Community Community Neuroscientists Are the latest have gadgets and discovered software P7that the animal brain P16 spying on us? We’re reinforces motor too busy to care – skills during deep and we might regret sleep. that later.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017 Dhul-Qa’da 23, 1438 AH

DOHA 35°C—43°C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 11 PUZZLES 12 & 13

COVER “I am here!” STORY Messages from Sprite — the world’s smallest space probe — back home. P4-5 2 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 15, 2017 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

Wind River DIRECTION: Taylor Sheridan CAST: Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner SYNOPSIS: US Fish & Wildlife agent Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) discovers the frozen body of a young Native American woman in the rugged wilderness of the Wind River Indian Reservation. She turns out to be the best friend of his teenage daughter, who died a few years earlier under mysterious circumstances. Although the tribal authorities get involved in the investigation, the FBI also sends in rookie agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen). Completely unprepared for the harsh winter, Jane fi rst has to borrow warm clothing from Cory, who never PRAYER TIME cleaned out his daughter’s closet. Out of her depth in the wilderness, she enlists Cory to help her unravel Fajr 3.46am the mystery behind the woman’s death. Wind River Shorooq (sunrise) 5.07am lures viewers into a character-driven mystery with Zuhr (noon) 11.38am smart writing, a strong cast, and a skilfully rendered Asr (afternoon) 3.07pm setting that delivers the bitter chill promised by its Maghreb (sunset) 6.11pm title. Isha (night) 7.41pm THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall, Royal Plaza

USEFUL NUMBERS

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 Jaya Janaki Nayaka Gagan is very much in love with Sweety aka Janaki, a Humanitarian Services Offi ce DIRECTION: Boyapati Srinu sweet-natured girl who is ever willing to lend a helping (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) CAST: Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, Rakul Preet Singh, hand to those in need. But she ends up rejecting Gagan and Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, Pragya Jaisw later finds herself in a situation from which there seems no 40253369 SYNOPSIS: Jaya Janaki Nayaka is a Telugu movie escape. Why did Sweety reject Gagan and what does he do Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 starring Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, Rakul Preet Singh, when he finds her in danger? Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 Catherine Tresa and Aadhi Pinisetty in prominent roles. THEATRES: Landmark, The Mall Qatar Airways 40253374

The Mall Cinema (1): Velaiilla (Telugu) 5pm; Kidnap (2D) 7:45pm; 47 Pattadhari 2-VIP 2 (Tamil) 2pm; 47 Meters Down (2D) 9:30pm; Toilet Ek Meters Down (2D) 4:15pm; Kidnap Prem Katha (Hindi) 11pm. te Unqu (2D) 5:45pm; Finally Found Someone Asian Town Cinema: uo ot (Tagalog) 7:30pm; Kidnap (2D) Katha (Hindi) 6:45pm; Kidnap (2D) Screen 1: Chunkzz (Malayalam) Q e 9:45pm; Velaiilla Pattadhari 2-VIP 2 9:30pm; Toilet Ek Prem Katha (Hindi) 2:30pm*,3pm*,5:15pm,7:45pm, Failure is (Tamil) 11:30pm 11:15pm. 10:15pm, 12:45am** The Mall Cinema (2): The Emoji Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): Screen 2: Podhuvaga (Tamil) simply the opportunity Movie (2D) 2:30pm,4pm & 5:30pm; The Emoji Movie (2D) 2pm; Velaiilla 12:30pm*; Jaya Janaki (Telugu) to begin again, this time Toilet Ek Prem Katha (Hindi) 7:15pm; Pattadhari 2-VIP 2 (Tamil) 3:30pm; 47 3:15pm*; Podhuvaga (Tamil) 5:45pm; 47 Meters Down (2D) 10pm; Wind Meters Down (2D) 6pm; Finally Found Chunkzz (Malayalam) 8:15pm, more intelligently. River (2D) 11:15pm Someone (Tagalog) 7:45pm; 47 Podhuvaga (Tamil) 10:30pm; Vip-2 — Henry Ford The Mall Cinema (3): Jaya Janaki Meters Down (2D) 10pm; Podhuvaga (Tamil) 1am** Nayaka (Telugu) 2pm; Nene Raju Emmanasu Thangam (Tamil) 11:30pm. Screen 3: Vip-2 (Tamil) 12:30pm*, (Telugu) 4:30pm; Wind River (2D) Landmark Cinema (1): Podhuvaga 3:15pm*, 6pm, 8:45pm, 11:30pm, 7:15pm; Huroob Ezterari (Arabic) Emmanasu Thangam (Tamil) 2:15pm; 2:15am** 9pm; Toilet Ek Prem Katha (Hindi) Toilet Ek Prem Katha (Hindi) 4:30pm; Screen 4: Toilet Prem Katha (Hindi) 11pm. Velaiilla Pattadhari 2-VIP 2 (Tamil) 12:30pm*; Nene Raju (Telugu) Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): 7:15pm; Kidnap (2D) 9:45pm; Velaiilla 3:30pm*; Toilet Prem Katha (Hindi) Community Editor Wind River (2D) 2:30pm; The Emoji Pattadhari 2-VIP 2 (Tamil) 11:30pm. 6pm; Vip-2 (Tamil) 9pm; Toilet Prem Kamran Rehmat Movie (2D) 4:30pm & 6pm; Kidnap Landmark Cinema (2): The Emoji Katha (Hindi) 12am; Vip-2 (Tamil) 3am (2D) 7:30pm; Chunkzz (Malayalam) Movie (2D) 2:30pm,4:15pm, 5:45pm & e-mail: [email protected] 9:15pm; Wind River (2D) 11:30pm 7:15pm; Chunkzz (Malayalam) 9:15pm; Timing marked (**) only screening on Telephone: 44466405 Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Wind River (2D) 11:30pm. Thursday & Friday Fax: 44350474 Huroob Ezterari (Arabic) 2pm; Nene Landmark Cinema (3): Nene Raju Timing marked (*) only screening on Raju (Telugu) 4pm; Toilet Ek Prem (Telugu) 2:15pm; Jaya Janaki Nayaka Thursday, Friday & Saturday Tuesday, August 15, 2017 GULF TIMES 3 ROUND & ABOUT COMMUNITY

EVENTS Doha. Discounts of up to 50% are off ered and anybody spending more than QR200 at For The Love of Qatar participating outlets will be entered into a WHERE: Doha Festival City draw to win a stack of cash or even a luxury WHEN: Until today car. TIME: 12pm Doha Festival City (DHFC) visitors will Summer Workshop 2017 for kids have the chance to take part in creating the WHERE: IAID country’s largest mosaic, alongside Qatari WHEN: July-Aug artists Lina al-Ali and Radi al-Hajri, over Summer break is a long-awaited respite for the coming days. The collective work of your kids after months of hitting the books. art, dubbed ‘For the Love of Qatar’, is an This is an opportunity for them to hone initiative of Qatar Summer Festival (QSF) their current skills, pick up a new hobby, or and continues from August 10 to 15. QSF is simply stay active, whether their interest lies organised by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA). in dance, music or arts. This summer, get The artists will be at DHFC between noon your kids up and going by enrolling them at and 3pm and again between 5pm and 8pm IAID! Starting three years and above, we have daily throughout the six days. courses to off er this summer such as Ballet Kids, Strum-A-Long, Bolly Thumka, Music DJ Babey Drew Fun, ARTmazing & more. WHERE: W Doha Hotel and Residence Camera Kids: Make Your Own Short with Science, Connectivate (knowing your WHEN: Today Film own inner skills), drawing and painting, and TIME: 9pm WHEN: Aug 6-24 calligraphy. So what are you waiting for, grab Get ready to fi re up your Tuesday night at A well-rounded introduction to the your seats at the earliest. For more details, Crystal today with Babey Drew at W Doha. diff erent elements of photography, film and please get in touch with TCA Qatar at mail@ fi lmmaking helps young people make their tca.qa or 66523871. Skate Girls of Kabul Exhibition fi rst one-minute short fi lms. Applicants must WHERE: Katara be between 13 and 17 years old. Splash & Dash 3rd Edition WHEN: Until Oct 20 WHERE: Aspire Dome Doha Award winning photographer Jessica Unfolding Creative Methods WHEN: Until August 30 Fulford-Dobson will present her critically- WHERE: Garage Gallery TIME: 7pm acclaimed series of portraits, Skate Girls WHEN: Until Aug 19 Aspire Dome is opening its doors for you Evolution Sports Qatar of Kabul in her fi rst show in the Middle TIME: 8:30am in the summer to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. WHERE: Evolution Sports East. Presented by Qatar Museums, the Unfolding Creative Methods is now open Swimming and running sessions will be WHEN: Ongoing exhibition will be at the QM Gallery Katara. to the public at the Garage Gallery. The entry available for all community members Evolution Sports will mark its anniversary The portraits tell the extraordinary story is free. throughout August in the Aspire Dome by hosting a number of exciting events of Afghan girls who took up skateboarding, Swimming Pool and Indoor Athletics Track. throughout 2017 as well as some amazing thanks to Skateistan, an Afghan charity Registration will be available online and promotions, ten years on from when the club that provides skate parks as a hook to get onsite at the Dome’s main entrance. was formed on September 1, 2007. The club children from disadvantaged families back has been working with a panel of coaches into the educational system. The striking #I Am Evo Summer Camp and directors to plan the events which will images bring to life the hopeful spirit of these WHERE: Al Waab and Doha College West be announced over the coming months. young girls that show a new perspective and Bay Members should look forward to a variety dimension to skateboarding culture – one WHEN: Ongoing of diff erent occasions, suitable for all ages that shows strength in the face of adversity. TIME: 8am to 1pm so the whole family can get involved in the The #IamEvo Camps are designed to birthday celebrations. To kick-off things off , challenge young athletes to progressively Evolution Sports recently launched their 10- develop their skills, performance and year anniversary logo. The emblem has been confi dence. The courses are structured to designed by Toyan Greaves, the man behind meet the needs of all young players, to have the original Evolution Sports logo and will be fun, learn new skills and meet new friends in used on all documentation, both online and a safe and friendly environment. Members offl ine for the next 12 months. have a choice of venue, with camps held at Doha College Al Waab and Doha College West Imperial Threads: Motifs and Artisans Bay. The camps are open to boys and girls WHERE: Museum of Islamic Art aged 4-16 years and run from 8am to 1pm WHEN: Until November 4 daily at each site. Registration Now Open. This exhibition focuses on the exchange of artistic and material cultures between Summer Camp the Ottoman, Safavid, and Mughal Empires. WHERE: Ain Khaled Highlighting MIA’s masterpiece carpets, WHEN: Until Aug 31 among other artworks, from Turkey, Iran and TIME: 8am-1pm India, these objects will be contextualised Summertime is just memories waiting to within the historical circumstances of happen. The Stem Xplorers Summer Camp politics and artistic production of their time, is just the place for your kids to make lifelong primarily from the 16th to the 18th centuries. memories to cherish. Our camp will be Stem-based wherein we Salsa Beginners Dance Class will engage the children in Science along with WHERE: B Attitude Spa, West Bay Lego, some exciting Sports, Nutrition, Arts, WHEN: Every Friday Crafts and Outdoor Field Trips!! Each week Salsa n Candela off ers a variety of dance will be a diff erent theme covering an exciting classes for adults at Beverly Hills Tower West new Stem project making science come to Bay B Attitude Spa, such as Salsa every Friday life. Call us now on 33996665 or 33120001. and other Latin dance during other days of the week. Summer Camp at TCA WHEN: Until August 24 Qatar Summer Festival Festive time WHERE: TCA WHEN: Until Sept 5 WHEN: Ongoing TCA has successfully completed the WHERE: Across Doha WHERE: Doha Festival City two batches of summer camp and now Summer Festival has just been announced The entertainment off ering has been the 3rd batch is going on. There was an and it will run twice as long this year. That designed to ensure there are numerous overwhelming response from parents as well means more family fun, entertainment, opportunities for physical activities, from the as students. Admission for the forth batch activities and promotions across Qatar running track which features exercise stations, has already started. Grab this opportunity not this summer. The extended Qatar Summer the bike trail, through to our ‘fi rst-of-its-kind’ to miss anything as there is only a few seats Festival will run from Eid al-Fitr to Eid al- in Qatar, Snow Dunes theme park. DFC is are left for batch 4, which starts from August Adha. Prepare for more than 100 activities excited to welcome fi rst visitors in April and to 12. Come and register your kids for Abacus, this time round. Best of all there will be celebrate the best leisure facilities, retail mix Vedic Math, Rubic Cube, Robotics, Fun malls full of shopping discounts across and dining options, all with exceptional service.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change 4 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 15, 2017 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Word from outer space, with love The little Sprite could someday help answer the big questions of life in the Universe: Are we alone? Are there habitable worlds out there? If so, can we reach them?

By Lisa M. Krieger

he world’s smallest space probe, conceived at Menlo Park’s visionary Breakthrough Starshot, has phoned Thome. The flying computer chip dubbed “Sprite,” the size of a Saltine cracker, is healthy, happy and sending us signals from Earth’s orbit, 400 miles from home. It’s still a long way from where its progeny may someday travel: our neighbouring star system Alpha Centauri, 24 trillion miles away. The dream is for Sprite-like spacecraft to take close-up images and collect data — maybe even detect gases produced by alien life. The little Sprite could someday help answer the big questions of life in the Universe: Are we alone? Are there habitable worlds out there? If so, can we reach them? That’s an ambition that will tax the brainpower and bank accounts of its Silicon Valley benefactors, led and funded for the first five years with $100 million donated by Internet entrepreneur Yuri Milner. Breakthrough Starshot’s board consists of Milner, cosmologist Stephen Hawking of the University of Cambridge and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “But it’s very good first step. It’s proof of concept,” said Breakthrough Starshot director Pete Worden, former director of Nasa Ames Research Center, from his office on the valley’s storied Sand Hill Road. “It’s very exciting.” Scientists now know that planets are as common as a cheap hotel. The Kepler Space Telescope has identified 2,337, with about 50 in the “goldilocks zone” — not too hot or cold, too big or too small. They’re Earth’s size and shape and orbit around the warm glow In September, Breakthrough Starshot will start seeking proposals for a of stars like our own sun, perhaps laser device. By next year, it will organise a team to research and design hosting life. But here’s the problem: It’s better communication systems. Then these tiny spacecraft wouldn’t send impossible for humans to travel fast enough, far enough, to reach mere “I am here” signals, like Sprite is saying today. Instead, they could these distant destinations. say: “Wow — check out the neighbourhood!” To get there, it would require a spacecraft that moves at a fraction Tuesday, August 15, 2017 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY of the speed of light. One huge Centauri, the nearest star to our vessel would take tens of thousands sun. Better yet, the planet is It’s impossible for humans to travel fast enough, far of years to reach Alpha Centauri. within the so-called “habitable enough, to reach distant destinations. It would require But a fl eet of tiny Sprite-like probes zone,” like Earth. — if light and small enough — could “Finding this planet, Proxima a spacecraft that moves at a fraction of the speed of perhaps succeed. b, was a game-changer,” wrote The project’s strategy was Milner, who studied physics in light. One huge vessel would take tens of thousands of reportedly mapped out at a Moscow and was named after years to reach Alpha Centauri. But a fleet of tiny Sprite- January 2016 gathering at Milner’s Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. hilltop mansion joined by Worden, It might take a fleet of probes like probes — if light and small enough — could perhaps UC Santa Barbara physicist Philip about 20 years to get to Proxima Lubin, Harvard astronomer Avi b, then another four years for the succeed Loeb and others. data and photos to be beamed Their mission was energised back to Earth. Manchester, whose Kickstarter orbit and burned up. would deliver 100-billion watts merely months later, by this Last April, the team assembled “KickSat” campaign at Cornell Sprite has siblings — several of energy, vastly more powerful startling August 2016 discovery: some of the world’s experts at University raised the first funds to Sprites were launched on than the typical 1 milliwatt laser Earth has a neighbour. The Stanford University to discuss the develop the concept. This month, June 23 — but they’ve gone pointer. Directed from Earth, exoplanet Proxima b was prospects and challenges of travel he joins the faculty of Stanford’s incommunicado. They don’t fly on the laser would aim to propel the discovered at our cosmic to Proxima b. Department of Aeronautics their own; they’re piggybacking spacecraft to speeds at 20 percent doorstep, orbiting Proxima Sprite is the brainchild of Zac and Astronautics. His arrival at on two satellites. of the speed of light. That’s more Stanford is expected to accelerate The one researchers hear is than 100 million miles an hour. the chip satellite effort. broadcasting a standard radio There’s yet another hurdle: Sprite weighs just four grams, signal, charging its batteries with Communication. Worden said the lighter than a quarter. It has its sunlight. News came of its signal team will work towards building own solar panel, communication late last month, via a Cornell an on-board small optical laser capabilities and sensors. ground station. (Amateurs can also that could turn around, point Such tiny spacecraft are listen in; Manchester’s KickSat towards Earth, and communicate possible thanks to rapid advances off ered a design and instructions via laser, not radio, signals. made in the semiconductor for a low-cost and portable Sprite “The key thing is the industry, according to receiving station. Consisting of communications, over hundreds Manchester. Most of the features a hand-held antenna, low-noise of thousands of miles,” he said. of a traditional spacecraft can amplifi er, low-cost USB radio “That is the challenge.” be integrated onto a chip-scale receiver dongle, it can be built for In September, Breakthrough device. Sprite is built using the about $200, plus a PC to run the Starshot will start seeking same devices and processes used software.) proposals for a laser device. By in the consumer electronics Eventually, Sprite must be even next year, it will organise a team industry. smaller and lighter. It will weigh to research and design better Spacecraft have been less than one gram, and be fitted communication systems. ever-shrinking in size. In with a sail. Carrying its own fuel Then these tiny spacecraft the past decade, hundreds of would add too much weight. wouldn’t send mere “I am here” 10-centimetre-sized CubeSats In principle, its sails would be signals, like Sprite is saying today. have been launched in space. pushed through space by a laser Instead, they could say: “Wow Manchester’s first Sprite effort, — or an array of lasers — which — check out the neighbourhood!” with shoebox-sized spacecraft, could create a “wind” of photons, — The Mercury News (San Jose, launched in 2014 but fell out of acting like a giant fan. The laser California)/TNS

STARCHIP: Within the nanocraft will be a StarChip, a "gram-scale wafer" that carries all the necessary equipment — thrusters, power supply, communications, a camera, and more — the spaceship needs to explore deep space. 6 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 15, 2017 COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY Google’s Waymo patents ‘soft’ self-driving cars oogle’s Waymo has Drummond, Alphabet’s Chief Legal patented a technology Offi cer and Senior Vice-President that will make its self- of Corporate Development, driving cars soft on reported Fortune on Saturday. the outside if it comes The depositions were requested acrossG a situation where there is by Uber, which is being sued a possibility of an accident with a for alleged patent infringement human. and stealing trade secrets by According to a report in The Waymo, the self-driving project Verge, Waymo – an autonomous of Alphabet. car development company spun Waymo filed a lawsuit against out of Google’s parent company Uber earlier in 2017, alleging that Alphabet – recently patented a car the stolen information became design in which the vehicle is held the technological basis for Uber’s together internally with a number self-driving cars. of “tension members”. According to the lawsuit, These members – which could Anthony Levandowski, who be cables, rods, or springs – earlier headed its self-driving would slacken or tighten to adjust car project, downloaded around the car’s “external rigidity” as 14,000 files from his company- needed, the report said. issued computer containing trade If sensors detect the vehicle secrets related to Waymo’s LIDAR is about to “come into contact technology, circuit board designs, with another object” they would The next version of Google's self-driving car may be held together internally with a number of "tension members," and testing documentation. change accordingly. If it’s another which would slacken or tighten to adjust the car's "external rigidity" as needed. The company also alleged that car, keep the outside stiff, if it’s a Levandowski tried to remove human, loosen up as appropriate. Verge report explained. In a related case, Uber and Uber and Google’s parent traces of those actions by Waymo said that the end result Self-driving vehicles constantly Alphabet have locked horns with company Alphabet escalated reformatting his laptop. would be a lighter impact for communicate with one another each other over latter’s accusation when the court allowed Uber to Levandowski joined Uber after those hit by the car. to prevent crashes but this is the on the ride-hailing app of stealing seek deposition of Alphabet CEO his stint at Google, where he “Think of it like a metal beanbag first time that an industry player its self-driving technology. Larry Page for up to four hours. shepherded the company’s own that crumples to accommodate a came out with a solution to save Last month, the legal tussle Along with Page, Uber will be self-driving car programme. - new, unexpected passenger,” The pedestrians from accident. between ride-hailing company allowed to seek deposition of David IANS

Amazon refunding customers who bought ‘unverifi ed’ eclipse glasses LG unveils more

E-commerce giant Amazon is off ering refunds to customers who purchased eclipse details for V30 glasses from the platform and warned them not to use the spectacles to view the total solar eclipse that will occur on August 21. G Electronics Inc has revealed features The company began notifying the buyers for the upcoming flagship V30, which about the “unverifi ed” glasses on Saturday. lets users fully utilise the “Full Vision” Those who did not receive a recall email are display that minimises bezels for a safe to use the ones they purchased, CNET wider screen. reported on Sunday. LThe company said the LG V30, slated to be “We recommend that you do not use this showcased in Berlin, on August 31, will come product to view the sun or the eclipse,” the with a “Floating Bar” that displays the most e-mail issuing the warning read. used applications on the screen if users click on Amazon said it issued the recall over a small icon on the side, Yonhap news agency concerns with the quality of the glasses. reported. “Safety is among our highest priorities. Through its “Always-On” function, the Out of an abundance of caution, we have smartphone will continuously display key proactively reached out to customers and information on the screen by using a minimum provided refunds for eclipse glasses that may amount of power, helping users activate not comply with industry standards. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, the camera and light, it added. “We want customers to buy with LG Electronics said the V30 will come with an confi dence anytime they make a purchase improved camera with a F1.6 lens, which will be on Amazon.com and eclipse glasses sold on 25 per cent brighter than the F1.8 lens adopted Amazon.com are required to comply with the by its predecessor, the LG V20. relevant ISO standard,” the company added. A lower number in aperture indicates that The solar eclipse will cross the US from a camera is capable of gathering more light, Oregon to South Carolina over the course leading to more vivid photos and videos. of an hour-and-a-half and 14 US states The tech giant added that it adopted the will experience night-like darkness for “Crystal Clear Lens” for the rear camera to approximately two minutes in the middle of provide users with optimised colour. the day. The company said such glass-based material, The live streaming will be done from usually applied to high-end digital single-lens Idaho using a 50mm f/5 fi nderscope, a small reflex (DSLR) cameras, will allow the V30 to auxiliary telescope mounted on an Astrotrac capture more details of objects compared with tracker – the main astronomical telescope – other plastic-based lens. to follow the sun. - IANS As for security, the V30 is able to screen The LG V30, due to be announced on August 31, is expected to be a design fingerprints and faces, LG said. - IANS evolution of the company's current flagship, the LG G6. Tuesday, August 15, 2017 GULF TIMES 7 HEALTH COMMUNITY Deep sleep reinforces learning of motor skills: Study

euroscientists at the University of California have discovered that the animal brain reinforces motor skills during deep sleep. In a study published in Nature NNeuroscience recently, the researchers found that during non-rapid eye movement, or non- REM, sleep, slow brain waves bolster neural touchpoints that are directly related to a task that was newly learned while awake, reports Xinhua news agency. Led by Karunesh Ganguly, associate professor of neurology at UCSF, the team implanted electrodes in the motor region of rats’ brains to send electrical signals to a computer, which then drove movement of a detached mechanical device, in a system known as a brain-machine interface (BMI). Tanuj Gulati, a postdoctoral scholar and lead author of the study, explained that a particular The findings could lead to new medical stimulation devices, and consumer-driven wearable devices, or "electroceuticals", which stimulate brain cells neuron may normally be devoted to controlling and improve learning as people snooze. a limb, but a new relationship of that neuron could be created with an external device. The source of water was behind a tiny computer moved the water-spout. patterns kept “replaying” during sleep. And The redirected neuron, in this case, will door facing away from the mice. Because “Eventually the rats learn to delink actual these same patterns persisted after the rats contribute to controlling the external device, the spout faced away, the rats had to learn movements from the spout – they know they woke up, which led over time to improvements and the researchers can track the activity of this to use a computer-driven mechanism to don’t really need to fl inch their arm or do in the rats’ performance on the task. neuron to see how the brain integrates this new move it toward them. As the rats explored anything to make it move,” Gulati said. The fi ndings could lead to new medical association. several strategies to control the spout, they “All they have to do is volitionally control the stimulation devices, and consumer-driven Gulati and his colleagues connected neurons sometimes activated neurons adjacent to the pipe and it will come to them.” wearable devices, or “electroceuticals”, which in rat brains to implanted electrodes, which electrodes. The researchers noticed that once rats got stimulate brain cells and improve learning as controlled a mechanical water-spout. When the proper neurons were activated, the the hang of the task while awake, certain neural people snooze. – IANS

New blood test may improve Embrace your negative emotions cancer treatment Stanford University scientists have developed a new type of low-cost blood to cope with your blues test that has the potential for quickly tracking cancer growth and spread. The test requires only a fraction of o you feel the pressure to put on a happy face, a tube of blood and can detect genetic when you are actually sad? Beware, it can mutations in minute amounts of DNA take a toll on your mental health, a study has released from cancer cells into the blood, showed. according to a study published in The The fi ndings showed that the pressure to feel Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. Dupbeat can make you feel downbeat, while embracing your “For monitoring patient tumours, only darker moods without judging or trying to change them a handful of blood tests are available may help cope with their stress more successfully. which are limited to only several types of “We found that people who habitually accept their cancers. Nearly all cancer patients require negative emotions experience fewer negative emotions, monitoring by whole body imaging, which adds up to better psychological health,” said Iris which can be costly, complex, and time- Mauss, Associate Professor at the University of California- consuming,” said lead investigator Hanlee Berkeley. P. Ji, Associate Professor at Stanford By contrast, people who commonly resist acknowledging University in the US. their darkest emotions, or judge them harshly, can end up “In contrast, molecular tests like the one feeling more psychologically stressed. we have developed will enable patients to Those who generally allow such bleak feelings as sadness, be monitored at every visit, and thus have disappointment and resentment to run their course the potential for quickly tracking cancer reported fewer mood disorder symptoms than those who growth and spread,” Ji added. critique them or push them away, even after six months. The test, which is called single colour “Maybe if you have an accepting attitude toward negative digital PCR, can detect as few as three emotions, you’re not giving them as much attention. But, if mutation-bearing molecules in a single you’re constantly judging your emotions, the negativity can reaction, the study said. pile up,” Mauss said. “Moreover, the test’s rapid turnaround For the study, published in the Journal of Personality and relatively low cost, especially compared and Social Psychology, tested the link between emotional to next-generation DNA sequencing, acceptance and psychological health. provide a potential opportunity for universal The results showed that those who did not feel bad about monitoring of more patients than is their negative emotions showed higher levels of well-being currently done,” Ji said. than their lesser accepting peers. And, the group that “This test is simple enough to set up typically avoids negative feelings reported more distress and analyse without extensive training, than their more accepting peers. and therefore, it can be implemented “It turns out that how we approach our own negative by anyone,” noted lead author Christina emotional reactions is really important for our overall Wood Bouwens of the Stanford Genome well-being,” explained Brett Ford, Assistant Professor at the People who commonly resist acknowledging their darkest emotions, or judge Technology Center. – IANS University of Toronto. – IANS them harshly, can end up feeling more psychologically stressed. 8 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 15, 2017 COMMUNITY TRA Plenty of legroom on Boeing 777

Each seat on Crystal Cruises new VIP jetliner, a Boeing 777-200LR, includes a fold out bed and a 24 inch TV.

available. in a ceremony at Boeing Field. cabin with just 88 first-class, lie- Technical Services, the Everett- By Dominic Gates For China’s “Golden Week” It features a large cocktail-bar flat seats. based airplane maintenance holiday at the beginning of area, with seating for 24 guests to After it was built in Boeing’s company. October, a group of rich Asians mix socially. To pass the time on Everett factory, the plane spent Accepting delivery of the jet was n commercial airlines will take off from Hong Kong on a a long flight, the tabletops in the two years at Moses Lake, where Edie Rodriguez, the chief executive today, travelling in lavishly appointed Boeing 777 for a bar can be inverted to offer video the customised interior – mostly at Crystal Cruises. Now owned by economy is a pain, nine-day tour with stops at luxury games or gaming. white, with stone veneer and Chinese cruise and resort holding while the wealthy are hotels in Nairobi, Kenya and Tahiti. A typical 777-200LR airliner like marble accents – designed by company Genting Hong Kong, well looked after in The cost is $45,000 per person. this one normally carries slightly Greenpoint Technologies of Crystal’s high-end travel offerings Ofirst class. But for the ultrawealthy, On Tuesday, that 777 was more than 300 passengers, but aft Kirkland was installed under include ocean cruises, river there’s a whole other level handed over to Crystal Air Cruises of the bar on this jet is a passenger contract by a team from Aviation cruises, yacht expeditions and now air charters. Rodriguez touted the jet as “the most luxuriously appointed aircraft in the private aircraft industry.” Guests are cosseted by a crew of

Edie Rodriguez, CEO of Crystal Cruises, centre, cuts the ribbon of Crystal Cruises new VIP jetliner. The cockpit of the new Boeing 777-200L Tuesday, August 15, 2017 GULF TIMES 9 AVEL COMMUNITY 7 tailored for the world’s richest

The luxury Boeing 777-200LR.

Crystal intended to treat it like experience around the world.” quotes, people like them,” she said. The crew has been gathered a cruise ship in the air, planning It’s also possible to just charter Crystal Air bought a 787 mostly from the world’s high- high-end itineraries and selling the plane on a private flight from Dreamliner as well as the 777. But end airlines. One Austrian pilot seats individually. city to city. Rodriguez said such a it decided that the smaller plane previously flew 777s for Emirates. But the company discovered one-way flight from New York to doesn’t suit its needs and is trying The South African executive chef that though their target market, Paris would cost $375,000, or just to sell it. was poached from Etihad. 20, including a dozen mostly young “the top 2 percent of the world’s about $4,300 per person with all So what’s the likelihood of But at least one flight attendant women whom Rodriguez insisted wealthiest,” could afford such 88 seats filled. further Boeing orders later, – or butler – has seriously elevated on calling butlers – “not flight air cruises, they are too time- Next month, the Vancouver perhaps a second 777? her career. American Priscilla attendants.” strapped to slot easily into a preset Canucks National Hockey League Rodriguez said demand is already Martinez came to Crystal from Rodriguez took every schedule. So Crystal switched team has chartered the plane for strong for Crystal Air. “I’m a bullish, Spirit Airlines, the Florida-based opportunity to promote the Crystal gears to offer the jet instead as a its trip to China, where the team betting woman,” said Rodriguez. “I’d ultra-low-cost carrier that offers name and its connotation of wealth private charter. plays the L.A. Kings in a couple say, most likely yes.” absolutely no frills and provides and luxury. Rodriguez said one couple have of preseason exhibition games in The plane will be operated for the most frugal flying experience “It’s my great Crystal pleasure,” just chartered the 777 for their Shanghai and Beijing. Crystal by Comlux, a private air- in North America. she declared in a brief speech anniversary, along with “one of our “The world is getting wealthier charter company with operating Martinez said she loves flying accepting the airplane. She floating assets.” by the minute,” Rodriguez said, certificates from Malta, Aruba and and appreciated her start at said the 777 augments Crystal’s A yacht? A river-cruise boat? citing data that China has “more Kazakhstan. Spirit but is happy now to add a exceptional “lifestyle and She declined to elaborate further, than a million millionaires and The 777 will be based in “customer service” dimension to hospitality brand portfolio.” saying her clients insist upon more than 400 billionaires.” Victorville, Calif., when in North her job. Explaining the business model privacy. She disclosed only that And, boosting the private America; in Malta when it’s in Crystal’s operation is customer behind the purchase of the luxury the couple’s plan is “to take their charter model, “a lot of the Europe; and in various bases in service at a level Spirit passengers jet, Rodriguez said that initially guests on a custom-curated wealthy like to travel with, in Asia. may barely imagine. – TNS

LR owned by Crystal Cruises. The Social Lounge on Crystal Cruises' brand new Boeing 777. 10 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 15, 2017 COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC Tuesday, August 15, 2017 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Enjoy the latest trend in swimming pools

t was supposed to be a community swimming pool, but many people stayed away because they couldn’t tolerate the biting, nose-curdling odour of chlorine. Others experienced breathing and skin problems. Across the country, traditional chlorine pools are Ibeing converted into saltwater pools, sometimes called saline pools. Swimmers noticed the diff erence right away after the switch, making their pool experience much more enjoyable. The new system also meant softer water without harsh chemicals that sometimes required a shower to wash off . Homeowners and pool managers have many motivations for converting pools from chlorine to salt, including:

z Simplifi ed, more convenient maintenance. Saltwater pool owners don’t have to buy, transport, store and handle hazardous chlorine chemicals. This saves time and money.

z Water that’s gentle on skin, eyes, nose and hair. Saltwater pools have approximately one-tenth the salinity of ocean water and about one-third the salinity of human tears, with no unpleasant chlorine smell.

z A more environmentally friendly approach. Routine pool maintenance doesn’t involve the handling and storage of manufactured chlorine and lessens the need for other potentially hazardous chemicals.

How do they work? chlorine sanitises the pool it converts back to salt. The process have already made the switch. The initial construction and Saltwater pools use a generator to convert the salt into mild continues, over and over again, conserving the salt and installation of an electrolytic converter is very small and easily chlorine that keeps the pool free of harmful bacteria. This keeping sanitiser levels balanced. made up in maintenance savings. Even converting an existing chlorine is added to the water at a constant rate, displacing The other good news for homeowners and pool managers is chlorine pool to saltwater pool can pay off quickly. the bad smell and burning irritation we normally associate that pool salt is far cheaper than traditional chlorine. This is a big with chlorine and maintaining the right amount. Once the reason why so many hotels and water parks in some countries ©Brandpoint

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

If you're in a debate, don't back down, Aries. The major advantage Once you start talking about a certain topic, Taurus, it might be Your mental activity is more pronounced than usual, Gemini. It may you have over your opponents is your keen power of observation. hard to stop, especially if the topic is you or one of your activities. A be diff icult to stop the barrage of thoughts streaming through your It enables you to pick up on the energy around you. You know question about one aspect of your life may come up and you could head. You may be able to accomplish a lot, but you might drive exactly what other people are thinking and where their arguments have a sudden desire to tell your whole life story. Other people are yourself crazy with the internal chatter that doesn't give you the are going. You'll be able to keep explosive issues from getting out of going to want to voice their opinions, too, so take a breath and give opportunity to mentally sit still. Your thinking will be much clearer if hand. Be aggressive if you feel it's needed to control the situation. them a chance. you take time to slow down and meditate. CANCER LEO VIRGO June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Ideas are intriguing today, Cancer. You might feel like a kid in a candy You pick up information quickly, Leo. Someone only needs to explain You have independent views about everything, Virgo. People would store seeing new treats for the first time. New concepts are pulling something to you once for you to grasp the concept. Your questions be wrong to try to box you into thinking a certain way. Don't let you in, and you love every minute of it. Run with it. Your mind is are concise. No one can accuse you of not paying attention to his or others convince you to accept something you're skeptical of. You exploring new realms, and you shouldn't try to hold it back. Collect her words or actions. At the same time, you may be too sensitive to know what you believe so don't be afraid to express it even if they the data now and sort through it later. This is a time for adventure. the information around you. An overload of stimuli could eventually go against the grain. Independence is important to you. You want overwhelm you. others feel this freedom that's so critical to a healthy lifestyle. LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

If you know you've wronged another, admit it immediately, Libra. You may feel a great urge to dive headfirst into a project, Scorpio. The connection between your thoughts and words is strong today, People are often quick to point out when others make mistakes, Perhaps there's a plot of ground that you want to turn into a garden. and communication with others goes especially well, Sagittarius. If but it's the rare individual who points out their own mistakes. Dig your hands into the soil. Maybe there's a craft or art form that there's something important to be said, you won't hesitate to say it, Demonstrate that you're strong and honourable enough to say you can't wait to learn about and develop. Be careful that you don't unlike your usual tendency to refrain from speaking to the person when you've done wrong. Integrity will get you far in life, whereas start too many diff erent projects and leave them all unfinished. who really needs to hear you the most. You're doing people a favour deception and retreating from diff icult situations will not. by letting them share your incredible wisdom. CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Your words will flow smoothly today, Capricorn, and you certainly If someone says something you disagree with or disapprove of, You're likely to be even quicker on the uptake than usual, Pisces. won't lack things to say. Conversations about higher learning and Aquarius, speak up. The person might assume you agree unless you Conversation will be brisk and lively. You may feel like the conductor greater spirituality are likely. You may be more aggressive when it say something. Your words can be forceful without being off ensive, of a symphony. You're able to understand and follow all the diff erent comes to getting your opinion across, but that's good. It's important your approach assertive and not argumentative. State the facts as harmonies and melody lines while keeping your own steady beat that you make your position known so others know where you you see them. Don't act in a condescending way toward others. This running through your head. The music you make with others will be stand. will only make the dynamic more diff icult to deal with. magical. 12 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 15, 2017 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe India

AGRA HYDERABAD NAGPUR AHMADABAD IMPHAL PONDICHERRY BANGALORE INDORE PUNE BHOPAL JAIPUR SHILLONG CHANDIGARH KANPUR SIMLA CHENNAI KOLKATA SRINAGAR COCHIN LUCKNOW SURAT DELHI MUMBAI VADODARA GWALIOR MYSORE

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, August 15, 2017 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

ACROSS DOWN 1. Arctic lad they converted 2. Cut for a game of cards (7) in Canterbury, for one 3. Colour for a boy, say (3) (9,4) 4. Many dined on fruit (4) 8. A tempting sort of 5. Following people in charge to be present (7) seen later (10) 9. Vessels in acute 6. A feature about constraint (5) difficulties and ship 7. Hot, ugly characters hardly to be returns no greeting (7) made out (7) 11. Spirit some found in 8. Where one tries to crush one’s Ealing comedies (6) opponent? (6,5) 13. Person digging up an 10. Picture the way a row develops old plate (8) (6,5) 15. Soak Pete’s dress (5) 12. Dead of the First World War (5) 16. In any case it would be 14. Habit of one going into retirement foolishness (7) (10) 18. Being a fool, he had 17. I quarter copper bearing on anvil (5) quickly got dressed (7) 18. A snob’s drink (7) 19. Kings, perhaps, can be 20. On the one hand I meant to alter such eccentrics (5) the clothes (7) 21. Chides for putting up 22. Jack’s cry after Virginia turned Answers hair in plaited fashion away (5) (8) 24. Spoil the looks of a soft-topped Wordsearch Codeword 23. It’s a high point when vehicle (4) you are ambitious (6) 27. She’s ordered none, you say (3) 25. Farming does badly during short time period (7) 26. Do yield and acknowledge defeat (7) 28. A beast might (5,8)

Yesterday’s Solutions

ACROSS: 1 Calloused 8 Revolve DOWN: 1 Captain 2 Log book 3 9 Pageant 10 Barrage 13 Osaka 4 Settler 5 Drab 6 Moor Adorable 14 Type 16 Naked truth 7 Demesne 11 Anther 12 Acer 15 20 Erse 22 Eros 24 Distraught 28 Peru 17 Air 18 Ease 19 Tedium Peri 29 Impounds 31 Consume 21 Soh 22 Elected 23 Open 25 34 Outside 35 Earring 36 Tambour 26 Gentile 27 Tasters Springers. 30 Orton 32 Sark 33 Eggs. 14 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 15, 2017 COMMUNITY POP SPOT William finds success in brief through social media Lana Del Rey

rtists who initially fi nd fame Singer/songwriter Lana Del Rey rarely features in the upper through television talent reaches of the singles chart. Only the 2013 Grammy Award- shows as a member of a group winning dance remix of Summertime Sadness, created by do not normally follow the French DJ /producer Cedric Gervais, has given Lana a place in same path as William Singe the top ten on Billboard’s Hot 100. Awhen they choose to pursue a solo career. The track was her third top ten hit in Britain where Lana’s Not for him was the recording contract songs do tend to fare better than in her native USA. ready to be signed immediately upon his Album sales are an entirely diff erent matter. Lana has departure from The Collective. simultaneously topped the UK chart and the Billboard 200 Instead, he began recording covers of with her fifth studio album, Lust for Life. popular songs in his bedroom and built a Only her 2010 debut album, Lana Del Ray a.k.a. Lizzy Grant, fan following through posting his work on failed to chart. It was issued without fanfare on the small 5 Facebook and YouTube. Points label and caught Lana in the process of changing from “I was already working on some her real name, under which she had released a 2008 EP, Kill stuff in my spare time while I was in Kill, to Lana Del Rey. The Collective,” explained 25-year-old Since signing her major label deal, 2012’s Born to Die, 2014’s William, real name Liam Anthony Singe. Ultraviolence and now Lust for Life have all topped the UK “I learnt a lot from being in the band and chart. 2015’s Honeymoon reached number two. The latter, I’m grateful for that. But I recognised plus Born to Die, stalled at second spot on the Billboard 200 the power of social media and felt quite while her other two albums took pole position. disillusioned with the music industry so All of Lana’s albums are available to hear in full on YouTube. I decided to go solo on my own terms. This meant I could do whatever it was Charli XCX that I wanted to do.” William had originally been a solo Charli XCX is currently working on her third studio album. artist. Raised in the Forestville suburb of There is still no title or release date but she has issued a pair , he began recording music as a of singles, Boys and After the Afterparty. The album should child. ideally be released some time in September to coincide with “My dad comes from New Zealand a two-month US concert tour on which she shares the bill but had settled in Australia. He was a with PartyNextDoor and Halsey. singer, songwriter and guitarist so I took Charli has been warming up for the tour with a number of live my inspiration from him. We’ve actually performances. One of these was at Chicago’s Lollapalooza performed gigs together at the In Situ music festival where she performed the Spice Girls’ anthem, restaurant and bar in Manly.” Wannabe, with future tour mate Halsey. Their rendition can William auditioned for Australian be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=lShM-oTvWBo television’s X Factor in 2011 but did not Many Lollapalooza performances can be watched in full progress beyond the bootcamp stage. online. Arcade Fire, Tove Lo, Rae Sremmurd and Royal Blood He tried again in 2012 impressing the are just a few of the artists whose shows are there to be judges with his version of ’s enjoyed. Charli is another. Her entire set is posted at www. which included youtube.com/watch?v=NmQXVQkcg-g additional rap lyrics written by William. After failing to reach the top six of Ato Records Free Album the Under-25 Boys category during super bootcamp, the judges put William New York’s ATO Records might be an independent label but together with fellow solo performers they are home to high flying artists such as Alabama Shakes, Zach Russell, Jayden Sierra, Trent Rodrigo y Gabriela and My Morning Jacket. Bell and Julian De Vizio to form The Every so often, ATO off ers music fans a free download album Collective. featuring tracks from some of the label’s latest releases. The group went on to fi nish third Such is the case now as ATO are giving away Summer 2017, a behind winner and collection of tracks from 15 artists such as Chicano Batman, runner-up Jason Owen. A deal was Benjamin Booker, The Bronx and Primus. signed with Sony Music Australia and William started with six covers on his Facebook page and around 20,000 followers. By The album can be heard and downloaded at www.noisetrade. their self-titled album reached number the end of 2015, he had posted 50 covers and had about two million followers. com/atorecords/ato-summer-sampler-2017 11 on the Australian chart. Although there is no charge, you do have to provide your Seven of the eight tracks were covers singer and interested to hear my variation on the email address and postal code to gain access to the music. of songs by other artists. The only rapper T-Pain were among his fans. original. That didn’t happen with Rush.” original song, Surrender, was co-written Both expressed an interest in working If his fi rst solo single did not live up Millions by William. It became by far the band’s with William. to expectations, William’s collaboration biggest hit single peaking at number six on His cover of ’s 679 and The with English DJ /producer They might have formed in Brisbane, Australia, in November, the ARIA chart. Weeknd’s attracted enormous far surpassed anything but their wildest 2011, but indie-rock quartet Millions are now very much part Zach was the fi rst member to quit praise. But it was William’s version dreams. Although their song, Mama, of the London music scene. The Collective. His departure was of ’s which hit the has not yet hit number one on any Two members have a famous father, Squeeze star Glenn announced in January, 2014. Thirteen jackpot. He transformed the song into mainstream chart, it has become a top Tilbrook, the band’s co-founder, singer, guitarist and months later, William’s decision to an emotional slow jam. The video ten hit all over the world. The video has co-songwriter. His sons, Ted and Louis, are not quite so leave eff ectively ended the group. notched up 25 million views inside a already racked up over 160 million views prominent in Millions playing guitar and drums respectively. Shortly afterwards, the remaining three month and topped the Spotify Viral on YouTube. But Ted directs and edits the band’s videos while Louis members also opted for solo careers. Chart. “Jonas Blue was another artist who contributes additional filming. While still in The Collective, William Despite all this, it was July, 2016, followed my work on social media. After Their earlier work can be found online at (no www.) had performed guest vocals on fellow before William inked a deal with RCA he wrote Mama, he said he just knew I millionsmusic.bandcamp.com. A pair of EPs, Cruel and Nine X Factor contestant Bella Ferraro’s Records. His debut solo single, Rush, had to be the singer. Lives, Six Degrees, are posted here along with their 2014 single, Forgot You. But after leaving was not released until this past February. “He made contact, I loved the demo, album, Max Relax. The Collective without a record deal, It met with little chart success. did the vocal and we have a massive The band’s latest off ering is a four-track EP, Let It Go. Not William was stepping into the unknown. “My single was based around a worldwide hit. Apart from everything to be confused with a hugely popular song of the same “I started with six covers on my sample from Jennifer Paige’s 1998 huge else, Mama was played as background title from the Frozen movie soundtrack, a video for the EP Facebook page and around 20,000 hit, Crush. But most of my followers music for a scene in the Rovers Return in title-track can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=F- followers. By the end of 2015, I’d posted probably didn’t know the song. My Coronation Street. You defi nitely know c9InKmgEc. Four more off icial promos for singles from two, 50 covers and had about two million strategy in doing covers was that you’ve made it if they use your song on three, four and five years ago are posted at www.youtube. followers.” people already knew the songs but were Corrie.” com/user/millionsmusicau/videos Tuesday, August 15, 2017 GULF TIMES 15 SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY Kesha disperses clouds with Rainbow

she was allegedly barred from By Mikael Wood explaining. She’s fi nally moving again with Rainbow, her fi rst album since ’ve been through hell Warrior in 2012. Out Friday, it’s and back,” Kesha a vivid account of a woman’s sings on her new unwanted confrontation with a album, and even powerful tormentor — “a bogeyman casual listeners are under my bed putting crazy likely“I to know the circumstances of thoughts inside my head,” as she her trip. puts it in Learn to Let Go — as well Three years ago, this pop star, as her determination to leave the famous for her bleary 2009 resulting damage behind. smash Tik Tok, filed a bombshell “I could fi ght forever, but life’s lawsuit against Lukasz Gottwald, too short,” she declares to open aka Dr Luke, the producer and the record in Bas---ds, and what’s songwriter with whom she’d remarkable is that she makes that collaborated for nearly a decade. conclusion sound like a victory, not Kesha accused Dr Luke of physical a defeat. and emotional abuse and said he’d Rainbow is full of motion. In raped her; the producer responded song after song, Kesha — who broke with a lawsuit of his own in which through with Tik Tok’s knowing he characterised Kesha’s claims as depiction of twentysomething an attempt to extort him during a indolence — is looking forward, contract renegotiation. putting more distance between her Since then, the legal fight has and the trauma she refers to in the proceeded agonisingly slowly, song Praying as “the fl ames.” with each grim development I’m walking on air, kicking my attracting widespread attention. blues, she sings in Boots, while What wasn’t clear until now is Hymn insists, We just ride, we just that Kesha feels she made it back cruise/Living like there’s nothing from hell. left to lose. For all the public scrutiny of her The album closes with Spaceship, and Dr Luke’s battle, Kesha has in which she says her people are been largely unheard throughout coming to take her away: Lord her ordeal — the result, she says, knows this planet feels like a of a restrictive agreement with the hopeless place/Thank God I’m producer that effectively silenced going back home to outer space. her. In 2016 she toured for the This idea of outrunning her first time in years but relied on old troubles may have been the only songs and pointed cover versions kind of triumph available to of well-known tunes like Lesley Kesha. Her various court cases Gore’s You Don’t Own Me. are still grinding through the By design or by necessity, justice system, with no immediate Kesha’s story seemed to have resolution on the horizon. — Los HARD TIMES: Kesha is yet to see out the legal battle holding her back. stalled, and in a state of misery Angeles Times/TNS

Can watch Fukrey, Masaan Had lots of fun shooting multiple times, says Richa Secret Superstar: Zaira

Actress Richa Chadha, who will be back on Dangal fame actress Zaira Wasim, who screen as Bholi Punjaban with Fukrey Returns, says will be seen sharing screen space with she is expecting the audience to love the movie as superstar Aamir Khan for the second it’s not an “underdog fi lm” now. time in Secret Superstar, says she had She also says that as an audience member, she can lots of fun shooting for the film. watch two of her fi lms Fukrey and Masaan several Talking about the experience of times, because of their multi-layered storytelling working with Aamir again, Zaira said nature. in a statement: “I had a wonderful Richa said: “There is something or the other I experience. I had lots of fun shooting notice in the fi lm... Whenever I watch Fukrey... I this film. Most importantly for me in have watched it in the theatre fi ve or six times, and Dangal he was a father figure and when each time I found something new because so much we started shooting for Secret Superstar is happening in every scene. when we had his trials, I hadn’t met him “And Masaan too! I can tell you, as an audience, I for a long time.” can watch Fukrey and Masaan multiple times. The She says she was shocked when she saw sequel Fukrey Returns is much more exciting. My Aamir as the character Shakti Kumar from character Bholi Punjaban is angry this time and Secret Superstar. how,” added the actress. “When I saw him after Dangal as Shakti The fi lm Fukrey, which released in 2013, featured Kumar, I was actually shocked. I had a Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Ali Fazal, Manjot lot of trouble during the shoot as I would Singh and Richa. It found several fans, but at that burst out laughing reacting to his shots. time all of the actors were not as popular as they But I had a ball, over all,” Zaira said. are today. Secret Superstar is the story of a young girl While Richa has since featured in multiple fi lms, who aspires to be a singer. Her dreams, Ali has done an international movie starring Judi EXCITED: Richa Chadha. however, face her father’s opposition. The Dench. fi lm showcases the journey of a teenager Since there are high expectations from Fukrey “Now, we have our fan following and there are who rose to fame anonymously by posting Returns and the comparison of the sequel with the people who loved those characters. So they will videos on the internet. fi rst instalment of the fi lm is inevitable, asked if come and watch the fi lm. Analysing this thing, I It marks Aamir Khan Productions’ she is feeling any pressure, Richa said: “No, I don’t feel like the fi lm is already a hit. And there is an eighth film after delivering hits like think so. You see in 2013, when we did the fi rst one, introduction of a new character, you have to wait Lagaan, Taare Zameen Par and Dangal. none of us was popular. It was an underdog fi lm and watch for it.” Fukrey Returns is releasing on Secret Superstar is slated to release on that went on to become a superhit. December 8. — IANS Diwali. — IANS ON A HIGH: Zaira Wasim. 16 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 15, 2017 COMMUNITY The threat to digital privacy Are the latest gadgets and software spying on us? We’re too busy to care – and we might regret that

By Tim Johnson

t’s an experience every computer or smart phone user has had. After downloading new software or an app, a window pops up with a legal agreement.I At the bottom is an “I agree” button. One click, and it’s gone. Most users have no clue what they’ve agreed to. That single action can empower software developers to extract reams of personal information – such as contacts, location and other private data – from the devices. They can then market the information. Even as privacy erodes in the digital era, little outcry arises over the digital tracking and profi ling of consumers. Only slight murmurs are heard on Capitol Hill. But a handful of security researchers, lawyers and privacy watchdogs voice increasing concern that consumers might one day wake up in anger at the collection of data by software companies winning rights to do so through “end user license agreements,” also known as EULAs. One researcher says the data collection potentially poses a national security threat. For now, news about how companies collect data emerges in bite-sized stories. In late July, articles brought to light that certain models of the Roomba robotic vacuum not only collect dust as they whir across the fl oor, they also map the homes of users and send the data back to headquarters. The Massachusetts manufacturer, iRobot Corp., may share the data to enable the smart home and the devices within it to work better. It says it will do so only with customer consent. iRobot chief executive Colin Angle said, “iRobot will never sell your data.” He added that such The Amazon Echo hands-free voice-activated speaker. Even as privacy erodes in the digital era, little outcry arises over the digital tracking and profiling of information “needs to be controlled consumers. by the customer and not as a data asset of a corporation to exploit.” crackers, on the side of it, it gives you said in a recent telephone interview. by 2020. Those devices are often As time passes, added Reback, Other companies, empowered nutrition facts,” Patterson continued. An old saying goes that when a lumped together as the “Internet of the growth of big players in by the click-through habits of “That’s what I want. I want nutrition consumer gets a service or product Things.” technology may leave consumers consumers that allow them to gather facts on every piece of software I for free, the consumer becomes the “It’s getting worse because the with the sense they have little and sort through data, exploit the install so that I can click on it and product. His or her profi le becomes Internet of Things is like where your choice but to accept conditions information by selling it to data it says all the information they’re an item to be marketed. location is, how much your heart rate imposed on them. brokers. taking.” “You may think your identity is going, (and) what you’re saying “You’ve got no alternative. Back “We need legislation that basically Gary Reback, a Palo Alto, Calif., is, you look in the mirror and with these new voice-controlled when there was competition, if forces these companies to be very, antitrust lawyer who has tangled that’s what you see, but it’s really devices,” said Chris Wysopal, some people did a better job at very clear on what information in legal battles with Google and not. Your identity is what they’ve cofounder of Veracode, a Burlington, protecting privacy, that might have they are taking from us when we Microsoft over data privacy issues, compiled,” Reback said. “That is Mass., app security company. infl uenced your choice,” Reback install these apps,” said Michael said data harvested from consumers kind of scary when you think about Wysopal is concerned enough said. Patterson, chief executive of Plixer has led companies to create it. I just don’t think people think about privacy that he avoids all The direction of where the issue International, a Kennebunk, Maine, individual profi les, often at a level of about it enough.” voice-activated devices in his own may head is unclear. cybersecurity fi rm. detail that even family members may Internet-connected devices home out of concern they may be “I don’t have a good answer for “If they change the EULAs, they not know. proliferate in homes. An estimated feeding his private activities back to where it’s going to go. But I think have to tell us, and they also have to “When an online profi le is created 8.4 billion such devices exist in the manufacturers. But he said young that things might just change that make what they’ve taken from us of you, which you never really get to world today, the Gartner research people may feel that “we enjoy all people really start to think it’s fi ne available at any time,” Patterson said. see, it’s not just kind of what you buy, fi rm says, and that number is this technology so much that we’re to have all this data in the hands of “When you buy a box of cereal or it’s who you might vote for,” Reback projected to climb to 20.4 billion willing to give it up.” third parties,” Wysopal said. – TNS