Community Community People from The Creative all over the Academy P6world travel P16 Qatar to Germany to learn celebrates Sorbian, the language Independence of small Slavic Day of minority. .

Wednesday, August 15, 2018 Dhul-Hijja 4, 1439 AH

Doha today 340 - 440

Blessing

New hepatitis C drugs mean diseased organs can be used for transplants. P4-5

COVER STORY 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, August 15, 2018 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.46am Shorooq (sunrise) 5.07am Zuhr (noon) 11.38am Asr (afternoon) 3.07pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.11pm Isha (night) 7.41pm

USEFUL NUMBERS The Catcher Was a Spy War II. At one point during his espionage career, Berg found DIRECTION: Ben Lewin himself under orders to assassinate German theoretical CAST: Paul Rudd, Connie Nielsen, Mark Strong physicist Werner Heisenberg (Mark Strong). This is where the SYNOPSIS: The Catcher Was a Spy is biographical drama tale begins, in fl ashback—a suitably audacious opening for a about Morris Moe Berg, an unremarkable major league catcher fi lm about a mysterious man. who went on to work for Offi ce of Strategic Services, the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency, during World THEATRE: The Mall, Landmark, Royal Plaza 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 Offi ce (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, Srinivasa Kalyanam will Vasu and Sri’s families, who’re as diff erent as chalk and 40253369 DIRECTION: Satish Vegesna cheese, be able to plan this wedding without a hitch? Rest Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 CAST: Prakash Raj, Raashi Khanna, Nithiin of the story is as to how Vasu takes things into his hands and Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 SYNOPSIS: Vasu (Nithiin), an architect and Sri (Raashi makes his wedding happen on a traditional note by changing Qatar Airways 40253374 Khanna), a billionaire heiress, fall in love and decide to get Sri’s father’s mindset. married. However, seeing as how marriages in India are not just between two individuals but between two families, THEATRES: The Mall, Royal Plaza

The Mall Cinema (1): Srinivasa 11:15pm. ote Unquo Kalyanam (Telugu) 2:30pm; The Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Qu te Meg (2D) 5pm; Mission Impossible Duck Duck Goose (2D) 2pm; Duck “We should 6: Fall Out (2D) 7pm; The Catcher Duck Goose (2D) 3:30pm; Duck Was A Spy (2D) 9:30pm; Red Bad Kadha (Malayalam) 4:30pm; Duck Goose (2D) 5:15pm; The Meg not give up and we (2D) 11:15pm. Mission Impossible 6: Fall Out (2D) (3D) 7pm; Mission Impossible 6: should not allow the The Mall Cinema (2): Duck 7pm; Lashtam Pashtam (Hindi) Fall Out (2D) 9pm; The Meg (2D) Duck Goose (2D) 2:30pm; Hotel 9:30pm; Oru Pazhaya Bomb Kadha 11:30pm. problem to defeat us.” Transylvania 3: A Monster Vacation (2D) 11:30pm. Royal Plaza Cinema Palace — A P J Abdul Kalam (2D) 4:15pm; Duck Duck Goose Landmark Cinema (2): Duck Duck (2): Oru Pazhaya Bomb Kadha (2D) 6pm; Hotel Transylvania 3: A Goose (2D) 2:15pm; Duck Duck (Malayalam) 2:30pm; The Meg Monster Vacation (2D) 7:45pm; The Goose (2D) 4pm; The Meg (2D) (2D) 5:15pm; Kusina King (Tagalog) Meg (2D) 9:30pm; The Meg (2D) 5:30pm; The Meg (2D) 7:30pm; 7:15pm; The Meg (2D) 9:15pm; 11:30pm. The Meg (2D) 9:30pm; The Meg Srinivasa Kalyanam (Telugu) The Mall Cinema (3): Lashtam (2D) 11:30pm. 11:15pm. Pashtam (Hindi) 2pm; Duck Duck Landmark Cinema (3): Hotel Royal Plaza Cinema Palace Community Editor Goose (2D) 4pm; Khalawees Transylvania 3: A Monster (3): Hotel Transylvania 3: A (Arabic) 6pm; Kusina King (Tagalog) Vacation (2D) 2:30pm; Hotel Monster Vacation (2D) 2:30pm; Kamran Rehmat 7:45pm; Blindspotting (2D) Transylvania 3: A Monster Hotel Transylvania 3: A Monster e-mail: [email protected] 9:30pm; Oru Pazhaya Bomb Kadha Vacation (2D) 4:15pm; Duck Duck Vacation (2D) 4:15pm; Khalawees Telephone: 44466405 (Malayalam) 11:30pm. Goose (2D) 6pm; The Catcher Was (Arabic) 6pm; Blindspotting (2D) Fax: 44350474 Landmark Cinema (1): The Meg A Spy (2D) 7:45pm; Khalawees 7:45pm; The Catcher Was A Spy (2D) 2:30pm; Oru Pazhaya Bomb (Arabic) 9:30pm; Red Bad (2D) (2D) 9:30pm; Red Bad (2D) 11:15pm Wednesday, August 15, 2018 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

their time by discovering the world of Mad stalls will feature products from all over the Science, and spend a good sharing time in world on the Eid. The Summer Shopping making new friends while baking, enjoying Souq has started from June 14 till August their meals, watching cinema, doing aerobics 31. Colour your summer at Doha Exhibition and so much more. and Conventional Centre, West Bay during Summer Entertainment City 2018 with Summer Camps over 75 activities and games, more than 40 WHERE: Mamangam Performing Art food and 132 retail outlets and amazing live Centre, Al Hilal performances. Get set for an exciting and WHEN: Ongoing till August 31 eventful summer in 2018. TIME: 8am – 12:30pm Mamangam Performing Art Centre will be HEC Paris Masterclass holding Summer Camps in its Al Hilal branch WHERE: 15th fl oor, Tornado Tower for two batches of age groups from 4 -18 yrs. WHEN: September 9 The summer camps will include Yoga, Karate, TIME: 5pm – 7pm Art and Craft, Music, Hip-hop, , HEC Paris is organising ‘The Journey of Indian Classical and Contemporary dance. Innovation: From the Innovator to Eco- For details, call 33897609. systemic Innovation’, an opportunity to learn more about company innovation with HEC Paris Associate Professor Frederic Dalsace, MSc from HEC and an MBA with honors from Harvard Business School and both MSc and a PhD Management from INSEAD.

Choreography Lessons - Brazilian EVENTS mutual infl uences, shared ideas and cultural Zouk transfer between the Arab world and WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier near MOI Special Needs Summer Camp Germany through storytelling and tales. WHEN: Ongoing till September 15 WHERE: HOPE Qatar Center for Special Brazilian zouk is characterised by the Needs Summer Sessions with Evolve and dancers’ undulating bodies and the girls’ WHEN: Until today Westin fl owing hair. Dancer or not, depending on TIME: 8:30am – 12:30pm WHERE: The Westin Doha Hotel and Spa the style of Brazilian zouk, you’ll be able HOPE Qatar Center for Special Needs WHEN: Ongoing till August 25 Summer Camps to choose connection and embrace with is organising a very unique summer camp TIME: 9am – 1pm WHERE: TCA long graceful steps. The fi nal performance bringing together children with and without Enjoy a morning of moving, eating and WHEN: Ongoing is scheduled to be on 15 September as a special needs in a fun and entertainment feeling well with a 60 minutes yoga session TIME: 8:30am – 1pm fl ashmob. fi lled programme from July 16 – August 15. balanced with healthy breakfast bites The TCA is holding Summer Camps in its This camp led by a multinational team will followed by time to revitalise by the pool. branch for all students, ongoing from June enhance empathy, teamwork, and friendships Stimulate the rest of your day through 24. Every two weeks, a new batch will begin between the diff erently abled children and culinary experiences with the added 20% for every child to join and learn new forms of other children aged 4 – 18. The camp will run discount in all the restaurants and café. art. The summer camps will include Abacus, for 5 days a week from 8:30am – 12:30pm for Drawing and Painting, Calligraphy, keyboard one month and include various edutainment IAID Summer Workshop and dance. The camp will run for 7 days a activities. For details, call 55751754 / WHERE: IAID week from 8:30am – 1pm. You will be able to 55385687 WHEN: July – August see the activities and schedules that will be It’s time to set your kids summer activities held for every week and register your kid. For today with IAID, the pioneer in conducting details, call 44373259. workshops in Qatar since 2001. IAID’s Summer Workshop features fun and exciting Summer Camp for Kids activities. It only means more singing, WHERE: Music and Arts Atelier, Villa 57 playing and dancing for the sweet little ones Bin Omran aged 3 years and above. WHEN: Ongoing till August 31 TIME: 7:30am – 2:30pm Summer Camp Doha’s Kids Summer Camp where artists WHERE: Music Lounge are made! The A to Z of kid’s summer camp WHEN: Ongoing till August 30 – from artworks, dance and music lessons TIME: 9am – 12pm and PLAY in between. For ages 5 years and up. This summer camp is designed to give Contact [email protected] and Outdoor and fi ve-a-side football every camper a skill to create music through mobile 33003839. pitches special training in musical instruments piano, WHERE: Aspire Zone guitar and drums, to visualise child’s limitless Summer Entertainment City 2018 WHEN: Daily imagination and bring it to creative visuals WHERE: DECC TIME: 7pm – 11pm through art and craft. This camp will develop WHEN: Ongoing till August 31 Aspire Zone’s fi ve-a-side football outdoor their communication skills through training TIME: 12pm pitches opposite Al Waab Street are available in public speaking along with hip hop dance, An amazing range of local shopping every day from 7pm – 11pm. warm up exercises, karate and yoga.

Summer Activity WHERE: Aspire Zone WHEN: Until today TIME: 8am – 2pm Children can enjoy various activities such as football, taekwondo, swimming, gymnastics, aerobics, and recreational games.

Arab and German Tales Exhibition WHERE: Qatar National Library WHEN: Ongoing till August 18 The exhibition is organised within the framework of Qatar–Germany Year of Culture and provides an insight into the Minipolis Summer Camp history of Arabic and German fairy and folk WHERE: The Pearl-Qatar tales, and how the two traditions infl uenced WHEN: Ongoing till August 31 each other. It aims to show the transcultural TIME: 9am – 5pm value of narrative traditions as a shared An Edutainment Entertainment summer intangible cultural heritage and highlight camp is now in Qatar where kids can enjoy

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, August 15, 2018 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Breathing new life Medications can cure hep C infection in transplant patients who accept infected organs, typically with just four to 12 weeks of therapy, writes Marie McCullough

CURRENT PRACTICE: Normally, hep C-infected organs are off ered only to patients who already have the virus –— or else the precious donations are thrown away.

Greater donor-organ availability means faster transplants for people on the wait list — and shorter waits are associated with better patient outcomes ‘ —Shin Lin, cardiologist ’ Wednesday, August 15, 2018 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

nthinkable until a few years ago, the practice of putting hepatitis C-infected organs into uninfected patients has been embraced by the transplant world as a way to whittle longU waiting lists for life-saving kidneys, livers, hearts and lungs. The main reason for this about-face is simple: New, easy-to-tolerate antiviral drugs with better than 95 percent eff ectiveness have transformed the treatment of hepatitis C, a virus that can slowly destroy the liver. A small but growing body of research by the University of Pennsylvania and other pioneers shows these medications can cure hep C infection in transplant patients who accept infected organs, typically with just four to 12 weeks of therapy. At the same time, the opioid crisis has meant there are more organs available from people with hep C, which can be spread by the use of injection drugs. Now, the question is whether this approach should continue to be studied in clinical trials, or opened right away to the 114,000 Americans awaiting transplants. Patients are told about the potential risks of accepting organs with the virus and do not lose their place on transplant lists if they decline. At least one transplant centre, at the University of Washington, is not holding off . It announced in June that all heart transplant patients will be off ered suitable hearts from hep C-infected donors. Infected hearts may eventually account for as many as eight of the Using such organs would put a small but down this road has been 100 percent of patients said in an article on the health website Healio. 48 heart transplants UW performs annually, it meaningful dent in the national waiting list, getting covered,” UW cardiothoracic surgeon “The risk of dying on the waiting list is greater said in a press release. enabling a few thousand additional organ Jason Smith said in the press release. “We than that. It is certainly not an ethical issue in “Greater donor-organ availability means transplants each year, experts estimate. haven’t heard of a centre getting a denial (from terms of risk-benefi t.” faster transplants for people on the wait However, both the number and quality of an insurer) that has stood.” Kiran Shelat, 65, of Yardley, agrees. The list — and shorter waits are associated with hep C infected organs has been dramatically Experts agree that patients — in or outside infected kidney he received two years ago at better patient outcomes,” said Shin Lin, a UW increasing because so many young people of studies — must be informed of the small Penn freed him from debilitating dialysis and cardiologist and heart transplant specialist. are dying of opioid overdoses. Between 2000 risk of transmitting an infection that does not restored his ability to enjoy life — to exercise, Paul E. Sax, an infectious disease specialist and 2016, the number of infected donors respond to antiviral drug treatment and goes hike, and travel with his wife. at Harvard Medical School, favours such fast more than tripled, from 181 to 661, one study on to cause harmful liver infl ammation. “Of course, people should make an informed adoption. “There are advances in medicine found. But Robert S. Brown Jr., director of the liver decision,” said the recently retired civil that are so dramatic that they’re obvious,” he In a blog post for the New England Journal transplant centre at Weill Cornell Medical engineer. “But at the same time, people should said. “This has to move quickly into standard of Medicine, Harvard’s Sax wrote that using College, put that risk in perspective. “The not fear it. That’s my message.” of care.” infected organs to save people on the waiting failure rate of these drugs is 3 percent,” he —The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS But a committee convened by the American list is “a tragic silver lining to the Society of Transplantation urges a go-slower horrible opiate epidemic cloud.” approach. The 15-member panel, including Still, questions remain to Penn liver transplant specialist David S. be answered about the best Goldberg, last year published a review that treatment regimen, when “I know there concluded more studies are needed to fully therapy should begin, and are some understand the long-term risks and benefi ts. how long it should last. Long “I know there are some centres that think it’s term safety concerns are also centres that the right thing to do” to off er hep C-infected unsettled. organs, said lead author Josh Levitsky, a “We don’t have the kind of data think it’s the Northwestern University liver transplant we need to say whether patients right thing specialist. “I just would encourage that it be (who receive infected kidneys) done under research protocols so they can have more rejection,” said Penn to do to offer report the data.” kidney transplant specialist Niraj Desai, director of the kidney transplant Peter P. Reese. “We can’t rule it hep C-infected programme at Johns Hopkins University, out. It’s possible there’s more echoed that concern. “At this point,” he immunological injury with hep C organs. I e-mailed, “it is still important that patient infection.” just would outcomes are followed and reported so One potential barrier to everyone in the fi eld of organ transplantation widespread adoption may be encourage can learn what the outcomes are in larger easing. The cost of the mainstay numbers of patients than what has so far been antiviral therapies has been falling that it be reported.” because of competition. Merck, So far, small studies — about 100 published for example, recently slashed the done under cases in total — have shown success with list price for a course of Zepatier research all major thoracic organ transplants, even by 60 percent, to $21,840. That lungs. Among the centres researching the undercuts the $24,600 price of protocols approach besides Penn are Hopkins, Vanderbilt the newest entrant, Abbvie’s University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Mavyret. so they can and Massachusetts General Hospital. Medicare would cover antiviral treatment for transplant-induced report the Penn — the fi rst to leap into the uncharted hep C infection, the Centers data” ethical territory starting two years ago — has for Medicare and Medicaid eradicated hep C in 20 kidney transplant Services said in an e-mail. Private patients using the drug Zepatier, donated by insurers may also be amenable Merck. Penn has done the same in 10 heart to the approach, which is more — Josh transplant patients, and is about to expand to cost-eff ective in the long run lung transplants. So far, no transplant patients’ than supportive therapies such as Levitsky, liver hep C has been incurable. kidney dialysis. transplant Normally, hep C-infected organs are off ered “These are expensive drugs and only to patients who already have the virus – or it is a factor, but the experience specialist else the precious donations are thrown away. of other centres that have gone 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, August 15, 2018 COMMUNITY LANGUAGE Learning Sorbian in Germany People from all over the world travel to Germany to study the language of a small Slavic minority: Sorbian. Some are motivated by their Sorbian ancestry, while others simply love learning languages

By Miriam Schoenbach

abian Kaulfuerst enters the classroom with a pile of documents and wipes the blackboard clean. His students begin taking out the homework assignments they have completed.F The class in the eastern German city of Bautzen looks like any other, but the students here have come from all over the world to study an unusual subject: Sorbian, the language of a Slavic minority estimated to number about 60,000 people in the Upper and Lower Lusatia regions. Ryo Umeda, 28, is Japanese and lives in Finland. “I have always been interested in Slavic languages, so I made the trip to Bautzen,” he says. The other students comprise US, Czech, Polish, Serbian and German nationals. The summer course is organised every two years by the Sorbian Institute in Bautzen, which researches the language, history and culture of the Sorbs, also known as the Wends. The Sorbs lived in the area between the Elbe and Oder rivers for centuries until they were subdued and assimilated by the Germans in the late Middle Ages, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. However, the Sorbs maintained their ethnic identity and language, which uses an LEARNING SESSION: Fabian Kaulfuerst teaches a class Sorbian at the Sorbian Institute in the eastern German city of Bautzen. alphabet of Latin origin. Summer courses held in Bautzen over two Sorbian immigrants founded in 1854. weeks this year include fi ve diff erent levels Old books in Sorbian awakened a curiosity – three of them for beginners – for the total in Mersiovsky about his roots. He now writes of 47 participants, aged between 18 and 70 in English about Sorbian history and has years, from 13 countries. published a book on the village of Malschwitz Kaulfuerst’s course is on an advanced near Bautzen with co-author Trudla level, where the teaching is done in Upper Malinkowa. “Slavic languages are diffi cult for Sorbian. The participants need to be able to us Americans,” laughs Mersiovsky, whose son summarise an entire book chapter with their is also taking the course. own words. “Let us begin,” he says. Another student of Sorbian ancestry is The teacher, who is also a linguist, watches Karola Schmidt from Ludwigsfelde in north- the students’ pronunciation and conjugation, eastern Germany. “My grandfather was a then nods with satisfaction. Sorb,” says the educational therapist who Umeda is already taking a Sorbian course for took online courses on Sorbian. the second time. He previously studied German People have diff erent motives for taking the in Regensburg and also speaks Russian, Czech course, says Kaulfuerst. Many are specialists and Polish. Sorbian is a summertime “hobby,” in Slavic languages, though he recalls that says the lover of Slavic languages, who is one young man had been motivated to study doing a PhD on the Uralic language of the Sami the language by a love aff air. minority of northern Finland. Summer courses in the Sorbian language Kaulfuerst gives his students a new task: and culture have been organised, usually They need to introduce the right words into every two years, since 1967 – fi rst by Leipzig gaps in the text of a Sorbian YouTube hit. University and, since 1992, by the Sorbian After fi nishing, they sing the song. Institute. The course programme does not only So far, more than 500 teachers, students, include swotting up on vocabulary and journalists and translators from 30 countries grammar, but also music, knowledge of on nearly all continents have taken such the Sorbs and their culture, chatting in the courses. evenings and watching fi lms in Sorbian. “Today, the course has two purposes at the “It is fun to study Sorbian in a beautiful same time,” Kaulfuerst says. “It boosts the city. You also meet new people. I would come self-esteem of the Sorbs to see that people again,” Umeda says. from all over the world are interested in their In the next room, beginner Weldon language and culture.” Mersiovsky from Texas is struggling to He adds: “And in addition, many memorise Sorbian phrases. The 69-year- participants will continue with Sorbian, old’s ancestors left the Bautzen region in the allowing us to recruit new talent for our STUDENT: Ryo Umeda is one of the students learning the language at the Sorbian Institute in late 19th century for Serbin, a US locality that institution.” – DPA Bautzen. Wednesday, August 15, 2018 GULF TIMES 7 MARKETING COMMUNITY

The Westin Doha Hotel and Spa off ers summer staycation package for families

The Westin Doha Hotel and Spa has culinary journey, the hotel off ers fi ve dining Waves Pool Café & Luxe Lounge is the main touristic destinations in Qatar such announced its exclusive package for options conveniently located on property. perfect destination. as Souq Waqif, The Museum of Islamic families looking to a comfortable break or a Seasonal Tastes, the signature restaurant In addition, the Spa is offering guests an Art and Aspire Zone and we always assist relaxing staycation in Qatar. off ers a wide variety of creative international attractive Eid al-Adha offer, they can book families to arrange tours on their behalf The Westin is inviting both Doha cuisine. Guests looking for something more a Hammam ritual for QR600, additionally, so that they get the chance to explore the residents and visitors from across region adventurous are invited to try dinner at in-house guests who are seeking to country.” to make the most of their summer vacation Sabai Thai, the award-winning authentic rejuvenate and revitalise during their stay, He added, “We have generously sized with an attractive deal. Families can Thai restaurant that focuses on the textures can explore the city’s first Heavenly Spa rooms starting at 46sq m, extensive book two rooms for one night for just and fl avours from the four grand regions of menu, which consists of a diverse range of recreation facilities and lush green gardens QR890 inclusive of Westin’s signature Thailand. For meat lovers, Hunters Room signature massages and facials provided by which allow families to spend the most superfood breakfast, high-speed Internet & Grill, a contemporary Grill and Lounge the experienced therapists. beautiful moments with their loved ones in and complimentary access to hotel’s four serve the fi nest quality meat selected from From his side, Gianrico Esposito, General a relaxing atmosphere.” swimming pools, including Doha’s only boutique farms. Manager, of The Westin Doha Hotel He concluded, “We promise our visitors children’s waves’ pool, stated a press Additionally, guests who are looking for a and Spa, said, “The property is set in a to provide them with an unforgettable release. tranquil place to relax and savour delectable convenient location to spend the summer stay and the highest standards of 5-star For those who wish to relax and explore a coffee, sandwiches and afternoon tea holidays with family. We are very close to hospitality”. Baume & Mercier reveals Clifton Baumatic™: performance that comes from inside

Last January at the Salon International de la Haute production watches equipped with the Baumatic™ Horlogerie, Baume & Mercier revealed its latest movement are adjusted in a range corresponding to in-house mechanical self-winding movement, the -4/+6 seconds per day and off er a level of precision Baumatic™ calibre. which remains stable throughout the power reserve. This new caliber is an answer to the problems actually encountered by self-winding watches, and it Magnetic fi elds provides innovative solutions in four distinct fi elds, There are many eff ects that may be caused by said a press release. magnetic fi elds, such as a movement that may z Power reserve suddenly stop or a loss of precision. z Chronometric accuracy The Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic™ watch z Sensitivity to magnetic fi elds is resistant to at least 1,500 Gauss, a resistance 25x z Durability higher than the current ISO norm.

Power reserve Durability The power reserve of a standard watch movement A watch movement is a complex mechanism ranges from 40 to 70 hours when it is fully wound. comprising numerous mobile miniature All the Baume & Mercier watches equipped with components. Their perpetual interaction results the Baumatic™ movement have a high-performance in friction and wear, which can be minimised by 120-hour power reserve, amounting to 5 days. lubrication, a delicate issue in any watch movement. The quality of the various lubricants for the Chronometric accuracy Baumatic™ movement make it possible to prolong A standard watch requires regular time-setting, the maintenance service intervals beyond the given its daily variation in rate of around 20 to 30 generally recommended fi ve years. seconds per day. Don’t wait a minute longer to discover the four In addition to its model chronometer-certifi ed incredible performances off ered by the Baumatic™ by the COSC, all the Baume & Mercier series movement. 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, August 15, 2018 COMMUNITY TRAV Day trip to ‘Calle 8’ in Miami If you have any friends who speak Spanish, that would be the first call to make in planning a day trip. It will make your life easier as a lot of people don’t speak English there

FESTIVAL: At ‘Calle 8’ there’s live music, including salsa, cumbia and merengue with tonnes of art and murals from international artistes.

There’s also more live music like music, food tents, art, vendors and By Julio Poletti salsa, cumbia and merengue. And more from 7pm to 11pm. there’s tonnes of art and murals “El Festival de la Calle Ocho” from international artistes. If you’re should be on your calendar. This is here’s a little pocket in a foodie, this street makes it easy the largest Latino festival in Little Miami as concentrated to try diff erent fl avours because, Havana. This annual event attracts with fl avour as a spoonful like most things on the strip, the more than 1 million guests and of adobo seasoning. Calle restaurants are right next to each features eight stages with live music, Ocho, (SW 8th Street) in other too. This is great because you vendors, food and more. It can get theT middle of Little Havana, is that can see a lot of things without much crazy. place. The food, the personalities walking. Let’s explore calle ocho: and the charm stretch from SW 10th Before you head out: Starting point: Put this in your Street to SW 19th. If you’re looking Take the Brightline or Tri-rail to GPS: 1548 SW 8th St, Miami to explore a new neighbourhood or Miami, and then take a shared-car Carbs and sugar overload area in Florida, and you’ve already service to Calle Ocho. Free parking Why do carbs have to be so done day trips in West Palm Beach, can be hard to fi nd. If you drive delicious? It would be diffi cult inspiring Lake Worth or kid-friendly and you can’t fi nd a free parking to dine in Calle Ocho if you live a Jupiter, then this one is for you. spot, you’ll need to download the carb-free life. Nor would anybody Sure, things can get rowdy and hot Parkmobile App. You can only park understand you when you share very quickly but it’s all part of Calle for two hours, and the app will that about yourself. There are Ocho’s magic. remind you to add money before the many options in Calle Ocho. From Before the adventure, a little time is up. fl aky empanadas to savoury guava history: Calle Ocho was once the A lot of people didn’t speak and cream cheese pastries. Most heart of the Cuban exile during the English when I went. If you think breakfast snacks here are starchy Fidel Castro regime in the late 1950s. you’ll need translation, pay for a and full of carbs, and are usually Today, it’s a melting pot of many guided tour. If you’re looking for the accompanied by extremely sweet other nationalities with more ethnic perfect day, visit on the last Friday cafe con leche or a sugar-fi lled SCULPTURE: The colourful roosters started popping up in 2002 as part of the options like empanadas, arepas, of the month. This is when the natural juices. ‘Rooster Walk’ project by the local artists. Calle Ocho has its own share of giant arroz con habichuelas and avocado street celebrates Viernes Culturales Restaurants in Calle Ocho open rooster sculptures. ice cream. (Cultural Fridays), which is all about between 7:30 to 8am. Wednesday, August 15, 2018 GULF TIMES 9 AVEL COMMUNITY

LEGACY: An employee inside the store rolls cigar for tourists exactly as they started in Cuba more HOTSPOT: Maximo Gomez Park is a Little Havana landmark, a hotspot for older Latinos to play than 100 years ago. dominos and share political views.

Some other breakfast items to The players can get loud and angry built in 1926, and it’s now owned battling the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion, in Miami. Oh, and did I mention that keep in mind when ordering are when they lose. And sometimes, by Miami-Dade College. Check and for those who fought the Cuban I basically only covered two blocks? sandwiches like the Cubano or Pan they’re just loud because they can’t out their schedule online to catch War of Independence. There’s also a Right. There’s a ton to do, so take con Bistek. hear very well. Regardless, when a variety of movies or events like Jose Marti monument. your time and enjoy the vibe. Insta-famous roosters coming to Domino Park, don’t get seminars, art exhibitions, lectures Finally, some dancing If you have any friends who speak Big colourful roosters can be scared if a group of silver foxes keep and more. Ball and Chain is the go-to place Spanish, that would be the fi rst call I found around Calle Ocho. The trying to claw each other in the face. Cuban Memorial Boulevard for locals and tourists when it comes would make in planning this day trip. colourful roosters started popping A Tobacco legacy Park to dancing. This is an open-space It will make your life easier as a lot of up in 2002 as part of the ‘Rooster Little Havana and tobacco go Walk just south of Calle Ocho (SW restaurant where local musicians people don’t speak English there. But Walk’ project by local artists. hand in hand like Denver and Mary 8th Street) along SW 13th Ave and perform daily. Ball and Chain has if you like adventures or would like to Because somewhere in the world, Jane, or coff ee during a New York fi nd the Cuban Memorial Boulevard an interesting story that you should practice your Spanish, you can do that a rooster is announcing the rise of winter. It’s a common pastime, a Park. read before heading there. too. I defi nitely had a blast. I ate more the sun. vice for some and a family tradition Here, you’ll see several monuments This restaurant opened the 1930’s, than I needed to. I danced way too Calle Ocho has its own share of for others. to Cuban and Cuban-Americans like and it’s still as popular as ever. I much for how hot it was outside, and giant rooster sculptures begging to I visited the Cuba Tobacco Cigar the Eternal Torch in honour of the think I’ve given you enough things to I came back with new, Cuba-inspired get their pictures taken. And they Co, which is run by the 4th and 5th 2506th Brigade who gave their lives do while you’re exploring Calle Ocho clothing. – The Palm Beach Post/TNS do. You’ll see people posing next to generation of the Bello family. You these pieces of art all day, so take out can see an employee inside the store your camera and snap away. rolling cigars for tourists exactly as Get Cubanised! they started in Cuba more than 100 Discover Calle Ocho in full Cuban years ago. attire. You’ll notice a lot of shopping The Bello family took their can be done in this stretch to get original Cuban tobacco seeds your looking Cuban-tastic. You can and has been growing them in fi nd anything from footwear and Nicaragua, Honduras and the clothing to jewellery, costumes, Dominican Republic to create bags, leather and more. But don’t get perfectly-blended Cuban tobacco. overwhelmed. There’s an awesome You know, because growing and dude at D’ Asis Guayaberas store selling tobacco made in Cuba is that will get you looking and feeling illegal. They make hundreds of fresh. hand-rolled cigars a day at the shop. If this is a true day-cation for you, Whether you smoke or not, a visit you can’t leave Calle Ocho without to the store is still worth it. While gifts for the family and loved ones, you’re there, take a picture with Don so here are four things you should Pedro Bello, he’s a local celebrity. buy to bring back home that are true You’ll fi nd him relaxing on a chair to Cuban culture. and smoking a puro, chilling so hard Cafetera (Stove top espresso you’ll think he’s a wax fi gure. maker): Make your own cafecito Look out for Paseo de las cubano from your home. A Cuban estrellas house could lose AC, cable or The ‘Paseo de las estrella’ internet, but if the cafeteria goes (walk of fame) can be found along missing, all hell breaks loose. the sidewalks of the strip where Puro (Cuban cigar): There’s no celebrity names are carved on trip to Little Havana without buying golden stars. Ever heard of Celiz a hand-rolled cuban cigar. Cruz, Gloria Estefan, Sammy Sosa? El conotie (Conotier hat). Their stars are there. Guayabera (popular men’s shirt): Paseo de las Estrellas: Scattered This patterned, fl owery fabric throughout Calle 8. Keep your eyes is popular for men’s or women’s on the sidewalk. clothing. Tower theatre Miami Domino park gets rowdy: This is a historic, art deco movie Domino is a very popular theatre where a lot of Cuban game among Latin Americans, refugees would watch Spanish predominantly older men who movies with English subtitles during take it very seriously. It’s also an the 1960s. To many of them, this opportunity to discuss politics or theatre served as an escape from neighbourhood gossip. This park their current situation, and a chance only allows people 55 and older to to learn about American culture. HISTORIC: Tower theatre Miami is a historic, art deco movie theatre where a lot of Cuban refugees used to watch play. The Tower Theatre Miami was Spanish movies with English subtitles during the 1960s as an escape from their current situation. 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, August 15, 2018 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Wednesday, August 15, 2018 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Can technology hamper kids’ early communication skills?

re you a tech buff and have The study was presented at the fi lled your house with latest 17th Interaction Design and Children technologies from Amazon’s Conference, in Norway. Alexa and Apple’s Siri to the The team conducted a two-week test in Google Assistant? If so, it may the homes of 14 preschoolers of a tablet Aaff ect your toddler’s early communication game that included a broken voice-driven skills. mini-game. They collected 107 audio Researchers found that if a toddler asks samples of these children’s (unsuccessful) these voice activated devices a question, attempts to communicate with the mini- he or she will in reply get a silence, or the game. familiar, default robot apology, representing In all, children persisted in trying, “broken” or uncommunicative device. without any evidence of frustration, to Children communicate with technology get the game to work more than 75 per diff erently than adults do, and a more cent of the time; frustration surfaced in responsive device — one that repeats or fewer than one-fourth of the recordings prompts the user, for example — could and in only six recordings, children asked be more useful to more people, the study an adult to help. suggested. Parents were happy to help, but they were “There has to be more than I’m sorry, I also quick to determine something was didn’t quite get that,” said Alexis Hiniker, wrong. Only when they pronounced the Assistant Professor at the University of game to be broken, the children agreed to Washington . stop trying. “Voice interfaces now are designed in “Adults are good at recognising what a cut-and-dried way that needs more a child wants to say and fi lling in for the nuance. Adults don’t talk to children child,” Hiniker said. “Artifi cial Intelligence and assume there will be perfect is getting more sophisticated all the time, so communication. That’s relevant here,” he it’s about how to design these technologies added. in the fi rst place.” — IANS

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

This is a terrific time to start some physical activity that takes you You may feel like you’re being tested in some way and must prove You’re able to assert yourself with more confidence than usual, outside and gets your blood pumping, Aries. Don’t think this means that what you're doing is valid and correct, Taurus. Fortunately, you Gemini. You should have a grounded perspective regarding your you have to become the star player at a tennis club. A simple walk should feel an emotional boost that will help you be confident about emotions. You aren’t afraid to speak your mind in a situation where around the block every morning may be all you need to feel a boost who you are, regardless of what other people think. The biggest normally you’d only say anything that helps keep the peace. Other in physical and mental energy. Note also the clarity of mind that tests are those that you give yourself. You are your toughest critic. people may prefer that you keep things on an even keel, but you comes when you get your body moving. Take concerted steps to go easier on yourself. aren’t working for them. You're working for yourself. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Just when you feel like you’ve come to a point of emotional stability You have lots of energy and self-confidence, Leo. That’s wonderful, Be happy with yourself and others, Virgo. Stop trying to find fault and calm, Cancer, something happens to throw you off balance. but it may also put you at greater risk for dangerous experiences with everyone you interact with. By criticising what they do and how You may be uneasy with the notion of stability and feel what you and accidents. You could find that you’re much more aggressive, they do it, you could wake up one morning and find that you have really want is risk, action, and excitement. This inner conflict makes especially if someone crosses you. An emotional irritation could no friends. By only seeing the bad in people, you may talk yourself it hard for you to operate. Try not to overanalyse every piece of the manifest in physical ways like reckless driving or arguments with out of relationships with them. Be careful about coming across as a equation. The solution will come to you. people who don't deserve your anger. know-it-all. It isn't your job to dictate or judge. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

You may be bursting with energy and yearning to travel, Libra. At the You may feel a bit blue due to a nagging weightiness that pins you You’re able to work much more eff iciently and eff ectively, Sagittarius. same time, your emotions could find a way to block these thoughts. down to reality instead of being free to fly, Scorpio. You may act out Your energy is strong and you don’t need to fight in order to get You may feel like there’s some sort of weight holding you down, in an eff ort to prove to yourself and others that you’re somehow your voice heard. Attend to details and don't get discouraged by any making it diff icult to act freely. This could cause you to act fitfully, above Earthly things. Get over the mental block that says being discomfort that might arise. As long as you approach things with leaving you frustrated and defeated. Calm down and take things one grounded is a bad thing. Plant your feet firmly on terra firma. That’s a positive attitude, everything should work out fine. You shouldn’t step at a time. how you find balance and attain your goals. have to put in any special eff ort to be successful. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Diff erent people measure success by diff erent scales. You You could feel as if the battle has begun and you’re the target, It could be scary for you to do anything risky for fear of conflict shouldn’t get discouraged if your accomplishment today seems Aquarius. If you don’t have a solid force behind you, this period or failure, Pisces. Perhaps you’ve tried to become invisible in small compared to what others have done in the same period. could be diff icult. Emotionally, this may not be your best day. Instead diff erent situations so you can avoid being noticed. These defence Comparisons will make it diff icult for you to feel like you’re getting of feeling your feelings, you examine them in a methodical, rational mechanisms may serve you for a while, but acting out of fear or guilt anywhere. Someone else will always do more. Be content with what manner. It may seem like you’re dealing with them when you're won’t get you where you need to go. To achieve what you want, you you do today, even if it's something simple. really trying to talk yourself out of feeling them at all. must act with confidence, and faith. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, August 15, 2018 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe Golf BAG DRIVE NIBLICK BALL EAGLE PUTTER BIRDIE FAIRWAY RANGE BOGEY FLAG ROUGH BUNKER GRASS RULES CADDY GREEN SCORE CART HANDICAP SLICE CLUB HAZARD SWING COURSE HOLE WHIFF DIVOT IRON WOOD

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. Wednesday, August 15, 2018 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

ACROSS DOWN 1. Get up the spare one inside 1. A hanger-on at “1 Across” when they crack up (6) perhaps (8) 4. On the back-streets I take Rolf 2. Many would agree ice-cream to see the shops (8) for dessert is very pleasant 10. Managed to travel by, to an (2,4,2,3) Eastern port (7) 3. Before long, the child is catching 11. My own one turns out to be the the ball (4) one named (7) 5. Proof that one pencil-sharpener 12. Blow! It’s only one of a pair!(4) is way ahead of the others? 13. A decrease in the number of (4,4) accidents on the tight-rope? 6. Thinking it’s odd one horse can (7,3) enter (10) 16. Would there be a torn label 7. Heater to dry divers (3) outside showing “From 8. Look away when you say Ceylon”? (3-3) goodbye at the airport, 17. It is, to a degree, difficult to get perhaps (3,3) by the guard dog (7) 9. Available if you knock for it? (2,3) Answers 20. Results of photographing 14. An annual event for the something from below it? (7) politicians in power (6,5) Wordsearch Codeword 21. Wants one to admit one is 15. Used to be nothing, but has critical (6) become a place of importance 24. Very embarrassed by having (10) been a char? (7,3) 18. Were they sent off to a farm to 25. For the record, by midweek learn something? (8) you’ll have the weapon (4) 19. Agreed the seas tend to be 27. Remove some of the burden, rough (8) to make it fairer (7) 22. Balances the plates (6) 29. In the Porter medley, one 23. Tending to start nervously (5) should prove entertaining (7) 26. Try, though upset at the time 30. With confidence, sneers (4) nastily at us, floundering (8) 28. Fish some old thing from a 31. Held up, didn’t go (6) bag (3) Yesterday’s Solutions

Across: 1 Caramel; 5 Reposed; 9 Down: 1 Canoodles; 2 Regales; 3 Negro; 10 Signorina; 11 Owlish; Moonstone; 4 Lash; 5 Regardless; 12 Brighten; 14 Lasso; 15 Tall order; 18 6 Prong; 7 Stilted; 8 Drawn; 13 Sentences; 20 Tired; 22 Passport; 24 Stockrooms; 16 Outspread; Spouse; 26 Turned out; 27 Evils; 28 17 Redressed; 19 Nostrum; 21 Hampers; 29 Redhead. Routine; 22 Pitch; 23 Piece; 25 Stir. 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, August 15, 2018 COMMUNITY SHOWBIZ The eternal legend of pop

Glitz & Glam By Muhammad Asad Ullah

still treasured by their fans – so much so that did a remake of Deewane for his (2012). The brother-sister duo also made several appearances on Television (PTV) throughout the ‘80s, and jointly hosted the show Music’89 that served as the launching pad for many STAR: , the youngest recipient of Filmfare Best Female Singer new talents including Vital Signs, Ali award, was merely 15 years old when she received the award for . Haider, Sajjad Ali and Strings. The fusion sound that came music producer, who was then the South Asian music lovers, it was naturally to Nazia and Zohaib was relatively unknown and meshed Nazia Hassan. You think it might also subjected to intense scrutiny in the two worlds of music together, be unfair to draw a parallel between the early years of their music career. the eastern melodies with modern them. Well, it’s not so out of place. But the traditionalists could not halt orchestration to produce Aap Jaisa Nazia was the the fi rst South Asian the rock-‘n’ –roll trend. What was PHILANTHROPY: Following the release of her last Nazia shifted her Koi for Qurbani (1980), picturised musician to compose disco-inspired perhaps, most striking about the focus to philanthropic work abroad, and also worked for the Department of on Zeenat Aman, Feroze Khan and . siblings phenomenon, was the pair’s Political and Security Council Aff airs at United Nations - New York. Vinod Khanna. The orchestration of Such was Nazia’s success that it ability to convey the resentments Aap Jaisa Koi, is only half the story was once said that she surpassed Lata and desires of a whole generation ould any girl imagine domestic and international acclaim, of its success; the other, and more Mangeshkar, Indian playback singer, of young people growing up in the wearing a red jump but about Nazia Hassan there’s a signifi cant half is the husky voice both in terms of sale and popularity. 1980s. Coveted as the only singers suit, high waisted belt, certain pristine quality that has the of Nazia, which came like a whiff of Lata’s biographer Raju Bhartan from Pakistan to have performed for mic in hand, jostling power of eternity. fresh air in the stuff y setting of cine however posed a question: “Were Nelson Mandela, they also started shoulder and appearing The late pop sensation was just songdom. there, then, no serious challenges to off with a focus on social causes onC a national television screen in the a child when she began her singing Not many people in India knew Lata in her long singing career?” including drug abuse campaign, Pakistan of 1980s? Well, she dared! career during the 1970s. She started Nazia, they only knew it was an He responds, “There was a using music to reach far off places. There was something eminent off with small appearances on exciting new voice they were hearing happening in Lata’s life and time Nasha Na Karo (Don’t Smoke) one of about Nazia Hassan that caterwauled several television shows on PTV in Baat ban jaaye, their response to that made a mere teenager despair the sound-tracks produced as part her being a Pakistani, yet there as a child artiste and then went on it was instinctive. They liked what for her. That teenybopper was Nazia of their campaign and organisation, existed a transcendental facet to create a legacy of her own. The they heard, that went through one Hassan.” BAN (Battle Against Narcotics). to every music she produced Hassan siblings, Nazia and Zohaib ear, instead of going out from the Nazia then collaborated with At home, the success of the that caught attention of the ears Hassan, were in England when they other, was transmitted down to the , to produce the album Disco siblings created not only a sense of accustomed to listening Noor Jahan discovered the fi ery music scene of foot, which compulsively began tap- Deewane that created a new genre of newfound respectability towards, or Farida Khanum. Pakistan has over Johnny and Marrie, Jackson 5 and tapping to the song lyrics. Bollywood pop music that persists and awareness of the music industry the decades produced some quality Carpenters. By 1981, Nazia was reading aloud today. made the as a worthy fi eld, it also off ered a music and a number of musicians Around the time they met Indian from her fi rst foray into the music charts in 14 countries and became the fresh breath of air to the suff ocated taking over the centre stage with composer Biddu, UK-based Indian realm – Aap Jaisa Koi, winning her best-selling Asian pop album. youngsters disillusioned by limited the Filmfare Best Female Singer She later worked with her brother, creative opportunities during that award when she was merely 15 years Zohaib Hassan, to release four more time. old, the youngest recipient of the non-fi lm , Boom Boom (1982), Engineers, doctors and even young award todate. Young Tarang (1984), Hotline (1987) military offi cers, picked up guitars; Where in the west there was and Camera Camera (1992). Disco If Nazia and Zohaib can do it, people Michael Jackson and Madonna, for Deewane and Boom Boom are songs thought, then so can we. Between the time of rising to fame, getting married and realising the harsh realities of life with a failed marriage, Nazia got Business Administration degree from Richmond American University and Law degree from London University. Following the release of her last album Nazia shifted her focus to philanthropic work abroad, and also worked for the Department of Political and Security Council Aff airs at United Nations - New York. It’s no shocker that Bollywood has decided to make a movie on the lives of the two legends, Nazia and Zohaib Hassan and is speculated to play the pop icon’s role. Eighteen years ago, on August 13, 2000, the shining light, Nazia lost her battle with cancer at the young age of 35 in London. Indeed, one doesn’t have to look too far for that immortal baritone voice, constantly poking out DUO: Nazia and Zohaib Hassan released four albums together, including from the covers of commemorative SENSATION: Disco Deewane was Nazia’s first non-film album to come out in Boom Boom (1982), Young Tarang (1984), Hotline (1987) and Camera Camera magazine issues in full length collaboration with Biddu. (1992). dupattas with the innocent smile. Wednesday, August 15, 2018 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY The Meg, a better giant-shark movie

By Josh Rottenberg

s a fi lmmaker, Jon Turteltaub has always prided himself SUPPORTIVE: I am very happy to be supporting on his versatility, and over Badshah in the amazingly emotional video, says the years he has tackled Parineeti Chopra. everything from romantic Acomedies (While You Were Sleeping) Parineeti lends voice to Badshah’s video to family fi lms (The Kid) to action blockbusters (National Treasure) to a Actress Parineeti Chopra has supported rapper movie about the 1988 Jamaican Olympic Badshah by lending her voice to the video of his new bobsled team (Cool Runnings). song Heartless. Still, when he was approached in 2016 Badshah wanted Parineeti’s voice in the video. He with the idea of directing The Meg, a fi lm met her and presented Heartless from his album O.N.E about a rampaging prehistoric giant shark, to her. Turteltaub wasn’t sure he wanted to bite. “Parineeti is a great friend. We are working together “My agent sent me the script and on Namaste England so, she was one of the few people said, ‘Read this. Go make it. It’s terrifi c,’” GLOBAL ATTRACTION: A scene from the movie. Based on the 1997 Steven Alten who I showed Heartless to. Turteltaub recalled one recent morning. “I bestseller Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror, The Meg boasts an international cast. “She saw it and even before I could ask her to be a said, ‘Yeah, but it’s just a big shark movie.’ part of it in some way she said yes and it was great. He said, ‘Yeah, exactly.’” movie. We need to give people a reason to territory, though, because, you know, there The song does that to people,” Badshah said From a studio’s standpoint, a giant-shark go see this fi lm, something a little diff erent are a ton of really bad ones. My attitude The video went out yesterday (Tuesday). movie may seem the ultimate no-brainer: than they’ve seen.” with The Meg was, if you’re going to make “I am very happy to be supporting Badshah in this Jaws on steroids. But, based on the 1997 Hollywood’s long love aff air with the a giant-shark movie, you’d better not take amazingly emotional video. I loved it and I am sure his Steven Alten bestseller Meg: A Novel of Deep shark stretches back, of course, to Jaws, yourself too seriously.” fans will love it too,” said Parineeti. Terror, The Meg — which reached theatres which single-handedly invented the Indeed, from the outset, Turteltaub said, Meanwhile, the audio of Heartless, which released Friday and boasts an international cast modern summer blockbuster as we know he was determined not to overthink things. recently, reached the 1.5 million streaming mark in 24 including Jason Statham, Rainn Wilson and it. The seventh-highest-grossing fi lm of all “Before we started, I said, ‘Great literature hours. Li Bingbing — had been in development for time at the domestic box offi ce, adjusting usually has something like a giant shark “This is a massive feat and we are very excited nearly two decades by the time it reached for infl ation, Jaws went on to spawn three representing in an allegorical way some by this number,” said Sanujeet Bhujabal, Marketing Turteltaub. sequels and numerous other shark-centric part of the human psyche that needs to be Director, Sony music India. . –IANS After early eff orts to make The Meg at movies on the big and small screen, ranging battled. Can we please just make a shark Disney petered out, the project eventually from straightforward thrillers (Open Water, movie in which the shark is just a big … moved to Warner Bros. In 2015, it was The Shallows) to unapologetically ludicrous shark?’” He laughed. “Everybody gave me a announced that horror maven Eli Roth was romps (Sharktopus). big thumbs-up and said, ‘Please!’” attached to direct the fi lm. But within a year, “It’s an interesting balance that Jon Roth had dropped out. needed to walk as a director,” said Wilson, Despite the shark’s long-held status as Despite the shark’s who plays an eccentric, undersea- one of Hollywood’s favourite go-to movie long-held status as exploration-funding billionaire who serves monsters, for a time it seemed no one was as a kind of comic foil to Statham’s intrepid sure quite how to crack The Meg. one of Hollywood’s deep-sea-rescue expert. “The movie can’t The deeper Turteltaub dug into the idea, take itself too seriously because ultimately though, the more enthusiastic he became. In favourite go-to it’s just about a giant shark, but at the same the story of a group of scientists and deep- time it can’t poke fun too much because sea divers who discover — and inadvertently movie monsters, for then it becomes ‘Sharknado.’ unleash — a 75-foot megalodon living deep a time it seemed no “To fi nd that tone, you underline the in the ocean, he saw the potential for a comedy a little bit more and keep it a little crowd-pleasing summer popcorn fi lm that one was sure quite more fresh and fun and loose,” Wilson could blend action, spectacle, suspense and continued. “I feel like so many of these comedy. how to crack fi lms are just incredible action sequences EXCITED: Fatima Sana Shaikh says she is excited to be The key was to nail the right tone, The Meg interspersed with grim people mumbling.” a part of the brand. one carefully modulated between the Even as he leaned into the pure escapism, deadly serious thrills and chills of Steven In reality, unprovoked shark attacks are Turteltaub also set out to ground The Meg in Fatima Shaikh to endorse watch brand Spielberg’s seminal 1975 classic Jaws and quite rare — on average, there are roughly some genuine hard science regarding what is the winking, decidedly unserious fun of, 80 worldwide a year, most of them nonfatal. known — and as yet undiscovered — about Dangal star Fatima Sana Shaikh has been say, Sharknado, the 2013 Syfy channel Statistically, you are far more likely to be both the deep ocean and the megalodon, announced as the brand ambassador of watch label B-movie about a freak cyclone that scoops killed by a fi reworks accident, train crash or which has been extinct for more than 2 Fossil India. up great white sharks and deposits them lightning strike than by a shark. million years. “The brand is rooted in a distinctive modern- on Los Angeles. (A sixth instalment in the Still, as the team behind The Meg was “I had a very nice phone call with a vintage design aesthetic. It is all about celebrating Sharknado series, incidentally, is set to air well aware, the primal terror of a real-life marine paleontologist where, when he was individuality and uniqueness. I am excited to be on Aug. 19.) monster that strikes without warning from done laughing at the idea, he gave me some board and look forward to working with its youthful Getting that balance right, Turteltaub the unseen depths (with an assist from very helpful notes,” the director said dryly, appeal and spirit to re-energise today’s youth,” Fatima knew, would be no easy feat. composer John Williams’ menacing Jaws adding that he’s hoping the fi lm’s scientifi c said in a statement. “Boy, it was a narrow target to hit,” he theme) continues to exert a razor-toothed extrapolations pass muster with the experts. The brand announced actors and said. “Frankly, I don’t know that everybody hold on the moviegoer’s imagination. “It only takes one with a Twitter account.” Shruti Hassan as their endorsers last year; Fatima’s working on the movie had that tone in their “It’s cold-hearted fear,” said The Meg To mitigate some of the risks involved in collaboration with the label will aim to amplify Fossil’s head, but I did. I always felt that if we simply producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, who mounting The Meg, which has a production profi ciency in creating timeless classics through made an awesome giant-shark movie, earlier, as an executive at Warner Bros, budget of $130 million, the fi lm’s backers inspired designs. audiences would say, ‘There’s no need to go oversaw the 1999 genetically engineered- teamed with the Chinese fi lm company She will be endorsing the watch and the leather see that.’ shark thriller Deep Blue Sea. Gravity Pictures, making the movie just categories. Fatima will be seen alongside Varun in an “We’re in a marketplace now where “God bless Jaws for starting the genre the latest in a growing line of such co- upcoming campaign, which will celebrate creativity, audiences are smart, they’re savvy and they because audiences enjoyed that fear, and productions as studios look to tap into the authenticity and optimism. – IANS need to be given a reason to go see a movie. people have tried to go into that territory growing might of the Asian market. We’re not a sequel. We’re not a superhero since,” Di Bonaventura said. “It’s tricky – Los Angeles Times/TNS 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, August 15, 2018 COMMUNITY TCA marks India’s Independence Day

The Creative Academy (TCA) Qatar has celebrated India’s 72nd Independence Day on In the address, Director TCA reminded students and staff for all the sacrifi ces made in the the campus premises. The activities, included special morning assembly, poetry recitation, journey of Independence and pledged to serve India with heart, body and soul. The event was declamation contest, and performances by the students, taking part in Summer Camp 2018. hosted by Manikanta Yanishetty, Saraswati, Shafeek, Sileeb, Ashraf, Yagyamman and Purva The Directors of TCA raised the national fl ag of India which was followed by the national Rochani, staff members TCA. The event was concluded with the distribution of sweets among the anthem. The group rendered Vande Mataram at the event. students. Charisma Arts to celebrate 27th anniversary

Charisma Arts, the oldest socio-cultural Kerala organisation in Doha, is all set to pay a Renowned singers from Doha will sing Ghazal songs in honour of Umbayee. The event will tribute to Umbayee (P A Ibrahim), veteran Malayalam Ghazal singer who recently passed away be held at Skills Development Centre, New Salata, tomorrow at 7pm. Entry is free for Ghazal on August 1, as part of their 27th anniversary celebrations titled ‘SRADHANJALI’. lovers.