Monday, August 31, 2020 Muharram 12, 1442 AH

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COVER The new wave STORY Hollywood tests new ways of releasing films in the shadows of a pandemic. P4-5

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Spotify ramps up podcast The future is fungal: Why deals with infl uencers. mycology is on the rise. Page 15 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Monday, August 31, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

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PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.55am Shorooq (sunrise) 5.16am Zuhr (noon) 11.36am Asr (afternoon) 3.05pm Maghreb (sunset) 5.55pm Isha (night) 7.25pm

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Emergency 999 Worldwide Emergency Number 112 Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 The Umbrella Academy everything went according to plan. In their teenage years, Qatar Airways 44496000 DIRECTION: Steve Blackman, Jeremy Slater the family fractured and the team disbanded. Now, the six Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 CAST: Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda surviving thirty-something members reunite upon the Qatar General Electricity and SYNOPSIS: On the same day in October 1989, forty- news of Hargreeves’ passing. Luther, Diego, Allison, Klaus, Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 three infants are inexplicably born to random, unconnected Vanya and Number Five work together to solve a mystery Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day surrounding their father’s death. But the estranged family 44593363 before. Seven are adopted by Sir Reginald Hargreeves, a once again begins to come apart due to their divergent Qatar Assistive Technology billionaire industrialist, who creates The Umbrella Academy personalities and abilities, not to mention the imminent Centre 44594050 and prepares his “children” to save the world. But not threat of a global apocalypse. Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

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ote Unquo Qu te “Good questions outrank easy answers.” — Paul Samuelson

Community Editor Resurrection: Ertugrul who wants to bring peace and justice to his people. He is DIRECTION: Mehmet Bozdag in a war with the Crusaders on one side, the Byzantines Kamran Rehmat CAST: Engin Altan Düzyatan, Hülya Darcan, Cengiz on another side and the brutally expanding Mongols who e-mail: [email protected] Coskun killed a lot of Turks on another side. In between this he is Telephone: 44466405 SYNOPSIS: This series is about the Turkish warrior in a psychological war between his love and his so called Fax: 44350474 Ertugrul from the 13th century, one of the most famous destiny. When a good deed unwittingly endangers his clan, warriors of his time and also the father of Osman (the he agrees to fight a sultan’s enemies in exchange for a new founder of the Ottoman Empire). He is an ambitious man tribal land. Monday, August 31, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY Diabetes and Covid-19 risk It is not yet understood why, Covid-19 seems to aff ect patients with Type 1 diabetes diff erently than those with Type 2 diabetes

reverse the condition. For many patients, losing weight, eating well and exercising can help manage the disease. If lifestyle changes are not enough, some people, like your sister, may be prescribed any number of oral medications or even insulin to help them manage their disease. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar is higher than normal, but it’s not high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes. If left uncontrolled, prediabetic patients are at high risk to develop Type 2 diabetes. The good news is that often lifestyle changes alone, such as diet and exercise, can lower your blood sugar level and decrease your risk of developing diabetes. In general, no matter what type of diabetes a person has, monitoring and managing blood sugar are the most important things to minimise risk for complications. It can be harder to control blood glucose levels during an illness or infection.

Covid-19 is no exception: It is important to remember that diabetic patients are not at higher risk of Covid-19 infection. Rather, people with diabetes are experiencing more severe MINIMISING RISK: Monitoring and managing blood sugar are the most important things to minimise risk for complications. It can be harder to control blood symptoms, particularly those glucose levels during an illness or infection. people whose glucose control is not optimal. Among patients who are hospitalised due to Covid-19, a uestion: Diabetes higher proportion has diabetes. runs in my family. Although it is not yet understood My mother was why, Covid-19 seems to aff ect diagnosed in her patients with Type 1 diabetes 20s and requires diff erently than those with Type 2 Qdaily insulin. Last diabetes. Although more research month, my 45-year-old sister is needed, it is believed that was diagnosed and is now on Type 2 diabetics are having more medication. My doctor told me I complications due to coexisting was a pre-diabetic. I am curious conditions they often have, how I might be able to reduce my including obesity, heart disease and risk for diabetes, especially since kidney disease. I’ve heard that diabetics are at As the Covid-19 pandemic greater risk of Covid-19. Are there continues, you should encourage extra steps my sister and I should your family to be vigilant about take to stay safe? managing their diabetes and Answer: Diabetes is a chronic maintaining good blood glucose health condition that occurs when control. Also, encourage your the level of sugar in the blood is mother and sister not to postpone too high. That happens because visits with their endocrinologist or of a problem with the hormone healthcare provider due to Covid-19. insulin, which is made in the It is important to have regular pancreas. When you eat, the MANAGING THE CONDITION: Although there’s no cure for Type 2 diabetes, studies show it is possible for some people check-ins so issues can be addressed pancreas releases insulin into the to reverse the condition. For many patients, losing weight, eating well and exercising can help manage the disease. promptly. For yourself, commit to bloodstream. This allows sugar move more, improve your diet and to enter your cells, lowering the may occur during pregnancy. sugar levels with insulin as well what causes type 2 diabetes is monitor your blood sugar. Your amount of sugar in your blood. Patients with type 1 diabetes are as diet and lifestyle to prevent unknown, although genetics and family also should continue to There are several forms of completely insulin deficient and complications. environmental factors, such as practice good infection control, diabetes, including Type 1, which require daily insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes develops being overweight and inactivity, including proper hand hygiene, is an autoimmune disorder, and Given her age of onset and insulin when the pancreas does not seem to be contributing factors. wearing a mask when out in public Type 2, which results from both requirement, your mother likely make enough insulin, and the Your sister most likely has Type 2 and social distancing. Lastly, stay loss of insulin production and has Type 1 diabetes. Despite body can’t use insulin as well diabetes. up-to-date on any recommended development of insulin resistance ongoing research, Type 1 diabetes as it should. That means sugar Although there’s no cure for vaccines to minimise your risk in body tissues. Gestational currently has no cure. Treatment cannot move into the cells, and Type 2 diabetes, studies show for illness. — Mayo Clinic News diabetes is another form that focuses on managing blood it builds up in the blood. Exactly it is possible for some people to Network/TNS 4 GULF TIMES Monday, August 31, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Cloud of uncertainty Some analysts expect the business to eventually return to its normal playbook once there’s a widely available vaccine and patrons’ comfort levels increase. It remains to be seen if any of the new methods will bring permanent changes, writes Ryan Faughnder

I do think that the pandemic has unleashed all options. It’s become a testing zone of every possible way of getting a film out there, and it’s going to take while before it gets set into some sort of pattern ‘ — Bob Berney, indie film eteranv

ince the advent of the blockbuster, Hollywood followed a rigid rule book for how to release movies to the public — put the fi lm in as many theatres as possible, and give theatres full exclusivity before people can see it at home. But Samid the Covid-19 pandemic, the old practices have given way to a free-for-all of experimentation. No-one knows that better than Bob Berney, the indie fi lm veteran who runs Los Angeles-based production and distribution fi rm Picturehouse. He’d planned to give a faith-based drama a theatrical release buoyed by support from churches, but with the pandemic still raging, the company switched gears. Instead, Picturehouse put the movie out as a $20 video-on-demand release’ last Friday, the same day it was to be on about 215 cinema screens. “The fi lm has an older audience,” Berney said. “If they can’t go to church, it’s diffi cult for church leaders to recommend they go to a movie.” In the coming weeks, studios will release multiple delayed fi lms, even though eight of the top 20 theatrical markets in the US — including Los Angeles and New York — remain closed for indoor theatres. Walt Disney Co. stuck with a relatively traditional plan for 20th Century’s The New Mutants and Searchlight’s Monday, August 31, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

The Personal History of David to Disney+ subscribers, who enough to be able to experiment,” Copperfi eld this weekend. However, already pay $7 a month. Mulan will said Michael Pachter, an analyst the studio pulled Mulan from the be available to buyers for as long with Wedbush Securities. “They’re theatrical release schedule and as they are Disney+ subscribers, not wedded to any of these opted to put it on Disney+ as a $30 whereas other premium videos- solutions.” purchase. on demand (PVOD) are limited to Warner Bros.’ Christopher Nolan viewing during a 48-hour rental AMC and Universal push a movie Tenet is hitting international period. new model cinemas before it arrives in the Analysts are eagerly waiting to The move that triggered the US on September 3. Meanwhile, see how many families take Disney most consternation was the deal Universal is overhauling the up on the off er. That will allow between Universal Pictures and traditional business with a deal Disney to recoup some of the costs AMC Theatres, the world’s largest with AMC Theatres that allows it to on its $200 million movie while cinema operator, to dramatically shrink the theatrical window to just driving subscribers to Disney+, shorten the theatrical window. 17 days. which is a top priority. The service The companies in late July Each experiment refl ects the now has 60 million subscribers. announced an agreement that diverging priorities of the various Chief Executive Bob Chapek, would allow the studio to put its studios and fi lmmakers. Some on an August earnings call with movies on digital outlets after their analysts expect the business to analysts, described the Mulan plan fi rst three weekends in theatres, a eventually return to its normal as a one-off . far cry from the typical 74-day gap playbook once there’s a widely “(W)e fi nd it very interesting between a movie’s cinematic debut available vaccine and patrons’ to be able to take a new off ering … and its availability for electronic comfort levels increase. It remains to consumers at that $29.99 price purchase. to be seen if any of the new and learn from it and see what Universal has to sell the PVOD methods will be bring permanent happens,” Chapek said. titles for at least $19.99, and they changes. Mulan’s move to streaming is a will only be available as two-day “I do think that the pandemic has blow to theatres that were hoping rentals. Also, no-one expects giant unleashed all options,” Berney said. for a one-two punch from Tenet and franchises pictures such as F9 “It’s become a testing zone of every the long-awaited Disney remake. and Jurassic World: Dominion to possible way of getting a fi lm out However, Cineworld’s Greidinger truncate their multiplex runs. there, and it’s going to take while said there’s little chance of big- However, a movie like Universal’s before it gets set into some sort of brand movies such as Black Widow next scheduled release, a Jordan pattern.” or Warner Bros.’s Wonder Woman Peele-produced reboot of horror 1984 bypassing cinemas. fl ick Candyman, could be an ideal Tenet to the rescue? “Under the circumstances, we candidate for what AMC CEO The $200-million Tenet has need to remember that Disney Adam Aron called an “industry- begun its long-awaited rollout — NEW PHASE: “We’re entering a phase where the already-complicated is one of the studios that is a big changing” agreement. just not in the US. The fi lm debuted window of film releases is going to get even more complicated for the ally of the theatrical experience,” Theatres have long resisted last Wednesday in countries consumer to understand. I think you’re going to see a pretty confusing cross- Greidinger said. premium video on-demand, including Belgium, Denmark, section of release patterns, exhibitor deals and outside-the-box thinking,” says Mulan will only be released in fearing that it would undercut their Egypt, France and Britain, and will Paul Davidson, a marketing and distribution executive. theatres in countries where there business model. Some rivals saw play in about 50 countries before are no current plans to launch AMC’s move as a desperate act by a its US launch during Labour Day million in its fi rst weekend, as a theatrical marketplace while also Disney+, Chapek said. That heavily leveraged chain. Both AMC weekend. positive sign of pent-up demand. benefi ting from being one of the means the movie will be released and Universal have argued the deal It’s unusual, though not “This idea that all of a sudden few big new releases this summer,” theatrically in China, which is the is forward-thinking and will keep unheard of, for movies to go no-one will go to movies, and said marketing and distribution world’s second-largest box offi ce the business healthy. international before their theatres are dead, is laughably executive Paul Davidson. market. “We are incentivised to make domestic release. Still, to go forth silly,” said Mark Gill, CEO of Disney has already shown its theatrical box offi ce as big as when six states remain shuttered Solstice Studios, which released Mulan breaks the window willingness to experiment by possible,” said Jim Orr, president of is risky, reflecting Nolan’s Unhinged. “The two dirtiest words Multiple studios made their showing its fi lmed version of domestic distribution for Universal. unflinching support of theatres. in the dictionary right now are ‘my movies available for premium Hamilton on Disney+ more than “We are very much leaning into the Tenet, a time-bending thriller couch.’” video on-demand while theatres a year before it was expected to success of the theatrical model.” has symbolic importance. Tom Tenet’s opening weekend were dormant, including Universal premiere in theatres. Under the deal, AMC will Cruise showed his enthusiasm with won’t be nearly as big as that of Pictures with Trolls World Tour Disney+ releases could be receive a share of the revenue a video on social media, in which a blockbuster release in normal and Warner Bros. with Scoob. Still, lucrative for the company, allowing from digital sales. “We think we he attended a public screening of times, so the studio and theatres the release of Disney’s live-action it to keep all revenue from selling made an attractive deal for AMC Tenet in London while wearing a are hoping the movie plays for version of Mulan is unique. Mulan online. Studios selling shareholders, and we know it’s an face mask. signifi cantly longer than usual. The $30 price point is higher through other platforms such as attractive deal for Universal,” Aron How the fi lm performs will send “While there are risks … a than the typical premium video- iTunes and Amazon give up 20% of told analysts recently. box offi ce observers into overdrive release of this type continues to on-demand off ering, which is about sales to the online retailers. Aron said he expects the model to parse the fi gures. Warner Bros. signal their commitment to the $20. Additionally, it’s only available “Disney is big enough and smart to become an “industry standard,” decided to hold off reporting box but it’s not clear how many other offi ce grosses for international studios or exhibitors will follow territories, according to several AMC and Universal’s lead. people familiar with the matter who Some theatre chains, like were not authorised to comment. Landmark and Alamo Drafthouse, Normally, studios release their which have already been amenable fi gures day by day. The studio plans to showing streaming movies to do the same for domestic grosses, on the big screen, may want to the sources said. The movie won’t participate. But Cineworld’s be released in drive-ins in markets Greidinger has already voiced where indoor theatres can’t open opposition. (sorry, Los Angeles). “It is clearly the wrong move at Warner Bros. declined to the wrong time,” he said. “It is not comment. something that makes any sense Mooky Greidinger, CEO of from an economic point of view, British exhibitor and Regal Cinemas and I think the future will prove it.” parent Cineworld, said that going Davidson, however, said studios international fi rst is a smart tactic will continue to experiment. for Tenet. “The international “We’re entering a phase where market is a huge market,” he said. the already-complicated window “I don’t think the moviegoers in of fi lm releases is going to get even the US care if the movie opens more complicated for the consumer internationally a week before the to understand,” Davidson said. “I US”. think you’re going to see a pretty The lack of competition should confusing cross-section of release help. Distributors are looking at the patterns, exhibitor deals and recent release of Russell Crowe’s ACTION: Elizabeth Debicki and John David Washington star in Tenet, the much anticipated new flick which will release outside-the-box thinking.” Unhinged, which generated $4 in the US on September 3. — Los Angeles Times/TNS 6 GULF TIMES Monday, August 31, 2020 COMMUNITY GARDENING AquaPots combine elegance and self- watering freedom

These pots give you confidence, maybe for the first time, that you are supplying the water and fertiliser just at the right moment, which is as the plants need it, writes Norman Winter

COMBINATION: The AquaPot at The Garden Guy’s house features Hot Coral SunPatiens, Lemon Coral Sedum and is framed by the tropical Royal Hawaiian Maui Gold elephant ear.

FEARLESS PLACEMENT: AquaPots give front door elegance for mixed containers without fear of water stains and fertiliser residue.

he new week is upon The glazed ceramic containers are always written, don’t skimp when it us and perhaps you handcrafted, allowing them to add a comes to the quality of your potting would like to head to the true touch of elegance wherever they soil. It needs to be light, fl uff y and mountains, hike on the are used. The ingenious self-watering the best. Appalachian Trail or lay concept is based on a water-holding I was visiting via computer with Ton a white-sand beach — but love reservoir in the lower chamber of the Jenny Simpson who along with for your mixed containers trumps pot with a soil-holding shelf in the husband Jerry, own Creekside everything. The solution to this upper chamber. The water wicks up Nursery in Dallas, N C. She told recurring dilemma? AquaPots. to the soil and plant’s root zone via a me they were extremely impressed The week has many gardeners cylinder that connects the chambers. and happy with how the AquaPots feeling a little bit like patio prisoners. One last device that you will love have performed in North Carolina After all, it is gardening that has is a tube hidden by the fl owers that gardens. She said they provided literally brought many of through the allows you to insert water-soluble consistent water and food to the Covid-19 era. It is our passion and fertiliser, followed by a water hose plants, which love their new homes. our love, and it’s the perfect arrival for the weekly fi lling. No longer will Jenny has reached rock star status time for some innovation when it you splash soil all over the patio in the Southeast with her educational comes to self-watering containers. or ruin fl owers with the force of videos. I would urge you to watch all If you have not heard of the fi re-hydrant-like water pressure. of them and especially the AquaPot AquaPot, just know it is a game No water or fertiliser stains on the demonstration. You’ll fi nd these on changer. These containers come in patio or deck either! If, you think you the Creekside Nursery, Inc. Facebook various sizes, shapes and colours, might add too much water, forget it, page. and they have science in their self- there is an escape hole. AquaPots add beauty and a new- watering design partnered with No amount of mechanical skill or found freedom when it comes to artisan handcrafted construction. To reasoning is required to put together watering the plants we love. It also say they combine beauty with heavy — zero zip, nada. The Garden Guy is gives you confi dence, maybe for the duty is an understatement. a horticulturist and was absent the fi rst time, that you are supplying the Incredibly though, these Proven day mechanical skills were passed water and fertiliser just at the right Winners containers allow you to out. Give me a curtain rod to hang moment, which is as the plants need water and go on a long weekend or and hyperventilation commences. it. Go to Proven Winners AquaPots even a week’s vacation and return to Trust me I put mine together in mere to see all the choices available, and stunningly alive fl owers. Professional seconds. to fi nd you closest retailers and large sized containers actually give Planting is exactly the same as in purchasing options. BREATHTAKING: Whether it is the porch, patio or deck the AquaPot weeks in between watering. any other container. Just like I have – TNS provides beauty. Monday, August 31, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 INTERIOR DESIGN COMMUNITY A stunning rural French home Rare textiles from all over the world enhance the rustic style of this French country house, writes Hannah Newton

cloths, usually from Central Asia – ikats, hand-embroidered Persian textiles, and the richly coloured throws of Uzbekistan where, today, she has her own designs embroidered. “I sometimes meet a Hungarian waiter in west London to buy fabrics,” she adds. This interest in materials led her to design her own pieces, some of which are woven in the UK, while others are screen- printed by hand. Uzbeki coats hang on the walls as decoration in the dining room and hall. Suzanis, the word derives from the Persian for needle, hang in the sitting room and are used to cover headboards and as ornate bedspreads in the bedrooms. As a child, Deliss would sew her own clothes and redecorate her doll’s house. Some of her earliest memories are of specifi c materials – the red fl oral cotton of a trouser suit that her aunt made for her and, on a French exchange aged 11, linen- covered walls and a cherry-wood dining table. “I love beautiful things, like Islamic architecture and textiles. I appreciate the structure. They are to textiles what Bach is to music. There is a mathematical structure that creates order, and the beauty in that BENIGN BEAUTY: The dining room with tomette tiles and Uzbek coat hanging. order is very appealing.” The windows in her Burgundy home still have their original glass loved the way the light from the and wooden shutters. “Antique river refl ected on the ceilings,” glass is uneven, which I love. The says Susan Deliss of the shutters protect the house from moment she fi rst saw her rural the heat in summer and the cold in French home. Positioned by the winter. When we fi rst arrived in the SereinI river, which fl ows through the village, nothing looked as if it had wine-growing region of Chablis, the been changed for a century and I 18th-century house has a laid-back wanted this house to have that feel,” French charm about it. Stone steps she adds. in the garden lead down to the water, This directive inspired the rest of where a small blue boat belonging the house, which she refers to as dans to Deliss’s sons, Al, 16, and Gus, son jus – literally, “cooked in its own 14, gently bobs. Bessie the lurcher juice”. “The design evolved gradually hides from the hot sun underneath a and gracefully,” she explains. “I did nearby fi g tree. not want it to look as if it had been Beyond the front door, which is jarred out of the condition it was in. crowned with wisteria, a cool, dark I did a huge amount to re-patinate. hall awaits. Susan kept the original I did not want it to appear new or 19th-century tiles of orange, cream overdone, but to have a gentle, and grey, but had the kitchen fl oor, benign beauty.” which was formerly a bathroom Upstairs, she and Max added new with broken concrete underfoot, bathrooms. Each piece of furniture replaced with tomettes – local, was chosen carefully from auction antique terracotta tiles. Kitchen houses and local brocantes. The units, sympathetic to the historical couple, who were married in the regional style, which is unfi tted and local town hall, love to cook together. freestanding, were added alongside a “This is an old house in a medieval traditional Burgundy stone sink: wide village,” says Deliss. “When I fi rst and shallow. bought it, 20 years ago, nobody living Copper pans, antique pots, plates locally had anything new. Things and hand-painted dishes from all WARM ORANGE: The kitchen, with traditional sink, and are changing – fi tted kitchens are over Europe and Morocco hang on ceramics from Turkey and Morocco. COSY: A bedroom seen from the bathroom. popping up – but I made a deliberate the walls. Deliss’s husband, Max, choice to fi ll this house with things a conservator, made the well- a soft orange for the kitchen walls. just worked.” Deliss is a textile Egypt, Morocco, Turkey and Syria, that are old. It gives it a lovely feel. It worn pine kitchen table and, after “I had 80 pots for the whole house,” dealer and designer with a passion searching for one-off materials. is a step removed from the modern experimenting with a wide range of says Deliss. “The kitchen can be very for antique fabrics. This dedication She’ll haggle for antique suzanis world, which is why I bought it in the paint colours, eventually settled on dark, and I like to be cosy. Orange has led her deep into the souks of – highly decorative embroidered fi rst place.” — The Guardian 8 GULF TIMES Monday, August 31, 2020 COMMUNITY TRA From city strolls to hikes: fa

Ouse source to sea, Sussex walk through woodland as well Lancastrian past, as the extensive Nymans Garden, River Lune If you have a long weekend owned by the National Trust. The to spare, track the River Ouse route passes under an impressive The port-to-port walk from source to sea. Starting near Victorian railway viaduct near from the city of Lancaster Horsham in West Sussex, the Balcombe and takes in the historic to the small village of 42-mile Sussex Ouse Valley Way county town of Lewes before a Glasson Dock is a trip passes through both the High stretch of fl at riverside walking through our Georgian past Weald Area of Natural Beauty as you approach the coast and and industrial heritage. and the South Downs national the fi nish at Seaford Bay in East Starting at Skerton Bridge, park. You will cross fi elds and Sussex. — Alison Field England’s fi rst fl at road bridge, which infl uenced London and Waterloo Bridges, you soon pass Kevin Dalton Johnson’s memorial to the slave trade, Captured Africans. This is the start of a row of warehouses and a custom house, now the Maritime Museum, where sugar and cotton arrived from the west. From there it’s a six- mile walk by the river on the old railway bed to the sound of oystercatchers, sanderlings, ringed plover and curlews until you reach Glasson, with smoked fi sh and boats aplenty. — Michael Gibson

Quiet flows the flat and wide, so is suitable for What’s a bastle? Don, Sheffield diff erent levels of ability and Find out there are public transport options in Northumberland The “five weirs” route along the (tram, train, bus) to easily return River Don from Lady’s Bridge back to your starting point. Lots The Tarset Bastle Trail, in Sheffield to Meadowhall of options for food and drink at near Kielder Water in is a lovely six-mile walk (see either end. It’s surprisingly quiet Northumberland, is a gpsroutes.co.uk). At Meadowhall given its location, with herons, dreamy walk through you can head back to town kingfi shers and even otters to forests and wildfl ower along the canal, or continue spot, and local nature reserves to meadows, and alongside to Rotherham along the river explore just off the route. Look babbling Tarset Burn (three miles). The path is mostly out for the Spider Bridge. — Clare through a varied landscape. There are trails of eight, four or three miles starting from Greenhaugh. The terrain is easy and punctuated by romantic ruined bastles – fortifi ed 15th-century farmhouses. —Lorna Watkins

Taking the Aire, West Yorkshire

From historic Saltaire to charming Esholt, this walk takes in varied terrain along the banks of the Aire, and is rough underfoot in places. Parking at the (free) car park in Roberts Park, head east along the river, crossing it on busy Otley road then taking Dockfi eld Road. Turn left on Dock Lane and cross the footbridge to pick up the river bank trail again. From here, continue straight to the charming village of Esholt, with its 17th-century manor and the famous Woolpack pub where you can have a pint before turning back for Saltaire. The route is about 3.7 miles each way, and there are heron, pochard and kingfi sher to be seen. For an easier route, follow the canal towpath until Buck Lane. — Sinead Garry Monday, August 31, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 AVEL COMMUNITY avourite UK riverside walks

Wey to go, Surrey Windsor wander, Surrey Walking the length of the Wey & Godalming Navigation from Start at Staines Bridge, the Thames to the Town Bridge and on the Egham bank in Godalming (19.8 miles) is easy walk along the towpath to do over a few weekends and to Runnymede: you’ll go has parking available at the locks under the M25 and shortly along the route. It lends itself to after pass Bell Weir a series of two- to three-hour Lock. When you reach hour walks (out and back) and Runnymede Pleasure has some lovely countryside and Gardens, head for the interesting landmarks along the Kennedy Memorial and route. These include John Donne’s continue up Coopers Hill House (pictured), the ruins of (visit the RAF Memorial Newark Priory and a number of if you’ve time). Find your second world war pillboxes. There way to Bishopsgate Road are plenty of pubs to stop off at and enter Windsor Great and lots of wildlife to see such Park. Go through the gates as swans, geese, dragonfl ies and to the Deer Park and then butterfl ies. — Carly Wilton down the Royal Mile to Windsor and return to Staines by train. It’s about eight miles: we used to Oxford backstreets Port Meadow, to rejoin the Thames do this walk often when at a popular swimming spot. You we lived down south. The Oxford Castle Mill Stream can walk back to town without Plenty of opportunity for walk (3½ miles) follows a historic retracing your steps by following the refreshment stops. but little-known stream from the Thames Path south along Fiddlers — David Newstead Thames at Oxpens Meadow through “Ait”, a Thames-region word for an backstreets of the city, up alongside island formed by sediment, broad the canal. It then loops round the enough only to carry the path. bottom of the old freemen’s fi eld, —Joanna Innes Capital to red castle, Cardiff

Cardiff is a mercifully compact city with a green heart, through which runs the river Taff . You can pick up the Taff Trail in Cardiff at Westgate Street Bridge and embark on a leisurely, fl at and accessible six-mile walk to Castell Coch and on the way stop for a coff ee and cake in Sophia Gardens, the cricket ground. The trail is well signposted and suitable for wheelchairs. You will be amazed how within fi ve minutes of walking you will never believe you were in a city centre: herons, swans, dragonfl ies and the splendid trees and sculptures of Bute park arboretum will keep you company until you reach the weir at Llandaff and onwards to the “red castle”. — Gareth Hopkins

Footsteps of Walter abbey with an ice-cream. You walk Scott, Borders along railway line paths and tracks that Scott himself established. Castle Acre circular, Norfolk Walking along the River Tweed You get to take in the majesty of from Abbotsford (home of Sir the Tweed where salmon and trout This is a stunning six-mile circular Walter Scott) is a joy. A tranquil make ripples on the golden water. walk along the banks of the Nar, starting eight-mile stroll takes in a scenic This is easy terrain to navigate and from Castle Acre village (free parking circular route past the gorgeous is a good day out with kids and around the Bailey Gate and green). Set market town of Melrose, where older people alike. off heading away from the village, with you can meander through the — Ciaran Earle the church on your left, and head down towards the priory (signposted) keeping the remains of the fl intstone wall on your left. The tracks after this are narrow at times and not suitable for prams, thought there are some boardwalks. There are quite a few narrow plank bridges to cross. The chalk stream is beautifully clear and nice for a little dip if you want to. It is always very quiet – you rarely see more than a handful of people the whole walk, so it’s particularly good for social distancing. The full circle takes around two hours. — Laura Fowler — The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Monday, August 31, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Monday, August 31, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Diabetics can cut heart attack risk by taking pills: Study

eople with diabetes can reduce diabetes from 1996 to 2011 — a total of their risk for heart attacks in half, 211,278 patients. simply by taking medications Each patient with diabetes was matched designed to prevent them, say on age and sex with fi ve people without researchers. diabetes from the general population. Those PPeople with type 2 diabetes are twice with previous cardiovascular disease were as likely to have a heart attack or die from excluded. heart disease compared to people without All participants were followed for seven diabetes. years. Using data from national health “Our results suggest that when patients registries, the researchers recorded heart are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, starting attacks and death during follow-up. medications to prevent cardiovascular They also noted the use of medications to disease has a substantial impact on the risk prevent cardiovascular disease at the time of of heart attacks and premature death,” said diabetes diagnosis. study author Christine Gyldenkerne from The researchers found that patients with Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and no Management of patients with diabetes previous cardiovascular disease experienced has changed considerably over the last two major reductions in the risk of heart attack decades, with an increased focus on the and death. prevention of cardiovascular disease. From 1996 to 2011, the relative risk was The study, presented at the ‘ESC reduced by 61 per cent for heart attack and Congress 2020’ conference, examined how by 41 per cent for death. During the same these changes may have affected the risk period, the absolute risks of heart attack and of heart attacks and premature death in death reduced by 4 per cent and 12 per cent, patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes respectively. By the end of the study, the risk of heart The researchers noted that, in addition and no previous cardiovascular disease. When comparing patients with diabetes attack among patients with diabetes was only to the use of preventive medications, other The researchers identified all patients to the general population, the initially large marginally – 0.6 per cent – higher than in the factors may have infl uenced the likelihood of in Denmark initiating therapy for type 2 diff erences in risk narrowed over time. general population. heart attack and premature death. – IANS

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

Your audience will be attentive to you today. Take the lead and You could feel confident today, and you should have a strong idea of Your mind will expand today. You’ll feel like there’s a ton of others will follow. Be yourself and project your voice into the exactly what it is you want. Information is power. Others are working information crammed into your head that needs processing. auditorium of eager listeners. Information will flow freely, and you to wield power over you. Don’t let them get away with it, especially Regarding big projects, try to finish them as quickly as you can. The shouldn’t discount any ideas from the peanut gallery. Be open to today. Encourage synergistic behaviour among all parties. You can best policy is to pace yourself. If you wait until the last minute to questions and comments from others. Their participation is vital to accomplish a great deal by working together instead of against one finish, the quality of your work will suff er. Make a plan and maybe your performance. another. even a timeline. Set small deadlines as you go along. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Try not to read too much into other people’s words today. You may Long-term trends are coming to an important climax now. This Take a break from what you’re doing. Look at what people are doing have spent hours tearing apart every off -the-cuff remark. You may dramatic period is highlighted by the added amount of information around you. Check your plans in relation to those of others and see if build up a wild scenario in your head regarding what that person is being thrown your way. Try to make small adjustments to your there’s a way you can combine forces and kill more birds with fewer thinking. Instead of trying to sneak up on the answer through the direction that incorporate this new information. Be aware of the stones. Co-operation instead of competition is the lesson that needs back door, try the direct approach. Simply ask your question. prevailing winds and your relationships will be much better off . to be emphasised today. The better you learn this today, the better off you’ll be tomorrow. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Get involved with the energy of today so you don’t get left out of the You can add more tools to your toolbox today. Express your Join others before you make your big travel plans. The smallest idea loop. Your contribution to the group is important. You should foster concerns and you’ll find helpful remedies present themselves. can be quickly transformed into a huge plan of attack, thanks to the positive relationships among all parties. Think big. You can do no Keep the lines of communication open and let the information prevailing winds of the day. There’s a light, communicative feeling wrong by expanding your mind out into the minds of others. Make flow. There’s a great expansiveness that comes when you think for in the air encouraging cooperation. If you find that people aren’t a commitment to quench your thirst for knowledge and freedom yourself – and think big. Don’t get bogged down with the emotional chiming into the group eff ort, you may want to excuse them from through information. side of things. Concern yourself with the facts. the group. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Don’t get stuck doing just one thing today. The more varied your You might be in a whirlwind today, and there will be information You might be jumping around today. This is one of those situations activity, the easier it will be for you to integrate the diff erent pieces buzzing around asking you to do this and go there. You’re the one in which you don’t want to stay in one place for too long. Each place of the puzzle. This is a day to think big. The more you know, the most perfectly suited to deal with the tone of the day. Stay lively and is an individual step that leads to where you want to go. Keep your greater an asset you’ll be when it comes time to solve the biggest upbeat. Don’t get stuck on any one thing. Keep the energy moving. eyes focused ahead and keep on going. Stagnating will leave you problems. Learn how to multitask eff ectively. The answer will be right there waiting for you. lost in the middle of nowhere. 12 GULF TIMES Monday, August 31, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

AGOSTINI RUTH LEWIS FANGIO CARNERA VIREN OWENS HOGAN EDBERG ASHE SPITZ NURMI GRAF COMANECI ZATOPEK PALMER LAUDA EVERT BORG TUNNEY OVETT HAGEN DEMPSEY

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. Monday, August 31, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Flowers conceal an area of 1 Animal with dark head and London (10) whiskers (5) 7 Distant object is an old coin (8) 2 I go nuts arranging trips (7) 8 Was a vocalist in Los Angeles? 3 Principal sea (4) (4) 4 British soldier turns up and is 9 Eat some food in earnest (4) in charge of conceited people (8) 10 Fine porcelain in home is 5 Diana who sings about English sensible (7) flowers (5) 12 Is pate smeared with curds 6 Financial backers in good when they are thrown? (7,4) spirits (6) 14 Great boxer associated with 11 Spoil girl in Spanish resort (8) graduates - or one associated 12 Visit a small opera singer (6) with thieves (3,4) 13 Fancy a John Lennon song? 16 Old man’s second exam result (7) (4) 15 Odd bits of brass in bowl (5) 19 Friends hit back (4) 17 Perfume dispatched, so we 20 Slope did twist - it’s not hear (5) straight (8) 18 Primate embraces son in part 21 Date for betrothal? (10) of church (4)

Solution

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Monday, August 31, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD Alfonso Cuaron taught me how to be a filmmaker: Tamhane

said about his bond with Cuaron, By Sugandha Rawal who mentored Tamhane through the Rolex Mentor and Protege Arts Initiative. or Chaitanya Tamhane, At the moment, Tamhane is Oscar-winning focused on The Disciple, which is fi lmmaker Alfonso set in contemporary Mumbai and Cuaron is like a friend follows an Indian classical music and a fatherly fi gure, who vocalist who, after years of diligent hasF infl uenced his work in a big training and tradition, begins to way. wonder whether it is really possible Tamhane won wide acclaim at to achieve the excellence he is home as well as in the international striving for. festival circuit with his debut The Disciple will debut in the directorial eff ort, the Marathi offi cial competition at the 77th fi lm Court (2014). Cuaron took to Venice International Film Festival. mentoring fi lmmaker Tamhane This is the fi rst Indian fi lm to make shortly after that, and has now the cut since Mira Nair’s Monsoon executive-produced the new-age Wedding in 2001, which had won Indian director’s new fi lm, The Golden Lion, the highest prize Disciple. at the festival. It will also be part “I’m very respectful of the of the 58th edition of the New relationship I have with Alfonso. He York Film Festival and Toronto has been very supportive right from International Film Festival. the beginning. He knew about The Asked if he is disappointed that Disciple from its genesis, from the he won’t be able to attend the time it was just an idea in my head. fi lm festival amid the Covid-19 When he read the script, he helped pandemic, the director said it was a me fi nd certain crew members, “mixed feeling”. saw the rough cut and gave his “On one level, it’s really notes and saw the fi nished fi lm,” disappointing, not so much about Tamhane told IANS. us not being present but about “For me, it was almost people not watching the fi lm in unimaginable to think that he the theatre. We made this fi lm would formally associate with the for the big screen. There is a pact fi lm, and that is something I would ACCLAIMED: Chaitanya Tamhane won wide acclaim at home as well as in the international festival circuit with his that you make when you enter never even ask him because he debut directorial eff ort, the Marathi film Court (2014). the room and the lights go out, has a reputation. He has a name to and you immerse yourself in that protect and maintain. His body of fi lmmaking style and won over 30 taught me a lot. It expanded my he has taught me to ask for more, dreamlike experience. It cannot be work is absolutely world class and awards at fi lm festivals worldwide, vocabulary as a fi lmmaker. All the and never settle for less. So on replicated. That, for me, is a bigger incredible. So, I never even thought including Best Film in the Horizons conversations we had, not just that kind of a spiritual level, I have disappointment, more than not of it,” said Tamhane. section at the 2014 Venice Film about cinema, but about world, life learnt a lot from him.” being present at the screenings,” Recalling how his association Festival. Tamhane was awarded and about navigating your career Tamhane laughs when you ask Tamhane replied. with Cuaron came to be, he said: the Lion Of The Future at the as a fi lmmaker – that teaches you him if it is okay to call him Cuaron’s He added: “At the same time. I “It came up very organically. I was prestigious fi lm fest. a lot. He of taught me how to be a disciple. “He has been very clear do consider us very lucky that the nervous to broach that subject, but Asked if Cuaron has infl uenced professional fi lmmaker.” since the beginning that this is a fi lm is having such a fantastic start. he brought it up himself. He was so his work, Tamhane said: “There He added that no one can dialogue between two artistes. I It’s been such a bleak atmosphere. generous, and said, ‘it would be an are two or three things. One is on actually infl uence how one looks defi nitely consider him one of my People are going through real honour to be associated with the a technical level, a craft level and at the world, they infl uence one’s mentors. We are like friends. He problems, facing real tragedies. fi lm’. And of course, it was a very one on a fi lmmaking level. He is at craft: “The language part of it, how is a fatherly fi gure in my life and In that sense, it also defi nitely big honour and a massive privilege such a diff erent level, with so many to achieve your vision, you can get a big teacher, and a big infl uence. feels like we are very blessed and for me to hear that from him.” more resources and experience. Just inspired by somebody like Cuaron. But he always calls me a friend or privileged to have this attention, Tamhane’s debut fi lm Court watching him at work on the sets of He has taught me to be fearless. He collaborator. He keeps insisting acceptance and validation from caught attention with his unique Roma and during post production, has taught me to have a vision and that this is a two-way process,” he these festivals.” — IANS

Malaika Arora shares how to deal with acne breakouts introducing the terrifi c trio to help cope with your day to day breakouts.” Malaika then shared tips on how to put the Actress Malaika Arora has doled out tips on how paste on the face. to deal with acne breakouts and shared it on social “Take some cinnamon powder, add a media for her fans and followers. tablespoon of raw organic honey, squeeze some Malaika took to her Instagram, and shared a fresh lime juice to it and your face pack is ready. video. In the clip, the actress is seen talking about Apply it evenly on your face avoiding the mouth what she uses on her skin. She mixes cinnamon and eye area, keep it for 8-10 mins and rinse it off powder, honey and lime to keep acne at bay. with cold water. You may feel a tingling sensation, She captioned the video: “Suff ering from acne that’s fi ne, but if unbearable then rinse off . breakouts every now and then? Here’s a simple “Please note that if your acne breakout is diy to control those ‘Bad timing’ breakouts. I severe, it is advisable to consult a doctor regarding personally have very sensitive skin and I often the same #OrganicFaceMask #AcneTreatment# tend to get a break out. MalaikasTrickOrTip,” she added. “Breakouts can happen due to various reasons Malaika had earlier spoken about the benefi ts of like weather change, hormonal change or due aloe vera and shared that she uses it on herself as CAUTION: Malaika cautions that if your acne breakout is severe, it is to excessive use of products on skin. Here’s her skin is very sensitive. — IANS advisable to consult a doctor. Monday, August 31, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY

Kelly Marie Tran lands lead role in Disney’s of the first Disney Animation features to be developed animated Raya and the Last Dragon from remote locations as a result of the pandemic. Directors Hall and Estrada were taken by Tran’s comedy Kelly Marie Tran will bring the warrior Raya to life and ad-lib skills, and the level of emotion she brought to in Disney’s animated fi lm Raya and the Last Dragon, the role, Entertainment Weekly reported. replacing Cassie Steele, who previously held the titular “I didn’t know that I was yearning just to see someone role. who looks like me,” the Vietnamese American actress told That makes Tran the fi rst Southeast Asian actress to EW, which fi rst reported the recasting Thursday. “She is lead an animated Disney fi lm — one that is also inspired by someone who is technically a princess, but I think that Southeast Asia. The picture has also named new directors, what’s really cool about this project, about this character Don Hall and Carlos Lopez Estrada, who join “Raya” story specifi cally, is that everyone’s trying to fl ip the narrative artists Paul Briggs and Dean Wellins at the helm. on what it means to be a princess.” In a new look at the project Thursday, the animation Tran, 31, rose to fame in 2017 as rebel mechanic Rose studio showed the warrior fl anked by her trusty steed Tuk Tico in Disney and Lucasfi lm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Tuk against the dazzling backdrop of the fi ctional land of She made headlines (and quit social media) after a toxic Kumandra. reception from trolls online. Her screen time was slashed It’s unclear why the Raya role was recast, and a rep in last year’s Skywalker saga fi nale, The Rise of Skywalker, NEW LEAD: Kelly Marie Tran is the first Southeast Asian for Disney did not comment on the casting news when and the reviews accused fi lmmakers of pandering to fans. actress to lead an animated Disney film. reached by The LA Times on Thursday. Reps for Steele, Tran’s voice at least will put her out front in Raya as who starred in the Degrassi television series and is of Disney continues to redefi ne its erstwhile princess tropes her power and become her true dragon self. British and Filipino descent, did not immediately respond in the vein of Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet and the “We keep saying (it’s about) sisterhood,” the Crazy Rich to requests for comment. Frozen franchise. The new fi lm is set in the fi ctional realm Asians star said at D23 last summer. “Raya — when we talk Raya and the Last Dragon was scheduled to be of Lumandra — a reimagined Earth inhabited by an ancient about Disney idols — she’s, as you would say, ‘bad ass.’” released in November but has been pushed back because civilization. Raya is a warrior determined to fi nd the last Raya will reunite Awkwafi na with “Crazy Rich Asians” of the global repercussions of the Covid-19 crisis. It’s dragon. The fi lm also stars comedian Awkwafi na as Sisu, a scribe Adele Lim, who is cowriting the animated fi lm with currently slated for release on March 12, 2021, and is one dragon in human form, who needs Raya’s help to reclaim Qui Nguyen. — Los Angeles Times/ TNS Spotify ramps up podcast deals with influencers allow you to continue to reach your audience no By Wendy Lee matter what happens to one platform.” Some of the podcasts delve into topics diff erent from what the infl uencers present os Angeles-based infl uencers Rickey on YouTube or TikTok. For example, Addison Thompson and Denzel Dion are Rae does dance videos on TikTok and her pros at posting funny videos to their Spotify podcast, “Mama Knows Best,” is about millions of followers on social media asking her mom for advice. About 1 million platforms. But they’ve never had their people have listened to her podcast on Spotify, ownL podcast before. according to a person familiar with the matter So when the friends wanted to start one that who was not authorised to comment. would discuss relationships, advice and other “The podcast shows a diff erent side of us things going on in their lives, they decided to than just being funny,” 22-year-old Dion said sign an exclusive deal with Spotify. of his upcoming podcast with Thompson. “It “They got what we wanted and we got what will be intuitive, educational, informational, they wanted,” Dion said. personal – I feel like you can’t get all that in a The deal, which was announced Thursday, video because we’re just busy trying to make is among nearly two dozen original or exclusive people laugh.” podcasts Spotify has signed with social media Spotify’s deals with social media infl uencers stars in the last year, including TikTok dancer are for audio-only podcasts, but the company Addison Rae and singer Lele Pons. has rolled out other podcasts with video “We want to work with creators across a wide footage. One of Spotify’s most recent high- range,” said Courtney Holt, Spotify’s head of profi le deals was with podcaster Joe Rogan for studios and video. “Social media infl uencers an exclusive video and audio podcast worth is a great place for us to be looking for new, roughly $100 million. emerging, established and diverse talent.” Not all infl uencers are signing exclusive He declined to say how much Spotify is PODCAST: Lele Pons on the set of her new show, Best Kept Secrets With Lele Pons. podcast deals with Spotify. Some are choosing paying infl uencers for these deals, but an to make them available on Spotify and across industry source said such deals could reach The streamer’s expansion into podcasts podcast episode. many other platforms such as Apple Podcasts. seven fi gures. will help increase its advertising revenue and For social media stars, podcasting has On Spotify, Pons’ Best Kept Secrets podcast, For Spotify, they are another way to attract potentially off set the amount of money it pays become a popular medium where they can where people reveal something they haven’t new audiences to the streaming platform. to stream music. discuss more adult topics and speak for a disclosed to their families, launched last week. “That is the hope of any established creator, “That built-in marketing, their ability to longer period of time than, say, TikTok’s typical “Some of the things I’m going to say you’ve that they’re bringing their audiences here,” Holt move their audiences, is powerful,” Ben Davis, 15-second video. It can also increase their value never heard of me talking about,” 24-year-old said. “We want them to be able to experience a partner in digital media at WME, said of and celebrity if done well, said Eunice Shin, a Pons said. On Spotify, “I feel good to talk about them in a way that they wouldn’t get on social media infl uencers. “Spotify sees the next partner at consultancy Prophet. that because this is just me being real and it’s Instagram, YouTube, TikTok or anywhere else.” generation of podcast listeners and wants to go Podcasts are also another outlet for not behind the screen just doing physical stunts Spotify, which had 299 million monthly after that.” infl uencers to diversify their reach away from or playing a character.” active users as of June 30, makes money Already, Facebook video creator Nuseir the volatility of social media platforms that can Pons’ relationship with Spotify promoting through ad-free monthly subscriptions and Yassin says some of his fans have told him change based on algorithms. There has been her music was in part why she chose to go to the from advertising on the free version of the they are listening to podcasts for the fi rst time increased pressure on TikTok stars to expand streamer with her podcast, said Sam Shahidi, service. because of his Spotify podcast, Nas Talks. their audiences outside the app after President chief creative offi cer of Shots Studios, Pons’ To drive even more listeners to its site, the “A lot of my audience who’s new to Trump signed an executive order that could management fi rm. Unlike Apple or Google, company has been making a big push into podcasting is joining the podcasting world,” bar advertising deals with US companies on which off er separate apps for podcasts, Spotify the podcast space. The Swedish company said 28-year-old Yassin, who lives in Singapore. TikTok. has its music and podcasts all in one app. That has acquired podcast production companies, “Podcasting is like an American kind of “It’s hugely important to diversify and makes it easier for Pons’ music fans to also including New York-based Gimlet Media and thing. For the rest of the world, it’s still a new to create additional touch points with your search for her podcast, Shahidi said. LA-based fi rms Parcast and the Ringer. It concept.” audience so you’re not dependent on one “That’s the best way we can manage both the landed an exclusive podcast with former First Yassin estimates there were hundreds of platform,” said Davis at WME, which represents podcast strategy and her career and her music Lady Michelle Obama. thousands of people who listened to his fi rst Addison Rae. “You’re creating a buff er there to strategy,” he added. – Los Angeles Times/ TNS 16 GULF TIMES Monday, August 31, 2020 COMMUNITY The future is fungal: Why mycology is on the rise

s a boy, Merlin Sheldrake really spot that, as dog walkers pass by, invites the loved the autumn. In the garden question of how the public should best behave of his parents’ house – he grew up towards the fungal realm. “We need to stop a few moments from Hampstead spraying fungicide,” he says. “A few strokes of Heath, which is where he and I a pen could make that illegal. But for our own Aare walking right now, on an overcast summer part? Well, there are citizen scientists who morning – the leaves would fall from a big report on the presence of mushrooms at certain chestnut tree, forming gentle drifts into which times of year, and show how they’re responding he liked nothing more than to hurl himself. to climate change. That’s a good thing to do. Wriggling around until he was fully submerged, Fungal conservation is in its infancy. In 2018, Sheldrake would lie there, quite content, just 56 species were on the International “buried in the rustle, lost in curious smells”. As Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red he writes in his wondrous new book, Entangled list, compared to tens of thousands of plants Life, these autumnal piles were both places to and animals. Beyond that, if you’re picking hide and worlds to explore. mushrooms, don’t take them all: leave some But as the months passed, they shrank: behind, and try not to damage the networks by reaching into them, trying to fi nd out why, he digging around in the ground.” would pull out matter that looked more like soil There are plenty of ways we might connect than leaves. What was going on? Turning to with fungi, not least by eating them. As he his father for an answer (he is the son of Rupert worked on Entangled Life, Sheldrake ate Sheldrake, the controversial science writer best mushrooms every day: “It was a way of known for proposing the concept of “morphic reminding myself that I was talking about resonance”) was how he fi rst came to learn living things; that I’m part of the metabolic about decomposition, and thus it is to these cycles I was writing about.” Once he was in rotting leaves that we may trace his original possession of a physical copy of the book, he interest in the “neglected megascience” of then grew some mushrooms on it. “They were mycology – the study of fungi – even if neglect delicious,” he wrote, when he posted a fi lm of is a relative term. “In east Asia, fungi have himself cooking them on his Twitter account. been loved and revered for thousands of years,” “I couldn’t taste any off -notes, which suggests he says. “In China, there are temples to the that the fungus has fully metabolised the text.” man who worked out how to cultivate shiitake He particularly likes lion’s mane mushrooms, mushrooms. But yes, in the west it has been MEGASCIENCE: Merlin Sheldrake is convinced fungi will play a crucial role in our growing which taste a little like lobster or crab. He and neglected.” understanding of the environment. his brother, Cosmo, are also into fermentation, There are, he thinks, two reasons for this. and have a small lab in their parents’ garden, The fi rst is straightforward: only recently the morals of the maids”. As Sheldrake notes, are already harnessing the power of such where they make sauerkraut, kimchee, pickles have technologies been available that allow her exploits would have spread the stinkhorns’ networks: in Japan, slime mould has been used and beetroot kvass (an eastern European drink scientists fully to investigate the fungal world; spores far more eff ectively than any number of to design transport networks: “It takes a long usually made from fermented rye bread). “It’s to open up the hidden realms that lie beneath the fl ies that, attracted by their stench, usually time for computers to cycle all the way through very life-giving,” he says. us, invisible to the eye. The second is historical. do this work. the possibilities, but an organism can quite Sheldrake isn’t currently affi liated with any “There is an entrenched disciplinary bias,” he But Entangled Life, which arrives quickly fi nd an optimal path, and algorithms institution. “I’ve got lots of scientifi c papers to says. “Fungi weren’t seen as their own kingdom garlanded with praise from nature writers can then be developed from that.” And this is publish,” he says, before we begin walking to the of life until the 60s. Mycologists were put in a Robert Macfarlane and Helen Macdonald, only the beginning. There is so much untapped station. “And there are so many experiments to corner of the plant sciences department, rather is an astonishing book that could alter our potential. Only 6-8% of the world’s fungi have be done. I need some funding. But I’m reluctant than in their own fungal sciences department. perceptions of fungi for ever. It seems somehow so far even been identifi ed. to re-enter the academic world, that constant This had a huge impact – if you’re not training to tip the natural world upside down. The In his book, Sheldrake hunts for truffl es in round of applying for grants.” Might he start researchers, it will be neglected.” Outside science it relates is complex. For his work on Italy (“they were … socketed like skulls,” he his own company? “Yes, there’s that, too.” In science, many people, if not most, associate underground fungal networks in Panamanian writes of those in Piedmont he saw for sale), his book, he writes almost as admiringly of fungi only with mushrooms. “And they are forests, Sheldrake received a PhD in tropical and he pays due attention to those fungi that Paul Stamets, a man who may have done more ephemeral,” he says. “It’s as if we could only ecology from Cambridge University. His have mind-altering properties. “We still than anyone else to popularise fungal topics see the fl owers and fruit of a tree, and not the principal interest is in mycorrhizal fungi, which don’t know why some contain psilocybin [a outside university departments (Stamets rest of it: its leaves, stems and roots.” He shakes are the kind that live in symbiosis with plants. psychedelic compound],” he tells me. “It has runs a multimillion-dollar fungal business, his curls. “Fungal taxonomy has been a total Such fungi send out gossamer-fi ne tubes called been suggested that it was to befuddle insect Fungi Perfecti; his TED talk, Six Ways That mess for ages. Linnaeus described it as chaos, hyphae, which weave into the tips of plant roots pests, to take their minds off their next meal, Mushrooms Can Save the World, has been a scandal of art. Through the middle ages and at cellular level; in this way, individual plants but the problem with the deterrent theory watched millions of times), as he does of Sir into the 18th century, people had no grasp at all are joined to one another by an underground is that it doesn’t seem to be very eff ective”. David Read, an emeritus professor of plant of it. They thought mushrooms came up where network – a vast, highly intricate, collaborative But it’s his wilder facts that induce a sense of science at Sheffi eld University, and the man lightning struck – that you could tell which one structure that has been dubbed the Wood Wide wonderment: the feeling of “vertigo” that he who, in the 1980s, was the fi rst scientist to show was going to kill you by boiling it with a wooden Web. But he also has a gift for making diffi cult experienced as a boy, when he fi rst grasped that conclusively that carbon could pass between spoon.” ideas easily comprehensible. His enthusiasm the world below ground was just as diverse, green plants through fungal connections. It Even now, the non-mycologist often for mycology is not only passionate; it’s ingenious and infi nitely vast as that above it. seems wholly possible that Sheldrake may experiences a strange ambivalence when it grounded in his conviction that, in the future, Hyphae make mycelium, the mass of indeed remain outside academia; that part comes to fungi, one that can encompass both fungi will play an ever more crucial role in our branching that comprises the vegetative part of of his mission in the future may have to do as disgust and fear, and a powerful attraction; understanding of the environment, in a range a fungus. But they also make more specialised much with the communication of science as there’s a reason why Raymond Briggs called his of new technologies from building materials structures, such as mushrooms – organs with science itself. smelliest character Fungus the Bogeyman. In to sustainable food, packaging products to that can perform astonishing feats. When Explaining mycology to the lay person isn’t Entangled Life, Sheldrake describes the horror alternative “leather”, and in our relationship some explosively discharge their spores, they easy. While everyone knows what a bird is, or stirred in Gwen Raverat’s Aunt Etty by the with waste. accelerate 10,000 times faster than a space a tree, the language of the microbial realm is pungent and suggestively shaped stinkhorn Mycorrhizal relationships matter because shuttle after launch. Others can push their way unfamiliar, and its elements largely invisible mushroom, Phallus impudicus (Raverat, the 90% of plants, the basis of everything that through asphalt and lift paving stones. One to the naked eye. But he seems, if not exactly engraver and memoirist, was the granddaughter sustains us, depend on them. “Mechanised study estimated that if a single hypha was as to relish this challenge (he’s not about, I think, of Charles Darwin). Etty would, Raverat industrial farming has done huge damage to wide as a human hand, it would be able to lift an to become the new David Bellamy), then to recalled in 1952, “sniff her way” through her the microbial symbiosis of plants,” Sheldrake 8 tonne bus. If you teased apart the mycelium understand the importance of rising to it. Either local wood, armed with a special stick with says. “These fungi don’t just feed plants, they found in a gram of soil and laid it end to end, it way, the shores of this far corner of biology which she used to poke the stinkhorns into her protect it from disease, they hold the soil could stretch anywhere from 100 metres to 10 seem to suit him. “At university, plant sciences basket. She would then take them home and together, and they’re conduits for carbon into kilometres. were slightly marginalised,” he says, softly. “But burn them “in deepest secrecy on the drawing it [carbon, soil’s main component, helps it For some time now, Sheldrake and I have that also meant that you had more space, and I room fi re with the door locked – because of retain water and makes it fertile].” Scientists been sitting on a bench, close to some trees – a always liked that.” —The Guardian