Wednesday, June 10, 2020 Shawwal 18, 1441 AH

Doha today 280 - 400

Cover tory One to cherish S Couple Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas compile stories of dozens of others for What Makes a Marriage Last. P4-5

Hollywood Back Page

Josh Gad: We need escapism The Sims gets a climate-friendly now more than ever. makeover in Eco Lifestyle. Page 15 Page 16 2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 10, 2020 COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

SERIES TO BINGE WATCH ON AMAZON PRIME

PRAYER TIME Fajr 3.12am Shorooq (sunrise) 4.44am Zuhr (noon) 11.35am Asr (afternoon) 2.58pm Maghreb (sunset) 6.26pm Isha (night) 7.56pm

USEFUL NUMBERS 30 Rock and turn around TGS, which for years has been unable to DIRECTION: Tina Fey find the proper audience it deserves. So to do so, he brings CAST: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan on unhinged, wildly unpredictable star Tracy Jordan (Tracy SYNOPSIS: Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Lemon (Tina Fey) is the Morgan) to turn the series into a ratings hit. But Liz soon finds executive show runner for a late night sketch comedy show out that controlling her oddball writing staff, the NBC page called The Girlie Show, that stars her close friend and major program, keeping Tracy on a short leash, and getting him to drama queen Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski). When GE hires get along with Jenna proves to be one disaster after another. Emergency 999 a new Executive Vice President for NBC named Jack Donaghy Will TGS ever see true success? And will Liz find the right Worldwide Emergency Number 112 (Alec Baldwin), he decides to take Liz Lemon under his wing partner to get married and start a family? Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991 Local Directory 180 International Calls Enquires 150 Hamad International Airport 40106666 Labor Department 44508111, 44406537 Mowasalat Taxi 44588888 Qatar Airways 44496000 Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222, 44393333 Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555, 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050 Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333 Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444

Humanitarian Services Office (Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies) Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372, 40253369 Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel kids, and an Upper West Side apartment. But when her life Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365 DIRECTION: Amy Sherman-Palladino suddenly takes a turn and Midge must start over, she discovers Qatar Airways 40253374 CAST: Rachel Brosnahan, Michael Zegen, Marin Hinkle a previously unknown talent, one that will take her all the SYNOPSIS: It’s 1958 Manhattan and Miriam ‘Midge’ way from the stages of Greenwich Village to a spot on Johnny Maisel has everything she’s ever wanted: the perfect husband, Carson’s couch.

ote Unquo Qu te “Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.” — Samuel Smiles

Community Editor Kamran Rehmat Mr. Robot when the mysterious leader of an underground hacker e-mail: [email protected] DIRECTION: Sam Esmail group recruits him to destroy the firm he is paid to protect. Telephone: 44466405 CAST: Rami Malek, Christian Slater, Carly Chaikin Compelled by his personal beliefs, Elliot struggles to resist the Fax: 44350474 SYNOPSIS: The series follows Elliot, a young programmer chance to take down the multinational CEOs he believes are who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and as a running (and ruining) the world. Eventually, he realises that a vigilante hacker by night. Elliot finds himself at a crossroads global conspiracy does exist, but not the one he expected. Wednesday, June 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 3 BODY & MIND COMMUNITY Repetitive motion injuries Feelings of pins and needles, or a sensation of tingling or prickling, can occur in the hands due to pressure on nerves, which are like electrical cables that in part give feeling to your fingers

or lift something heavy like a milk jug. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that can create numbness and a sensation of tingling in your fingers. It occurs when the median nerve, which is on the palm side of the hand, is compressed or irritated in some way. Symptoms typically are limited to your thumb, index finger, middle finger and thumb side of your ring finger. If you feel tingling along the inner aspect of your forearm down to your pinky finger, carpal tunnel is not likely the cause. Rather, it may be that you are suffering from cubital tunnel, which is irritation of a nerve by your inner elbow. Many patients with carpal tunnel report initial symptoms at night, although as the condition progresses, carpal tunnel can cause weakness of the thumb’s pinching muscles and lead to difficulties performing routine tasks. Some patients have reported numbness in their hand that is exasperated, for instance, while holding a phone or driving. If your symptoms are related to De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, using ice for swelling and taking a mild pain reliever can help with discomfort. The best treatment, though, is to reduce the activity that is most likely causing your symptoms. While that AFFECT: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis affects the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. You may have swelling in this area and pain that is exacerbated can be challenging now, especially when you twist your wrist, grasp or lift something heavy like a milk jug. if you notice that your pain is exasperated while you type, consider using a voice-activated dictation uestion: Earlier system or switch fingers if you text this year, I began a lot. For instance, if you most often experiencing some pain use your thumbs to text and it has in my right hand and become more painful, switch to wrist. I am a systems using your index fingers instead. Qengineer and have I also would recommend that always done a fair amount of typing you perform an ergonomics check at work. Now with the Covid-19 of your at-home workspace. pandemic, I am working at home Your posture can affect how you and spending even more time on a function and develop some of these keyboard. I’m finding the pain has symptoms. Second, look at the increased, and I’m also having some position of your wrist. If you are new tingling and numbness in my sitting or standing at an awkward hand and wrist. I heard about carpal height, your wrist could be in a tunnel and was wondering if I may significantly flexed position that have it. If I do have carpal tunnel, puts pressure on the nerves and what can I do to help or reverse it? tendons, and increases your risk for Answer: There are various issues and symptoms. things that can cause hand and wrist To help alleviate your carpal discomfort. Feelings of pins and tunnel like symptoms at night, needles, or a sensation of tingling try an over-the-counter splint or prickling, can occur in the hands with a metal reinforcement on the due to pressure on nerves, which are palm side. This splint will stop you like electrical cables that in part give SYMPTOMS: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that can create numbness and a sensation of tingling in your from flexing your wrist and reduce feeling to your fingers. fingers. Symptoms typically are limited to your thumb, index finger, middle finger and thumb side of your ring finger. irritation on the nerve. The exact area of discomfort If your symptoms progress, talk and symptoms will guide which it’s most likely you are experiencing considered an overuse injury caused these conditions. De Quervain’s with your healthcare provider about condition you likely have. Are your one of two common ailments that by repetitive hand or wrist motion. tenosynovitis affects the tendons next steps to confirm your diagnosis symptoms occurring all day or only have become more common in The second possibility sounds like on the thumb side of your wrist. and the potential for other non- at certain times? Are you having pain the age of technology. The first is it could be carpal tunnel syndrome. You may have swelling in this surgical treatments, such as hand only while typing? a type of tendonitis known as De Activities such as typing or texting, area and pain that is exacerbated therapy or an injection. – Mayo Given the situation you describe, Quervain’s tenosynovitis. This is golfing, and gardening can worsen when you twist your wrist, grasp Clinic News Network/TNS 4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 10, 2020 COMMUNITY COVER STORY Wisdom unlimited The title (What Makes a Marriage Last) is somewhat misleading. This is not a “how-to” manual. Rather it is a collection of what amounts to short stories about love and the ways in which it can make you happy and drive you mad, writes Rick Kogan

Asked what they felt about being in their 80s:

“I don’t think a lot about that,” says Marlo, smiling. Phil says, “As you get into your 80s, you do start to wonder. … But I am learning more about her every day. It’s all very interesting, this latest chapter”

hen Phil met Marlo, they were so famous that last names were superfluous. Maybe they still are, more than 40 years later, as this Wpair of octogenarians sit in their New York City apartment and say … He: “Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have been married for 74 years this July. They read the Bible to each other every night before going to bed.” She: “We aren’t experts or psychologists. We just went out to find out what makes marriages last.” They are, befitting these troubled times, talking to and seeing me on a computer screen, as I am them. They look very good. He (last name Donahue) is 84 years old. She (last name Thomas) is 80. They are eager to talk about their new book, their first literary collaboration which is titled What Makes a Marriage Last: 40 Celebrated Couples Share with Us the Secrets to a Happy Life (HarperOne). Wednesday, June 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 5 COVER STORY COMMUNITY

That title is somewhat somehow we forgot.” misleading. This is not a “how-to” They had come to interview manual. Nor does it give some sort Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson, who of quick-fix answers that would have been married since 1962 and make it suitable for the self-help were only one of two couples that section of your bookstore. Rather recorded the ensuing conversation. it is a collection of what amounts (The other was journalists Bob to short stories about love and Woodward and Elsa Walsh, who the ways in which it can make you also told them that the first time happy and drive you mad. It is she knew how he felt about her tender and sweet at times but also was when “he told her who Deep peppered with such troubles as Throat was.”) drug addiction, infidelity, money And so they talked and then, “As woes … the whole pile of humanity. we talked of jealousy and fidelity, The 40 couples — which topics we’d broached with every include Ron and Cheryl Howard couple, the conversation went (married in 1975), Lily Tomlin and into territory that was arguably Jane Wagner (2013 but together the most sensitive chapter of for decades), John McEnroe and the Jackson’s fifty-eight-year Patty Smyth (1997), Deepak and marriage.” Rita Chopra (1970), Mariska What follows are details of Hargitay and Peter Hermann the affair that Reverend Jackson (2004), Al Roker and Deborah had in the 1990s with a political Roberts (1995), Billy and Janice scientist and the female child Crystal (1970), Alan and Arlene that resulted. Alda (1957), and many more — “I was shocked that it even came the book is more than 600 pages up,” said Phil. “I had interviewed long — offer all manner of honest the reverend a number of times.” insights. Twenty-two times on his show, if The seed of his book came in THEN, NOW: Former US president Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn on their wedding day in 1946, above, and today. you are counting. 2019 when Marlo and Phil learned Says Marlo, “Phil and I just that friends of theirs were getting went with it and all during the divorce after 38 years of marriage. conversation I really understood They talked about marriage and how much Jacqueline is her own what makes one work. woman. I admire and I love her.” They drifted back to the past, to Why not? Mrs Jackson was very 1977 when Marlo, the daughter of frank, saying, “I have five children. famous comedian Danny Thomas, Reverend has six.” title star of an ABC sitcom called Phil and Marlo spend many That Girl, movie star and producer, hours of their cooped-up days notable feminist and “famously on promotional chores for and single,” was a guest on Phil’s his interviews about their book. Each wildly popular and eponymous has their own office. In his Phil talk show which was taped here. watches a lot of TV, saying “I am a He was a divorced father living in politics junkie. How to explain this Winnetka where he was fathering time to the yet unborn? How did four sons. this happen? I really think there Now, when people watch a will be more books written about YouTube clip of a later interview, the Trump era than have been they will tell you that they can see written about Abraham Lincoln.” sparks were flying, and they would With their housekeeper of 30 not be wrong. years cooped up elsewhere, Phil They started dating, split up and Marlo are nicely fending for for a short time and were married themselves. They cook dinners on May 21, 1980. They lived here together and Phil has learned to for decade, Marlo commuting operate the washer and dryer. most of the time from jobs on the Marlo juggles so many projects, coasts. Then and ever since they including work for St. Jude’s have been remarkably private Children’s Research Hospital, that about their private lives. That’s They share some of themselves her father helped found in the admirable for such a high-profile in throughout the conversations. 1950s, that her husband playfully pair. They also do so in a pair of short refers to her as his “water bug.” And so they made a list of people forewords in which we learn They are very happy with their they knew, or knew of, who had “Marriage. Wow. I was the girl book, which is sitting on a variety lengthy marriages. They started who never wanted any part of it. of bestseller lists. In June they plan arranging interviews. The only That’s because marriage didn’t to embark on a podcast based on couples to turn them down, gently seem like a roomy enough place for the book. mind you, were George and Laura me — and that’s putting it nicely” Couldn’t help it but I asked them Bush and Barack and Michelle (Marlo) and “I knew from the what it feels like to be in their 80s. Obama. moment I met her in the dressing “I don’t think a lot about that,” Kevin Bacon needed some room that here was a guest who said Marlo, smiling. persuasion, at first saying “no would never, ever let me die on the Phil said, “As you get into your thanks” and telling them, “My air. She also had a great body, and 80s, you do start to wonder. … But piece of advice is not to take advice had the year been 1953 she would I am learning more about her every from celebrities.” have been what we Catholics called day. It’s all very interesting, this He finally agreed and he and an ‘impure thought’” (Phil). latest chapter in my life.” his wife Kyra Sedgwick (1988) They travelled across the She leaned over and rested her are compelling and forthright, country and made one trip to head on his shoulder. talking about their losing Canada, to see Elton John and — Chicago Tribune/TNS millions due to Bernie Madoff. David Furnish (2014). They were Most every one of the couples has determined for a face-to-face THE JACKSONS: “I first met Jackie something to offer. encounter. “Sort of like we were when we were in college. She was “We immediately discovered having double dates,” said Marlo. into modern dance and was a heavy that the more we shared about Many of the couples provided user of the library. And she was just our relationship the more they snacks and drink. beautiful beyond measure. A mutual opened up about theirs,” Phil says. They came here. “November in friend told me I had to meet her,” said “We first thought these interviews Chicago,” they write. “We should the Reverend Jesse Jackson about might be 20, 30 minutes. They have remembered — after all, his wife of 58 years, pictured on their would be two, three hours.” we lived there for ten years. But wedding day. 6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 10, 2020 COMMUNITY NU-Q organises webinar for freshmen

Northwestern University in Qatar’s admissions team recently rolled out online programming, the liberal arts which he said allowed him to “learn more about topics ranging from history and including a series of webinars to ensure incoming freshmen were provided with the information political science to mobile reporting and philosophy.” usually shared at NU-Q’s annual preview event. Following up on the extracurricular activities offered at NU-Q, which vary from chess and “We’ve adapted our programmes for a virtual audience to strengthen our sense of community and basketball to music clubs and a student-run news website, The Daily Q, a current student, Mariam ensure our incoming class receives a well-rounded introduction to NU-Q, no matter where they Farid, encouraged them to get involved in student clubs and activities “where you will meet so are in the world,” said Alex Schultes, Director of Admissions. “Technology has enabled us to bridge many amazing people and learn new things that will really make your experience at NU-Q unique.” the physical gap by giving us the platform needed to host engaging and interactive weekly events Recent graduate Mariam al-Dubhani, a Yemeni filmmaker who reports on life in her war-torn that highlight perspectives from alumni, current students, and faculty.” country, encouraged them to use their Northwestern education to be an agent of change. The webinars, Qahwa Chats, were live discussions with NU-Q students, faculty, and alumni. Each “Through media and film, you can bring change to the narrative on the region and give voice to webinar included one presenter who shared their experiences at NU-Q and answered questions the voiceless by bringing people’s unique stories to the global stage,” she said. from the admitted students. Rana Kazkaz, Assistant Professor at NU-Q and an award-winning filmmaker, told the students that Alessandra El Chanti, who graduated from NU-Q last year and is now a graduate student at at NU-Q they will be able to find their unique “cinematic voice.” “The world of filmmaking is a world Northwestern in Evanston, talked about the school’s academic programming and extracurricular I know a lot about,” she said, “and something I try to offer my students a glimpse into, especially activities, which include internships, and how they prepare students for life after university. those of you who are interested in becoming professional filmmakers.” “You will learn skills that you will apply as a professional in the industry,” she said. “Go in with an Fardous Ali, a member of the Class of 2024 from Somaliland, found the webinars “helpful open mind, and make sure you get out of your comfort zone - that’s where you will learn the and provided answers to my questions. I also had the chance to watch some of the host’s most.” documentaries, which was fascinating and gave me an insight on what to expect from NU-Q.” A fellow alumnus, Abdullah al-Hor, who is working as a news presenter at Qatar Radio, added that The webinars were attended by students from around the world, including UK, Colombia, South in addition to media and communication courses, students are also offered an array of classes in Africa, and Uzbekistan.

DPS-MIS faculty attends online webinar on Art Integration

The faculty members of the Art Department of growing up in the 21st century. He explained DPS-Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) recently Hippocrates’s theory of the four temperaments attended a webinar on ‘Art Integration In of human psychology to understand children Everyday Classroom’, organised by S.Chand in the classroom, Abraham Harold Maslow’s Group Learnflix Digital Learning via zoom. pyramid hierarchy of needs and introduced Veena Ranjan and Vinay Sharma introduced the common education model and tools the attendees to ‘Learnflix’ an online platform with respect to the role of art and non-art of digital learning to enhance the teaching by redefining the terms. He also introduced learning process during these unprecedented the term ‘coding’ in different mediums of times. art-craft. He dwelt on the importance of art The webinar was hosted by Gaurav Juyal, integration in the curriculum with reference to an art educator and instructor. He explained multiple intelligences; with the help of Howard the theory behind Art Integrations and Gardner’s theory of the eight intelligences, via various methodologies on how to enable a visual chart. The resource person stressed on art integration into a classroom and why it is the fact that arts-integrated learning activities important tool to make teaching and learning stimulate the students to be creative, but with more proficient as well as suited for children a focus and a purpose. Wednesday, June 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 7 FASHION COMMUNITY Picnic chic: the look of the summer

Post stay-at-home tracksuit, meet-ups with friends in the great outdoors are best done in ditsy florals and gingham – signifying safe and wholesome fun, writes Jess Cartner-Morley

o we have a new dress code: a picnic with an exclusive six-person guest list. Sorry, did I say dress code? I meant new Ssocial distancing rules. Anyway, like I said: a picnic – or a barbecue – in the park or in the garden, with an exclusive six-person guest list. A stroll through my local park confirms that the new behavioural guidelines are being read as a new uniform. Anywhere on a sunny patch of grass, you are guaranteed to be exactly two metres away from a picnic dress. There are puffed sleeves and broderie anglaise. There are ditsy florals and polka dots. There are midi-length gingham dresses in chic monochrome, by Ganni. There are green-as-grass colours and puffed cotton sleeves, like this dress from Zara. There are tiered al-fresco frocks with folksy embroidery, such as the dreamy lilac number from & Other Stories, above. The women who spent last winter wearing modishly austere, Little Women-esque prairie-style long-sleeve, high-neck dresses with ankle boots to the office are now to COMFY: The picnic dress is the new tracksuit. be found in pale florals and ruffle- trimmed picture necklines. – even desirable – to find joy and the thighs, which is important The picnic dress is the new love and beauty where we can, in because it means you can sprawl tracksuit. If the tracksuit was the the midst of all this, then the picnic comfortably on a blanket rather uniform of Stay at Home, the picnic dress channels summery pleasures than clamp your knees demurely dress is Have Fun (but Sensibly, and at an appropriate pitch. Broderie as necessitated by sitting on the Outside.) This is what a picnic dress anglaise says, I am here with my floor in a short skirt. Oh, and a stands for. Polka dots and florals friends and family, and not to picnic dress is always a dress, are upbeat, but civilised. Smocking swap bodily fluids with randoms. not a jumpsuit. If your al-fresco and puffed sleeves are summery Gingham says, I will go home before socialising is taking place anywhere without being provocative. Even the it gets dark and I start bumping into other than your own garden, this is a many gatherings in my local park, each people. time for a dress, not a jumpsuit. which are picnics in the impromptu And picnic dressing is more And picnic dressing isn’t just sense – silvery tins of gin and tonic practical than it looks, as we head about the dress. Love Shack from the Tesco Express over the into a time of daycations and Fancy, an American brand with an road, 99 Flakes from the ice-cream staycations. The unseasonable irresistible Laura-Ashley-goes- van – feature women adorned heatwave of the past week has given to-LA sunny-boho vibe, is the with vintage florals and delicately us an easy ride into a summer in escapist fantasy shopping label of gathered pintucks. which it seems that what socialising the moment, not just for dresses but The psychology of the picnic we are able to do will mostly for gossamer-fine cardigans – the dress is fascinating. Is it OK to wear take place outdoors. Al-fresco Folley, in a wool-mohair blend with celebration frocks in a pandemic? dressing in the British summer vintage style rose buttons, comes in Where does Keep Calm and Carry means keeping warm as well as a perfect summer-sky blue. Shoes On end, and Marie Antoinette at the keeping cool, and a picnic aesthetic should be easy to slide off, for picnic Petit Trianon begin? No one knows works in scenarios where your blanket etiquette. The Loupe sandal the answer to these questions, swimwear-and-beach-cover-up by Dune will work as brilliantly on which is precisely why the picnic holiday wardrobe will not. A good holiday, if you should ever get one, dress is emerging as the go-to picnic dress knows how to look as it does in the park. This strangest summer look. The iconography of summery without being skimpy, of summers calls for uncomplicated picnicking, with its teddy bears and which is useful on days when it is clothes. Real life isn’t exactly a ALWAYS A DRESS: A picnic dress is always a dress, not a jumpsuit. If your al wicker baskets, is wholesome fun a bit goosebumpy in the shade. A picnic right now. But your summer fresco socialising is taking place anywhere other than your own garden, this is rather than hedonistic abandon. If picnic dress can be fitted around wardrobe can be. a time for a dress, not a jumpsuit. we can agree that it is acceptable the waist but it will be loose around – The Guardian 8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 10, 2020 COMMUNITY OFFBEAT 12 habits we’re going to keep even post lockdown Life in lockdown has been an exercise in patience, but for some, there have been rewards worth bringing into their ‘new normals’

n Australia social gatherings other resident left on the line a week are back on the agenda, earlier. intrastate travel is permissible; playgrounds have reopened, and I let myself go grey so have restaurants. Natalie Parletta IAt the beginning of lockdown, we Lockdown has been the perfect were told Shakespeare wrote King opportunity to take the plunge, and Lear while sheltering from a plague; let my hair grow out – and it’s been so we were told we would eat, and eat liberating. It turns out the most grey again; and we were told – many times my follicles have produced so far is a – that life indoors would give us time distinct tuft at the front, reminiscent to reflect. of Lily from The Munsters, along with While isolation has not been a few extras peppered here and there. positive or pleasant for many, it has I’m not alone. I’ve discovered led to some new discoveries, and thousands of women, of all ages, rediscoveries. Here, writers share the flocking to a “Growing Grey lockdown habits they intend to keep. Gracefully” Facebook page for inspiration and courage. Behind the I started an album club curtains of the pandemic, they’re Osman Faruqi sharing hair at various stages of A few weeks into lockdown, when skunk-like regrowth, many after I was craving social interaction years of colouring. Then there’s the and desiring the kind of light, fun #greyhair Instagram craze. discussions about pop culture I’d No one seems to have any regrets. normally have with friends at a pub, I It means no more regular trips to threw out an idea on Instagram. the hairdresser to hide the dreaded I’d always wanted to initiate an regrowth, no more chemicals and no “album club”. Just like a book club, but more exorbitant fees. Freedom! instead of reading something, the idea was we’d all listen to an album and talk I took up online learning about our favourite and least favourite Denise Cullen tracks, the cringiest lines, the themes, As a forensic psychologist, and share gossip about the artist. I need to engage in continuing Our first session on Zoom had professional development to maintain more than a dozen participants from registration. Mirroring the transition all over the world. Some members to remote client consultations were old friends, and some I’d never through telehealth, the Australian met before. We spent nearly two Psychological Society brought lots of hours talking about Dua Lipa’s Future its training online. One night I might Nostalgia, but also getting to know be participating in a webinar about each other by swapping lockdown differentiating child sexual abusers; stories from our various cities and another night countering violent countries. extremism; the next conducting It was an experiment, but it worked evaluations remotely. and everyone loved it. We made them But to balance that up, I’ve also weekly, talking Madonna, FKA Twigs been doing some purely for fun stuff and Billie Eilish. – Lauren Bath’s online photography When society started opening course and Ivy Newport’s Flight and up again and people were no longer REDISCOVERY: While isolation has not been positive or pleasant for many, it has lead to some new discoveries, Feather encaustic art class. forced to video conference for human and rediscoveries. I love the flexibility of online interaction, I felt a twinge of sadness learning – being able to sign in that the album club might not have a me to fill every windowsill with old each other. Now our home offices best, a grim and smelly hygienic whenever it suits. It’s also more place in a semi-normal world. pesto jars, fostering the new cuttings have started to take shape, we’ve necessity. However, under affordable than attending in-person But we’re going to try and make it before they’re ready to be planted. made a habit out of sharing meals lockdown, it became an oasis in the training. A lot of the APS training last. I recommend everyone who loves Found cuttings make great gifts and and cooking for each other. We’ve otherwise drably-identical days as was available at no cost; while other music give it a try. It’s a fun excuse have brightened up my apartment in introduced each other to new food time lost all meaning and March online providers offered discounted to hang out with your mates and talk an affordable way. As long as you don’t and new recipes, and found ourselves gently turned into Flebuvember. classes. The informal networking about some bangers. damage the original plant, I think it’s coming together for house dinners After decades of apartments and opportunities aren’t the same online, a wonderful way to interact with, and every week or so; sharing a few bottles sharehouses I now have access to a but from a flexibility and cost point of I cultivated found-cuttings benefit from your neighbourhood of wine and showing our love through back yard and an unshared washing view, it definitely trumps face to face. Izabella Antoniou commons. Now I’ve transformed into a home-cooked meal. line where I don’t have to fight Since lockdown started, my daily a snipper – scouting Google Map’s Not only have we been able to for space. Somehow, the ritual of I became a runner walks have become opportunities to “green zones” for my next addition – I reconnect with each other and get to putting out washing became my Josh Taylor feed my plant-lady lifestyle, by taking don’t see myself stopping. know everyone’s partners, we’ve also little Covid-zen moment. When the pandemic took hold, “fair game” cuttings from around my been reminded that the friendships As things start to loosen up, it’s my gym closed and I started working suburb. Plants overgrowing in parks or My sharehouse started holding worth nurturing are often the ones still the highlight of my working- from home, I worried about not being spilling over fences on to the footpath. family dinners closest to home. As our lives return from-home day. I treasure the able to exercise and lethargy setting I’ve begun filling a grubby tote with Bec Zhuang to normal, we’re planning on keeping screenless minutes standing in. So I started a combination of whatever I know will survive the chop. Before lockdown, it was rare for my house dinners in the diary. among green things, lorikeets and walking, jogging and running around My most ambitious addition thus housemates and me to all be at home corellas screeching from fruit trees, my suburb, so I didn’t feel like I’d just far has been a gutter rescue frangipani at the same time. We’d rarely hang I learned to love laundry day reflecting with gratitude on how been sitting at my laptop all day. branch. Beginning with a few out, despite being childhood friends Andrew P Street I’m not forced to work around the Now it’s something I can’t do succulents, my magpie brain has lead and literally living within metres of Doing the laundry used to be, at pungent, rain-soaked doona some without. I’m up to between 6-8km a Wednesday, June 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 OFFBEAT COMMUNITY 12 habits we’re going to keep even post lockdown

SUBSTITUTE: A combination of walking, jogging and running around the suburb is a good BOLD: Growing grey and getting comfortable with it means no more regular trips to the hairdresser to alternative to gym. hide the dreaded regrowth.

day. I get through so many podcasts from home, I suddenly have time for restrictions are slowly lifting, I don’t and I’ve discovered so much more the exercises I lied about doing for six think I’ll kick this habit too quickly. of my local area. Parks, shops and months’ worth of paid consultations It seems obvious, but I’m finding restaurants that I never knew were – and two months later, I can balance. that reading challenges me to sit with there before. Sometimes for a full minute, even 90 silence and helps build an attention seconds; sometimes holding on to my span that’s been getting shorter and Gyms are reopening later this big toe and stretching my lifted leg out shorter. Most of all, reading provides month, but I am hopeful I can keep in front of me; sometimes kicking it a kind of true escapism, free of this daily habit mixed in with regular out straight behind me in a yoga pose notifications and news updates. And workouts. The difficulty will be once that is meant to look graceful but in nowadays that, above all, is what I the commute to the office returns – fact looks bad. crave most. the laziness will set in again. Not to The epic concentration required mention Melbourne’s winter. has the added bonus of completely My hands are finally clean shutting my mind down in a way I Alyx Gorman I detoxed my Instagram feed never quite managed with yoga. I pine Sometime in late February, well Melissa Pearce for the days that I can loudly challenge before lockdown, we were taught a Seven days into lockdown it was my colleagues to a balance-off in the simple way to stop the spread: don’t clear I needed to take a Marie Kondo shared office kitchen. Until then I will touch your face. As this super- wand to social media. The content settle for bragging about my dumb cut of people touching their faces of my Instagram seemed especially skill on a global news site. immediately after telling us not off-kilter – 2,697 pages of blue French to makes clear, it’s an impossible lace corsets or Costa Rican sunsets. I rediscovered reading directive. But the other “stop the Then it came to me – to start a fresh Shaad D’Souza spread” suggestion – regular hand with a new page and only follow I know it’s something of a cardinal washing – is incredibly achievable. accounts that would help inspire and sin for a writer-by-trade to not really And I wasn’t doing it. Don’t get me comfort. I decided 19 was as good a be a reader, but for the past few years, wrong, I’ve always washed my hands number as any. I’ve never really been able to find the after using the bathroom or before Music, comedy, self-care, time (or drive) to read books. Since I I cook (I’m not an animal), but that art, creative minds, Covid-19 started writing and editing, my day- was it. I didn’t wash my hands after commentators, recipes and BRIGHTENING UP: Found cuttings make great gifts and brighten up the to-day has been a constant jumble handling money. I didn’t wash my photojournalism were genres I apartment in an affordable way. of thinkpieces and corrections, news hands after grocery shopping. I didn’t needed. I did include one fashion page aggregation and email sending. By the wash my hands after being on public (a vintage dealer), but I was pretty awesome. I had always dabbled in less on groceries than usual. This time I clock off, there’s little I want to transport. And then, because it’s disciplined. weekly menu planning, getting a one, she’s a keeper. do less than read. impossible not to, I touched my face. And it seems something has large shop and then mapping out the Most years, I’m lucky if I finish Now I wash my hands routinely changed on Instagram too; pre- week’s dinners to allow for variety I learned to balance (on one leg) five books. When the pandemic hit, and diligently, just like WHO tells pandemic the lasting sentiment after and limiting waste, but frequently, Steph Harmon my full-time contract was cut by us to. It costs nothing, takes little an Instagram deep dive was FOMO in the pre-times, this would be A boring thing to talk about is how about 75%, and many of the outlets time, and I’ve come to find the or consumerism. Now my feed thrown off by life or the ability to you have finally discovered balance I would usually freelance with cut ritual quite pleasant. I’m a relatively feels diverse, but unifying. May this pick up food at a whim. in lockdown. It is much cooler to talk budgets, so I was suddenly left with a frequent cold-catcher, but even as the Instagram linger a while longer. During coronavirus lockdown about how you have used this time to lot of spare time and a lot of books I’d temperatures have dipped, I’ve not with our need to limit visits to the learn how to balance on one foot, like a accumulated and never read. gotten sick. I got serious about meal shops or deliveries, our badly-kept- literal child. Now, one of my lockdown joys It shouldn’t have taken a pandemic planning to habit took on a new necessity. Two years ago, a physio told me to is reading books again; I re-read to teach me to do this – primary Celina Ribeiro Taking 10 minutes out at the arrival stand in front of her on one leg and Melissa Broder’s The Pisces two school should have done the trick. I’ll If crises reveal – not change – us, of a grocery haul sounds tedious, then the other, and narrowed her eyes weeks ago, and will probably finish never stop touching my face, but even what the coronavirus lockdown has but it meant our meals were more at me as I fell over immediately, twice. Natasha Stagg’s Sleeveless tonight. when a vaccine is found, I’ll be poking done in our household is reveal the interesting, our food waste fell to Mortifying. I’ve got another two books lined up at my cheeks using freshly washed extent to which menu planning is zero and we spent about a quarter Now, with the freedom of working to read after that, and, even though hands. – The Guardian 10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 10, 2020 COMMUNITY PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE Wednesday, June 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 11 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY Researchers reveal another big reason to wash hands frequently

oxic flame retardants can move Previous studies have found that exposure from your TV to your cell phone to these chemicals can cause lower IQ in to your hands and then you, children and behavioural problems. warn researchers, suggesting The authors were surprised to find higher that frequent handwashing can levels of almost all halogenated flame reduceT its exposure too, apart from keeping retardants, all organophosphate flame coronavirus at bay. retardants, and phthalate plasticizers on the The study, published in the journal surfaces of cell phones and other hand-held Environmental Science & Technology Letters, electronic devices like tablets, compared found that halogenated flame retardants to non-hand-held devices like desktop added to plastic TV cases can move from the computers. TV to indoor air and dust, to hands, and then The researchers suggest that these old to cell phones and other hand-held electronic chemicals got to the new phones by transfer devices. from hands. Once on your cell phone, that surface The question is why are TVs a source of provides an ongoing source of exposure to flame retardants? The answer lies in the odd these chemicals each time you touch your cell story of old “instant-on” cathode ray tube phone. TVs manufactured in the 1970s. It’s well-known that viruses are transferred This technology, which involved warming between surfaces and hands. the cathode ray tube so that the TV would “Our study shows that toxic chemicals immediately project an image when turned like flame retardants do the same. That’s on, resulted in several hundred TV fires in another reason we should all wash our hands the 1970s. The response was to recommend often and well,” said study co-author Miriam flammability standards that led to large Diamond, Professor at the University of amounts of flame retardants added to the Toronto in Canada. outside casings of the TVs. even after the industry moved to current TVs retardants. “If a flame retardant is used in the Halogenated flame retardants, such as However, those same levels of flame that pose a minimal fire risk. TVs, we then find it throughout the house, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are known retardants continued to be used — as much as Thus, recently manufactured TVs contain including on the hands of the resident,” said to pose a health risk to children. a quarter of the weight of the plastic case — high levels of unnecessary and harmful flame study co-author Lisa Melymuk. — IANS

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

If you woke up this morning and just wanted to stay in bed rather You may find yourself taking the high road today, Taurus. Maybe Today you’ll feel as though your energy has come home, Gemini. than start your day, know that you aren’t alone, Aries. Today you’re you’re even further aloft than that, like a bird soaring above the Living in lockdown has played into your tendency to hide at home experiencing a sensitive warmth that makes you feel vulnerable to the landscape. As you fly, your partner is on the ground trying his or when you aren’t feeling 100 percent yourself. While lockdown might chilly wind of reality. Harsh words seem to cut more deeply than usual, her best to keep up. If you keep flying straight, you’ll get lost and still be with us, you’re now feeling much better and ready to take making you wish you’d never left the cocoon of your bed. Surround confused and may not find your way back. Consider keeping your on the world. Your emotions are in line with your actions, and that yourself with supportive people, whether in person or remotely. feet on the ground with your friend. brings great clarity. You know the route you want to take. Cancer Leo Virgo June 21 — July 22 July 23 — August 22 August 23 — September 22

Your wacky personality will be appreciated today, Cancer, but don’t Try to feel at ease today, Leo. Remember that inner peace is a big It may be hard to find answers today, Virgo. It may also be hard for take it too far. Leave room for seriousness to enter the picture. part of your health, and maintaining that baseline is critical during you to get your point across, especially since everyone’s head is in There’s a dreamy, cloudy sensation to the day that might make it a pandemic. Find peace through reflection and a quiet review the clouds. Don’t be surprised if your own head takes a trip up there difficult for you to concentrate on any one thing. If you pretend to of where you are in life. Instead of focusing on material things, as well. You’re better off giving it a boost up there instead of trying to know the answer when you don’t, you’ll only confuse the people concentrate more on your emotional state. Others are likely to feel force yourself back down to reality. Check things out from a different who rely on your knowledge or authority. sensitive and weepy as well, so have them join you in this exercise. perspective. Libra Scorpio Sagittarius September 23 — October 22 October 23 — November 21 November 22 — December 21

This is your day, Libra. You may find that people gravitate to you for It’s important for you to be extra cautious today, Scorpio. If you You may not want to admit something today, Sagittarius, although advice and support. They’re apt to lower their guard and more openly absolutely must go out, make sure you’re calm and collected before you know it’s true. It becomes more obvious than you think if you’re accept things you believe in. Conversations could lead to more spiritual getting behind the wheel of a car. Don’t forget that helmet if you’re hiding behind a barrier that has formed between you and someone topics, and before you know it, you’ll be giving lessons on the meaning riding your bike. Strong emotions that come up at this time are apt close to you. If you insist on acting this way, ask yourself why you of life. Suddenly, your private thoughts are reaching a huge audience to trigger a physical response that could be quite powerful, even a even bother staying in the relationship. Global emergencies don’t that’s eager for your words. Use this power responsibly. bit violent. Be careful of such tendencies. necessarily cancel out our personal problems. Capricorn Aquarius Pisces December 22 — January 19 January 20 — February 18 February 19 — March 20

Like playing a game of chess, think carefully about your next move, Come out of your shell today, Aquarius. You’ll notice that people You may feel a bit restless, Pisces, because you feel something brewing Capricorn. Maybe your opponent is taking a long time to make their are much more sensitive to your feelings because they seem to but can’t identify it yet. This energy is like a river rushing below while next move. If you let impatience force your hand, you could make be more emotional themselves. Communication is likely to occur you stand on a bridge. The water is tempting, but you can’t summon the your decision too hastily. Feel free to take as much time as you need. more through unspoken channels than traditional methods, which courage to jump in. Don’t feel like you have to be a part of everything. The other person may already be thinking two or three moves ahead is interesting at a time when most conversations are happening Extending the metaphor, maybe your destiny lies on the other side of of you. Staying calm and focused will help you concentrate. through electronic media. you’re listening to them. the bridge and not in the river. You’ll stay a lot drier that way. 12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 10, 2020 COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES

Wordsearch Adam

Pooch Cafe

AIRMAN LAWMAN YESMAN HITMAN PITMAN FOEMAN OILMAN BATMAN MADMAN AXEMAN LAYMAN GUNMAN ICEMAN SEAMAN MERMAN PENMAN BOWMAN BARMAN LEGMAN

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, June 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 13 PUZZLES COMMUNITY

Super Cryptic Clues Colouring

Across Down 1 Tied up at work, displaying 1 Thirty days in Capri? Lovely! (5) ability (8) 2 Garment finally put on by 5 Leaders of the Soviets painter (7) assassinated Russian ruler (4) 3 Young people seen playing 8 Europe in turmoil after after end of August (5) dropping old currency (5) 4 Storage unit back in prewar 9 Painters, perhaps, in dire straits days (6) (7) 6 South American greeting 11 Gander appears with eagle’s Japanese food (5) wings (4-3) 7 Leftovers I reused in a stew (7) 12 One entertained by fat 10 Part of foot alongside claw (5) Scottish landowner (5) 13 Country girl reading (7) 13 Opening for pro, say, in golf 14 Be small in doorway? (5) club (6) 16 Oscar-winning film produced 15 Anne is flipping mad (6) in Australia (7) 18 Pet has no time ultimately for 17 Composer not quite meeting a teacher (5) Hindu god (6) 20 Keep crossing river to acquire 19 Nobleman finding love in farm new skills (7) building (5) 23 Withdraw from contest with a 21 Dear horn sounds (5) slight wound (7) 22 Dressed up to display such 24 Where canoe may be figures? (5) floundering? (5) 25 Heather in Stirlingshire (4) 26 Leader of band helps string players (8) Answers

Solution Wordsearch Codeword 14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 10, 2020 COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD

Varun Dhawan appeals all Ranveer Singh: The to help doctors, police force nineties era defines me and frontline workers Bollywood star Ranveer Singh says he was Varun Dhawan has appealed to always glued to nineties television shows while all to help the doctors, police force growing up, which has shaped him completely and frontline workers amid the and that he followed everything of the nineties Covid-19-19 pandemic. Citing example era. of the Spanish flu pandemic, which “I am a nineties kid. Born in 1985, the affected the world exactly 100 years nineties era is what defines me. Following ago, the actor said we all must take everything from movies, music, pop culture, responsibility. fashion, those are my formative years. “1920 and 2020. The world has been Whatever you subscribe to, stays with you through this before. We have to help forever,” Ranveer said. our doctors, police force and front The actor recalled the days he would sit in GOING STRONG: Ranveer will be seen next in line warriors. Based on Worldometer front of the TV, while other children played 83, a sports drama narrating the story of India’s elaboration of the latest United outside. “I remember watching Zabaan first-ever cricket World Cup victory in 1983. Nations data. India 2020 population is Sambhalke, Dekh Bhai Dekh! Basically, I am TV estimated at 1,380,004,385 people at RESPONSIBILITY: Varun believes we ka bachcha (kid), a product of television, a tv all the time, non-stop, which included WWF. mid year according to UN data. India all have to take responsibility to help curb kid. When kids were outside, I was in front of Even when mom was watching Santa Barbara population is equivalent to 17.7% of the spread of coronavirus. the idiot box!” he added. and The Bold And The Beautiful, I was totally the total world population. We all have He’s also watch epics like Ramayan and hooked.” to take responsibility,” shared Varun order of the mayor. Another picture Mahabharat. “When I was not watching Now, Ranveer currently awaits the release of Dhawan on Instagram. shows a tram with a poster which reads: movies on VCR, I was watching Doordarshan. his upcoming film 83, the much-awaited sports The actor shared several photographs “Spit spreads death”. Varun Dhawan’s I remember waiting for Ramayan, Mahabharat drama narrating the story of India’s first-ever from the time of the Spanish flu. In appeal to the public comes at a time and Chhaya Geet. It was like an event for me. I cricket World Cup victory in 1983. The actor one photo it can be seen that a cinema when India is going through a phased used to work backwards from the telecast time. will be essaying the role of former Indian theatre has been shut down as per the opening of the lockdown. — IANS That’s the decade for me. I used to watch TV captain Kapil Dev. — IANS Sonu Sood, a hero of migrants, say his family and friends

migrants to Bihar through trains,” BY VISHAL GULATI an elated Malvika said, adding, “He won’t stop till the last migrant reaches home”. onu Sood’s real life role of Born to a business family, Sonu’s the migrants’ superhero father was in the cloth business and has virtually affected his his mother was an English lecturer reel life roles. in Moga’s oldest D.M. College of Doing a yeoman’s Education. Sjob for those who are walking His father died four years ago, barefoot for thousands of miles to while his mother passed away seven their hometowns, the Bollywood’s years back. new role model from this town in Sonu’s eldest sister is settled in Punjab has decided to stay away the US. from movies till the completion of “Sonu is deeply attached to the real life drama impacted by the hometown, his family and friends. Covid-19-19 pandemic. He prefers to travel to Moga His old-time friends and whenever he spares time from his well-wishers in his hometown, hectic schedule in Bollywood,” she some 175km from the state capital said. Chandigarh, describe him as the “This time he promised to come saviour of tens of thousands of to his hometown once the travel desperate migrants in Maharashtra, restrictions owing to the lockdown while his family believes his are over. Since he’s now busy with philanthropy spirit comes from his thousands of migrants, I think ancestry. he will not unite with his family HERO: Sonu Sood emerged as an unlikely real-life hero for thousands of migrants in India’s lockdown. “I am proud that my brother till his aim to reunite each and is giving succour and strength to every migrant with his family is straight from the heart. “Right from Badnore tweeted, “Punjab is proud himself,” Khanna said. The model, those who have been ruined by the over,” Malvika, who runs cloth and Kashmir to Kanya Kumari whenever of you Sonu Sood not just for your actor, a producer and a hotelier is pandemic,” actor’s youngest sister education business, said. anyone tried to reach me, I’ve put Bollywood fame but even more for grounded too. Malvika Sachar (38), who is married Without mincing words, she all my efforts to help them reunite the help extended to the stranded “Whenever Sonu is in his and running her parental family said his branding or associating his with their families & will continue migrant workers in these difficult hometown, you can see him riding business in Moga, told IANS. “It is brother with any political outfit will to do so.” times.” on his scooter of his college days. a proud moment for the family and be an injustice to his gesture. Appreciating his gesture, Punjab Moga resident and his neighbour He also prefers to spend time in his the state that Sonu is contributing “He prefers to keep himself out Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Rakesh Khanna said the people father’s shop located in the main to society from his own resources,” of the public glare. Whatever he’s has tweeted: “It fills me with in the town are proud of Sonu for market,” Khanna said. she said. doing, he is doing from his own immense pride whenever I read bringing this town into limelight Sonu started his career with the Without naming anyone, she inspiration rather than to achieve about my fellow Punjabis going through his philanthropic spirit. Tamil film, Kallazhgar, in 1999. said, “It hardly matters when one or political goals,” she said. beyond their call of duty to help He said his parents wanted him He entered the Hindi filmdom in two people are critical about your Sonu’s grandfather Vidya those in need & this time it is our to become an engineer. He did his 2002 with Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat compassionate gestures.” Rattan Sood was also a known Moga boy Sonu Sood, who has been engineering from Nagpur. Singh. “In true sense, Sonu’s “My brother arranged air tickets philanthropist. actively helping migrant workers Sonu went to Mumbai for revolutionary passion matches of nearly 160 stranded people in Sonu Sood, 47, in a tweet on by arranging for their food & modelling and stayed with people that of Bhagat Singh. This is the Mumbai for their destinations in June 7 said, “My journey with my transportation. Good work Sonu!” in a one-room tenement. spirit of being a Punjabi, truly Assam this morning. Last evening, migrant brothers & sisters has Posting photos of the actor, “Besides having no godfather in an inspiration,” added another he managed to send nearly 2,500 been the most special one. It’s Punjab Governor V.P. Singh the film industry, he established resident Deepak Sharma. — IANS Wednesday, June 10, 2020 GULF TIMES 15 HOLLYWOOD COMMUNITY Josh Gad: We need escapism now more than ever

world of the book by Eoin Colfer, taking the BY SUGANDHA RAWAL audience on a fantastical adventure into the magical world of fairies, dwarves, and centaurs. It narrates the story of a 12-year- ollywood actor Josh Gad’s new old genius, Artemis Fowl, a descendant of starrer Artemis Fowl will get a long line of criminal masterminds, as he a digital premiere instead of goes on a mission to save his father who has a theatrical release amid the been kidnapped. In the movie, Gad will be Covid-19 crisis. Although Gad seen as the giant dwarf Mulch Diggums. Hsays he is a big fan of the whole moviegoing With the movie, Gad got to work with experience, he adds that it should not come actor-filmmaker Kenneth Branagh for the at the stake of anyone’s health. second time — which he describes as the The actor feels there is a need for highlight of his career. stories through which people can escape “Working with Kenneth has been one of “the craziness” that has come with the the highlights of my life’s career. I literally pandemic, and that is something the digital studied Ken’s work in college, when we world is busy doing. were studying Shakespeare over the course “Well, nobody is a bigger fan of the of two semesters in my sophomore year. moviegoing experience than me. I love That process began with watching Ken’s sitting in a dark theatre with an audience ‘Henry V’ and on ‘Hamlet’, so getting to and going on an emotional roller coaster, work with him on two consecutive films sharing those laughs, sharing those gasps, was beyond a dream come true,” said Gad, all of it. Unfortunately, we find ourselves who has made a name in Hollywood as an in an unprecedented moment where going actor, comedian and singer. to a theatre means potentially risking your “On Murder On The Orient Express, I had health,” Gad told IANS in an interview. Ken who was both in front of the camera “And that’s not a reality that any of us and behind the camera, which obviously is could have imagined. I do know that one a very different experience than one who day, we are all going to be able to go to the is just behind the camera. Both films are cinema again. And I can’t wait for that day. totally completely different. On ...Orient In the interim, I, not only as somebody who Express, there were so many moving parts worked very hard to bring this movie to and so many different people coming in and life, but also as the father of two kids, am out. It was a bit more hectic and there was a beyond grateful that movies like Artemis lot more to get through, and so less time to Fowl are finding a home at (people’s) home. improvise,” he said. You know, now more than ever, we need The actor, popular for voicing the beloved escapism. We need entertainment. We need snowman Olaf in mega-hit Frozen, stressed a chance to not think about the craziness that Artemis Fowl was a “completely that we are surrounded by,” he added. different ballgame”. The actor continued: “So knowing that I “Ken just unleashed me, and really let can sit in my house and watch a movie like me play every day on set. He’s one of the this with my kids makes me profoundly greatest collaborators ever because he grateful and excited because without it, we himself is an actor, and so he understands would run out of content pretty quick... what an actor needs to be communicated in I think that there’s a healthy balance and order to execute a direction that will yield I’m really excited that movies like ‘Artemis the kind of result that they’re looking for. Fowl’ are going to find an audience that I have worked with him twice now and I POSITIVITY: Josh Gad feels there is a need for stories through which people can escape “the wasn’t necessarily intended to be the would welcome a third chance,” said the craziness” that has come with the pandemic. immediate audience but I think will be a actor. grateful audience nevertheless.” Artemis Fowl also stars Ferdia Shaw, Lara Josh McGuire, Nikesh Patel and Adrian Dench. The movie will release on June 12 on Disney’s Artemis Fowl brings alive the McDonnell, Tamara Smart, Nonso Anozie, Scarborough, with Colin Farrell and Judi Disney+ Hotstar. – IANS

Natalie Portman opens Police are the 6th leading cause of death for up on her white privilege black men in this country. These are not isolated incidents. They are patterns and part of the Actress Natalie Portman says the police make system of over-policing of black Americans. her feel safe as a “white woman”, while her Reforms have not worked. Minneapolis, where “black friends” feel the opposite. George Floyd was murdered, is one of the most She admitted the system that makes her feel progressive police forces in the country, having comfortable is “wrong”, adding that she was undergone extensive anti-bias training. I am initially hesitant to support the Defund The grateful to the leaders in the @mvmnt4blklives Police movement. who have made us question the status quo. Portman took to Instagram to open up about And who have made us imagine, what a world the movement, which has found a new energy could be like in which we invested in nourishing to fight systemic racism following the death of people; (in their education, healthcare, George Floyd due to police brutality on May 25. environment, shelter) — rather than putting all “When I first heard #defundthepolice, I have of our money into punishment.” to admit my first reaction was fear. My whole Portman asserted that she has “gotten life, police have made me feel safe. But that’s to the age in my life, where if my gut feels exactly the center of my white privilege: the uncomfortable, I take the situation as wrong”. police make me as a white woman feel safe, “But this concept initially made me while my black friends, family and neighbours uncomfortable because I was wrong. Because feel the opposite: police make them feel terror,” the system that makes me feel comfortable is she wrote. wrong. #defendblacklives#defundthepolice,” CONCERNED: Portman took to Instagram to open up about the movement. The actress continued: “And for good reason. she added. – IANS 16 GULF TIMES Wednesday, June 10, 2020 COMMUNITY The Sims gets a climate-friendly makeover in Eco Lifestyle Love The Sims, but wish it were more in line with your green sensibilities? The famous life-simulation game has had an eco-makeover in its new expansion pack

The Sims Eco Lifestyle: Community action and planet-friendly choices.

renewable energy-powered green oasis. playful stage-setting themed around By Keza MacDonald “Every neighbourhood has its own sustainable living, not a game with a eco footprint that most interactions feed message about what we’re doing to the into,” explains George Pigula, the game’s planet. “Real-world climate change is an he Sims is often held up as a producer at developer Maxis. “Your issue that the best minds are constantly shiny, romanticised example of neighbourhood could be on the industrial working on. I don’t think we will solve that the capitalist ideal: work hard, end with a bit more smog and pollution: here,” agrees Pigula. “But we are allowing earn money, acquire stuff, and this gives bonuses to power generation, the player to play around with the concept happiness will follow. The game fuel burning slower, and maybe a few more of changing everyday habits that all feed isT stranger and funnier than that in reality – trash piles. Or you can go green and have into a larger system.” browse Sims YouTube for half an hour and your solar panels produce more power, your In the real world, the climate crisis is you’ll quickly see that the stories players plants grow better ingredients, and you get of course about more than just individual tell within this world are far weirder and to marvel at auroras overhead. Power and action: it is about corporate and more diverse than “get money, get happy”, water utilities now have to be managed. government engagement to change the often involving ghosts, thwarted dreams You can continue to buy your power and way the world works. The video games and scandalous pregnancies – but it’s still water off of the grid, or you can generate industry is itself a significant contributor very much Conspicuous Consumption: The it yourself. You will have to choose green to global emissions. PCs and consoles are Game. options or fuel-burning options, and then made of plastics and rare minerals that Last week, however, The Sims went live with the consequences of each.” must be mined somewhere, not to mention explicitly eco-conscious with a new Pleasingly, these systems make Eco the immense energy used by both players expansion pack, Eco Lifestyle, which lets Lifestyle more than a superficial eco and development studios. A UN-backed you design Sims and neighbourhoods aesthetic featuring dungarees, kombucha initiative called Playing for the Planet around sustainability and climate- and plenty of indoor plants. It doesn’t has encouraged some (but not all) of the conscious choices. Or sack all of that off overtly push the player towards any industry’s biggest companies to sign up and and live in a filthy, smoggy nightmare town particular path of action, but it does lay work towards the idea of carbon-neutral covered in trash. The Sims has never judged out the relationship between how we live game development and educating players you. and how the environment responds, and about global heating. Electronic Arts, the Eco Lifestyle adds features that The offers some satisfying fantastical ways to company that owns The Sims’ developer Sims’ enormous Gen Z audience had long live well – such as fabricator machines that Maxis, was not among them. been asking for, such as septum piercings can make rugs and furniture out of trash, The Sims: Eco Lifestyle does not reflect PRODUCER: George Pigula of Maxis, producer and boho fashions that would look great or reclaiming old railway lines to make sky this bigger picture, focusing instead on the of The Sims: Eco Lifestyle. down the allotment – and loads that surely gardens. It can even free Sims from the potential of individual action and choices. nobody was asking for, including candle- need for money altogether, if you choose to But it was, according to Pigula, inspired not vehicles are hugely popular among the team making, thus fulfilling every older pearl- go full freegan and found a neighbourhood just by players’ demands but by the changes members,” he says. clutcher’s worst imaginings about the filthy where everyone shares, or pull discarded that the people making the game have “A lot of the Sims is about taking a eco-conscious young. How your Sims live furniture out of the trash and fix it up. (In a found themselves making to their lives. lens to everyday life and embellishing it affects how their neighbourhood develops, cute touch, discarded furniture resembles “I’ve upped my recycling game, insulated towards joy. I will say, I don’t think bills and and they can vote on and participate in old designs the very first Sims game.) my house, and switched to a wooden comb. recycling are fun in real life – but we have community initiatives that will eventually I wouldn’t describe The Sims: Eco Solar options, water reduction, reusable made them fun in Eco Lifestyle.” turn a run-down port town into a Lifestyle as overtly educational. It is a bags, meatless Mondays and electric — The Guardian