In the dock How hate speech campaigners found Facebook's weak spot. P4-5 - Gulf Times
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Dhul-Qa’da 10, 1441 AH
Doha today: 300 - 390
Cover
Story
In the dock
How hate speech campaigners
found Facebook’s weak spot. P4-5
Bollywood Back Page
Alia says she would love to do QBG shares tips and tricks for
investigative limited TV show. naturally enhancing gardens.
Page 14 Page 16
2 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 1, 2020
COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT
SERIES TO BINGE WATCH ON AMAZON PRIME
PRAYER TIME
Fajr 3.16am
Shorooq (sunrise) 4.48am
Zuhr (noon) 11.39am
Asr (afternoon) 3.02pm
Maghreb (sunset) 6.30pm
Isha (night) 8pm
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 The Good Wife imprisoned after a harassment and corruption scandal. Alicia
Qatar News Agency 44450205 DIRECTION: Michelle King, Robert King must deal with the public humiliation. She must also fend for
44450333 CAST: Julianna Margulies, Chris Noth, Josh Charles her two children. After years of being a housewife and mother,
Q-Post – General Postal SYNOPSIS: Alicia Florrick (Julianna Margulies) is the wife she returns to work as a litigator at the law firm Stern, Lockhart
Corporation 44464444 of a former state’s attorney for Cook County. He has been & Gardner. She must now prove herself in the courtroom.
Humanitarian Services Office
(Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies)
Ministry of Interior 40253371, 40253372,
40253369
Ministry of Health 40253370, 40253364
Hamad Medical Corporation 40253368, 40253365
Qatar Airways 40253374
uote Unquote
Q
“Love cures people -
both the ones who give it and
the ones who receive it.”
— Karl A Menninger
Community Editor
Kamran Rehmat
e-mail: community@gulf-times.com Lore and uncovers the real-life events that spawned our darkest
Telephone: 44466405 CAST: Aaron Mahnke, Steven Berkoff, Josh Bowman nightmares. Blending dramatic scenes, animation, archive
Fax: 44350474 SYNOPSIS: From the executive producer of The Walking and narration, Lore reveals how our horror legends - such
Dead and the executive producer of The X-Files, this as vampires, werewolves and body snatchers - are rooted in
anthology series brings to life Aaron Mahnke’s Lore podcast truth.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 3
BODY & MIND COMMUNITY
Getting safe emergency care
Find out when to get emergency care for non-Covid-19 symptoms and Covid-19 symptoms,
and learn what emergency rooms are doing to keep you safe during the pandemic
N
ews about the 3. Fainting, dizziness or
Covid-19 (coronavirus weakness.
disease 2019) 4. Head or spine injury.
pandemic may be 5. Injury from a car or
making you feel motorcycle accident.
anxious about going to the 6. Sudden or severe pain.
emergency department or getting 7. Bleeding that you can’t stop.
medical care, and you may wonder 8. Severe or long-lasting
if it’s safe to go to the hospital. vomiting or diarrhoea.
Current data has found that This list doesn’t include all
nearly 30% of people are avoiding symptoms that may require
or delaying medical care due emergency attention. If you have
to Covid-19 concerns. Some any serious symptoms requiring
emergency rooms have about half emergency care, go to the
their usual number of patients. But emergency room. Don’t wait to
it’s important to seek emergency get care.
care if you have serious non-
Covid-19 symptoms and Covid-19 What Covid-19 symptoms
symptoms. require emergency care?
Delaying care for a medical Seek care immediately if you
emergency, such as a heart attack have or may have Covid-19 and
or stroke, can be life-threatening experience any of the emergency
or lead to serious complications. signs or symptoms, including
Find out when you should go to the trouble breathing, persistent
emergency room, and learn what chest pain or pressure, inability
emergency departments are doing to stay awake, new confusion, and
to keep you safe from getting the blue lips or face.
Covid-19 virus. Alert the emergency room that
you have or may have Covid-19
How are emergency rooms before going in. If you’re being
keeping people safe? transported in an ambulance, tell
You may be worried about your the medics.
chances of catching the Covid-19 DELAYING MEDICAL CARE: Current data has found that nearly 30% of people are avoiding or delaying medical care This will give the emergency
virus in the emergency department due to Covid-19 concerns. Some emergency rooms have about half their usual number of patients. But it’s important to room staff time to prepare and
or in the hospital if you need to seek emergency care if you have serious non-Covid-19 symptoms and Covid-19 symptoms. use infection control practices
be admitted. Data has found that and wear PPE. The emergency
80% of adults are concerned about What can you do to protect especially after touching any 1. Heart attack signs and department staff may also give
catching the Covid-19 virus in yourself in the emergency surfaces. Wash your hands with symptoms, including chest pain or you specific instructions to follow
the emergency room. However, room? soap and water for 20 seconds, pressure; pain in one or both arms, when you arrive, such as wearing
emergency rooms and hospitals are Protect yourself in the or use an alcohol-based hand stomach, back, or jaw; shortness of a cloth face mask and waiting in
taking precautions to prevent the emergency room as you would in sanitizer that contains at least breath; or nausea or lightheadedness. a separate area of the emergency
spread of the Covid-19 virus and any public place: 60% alcohol. 2. Stroke signs and symptoms, room.
help make sure that visits to the 1. Wear a cloth face mask. such as a drooping face, arm In the emergency room,
hospital are as safe as possible. 2. Avoid touching your eyes, What symptoms require weakness or slurred speech. Other medical personnel will evaluate
Emergency rooms and hospitals nose or mouth. emergency attention? signs and symptoms can include your symptoms, and they may
follow strict guidelines for 3. Keep a social distance of 6 feet If you have any of these signs or sudden numbness, confusion, perform blood tests and X-rays.
protecting people during the (2 meters) from other people. symptoms, go to the emergency room vision difficulties, difficulty They’ll determine whether to
Covid-19 pandemic, including: 4. Clean your hands often, or your local emergency number: walking or sudden headache. test you for the Covid-19 virus.
Universal masking: If your condition is serious, you
Emergency rooms require that may be admitted to the hospital.
everyone wear a face mask. If admitted, you’ll be placed in
Healthcare professionals are a single-person room. Medical
required to wear personal staff will wear personal protective
protective equipment (PPE). equipment, including masks and
Screening at all entrances: eye protection, when caring for
Everyone entering is screened for you.
Covid-19 signs and symptoms.
Separate waiting areas for Not sure if you need to go the
people who have or may have emergency room?
Covid-19: People who may have If you’re not sure if you should
Covid-19 may be asked to wait in get emergency care, call your
separate, designated areas of the healthcare provider or medical
emergency department away from team for advice. If it’s outside of
those who don’t have Covid-19 business hours, you may be able
signs and symptoms. to ask for the on-call doctor. If
Frequent cleaning and your hospital or employer has a
disinfecting: Waiting areas, nurse triage line, call this number
rooms, restrooms and surfaces are to discuss your symptoms. You
cleaned and disinfected often to might be able to have a virtual
accommodate updated Covid-19 visit or phone call, go to an urgent
hospital cleaning protocols. care or express care clinic, or
Social distancing: Check-in CALL IN EMERGENCY: Seek care immediately if you have or may have Covid-19 and experience any of the delay going to your healthcare
and waiting areas are arranged for emergency signs or symptoms, including trouble breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, inability to stay awake, provider. – Mayo Clinic News
social distancing. new confusion, and blue lips or face. Network/TNS
4 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 1, 2020
COMMUNITY COVER STORY
Facebook facing heat
The social network’s crisis has been a long time in the making
and shows no sign of going away, writes Alex Hern
‘
Let’s be honest, these tech platforms
have generated income and interest
from divisive content; they won’t
change their practices until they begin
to see a significant cut to their revenue
— Asad Moghal, a senior digital and
content manager at Byfield Consultancy
Wednesday, July 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 5
COVER STORY COMMUNITY
I
t took less than two hours for Facebook Trump is an incoherent blend of two
leadership approaches,” said Chris Moos,
to react and it did so for good reason.
At 5pm on Friday, Unilever, one of Two hours after a leadership expert and teaching fellow at
the world’s largest advertisers, with a
portfolio of products that ranges from
Unilever pulled Oxford University’s Saïd business school.
Where some attempted to find “practical
Marmite to Vaseline, suddenly announced advertising from approaches for dealing with those tensions”
it was pulling all adverts from Facebook,
Instagram and Twitter in the US. Facebook, a humbled they encountered at work, and others
appealed “to higher-order principles”,
Given the “polarised atmosphere in the
US”, the company said, and the significant
Mark Zuckerberg Zuckerberg tried both and succeeded at
neither. “On the one hand, he has engaged
work left to be done “in the areas of scrambled to a wide set of stakeholders into the debate,
divisiveness and hate speech… continuing
to advertise on these platforms at this time
announce a series throwing money at initiatives to build racial
justice and voter engagement. On the other,
would not add value to people and society”. of new policies, the Facebook CEO has tried to rise above
At 6.47pm, Facebook scrambled. the controversy by making it clear that
Mark Zuckerberg, it said, would be “going including a ban on his company will be erring on the side of
live on his Facebook page” to discuss the
company’s racial justice work. Thirteen
hateful content that free expression, ‘even when it’s speech we
strongly and viscerally disagree with’.”
minutes after that, the most powerful chief targets immigrants, Zuckerberg can never be removed from
executive in the world appeared on screens.
Humbled, he announced a series of and further his position. While he only owns 14% of the
company, the special class of shares he owns
new policies, including a ban on hateful
content that targets immigrants, and further
restrictions on posts means he controls 57% of the voting rights
at board meetings. But employee pressure
restrictions on posts making false claims making false claims can hurt him, professionally and personally:
about voting.
Asad Moghal, a senior digital and content
about voting if Facebook no longer seems like a pleasant,
enjoyable and rewarding workplace, the
manager at Byfield Consultancy, said company will struggle to hire and retain the
Unilever’s action was always going to force highly skilled staff it relies upon to compete
Zuckerberg to respond. “When such an allowed to be posted. The decision became a flashpoint for in Silicon Valley.
international giant decides that inaction Instead, Facebook has steadily tweaked its lingering unease about Facebook’s wider In June, the Stop Hate for Profit campaign
is no longer an option to tackle racist and own rules to avoid angering the president: problems with tackling hate on its platform — found another weak point for the site:
discriminatory language, then the social introducing in 2015 an exception for “political as did Zuckerberg’s decision, a week earlier, advertisers. While Facebook takes some
media businesses need to listen up. discourse” to allow a video calling for a ban to appear on Fox News to defend a different revenue directly from users, for products
“By taking financial action, a company on Muslims entering the US to stay up, for Trump post, on mail-in voting, saying he did such as its Portal videophone or its Oculus VR
the size of Unilever can effect change and instance, or limiting efforts to tackle “false not think his company should become the headsets, the vast majority of the company’s
force the hand of Twitter and Facebook; the news” out of a fear that doing so would “arbiter of truth”. $70.7bn annual revenue comes from
business has decided it needs to protect its disproportionately hit right-leaning pages Facebook staff began to speak out on advertising. On 17 June, Color of Change,
brand reputation and can longer be associated and posters. social media, holding a virtual walkout along with the NAACP, ADL, Sleeping
with platforms that deliver hate speech and In the protests prompted by Floyd’s death, to emphasise that “doing nothing is not Giants, Free Press and Common Sense Media,
divisive content. But what will really effect Trump again tested the boundaries, posting acceptable”. launched a public request for “all advertisers
change is if this move creates a domino effect on Facebook and Twitter a message that The company’s precariously employed to stand in solidarity with Black Facebook
and other big-name corporations remove “when the looting starts, the shooting starts”. moderators joined in, risking their users and send the message to Facebook that
investment from the platforms.” Twitter, noting the racist history of the contracted-out jobs to decry the “white they must change their practices by pausing
The swathe of announcements marked phrase, and interpreting it as a potential call exceptionality and further legitimisation of all advertising on Facebook-owned platforms
the first concessions from Facebook towards for violence, enforced a policy it had enacted state brutality”. for the month of July 2020”.
the aims of a coalition, Stop Hate for Profit, last summer for just such an occurrence: the Even scientists funded by Zuckerberg’s Many of those advertisers were already
that was formed in the wake of the killing of company restricted the tweet, preventing personal charity the Chan Zuckerberg uncomfortable about their spending on
George Floyd in May. it from being replied to or liked, and hid it Initiative spoke out, calling Trump’s post “a Facebook before the latest campaign. The
But the group’s leaders say the tweaks do behind a warning declaring that the tweet clear statement of inciting violence”. site, as with all programmatic advertising,
not go far enough, and are reiterating their broke its rules. But it left it up, citing the With some fanfare, Zuckerberg appointed can have “brand safety” issues when
calls for a month-long global advertiser inherent newsworthiness of a statement by in May an oversight board — a roster of companies find their messages next to
boycott starting today. an elected official with millions of followers. experts that will have the power to overrule extreme or hateful content. At a macro level,
The real danger for Facebook is if other On Facebook, however, the post was Facebook’s moderation decisions. meanwhile, marketers are all too aware of the
brands decide they can do without the untouched. In a post on his personal page, It includes Helle Thorning-Schmidt, a risks of helping consolidate the “duopoly” of
platform too. Zuckerberg wrote that he interpreted the former prime minister of Denmark; the Nobel Facebook and Google, which between them
This crisis has been a long time in the statement not as incitement to violence but peace laureate Tawakkol Karman; and Alan have secured the majority of the advertising
making — and shows no sign of going away. as “a warning about state action”. “Unlike Rusbridger, a former Guardian editor-in- industry’s growth.
Facebook has historically taken a softer Twitter,” he wrote, “we do not have a policy chief. But even if the Stop Hate for Profit
line on hate speech than it has on other of putting a warning in front of posts that But the difficulty of setting up a new campaign was pushing at an open door, the
controversial content, such as that containing may incite violence because we believe that if organisation in the age of Covid-19 means success has been surprising. By the end of
nudity, in part out of a belief in the inherent a post incites violence, it should be removed that the board was unable to take the heat off the first week, Patagonia, North Face and the
ambiguity of offensive speech, and in part regardless of whether it is newsworthy, even Zuckerberg. freelancing platform Upwork had signed on.
due to the difficulty of automating such work. if it comes from a politician.” “Zuckerberg’s strategy of dealing with And Unilever’s decision to pause advertising
Identifying hate speech is reliant until November — albeit only within the US,
on knowledge of context, custom and and without directly citing the campaign —
culture which can be hard to teach human opened the floodgates. Over the weekend, it
moderators, let alone machines. was joined by other megabrands, including
In recent years, Facebook has made strides Coca-Cola and the alcohol conglomerate
in that area. In the third quarter of 2017, Beam Suntory.
according to its community standards report, “Let’s be honest,” said Moghal, “these
Facebook found just under a quarter of hate tech platforms have generated income and
speech by itself; the other three-quarters was interest from this divisive content; they won’t
only removed after the site’s users manually change their practices until they begin to see
flagged it to moderators, who then took a significant cut to their revenue.”
action. With the boycott officially starting today,
By this spring, the proportions had the campaigners are not easing off the
reversed: 88% of hate speech removed from pressure. In fact, success has only driven
the site was found by Facebook’s own tools, higher ambitions.
allowing it to remove or restrict almost four “The next frontier is global pressure,” Jim
times as much hate speech as it had two years Steyer, the chief executive of Common Sense
earlier. Media, told Reuters on Monday. While some,
But working against Facebook’s technical including North Face and Patagonia, have
expertise was another factor: the US expanded their boycotts globally, others are
president. currently content to only withhold spending
As far back as 2015, according to reporting in the US. If even that is enough to get
by the Washington Post, the social network Zuckerberg in front of a camera in less than
has struggled with how to deal with a two hours, the campaigners hope the power
man who, first as a candidate and then as of worldwide action could motivate lasting
president, pushed the limits of what was change. — The Guardian
6 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 1, 2020
COMMUNITY
Teachers of DPS-MIS attend workshop ‘Being
Special – Understanding Children with Special Needs’
The staff members of DPS-Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) recently attended an online workshop academic school and classes and introduction of the sign language, gestures and writing.
on ‘Being Special – Understanding Children with Special Needs’ conducted by Subhayu Roy from Philip Burrett talked about the olden ways of treating children with difficulties in various areas. His
Note Book –Together for education. The workshop kicked off with the success story of a differently focus was inclusive education for children with special needs in regular classrooms, as it would
abled child which was followed with the role of teachers in bringing about a change. Subhayu Roy help to develop many values and norms. Achin Bhattacharya talked about blindness, deafness,
introduced four panellists, including Joy Bhattacharjya, Priyo Lall, Anamika Ghose, and Dr Puneet autism and created awareness on how teachers and parents can play a role in making the
Basur. Their views were to empower teachers to include differently abled students in regular students comfortable.
Nursery Section of DPS-MIS organises an online workshop for the parents
The Nursery Section of DPS-Modern Indian School (DPS-MIS) recently organised an online ‘Phonics of reading with the help of phonic sounds rather than just making their child do routine learning and
Workshop’ for the parents of the students to enlightened the parents to understand how to enable their memorising the words. Asna Nafees, Principal of DPS-MIS, also addressed the parents. Dipti Dixit gave
child to read effectively with the help of phonic sounds. Shabana Parkar opened the workshop, which an insight to what phonic sounds are, their importance and correct pronunciation, which was followed
was followed by a welcome speech by Ramalakshmi Balaji. Najla Mohammed Bukhari, Nursery Co- by a presentation by Gurpreet Kour and Shabana about the correct formation of letters in writing along
ordinator at DPS-MIS, gave an insight to the parents on the workshop by mentioning the importance with their phonic sounds and actions. Rihana Sheikh Farid proposed a vote of thanks.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 7
OFFBEAT COMMUNITY
Six amazing podcast tips
As podcast comedy Behind the Filter comes to BBC Three, broadcaster extraordinaire
Ruby – played by Phoebe Walsh – gives her advice for making audio gold
Get a thing
Joan Didion has her sunglasses,
James Blake has his amazing
musicianship, Jameela Jamil has
100% Queen vibez and I’ve got
unusually low bone density for a
girl my age. We all need a thing, and
podcasts do, too! For example, my
podcast is about feminism. Why?
Because it’s good and it’s right, and
because women!
Get a vocal tic
It’s important to let your guests
know you’re engaged with what
they’re saying. Some podcasters
might grunt empathically or go
“hmmm”, but I like to go one step
further and say stuff like: “Keep
going, keep going, I love it” so
they know I’m really taking it
in. Sometimes, I chuck in more
random stuff like: “Cool, cool”
“Kismet!” “Punky fish!” or “My,
my, my, my Sharona”, depending on
how I’m feeling.
Know your audience
Once you know your target
audience, you can cater to their
conversational needs. For example,
mine is mainly for young women,
so as well as more serious feminist
stuff I may touch on subjects
including: is the hot dog hot?
Ummm is she too much?! How
HAVE GUESTS OVER: It’s good to have guests on the podcast so you can “go off!” with different people. Choose guests you have a natural rapport with, not to putting a badge on your tote can
mention fantastic banter. be a radical act of protest. Anna
P
Kendrick? Wink, wink. This is
odcasts are like arms: what women want!
they undeniably exist!
From Dolly Alderton’s Get crafty
and Pandora Sykes’ The great thing about podcasts
The High Low to Dolly is you don’t need to be in a fancy
Alderton’s Love Stories, the audio studio to do it. You can be in your
landscape is packed full of iconic home, in your pyjamas for all I care!
people talking about frankly iconic Sometimes, my mum gets annoyed
things. The whole world is streaming, when I take up too much space in
downloading and loving! Podcasts the kitchen to do it, though. She’s
give us all the feels, so why not make like: “Podcasts are like music but
your own from the comfort of your boring!” “Get a proper job” But
very own home? I’m the host of don’t worry. I keep calm, sassily
Feminism in Your Ears – a podcast replying: “OK boomer!” and carry
that takes a subversive, sideways on podding.
glance at the hot-button issues
affecting ladies here, there and now. Be our guest
It’s a bit like Woman’s Hour … on It’s good to have guests on the
acid. So here’s my six tips on how to podcast so you can “go off!” with
make it big in podcasting. different people. Choose guests you
have a natural rapport with, not
Go for it to mention fantastic banter. Most
It can be intimidating doing importantly, choose someone who
something new, and putting yourself has a podcast of their own; that
out there can be scary, so remember way, they’ll return the favour and
that if Jamie from Made In Chelsea invite you on to theirs, creating an
can do it, you probably can, too. endless cycle of conversations. This
The good thing about podcasting is is what the podcast community call
you don’t need any qualifications the “podcast principle” and means
whatsoever, except maybe a GCSE that podcasting is one of the few
in small talk and horseplay, an AS industries that you can have supply
level in squad goals and please, if without any actual demand. Now
possible, be fluent in the language of that’s a mood!
sarcasm. TAILORED: Once you know your target audience, you can cater to their conversational needs. – The Guardian
8 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 1, 2020
COMMUNITY BOOK R
10 of the best books set in Gre
I’m a fan of Lattimore, Fagles and Kefalonia, the still-beautiful island family is not similar; but it’s on this occupation, and the fact that the
By Andrew Bostock Fitzgerald. I am also very excited it’s set on, is perfect. Above all, list for its descriptions of Corfu, local Turkish bey is his blood brother
to read a new one by Emily Wilson. Pelagia is a character that many who and specifically the landscape and shows the complications of the
G
In fact, I’ve read the same book in know Greece will recognise – feisty nature. A friend of mine, who has time. It all boils up into a properly
reece may be one of the several different versions, which and passionate. not read it since childhood, recently Shakespearean tragedy while
most written-about must count for something, including summed it up perfectly, “I can still showing the characters’, and the
countries, so while a bad attempt at the original Greek. Little Infamies by Panos hear the cicadas and see the lizards author’s, deep love of their island.
choosing this list has It’s a foundation for all reading. Karnezis scuttling over sun-drenched rocks.”
been a pleasure, there The location of the unnamed The Dark Labyrinth by
has been agony involved as well. I The King Must Die by Mary village in Little Infamies is not Uncle Petros and Goldbach’s Lawrence Durrell
first went there more than 30 years Renault given, and Karnezis has said it is not Conjecture by Apostolos Caves are important in Greece,
ago, and it was books that inspired Mary Renault was one of the necessarily even Greek, although Doxiadis providing a connection between our
me – not always novels, and I have writers who sent me to Greece in all the names and details point in With all this myth and nature world and the hidden one. Herakles
cheated a couple of times in my the first place. I read her in my early that direction. I like to imagine it roiling around it is good to remind and Orpheus both descended to
choices here. There is a great deal teens and her “historical” takes on in the Peloponnese, but perhaps ourselves that the Greeks are Hades through one, and Theseus’s
of excellent non-fiction about myth are still a firm favourite. This, only because that’s the region also famous for science, maths labyrinth is surely another. I once
Greece – I would pick out Patrick and its sequel The Bull from the Sea, whose villages I know best. A series and logic. Not that this book is climbed down a steel ladder into a
Leigh Fermor and Henry Miller, are a retelling of the life of Theseus, of interconnecting short stories without emotion. Uncle Petros is deep cave in the Cretan mountains.
though I also wish I could have made and the first book has action in the lays bare the local life, and anyone a mathematician laid low by an At the bottom was a rather macabre
more choices by Greek authors, Peloponnese, Crete and Athens – all familiar with this environment will unsolvable problem, and generally shrine to a local saint, lit only by my
particularly as the past few years places that have played an important find it deeply familiar. Even the considered a failure. Only his feeble torch. I had an absolute panic
have inspired some brilliant writing part in my life. Renault does not mythological touches make sense unnamed nephew still thinks he attack, and blame much of it on this
(check out Austerity Measures if you shy away from the difficult aspects – you’re always half-expecting a may be redeemable. Don’t be scared book, an intriguing mix of adventure
like poetry, and there are several residing in these tales. There is dark centaur to pop up in Greece and off by the maths: this is essentially story, mythology and horror. It’s
novels). However, this is a selection stuff here, and no real heroes, either. engage you in conversation. There a study of a human relationship. not a masterpiece – Durrell’s non-
for the English reader – “a transport If you enjoyed Game of Thrones, are dark secrets beneath the surface In between all this we get a superb fiction on Greece is better – but it
to Greece” in troubled times. Renault might be where to go next. of the village, but Karnezis always rendering of a certain facet of nails that cathodic feeling that rests
Hopefully, these books will take treats his characters with deep Athens, with its old houses and just below the blue skies and waters
you there and lead you on to other Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by affection. apartments, courtyard gardens and of Greece.
things. Louis de Bernières elegant decay.
When I asked people what novel My Family and Other Animals The Names by Don DeLillo
The Odyssey by Homer conjures up the landscapes and by Gerald Durrell Freedom and Death by Nikos Talking of dark undercurrents,
First cheat – some would say this scents of Greece, this was among the My second cheat, I’m afraid, Kazantzakis this little-known book by a
isn’t a novel; I would say it’s one of most popular replies. I’m not 100% as this is clearly more of an Crete, particularly its mountains famous author gets beneath the
the first. I have never stood on the behind it, but agree in general. It’s autobiography, but it does read and southern coast, was one of my skin of Greece magnificently. It is
deck of a Greek ferry, watching the similar to the movie, which looks like a comic novel and much of it first loves in Greece, so I have to partly set in the Mani, a rocky and
islands slip by, without thinking of gorgeous but has off-putting aspects contains an element of fiction – include a couple of books about the often barren part of the southern
the magnificent, mercurial character (the lead actor, for example); in the for instance, Larry, or Lawrence island. I must also include some mainland where my family lived for
of Odysseus. And the descriptions case of the book, it is some of the (see below), didn’t live in the same Kazantzakis. Zorba is too obvious, several years. It is a starkly beautiful
of Greece! “Rosy-fingered dawn” politically based caricatures of the house as the others. He also called although I do recommend it, and it area, dotted with tower house
is undeniable. Some people have communist resistance during the the book “very wicked [but] very (secretly) took its inspiration from fortifications and small Byzantine
problems with the “wine-dark second world war. It caused a lot of funny”. As a description of an the Peloponnese, despite being set in chapels, but there is always
sea”, but really, take a good look at controversy when it came out and eccentric, dysfunctional family the Crete. This brooding tale of Captain something lurking in the landscape.
the right time. The only problem some of my Greek friends won’t go book is a blast, making you half Michalis (the original title of the Imagine a breeze through olive trees
is picking the best translation. near it. But its evocation of a lost grateful and half sorry that your book) takes place during the Turkish for a moment, and then see what
Wednesday, July 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 9 REVIEWS COMMUNITY eece – that will take you there DeLillo does with it: “Wind blew Atticus the Storyteller’s 100 myths can be deeply weird and tale teller, sets off from his home area, starting with the birth of across the olive groves, causing Greek Myths by Lucy Coats and confusing – check out the Robert in Crete to a festival of stories Zeus and ending with the Trojan a wild tremor, a kind of panic, Anthony Lewis Graves version if you don’t believe near Troy, travelling through war. It’s ostensibly a kids’ book, treetops going silver.” Anyone who This is possibly my favourite me – but children seem to cope much of Greece. On the way, in but I would happily read this to has visited this part of the world book on this list, mainly because with them much more intuitively exchange for food, lodging and myself, and much of my knowledge outside of the somnambulant I have spent many an evening than adults. The premise behind transportation, he relates the of Greek mythology rests on it. summer will instantly know this. reading it to my kids. The Greek this collection is genius. Atticus, a myths that are appropriate to the – The Guardian
10 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 1, 2020
COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHICWednesday, July 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 11
LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE COMMUNITY
Never sleep in your make up:
five ways to avoid spots
I
f you are careful about what your makeup.” Sandy Skotnicki, a an alternative treatment, tea-tree
you use on your face and hair, dermatologist based in Toronto, oil can be effective.” As well as
as well as what you eat, it can says that even hair products – “in killing germs, tea tree has anti-
help to keep your skin healthy. particular argan and coconut oils” inflammatory properties. To avoid
– can contribute to facial acne, so irritation, Shergill recommends
Moisturise, moisturise, “it is important to wash them out diluting it to 5%.
moisturise before you sleep”.
“A lot of my acne patients think Exfoliation will help to Be kind to your skin
that, because they have oily skin, keep pores clear and Shergill “Never squeeze a spot,” says
they can’t use a moisturiser,” recommends skin products with Shergill. “The spots will express
says Bav Shergill, a consultant 2% salicylic acid “and a little themselves when you wash your
dermatologist based in Sussex. But more glycolic acid, which can help face.” And squeezing “blind spots”,
if you scrub the oils off your skin, exfoliate dead skin cells that could where skin has grown over the top,
it will end up producing more to cause blockages”. is futile and can lead to scarring.
compensate. “Moisturise your skin
so that it is well hydrated and that Zap spots with antibacterials Lay off the sweet treats
will turn off your oil production “People think acne is an When you eat cake, or other
more effectively than trying to infection, but it’s not,” says high-glycaemic-index (GI) foods,
scrub away the oil.” Shergill. “It is inflammation of you are likely to produce extra
the skin that allows an overgrowth insulin. There is evidence, says
Don’t block your pores of bacteria. The body tries to kill Shergill, that high-GI diets and
“The usual suspects are the bugs and causes the big red insulin spikes “correlate with facial
sunscreens,” says Erica reaction, which is the spot.” If one serum excretion – you make more
MacCallum of facialists Eve Lom lasts for longer than 10 days, it can oil. Whereas a low-glycaemic-load
in New York. So if you use one scar. “We need to get on and treat diet significantly reduces lesion
daily, look for one labelled non- spots when they come up,” says counts. So a low-glycaemic-index
comedogenic (non-clogging) Shergill. “We often use drugs such diet is apparently very effective.”
or oil-free. “And never sleep in as benzoyl peroxide. If you prefer — The Guardian
Aries
March 21 — April 19
Taurus
April 20 — May 20
Gemini
May 21 — June 20
A good tip for you to remember is to be careful about what you You might need some time alone today to bring yourself back to Don’t automatically think that beauty always has to be defined
say about others, Aries. If you’re talking about someone who isn’t centre, Taurus. Independence is a keyword, so keep it in the back of by old-fashioned standards, Gemini. It’s time to create your own
present, act as if he or she is. What is your motivation for saying your mind. Make sure you aren’t the victim of a commitment you definition. There’s no need to fit into some socially constructed
those things? Is it necessary to speak in such a manner? A negative made long ago. As the landscape changes, we must also change. mould that doesn’t resonate with who you truly are. Your job isn’t to
comment about someone else is going to resonate in the cosmos. Stubborn actions will be extremely detrimental on a day like this. Be try and make sure that everyone loves you. There’s only one person
People could lose trust in you. honest and grateful for the things you have. you need to satisfy, and that is you.
Cancer
June 21 — July 22
Leo
July 23 — August 22
Virgo
August 23 — September 22
Issues may get a little heavier than you’d perhaps like today, Cancer. If the doorknob doesn’t want to turn today, Leo, don’t force it. You’ll Your newfangled approach to things might get some serious flak
Your job is to infuse some amusement into the situation. Your only succeed in breaking the key. Perhaps you just need to try from others today, Virgo, but don’t let that stop you. Realise that your
powers of adaptability will be put to the test, as other people seem another door. If things don’t flow smoothly into place, then they independent and somewhat rebellious nature is a key ingredient
to be completely fixated on their opinions. Be extra conscious of probably weren’t meant to be. Life shouldn’t have to be a struggle. in keeping the world in balance. Don’t give up the fight when old,
how your words. Other people, especially superiors or elders, are apt Our job is to be happy. Remember that the next time you’re in a long tired ways of doing things insist on taking the upper hand. Use your
to be offended by careless, offhand remarks. line. View the situation as a rest period. power from within to combat the forces from above.
Libra
September 23 — October 22
Scorpio
October 23 — November 21
Sagittarius
November 22 — December 21
You might be called upon to choose between two ways of handling Unexpected events may be shuffling the cards when you least Your sense of self may be a bit challenged today, Sagittarius. You
a situation, Libra. The old ways of doing things are in conflict with expect it, Scorpio. If you have kept a close eye on the deck, counting might just have trouble getting out of bed at all. Remember that
the new. Which way are you going to proceed? Don’t be thrown the jacks as they turn up, you might get thrown for a loop. Don’t be the way others see you doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the way
off course by fast talk and sleight of hand. Also, don’t assume that discouraged. Everyone else is subject to the same rules as you are. you really are. Don’t feel like you have to change in order to please
the way that has worked forever is still the best solution. Use your If the dealer seems crooked, go to another table. Don’t fall for the anyone. Ultimately, your only responsibility is to you. Bizarre events
intuition to choose the best route for you. same trick twice. could occur that prompt you to change your way of thinking.
Capricorn
December 22 — January 19
Aquarius
January 20 — February 18
Pisces
February 19 — March 20
As you follow the path toward acquiring the latest, greatest, Key into your sensual, beautiful nature, Aquarius. Take time each day You may sense a nervous restlessness today that urges you to act,
fastest, and best, you might find that you’re leaving behind some to attend to your soul and make sure it’s getting the nourishment Pisces. A journey to one place may have you bouncing off to another
fundamental principles and values along the way, Capricorn. Don’t it needs to radiate into the world. Unexpected people could pop up place that may lead you on an adventure to someplace completely
lose sight of your foundation. Things could get shaken up today. out of nowhere, so don’t be surprised if a former friend texts or calls. different. It might seem like you’re on some crazy scavenger hunt
Your ego might be on trial for pig-headed behaviour. Keep yourself Things from the past may be coming back to the present in order to toward a pot of gold. The energy of the day may leave you feeling
in check and be aware of the way you project yourself to others. teach you a valuable life lesson. ragged, but don’t give up. Persistence will eventually pay off.12 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 1, 2020
COMMUNITY CARTOONS/PUZZLES
Wordsearch Adam
Pooch Cafe
CIRCUMFERENCE
DENOMINATOR
ALGEBRA ROOT VOLUME
DIAMETER FRACTION CUBIC
QUOTIENT SIZE LENGTH
AREA COMPUTE WIDTH
EQUATION GRAPH DECIMAL
RADIUS TOTAL MAXIMUM
ANGLE COUNT MEASURE
FIGURE HEIGHT
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.
Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com
Garfield
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, July 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 13
PUZZLES COMMUNITY
Super Cryptic Clues Colouring
Across Down
1 Inexpensive fish for a skinflint 1 Made better copper colour? (5)
(10) 2 Essayist comes back from jail
7 Saint taking one drink (7) early (4)
8 Examine part of Tuscany (4) 3 Pros in sort of jail (6)
10 Fairly big orderly (4) 4 Trek less confusing for flighty
11 Girl in part of France (8) hunters (8)
13 Criticised for being absorbed, 5 Dashing to get a drink before
so we hear (6) the band (7)
15 A predicament shows promise 6 City making smart Edam? (9)
(6) 9 Perhaps she lasted, being
17 One who can’t remember me, immortal (9)
as I can recollect (8) 12 Having a banquet? Order neat
18 One half-dollar is an object of figs! (8)
veneration (4) 14 Big cat in cooking vessel on
21 Siamese draw, we hear (4) the right (7)
22 Old Rose changes her name 16 Frank provides a sort of
(7) camera (6)
23 Officers bending rigid sabre 19 Runs quickly produced in
(10) local game (5)
20 European flower used by
panel beaters (4)
Solution
Answers
Wordsearch Codeword14 GULF TIMES Wednesday, July 1, 2020
COMMUNITY BOLLYWOOD
Aamir’s staff tests Covid positive, actor assures he is fine Abhishek: Surviving 20 years in
industry seems unimaginable
Bollywood actor Aamir
Khan yesterday sent out Refugee will always remain a special film
a statement announcing for Abhishek Bachchan as it marked his
some of his staff had tested debut in Hindi cinema in 2000.
positive and immediately Taking to Instagram, Abhishek on Tuesday
quarantined. penned a lengthy note on completing two
The actor also assured decades of being an actor.
that the “rest of us”, “It is a blessing and a privilege to be able
which includes him, to look back and recount the last 20 years.
“have all been tested and Any actor will tell you, getting to make a
found negative”. He also film is a huge honour. Surviving 20yrs seems
mentioned he was taking unimaginable. The best part is, I feel like I’m
his mother for testing since just getting started. I have so much more to
she “is the last person in prove. So much more to do and I can’t wait,”
the loop”. Abhishek wrote.
Here is Aamir’s He also thanked his first director JP Dutta GOING STRONG: Abhishek Bachchan feels
statement: “Hello for launching him and actress Kareena he still has a long way to go
everyone, this is to inform Kapoor Khan.
you that some of my staff “Today, 20 years ago JP Dutta’s Refugee inspiration, my strength, my silent support
have tested positive. released. Marking the introduction of yours and my ‘raison d’etre’. They allowed me the
SAFE: Aamir assured everyone that he has been tested for They were immediately truly and @kareenakapoorkhan into the freedom to figure out whatever I needed to
Covid-19 and found negative. quarantined, and BMC world of films. Your first film is always most without ever pressurising me, burdening me
officials were very prompt dear and special; Refugee was no different. with expectation.
and efficient in taking them to a medical facility. I would like to thank the BMC for An amazing experience! A newcomer could “They let me know when they didn’t like
taking such good care of them, and for fumigating and sterilising the entire society. not have asked for anything else. JP sahab a performance and showered me with love
“The rest of us have all been tested and found negative. was the best teacher. Caring, nurturing and when they did. I am because of them and
“Right now I am taking my mother to get her tested. She is the last person in the loop. has since been an amazing guiding force I hope, some day when they look back and
Please pray that she is negative. for me. The entire cast and crew were so reminisce they feel proud of me,” he added.
“I would, once again, like to thank the BMC for the prompt, professional and caring patient,supportive and encouraging. My The actor feels he still has a long way to go.
manner in which they helped us. love and respect for all of them is boundless. “But, now this is sounding like the end....
“And a big thank you to Kokilaben Hospital, and the doctors, nurses and staff there. Thank you,” he added. nowhere near it. Like I said, I’m just getting
They were very caring and professional with the testing process. God bless and stay Abhishek mentioned how his family has started. And ‘miles to go before I sleep’. Like
safe. Love. Aamir.” always supported him in his journey so far. the great Sinatra said — ‘The record shows, I
The actor has been busy shooting his upcoming film Laal Singh Chaddha, a recreation “None of this would have been possible took the blows and did it my way!’,” Abhishek
of the Hollywood hit Forrest Gump, over the past few months. – IANS without my family!They have been my concluded. – IANS
Alia says she would love to do
investigative limited TV show
A
ctress Alia Bhatt is the plot, the actress said that
looking forward to Sadak 2 is not a recreation.
making her digital “The film has different love
debut with the stories and also has (an element
premiere of her film of) thrill. The villain is someone
Sadak 2, and says she is open to very different and totally
the idea of diving deep into the unexpected,” Alia said.
streaming platform. Sadak 2 also stars Aditya Roy
She even shared the genre on Kapur.
her wishlist: An investigative The actress said that working
limited TV show. on the film was a homecoming in
“Actors not only in the West but its true sense.
over here also are working directly “That the whole family is
on the OTT. (Web) has created coming to make a film together.
a huge opportunity for actors to That emotion is of another level
showcase their talent,” she said altogether... I always wanted
while using the recent success of to be picturised in a song from
web series like Sushmita Sen- the Bhatt camp, which has been
starrer web series Aarya and famous for its music,” she added.
Special Ops series to support her Alia also released the first
point. poster of the film, which showed
“If I’m offered something that Mount Kailash at the end of a long
I connect with, I would love to road. She also read out a message
do an investigative type limited from her father, which explained
TV show. It would be quite the thought behind the poster.
interesting,” she added. “Mount Kailash, the ageless
Alia’s Sadak 2 is skipping the mountain, has the footprints of
traditional theatrical route, and gods and sages. It is the abode of
going for a digital platform. the god of all gods, Lord Shiva. So
The film marks the return of do we really need anything else or HOMECOMING: Alia reveals that working on Sadak 2 was a homecoming in its true sense.
Mahesh Bhatt as director after actors in that sacred space? Since
two decades, and is a sequel of the the beginning of time humanity On the personal front, the would be easy, but it is hard. content on my TV,” she said.
1991 hit Sadak, which featured found its shelter in Kailash. This actress said she is spending her I have also started taking Sadak 2 will release on the
Pooja Bhatt and Sanjay Dutt in the is a place where all search ends. lockdown period by learning meditation classes, and helps me streaming platform Disney+
lead roles. Sadak 2 is the road to love,” she guitar and doing meditation. keep calm during this time.. I Hotstar under Disney+ Hotstar
Without revealing much about said. “I thought learning guitar have also spent my time watching Multiplex. – IANSWednesday, July 1, 2020 GULF TIMES 15
SHOWBIZ COMMUNITY
Hailing Taxi— one of TV’s
all-time great sitcoms Ignatowski a walking pharmacy.
By Neal Justin But with the subtlest of touches — a
heavy sigh, a longing stare — Lloyd
V
keeps reminding you that drugs
iewers love a loser. We haven’t completely snuffed the
daydream about saving reverend’s inner light.
one of Mary Richards’ Much is made of Andy Kaufman’s
horrendous dinner role as Latka Gravas, a wide-
parties, cooing Soft eyed mechanic from a made-up
Kitty to Sheldon Cooper, picking up country with bizarre rituals. At one
the bar tab for Cliff Clavin. point, he starts adapting multiple
But if you really want to rescue personalities. For me, the character
the downtrodden, step into the was an awkward fit — like dropping
bowels of the Sunshine Cab Co. Elmo into Tiger King — but it’s still
From 1978 to 1983, this New York a kick to watch Kaufman wedge
grease pit doubled as purgatory his performance art into a prime-
for the cabbies of Taxi, a sitcom time network show. And without
custom-made for binge watching in Gravas, there wouldn’t be Simka,
these somber times. his no-nonsense wife played by the
At first, the rodent-infested digs magical Carol Kane. No one throws
may not seem inviting. The only a fit with more spit and sizzle.
sign of life is a never-ending poker The show also gave some of
game. The vending machine stocks today’s biggest stars an early
apples dating back to the Great chance to shine. A new kid named
Depression. The furniture could Tom Hanks steals one episode as an
have been designed in a high school overdosed college student who has
shop class. Its opening theme spent way too much time studying
sounds like something Randy his lava lamp.
Newman wrote for a funeral. The show falls short in other
The characters aren’t any more ICONIC: Christopher Lloyd, left, and Danny DeVito in Taxi. ways, most notably its lack of
glamorous. Boxer Tony Banta diversity. You may grimace at
spends far too much time on the thinking about when driver Elaine the early ‘70s. James L. Brooks and funny bone, as long as they had the the episode in which three white
mat. Aspiring actor Bobby Wheeler Nardo has one last dance with the Stan Daniels came from The Mary right cast. male regulars grouse about being
can’t even land a commercial. love of her life before he returns to Tyler Moore Show. David Davis co- Boy, did they. Danny DeVito discriminated against.
Dispatcher Louie De Palma is so his monastery, or when De Palma created The Bob Newhart Show. shows De Palma’s tender side just Please forgive them. If the
morally corrupt, it’s a wonder he’s shares the shame he feels shopping But Taxi dared to be more enough to let you know he’s got constantly mistreated cabbies can
not on the city council. for suits in the husky boys’ downbeat than any other network a heart, even if it’s beating under give De Palma a hug, you can, too.
Some of the most memorable department. The show’s creators sitcom not set in Korea. The writers eight layers of sewage. Christopher Just make sure he doesn’t pick
episodes can trigger This Is Us- had experimented with introducing knew they could simultaneously Lloyd could have gotten away your pocket in the process. —Star
sized tears. I get goose bumps melodrama to the sitcom format in pull at the heartstrings and the with making the spaced-out Jim Tribune (Minneapolis)/ TNS
Hugh Jackman talks about The show will not go on: Broadway extends its shutdown until January
embracing his insecurities
The Broadway League has announced
Actor Hugh Jackman says he has that performances in New York City would
gotten more brave in being honest remain suspended at least through the end
about his fears and insecurities with of the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
age. Returning productions are expected to
He opened up about it during a resume over a string of rolling dates early
conversation with Anne Hathaway next year, with ticket sales starting soon.
and while talking about his recent Three shows, however, including Disney’s
film, Bad Education, reports variety. musical Frozen, have already announced
com. that they will not return when Broadway
Asked if the film’s director Cory reopens.
Finley did anything in particular that “Our membership is working closely
made the actor trust him, he said: with the theatrical unions and in concert
“Yeah. I’m taking a pause because with key experts and some of the greatest
I don’t think I’ve told anyone, but CANDID: Hugh Jackman recently minds inside and outside of the industry
I’m going to tell you — I don’t mind opened up about during a conversation to explore protocols for all aspects of REFUND: Broadway theatres are now offering refunds
telling people — I went up to him with Anne Hathaway. reopening,” Charlotte St Martin, president and exchanges for tickets purchased for performances
just before we started filming. I of the Broadway League, said in a through January 3.
said, ‘I’ve spent most of my career the three really important scenes. I statement.
thinking that my job, if I’m No. 1 on just feel that pressure.” I’ve always “We are determined to bring back the people who rely on this industry for their livelihood, and to
the call sheet, is to kind of be like the felt it. I’ve never said it because I welcome back all those who love this vital part of New York City, as soon as it is safe to do so.”
quarterback. Like, give me the ball, thought I’m (A) a bit embarrassed The Broadway League is currently considering screening and testing, cleaning and sanitising, and
coach. I got this’.” and (B) that’s not going to help backstage protocols to protect audience members and employees.
He continued: “Because of who anyone. “The Broadway experience can be deeply personal, but it is also, crucially, communal,” said
Cory was, I could tell who he was He said, ‘I will not let you go home Thomas Schumacher, the Broadway League’s chairman of the board.
as an artist. I made the choice to be unless you feel great’. He said, ‘If we “Every single member of our community is eager to get back to work sharing stories that inspire
honest with him. I would say to him, don’t have it, we’ll come back and shoot our audience through the transformative power of a shared live experience. The safety of our cast,
‘I feel really self-conscious today’. it tomorrow, so don’t worry about crew, orchestra and audience is our highest priority, and we look forward to returning to our stages
Or I’d stop the take and go, ‘This is that. We’ve got that time’. I think as only when it’s safe to do so.”
really bad. Can we just stop for a sec? I’ve got older, I’ve got more brave in Broadway theaters now offer refunds and exchanges for tickets purchased for performances through
I just feel nervous’. I would pull him being honest about my fears and my Jan. 3. Performances were originally suspended on March 12, and the shutdown has been thrice extended.
aside and say, ‘I know this is one of insecurities,” he added. – IANS The pandemic has also indefinitely postponed the Tony Awards schedule. – Los Angeles Times/ TNSYou can also read
