Q60 Red Sport produce 208hp. 400. The top of the line model “The INFINITI Q60 Coupe will feature INFINITI’s high has been one of the most eagerly performance 3.0-litre V6 twin- anticipated models ever since the turbo engine delivering 400hp concept was first announced,” in the Q60 Red Sport 400. This said Juergen Schmitz, Managing variant will come equipped with Director, INFINITI Middle East. INFINITI’s full suite of driver “As we now draw closer to the assistance and safety technologies official launch of the Red Sport along with two exclusive new 400 in our region, I am confident colours encompassed in the that our customers will be given empowering new design that has yet another daring choice to enjoy received global acclaim. The INFINITI Q60 Red Sport 400. Chevrolet Corvette: high performance range to suit your inner race driver

ith Corvette Racing in its DNA, the all-new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport goes on the Wmarket complementing the range, bringing pure expression of the car’s motorsports-bred pedigree. Boasting additional features including a 6.2L LT1 V8 engine capable of 460 horsepower and 465 lb-ft. of torque for the inner race driver. Corvette is a legendary sports car that gave birth to the term American muscle, and continues to be one of the most technologically advanced sport cars. Like the 2015 Le Mans-winning Corvette C7.R GTE Pro racecar, the new Grand Sport combines a lightweight architecture, a track-honed aerodynamics package, Michelin tires and a naturally aspirated engine. The 2017 Corvette Grand The all-new 2017 Corvette Grand Sport. Sport off ers an estimated 1.05g in cornering capability – and up to Sport deliver a consistently high said Abdallah Madhoun, Regional Corvette Stingray Grand Sport, whatever a discerning performance 1.2g with the available Z07 package. level of performance. Sales and Marketing Manager for each available in coupe and driver looks for, the Corvette In all trims and models, Corvette “Corvette is one of those Chevrolet, GM Middle East. convertible. promises to have it covered. off ers its drivers with the lightest legendary cars that is extremely “A 2017 Corvette Grand Sport The Stingray provides its The Corvette Grand Sport is in lightweight chassis technology, popular here in the region as it Collectors Editions will also be driver with an everyday supercar available in coupe and convertible. magnetic ride control and lightning continues to be one of the most made available to our Middle East experience, the Z06 dials it up to The 2017 Corvette Grand Sport quick 8-speed transmission with advanced sports cars. The 2017 Corvette enthusiasts. Only 200 11, with its supercharged 650HP Collectors Editions comes in performance shift algorithm, Grand Sport takes track-bred have been built for global sale, with V8 and track focused chassis. Watkins Glen Gray body colour for the avid race driver (also technology to a new, exciting 30 being sold in the Middle East,” The arrival of the Grand Sport with Tension Blue fender hash available with a 7-speed manual street legal threshold. With its Madhoun added. complements the high performance marks. Inside, you’ll fi nd a transmission). The 2017 Grand arrival, the Corvette range off ers a The Corvette Range currently trio with the perfect combination Collector Edition-exclusive Sport’s dry-sump oil system spectrum of high performance at off ers the legendary sports car of atmospheric power and razor Tension Blue leather-and-suede- delivers oil fl ow through the most price points that suit even the most in 6 fl avours: Corvette Stingray, like handling dedicated for drivers wrapped interior with Blue accent extreme cornering, helping Grand demanding inner race car drivers,” Corvette Stingray Z06 and the that want to venture on the track; stitching. Sunday, February 12, 2017 GULF TIMES 9 TRAVEL COMMUNITY

The Cuban flag is emblazoned on the side of a 1950s-era car. Tourists flock to a changing Cuba

Thanks to the political thaw, 284,937 US By Stephanie Ott Americans visited Cuba last year, according to Cuban chief negotiator Josefi na Vidal. That is a record increase of 74 per cent compared with ictor Leonardo stares out through 2015. the window of the tour bus However, the decades-old trade embargo is winding its way through the palm- still in place, and US citizens are only allowed lined streets of the popular resort to visit Cuba under one of 12 travel categories, town of Varadero, Cuba. such as education or religion. V“Cuba has changed rapidly over the last “I do not think either party hoped for decade,” he says. dramatic changes overnight,” Torres says. “[T] Leonardo, 50, comes from the eastern there is still a long way to go for the ties and the province of Granma. He worked as a Spanish transformation of our country.” teacher for decades, but it became increasingly New US President Donald Trump has diffi cult for him to make ends meet on his threatened to end the policy of detente if Cuba monthly salary of 25 US dollars. does not make further political concessions, “We get food rations, a free healthcare system without specifying exactly what he means by and education from the state. But for me every this. His nominee for Secretary of State, Rex month was like a little fi ght for survival.” Tillerson, has also warned that Obama’s Cuba So he decided to move to the seaside town policy would be reviewed. of Varadero, where one hotel complex follows “Nobody knows what Trump will do, but I another, to become a tourist guide. He now A group of tourists dressed in Che Guevara T-shirts pose for a picture in the centre of Havana. believe it won’t come to an end in diplomatic earns several times his former salary. relations,” Torres says. “We hope that by Mr Two hours’ drive away, the vibrant capital “Cuba is not isolated from the rest of the rooms are to be built and the international Trump being a businessman who is surrounded Havana is crawling with tourists. They visit world and especially as a result of the digital airport in Havana is to be modernised. by many businesspeople in the cabinet, Hemingway’s favourite bars such as Floridita revolution, the inhabitants are aware of In 2008, Raul Castro took over as president pragmatism will dominate the agenda with and La Bodeguita, take trips in candy-coloured progress.” from his brother Fidel who had died the Cuba in the end.” classic cars or wander through the old town Tourism has become a lifeline for the socialist previous November, and since then he has As the sun sinks slowly, the bus drives past alleyways past the rundown Spanish colonial Caribbean island, with revenues now making loosened several economic restrictions. pictures of the revolutionary heroes Ernesto buildings. up 10 per cent of GDP. Although tourism is still largely controlled ‘Che’ Guevara and Fidel Castro, past farmers Tourism is booming. Last year, Cuba received “Tourism has been a key industry for Cuba by the state, the opening up has especially and ox carts slowly ploughing their way a record four million visitors – 13 per cent more since the early nineties,” says Ricardo Torres, benefi ted the private sector. through the fi elds, and past packed buses taking than in 2015. an economics professor at the University of Since the socialist government has tired workers back to their homes. Anyone hoping to experience Cuba in Havana. permitted the operation of privately run Many Cubans are eager for change. the days before mass tourism will be sadly “Tourism creates many jobs and local restaurants, known as ‘paladares,’ and private “There have been a lot of changes since Raul disappointed. workers benefi t from tips.” accommodation, or ‘casa particulars,’ the self- took over: We can travel, work independently, “There are many more tourists than I But the boom is becoming a stress test: employed are among the higher earners. the press enjoys more freedom; but change expected,” says Nicole Tamer from Germany. hotel rooms are expensive – up to 270 dollars It’s not just Europeans who are contributing hasn’t come as fast as we would have hoped,” “Lots of people want to come to Cuba before per night – and often fully booked months in to the tourist boom. After a long period of says Leonardo. it’s too late, but that could seem insulting to advance. frozen ties, the US renewed diplomatic relations But he does not believe that his country will the locals, as if the country is a relic of bygone But the country of 12 million inhabitants is with its former enemy under the presidency of become Americanised. “Cubans are far too days,” she says. getting prepared. By 2030, 108,000 new hotel Barack Obama in July 2015. patriotic and proud for that.” –DPA 10 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 12, 2017 COMMUNITY OFFBEAT India embraces ‘green’ energy with large investments in wind, solar

By Stefan Mauer

he numbers announced by the operator are impressive: 154 transformers, 6,000 kilometres of cable andT 2.5 million solar panels – all completed in just eight months. Adani Green Energy, part of India’s Adani Group, recently launched the world’s largest solar power plant in the southern Indian city of Kamuthi. With an installed capacity of 648 megawatts, the Kamuthi station tops the power produced by California’s 550-megawatt Topaz Solar Farm. The plant is an embodiment of India’s ambitious turnaround in energy policy since the beginning of the decade. Apart from the hydroelectric stations in its northern mountains, the country had long neglected renewable energy sources. Wind and especially solar energy played hardly any role until 2010. That has now clearly changed. Last year alone, India nearly doubled its solar energy capacity to just under 10 gigawatts (GW), and its wind energy capacity is now almost 29GW. Further wind and solar projects with a total capacity of close to 20GW have already been awarded, according to the country’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Indian power plants currently have a combined capacity of more Adani Green Energy, part of India's Adani Group, recently launched the world's largest solar power plant in the southern Indian city of Kamuthi. It has installed than 300GW. capacity of 648 megawatts. The growth of “green energy” in particular is to be sharply plans to buy even more solar power accelerated, the aim being to – from a plant in the Indian state of boost the combined capacity of all Madhya Pradesh. renewable sources of electricity to “More than 100MW isn’t 175GW by 2022. possible, though I’d like more,” “If demand for electricity he noted. “We need additional continues to rise rapidly, there transmission infrastructure for shouldn’t be any problem in these amounts of electricity. reaching this goal,” said the MNRE’s What’s more, there’s nowhere for Jeevan Jethani. “And if you take us to store the solar power.” power plants’ construction costs Insuffi cient high-tension lines into account, then eco-electricity and storage capacity, along with in India is now cheaper than funding shortfalls and a lack of conventional electricity.” qualifi ed personnel, are problems About 2,500 kilometres north that could put a damper on India’s of the Kamuthi plant is the offi ce green energy progress. of AK Gupta, electrical director of It’s still able to off set supply Delhi’s underground railway. fl uctuations with high power “We plan to install solar cells generation by coal-fi red plants. with a capacity of 50MW on the But as the share of wind and solar roofs of our stations and offi ce energy increases, the country will buildings,” he said. “We’ve already have to stabilise supply via costly accomplished two-fi fths of that.” storage systems. Gupta got the idea for rooftop Since India relies on foreign power production from the German capital to fund its power plants, development agency GIZ, the bulk its expansion plans for renewable of whose turnover comes from energies would be jeopardised if German government contracts. interest rates rise substantially qualifi cations,” remarked Kanika training programmes are available.” At least another billion has been The Germans and Indians or international investors lose Chawla of the Council On Energy As for the dearth of transmission earmarked for the Indo-German jointly developed a funding model confi dence in the country. Environment and Water, a New infrastructure, Germany’s state- solar energy partnership, for that saves the Delhi Metro Rail “About two-thirds of the Delhi-based research institution. owned KfW development bank has example to help fund the expansion Corporation money and is also jobs dealing with renewable “To ensure continued growth, we’ve granted more than a billion euros in of rooftop solar power production. environmentally friendly. Gupta energies require medium to high got to see to it today that enough loans for “green energy corridors.” – DPA Sunday, February 12, 2017 GULF TIMES 11 INFOGRAPHIC COMMUNITY 12 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 12, 2017 COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

Fabrics

BARATHEA DOUPION SATIN BROCADE FOULARD SEERSUCKER CHIFFON FRISE SHANTUNG COTTON LAME SILK CREPE MOIRE TAFFETA DAMASK ORGANZA TULLE DIMITY RAYON VELVET

Codeword Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once. Squares with the same number in have the same letter in. Work out which number represents which letter.

Garfield Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com courtesy: Puzzles

Sudoku

Bound And Gagged

Sudoku is a puzzle based on a 9x9 grid. The grid is also divided into nine (3x3) boxes. You are given a selection of values and to complete the puzzle, you must fill the grid so that every column, every anone is repeated. Sunday, February 12, 2017 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Quick Clues Colouring

ACROSS DOWN 1. Showiness (11) 2. Genial (5) 9. Perplex (7) 3. Extend (7) 10. Extravagant (5) 4. Struggle (6) 11. Stratum (5) 5. Prickle (5) 12. Lassitude (7) 6. Gatecrash (7) 13. Figure (6) 7. Leaning (11) 15. Magnificent (6) 8. Vengeful (11) 18. Prevail (7) 14. Dampen (7) 20. Trickster (5) 16. Dirty (7) 22. External (5) 17. Follow and watch (6) 23. Kitchen sideboard (7) 19. Imbecile (5) 24. In ignorance (11) 21. Artist’s stand (5)

Cryptic Clues

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

ACROSS DOWN 1. Happening to be photographing the 2. What increases your bank balance once site! (6,5) more (5) 9 & 16 Dn. What faces the houses of the 3. Deeply emotional in past, present or French capital? (7,2,5) future (7) 10. A note needs transposing by the right 4. Stone coming from the north in great vocalist (5) variety (6) 11. He’s a cleric as a rule (5) 5. More recent piece of rare talent brought Yesterday’s Solutions 12. This is assumed to make a sound up (5) receiver look more attractive (3-4) 6. To do this, one may need to give a man QUICK CRYPTIC 13. What the cat did, having run round the time (7) Across: 1 Prodigal; 5 Shoe; 9 Opus; 10 Accurate; Across: 1 Boat-race; 5 Amid; 9 Stag; 10 Ink-wells; track? (6) 7. So clue parts will reveal those who take 11 Liken; 12 Maestro; 11 Vista; 12 Coterie; 15. Having been topped, it’s tapped and financial risks (11) 13 Magniloquence; 18 Linesman; 19 Earn; 20 13 Change of heart; 18 Distrust; 19 Roll; 20 then tipped! (6) 8. Emulating the pilgrim? (11) 18. Take pains to show calamity (7) 14. The result of taking a one-sided picture Termini; 21 Steal; 22 Able; Concede; 21 Thief; 22 Lees; 20. They’re instrumental as water-carriers (7) 23 Incident. 23 Assented. (5) 16. See 9 Across Down: 2 Replica; 3 Discern; 4 Accommodation; 6 Down: 2 Ostrich; 3 Tighten; 4 Consciousness; 6 22. Tolled about one showing remorse (5) 17. Firm amalgamation (6) Hearten; 7 Eyesore; 8 Bureau; Malaria; 7 Dessert; 8 Switch; 23. Adoring to break a kind of knot (7) 19. Fanatic has to make progress in the 13 Militia; 14 General; 15 Instil; 16 Ejected; 17 13 Codicil; 14 Absence; 15 Garden; 16 Earthen; 17 24. Daring to take a risk with certain part (5) people (11) 21. Being precise about a Trojan king (5) Certain. Relieve. 14 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 12, 2017 COMMUNITY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 6 steps to secure your home while you're on vacation

efore going away on Adjust the thermostat trash and arrange for a neighbour vacation, homeowners You don’t need to spend money to put the trash at the curb on do a lot of things to heat or cool your home to a your scheduled pickup day. to prepare for the comfortable level when you’re Unplug all small appliances like security and safety of not there to enjoy it. Turn down the coffee maker, toaster ovens, theirB home while away, including the thermostat, but don’t turn food processors, etc. stopping the mail, powering your HVAC system completely down electronics and turning off off. Extreme temperatures can Power down electronic water and gas. Additionally, it is harm your home and its contents. devices important to keep in mind that a A programmable thermostat Items like computers, TVs and home’s temperature needs to be can take care of temperature phone chargers all draw power monitored, which can easily be adjustments for you while you’re while plugged in, even if they’re done by using a programmable away. not switched on. Turn off and thermostat unplug electronic devices to While you’re savouring the fun Put lights on timers or reduce power usage in the of your vacation planning, here sensors house and protect electronics are seven steps you also should A well-lit home looks lived in from power surges while you’re take to prepare your home to and is less appealing to burglars. away. remain secure while you’re away: Put outside lights on sensors so they’ll turn on when the sun goes Secure the garage Turn off water and gas down. Use timers to turn interior This is especially important if If a water or gas leak occurs lights on and off at appropriate your home has an attached garage while you’re not there to address times. with direct access into your home. it, the emergency could cause Most garage doors have a simple signifi cant damage to your home. Prep your kitchen bolt lock that can be engaged from You can reduce risks by turning off Go through the refrigerator and inside to prevent the door from water fl ow to appliances like the pantry and throw away any food being raised. Remember to also clothes washer. To conserve energy that could go bad while you’re lock the door from the garage into and money, you can also turn off away. No one wants to come home your house. the gas fl ow to your water heater. to smelly, spoiled food. Empty the ©Brandpoint

ARIES TAURUS GEMINI March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – at least that’s what they This is one of those times when the planets are largely lined up in You can’t always be right about things twins. It’s great when you say, isn’t it? You’ve got such wonderful planetary aspects today. fire and air signs and being an earth sign, you might find the cosmic are but when you are wrong, it’s a wonderful learning curve and Don’t be worried about pushing for something or someone you going rather rough. Don’t force yourself or anyone else bulls. possibility for you too. really want.

CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Stop and rethink something you’re about to do today. While it may Where are you focusing your thoughts and ideas right now Leos? There is nothing worse than feeling as if you can’t get something to sound like a great idea, if you think about it further, it might not. What do you feel you would be best directing all of your lioness work out the way you want it to work out. You like things to be black energy towards? and white and any and all grey areas are annoying.

LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Mercury the planet of communication and clear thinking is now Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose Scorpios. There’s really no As much as you may try to work things out in your mind, it’s never firmly settled in Aquarius, your fellow air sign and fifth house rhyme or reason to winning or losing, is there? All you can do is go really going to fall into place until you actually go ahead and do of romance, fun and self–fulfilment. Working on your love life is on your incredibly keen instincts and get lucky! whatever it is you’re thinking about doing Sags. definitely something you should be doing today.

CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

If you think someone is lying to you or not telling you the whole Sometimes it’s good to sit back and let the cosmic chips fall where Stop and check in with someone today before making a big decision truth and nothing but the truth...why do you think that is? Are they they may Aquarius. You can’t run everything smoothly and make Pisces. You may just be on the completely wrong track and need to trying to spare your feelings or are they deliberately being dishonest sure everyone is on their A game. You have your own things to be redirected. with you and why? handle. Sunday, February 12, 2017 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY At Grammys, expect the political decibel to rise

By Lorraine Ali

wards season has brought with it impassioned speeches from television and fi lm luminaries about Aeverything from the travel ban to transgender rights. Now it’s music’s turn. When the Grammys are telecast live tonight from Staples Center, expect to see an entire other entertainment industry air its grievances and express its hopes — for peace, justice and tolerance in a time of heightened political awareness. Today, for instance, Super Bowl commercials are parsed for hidden meanings and critiques of the Trump administration. the Emmys, Golden Globes or “Sometimes people just need “Popular music is most powerful has moved in more celebratory and The music community, in SAGs — black-ish, The People v. a break, to catch their breath, but in aff ecting change when it does escapist direction, the infl uence particular, has been long outspoken O.J. Simpson, Veep, Hidden Figures, it certainly appears that there is not address politics head-on, as of rock has ebbed, and often lyric- in favour of progressive causes, Moonlight. again a resurgence of music being in topical songwriting,” says Alice free EDM has become the pop whether in the antiwar statements One could make the case that made now that’s a combination of Echols, professor of history at the music of choice for many young of Bob Dylan or the female popular music has ceded its place a reaction to politics and forward USC and author of several books music fans. empowerment of Madonna’s as the rebellious, outspoken, thinking; to inspire people toward about the music of the ‘60s and So what will it look like when declaration to Express Yourself. countercultural sibling of the three agendas that have just been sitting ‘70s. Legend, Gaga, Beyonce and more Yet Grammy television-viewing big entertainment industries. there awhile,” Portnow said. “Most songs of the 1960s, for share the stage performing and audiences tonight may be hard “The last decade has been Grammy telecasts have seen the most part, they weren’t overtly accepting awards at Grammys pressed to fi nd that same sort of somewhat passive in terms of their fair share of politicking, be political,” says Echols. “Dancing tonight? Expect a colourful urgency in the nominated songs. popular music, less searching, less it the very intentional duet of in the Streets by Martha and the snapshot of how popular music is The top nominees are largely challenging, provocative,” says Neil Eminem and Elton John in 2001 Vandellas. Aretha Franklin’s moving toward balancing apathy apolitical, be it the nostalgia of Portnow, president/CEO of the after the rapper was criticised for Respect. These are songs that are with passion and ideally regaining Lukas Graham’s 7 Years and Adele’s Recording Academy and Grammy homophobic lyrics, Springsteen big enough to do a lot of cultural its foothold as a culturally poignant Hello or the pop frivolity of the Foundation. shouting Bring ‘Em Home in 2006 work, and … they’re inseparable art-form. Justin Bieber oeuvre. Yet recent work by Beyonce, at the height of the Iraq war, or from the civil rights movement that “We are clearly living in unique Beyonce is one of the few top John Legend, Frank Ocean, Chance Kendrick Lamar walking out as was going on. Janis Joplin didn’t times, times of many perspectives, nominees whose 2016 work felt the Rapper and Kendrick Lamar part of a chain gang during his The sing directly about (equal rights), and our community is not shy attuned to the mood of a divided — some of which is eligible for Blacker the Berry performance last but she became a symbol of that about voicing their thoughts and and often angry nation. It’s in the nomination this year, some not year. because of her voice, her longing, opinions,” says Portnow. same spirit of many of the fi lms and — does signal that a number of The topical music up for awards the sense of something missing.” “Music people typically are very television shows that have marked popular music’s most cherished this year — Beyonce’s Lemonade Popular music, particularly passionate about the environment this awards season. artists were leaning in rather than and Chance the Rapper’s Coloring rock and later rap, has historically in which we live, the political times. Compare the wish-I-were- out. Book — are more abstract in the way been a barometer for rising social What do they say when they accept younger sentiment of Twenty This year’s Grammys will likely they react to adversity. Chance the unrest, shifting political ideologies their award? That’s up to them. One Pilot’s Stressed Out or Mike capture that shift, one that no Rapper’s gospel-infused hip-hop, or the struggles of youth culture to I just hope it won’t be full of too Posner’s thoughts on pop stardom doubt will only become more for instance, fi nds hope in the separate itself from the mistakes of many (profanities) that we’ll have in I Took a Pill in Ibiza with the pronounced with a highly divisive, communal strength of Chicago’s a previous generation. to bleep out.” — Los Angeles Times/ productions winning awards at conservative administration. inner city. But over the past decade, music TNS

George, Amal expecting twins Actor Matt Damon, who is close Madhuri teaches Alia, friends with the couple, has also revealed Varun Tamma moves Popular Hollywood couple George and that he is “thrilled” that George and Amal Amal Clooney are expecting twins, says will soon be parents to twins. Actress Madhuri Dixit Nene taught dance The Talk host Julie Chen. “I was working with him last fall and steps of the popular song Tamma tamma to According to Chen, Amal is pregnant he pulled me aside on set and I mean, actors Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan. with a boy and a girl, reports tmz.com. I almost started crying. I was so happy Varun and Alia are gearing up for the release of for him. And I was like, ‘how far along is the recreated version of the song Tamma tamma she?’ And he goes, ‘eight weeks’,” Damon from the 1989 Madhuri-starrer Thanedaar. The told ET Canada. new version will feature in their forthcoming “(I said), ‘Are you out of your mind? fi lm Badrinath Ki Dulhania. Don’t tell anybody else! Don’t tell Alia took to Twitter, where she shared a video anybody else! Don’t you know the 12- of herself dancing with Varun to the song. A week rule?’ Like of course he doesn’t,” few seconds later, Madhuri joins them and then Damon added. teaches the dance steps to the duo, who have Damon went on to add: “I’m thrilled also acted in fi lms Student Of The Year and for him. She’s amazing. He hit the Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. jackpot. Just on every level. She is a “How to do this Tamma step? Thank you remarkable woman. They’re gonna be Madhuri Dixit Nene for saving the day...Varun EXPECTING: Amal Clooney, left, with great. They’re gonna be awesome parents. Dhawan. Tamma tamma again,” Alia captioned DANCING QUEEN: Madhuri flanked by Alia, left, and George. Those kids are lucky.” — IANS the video. — IANS Varun. 16 GULF TIMES Sunday, February 12, 2017 COMMUNITY Seminar on ‘Attracting Wealth and Abundance’ tomorrow Evridiki Iliaki, Qatar-based Certified Business and Life Coach and Head of HWW, will be conducting the seminar. By Anand Holla

n another move at empowering the professional women to establish a tailor- womenfolk of Qatar, How Women Work made, fulfi lling lifestyle that will help them (HWW) is gearing up for the seminar have a successful professional and personal ‘Attracting Wealth and Abundance’ life. tomorrow. IKnown for its predominantly community Of all the success stories you have work here in Qatar since 2009, HWW has encountered, what is your favourite one? been bringing people together as its members I would say my favourite success story is belong to various communities and actively the HWW story itself. When we started out participate in a range of events. in 2009, we used to be a small community Evridiki Iliaki, the Qatar-based Certifi ed organisation only for expats back then. After Business and Life Coach and Head of HWW, so many years, we experienced the changes of will be conducting the Attracting Wealth and this country and we earned the respect of the Abundance seminar, which aims to identify local people just as we respect them as well. and overcome self-limiting beliefs and also We gained a lot of friends for lifetime who promises to set you free to help you dream are locals and also people from all around the big, tomorrow at 6pm at the City Centre world. But the main success would be that I Rotana Hotel. Community caught up with came in as the new head of the organisation Iliaki for a chat. in 2015. We changed the nature of HWW. We had almost to restructure and start all over What are the key lessons or insights again, but we fi nally managed to succeed. one can gain from your Attracting The community of Doha, welcomed me and Wealth and Abundance seminar accepted me and a stronger HWW family was tomorrow? created. We are still trying to support and The seminar is based on studies and sustain the female workforce and leadership research that have been done on the topic. in this country by introducing a programme I will help the attendees understand that, that reminds them that professional ladies subconsciously, most of the times, they should be balanced and well in order to be sabotage themselves due to which they more successful. This awareness/campaign cannot attract wealth. I will provide a this year started in September. It went on structure to explain how and why people successfully and will continue with our event sabotage themselves and clear steps as to on the International Women’s Day on March what to do to change things around and Evridiki Iliaki 8, our How Women Find Work Conference, become rich, attract money and abundance and an amazing retreat trip in the end. In in their lives. Also, I will introduce a method therefore, is a means to provide community I am looking to make a diff erence, while two years, the HWW community will be that they could use with my help or on their work and positively infl uence as many people having a positive infl uence on people’s celebrating after putting in many years of own to take fi nancial control and acquire a as I can. lives. For this reason, I am now introducing, hard work — 10 years here in Qatar — and will successful fi nancial future. We will off er an for the fi rst time in GCC, the Hippocrates continue to be the most active community example of this method – a powerful, positive As a life coach, what is the personal Success and Wellness programme. HWW’s organisation in the country. We are thankful visualisation exercise. goal that you have set? mission in Qatar is through trainings, to the whole of our local and expat family I am passionate about developing personal coaching and motivational talks to here and are blessed to be of service to the Why is it important to develop an opportunities for success and leadership. help all professional people and especially community. attitude or certain habits to attract wealth and abundance? Many years of research show that unsuccessful people send too many contradicting signals in their brain, it is only when there is a clear signal, target and positive attitude and with the help of positive habitual methods that is easier to achieve any goals we want.

Personally, why is it important for you to connect with and support the community? It is very important for HWW to connect and support the community. We have been doing this for many years through workshops, conferences, initiatives, etc. Especially, it is important for us to be part of the local community. We are here. We are welcomed in this country and are given the opportunity to prosper, so the least that we could do is give back to the community and be part of this ongoing development and fl ourishing of Qatar. I personally come from a non-profi t environment and my family has always been involved with charity work since I was young. Coaching and HWW community work, Iliaki at a previous workshop.