Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Shawwal 10, 1441 AH

Doha today 310 - 410

Cover Story Untouchables Why cash has become the new Typhoid Mary. P4-5

Bollywood Back Page

Wajid Khan of composer duo The Last of Us Part II is more Sajid-Wajid no more. than just another zombie story. Page 14 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Tuesday, June 2, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

SERIES TO BINGE WATCH ON

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.13am Shorooq (sunrise) 4.45am Zuhr (noon) 11.33am Asr (afternoon) 2.57pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.22pm Ozark with ordinary lives. Except for the job of Marty, a Chicago Isha (night) 7.52pm DIRECTION: Bill Dubuque, Mark Williams financial adviser who also serves as the top money launderer for CAST: , Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz the second largest drug cartel in Mexico. When things go awry, SYNOPSIS: The Byrdes and their teenage kids, Charlotte Marty must uproot his family from the skyscrapers of Chicago USEFUL NUMBERS and Jonah, are, for all intents and purposes, an ordinary family and relocate to the lazy lake region of the Missouri Ozarks.

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 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 Office (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, Money Heist SYNOPSIS: An unusual group of robbers attempt to carry 40253369 DIRECTION: Álex Pina out the most perfect robbery in Spanish history – stealing 2.4 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 CAST: Úrsula Corberó, Álvaro Morte, Itziar Ituño billion euros from the Royal of Spain. Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Qatar Airways 40253374

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“Things start out as hopes and end up as habits.” — Lillian Hellman

Community Editor Kamran Rehmat You manager crosses paths with an aspiring writer, his answer e-mail: [email protected] DIRECTION: Sera Gamble, Greg Berlanti becomes clear: anything. Using the Internet and social media Telephone: 44466405 STARS: Penn Badgley, Ambyr Childers, Victoria Pedretti as his tools to gather the most intimate of details and get Fax: 44350474 SYNOPSIS: Based on Caroline Kepnes’ best-selling novel close to her, a charming and awkward crush quickly becomes of the same name, YOU is a 21st century love story that asks, obsession as he quietly and strategically removes every “What would you do for love?” When a brilliant bookstore obstacle – and person – in his way. Tuesday, June 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY How to safely go to your doctor during the Covid-19 pandemic

re you wondering if throw away the tissue. When it’s time to schedule wearing a mask, cough or sneeze those doctor into the mask. appointments you’ve been putting off? Keep your distance ARestrictions related to coronavirus Aim to keep social distance, disease 2019 (Covid-19) are or about 6 feet (2 metres) away easing in many places, but you from others while at the clinic, may still have concerns about including when you’re in line and Covid-19. Learn how to stay safe in the waiting area. Some clinics from coronavirus disease 2019 have signs or markings on the floor (Covid-19) while getting the care to help visitors maintain physical you need. distancing (social distancing). If an area looks crowded, move to Do your homework another part of the clinic. Before you make an appointment, call the clinic or Avoid contact with frequently check its website to find out what’s touched surfaces being done to keep people safe Try to avoid contact with during the Covid-19 pandemic. frequently touched surfaces, such Check for information about: as doorknobs, elevator buttons and 1. Requirements regarding mask touchpads. While they’re cleaned wearing by staff and visitors regularly, there’s still the chance they 2. Cleaning protocols and have germs on them. Wear gloves or sanitising measures for exam use a tissue to open doors and press rooms, waiting areas, restrooms, elevator buttons. If you need to use a elevators and other frequently touchpad or touch a commonly used touched surfaces surface, wash your hands or use a 3. Social distancing practices at hand sanitiser afterward. check-in, in waiting areas and in exam rooms PLAN AHEAD: If you have a new prescription or need to refill existing ones, consider mail order. Check with your Use touchless payment 4. Limits on the number of doctor about getting larger supplies of your prescriptions that last longer and require fewer pharmacy visits. If you options people who can be in the clinic at need to get a prescription locally, call ahead or order online. When it’s time to check out, opt the same time for touchless payment if possible, 5. Screening questions and wear masks during the Covid-19 and water for at least 20 seconds 3. Avoid touching your face, such as a mobile payment system. temperature checks for staff and pandemic. If you don’t have one, or use hand sanitiser with 60% including your eyes, nose and If that’s not an option, use credit visitors at all entrances your clinic may be able to provide alcohol before or after touching mouth. cards, cash or checks, and then use 6. Special measures, spatial you with one. any surfaces in public areas, such 4. Cover your cough or sneeze hand sanitiser containing at least isolation or instructions for people 2. Wash your hands with soap as in the waiting area. with a tissue or your elbow, and 60% alcohol. When you get home, who have or may have Covid-19 wash your hands well with soap 7. How doctors and other staff and water. are using personal protective equipment (PPE) Try telemedicine for 8. Video (telemedicine) appointments appointment options Ask your doctor about telemedicine appointment Before you head to the clinic options, such as a video consult. It Shortly before the day of your can be an effective way for you to appointment, you may get a call follow-up with your doctor from from someone at the clinic asking home. Or you may be able to have a if you have symptoms of Covid-19, telemedicine appointment instead such as fever, cough and shortness of an in-person visit. You also may of breath. If you have symptoms, be able to have a phone consult you may be given specific with your doctor. Ask your doctor instructions. if you can send secure messages or Clinic staff may tell you to bring emails with questions. and wear a mask. Some clinics may also ask that you bring only Plan ahead for prescriptions one person with you to your If you have a new prescription appointment. or need to refill existing ones, Ask questions you may have consider mail order. Check with about safety procedures. For your doctor about getting larger example, you may want to ask supplies of your prescriptions if the clinic can send your bill that last longer and require fewer electronically or by mail. These pharmacy visits. If you need to get may be good options so you don’t a prescription locally, call ahead or have to worry about picking up order online. Ask if delivery is an germs when you check out at the option or whether the pharmacy clinic. has drive-through or curb side pickup options. Wear a mask Although it’s natural to have Remember to follow these concerns about receiving care standard precautions when you’re during the Covid-19 pandemic, at the clinic, such as: TOUCHLESS PAYMENT: When it’s time to check out, opt for touchless payment if possible, such as a mobile payment it’s possible to visit your doctor 1. Wear a cloth face mask. system. If that’s not an option, use credit cards, cash or checks, and then use hand sanitiser containing at least 60% and be safe. – Mayo Clinic News Most clinics require that people alcohol. Network/TNS 4 GULF TIMES Tuesday, June 2, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Going touchless — wherever possible The dollar has lost some of its might in the time of Covid-19. While most struggling businesses will take payment in any form to make ends meet, a minority reject cash, fearing that it could be a transmission vehicle for the virus, writes James Rainey

This note is legal tender for all This crisis is clearly pushing us debts, public and private.” That’s what it says right under “Federal even farther away from using Reserve Note” and “The United States of America.” cash in our everyday legal But legal tender won’t be accepted to play at transactions. And it’s for obvious one of the city of Los Angeles’ dozen public golf courses. Or for the $15 charge to enter the Los reasons. No-one wants to touch Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Arcadia. More than 30 Armstrong Garden something you or someone else Centers around California also ask for “touchless” payment options, as does the Beehive clothing just touched. That’s not going to boutique in Manhattan Beach and the Munch change any time soon Company sandwich shop in South Pasadena. The dollar has lost some of its might in the time of Covid-19. While most struggling businesses will take payment in any form to make ends meet — Kenneth Rogoff, a Harvard during the economic downtown, a minority University economics professor reject cash, fearing that it could be a transmission ‘ vehicle for the Sars-CoV-2 virus. Some experts and author of The Curse of Cash predict that the pandemic will accelerate a steady flight by American consumers away from dollars ’ and cents. Tuesday, June 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

“This crisis is clearly pushing us year ago. More than half of its even farther away from using cash accounts are in the United States. in our everyday legal transactions,” “I think what’s happened said Kenneth Rogoff, a Harvard with the pandemic is it’s taken University economics professor a three- to five-year time frame and author of The Curse of Cash. that it would have taken for digital “And it’s for obvious reasons. No payments to hit a tipping point one wants to touch something and fast-forwarded it to reach you or someone else just touched. that tipping point, literally within That’s not going to change any months,” PayPal CEO Daniel time soon.” Schulman said in an interview. Dollars remain in record While some older consumers circulation around the world, had clung to cash, the digital pay in part as a perceived safe platform now sees the 50-plus haven for investors and, not age group as its fastest-growing infrequently according to Rogoff, demographic. “Before it used to as the preferred vehicle for money be cash or checks. Now they are launderers and tax evaders. But on going to a payment platform to Main Street, the use of greenbacks send money to the grandkids,” makes some retailers and Schulman said. customers flinch, and contrary to Some businesses prefer cash popular belief, there is no federal to reduce charges from bank card law that requires businesses to companies. They also don’t suffer accept cash and coins, according to a tremendous penalty for holding the Federal Reserve’s website. the money outside of banks, for Noshi Sushi in Koreatown, a a time, because low interest rates cash-only business for decades, At a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Manhattan Beach, cashier would generate almost no growth. has begun taking ATM and credit But there are hidden costs, like cards and now completes nearly Jennai Dreger notices how cash often comes scribbled the higher rates of insurance paid half its transactions with plastic, with notations. “People put down their phone numbers by companies that carry lots of said manager Jacky Gomez. currency. At a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in and I see the area codes are from all over the place. And, Much of the demand for cash Manhattan Beach, cashier Jennai in the United States comes from Dreger notices how cash often I’m like, ‘OK, this money has been everywhere’” businesses that also save by comes scribbled with notations. underreporting their income and “People put down their phone — Jennai Dreger, cashier at a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf outlet thus illegally reducing their taxes, numbers and I see the area codes said Harvard’s Rogoff. His 2016 are from all over the place,” said book concluded that about 15% of Dreger. “And, I’m like, ‘OK, this Some loyal customers also want to takes each new bill offered to her debit and credit cards. Reopening individual federal taxes are never money has been everywhere.’” leave their change to help support and sprays it down with alcohol. plans for multiple counties paid, even after audits, amounting She much prefers the no-touch a local business, including one She leaves the dead presidents also recommend “contactless” to a $500 million-a-year loss for transactions when customers use regular who pays $20 for his $2.50 lying atop a paper towel until they payment systems. the US treasury. the coffee chain’s mobile phone newspaper. Says Nam: “There are a have dried, before returning them The retreat of cash comes with While many hail the shift to a app. “I don’t have to touch their lot of good people out there.” to the cash drawer. an advance of electronic payment cashless economy, others say that money. I don’t have to touch Good intentions don’t equal Moreno laughs a bit at her systems like Square, created by it raises equity concerns, because their card. I don’t have to touch safety, though, and most cashiers money laundering (the literal and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey the poorest Americans have no anything. The only contact is said they wash their hands legal kind, that is) but adds: “Why and PayPal, also the parent of access to digital alternatives. Much between the scanner and their routinely, sometimes after every not? Just to be safe.” Venmo. of the world, led by Scandinavia phone,” Dreger said. “And I am transaction. Or they apply regular A shift to other forms of PayPal added an average of and Japan, has moved to assure like, ‘Yes!’” shots of hand sanitiser. payment has been encouraged by 250,000 new accounts a day virtually their entire populations Sinnaca Bell of South Los At El Tarasco, a Mexican food government agencies, such as the through April and now has 325 have access to online payments. Angeles delivers food for joint in Venice, cashier Maricela California Department of Public million active accounts worldwide, China introduced a digital Postmates. He has noticed even Moreno goes a step further. She Health, which suggests the use of up from 277 million accounts a currency this spring in four cities, before the Covid-19 crisis how paving the way to its becoming cash would be stained, sometimes perhaps the world’s first cashless with what looked like blood. “If society. you have Venmo, or anything like But a survey by the Federal that, you use it,” said Bell, 41. Deposit Insurance Corporation “Most people don’t really want to found that roughly 6% of the US deal with cash.” population, about 14.1 million There has not been specific adults, doesn’t have a checking or research on the danger of the savings account, and thus can’t coronavirus being transmitted access funds online. That gap will via cash. A National Institutes of have to be closed if America is Health study found that Sars- ever to come closer to a cashless CoV-2 remained infectious on future. cardboard for up to 24 hours. But Acknowledging the “bankless” germs picked up from surfaces can community, San Francisco last be eliminated by thorough hand year passed a measure requiring washing. The primary means of all businesses to keep taking transmission remains through cash. The policy remains in place, respiratory droplets produced despite the pandemic. when an infected person coughs or For now, many businesses sneezes. just want to reassure customers That doesn’t make cash any less that their transactions won’t creepy to many of the consumers come freighted with a load of and workers who handle bills, microscopic intruders. with no way of knowing who has “We don’t know when it will touched them before. be time to take cash again,” said Kay Nam, owner of Current John Chen, owner of the Munch Events newsstand in Manhattan Company. “For right now, we just Beach, said she serves customers avoid contact. It’s a good thing for every day who leave cash and coins everyone. We keep everyone safe rather than take the money, and and happy.” — Los Angeles Times/ potential germs, with them. TNS “With the virus, some people BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY: At El Tarasco, a Mexican food joint in Venice, cashier Maricela Moreno takes each new don’t want to touch money at bill offered to her and sprays it down with alcohol. She leaves the dead presidents lying atop a paper towel until they • Los Angeles Times staff writer all,” said Nam, whose family has have dried, before returning them to the cash drawer. Moreno laughs a bit at her money laundering (the literal and Sarah Parvini contributed to this owned the business for 22 years. legal kind, that is) but adds: “Why not? Just to be safe.” report. 6 GULF TIMES Tuesday, June 2, 2020 COMMUNITY MARKETING The new BMW 5 Series: leading the premium executive class

heightened sense of four- and six-cylinder petrol outward authority, an engines with optimised petrol interior brimming with injection; all diesel engines now detail refinements, the with two-stage turbocharging. efficiency-enhancing All four- and six-cylinder model Ainfluence of electrification and variants now meet the Euro 6d cutting-edge innovations in the emissions standard. areas of driver assistance, control/ 11. Optional Integral Active operation and connectivity help Steering offers greater assistance the new BMW 5 Series to cement in low-speed manoeuvring; new its leading position at the premium version of chassis system now also end of the executive class, stated a available for plug-in hybrid models. press release. 12. New driver assistance systems and extended functions pave the Highlights: way for automated driving: Lane 1. Premiere for the new BMW 5 Departure Warning – part of the Series: extensively updated exterior optional Driving Assistant – now design with heightened presence also with lane return function; and sporting allure, further new optional Driving Assistant enhanced premium feel for the Professional now includes Active interior, increased efficiency and Navigation with the help of the dynamism through drive system Lane Change Assistant, automatic electrification, cutting-edge formation of emergency lane innovations in the areas of driver and junction warning (now assistance, control/operation and with city braking) functions. 3D connectivity. visualisation of the surrounding 2. New chapter in the successful area shows traffic situations and history of the BMW 5 Series (first possible interventions by the introduced in 1972); worldwide NEW DESIGNS: New, eye-catching design accents, clearly structured surfaces at the front and rear. driver assistance systems in the sales of the current model instrument cluster. generation have topped 600,000 leather steering wheel with newly 8. Plug-in hybrid range expands combined: 16.3 – 15.3 kWh/100 13. Optional Parking Assistant units. Market launch of the new arranged multifunction buttons. to five models: latest-generation km; CO2 emissions, combined: with additional reversing assistant BMW 5 Series Sedan and new BMW Controls on the centre console now BMW eDrive technology now 54 – 49 g/km) with six-cylinder function. 5 Series Touring from July 2020. in High-gloss Black. New Sensatec also offered for the BMW 5 Series in-line combustion engine available 14. New BMW Drive Recorder 3. New, eye-catching design perforated trim variant for the seat Touring. BMW 530e Touring (fuel from autumn 2020. New BMW in the BMW 5 Series (part of the accents, clearly structured surfaces; comfort seats and new M consumption, combined: 2.1 – 1.9 eDrive Zone function – standard optional Parking Assistant Plus) surfaces at the front and rear, multifunction seats with optimised l/100 km [134.5 – 148.7 mpg imp]; for all plug-in hybrid models – records up to 40 seconds of video newly designed BMW kidney grille seating comfort, new interior trim electric power consumption, automatically switches the car to footage from points around the now wider and taller, new LED strips. combined: 15.9 – 14.9 kWh/100 all-electric mode when entering vehicle. headlights with slimmer contours, 7. BMW 5 Series M Sport Edition: km; CO2 emissions, combined: ‘green zones’. 15. Standard-fitted BMW Adaptive LED Headlights with special-edition version of the 47 – 43 g/km), BMW 530e xDrive 9. Introduction of new 48V mild Operating System 7 opens up a host matrix technology added to the new BMW 5 Series Sedan and new Touring (fuel consumption, hybrid technology for all four- and of potential new applications and options list, BMW Laserlight now BMW 5 Series Touring available combined: 2.3 – 2.1 l/100 km six-cylinder engines (country- connectivity options, as well as available as an option for all model from launch in a limited run of [122.8 – 134.5 mpg imp]; electric specific availability); more rapid extended personalisation. variants, new three-dimensional 1,000 units; includes the M Sport power consumption, combined: responses and enhanced efficiency 16. BMW Intelligent Personal sculpted rear lights, all model package, the Donington Grey 16.9 – 15.9 kWh/100 km; CO2 thanks to 48V starter-generator; Assistant digital companion with variants now with trapezoidal metallic paint finish previously only emissions, combined: 52 – 49 g/ 8 kW/11 hp power spike to both extended functions; optimised exhaust tailpipe finishers. available for BMW M models and km) and BMW 545e xDrive Sedan lighten the combustion engine’s interaction courtesy of new 4. New exterior colours and exclusive, 20-inch BMW Individual (fuel consumption, combined: 2.4 workload and boost its power. graphics in the Control Display. additional BMW Individual paint Air Performance Wheels in bi- – 2.1 l/100 km [117.7 – 134.5 mpg 10. Further developed BMW 17. Premiere for BMW Maps: finishes, M Sport package with colour design. imp]; electric power consumption, TwinPower Turbo technology: New cloud-based navigation new and muscular design features, system offers extremely fast and additional model-specific accents precise calculation of routes and for the flagship BMW M550i arrival times. Real-time traffic data xDrive Sedan (fuel consumption, updates at short intervals, driver combined: 10.0 – 9.7 l/100 km [28.3 can now enter any word when – 29.1 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions, selecting a destination. combined: 229 – 221 g/km) 18. Standard smartphone with 390 kW/530 hp V8 engine. integration now also features Optional M Sport brakes now with Android Auto (in addition to brake callipers painted in either Apple CarPlay); wireless WiFi blue or red. connectivity; information shown 5. New light-alloy wheels in in the Control Display, instrument 18- to 20-inch formats, 20-inch cluster and optional Head-Up BMW Individual Air Performance Display. Wheels available as an option for 19. Remote Software Upgrade the first time, innovative design introduced in the new BMW 5 minimises the wheels’ weight and Series: Vehicle-specific content air resistance. and updates such as function 6. Interior design with detail extensions for driver assistance refinements, optional 12.3-inch systems can be integrated into the Control Display (10.25-inch car over the air, vehicle software Control Display now standard), INTERIOR: Interior design with detail refinements, optional 12.3-inch Control Display (10.25-inch Control Display now always has the latest updates, automatic climate control with standard), automatic climate control with extended features and sports leather steering wheel with newly arranged digital services can be added at a extended features and sports multifunction buttons. later date Tuesday, June 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 FASHION COMMUNITY The quest of comfy shapeless dresses?

It seems we’re all spinning around the parks in the same ankle-length, sack-like garments we probably bought last autumn – they may be comfortable, but let’s not pretend they are flattering

do so until March of this year – at By Hadley Freeman which point everyone stopped shopping, because who would risk buying clothes online, knowing uestion: I’ve finally that you might have to queue up left my house for the for three hours at the post office first time in 10 weeks to return it? So the clothes we are and … every woman now seeing on other people are seems to be wearing clothes they bought – at the very Qthe same dress. Is this one of the least – three months ago, and more conditions of easing lockdown? likely more. (I personally find that Answer: Yes – did you miss January-April are dead months that daily briefing? It was issued by in terms of clothes shopping, for Matt Hancock, before laughing in a reasons that are two parts post- dead-eyed hysterical manner that Christmas bloat to three parts is weirdly reminiscent of when the winter inertia.) So this shapeless people of Gotham became infected sack dress is a response to last by the Joker’s poison in Tim summer’s Zara dress, and was Burton’s Batman. Come to think of probably a response someone it, Dominic Cummings does have bought at least nine months ago. something of the chaos-loving Now, a quick word about that Joker about him. It would certainly Zara sack dress. Much was written explain his otherwise inexplicable at the time about how that dress outfits. “flattered everyone”. It is high time To the dress! Yes, some (many) that someone bravely stood up of us last weekend emerged from and put an end to this nonsense, the almost comical uncertainty of and this brave truth-teller must lockdown, to paraphrase a certain be me. Take it from one who wore Spectator article by a certain Mary only sack dresses between the Wakefield – and one suspects ages of 14 and 30: they are not Ms Wakefield had no idea how flattering, and I have the photos uncertain, or how comical, her to prove it. Shapeless dresses only family’s emergence from lockdown make you look shapeless, however would turn out to be. Anyway, as I big or small you are. Now, this is was saying, once the Cummingses not to say everyone should dress officially declared that lockdown like Nancy dell’Olio (always here rules were just jokesies, a lot of for you with the cutting-edge people decided to follow their references.) On the contrary, a lead last weekend and, if not drive body-skimming (as opposed to across the country with a carful of engulfing) maxi dress is probably suspected Covid, then at least go my favourite look, and you can find to their local park. Hell, I did, and, many on, for example, asos. goodness, isn’t nature wonderful? Having said all that, maybe Being able to walk more than 20 people just want to wear sacks, and steps in a straight line without I relate hard to that. I spent half bashing into a wall! Let us never of last year pregnant, the other again take such freedom for half breastfeeding, and just as I granted! And just as I was spinning was finally putting the maternity about the park like Julie Andrews in LAST SEASON: The clothes we clothes away, lockdown hit. So I the opening scene of The Sound of are now seeing on other people are haven’t actually worn anything but Music, there was a distinct record clothes they bought – at the very sacks for the past, ooh, 18 months, screech: why was everyone wearing least – three months ago, and more and I’ll be honest: maternity the same dress?! likely more. clothes made up at least half of You know the dress: light the four outfits I wore in rotation material, probably polka dot, look familiar because it resembles during lockdown, and my baby now long-sleeved and ankle-length, cut the bewilderingly ubiquitous Zara has actual teeth. So fine, go forth vaguely on a diagonal so it’s not a dress from last summer, and that is and wear your Zara knock-off sack total sack, but still quite sack-like, very much the answer to why these dresses, Britain. It’s been a hard perhaps with some token buttons similar dresses are now everywhere. few months for all of us, and they on the front for added primness, They are copies of that Zara dress, are super-comfy for those long DISPLEASING: Shapeless dresses only make you look shapeless, however just in case dressing like a nun which probably started to roll out drives to Durham. Or so I’ve heard. big or small you are. isn’t prim enough. This dress will last September and continued to – The Guardian 8 GULF TIMES Tuesday, June 2, 2020 COMMUNITY OFFBEAT Beware jeans, avoid the gutter … ten tips to make cycling a delight Coronavirus is driving more and more of us on to bikes. Here’s how to take the pain out of the commute or a night out, writes Claire Armitstead

esperate to get the manufactured in mainland Europe country moving again, – is sorting itself out. the government is promising a new era 2. Don’t let the scare stories for cyclists, with pop- grind you down Dup bike lanes, car-free corridors The Royal Society for the and major investment to make Prevention of Accidents points out roads safer across the UK. It just that, according to its latest figures, goes to show that sometimes there are just 1,011 casualties for you have to be forced to see the every billion cycle miles – a little light. My own cycling conversion more than one per million. And happened back in 2003, when the while the bike website road.cc says London congestion charge made there were more than twice the it no longer possible to drive for number of cycling deaths in the free through the capital. I swore I first month of the lockdown than would never pay it – and I never the average for this time of year – have. 15 across the four nations – this Given the far bigger incentive begs an obvious comparison with of the Covid-19 crisis, this seems Covid-19 casualty rates. It could a rather shaming admission, also be a statistical blip. except that it makes me an outlier. Most converts quickly fall by the 3. The simplest precautions wayside, but – apart from the are often the best occasional snowstorm, the odd With more than 100,000 multi-journey morning – I have bicycles reported stolen in England never wavered, and that is because and Wales last year, your biggest I’m not a zealot but a cycling problem is likely to be keeping pragmatist. I don’t cover huge yours safe. Lincolnshire police distances – around 40-50 miles advise spending 10%-15% of the in a normal working week – but cost of your bike on a lock. Make they are miles free from traffic sure it has a Sold Secure rating, jams and overstuffed tubes, and which comes in gold, silver and give me regular exercise while bronze according to the value of delivering me to my destination at your bike (your insurance will not a speed considerably faster than pay out without one). You can the seven-minute urban car mile. add it to the national BikeRegister So if coronavirus is encouraging SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING: It is better to cycle a couple of times a week than not to cycle at all. database free of charge and deter you to rethink how you get around, petty thieves by buying a kit to here are my top tips for a long and print the number on the frame. If happy life on two wheels. you are buying a bike secondhand, make sure it is not hot property by 1. A bike is for life, not just running the number through the for Christmas register’s BikeChecker. It’s no good getting a posh road racer if your home is surrounded 4. Make visibility your by potholes, which applies to mantra most of us who live in post- The last thing you want to have austerity Britain. Meanwhile, to do at the end of a night out is those picturesque Dutch sit-up- abandon your bike because your and-begs are hard work if you live front light has run out of battery on a hill (you may not even know or your back one has been stolen. you do until you start riding up It is illegal in the UK to cycle on it), while mountain bikes are best a public road after dark without saved for mountains. For everyday lights and reflectors and they commuting, a reasonably priced must be on the bike and not your hybrid is probably your best bet, helmet. One solution is to invest while the extra poke of an e-bike in battery-free lights, which are will do wonders for morale after attached to the frame of the bike a hard day at the office. But don’t and generate energy through the take my word for it: consult a bike rotation of the wheel (my go- shop. to is the Danish firm Reelight), My local indie, Push Cycles, combined with a couple of those reports a nationwide shortage of little rubbery slip-ons, with small bikes, while the Manchester names such as Knog Frog, which co-op, Bicycle Doctor, has show that even if all else fails, at stopped taking on repairs so it least you exist. On country lanes can concentrate on new orders. especially, visibility is your first But national chains Halfords and and best defence – and make that Evans Cycles have now reopened. your mantra for clothing, too. Evans’ Castleford branch in Leeds reported taking its mechanics off 5. Avoid the all-or-nothing furlough last week and says that fallacy the supply line for big brands SAFETY LIGHTS: The last thing you want to have to do at the end of a night out is abandon your bike because your The weather forecast is the – Trek, for instance, which is front light has run out of battery or your back one has been stolen. enemy of cycling morale. But even Tuesday, June 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 OFFBEAT COMMUNITY Beware jeans, avoid the gutter … ten tips to make cycling a delight

8. Keep a change of clothes to hand You are going to need decent waterproofs when it is bucketing down, but they can make you feel like a boil-in-the-bag on warm drizzle days. Not everyone wants to go full Lycra, or is lucky enough to have the use of a shower on arrival. Mudguards will stop the worst of the splatter, but the water that splashes up, or sideways, is usually more of a problem than that which comes down. Do not assume that an old pair of jeans is the solution: there is a reason why Scottish highlanders wear kilts. Keep spares at work. And remember: it is not shameful to look wind-blown or helmet-haired for the minutes that it takes to get to a changing-room mirror. It is the inner glow that counts.

9. Dominate the road This was a piece of roadside wisdom from a cycling samaritan who stopped to fix a puncture for me: do not feel you make yourself safer by making yourself small. Counterintuitive though it may seem, timid cyclists have more accidents. Command the road, particularly on bends – not only because the edges contain all sorts of hidden hazards like sunken drain WELL EQUIPPED: Think about what you need to carry around with you and equip yourself accordingly. Always carry waterproofs, a spare inner tube and one of covers and untended potholes, those dinky little pumps. but also because a motorist will instinctively match the distance if rain is due, the odds are that if Think about what you need to tube and one of those dinky little with cycle samaritans who will be between car and bike with that it is dry when you start out, you carry around with you and equip pumps. Now’s the time to teach willing to help if you can provide between bike and kerb. You may get will not get wet. And with a little yourself accordingly. Always yourself to fix a puncture, but even the tube. You can even be one some abuse, but words won’t cut flexibility in your working hours, carry waterproofs, a spare inner if you can’t, the roads are paved yourself from time to time. you up. you will be able to have a dry run home, too. But it is better to cycle 10 … and have a happy holiday a couple of times a week than not Touring isn’t my bag, because to cycle at all. I do not cycle in I like to take stacks of books on the West End of London, because holiday and can’t bear the faff of I have had too many near misses camping or the uncertainties of with cab doors and happy-hour summer storms. So I have devised revellers, so if I am going out in a daisy system where you drive to the evening – obviously a fond a single base and cycle around a memory at this moment in time different “petal” each day – that – I will often ride to a nearby way you do not find yourself station and hop on the tube. So reading papier-mache and you earn as not to arrive looking like Tin your lunch. On our last fortnight’s Man from The Wizard of Oz, I holiday, we looped our way round have a passably elegant handbag 300 miles of rural France, none of that doubles as a backpack. Try to it more than 20 miles from home. carry a waterproof bag to put over Have faith that bike-friendly trains the saddle, because there are few will eventually be restored to the things more demoralising than European holiday spot of your riding home at midnight with a choice – Germany in particular is soggy bum. cycle heaven – but so long as that remains out of bounds, try devising 6. A pannier is not just for a daisy trail closer to home. carrying things The UK has 1,504 miles of Handlebar baskets look good but dedicated traffic-free cycle routes, are hopeless when it rains, while but even if none are in your neck dangling shopping bags from them of the woods, the lobbying charity is a shortcut to A&E and nobody Sustrans has a nifty little tool on wants to end up there. A sturdy its website that enables you to plan pair of rear-mounted panniers, your own journey – by location, preferably with reflectors or in distance and road type – on the a bright colour, will keep your National Cycle Network. It also centre of gravity low, which is good has a map of pop-up road closures for balance, while encouraging imposed by local authorities to give motorists to give you a wider cyclists and pedestrians a clear run berth. No one is going to pick a through the Covid-19 crisis. Who fight with a pair of yellow Ortliebs. knows, if enough of us make use of them, they might even be here to 7. Never forget your pump PRO TIP: A sturdy pair of rear-mounted panniers will keep your centre of gravity low. stay. – The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Tuesday, June 2, 2020 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Tuesday, June 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Why dogs will always rescue their distressed owners

our pet dog will always me.” Beforehand, the researchers that rescuing requires more than come to rescue you from coached the owners so their cries just motivation, there’s something trouble as according to for help sounded authentic. else involved, and that’s the ability the researchers, dogs About one-third of the dogs component,” Van Bourg said. save distressed human rescued their distressed owner, In another control test, the Yowners as long as they know how. which doesn’t sound too impressive research team looked at what For the findings, published in the on its own, but really is impressive happened when the owner sat journal PLOS ONE, the researchers when you take a closer look,” Van inside the box and calmly read wanted to know how dogs take Bourg said. aloud from a magazine. chances to rescue their owners. According to the study, that’s What they found was that four Simply observing dogs rescuing because two things are at stake fewer dogs, 16 out of 60, opened the someone doesn’t tell you much, here. One is the dogs’ desire to help box in the reading test than in the the difficult challenge is figuring their owners, and the other is how distress test. out why they do it,” said study well the dogs understood the nature The fact that dogs did open the researcher Joshua Van Bourg from of the help that was needed. box more often in the distress test Arizona State University in the US. The researchers explored this than in the reading control test For the results, the research team factor in control tests - tests that indicated that rescuing could not set up an experiment assessing were lacking in previous studies. be explained solely by the dogs 60 pet dogs’ propensity to rescue In one control test, when the dog wanting to be near their owners. their owners. None of the dogs had watched a researcher drop food What’s fascinating about this training in such an endeavour. into the box, only 19 of the 60 dogs study, is that it shows that dogs In the main test, each owner opened the box to get the food. really care about their people,” was confined to a large box More dogs rescued their owners Van Bourg said. equipped with a light-weight than retrieved food. Even without training, many how upset they are,” Van Bourg rescue their people are unable to door, which the dog could move The fact that two-thirds of the dogs will try and rescue people added. understand what to do — it’s not aside. The owners feigned distress dogs didn’t even open the box for who appear to be in distress — and The results from the control that they don’t care about their by calling out “help,” or “help food is a pretty strong indication when they fail, we can still see tests indicate that dogs who fail to people. — IANS

Aries Taurus Gemini March 21 — April 19 April 20 — May 20 May 21 — June 20

If you’ve considered a career in publishing, Aries, this is the time Your dreams could be vivid, pleasant, and full of information to help Today you’re likely focused on committed relationships. The to go for it. It’s also a great day to enrol in law school, an advanced you make a decision. New and exciting contacts could come into planetary energies surrounding love are promising, Gemini. If you’re degree program, or any field of higher education. Love with your life today, Taurus, possibly proving helpful in showing you ways in a relationship, you and your partner could make plans to embark someone from far away could well be in the offing. At the very least, to increase your income. New careers, sidelines, and investments on a new enterprise together, which is likely to succeed. Expect your you could make a new friend from a distant state or foreign land. appear promising and worthy of consideration. Make the most of relationships to move forward now. If you aren’t with someone, who This should be a satisfying day for you. whatever comes your way. It could make a difference. knows? By the end of the day you might be. Cancer Leo Virgo June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Today you should be glowing with good health, energy, and stamina, Family likely to be tops on your agenda today, Leo. You’re feeling Important enterprises centring on your home could take up a lot of and be doing well at work, whether career, volunteer work, or a especially warm and loving now. Current and potential partners your energy over the next few days, Virgo. Many people might come personal project. Success should come your way on all fronts, could feel strongly drawn to you. Children might also prove a source and go from your life. Perhaps you’re moving to a nicer place, or Cancer, particularly since you’ve been working hard. You’re finally of happiness and satisfaction. If you’re artistically inclined, this is the maybe transacting a lot of business in your home. Whatever it is, it’s likely to see the results of past efforts. Success feeds good health day to start or finish an enterprise, which could well lead to fame and likely to produce the results you’re hoping for. Work hard and make and good health feeds success. Make the most of both. fortune. This should be a wonderful day. the most of it. Libra Scorpio Sagittarius September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Some absolutely wonderful news could come your way, Libra, possibly You should feel especially warm and loving today toward just about Sagittarius, you should be looking beautiful and feeling especially about career or financial success, perhaps involving positive changes in anyone you meet, Scorpio. Good news about money may have positive, warm, and loving - attracting people of all kinds to you. Your your neighbourhood. If you’ve been thinking about working in writing caused you to feel especially positive. This could attract new people self-confidence, optimism, and determination should peak over the or publishing - or any art, for that matter - this is the day to set events to you and bring closer those already in your life. If you’ve been next few days. Anything you’ve been thinking about starting - a new in motion. Your imagination is operating at a high level and so is your thinking about starting an artistic project, this is the day to do it. partnership, business, creative project, romance - is highly likely to ability to communicate with others. Go for it. Creative ideas should flow freely. Have fun. succeed and bring good fortune your way. Enjoy. Capricorn Aquarius Pisces December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Creative inspiration could come from deep within today, Capricorn. Group activities prove beneficial on several levels, Aquarius. You might You might find yourself in the public eye at some point today, Pisces. Visions, dreams - anything that excites your imagination - could bring project powerful warmth and love for all life. You’re feeling especially This is fine since you’re looking and feeling great. You’re likelier than ideas for new projects. You might also find that your understanding optimistic about the future. Your enthusiasm could spill over to others, usual to project warmth and friendliness to others. Acknowledgment of others greatly increases, attracting new and old friends. The only attracting them into your aura. Acquaintances become friends, friends for an artistic or creative activity could come your way. Whatever downside is you could get so lost in ideas that you temporarily lose grow closer, and love relationships grow stronger and more stable. You you start today is likely to succeed, whether it’s a new artistic project touch with the material world. Try to keep a foot in both camps. could gain a lot of intriguing, useful information. or career. Enjoy. 12 GULF TIMES Tuesday, June 2, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe ANTIQUES MAGAZINES THIMBLES GLASSWARE RUGS COINS PLATES BOTTLES MUGS AUTOGRAPHS MEDALS TOYS GUNS SHELLS DOLLS POTTERY CARDS PAINTINGS AWARDS MEMORABILIA TROPHIES JEWELRY SILVER FIGURINES RECORDS CERAMICS PHOTOGRAPHS BELLS MODELS WATCHES LETTERS STAMPS FURNITURE ROCKS CLOCKS PINS BOOKS MONEY

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. Tuesday, June 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across 1 Outlaws in gangs carrying Down equipment (8) 2 Free to get another tenant (7) 6 Fixed place (3) 3 Origins of garage and parking 9 Bulb could be lit up (5) space (3) 10 God accepting drink in 4 Child about to embrace crazy Borders (7) wanderers (6) 11 Had plenty of food - but about 5 Youth in south multiplying by a quarter had no food! (7) three (9) 13 Trifling - like a naval officer? 6 Penniless family seen in street (5) (5) 14 Wonder if it’s Eve in disguise? 7 Irritable jury’s conclusion after (6) trial (5) 15 Attempt to grab a small 8 Workforces where Burton is (6) cigarette end? That’s not fair! (6) 12 It’s the last for four months (9) 19 A trainee soldier acted 16 They are married in Spain for strangely (5) varied reasons (7) 21 Continue pleading - getting 17 Bit of cloth put in river for one a flower (7) monster (6) 22 Chap with key - a renowned 18 A group of directors on a ship African leader (7) (6) 23 Old film star seen in dress 19 Cud-chewing mammal circle (5) showed up by lake (5) 24 Shelter for backward 20 European holding cold ball (5) swimmer (3) 23 Information from reduced 25 Pleasure-seeker, curiously, officer (3) might have done this (8) Answers

Solution Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Tuesday, June 2, 2020 COMMUNITY Wajid Khan of composer duo Sajid-Wajid no more

ollywood composer- give strength to the family.. Safe singer Wajid Khan of travels bro.. @wajidkhan7 you’ve the popular sibling gone too soon. It’s a huge loss composer duo- Sajid- to our fraternity. I’m shocked & Wajid is no more. He broken,” wrote Salim. Bpassed away in the early hours on Vishal Dadlani wrote on Twitter: Monday. “Wajid Khan is gone far too soon. Confirming the news, singer His talent and heart were never posted on his official appreciated enough. All the times social media handle: My brother we planned to meet & never did Wajid left us. because we were busy, those will The cause of death has not always rankle. , mere yet been confirmed, though bhai. You will never be alone unconfirmed reports have stated & our brother will forever be the artiste was suffering from remembered.” Covid-19. A report in filmibeat. “Heartbreaking news. Wajid no com, on the other hand, stated more. Spent time on the SRGMP Wajid had been suffering from a show with him as a co-judge and kidney problem over the past few he was so kind and generous. I years, and had reportedly been on know he was ailing for a while, ventilator after being hospitalised regret not picking up the phone on recently. him in this lockdown. Stunned and Sajid-Wajid recently composed sad,” wrote singer Sona Mohapatra songs for Bollywood superstar on Twitter. during the ongoing Singer lockdown, one of which was a tweeted: “My deep condolences number titled Pyaar karona, a pop to #WajidKhan Ji’s family. Still anthem encouraging all to fight the can’t believe that he is no more. coronavirus. The song released in Have always seen him smiling and April was sung by Salman and also spreading joy around him. Huge featured the actor in the video. loss to the music industry.” The composer duo also recently “This cannot be true! I can’t composed Salman’s Eid special DEPARTED: The cause of Wajid’s death has not yet been confirmed, though unconfirmed reports have stated believe that Wajid bhai has left us.. song, Bhai bhai, which talks of the artiste was suffering from Covid-19. In state of complete shock! Worked communal harmony. with u on so many songs and just Sajid-Wajid frequently wanna partner and Soni de nakhre Sajid-Wajid also composed for a I will always remember is Wajid met u a while ago @wajidkhan7 .. collaborated as composers for (Partner), few non-film albums. These are bhai’s laugh. Always smiling. Gone May your soul Rest In Peace.. May Salman Khan. In fact, they made and Laal dupatta (Mujhse Shaadi Son Nigam’s Deewana, too soon. My condolences to his god give strength to the family to their debut in the 1998 Salman Karogi), Mashallah (), and Babul Supriyo’s Khoya Khoya family and everyone grieving. Rest bear this huge loss,” tweeted singer superhit, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Chinta ta chita (), Chand, and Rahul Vaidya’s Tera in peace my friend. You are in my . scoring one song in that film,Teri Fevicol se ( 2) and Raat Intezaar. thoughts and prayers,” tweeted Singer-Politician Babul Supriyo jawani badi mast mast hai. bhar (). Wajid also was a mentor of the . also expressed his condolence on The duo shot to fame with the As a singer, Wajid recorded music reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Among the first to confirm the Twitter: “Shocked to hear about Salman Khan blockbuster Dabangg many hit songs, including Do you Singing Superstar and Sa Re Ga Ma news with a tweet of condolence the cruelly untimely demise of in 2010, and there has been no wanna partner and Soni de nakhre Pa 2012. was composer Salim Merchant Wajid of the renowned Composer looking back. Among numerous (Partner), Hud hud Dabangg As the news of Wajod’s demise of the Salim-Suleiman duo. duo of Sajid Wajid. Incredible loss hits they composed were “Tere (Dabangg), Chinta ta chita (Rowdy spread, Bollywood took to social “Devastated with the news of the of a very very dear friend & a very mast mast do nain” and Hud Rathore), Tujhe Aksa Beach (God media to express grief and shock. passing away of my brother Wajid very talented musical mind — a hud Dabangg (Dabangg), Do you Tussi Great Ho) and Jalwa (Wanted). “Terrible news. The one thing of Sajid -Wajid fame. May Allah Gr8 sport.” — IANS

Abhishek Bachchan’s within the state (Maharashtra).” The Big Bull shoot A 16-page official directive could resume in July comprising guiding principles was issued recently by the Maharashtra state The Maharashtra government has government, for the restart of the media permitted resumption of shootings for and entertainment industry. films, teleserials, advertisements, OTT, The guidelines pertain to managing etc with immediate effect. The makers of Covid-19 risks on sets and in edit Abhishek Bachchan-starrer The Big Bull facilities, and the utilisation of offices, plan to resume shooting next month. tents, and trailers, as well as domestic We are looking at July because a lot travel to location of cast and crew. needs to be worked out. All precautions Apart from making effort to stick and arrangements need to be in place, to the government protocol, we will as well as dates of the actors,” Anand also have sanitisation tunnels at all Pandit, one of the producers of the film, our locations. We are also considering told IANS. a location where the entire crew is Last year, the team had shot a major stationed during the shoot rather than schedule in Delhi. Asked if there are them going back home every day,” said more outstation shoots pending, he Anand. PLOT: The film is based on real events of financial market that took place between 1990 and said: “There is no outstation shoot The Big Bull is a biographical financial 2000 involving Harshad Mehta and his financial crimes. pending, so we didn’t have to cancel crime film directed by Kookie Gulati and any outstation shoots. We have to finish produced by Ajay Devgn, Anand Pandit is a retelling of stockbroker Harshad crimes over a period 10 years, from the last bits that we were planning to do and Kumar Mangat Pathak. The storyline Mehta’s life involving his financial 1990-2000. — IANS Tuesday, June 2, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY

Robert Pattinson: Tenet John Legend on his fading friendship with Kanye West incredibly complicated Singer John Legend says politics Actor Robert Pattinson struggled hard to has nothing to do with his fading understand the plot of Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, friendship with rapper Kanye and says he wasn’t aware of what was happening West. for most months of the filming. In an interview with The Times, In an interview with Esquire, the actor opened the 41-year-old singer said they up about the complicated movie, reports dailymail. had “gone their separate ways”, co.uk. reports dailymail.co.uk. “There were months at a time where I’m like, The singer has appeared on ‘Am I . . . I actually, honestly, have no idea if I’m eight of the rapper’s tracks over even vaguely understanding what’s happening’,” he the years, after signing with his said. record label, GOOD Music, in Pattinson continued: “On the last day, I asked 2004. (co-actor John David Washington) a question “I don’t think we’re less friends about what was happening in a scene, and it was because of the (Donald) Trump just so profoundly the wrong take on the character. thing. I just think we’re doing our And it was like, ‘Have you been thinking this the own thing,” Legend said. entire time?’ There’s definitely a bond in the end “He’s up in Wyoming. I’m here in kind of hiding the fact that maybe neither one in LA. We’ve both got growing of us knew exactly what was going on. But then I CONFUSED: Robert Pattinson says he spent months families and I no longer have a thought, Ah, but John David actually did know. He making not even vaguely understanding the film. formal business relationship with had to know what was going on.” him as an artist, so I think it’s just The film has been described as “an action Last month, Nolan made it clear that his highly- part of the natural cycle of life. But epic evolving from the world of international anticipated spy thriller Tenet will only release on what I’ve always said is, we never espionage”, and the second trailer came with the big screen. The confirmation comes at the end talked about politics before. It was hints of ‘inversion’ versus time travel as a part of of the film’s just-released second trailer. The trailer never a part of our interaction. CONFESSION: John Legend has survival. ends with a note: “Coming to theatres”, although Our interaction was almost always confessed that he was disappointed in The latest trailer of the action thriller gives a without committing to a date. However, the official about creativity and music,” he West’s vocal support of Trump. glimpse into the mission that the protagonist secret Twitter account of the film still lists its original added. agents, essayed by Pattinson and David, embark on, planned date — July 17 — as the day of release. Legend added musically “they’re no longer in the same place either”. in a time-bending mission to prevent World War The support cast includes Elizabeth Debicki, “He’s also in a different place musically. He’s doing gospel music. That’s III. , Kenneth Branagh, Michael what he’s focused on right now, designing his clothes, so we’re in different Talking about the film, Pattinson said: “It’s an Caine, Dimple Kapadia, Aaron Taylor-Johnson places,” the singer said. incredibly complicated movie, like all of Chris’s and Clemence Poesy. The Warner Bros.’ movie The All of me hitmaker went on to confess that while he was movies. I mean, you have to watch them when has been shot across seven countries – , the “disappointed” in West’s vocal support of Trump, he wasn’t “planning on they’re completely finished and edited three or four US, the UK, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, and Norway. disowning him because of it”. He said that they were “never the closest of times to understand what the true meaning is.” – IANS friends” to begin with. – IANS Cameron reaches New Zealand to restart Avatar sequels

ilmmaker James government due to the coronavirus Cameron, along with over pandemic. 50 crew members, has According to variety.com, the reached New Zealand to borders of New Zealand are still resume the shooting of officially closed and “Cameron, theF much-awaited Avatar sequels. Landau and the foreign crew The unit reached Wellington, elements used a border exemption New Zealand, on Sunday for clause for foreigners considered of preparation in order to resume significant economic value”. filming of the film series. The The government of New Zealand 54-member unit arrived by a has come up with a detailed set of chartered plane. guidelines for how productions However, filming will not restart should operate amid the pandemic. immediately because the team has When Avatar filming restarts, it to self-isolate first, reports variety. will be the first foreign movie to com. use New Zealand’s production “I want to get back to work on protocols. Avatar, which right now we’re Back on May 22, Landau had not allowed to do under state shared that the staff will be heading emergency laws or rules. So it’s all back to New Zealand. on hold right now,” Cameron said. “Our ‘Avatar’ sets are ready — Producer Jon Landau took and we couldn’t be more excited to Instagram to share that the to be headed back to New Zealand crew would self-isolate as per next week,” Landau wrote while guidelines laid by the New Zealand sharing a photograph of two water government. vessels used in the films. “Made it to New Zealand. Our “Check out the Matador, a high 14-day government supervised speed forward command vessel STILL: A scene from the movie Avatar. The film’s sequel is currently slated for release on December 17, 2021. self-isolation now begins. (bottom) and the Picador jetboat #avatarsequels #jamescameron (top) — can’t wait to share more,” his much-awaited Avatar 2 will events of the first movie. The first part was a huge #newzealand #airnewzealand he added. release as planned. It follows Jake Sully (Sam success, becoming the highest- #selfisolation,” Landau posted. Earlier in an interview with Avatar 2 is currently slated for Worthington) as he roams the grossing movie of all time when Work on the Avatar sequels came Empire for the new Celebration release on December 17, 2021. planet of Pandora with the new it released in 2009. Its worldwide to a halt in March with lockdown Of Cinema issue, Cameron It is believed that the sequel family he has with Neytiri (Zoe record was broken last year by orders by the New Zealand shared that he is confident that takes place 12 years after the Saldana). Avengers: Endgame. – IANS 16 GULF TIMES Tuesday, June 2, 2020 COMMUNITY The Last of Us Part II is more than just another zombie story

The standout moments in this cutting-edge action game come not just from the many thrilling set pieces – but from the quiet intensity of the conversations

have for their child and how By Keza MacDonald insane that can be – the beautiful things that love can make people do, and the scary things,” says ow 25 years on from Neil Druckmann, lead writer and the outbreak, Seattle is director of The Last of Us and its completely overgrown. sequel, and VP of its developer, Abandoned cars are Naughty Dog. “This is asking the still lined up on the same question but from a slightly Nhighway, rusted and rooted down different angle: if someone has by vegetation bursting through the wronged someone you love, hurt tarmac. Skyscrapers still pierce the someone you love, how far are you sky, their metal skeletons exposed willing to go to do right by them by the bombs that were dropped in and bring the people responsible to early, vain attempts to contain the justice?” fungal sickness that was spreading Naughty Dog is to story-driven through the population. In any video games what Grand Theft one of these buildings, there could Auto and Red Dead Redemption still be the infected: aggressive developer Rockstar is to open- runners, who still retain at least world ones: whenever the studio the appearance of humanity, or the comes out with a new game, it’s an skin-crawling clickers, hosts who event that expands the possibilities have long since lost their sight and for its genre. The Last of Us Part II’s selves to the fungus – or worse. extraordinarily realistic characters As usual in post-apocalyptic and performances and its arresting fiction, there are also other people locations are part of this, but out to do you harm. In The Last of technology can only take things so Us Part II, you are Ellie, a 19-year- far when it comes to storytelling. old survivor who happens to be the What distinguishes Naughty only known person with immunity Dog’s games from other expensive, to the contagion that’s destroyed cutting-edge action games is that humanity – but immunity won’t many of the best, most memorable save her from bullets, or from being moments come not from shootouts POST-APOCALYPTIC SURVIVAL: In the Last of Us Part II, you play as 19-year-old Ellie, the only known person with savaged to death, so whenever or thrilling set pieces – though immunity to the contagion that’s destroyed humanity. you get into a combat situation Naughty Dog is famously excellent the tension is absurdly high. This at those – but from conversations. amassing as you cheerfully plough isn’t a game with shootouts and “We’ve discovered that we don’t through hundreds of grunts. explosions and powerful weapons actually need as much action as we “We needed to ground the – instead it’s desperate grappling usually think about with a game violence,” says Druckmann. “It’s with a knife, improvised molotov like this,” says Druckmann. “Those not completely realistic but we cocktails, hiding prone in long grass quiet, thoughtful moments where are going for believability. The while people patrol with guard people are just talking, or where feeling that we’re after when you’re dogs. you’re walking around looking playing these violent sequences, In 2013, The Last of Us was one and interacting with a scene, are the adrenaline and tension, is more of the last truly great games to important in themselves – and then important than pure realism. That’s be released on the PlayStation 3, we move on to the tension.” how we judge what’s too much, a trans-American road trip that The Last of Us was already an what is too little – to thread the pushed both the technological extremely violent game, but Part II needle and show the consequences and storytelling boundaries of is even more so. In a short sequence of your actions.” video games. Ellie, then 14, wasn’t premiered last week, in which Ellie Video game storytelling has centre stage in that game: instead weaves her way through the city to greatly improved in the past it was Joel, a smuggler trying to track down a woman in a heavily seven years, in both the indie and deliver her across the country to guarded Seattle hospital, we see blockbuster spaces. Creators, an organisation that might be able the sort of graphic violence usually designers and writers from ever to use her immunity to develop a confined to the most intense horror more diverse backgrounds are using REALISTIC: The extraordinarily realistic characters and arresting locations of vaccine. With apologies to anyone movie. This is not playful violence; games’ interactivity and capacity the game expand the possibilities for its genre. who hasn’t played it yet: that didn’t it is not exactly supposed to be fun, for putting you in another person’s work out. though plenty of players will surely shoes to tell the kinds of tales about to tackle difficult and sometimes horrific things they can do for Seven years later, The Last of nonetheless enjoy experimenting the kinds of people that would have distressing themes and material, each other, or to each other. Us Part II is arriving at the end of with the game’s tools for stealth been unthinkable a decade ago, in a way that’s grounded in It takes some endurance to play a the life of the PlayStation 4. The and murder. Instead The Last of Us when even having a female lead believable characters, make this game like this, but in return you get world is still devastated; there’s goes to immense lengths to make character was a novelty. Against more than just another zombie an experience more affecting for its still no hope. This time we play as its violence feel consequential, in that backdrop you might wonder story. Like the best post- intensity – the kind of experience Ellie herself, on a different kind of contrast to the casual pointing and what yet another violent post- apocalyptic fiction, from the you can only get from a video game, journey. shooting of most action games, in apocalyptic video game might have early seasons of The Walking Dead where both the danger and the “The first game is about the which you hardly give a thought to offer in 2020. to The Road, it’s a story about characters feel incomparably up- unconditional love that parents about the body count you’re But Naughty Dog’s willingness people, and the extraordinary and close and personal. – The Guardian