Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Ramadan 26, 1441 AH

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ENDURANCE: Maria Branyas survived the 1918 flu pandemic and two world wars. Beating the odds A 113-year-old coronavirus survivor, who endured the 1918 flu pandemic and two world wars, bemoans the elderly are the forgotten ones of society. P4-5

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Varun finds it tough to choose Viola player enjoys calm, mystical best talent for Entertainer No. 1. atmosphere during Ramadan. Page 14 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Tuesday, May 19, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

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“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” — Williams Shakespeare

The Boys aggressively marketed and monetised. Homelander. As a conflict ensues DIRECTION: Eric Kripke, Evan Outside of their heroic personas, most between the two groups, the series Goldberg, Seth Rogen are arrogant and corrupt. The series also follows the new members of each Community Editor CAST: Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, primarily focuses on two groups: the team: Hugh ‘Hughie’ Campbell of the Kamran Rehmat Antony Starr titular Boys, vigilantes looking to keep Boys, who joins the vigilantes after SYNOPSIS: The Boys is set in the corrupted heroes under control, his girl friend is killed in a high speed e-mail: [email protected] a universe where super-powered and the Seven, Vought International’s collision by the Seven’s A-Train, and Telephone: 44466405 people are recognised as heroes by the premier superhero team. The Boys are Annie January/Starlight of the Seven, Fax: 44350474 general public and owned by powerful led by Billy Butcher, who despises all a young and hopeful heroine forced corporation Vought International, super-powered people, and the Seven to face the truth about the heroes she which ensures that they are are led by the egotistical and unstable admires. Tuesday, May 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY Donating blood to get back to work during Covid-19 Everyone’s immune system is a little bit different, so the time it takes for each person to develop the antibodies and how long they last can vary

uestion: I saw an used to treat some patients that are article recently about currently infected and hospitalised how donating blood with Covid-19. could help treat To meet criteria to be a people who have convalescent plasma donor, you Qbeen diagnosed with would require a prior positive result Covid-19 and maybe let people go by a Covid-19 molecular test, be back to work. My neighbour said recovered without symptoms and she was going to have a test and test positive for antibodies to the then donate blood, but she was not virus. Preliminary reports indicate diagnosed with Covid-19, as far as I that these convalescent plasma know. I think I may have had it based transfusions are providing relief to on my symptoms, but I never went some of the sickest patients, and it to the hospital. Can I donate blood to is such a generous gift that some of help someone else? Or better yet, will us can provide to those fighting the it show that it’s OK for me to go back virus, providing hope to someone to work? else. I know that a lot of people are Answer: Certainly there is a lot of eager to get tested to know if they information about the various tests have been infected with Covid-19 that are available for Covid-19 and and have since recovered — in part blood donations. It is important to because there’s really been a lot understand that there are two main of interest at the local, state and types of tests: molecular tests and national levels to use serologic testing serologic tests. for return-to-work initiatives. Molecular tests, frequently done Unfortunately, given what we know, with nose swabs, detect the genetic I would be cautious against relying material of the virus and indicate solely on a serologic test result to whether the patient currently guide return-to-work decisions and has and is infected with the virus. recommendations. Serology tests, which are likely what We need to exercise caution with your neighbour is referring to, are how we use the results from these tests performed on blood samples tests. Individuals who test positive and detect our immune response to for antibodies to Covid-19 may be at the virus by looking for antibodies. NEED OF THE HOUR: Blood donations are always needed, and it is important to continue to donate blood as we lower risk for reinfection compared Antibodies, which are essentially weather the Covid-19 pandemic so that we can ensure we have enough supply to take care of people who might need to an antibody-negative individual, proteins produced by our immune a transfusion for any reason. but we still really don’t understand system, are a major component or know the level or the duration of how we fight off any infectious of protective immunity against disease. They will attach to and reinfection that these antibodies essentially kill or inactivate the virus. provide us. Importantly, everyone’s immune One of the biggest questions that system is a little bit different, so we are trying to answer is whether the time it takes for each person to an individual will develop complete develop these antibodies and how or partial immunity to Covid-19 long they last can vary. So even if after diagnosis and recovery, and, you or your neighbour had Covid-19 if so, how long does that last? To be and didn’t know it, it would take honest, because we’ve really only anywhere from a few days to a been dealing with this virus for four couple of weeks for this antibody or five months, we don’t have a good response to develop. And because sense of the level or duration of such of this, antibody tests are not used protective immunity. From prior to diagnose infection, but rather are studies during the Sars outbreak used to determine if a patient has in the early-2000s, we know that been infected at some point in the at least some protective immunity past. against that virus, which is closely Blood donation has been in the related to Sars-CoV-2, seemed to news lately for several reasons. First, be detectable for about two to three blood donations are always needed, years after infection. But there are and it is important to continue to some other preliminary animal donate blood as we weather the studies suggesting only short-term Covid-19 pandemic so that we immunity. can ensure we have enough supply We really need more studies to take care of people who might in this area before we can make need a transfusion for any reason. any conclusive comments on the Secondly, blood, or more specifically duration of antibody protection from plasma obtained from individuals PLASMA THERAPY: Blood, or more specifically plasma obtained from individuals with antibodies to Covid-19, is being reinfection. – Mayo Clinic News with antibodies to Covid-19, is being used to treat some patients that are currently infected and hospitalised with Covid-19. Network/TNS 4 GULF TIMES Tuesday, May 19, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY World’s ‘oldest survivor’ seeks a new world order ‘It will have to be done all over again and differently. Given my age, I likely won’t be there. But believe me a new order is needed,’ 113-year-old Maria Branyas tells Ashifa Kassam

This pandemic shows older people are the forgotten ones of our society — they don’t deserve to leave the world this way — Maria Branyas, ‘centurion coronavirus survivor

’ REFLECTIVE: Maria Branyas at her care home in Spain. Tuesday, May 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

eeks after ringing in her 113th birthday, she found herself confined to a room in her Wcare home in north-eastern Spain, suffering from the effects of the coronavirus. Now Maria Branyas — fully recovered and believed to be the world’s oldest Covid-19 survivor — is calling for nothing less than a new world order. “It will have to be done all over again and differently,” said Branyas, describing such a transformation as a debt owed to those who died in the pandemic. “Given my age, I likely won’t be there. But believe me a new order is needed.” News that Branyas, Spain’s oldest living person, had survived the virus made headlines around the world last week, offering a moment of cheer from one of the world’s hardest-hit countries. Across Spain, the virus has claimed more than 27,500 lives. Covid-19 began making its way through the yellow-painted hallways of Branyas’s care home in the city of Olot, some 70 miles north of Barcelona, in late March. Brushing aside their own fears and anxieties over the contagion, staff at the home continued to care for the residents. Still, the virus URGENCY: Half of Europe’s Covid-19 deaths are in care homes. Maria Branyas is calling for a revolution in treatment of the elderly. charted a deadly course, killing at least 17 of the 133 people living there. “The army found seniors who had to send care homes the appropriate after she was recognised by the Her mother rarely speaks of Covid-19 left Branyas — who been completely abandoned, some medications. Gerontology Research Group as the past, she added. “She says it’s has lived through the 1918 flu, two dead, in their beds,” the defence Speaking from the care home Spain’s oldest known living person better not to think about these world wars and Spain’s civil war — minister, Margarita Robles, told where she has lived for nearly two and believed to be among the 30 things, you have to keep looking sick for just a handful of days. But broadcaster Telecinco. decades, Branyas offered solutions. oldest people in the world. Records forward. I think that’s why she’s she reeled from the deeper mark Prosecutors in Spain said this “It’s as though those of us who kept by Club 110, a forum run by lived so long.” left by the pandemic, as it laid bare month that they had opened 140 choose to live in a care home have one of the group’s directors, suggest Branyas was instead happier to a society that, as she sees it, had investigations into care homes, disappeared from society,” she that Branyas is the world’s oldest outline the changes she hoped her pushed its elderly to the margins. prompted by complaints from said. “Governments need to pay Covid-19 survivor. 13 great-grandchildren would see in “This pandemic has revealed family members and relatives. attention and provide funding and Born in 1907 in the United States, their lives. “A change in values, one that older people are the forgotten The Federación Empresarial de qualified staff in care homes. And, where her Spanish father was that prioritises education, health ones of our society,” she said in la Dependencia, an industry above all, they need to provide working as a journalist, Branyas and research,” she said. “And fewer an interview with the Observer, association that represents care much more healthcare in homes.” moved to Spain in 1915. As the 1918 weapons and far less spending on so carried out with the help of one of homes in Spain, told Spanish With the help of an account set flu swept across the world, she was many politicians.” her daughters. “They fought their broadcaster esRadio that homes up and run by her daughter, Branyas living on the outskirts of a small She laughed off a question over whole lives, sacrificed time and had been left to care for residents last year made her social media village in Catalonia, seemingly what comes next after fighting off their dreams for today’s quality of after overwhelmed hospitals debut — her Twitter bio reads: “I’m unaffected by the pandemic, said the coronavirus. “Well, I’ll live,” life. They didn’t deserve to leave the refused to take in more patients or old, very old, but not an idiot” — daughter Rosa Moret. she said. “Until God wants.” — world in this way.” Guardian/Observer News Service The virus has charged through Spain’s more than 5,000 care homes, killing an estimated 17,500 residents. A similar story has played out across Europe with as many as “(On the changes she half of all Covid-19 deaths believed to have taken place in care homes in would like to see in Italy, France, Ireland and Belgium. In Spain, where the reverence the lives of her 13 shown towards the elderly is a point of pride, the pandemic has forced great-grandchildren) a reckoning with an industry that has long fended off complaints of a change in values, funding and staff shortages. one that prioritises Before the pandemic, seniors had shared stories of waiting hours to go education, health and to the bathroom or receive a drink of water. Others had grappled with research. And fewer ant infestations or cockroaches, while staff at one home complained weapons and far less of being forced to ration essential spending on so many items such as nappies and soap. “This is the situation in our care politicians” homes — not during the pandemic but in the last decade,” Más Madrid politician Pablo Gómez Perpinyà told the regional assembly last — Maria Branyas month. “This is how our elderly have had to face the virus.” The horrific situation came to light in March after the military was deployed to disinfect care homes. 6 GULF TIMES Tuesday, May 19, 2020 COMMUNITY ADVICE Relationship lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic We value family, our homes, good health, good food and dreams of a bright future. By Judi Light Hopson, Emma H Hopson and Ted Hagen

We need to work hard to secure the middle class: In the future, we all need to do everything we can to promote good education, training, jobs, healthy budgets at home and work, and earning power that helps families build savings. Living paycheck to paycheck is not financial security.

Good leadership calls for accountability: Every neighbourhood and every economic class needs leaders who can do detailed planning for the future. Leaders should set clear and reachable goals, using dogged determination to create jobs and neighbourhoods that are solid and something to be proud of. “When I look around my neighbourhood, it makes me angry,” says a woman in rural Tennessee we’ll call Rita. “Our town leaders have neglected our roads, failed to enforce rules for landlords to keep up property, COLLECTIVE HEALTH: The physical and emotional well-being of each individual has no substitute. If we’re neglecting our health, it’s going to impact our and they’ve allowed way too families and our communities. many bars and breweries close to my neighbourhood. When the uring the past few pandemic is over, I plan to run for weeks, we’ve all had to office and insist we make healthy face the truth. We really changes.” are linked to everyone on the planet. What Holding others accountable Daffects one person will eventually is important for putting a solid impact all of us. foundation under your life: But, if we examine this further, When a crisis hits, such as our we can find a lot of positive facts national pandemic, it forces us all and revelations. We can determine to wake up. When all need to ask: where real power lies. For example, Who has been helping support loving one’s neighbour is basic to my goals and dreams? Who has preserving our planet and our way been draining me financially of life. and emotionally? What have I We all need to look out for each been tolerating from community other; we all need to come up with leaders that I should have ideas to enhance the economy of our challenged? communities; and we all need to be “It’s never good to feel overly volunteering in our communities on sorry for other people,” says a a regular basis. minister we’ll call Jackson. “After While politics or various types all, that can drag every one of us of leadership might separate us, all down the drain. Our mission to humans are basically alike. We value help other people should require family, our homes, good health, good that they do their part. Good food and dreams of a bright future. relationships are based on mutual “I’ve never cried so much, respect. watching patients in my hospital This means each person should fighting for their lives,” says a nurse have a daily agenda to contribute we’ll call Vicky. “But now, I’m time, money, ideas, and real effort determined to do more for others in one’s household and one’s – especially since watching people community.” drive through endless food bank ECONOMIC WELL-BEING: In the future, we all need to do everything we can to promote good education, training, Jackson is right. We need lines on the evening news.” jobs, healthy budgets at home and work, and earning power that helps families build savings. to raise our standards for The truth about our relationship encouraging other people, require with ourselves and connection to Our health really is our before, but it’s glaringly true no substitute. If we’re neglecting them to pitch in and help, and other people includes facts such as wealth: now. The physical and emotional our health, it’s going to impact our work to get our world back on these: We’ve all heard this statement well-being of each individual has families and our communities. track. – TNS Tuesday, May 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 GARDENING COMMUNITY Ways to keep mint in tiptop condition Mint is a vigorous grower so it needs plenty of space – and don’t worry if you kill it, all good gardeners have at some point, writes James Wong

STAR PERFORMER: Copper butterflies feeding on a pineapple lily flower.

Lilies that won’t well it was doing despite total let you down neglect, I decided to leave it to see how long this could continue. Every aspect of the pineapple (Terrible plant parent, I know.) To lily Eucomis sp is just so my surprise, it only gave up the unbelievably exotic. They hail ghost when the level of compost from sunny southern Africa, in the pot eventually degraded to throw up dazzling, jungly blooms the point at which it exposed the that look like something straight bulb. I can’t think of any plant out of a kid’s story book and some that looks as good that could can produce massive rosettes of survive such abuse. leaves that tower over you. Yet if If you want something bigger you have a sunny spot with well- and even bolder, yet with similar drained soil, they are some of the cold tolerance, try Eucomis easiest and most affordable garden comosa, which sends up slender plants to grow, even on our chilly leaves and flower spikes almost North Atlantic islands. a metre tall. The straight species Like something from the has white blooms, but ‘Sparkling understorey of a Rousseau burgundy’ is so shockingly purple painting that has come to life, both in flower and in leaf it looks Eucomis bicolor creates big, fat almost lit from within. Like flower spikes about 30cm high, all eucomis, these will do best consisting of dozens of cream and and be most winter-tolerant on GROUND COVER: Mint spreads quickly so always try to plant it in a large pot or let it run free to fill in awkward spaces. lime green star-shaped blooms, free-draining sites that prevent each petal of which is delicately their bulbs from sitting in soggy, painted bright burgundy. Wide, wet soil. This makes them I have even killed mint!” However, like many superhero border to fill with ground cover. strappy leaves are matched with perfect for pot culture, in raised is a line I see at least once powers, this lightning-fast If you don’t have the luxury of a top-knot of leafy growth above beds or on sunnier, drier sites. a week from gardening metabolism is as much a curse as space, a simple alternative is to the flower spike, making the However, even in heavy clay soils newbies. It’s a feat that it is a gift. If confined to a pot, regularly lift plants and divide whole plant look like a florist’s in dappled shade, I have grown is often thought of as as is often the case when in the them during the growing season. recreation of a pineapple. them successfully if the bulbs are “the hallmark of a truly terrible hands of first-timers starting out Potting up only half of the original This species is generally said planted at least 15cm deep with a horticulturist. Yet, as someone with gardening, mint will soon plant back in the container with a to withstand temperatures as generous layer of gravel mixed into who has been obsessively exhaust the space, filling the pot good feed and some fresh compost low as -10C, making it one of the soil in the planting hole. gardening all my life, I don’t with trapped runners that spiral will mean it doesn’t get congested the hardiest of all eucomis, but Want them even bigger? understand where this idea comes round the container, strangling and can keep its relentless hunger when well mulched I have seen Eucomis pole-evansii looks like from. Far from being invincible its own growth and depleting for constant growth satisfied. it take lows of -15C during really a giant form of the pure white E in the hands of anyone but the the available nutrients. This is You can do this two or more times cold winters. All you have to do comosa, which can reach 2m tall most awful gardeners, mint is particularly the case in containers in the same growing season, is spread a layer of leaf mould or by the end of the summer if given something I have killed over and made of porous materials, such as depending on how fast-growing bark about 10cm thick over the ideal conditions, which admittedly over again, in a variety of different terracotta, which can contribute your cultivar is and how ideal your soil surface in autumn, which means lavish fertiliser and water ways. Just enough times, in fact, to severe drought stress. Mint is growing conditions are. This gives creates an insulating blanket to applications. On the other end of to finally learn how to grow it particularly susceptible to this. you lots of free plants to hand out keep the worst of the frost from the scale, E ‘Freckles’ is a really well. Here is my advice, not only Without new territory to conquer, to your mates, while keeping your getting at the dormant bulb compact dwarf form just 25cm on how to successfully grow mint plants quickly run out of steam. This existing ones in good health. beneath. high, with deep, chocolatey-red but, more importantly, how to makes them susceptible to rust, a If you have failed with mint, To give you an indication of flowers and dark green leaves give yourself a break. common and untreatable fungal don’t feel bad about it. And do not how resilient this plant is, I had speckled with the same “red Mint probably gets its disease that can decimate this genus. let it make you give up gardening. some in a wide, shallow patio velvet cake” colouration. There reputation for being hard to kill To avoid this, always plant mint The only way anyone learns how pot at the bottom of my garden is such incredible diversity here because it has a high metabolism, in the largest container you have to garden is by continual trial and that kept coming back in full from plants that are so versatile which means it is a very vigorous (we are talking tubs and troughs error. The one and only secret flower for six years without any and so forgiving, it’s hard to grower. Quickly spreading to of 60 litres or more in volume), to green fingers is persistence, care whatsoever. No watering, see why they aren’t far more colonise large areas of ground or preferably in the ground. Yes, and that starts with being OK no fertiliser, nothing. I was so common. through its subterranean runners, it will swallow up the space, as is with killing mint – though you surprised when I noticed how – The Guardian it will often swamp neighbouring its nature, but it is an excellent now know the secret to helping it plants as it expands outward. choice if you have an empty thrive. – The Guardian 8 GULF TIMES Tuesday, May 19, 2020 COMMUNITY BOOK REVIEWS The best books and audiobooks of 2020 so far – I

ilary Mantel’s trilogy the psychological burden of the Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell A Thousand Moons by before it is sold; Ruth, who moves was finished at last, climate crisis and political anxiety Named after Shakespeare’s son, Sebastian Barry into the house with her widowed Blake Gopnik exposed takes its toll. who died at the age of 11 in 1596, Following Barry’s Costa- husband and his children after the Warhol’s private life What we said: Reading Weather the beating heart of this novel is winning Days Without End, this second world war; and Sarah, a and Richard E Grant made me grind my teeth at night, the boy’s mother, whom O’Farrell surprise sequel follows Winona teenager fleeing for her life in the broughtH new life to Iris Murdoch. just like its narrator – but it is renames Agnes. Underneath the – the adopted Native American 1700s after she is accused of being Here are our highlights of the year certainly a brilliant exemplar for historical detail of everyday life daughter of soldiers Thomas a witch. to date. the auto fictional method. Offill in the household of a very famous McNulty and John Cole – as she What we said: Wyld is a pulls us in close in order to make man, this is a book about grief and seeks revenge for harassment and genius of contrasting voices and Fiction us worry about things outside us; the means by which people find abuse donning men’s clothing to revealed connections, while her mirrors the self to show us what we their way through it. move undetected in their world foreshadowings are so subtle that The Mirror and the Light by are selfishly ignoring. What we said: Hamnet is and surroundings. the book demands – and eminently Hilary Mantel evidence that there are always new What we said: The idea of a repays – a second read. Fans waited eight years for the Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho stories to tell, even about the most middle-class white male writing in final instalment in her Thomas Nam-joo, translated by Jamie well-known historical figures. the voice of a vengeful and angry Two Blankets, Three Sheets by Cromwell trilogy and Mantel Chang teenage Native American might Rodaan Al Galidi, translated by delivered, leading King Henry Named for the Korean equivalent Exciting Times by Naoise feel out of step with its times, Jonathan Reeder VIII’s chief minister from the heart of Jane Doe, this novel about a woman Dolan but prose this good is a kind of A funny, maddening, sometimes of power in Tudor England to the who plays by patriarchal rules but can This deadpan debut following enchantment, transcending the absurd reckoning with the executioner’s block in a propulsive, never win, was a huge bestseller in an Irish twentysomething in Hong constructs that are supposed to pettiness of the Dutch immigration and at times dizzying, end. South Korea, where it has become a Kong is about so much more than define us to speak in a voice that is system as seen by Samir, an Iraqi What we said: Not since touchstone for conversation around millennial dating – it is a pithy, caustic truly universal. refugee who is stuck in an asylum Bleak House has the present tense feminism and gender and a lightning take on how external forces such as centre for nine years. A bestseller performed such magic … this is a rod for anti-feminists who view the class and economic insecurity can The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld in the Netherlands, the novel is masterpiece that will keep yielding book as inciting misandry. damage individual lives. A tiny uninhabited Scottish openly autobiographical while its riches, changing as its readers What we said: The character of What we said: Exciting Times is island, the Bass Rock looms in the Dutch stand in for all entitled change, going forward with us into Kim Jiyoung can be seen as a sort of a fun, snappy read – ordinarily, I’d the lives of three women who are westerners and bureaucrats. the future. sacrifice: a protagonist who is broken say its short chapters could be torn affected by male violence in very What we said: This vital, eye- in order to open up a channel for through on your commute, but it’ll different ways: Viviane, who is opening work is essential to our Little Eyes by Samanta collective rage. brighten lockdown too. sorting through the family home collective education, as a history, Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell In this ingenious novel, the Argentinian author conducts an unnerving thought experiment: if an individual could be virtually inserted into the life of a random stranger, anywhere in the world, what effects would it have on them both? And what hidden truths would be revealed? What we said: Little Eyes has much to say about connection and empathy in a globalised world. On a personal level, its investigation into solitude and online experience becomes only more poignant in a global lockdown.

Weather by Jenny Offill In this darkly funny and often terrifying fragmentary novella, a woman begins working as an assistant to an environmental podcaster, and starts to unravel as Tuesday, May 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 BOOK REVIEWS COMMUNITY The best books and audiobooks of 2020 so far – I

What we said: Capital and Ideology is an astonishing experiment that defies easy comparison … it is occasionally naive (it will bug the hell out of historians and anthropologists) but in a provocative fashion, as if to say: if inequality isn’t justified, why not change it?

House of Glass by Hadley Freeman An engaging and highly relevant family memoir by the Guardian journalist, uncovering the true story of her grandmother Sala Glahs and her three older brothers, and the very different lives they led in the aftermath of the Holocaust. What we said: Freeman’s captivating family memoir inscribes itself in the pantheon of family stories that connect the grandchild to the generation of the grandparents.

A History of Solitude by David of the World and Back by Mark Vincent as a call to action, bringing one the emergence of Vladimir Putin’s violent tactics. Few were thanked O’Connell This new study of why we all person’s suffering vividly to life in regime from the ashes of the Soviet or rewarded for their efforts; many In this engaging and well-timed sometimes seek to be alone and the imagination of strangers. Union. Journalist Belton lays were punished. book, O’Connell considers how the the differences between beneficial out how a coterie of former KGB What we said: Lewis isn’t world might end, spending time “self-communion” and loneliness, Nonfiction officers used state institutions trying to repackage her subjects with “preppers” purchasing bunkers ranges from the poetry of John Clare to carve up the country and as heroines or rebels or badass in South Dakota and disciples of to the modern phenomenon of “self- Warhol: A Life As Art by Blake interviews Kremlin insiders, babes. Her point is that pioneering Elon Musk who believe that our partnering”. Gopnik intelligence officers, mobsters and or high-achieving women are best hope of survival is to colonise What we said: A History of This splendid biography of oligarchs for an end result that multidimensional and are apt to be Mars, all the while documenting his Solitude calls for a “quiet history of Andy Warhol claims him as sometimes reads like a John le a pain at times. growing hope for humanity. British society”, or “a history of doing the most influential artist of Carré novel. What we said: O’Connell has nothing at all”… a remarkably versatile the 20th century and isn’t shy What we said: A One Two Three Four by Craig a gift for channelling the “sense of study. of exposing his private life – groundbreaking and meticulously Brown looming crisis” that characterises balancing fantastic anecdotes researched anatomy of the Putin Marking 50 years since the our times, but is able to step outside Dear Life by Rachel Clarke with meticulous research based on regime, Belton’s book shines a light Beatles announced their split, it, to bring it into focus. A doctor specialising in palliative Warhol’s huge archive of diaries, on the pernicious threats Russian this is not so much a biography as medicine, Clarke spends her days love notes and tax returns. money and influence now pose to a group portrait in 150 vignettes. Capital and Ideology by Thomas working in a hospice where people What we said: Gopnik the west. Satirist Brown documents the rise Piketty, translated by Arthur come when all hope of a cure has gone. persuasively assembles his case and fall of the band, and measures Goldhammer In her heart-wrenchingly tender and that Warhol has … “overtaken Difficult Women by Helen their legacy while exploring the The celebrated – and feared – candid account of being alongside Picasso as the most important Lewis fan industry that has agglomerated French economist is back with an people at their ends, she shines a light and influential artist of the 20th A history of the victories around them. ambitious and optimistic work of on the world of the dying and what it century” … over the course of this secured by 19th and 20th-century What we said: Even if some of social science, which argues that as teaches us about being alive. mesmerising book, which is as feminists that many of us take the best stretches of the book fall societies distribute income, wealth What we said: Clarke is unerringly much art history and philosophy as for granted, including the right short of being revelatory, they are and education more widely, they good at telling stories and Dear Life is it is biography. to divorce, vote, study, work, often so well told that they acquire become more prosperous – laying out full of them, opening with her father’s and compete in team sports. The a new freshness. how regressive ideologies, class, race, diagnosis of cancer and closing with Putin’s People by Catherine women who made these things gender inequalities and huge wealth his beautifully managed ending, at Belton happen often used unorthodox, Notes from an Apocalypse: disparity are stopping our economic home with his family around him. A fearless, fascinating account of underhand, illegal and sometimes A Personal Journey to the End progress. – The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Tuesday, May 19, 2020 COMMUNITY PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE Tuesday, May 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Coin toss the best way to make life decisions and stay happy: Study

eople who use a coin toss to decide Experiments) where participants answered a on an important change in life are series of questions. more likely to follow through with Some examples were: Should I quit my job? that decision, are more satisfied Should I move? Should I propose? Should with that decision, and report I adopt? Users were also invited to create Phigher overall happiness after a six-month their own questions, including Should I get a period, a fascinating study has revealed. tattoo? Should I try online dating? Should I Society teaches us that “quitters never win rent or buy? and winners never quit”. One choice, either the affirmative or the “But in reality, the data from my negative, was then assigned to heads and the experiment suggests we would all be better other assigned to tails. Prior to the coin flip, off if we did more quitting,” said study author the participants were encouraged to identify Steven Levitt from the University of Chicago the third party to verify their outcomes. in the US. Both the initial coin-flipper and the third “A good rule of thumb in decision making parties received a follow-up survey after two- is, whenever you cannot decide what you months and six-months. should do, choose the action that represents The two-month survey found that a change, rather than continuing the status participants favoured the status quo, making quo,” Levitt added. a change less frequently than they predicted For the findings, published in the journal they would before the coin toss. The Review of Economic Studies, the At the six-month survey, this bias toward researchers asked people to make significant the status quo was gone. decisions, such as whether or not to move Furthermore, those who were instructed by the same decision if they were to choose inconsistent with the conventional theory of house, quitting your job or propose, and the coin toss to switch their current position again. choice. In such a theory, people who are on assign either an affirmative or a negative were more likely to actually make the change, This was true for virtually every question the margins should, on average, report equal choice to heads or tails. reported that they were substantially happier, at both the two- and six-month surveys. happiness regardless of which decision they Levitt created a website (Freakonomics and said that they were more likely to make The researchers noted that these results are made. — IANS

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

Do you think your body reflects who you are, Aries? If you’re feeling Has it been difficult these past few days to communicate with those It has been fairly easy for you to detect the truth behind most situations that it doesn’t, it’s probably because something is a little off about close to you? Are you a little sceptical about your charm? In fact, lately. Today, however, your analytical abilities won’t be so reliable. The your self-image. Take a close look at yourself in order to readjust that have you been feeling somewhat unsure of yourself in general? The ups and downs of your relationships are puzzling, and no amount of image. You’ll recognise that your body is the exact mirror of who you day ahead is excellent for a fresh start. You’re full of confidence. You analysis seems to yield a solution. Lack of commitment from others are at the moment. The alignment of the planets will help you see have a natural gift for diplomacy, and your sense of refinement will may stir doubt, and you’ll wonder if you’re truly appreciated and this more clearly now. once again be noticed and appreciated. understood. Be gentle with yourself. These are hard times for everyone. Cancer Leo Virgo June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

How intense the past few days have been! You could spend months The day ahead may help you break away from the gloom and doom Sometimes you feel like you’re navigating through a thick fog, but just reflecting on these recent experiences. But the mood isn’t that so many people are experiencing right now. A more playful the obscurity will finally lift today. The skies ahead are sunny and conducive to introspection right now. A change of temper today influence is trying to make its way into your relationships, especially clear! You can expect an invitation to step outside of yourself (while encourages you to share your life more generously. But with whom your emotional commitments. It could refresh your interest in your still sheltering in place, of course) or an offer to join a special group. will you share it? And how, given the limitations of social distancing? family life. If you haven’t been spending enough quality time with your Don’t pass up any opportunities to have fun, Virgo. You can benefit These may well be the questions of the day. partner, you’d better make up for it now. Your mate will be overjoyed. from a diversion right now! Libra Scorpio Sagittarius September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

Was someone close to you rude without any provocation? Were you Having a personal opinion on any question isn’t hard at all, Scorpio. Enough of thinking about yourself, Sagittarius! The hour has now the target of unpleasant criticism? You take these slights to heart. More difficult is maintaining some respectful objectivity about the arrived to draw some conclusions. You’re at the end of the lengthy Beginning today, and throughout the days to come, you can expect opinions of others. The current celestial energy is marking a change volume you were writing on your inner life. You’ll have to integrate to withdraw and lick your wounds. That’s easy enough when all you toward a more scientifically oriented mindset. This is no longer the what you’ve learned with the different emotions and situations that you have to do is ignore phone calls and emails. You need more harmony moment to affirm yourself but rather to learn from others. Opinions currently inhabit. “Normalization” will be the key word in the days to and gentleness in your life. Be patient! can change based on reliable information. come. Look at this as a dry run for when we all emerge from lockdown. Capricorn Aquarius Pisces December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Persuasion through words is your real power, Capricorn. You have a With today’s celestial energy, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation, sometimes hard to find time for yourself because you’re so busy great talent for anything involving words. So you’re going to be able to Aquarius. This planetary configuration often gives people the feeling coming to the rescue of a friend or family member? Today’s celestial attract even more virtual admirers today? The physical part will have of a fresh mind and calm disposition. Problems that once seemed so energy asks you to think about you. Say no to the expectations of to wait. With the current planetary energy at work, you’ll surely get first complicated now appear simple and surmountable. You could also people who have other resources. Do absolutely nothing if that’s prize in any contest of words. If you’ve been thinking about writing a have some fun writing. Try it. You may be surprised by the results. what you wish. Take care of yourself before taking care of everyone love letter or a profile for a dating website, by all means, do so now! Do you say yes every time someone asks for a favour, Pisces? Is it else! 12 GULF TIMES Tuesday, May 19, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

AIRCRAFT TRACK SHUTTLE HANGAR EXPRESS WHEELS TERMINAL ROUTE FREEWAY BRIDGE TRAIN SUBWAY HIGHWAY FARE GARAGE TOLL SCHEDULE TAXI CYCLE TRANSFER LOCAL FERRY

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, May 19, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Most important couple may get 2 Is lager drunk - or port? (7) spliced (9) 3 Egg container in someone’s 8 Turn back in vehicle that’s not trolley (4) what it seems (5) 4 Hood put on girl’s head when 9 Group taking long time dressing? (6) dressing (7) 5 Caesar in trouble with birds (8) 10 Sign seen in Rome nowadays 6 Just fluorine and a mixture of (4) gases (4) 11 Find out about exceptional 7 Pointers like a fox - for no good radiation (5-3) reason (10) 13 Take weapons from leader of 8 Norfolk term for old weapon? militia after fresh raids (6) (10) 14 Ravine enclosing English king 12 Marianne’s new nationality (8) (6) 15 Gunmen, note, get rid of loot 17 Agitated, having operated (7) aloft (6,2) 16 Arrive with cycle at college 19 Leader in Guardian (4,2) newspaper backing animals (4) 18 Foster’s back (4) 21 Again order right sort of ale 20 Callas misses first part of and gin (7) opera? (4) 22 Prepared to make money (5) 23 They may carry sleeping bags, we hear (9)

Solution Answers

Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Tuesday, May 19, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD

Sonakshi explores her love for drawing I’m a big cuddler: Ileana faces as she auctions paintings Actress Ileana D’Cruz Sonakshi Sinha has revealed that she loves to draw shared a photograph faces. The actress on Monday shared a video where of herself hugging her she can be seen making a painting of Buddha’s face. mother Samira D’Cruz Her painting titled The Enlightened One has been and said that she’s a big put up on auction to raise funds for the daily wage cuddler. earners. Ileana took to Sharing the video on Instagram on Monday Instagram, where she morning, Sonakshi wrote: “I love drawing faces, shared an adorable so decided to draw the most peaceful one – The photograph of the Enlightened One is up for auction to raise funds for mother-daughter duo. the daily wage earners. if you’d like to make it your In the image, Ileana and own, do bid for it on https://bit.ly/FankindAuction her mother are seen (link in BIO as well) @fankindofficial looking at the camera #artbyaslisona.” while hugging. Sonakshi has decided to auction her artworks to The Rustom actress is raise a fund which will help her provide ration kits seen pouting. to daily wage workers. The artworks include digital “Because just one day prints, sketches and large canvas paintings made by isn’t enough to celebrate the actress over the years. my gorgeous amazing The actress recently shared a video on social ARTIST: Sonakshi Sinha says creating art brings a mama... Also...I’m a big media where she can be seen sitting inside a room sense of calm and relief to her. cuddler. I apparently full of her creations, sipping a cup of coffee and make weird faces when I staring at them. video. “So select an artwork you would like to bring cuddle,” she said. “Creating art brings a sense of calm and relief to home and bid generously, because what good are we Recently, Ileana DEVOTED DAUGHTER: Ileana D’Cruz me. And relief is what I want to bring to those for if we can’t do good for others! Please take good care showcased her perfect recently shared a photograph of herself whom this lockdown has been a nightmare. People of my art. I have made it with nothing but love. And washboard abs. hugging her mother Samira D’Cruz. who have no income and therefore no food to feed I hope it makes you feel proud for helping people, Ileana took to themselves or their families, the daily wage earners. makes your house a little bit more beautiful and Instagram Stories, where she posted a boomerang video of herself With the help of Fankind, I have decided to auction makes you feel a little bit closer to me,” she further showcasing her abs in a sports bra and yoga pants. a mix of canvases and hand sketches that I have said. On the image, she wrote: “Post workout sweaty jiggle.” created with all my heart. The proceeds from the For this initiative, Sonakshi Sinha has On the work front, Ileana will next be seen alongside Abhishek auction will be donated to GiveIndia, to help provide collaborated with actor Arjun Kapoor’s sister Bachchan in Ajay Devgn’s production The Big Bull, a film reportedly meals to the daily wagers, the homeless and the less Anshula Kapoor’s online fundraising platform based on India’s biggest securities scam of 1992. The Big Bull is slated privileged...” Sonakshi can be heard saying in the Fankind. – IANS to hit theatres on October 23. – IANS Varun finds it tough to choose best talent for Entertainer No. 1

ollywood superstar Michael Jackson. His debut on Varun Dhawan who is Entertainer No. 1, is groovy, smooth mentoring and judging and unlike anyone else.” an online talent hunt Talking about Sarvam Patel, one show says that the of the sand artist who participated Bmind-blowing performance of in the show, the ABCD famed actor thousands of youngsters across the said, “Sarvam’s entry tugs on the nation giving him a tough time to strings of my heart. Keeping in choose the best out of the best. mind the tough times we’re in, Being the mentor of the show, Sarvam’s beautiful sand art depicts Varun said: “The performances a story of victory and motivates us we’ve seen in the past couple of to fight the pandemic together as weeks on Entertainer No. 1 have a nation. I am looking forward to truly been ‘awake’ and absolutely more stories that he’s going to tell mind blowing! I have had the us through his art.” toughest time picking my favourites Being one of the Bollywood stars and end up spending hours on who is known for flaunting his bare the app browsing through the body and encourage fitness, Varun unique and entertaining content. I said that he is quite impressed by can’t wait to see what the coming the act of ‘Hydroman’ Jaydeep weeks have in store, I’m sure some Gohil. blockbuster performances are Varun said: “It is extremely coming our way!” persuasion difficult to maintain balance The stay-home reality show and move the way he is moving is launched on Flipkart video in underwater. What amazes me is collaboration with Varun. how effortless he makes the whole From dancers to acrobats, thing seem while holding his breath magicians to actors and everything for so long. That is definitely a rare else in between, the showcase of combination of talent which needs talent so far has been astounding. recognition. I’d love to learn how to As the actor is highly impressed do this.” MENTOR: Varun Dhawan is mentoring and judging the online talent hunt show. by the variety of talents from the Meanwhile, Varun has donated participants, mentioning few money to help five lakh daily wage Kapoor, Jahnvi Kapoor and others helped daily wage workers under and Maharashtra Chief Minister talents Varun said: “Yuvraj Singh workers in the film industry. Several have come forward to help the daily the Federation of Western India relief fund. He has also pledged to who put up an act of air walk, celebrities including Salman Khan, wage workers amid the nationwide Cine Employees (FWICE). provide free meals to the frontline takes me back to memories of Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, lockdown. Varun, who celebrated The actor had earlier donated workers, doctors and medical staff. my favourite – the King of Pop, Rohit Shetty, Arjun Kapoor, Boney his 33rd birthday on Friday, has Rs55 lakh to PM-Cares Fund – IANS Tuesday, May19, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY Schwarzenegger recalls emergency heart operation

ollywood star Arnold The actor continued: “So I said, Schwarzenegger has ‘I’m not going to have open heart shared a scary but surgery now, four months before inspiring story about shooting. Are you crazy?’ I was just having open heart in the middle of working out with Hsurgery, saying life is all about heavy weights, getting ready, doing overcoming obstacles. my stunt training and everything. He recalled his emergency heart He says, No, no, the technology has operation while delivering speech changed. This is not open-heart to students graduating in 2020. The surgery anymore. This is a non- Terminator star later posted the invasive surgery that goes through speech on his Instagram, reports your artery in the bottom up to your metro.co.uk heart, replace the valve, and the In the clip, he recounted his next day you go home. A week later, health scare, which occurred you can continue with your regular just before he started shooting training’.” Terminator 6: Dark Fate two years “Then I remembered that a ago. friend of mine, a 90-year-old “Congratulations to the class producer, had the procedure done of 2020. I’m not going to stand just recently. Two days after, he here and tell you about this being a was at a meeting at a studio in fantastic time to graduate,” began Hollywood and he looked fantastic. the 72-year-old. So I said, ‘Okay, I’ll do it’. So after “I can promise you this I woke up from the surgery, A I coronavirus won’t be the last woke up 16 hours later instead of obstacle that you face. But it can four hours (later). And there was a help you prepare for the next tube sticking out of my mouth. The one. That’s what life is all about, doctor moved forward, took the overcoming obstacles,” he said. tube and ripped it out of my throat. After discussing the coronavirus And I was coughing violently, and INSPIRING: Arnold Schwarzenegger says that life is all about overcoming obstacles. pandemic, the movie icon shared he says, “Just keep coughing. And his own story. then let us tell you what happened.” through the heart wall and there ‘You’re not out of the woods yet. The actor then explained that he He said: “I got a physical. I went The actor said that the doctors was internal bleeding and I could There’s another danger. There had to do the breathing exercises to the doctor and he checked me up, told him that “they had to do have died if they didn’t open up are still patients in our heart unit while practising walking with a that’s what you always do before emergency surgery”. my sternum and do open-heart here, who after heart surgery, pass walker. you start a movie. The doctor said “That something went surgery. ‘Imagine, the day before I away, not because of the surgery He called the experience ‘You’re in great health, but I’d wrong during this non-invasive was training really hard, and now but because of the lung. They get “unbelievable”, saying: “ but added: recommend that you go and replace procedure. And then it became all of a sudden he’s telling me they pneumonia. So we’re really worried “My usual principles worked.” your heart valve. It’s leaking blood’.” very invasive. They said they broke were saving my life. Then he says about you getting pneumonia’.” — IANS

Noah on growing to what people said to me online,” Scarface actor Silva no more up the in shadow she said. of Miley Cyrus “It was absolutely unbearable. Actor Geno Silva, And that’s why I write, My sister’s best known for his Singer Noah Cyrus says it was like sunshine, bringing good light role in the 1983 crime really tough growing up in the wherever she’ll go/and I was born to drama Scarface, has shadow of her sister and pop star rain clouds, blessed in her shadows. died. He was 72. Miley Cyrus. Because, that’s why everybody Silva passed away Noah released the song Young & always says to me, that no matter on May 9 at his home Sad off her EP The End of Everything what, I was going to be in that here of complications last week, and has now opened up shadow,” Noah added. from frontotemporal about its connection to her sister Noah admitted that she “always degeneration, a during an Instagram Live session, believed” she would only stay in form of dementia. reports people.com sister Miley’s shadow. His family shared The new track, which Noah “That was something I heard the news of his released recently, includes the lyrics, my whole life, every single day, my demise, reports My sister’s like sunshine, bringing whole life. It was either that or that I hollywoodreporter. REMEMBERED: Geno Silva is still good light wherever she’ll go/ and I wasn’t enough in some way, whether com remembered for playing the silent was born to rain clouds, blessed in her it was the way I look or the way I am. During his four- assassin – The Skull – who murders Al shadows. Like I said the other day, sometimes decade career, Silva Pacino’s Tony Montana in Scarface. The 20-year-old star opened I feel like I don’t even breathe right also featured in Luis up about the song during the live sometimes,” she said, adding: Valdez’s Zoot Suit (1981), Robert Towne’s Tequila Sunrise (1988), session, and at one point broke down “Basically, that is what the song is Steven Spielberg’s Amistad and The Lost World: Jurassic Park while reflecting on the criticism she about, and I just wanted to open up (both released in 1997), David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive (2001) faced when she was younger. about that once and for all, because CANDID: Noah Cyrus says it was and F. Gary Gray’s A Man Apart (2003). “I think just the message in the that’s been a big part of my life, tough growing up in the shadow of On television, he appeared in episodes of Hill Street Blues, second verse, being born in the and I probably won’t talk about it her sister and pop star Miley Cyrus. Miami Vice, Walker, Texas Ranger, Star Trek: Enterprise and family I was in, everyone gave me anymore. I just wanted to put it out. Alias. such a hard time for having a hard “Everybody always says you’re shared: “You guys are young, you Silva is still most remembered for playing the silent assassin time being Miley’s little sister. But giving the people power by seeing it, know the internet. It’s been really The Skull, who murders Al Pacino’s Tony Montana in Scarface. you know, I always felt like I was that but I can’t control seeing it,” Noah tough on me, so that song is just He is survived by his wife, Pamela, their daughter, Lucia, as person that no one cared about due tearfully continued, and further pretty tough to get through.” – IANS well as two grandchildren and his sister. – IANS 16 GULF TIMES Tuesday, May 19, 2020 COMMUNITY Viola player enjoys calm, mystical atmosphere during Ramadan

By Mudassir Raja “I have experienced the holy month of amadan is a holy month for Muslims as they carry out their religious duties, but it also Ramadan many provides an opportunity for non-Muslims to observe the social and behavioural changes in times. I have always the people around them during this month. RBeing a multicultural country, expatriates in Qatar enjoyed how the come from different cultural and religious backgrounds and while staying here, they experience the changes in usually lively, buzzing, Ramadan mostly in a positive way and take away the best they can. sometimes stressful Expatriates work in different areas from public sector to private sector. As Qatar has been putting a lot of city becomes calm and effort to promote arts and sports, there are professional expatriates working in these fields in large numbers quiet throughout the as well. Usually creative people related with any genre of art are deemed to be more sensitive than an average day, with an almost individual in the society. Andrea Mereutza is a German-Romanian viola player. mystical atmosphere. She has been a member of the musician team with Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra (QPO) since September 2008 I loved gathering and based in Doha since then. Besides enjoying the creative and artistic atmosphere with my Muslim and in Qatar, the string player has been witnessing the holy month for a long time now. She seems to have been non-Muslim friends touched by the calm and quiet atmosphere that takes over Qatar during Ramadan. “I have experienced the for Iftar, discussing holy month of Ramadan many times. I have always enjoyed how the usually lively, buzzing, sometimes spirituality, religion, stressful city becomes calm and quiet throughout the day, with an almost mystical atmosphere. I loved music, how all of that gathering with my Muslim and non-Muslim friends for Iftar, discussing spirituality, religion, music, how all can unite people and of that can unite people and how lucky we are to live in such a diverse, open-minded and colourful community how lucky we are to such as in Qatar.” Like other people, Andrea misses the usual gatherings live in such a diverse, of Ramadan. “Unfortunately this year all has changed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic that affects each open-minded and and every one of us. It is however for our health safety that we have to stay at home.” colourful community When it comes to stay-home orders, the musician thinks that she is affected more than others as she such as in Qatar” misses the opportunity to play at orchestras attended by people in large numbers. “Social distancing is —Andrea Mereutza hard for anyone but as an orchestra musician it is particularly difficult for me. We are used to interact with one another, play together, listen, react and be part of one big whole. Being isolated takes away from me the possibility to do what I love most, making music together with my colleagues.” The German viola player, like her colleagues, has been enjoying the experience of playing music from her house balcony. “During the past weeks, like all of my QPO friends, I have played by myself during balcony concerts and recorded video performances which were a big success on social media channels, but it made me miss playing in the orchestra even more. Nothing can replace the feeling of performing at a concert in front of a live audience.” Over and above, the musician has learnt many new and positive things while observing social distancing and spending time with her family. “But staying at home also brought some positive aspects. Like all other parents I started homeschooling my 6-year-old son and despite all challenges, I am enjoying doing something else for a change and getting out of my comfort zone. I am also teaching him the piano! My family is more connected than ever and we realise how lucky we are to have one another. Over the last weeks I have learned to embrace life as it is and to accept the situations I cannot change. Supposedly small things can make you very happy and it doesn’t need much to be a kind, balanced and positive human being.” UNIQUE: This Ramadan has been a unique experience for many people as they had to maintain social distancing.