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Deserting WHO - Gulf Times.
Monday, April 20, 2020
                                                                                                Sha’ban 27, 1441 AH

                                                                                              Doha today 240 - 280

         Cover
         Story
                            Deserting WHO
                        US President Donald Trump’s decision to halt funding to the already
                       underfunded world body has drawn flak from all over the world. P4-5

Bollywood                                          Back Page
Film personalities condemn the                     ‘Focus on strengths; look for
‘witch-hunt’ by Delhi police.                      opportunities to stay positive’.
                         Page 14                                                   Page 16
Deserting WHO - Gulf Times.
2     GULF TIMES Monday, April 20, 2020

             COMMUNITY                                                                                                                      ROUND & ABOUT
                                                           SERIES TO BINGE WATCH ON AMAZON PRIME

PRAYER TIME
Fajr                                          3.46am
Shorooq (sunrise)                             5.08am
Zuhr (noon)                                  11.34am
Asr (afternoon)                              3.04pm
Maghreb (sunset)                              6.01pm
Isha (night)                                   7.31pm

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     programme, keeping Tracy on a short leash, and getting him
                                                           drama queen Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski). When GE hires         to 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.

             uote Unquote
            Q
         “It does not matter how
         slowly you go as long as
             you do not stop.”
              — Confucius

            Community Editor
              Kamran Rehmat                                  Mr. Robot                                                       when the mysterious leader of an underground hacker
    e-mail: community@gulf-times.com                         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.
Deserting WHO - Gulf Times.
Monday, April 20, 2020   GULF TIMES                    3

 BODY & MIND                                                                                                                COMMUNITY
 5 tips to avoid foggy glasses
  while wearing a face mask
        There are ways to prevent condensation on your glasses while still following the
        CDC’s guidelines on how to properly wear face masks, writes Joshua Axelrod

T
            he world has been forced                                                                                                                           Like soap and water, these
            to make lifestyle changes                                                                                                                       sprays are designed to keep
            large and small during                                                                                                                          condensation from sticking to
            the Covid-19 pandemic.                                                                                                                          lenses. Environmental Design and
            So where do foggy                                                                                                                               Construction Magazine recently
eyeglasses fit in?                                                                                                                                          put together a handy list of the
   Since the Centres for Disease                                                                                                                            best anti-fog sprays for those stuck
Control and Prevention began                                                                                                                                wearing glasses at this moment in
recommending that folks wear                                                                                                                                human history.
cloth face masks in public places,                                                                                                                             A quick word of caution: Be
people with glasses have learned                                                                                                                            careful before putting chemicals
the hard way that these masks                                                                                                                               near your eyes. Defogging your
cause their glasses to fog up just                                                                                                                          glasses isn’t worth causing
about every time they exhale.                                                                                                                               irritations that could affect your
While not a major issue, it’s quite                                                                                                                         vision in more serious ways.
annoying.
   Luckily for the bespectacled                                                                                                                                A flexible ‘nose’
among us, there are ways to prevent                                                                                                                            Some masks come with a metal
condensation on your glasses while                                                                                                                          nose clip that allows the wearer to
still following the CDC’s guidelines                                                                                                                        limit the amount of moisture that
on how to properly wear face                                                                                                                                comes in or out of the mask. If
masks. If you either have perfect                                                                                                                           you’re sewing homemade masks,
vision or wear contacts, more                                                                                                                               you can use flexible objects like
power to you. For the rest of us,                                                                                                                           bobby pins, paper clips or pipe
here are a few methods to help you                                                                                                                          cleaners to create a fitted “nose.”
maintain a clear view while wearing                                                                                                                         It’s worth mentioning that they
glasses and a face mask.                                                                                                                                    should be fastened tightly to ensure
                                                                                                                                                            they don’t come out and scratch
   Soap and water                                                                                                                                           your face.
   Doctors were on the front lines
of this innovation long before the                                                                                                                             Fold down part of the mask
coronavirus pandemic as they wear                                                                                                                              Though this sounds like the
face masks every day. They figured                                                                                                                          easiest way to mitigate the problem,
it out and codified this technique                                                                                                                          it’s not as simple as it sounds.
in a 2011 study published in the        CHEMICAL SPRAY: Some chemical sprays stop moisture from collecting on your glasses. Competitive swimmers            Folding down the top quarter of
Annals of The Royal College of          sometimes use similar sprays to prevent foggy goggles in the middle of a race.                                      a face mask provides extra space
Surgeons of England.                                                                                                                                        for your breath to escape before
   “Immediately before wearing                                                                                                                              it hits your glasses. This method
a face mask, wash the spectacles                                                                                                                            is championed by the Tokyo
with soapy water and shake off the                                                                                                                          Metropolitan Police Department
excess,” the study recommends.                                                                                                                              and has gained traction through
“Then let the spectacles air dry or                                                                                                                         YouTube tutorials like one from C
gently dry off the lenses with a soft                                                                                                                       Channel.
tissue before putting them back on.                                                                                                                            Keep in mind, though, that this
Now the spectacle lenses should                                                                                                                             doesn’t work in masks containing
not mist up when the face mask is                                                                                                                           metal noses and more importantly,
worn.”                                                                                                                                                      it reduces the area covered by the
   The soapy water creates a “thin                                                                                                                          mask.
surfactant film” that temporarily
prevents the surface tension that                                                                                                                              Folded tissues
causes glasses to fog up from the                                                                                                                              That same Channel C video
breaths directed upward by face                                                                                                                             also teaches us another way to
masks, according to the study. It’s                                                                                                                         keep glasses from fogging: folding
not a permanent solution, however,                                                                                                                          a tissue into a rectangle and
and must be repeated a few times                                                                                                                            connecting it to the mask so it stays
a day. Woodworkers who have                                                                                                                                 on the bridge of your nose. The
to wear safety goggles with dust                                                                                                                            tissue blocks and absorbs some of
masks have found that shaving                                                                                                                               the moisture escaping the mask to
cream is also effective in preventing                                                                                                                       keep lenses clear.
condensation on glasses.                                                                                                                                       Keeping the tissue in place can
                                                                                                                                                            be tricky, and it’s vital to get it
   Anti-fog spray                                                                                                                                           right the first time so you’re not
   Some chemical sprays stop                                                                                                                                constantly touching your face to
moisture from collecting on your                                                                                                                            adjust it. Thin tape – medical tape
glasses. Competitive swimmers                                                                                                                               particularly – could work. If that
sometimes use similar sprays to         LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE: Some masks come with a metal nose clip that allows the wearer to limit             feels uncomfortable, consider one
prevent foggy goggles in the middle     the amount of moisture that comes in or out of the mask. If you’re sewing homemade masks, you can use flexible      of the other options laid out here.
of a race.                              objects like bobby pins, paper clips or pipe cleaners to create a fitted ‘nose.’                                         – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS
Deserting WHO - Gulf Times.
4      GULF TIMES Monday, April 20, 2020

             COMMUNITY                                                                                       COVER STORY

                       What is WHO and
                       who’s doing what
               The badly underfunded WHO acts as a clearing house for investigation,
              data and technical recommendations on emerging disease threats such as
                the coronavirus and Ebola, write Peter Beaumont and Sarah Bosely

                                              ‘
SPOTLIGHT: The World Health Organisation headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

                                                            This is the agency that’s looking out for other
                                                            countries and leading efforts to stop the pandemic.
                                                            This is exactly the time when they need
                                                            more funding, not less

                                                            — Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health,
                                                            University of Edinburgh
Deserting WHO - Gulf Times.
Monday, April 20, 2020   GULF TIMES                         5

 COVER STORY                                                                                                                 COMMUNITY
   What is the World Health
Organization’s remit?
   The World Health Organization (WHO)
was founded as the UN global health body in
1948 in the aftermath of the Second World
War with a mandate to promote global health,
protect against infectious disease and to
serve the vulnerable. It was inspired by the
international sanitary conferences of the
19th century set up to combat communicable
diseases such as cholera, yellow fever and
plague.
   Its current programme envisages
expanding universal healthcare to a billion
more people, protecting another billion from
health emergencies and providing a further
billion people with better health and well-
being.

   What does that involve?
   In practical terms, the badly
underfunded WHO acts as a clearing
house for investigation, data and technical
recommendations on emerging disease
threats such as the coronavirus and Ebola. It
also supports eradication of existing diseases
such as malaria and polio and promotes
global public health.
   While its role on emerging diseases is
most familiar in the developed world with
its more resilient healthcare systems, its
practical involvement is far more marked in
the global south, where it has been working to
expand basic healthcare, support vaccination
and sustain weak and often stressed
health systems through its emergencies
programmes. Its 2018-9 budget was $4.8bn,
                                                  The WHO, to whom the US theoretically contributes roughly 10-15%
which became $5.7bn when emergencies were
included.
                                                  of its budget as its largest contributor, has been appealing for an
                                                  extra $1bn to help fight the coronavirus . It appears Donald Trump is
   Why is the WHO under fire from
Trump?                                            following a familiar playbook: finding others to blame amid his own
   Trump has presented the freezing of US
funding to the WHO as a direct response
                                                  handling of the coronavirus outbreak, which has included calling
to what he claims was its slow reaction           it the “Chinese virus”, blaming the previous Obama administration
in raising the alarm over the global
threat from the coronavirus and being             and taking aim at state governors
too “China-centric” in its response. But
the organisation’s funding was already            months late, it had reached the dense cities.   and governments had not increased their              How big an impact will the US funding
in his sights on 7 February, when his               The fallout for the WHO was serious           contributions in years.                           cuts have?
administration was suggesting cutting the         and undermined its credibility. US critics        Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the                 While the suspension of funding by the
US contribution, about $400mn annually,           suggested scrapping it and setting up a new     current director general, and all other           US for 60-90 days is relatively small — not
by half as part of $3bn cuts to US global         global public health body, although the idea    candidates for the role after Chan stood down     least because the US is so far in arrears in its
health funding across the board.                  did not take off and President Obama did not    pledged to reform its governance and funding.     annual payments — the potential for a general
   The WHO, to whom the US theoretically          support it.                                     Most health experts agree the organisation        US withdrawal from global health funding
contributes roughly 10-15% of its budget as         An independent report commissioned by         under Tedros has performed much better over       under the cover of this announcement would
its largest contributor, has been appealing for   Chan said the WHO’s funding was inadequate      the coronavirus.                                  be very serious and felt most profoundly in
an extra $1bn to help fight the coronavirus.                                                                                                        places that need the most support.
   The allegation by Trump and his                                                                                                                     Even before the Trump announcement,
supporters that the WHO was slow to                                                                                                                 the organisation was looking at potential
warn of the risk of human-to-human                                                                                                                  cuts to already underfunded programming.
transmission, and that it failed to cross-                                                                                                          Such impacts could be felt in programmes
examine Chinese transparency early on, is                                                                                                           already complicated by the coronavirus, such
largely not borne out by the evidence. WHO                                                                                                          as vaccination for communicable diseases
technical guidance issued in early January                                                                                                          and in building up early warning systems and
was warning of the risk of human-to-                                                                                                                resilience to deal with diseases such as Ebola
human transmission and the organisation                                                                                                             in African countries.
declared coronavirus a public health                                                                                                                   Devi Sridhar, the chair of global public health
emergency of international concern a day                                                                                                            at the University of Edinburgh, called Trump’s
before Trump announced his partial ban on                                                                                                           decision extremely problematic, noting that
flights from China.                                                                                                                                 the WHO was leading efforts to help developing
   Instead, it appears Trump is following a                                                                                                         countries fight the spread of Covid-19. “This is
familiar playbook: finding others to blame                                                                                                          the agency that’s looking out for other countries
amid his own handling of the coronavirus                                                                                                            and leading efforts to stop the pandemic. This is
outbreak, which has included calling it                                                                                                             exactly the time when they need more funding,
the “Chinese virus”, blaming the previous                                                                                                           not less,” she said.
Obama administration and taking aim at state
governors.                                                                                                                                             What other impacts will there be?
                                                                                                                                                       Trump’s assault on the reliability of WHO
   How does the WHO’s performance in                                                                                                                data and early warning systems, in pursuit
the coronavirus crisis compare with the                                                                                                             of his own agenda against China, threatens
2014-15 Ebola outbreak?                                                                                                                             its leadership role. While global health
   The WHO, under the then-director                                                                                                                 diplomacy is a balancing act when dealing
general, Margaret Chan, was savaged from                                                                                                            with countries like China, which have a poor
all sides for responding so slowly to an Ebola                                                                                                      record on freedom of speech, transparency
outbreak that began in a remote forested                                                                                                            and human rights, the information provided to
part of Guinea where the borders with Sierra                                                                                                        health officials by the WHO is designed to be
Leone and Liberia were virtually non-                                                                                                               scientifically and clinically useful in the control
existent. By the time the WHO acted, six                                                                                                            of the spread of disease. — The Guardian
Deserting WHO - Gulf Times.
6        GULF TIMES Monday, April 20, 2020

                COMMUNITY
 NU-Q student clubs continue virtually
 In the spirit of solidarity, students from all         With the help of this experience, members
 classes and majors at Northwestern University          of the Chess Club, who were set to take part
 – Qatar (NU-Q) recently joined student club            in a championship in March and April, took
 leaders in creating a platform where student           the spirit of competition online where they
 needs are addressed, and their interests               participated in a tournament on chess.com,
 engaged through interactive virtual activities         hosted by the Qatar Chess Association on
 spanning dance challenges, cooking tutorials,          March 27.
 and online game contests.                              Other student clubs engaging their members
 “While some student clubs have gone on a               during the ongoing pandemic includes the
 hiatus, others have been very active in finding        South Asian Student Association, which
 creative ways to remain connected to their             hosted a bingo game tailored to the interests
 members and the larger student body,” said             of the club, and the Afrowimbo Dance Group,
 Indee Thotawattage, student life specialist            which made a video re-creating the Yope
 at NU-Q, who mentors and advises student               dance.
 leaders.                                               “We thought it would be a good way to
 One such association is the NU-Q Student               destress after a long week of classes,” said
 Union (NUQSU), whose main priority has been            Azma Mulundika, President of the Afrowimbo
 to ensure that student voices continue to enjoy        Dance Group, a dance club for students in
 representation in the discussions taking place         NU-Q and EC interested in African dance.
 across the University during the global health         “Quarantine has been tough, but it has also
 crisis.                                                given us some extra time to practice new
 “We are ensuring that the students’ questions          dances, take part in some challenges, and
 are always answered through Town Halls and             also focus on our social media presence,”
 meetings, especially with the dean, student            Mulundika added.
 affairs, facilities, and production,” said Sarah       Beyond student clubs, NU-Q’s student
 Shaath, President of NUQSU. “NUQSU does                affairs department is also responsible for
 not stop whether in person or virtually; the           several programmes catering to the diverse
 transition online is just making sure that we are      interests of the student body, such as NU-Q
 still as present, if not even more in these crucial    Cooks, which, according to Keelie Sorel,
 times.”                                                Director of Student Affairs, “is an initiative
 For NU-Q’s Chess Club, headed by Cade Aguda            rooted in building community through food.
 as President and Beatrice Zemelyte as Vice             Students who heard about the concept
 President, the cancellation of gatherings on           of the programme requested that Darrell
 campus was an opportunity to put into action           Pinontoan, a sophomore known among his
 the months of preparation the club had spent           peers for his passion and skill in cooking, be
 in honing its members’ virtual chess skills.           asked to participate.
 “Throughout the whole year, we have been               “I love cooking and have cooked ever since
 emphasising the importance of using chess.             I was a child,” Pinontoan said. “It’s a bond
 com — a website with explanatory videos that           that I share with all my family members. I
 cover the rules and strategies of chess—and            also love to be able to serve others and be
 hosted several training sessions on how to use         a source of joy for people and just to share
 it.” Zemelyte said.                                    something back with my community.”

GU-Q organises workshop on time management and self-management tools

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) recently organised Georgetown Leadership Track (GLT)                    have the time or energy to focus on life priorities.” Kohli’s advice to students was simple and
workshop ‘Finding the Rhythm’ on how to get the best out of technology without getting distracted in          effective. “Our time is still precious and valuable, just be mindful and make wise choices, on what
an online world with a focus on time management and self-management tools.                                    you choose to spend your time on. Get control of your time, else someone else will.”
The workshop was led by Afsha Kohli, Associate Director for Student Development and GLT                       International Politics major and Leadership Track participant, Khushboo Shah, said that she signed
programme organiser, and attended by students enrolled in the GLT programme, as well as other                 up for the session because of the benefit of previous workshops. “The past workshops have
students, faculty, and staff at GU-Q. She provided practical techniques on how students can take              helped me to improve my soft skills such as communication and time management, and have also
back control of their time and their attention by understanding the psychological triggers that lead to       helped me gain insights into new topics such as financial literacy and social media management.”
technological distractions. By understanding those triggers and using technological tools like online         Learning a new skill is important, she emphasised, but noted that the benefits of the workshops
calendars to schedule all activities in the day, she explained, students will be better equipped to take on   goes beyond that. “A feature I love about these workshops is to meet with other Hoyas and
the added challenges of the current crisis.                                                                   Student Life members virtually. For me, this is a recognition and re-emphasis on the sense of
“Practising physical distancing means so much of our time is spent virtually online,” said Kohli. And         community and collective work we continue to do, despite these challenging and unprecedented
it’s not only school work and staying in touch with loved ones that keeps us online. “There is so much        times.”
news and information streaming across our screens, whether that’s Facebook, or Instagram or Twitter.          The workshop was partly based on the book Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and
And there is a pressure to stay informed and on top of all of that. While it’s important to know what’s       Choose Your Life by Nir Eyal, an international bestselling author and former Stanford lecturer and
going on, it’s also important to know where to draw some boundaries, because otherwise we won’t               behavioural design expert.
Deserting WHO - Gulf Times.
Monday, April 20, 2020   GULF TIMES                        7

 GARDENING                                                                                                                         COMMUNITY

 Harvest time
for nutritious,
 tasty weeds
  Show a little old-fashioned ingenuity and dine like
   a prince on foraged plants, writes James Wong

                                                                                                                              PLEASING PODS: Opium poppies have a sculptural form.

                                                                                                                              For flowers that last, the                there is a range of much smaller,
                                                                                                                              answer is cut and dried                   annual grasses that are super
                                                                                                                                                                        simple to grow from seed. Bunny’s
                                                                                                                                                                        tail grass (Lagurus ovatus) lives
                                                                                                                                 My first exposure to dried             up to its name, with bobbles of
                                                                                                                              flowers was as dusty, pastel-             white fluff so soft you just want
                                                                                                                              shaded posies on doily-covered            to rub them on your face. There
                                                                                                                              tables. So when my floristry-             are also the intricate, pendant
                                                                                                                              expert mate Chanel told me that           inflorescences of greater quaking
                                                                                                                              dried flower arrangements were            grass (Briza maxima), which
                                                                                                                              back in vogue, my reaction was a          despite being annual will often
                                                                                                                              judgmental eye-roll.                      self-sow to give you years of new
                                                                                                                                 However, in their latest               growth.
                                                                                                                              incarnation, dried flowers                   If it is curious structure you
                                                                                                                              are simple and structural, in             are after, however, it doesn’t get
                                                                                                                              displays often of a single species,       much better than hops (Humulus
                                                                                                                              celebrating the forms of nature.          lupulus) – a quick-growing
                                                                                                                              The look is more “wabi-sabi” (the         climber whose dangling, cone-
EDIBLE: Dandelions.                                                                                                           Japanese aesthetic appreciation           shaped flowers look and smell
                                                                                                                              for age and imperfection) than            amazing. Opium poppies (Papaver

I
                                                                                                                              “potpourri” tweeness. Lasting             somniferum) couldn’t be easier
       t’s amazing how quickly           the term “hungry gap” is one that is           Shepherd’s purse is a relative of     for at least a year before they           to grow. You don’t need space in
       everyday things can               today little known beyond hobby veg        watercress and has a similar peppery      need replacing, they are, of              your beds in pride of place; these
       suddenly come to feel quite       growers.                                   flavour. While its summer leaves can      course, far more sustainable,             tough candidates will spring up
       extraordinary. After queuing         This newfound plenty has,               be tough and fiery, its new flushes       more affordable, and frankly              from seed sprinkled on the edges
       for 45 minutes to do my weekly    however, meant that many                   of spring growth rival the fanciest       less faff than buying fresh-cut           of gravel paths or driveways. Their
food shop, walking through the           traditionally foraged foods have           salad greens. Traditionally eaten         flowers. I am now fascinated by           urn-shaped seed heads are true
supermarket doors felt strangely         disappeared from our diets. Just like      everywhere from here to Japan, the        the concept, especially as many           things of beauty.
emotional – the sight of such            watercress, these ingredients might        leaves can be used in all the same        species are at their most beautiful          If it’s all about colour for you,
bewildering choice, particularly         not have been much fun to base your        dishes that watercress can.               in their dried form. While the            safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)
of fruit and veg, stopped me in my       diet on, but they can offer up a source        Finally, I know eating nettles        majority are bought ready-cut,            has a blaze of orange at the centre
tracks. Despite having seen this         of unusual flavours and textures, not      might sound like some kind of bizarre     most of them are easy to grow and         of each papery whorl: ‘Kinko’
thousands of times before, the ability   to mention a rich source of vitamins       punishment, but the tiny, venom-          dry at home, providing a steady           is a variety specifically bred for
of the modern food system to offer       and minerals, when there is little else    filled needles that cause them to sting   source of new material with which         cut flowers. Craspedia is a great
up such plenty, even in the midst of a   homegrown around.                          are rendered harmless by a minute         to express creativity.                    annual with yellow bobbles on
worldwide pandemic, really felt like a      Dandelions are not just edible          or two in a hot pan. Like shepherd’s         Stepping away from bright              the end of long sticks – in mild
minor miracle.                           but, if prepared correctly, can be         purse, its peak of deliciousness is       blocks of colour, what I love about       winters they may even return the
   In the not-so-distant past, this      positively delicious. In regional          right now, so don’t wait around. It’s     this new take is the celebration          next year as perennials.
time of year was known as the            Italian and French cuisine, they are       like a richer, more complex-flavoured     of texture. Fluffy sprays of                 Finally, if you love the old-
“hungry gap”. Stores of winter crops     actively planted in vegetable gardens      spinach, with no hint of bitterness.      feather reed grass (Calamagrostis         school look, strawflowers
were running perilously low and          as a prized alternative to chicory,        Trust me, I wouldn’t don rubber           brachytricha), or even its giant          (Xerochrysum bracteatum) offer
the first spring harvests were still     to which they are related. Mature          gloves to pick them each year if they     relative the pampas grass                 a mass of daisy-like blooms in
a few weeks away. Many people            leaves are wilted in hot oil with a        weren’t genuinely worth the effort.       (Cortaderia selloana), are delicate       dazzling colours and will last
were forced to wade into ice-cold        few lardons and bring a rich bitter            So, there you have it, three          and structural at the same time.          for years at a time. For all these
streams to gather watercress to          green taste to dishes such as risotto.     delicious and nutritious crops that       If you have a decent-sized patch          flowers, drying couldn’t be more
stave off hunger pangs, which gives      However, if you fancy a milder             are often overlooked in our food          in full sun with well-drained soil,       simple. Just hang small bunches
the plant its traditional nickname:      flavour, simply cover the plants with      culture, which will turn the drudgery     both are hardy perennials that            upside down in a cool, dry place,
“poor man’s bread”. Thanks to the        an upturned bucket for a week or           of weeding into the joy of harvesting,    will offer up a yearly harvest in         such as a shed or garage, for a
work of scientists, farmers, truck       two before harvest. This excludes the      just when your veg patch needs it the     exchange for very little work. But        month or so and they’ll be ready
drivers, shelf-stackers and hundreds     light and results in longer, pale yellow   most.                                     even if all you have is a container,      to display. – The Guardian
of others who rarely get much credit,    leaves with only a hint of bitterness.                              – The Guardian
Deserting WHO - Gulf Times.
8       GULF TIMES Monday, April 20, 2020

               COMMUNITY                                                                                                                                                                  INTERIO

The expert guide to paint
Paint sales are up, but it needs to be used carefully if you want to change your home for the
 better. Here is how to prepare, proceed and get your preferred finish, writes Tim Dowling
                                                                                    Before you start
                                                                                    The good news is, you can save a
                                                                                 lot of money by painting your own
                                                                                 home, because labour accounts for
                                                                                 the majority of decorating costs. The
                                                                                 bad news is, there’s a reason painters
                                                                                 are expensive. Painting is difficult.
                                                                                    The biggest mistake first-timers
                                                                                 make is thinking too big, according
                                                                                 to Joa Studholme, author of How
                                                                                 to Decorate and colour curator for
                                                                                 the paint company Farrow & Ball.
                                                                                 “My main piece of advice is to start
                                                                                 small,” she says. “If you have a small
                                                                                 hall, that can be a good place to
                                                                                 start. There you can indulge your
                                                                                 fantasies of doing something quite
                                                                                 strong and bold, which might be
                                                                                 something you’re feeling you want
                                                                                 to do right now, but then you don’t
                                                                                 have to look at it all day.”
                                                                                    Painting a whole room will
                                                                                 certainly keep you busy, but if you
                                                                                 are new to it, you probably won’t
                                                                                 find it terribly therapeutic. “I do
                                                                                 it where I think: ‘Oh, I’m gonna
                                                                                 paint this, and it’s gonna be really
                                                                                 soothing,’” says Studholme, “And,
                                                                                 actually, painting is stressful.
                                                                                 Smaller things are much better to
                                                                                 do.” For beginners, she suggests
                                                                                 starting with your front door, or the
                                                                                 legs of a table. “Paint the inside of a
                                                                                 cupboard in a jolly colour and that
                                                                                 will make you smile every time you
                                                                                 open it,” she says. When you have
                                                                                 some idea of what it entails, you can
                                                                                 move on to a room.
                                                                                                                           PREPARATION: Push all the furniture into the middle of the room and cover it
                                                                                    Choosing colours                       with dust sheets.
                                                                                    Lockdown may seem like fertile
                                                                                 ground for ill-advised decisions, but
                                                                                 Edward Bulmer, an interior designer
                                                                                 and head of the Edward Bulmer
                                                                                 Natural Paint company, says there
                                                                                 may never be a better time to pick
                                                                                 colours. “If you think about it, it’s
                                                                                 not often that we can contemplate
                                                                                 our rooms at all times of day,” he
                                                                                 says, “and in varying weathers, and
                                                                                 probably with full-on use, if you’ve
                                                                                 got your family around.”
                                                                                    You can still order sample pots
                                                                                 from many companies, including
                                                                                 Bulmer’s and Farrow & Ball (delivery
                                                                                 times may be a bit longer, but none
                                                                                 of us is going anywhere). Instead
                                                                                 of applying it to the wall, paint
                                                                                 a generous piece of card – A5 or
                                                                                 larger – or a bit of old wallpaper.
                                                                                 “Then place it against the wall round
                                                                                 the room and look at it in different
                                                                                 lights,” says Studholme. “You might
FIRST THINGS FIRST: If you are doing the ceiling, that should be done first;     feel like a right idiot doing it, but
you can get up there with either a ladder or a roller on a pole.                 that’s the best way to gauge how it’s

O
                                                                                 going to look.”
             ver the course of the       alone: paint companies are still           If you don’t know where to begin,
             past year you may have      delivering and sales are brisk. But     try being led by the colours of
             given idle thought          is this really the time to embark on    other surfaces in the room: floors,
             to repainting all or        such a project? And can you make a      worktops, tiles, any large bits of
             part of your home. In       success of it, even if you have never   furniture. “Some decision that’s
lockdown, you might have decided         done it before? We asked the experts    already out of your hands,” says          TOOLS: At the minimum you will need a scraper, masking tape, some
now is the time. If so, you are not      the best way to go about it.            Bulmer. Work with what you’ve got.        sandpaper, filler, ample dust sheets, a decent brush or two, and a roller and tray.
Deserting WHO - Gulf Times.
Monday, April 20, 2020   GULF TIMES                    9

OR DESIGN                                                                                                                           COMMUNITY

ting your house perfectly
    Tools and supplies                                                                                                                                              skirting boards with nice straight
    At the minimum you will need                                                                                                                                    edges and without getting any drips
 a scraper, masking tape, some                                                                                                                                      or splatters on your freshly painted
 sandpaper, filler, ample dust sheets,                                                                                                                              walls. Not once but three times,
 a decent brush or two, and a roller                                                                                                                                because you will need primer plus
 and tray. “We advise a medium                                                                                                                                      two top coats. It’s fiddly, but there
 pile roller, not a foam roller,” says                                                                                                                              is still an opportunity for some
 Bulmer. “It will help the paint lay a                                                                                                                              creativity here.
 bit more like it would with a brush.”                                                                                                                                 “One trick is to paint the spindles
 As for paint, the amount you need                                                                                                                                  of your stair balustrade dark,” says
 varies depending on the type, but                                                                                                                                  Studholme. “That’s quite laborious,
 five litres of emulsion will cover                                                                                                                                 but it’s quite a fun thing to do, and
 around 60 square metres. Emulsion                                                                                                                                  it makes a huge difference. It creates
 is for walls and ceilings; eggshell for                                                                                                                            this satisfying dark core, a backbone
 woodwork. Cheap paint is probably                                                                                                                                  through your house.”
 a false economy, because it won’t
 go as far. “One of the expensive                                                                                                                                       Floors
 ingredients in paint is titanium                                                                                                                                       “I love a painted floor,” says
 dioxide, the basic white pigment,”                                                                                                                                 Studholme. “The rule with painted
 says Bulmer. “Normally, to make a                                                                                                                                  floors is that they always look much
 paint cheaper you use less of that, so                                                                                                                             lighter than you expect. Nobody
 you’ll have less coverage.”                                                                                                                                        realises how much light bounces
                                                                                                                                                                    on to a floor. If you paint a floor
    Getting ready                                                                                                                                                   light, it will bounce light all round
    “Preparation is everything,” says                                                                                                                               your room.” It’s also just about the
 Studholme. Professional painters                                                                                                                                   cheapest way to cover a floor there
 spend far longer prepping a room                                                                                                                                   is.
 than they do painting it. Push all                                                                                                                                     You will need a robust, hard-
 the furniture into the middle of the                                                                                                                               wearing paint. There are specialist
 room and cover it with dust sheets.                                                                                                                                floor paints, and some experts
 Scrape away any loose old paint. Fill                                                                                                                              even recommend boat paint. It is
 cracks and nail holes, and sand flat.                                                                                                                              a big undertaking – you need to
 Sand to create a key (an adhesive                                                                                                                                  completely empty the room – but
 surface) for the new paint. Mask                                                                                                                                   is not that technically challenging.
 the edges of carpet. Apply primer                                                                                                                                  “Painting floors is easy,” says
 to your walls, and don’t worry too                                                                                                                                 Studholme. “Gravity helps. Having
 much what it looks like; it’s just                                                                                                                                 said that, you do need to let them
 there to provide a stable painting                                                                                                                                 cure for a few days before you walk
 surface.                                                                                                                                                           on them.” If you are stuck in two
                                                                                                                                                                    rooms during the lockdown, now
   The ceiling                                                                                                                                                      might not be the time to restrict
   If you are doing the ceiling, that                                                                                                                               yourself to one. You also need to
 should be done first; you can get                                                                                                                                  think about what part of the room
 up there with either a ladder or a                                                                                                                                 you are going to end up in when you
 roller on a pole. Beforehand, paint                                                                                                                                finish, or you might literally paint
 round the edges where the ceiling                                                                                                                                  yourself into a corner.
 meets the wall or any architectural
 features, using a small brush. You                                                                                                                                    Radiators
 can mask the edges with tape if                                                                                                                                       The factory finish of a modern
 you are unsure of yourself. Then                                                                                                                                   radiator does not need to be painted
 roll. Expect to come away heavily                                                                                                                                  but if it is obtrusive, you might
 speckled.                                                                                                                                                          want to hide it. In that case, a light
                                                                                                                                                                    sanding and an oil undercoat,
    The walls                                                                                                                                                       followed by “the eggshell version
    Start by “cutting in” the top                                                                                                                                   of the wall” should suffice, says
 edge where the wall meets the                                                                                                                                      Bulmer. There is such a thing as
 ceiling, carefully, with a brush,                                                                                                                                  radiator paint, but it might not come
 by eye. Do the same along any                                                                                                                                      in the colour you need. The radiator
 woodwork edges (you can be a                                                                                                                                       should be cold when you paint it and
 bit less precise here, because                                                                                                                                     will need to remain off for 24 hours
 you are painting the woodwork                                                                                                                                      afterwards, so the weather forecast
 later). If this part sounds                                                                                                                                        might be a consideration.
 daunting, Studholme has a simple
 solution that also happens to be                                                                                                                                      Finishing up
 fashionable: paint everything –                                                                                                                                       Once you have completed the
 walls, ceilings, woodwork – the                                                                                                                                    project, Studholme suggests you
 same colour. “It’s so much easier                                                                                                                                  make a record of all the colours and
 for home decorating and it makes                                                                                                                                   finishes you have used in case you
 the room look bigger,” she says.                                                                                                                                   need to repaint any bits later. Store
 It’s by no means a radical idea.                                                                                                                                   leftover paint in a cool, dry, frost-
 “There’s historic precedent for it.                                                                                                                                free place, ready for touching-up
 Georgian rooms were often painted                                                                                                                                  or any other little projects. “Last
 in one colour.”                                                                                                                                                    night, I got on a ladder and painted
    When it comes to rolling your                                                                                                                                   a square round the mirror above
 walls, the main advice is to keep                                                                                                                                  our fireplace,” she says. “I thought
 going. “That’s the single pitfall,        LIGHT REFLECTOR: The rule with painted floors is that they always look much lighter than you expect. Nobody realises     it might be nice to have a little bit
 really,” says Bulmer. “Modern             how much light bounces on to a floor.                                                                                    of colour there. It took me probably
 emulsion is lovely and quick-                                                                                                                                      eight minutes to do it, and I can
 drying, but it also means that what       call and have a cup of coffee.”         in one go, and let it dry overnight.      Woodwork                               paint it out again tomorrow if I don’t
 you have to do is start, and carry        A stop-start approach yields a          Two coats should be sufficient in         This is where real care is required:   like it.”
 on. Not start, stop, take a phone         streaky finish. Paint a single coat     most cases.                             painting windows, door frames and                               – The Guardian
Deserting WHO - Gulf Times.
10 GULF TIMES Monday, April 20, 2020

         COMMUNITY                     PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE
Monday, April 20, 2020     GULF TIMES                             11

 LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE                                                                                                                            COMMUNITY
  Dance with your grandmother
tonight to improve her life quality
P
            hysical fitness and social                 said study author Dr Einat Shuper Engelhard
            connection can be difficult to             from the University of Haifa.
            maintain in old age but researchers           For results, the researchers analysed taped
            have found that Dance Movement             videos of the sessions, personal diaries,
            Therapy (DMT) may promote                  and semi-structured interviews between
exercise, improve quality of life and deepen           granddaughters and grandmothers to analyse
familial ties between grandparents and                 the effect of DMT.
grandchildren.                                            The dance was chosen as a unique and
   For the study, published in the journal             versatile intervention since it can improve
Frontiers in Psychology, sixteen dance                 muscle strength, balance, and endurance,
movement therapists met with their                     prevent anxiety and depression, and aid with
grandmothers for three free-form dance                 dementia — all issues commonly faced among
sessions.                                              the elderly population.
   According to the researchers at Kibbutzim              It also offers a model for low-cost and
College and the University of Haifa in Israel,         accessible community support.
The goal was to determine how these sessions              Each of the three sessions was conducted
would affect each group, and whether                   one week apart and took place in the
intergenerational bonds might strengthen as            grandmother’s home for just 10 to 15 minutes.
a result.                                                 Granddaughters were nervous at first
   The study also wanted to examine a                  over their ability to provide a meaningful
potential low-cost method to treat issues              experience but were instructed to mirror their
commonly faced by an ageing population,                grandmother’s movements, encourage their
such as depressed mood and limited mobility.           abilities, and give them space to rest when             perspective of ageing and allowed them to                 even when the body was fatigued and weak.
   “The increase of the proportion of elderly          needed.                                                 process their grandparent’s eventual death.               This emphasises the significance of the
in the population, along with the increase                The researchers found that for                         Both groups expressed gratitude and felt                close and familiar relationship as a means
in the age group of adult grandchildren                grandmothers, dancing promoted positive                 their bond was stronger after the sessions,               to promote new experiences (which can
necessitates creativity and innovation in              feelings and improved mood.                             according to the study.                                   occasionally seem impossible) for the older
providing diverse resources and support,”                 For granddaughters, dancing shifted their              “The sessions promoted physical activity                person,” Engelhard noted. — IANS

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

Be careful of people who talk a great deal and promise the world          Your positive strength is especially noticeable today. You may find       Gemini, instead of digging deep into the barrel looking only for the
but have a difficult time delivering the goods, Aries. You might get      that you’re radiating gloriously to the people around you, Taurus.        misshapen, bruised, and rotten apples, concentrate on bringing up
trapped today if you rely on people who simply don’t come through         This is due to your polite, gentle, and peaceful nature. You’re the       the shiny, bright red ones. This way you’ll bring laughter and smiles
the way they said they would. Feel free to engage in social activities    jewel that isn’t always noticed or appreciated as much as it should       to the company around you rather than miserable frowns. Whatever
with partners, but don’t sign any major business deals with them at       be. More than likely, you leave it up to others to make the first move.   you bring to the surface will be distributed far and wide, so make
this time.                                                                Consider being the instigator today. The world is in your hands.          sure you reach for the good times instead of the sour ones.

             Cancer
             June 21 — July 22
                                                                                       Leo
                                                                                       July 23 — August 22
                                                                                                                                                                  Virgo
                                                                                                                                                                  August 23 — September 22

Today there are many areas in which you can shine, Cancer. You            If you’re feeling needy today, you might consider seeking counsel         Get out in the fresh air today in whatever way suits your fancy,
need only be yourself to win over the hearts of others. There is          from others, Leo. Close partners might make light of the situation,       Virgo. It’s important to exercise your body with some brisk physical
a graciousness to your manner that draws people close to you,             so if you’re looking for deep metaphysical advice, you might want         activity, or at least refresh your spirit with a ride in a convertible. This
whether or not you’ve ever noticed it before. Realise this, and know      to look elsewhere. Most of all, pamper yourself with some relaxing        is a terrific time for you. You feel alive and joyous about your life.
that it isn’t a fluke. You need not take much action. It will come to     downtime. This day is well suited for playing board games, watching       Join with others to recognise all that you have, and give thanks for
you.                                                                      a movie, or reading the latest edition of your favourite magazine.        your meal tonight.

             Libra
             September 23 — October 22
                                                                                       Scorpio
                                                                                       October 23 — November 21
                                                                                                                                                                  Sagittarius
                                                                                                                                                                  November 22 — December 21

Making decisions today is apt to be nearly impossible for you, Libra.     This is going to be one of those days when you get annoyed                Use the power of words as an artistic medium to express yourself,
That’s why you should leave them up to someone else. Walk with            if someone takes too long to make up his or her mind about                Sagittarius. You have a magic way with words that often goes
your friend so you don’t have to really think about where you’re          something, Scorpio. You aren’t going to have the patience to abide        unrecognised. Your sensual nature is poetic. You shouldn’t deprive
going. Your job is to focus on the emotional side of things and make      anyone who continues to go over every single detail of an issue.          others of this talent, so show it off to the world. Perhaps you’re
it safe for everyone to dream. Your loving, caring nature is a valuable   You’re more likely to want to simply make a decision, for better or       moved to write a poem to a partner who means a great deal to you.
commodity these days. Protect and cherish this gift.                      worse.

             Capricorn
             December 22 — January 19
                                                                                       Aquarius
                                                                                       January 20 — February 18
                                                                                                                                                                  Pisces
                                                                                                                                                                  February 19 — March 20

Whatever you’re working on at this time can be expanded                   Take advantage of the lighthearted, flighty feeling of the day instead    The more you talk to people, the more successful you’ll be, Pisces.
tremendously with the help of a partner, especially a creative project    of getting annoyed by it, Aquarius. You can’t hide in your bedroom        Everyone is a valuable resource, so tap in to this boundless well.
or written work, Capricorn. Watch as one seed of an idea blossoms         forever. Well, you could, but you’d end up wasting away and no            Your agility with words and facts is impressive, so use it to your
into a whole field of creativity. There is more than meets the eye as     one would even notice. This is a good day to get out and have fun         advantage. Friends are a source of great joy, and this is a wonderful
you find yourself soaring higher and higher. Remember that you’re         with friends. Make wishes for people instead of cursing them. Make        time to be with them. For the most part, it doesn’t matter what you’re
only restricted by your own imagination, so dream big.                    connections. Remember to laugh as often as possible.                      doing. The person you’re with is what is important.
12 GULF TIMES Monday, April 20, 2020

                                     COMMUNITY                                                      CARTOONS/PUZZLES
                   Wordsearch                                                    Adam

                                                                                 Pooch Cafe
ATOLL                                HEATH             SIERRA         FJORD
GLEN                                 RIDGE             DESERT         MOUNTAIN
PLATEAU                              CREEK             MARSH          VALLEY
BAYOU                                HILL              STEPPES        FOREST
GROVE                                SAVANNA           DUNE           PAMPAS
PRAIRIE                              DALE              MEADOW         WOOD
CANYON                               JUNGLE            SWAMP          GLACIER
GULF                                 SHORE             ESTUARY        PEAK
RAVINE                               DELTA             MESA           GLADE
CLIFF                                LAKE              TUNDRA         PLAIN

                   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.
Monday, April 20, 2020   GULF TIMES   13

 PUZZLES                                                                                     COMMUNITY
 Super Cryptic Clues                                                            Colouring

Across                                    Down
1 The sort to press keys? (4)             1 Ready for sleep, having eaten
3 Promptly noted – hot stew               heartily (6,2)
(2,3,3)                                   2 Diarist takes a look, we hear (5)
9 Rome, for example, is excellent         4 Stockings only ordered by
(7)                                       Poles (6)
10 Provide French article over            5 Composer taking short breaks
there (3,2)                               before the end of August (5)
11 Racecourse to keep so many             6 Uninteresting weed seen
content (5)                               where ships are laid up (3,4)
12 Alliance including one new             7 Large cask on top of a fish (4)
county (6)                                8 Part of flower set man off (6)
14 Where circus audience is               13 So-and-so born on boat (8)
engrossed (6)                             15 Mid-term may be reduced (7)
16 Pinch the Spanish metal (6)            17 Grass in class (6)
19 Glass and paper? (6)                   18 Animals following King
21 Cast fly, initially, to get fish (5)   George for fruit (6)
24 Preserved Egyptian mother?             20 Artificial silk — or any sort
(5)                                       (5)
25 Funny priests carry on (7)             22 I spot one inside supplying
26 Take legal action about                dope (5)
Europeans or Africans (8)                 23 Prophet seen in Judaea,
27 Celebrity with a heavenly              mostly (4)
body? (4)

 Solution                                                                       Answers

                                                                                Wordsearch        Codeword
14 GULF TIMES Monday, April 20, 2020

              COMMUNITY                                                                                                                                     BOLLYWOOD

  Film personalities condemn
the ‘witch-hunt’ by Delhi Police
O
              ver 20 celebrities, including      East Delhi who had participated in peaceful
              Anurag Kashyap, Vishal             protests against the CAA,” the signatories
              Bhardwaj, Mahesh Bhatt and         said.
              Ratna Pathak Shah, joined             “Even as we write this, more students
              hands to urge “Delhi Police        and activists are being called for
to stop abusing the lockdown” and put an         questioning and interrogation by the police
“end to the witch-hunt” against “students        on a daily basis.”
and activists protesting against CAA”.              “In a twisted fairy tale that the Delhi
   The artistes released the statement on        Police is trying to weave, these activists
Sunday on Twitter.                               are now being implicated in cases related
   “To fight this pandemic, the citizens and     to the communal violence in Delhi that
authorities need to stand by each other. By      took place in February. A riot in which the
targeting activists taking advantage of the      minorities suffered the maximum damage,
lockdown, when there is hardly even any          both in terms of lives and livelihoods, has
media coverage of its actions, the Delhi         now become a pretext for the Delhi Police to
Police is betraying the civic rights of the      further witch-hunt activists, most of whom
citizens. We urge the Delhi Police to stop       also come from the minority community,”
abusing the lockdown, respect the human          they added.
rights of our fellow citizens and put an            The personalities stressed that “the
end to this witch-hunt. We demand the            lockdown cannot be a lockdown of the
release of these students and activists”, the    rights of citizens, and must not be abused
celebrities urged in the statement.              by the authorities in this manner”.
   The 29 signatories include Mahesh Bhatt,         “These actions of the Delhi Police are
Aparna Sen, Ratna Pathak Shah, Anurag            utterly inhuman and undemocratic. Making
Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vishal Dadlani,        several people travel to police stations every
Nandita Das, Konkona Sen Sharma, Hansal          day and then throwing some of them to jails
Mehta, Onir, Sushant Singh, Mohammed             also defeats the purpose of the lockdown
Zeeshan Ayyub, Neeraj Ghaywan, Ashwini           and makes a mockery of social distancing.
Chaudhury, Ankur Tewari, Abish Mathew,           At a time when various governments are
Sandhya Mridul, Andre Borges, Vinta              releasing under-trials from jail to relieve
Nanda, Mallika Dua, Saba Singh Azad,             the pressure from the prisons and restrict
Sohail Tatari, Kushan Nandy among others.        chances of contamination, the Delhi Police
   The statement came as a response to the       is pushing students and activists into jail,”
recent arrest of two students of Jamia Millia    read the statement.
Islamia University.                                 It states that “the constitution gives us
   “The country right now is reeling             the right to protest and express our views
through a grave crisis as a result of the        against the government and its policies”,
novel coronavirus and nearly a month-long        going on to note that their “opposition to
lockdown. We are all being asked to stay         the CAA continues, as we see it as a bigoted
home and stay safe in order to break the         law that strikes at the secular fabric of our
chain of the deadly virus. We are shocked        country”.
to know that in this midst of such a grave          “We condemn this witch-hunt of students
situation, the Delhi Police has arrested         and activists because they exercised their
two students of Jamia Millia Islamia and         constitutional right to protest against CAA/     CONCERNED: Anurag Kashyap is among 20 film celebrities who have spoken out against the
several activists from localities of North-      NRC/NPR,” the statement read. – IANS             police action.

    Love is the most unifying                                                                Rangoli and I will publicly
    emotion: Arjun                                                                           apoligise if anyone finds
                                                                                             offensive tweet: Kangana
       The romantic drama 2 States,
    starring Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor                                                         Actress Kangana Ranaut has come up in
    was released six years ago on this date,                                                 support of her sister Rangoli Chandel, whose
    and highlighted the feel-good romance                                                    verified Twitter account was suspended
    of a Punjabi boy and a Tamil girl.                                                       recently over a controversial post.
       On Saturday, Arjun spoke to real-life                                                     Kangana’s sister and manager Rangoli’s post
    couples who were culturally opposite                                                     was reported by several people who considered
    and yet found a common ground in                                                         it a hate tweet.
    love, noting that love was the most                                                          The actress shared an Instagram video
    unifying emotion.                                                                        message on Saturday where she says if
       “2 States is and will always be one                                                   anyone can find a tweet where Rangoli says
    of the most special films of my life and                                                 anything offensive, “then we both will publicly
    on its sixth anniversary. I’m trying to                                                  apologise”.                                       SUPPORTIVE: Kangana has come out in
    do something really special. For me,                                                         “My sister Rangoli Chandel had specifically   support of sister Rangoli Chandel.
    love is the most unifying emotion           CANDID: Arjun Kapoor says love is the        mentioned that people who have attacked
    and it transcends all barriers. I will be   most unifying emotion and it transcends      doctors and police personnel should be shot       nation is going through a lot right now but
    highlighting some really special, real      all barriers.                                dead,” Kangana says in her video message,         we have to find a way to completely demolish
    life love stories on my social media,”                                                   adding that celebrities like “Farah Ali Khan      these (social media) platforms and start our
    Arjun said.                                 love to be the perfect glue between          ji and Reema Kagti ji made a false allegation”    own platforms,” she said.
       2 States, an adaptation of Chetan        them and their contrasting families.         that Rangoli’s comment was community-                 Towards the end of the video message, the
    Bhagat’s bestseller novel of the same       These couples truly highlight the spirit     specific. The actress added that she and          actress referred to a controversial video of
    name, was directed by Abhishek              of our film’s core messaging – 2 states,     her sister did not believe that every person      wrestler Babita Phogat. “I saw Babita Phogat
    Varman.                                     One love and I can’t wait to speak to        “attacking doctors and cops” belonged to any      ji’s video today. The way she is being harassed,
       “I will be speaking to some couples      them and tell you all more about their       particular community.                             I would request the central government to
    who come from poles apart cultural          fantastic love stories!” Arjun said.             Kangana also took a dig at Twitter for        provide her security in this hour,” she said.
    backgrounds but have found their pure                                         — IANS     blocking her sister’s account. “I know the                                                 — IANS
Monday, April 20, 2020   GULF TIMES                  15
 HOLLYWOOD                                                                                                                      COMMUNITY
   Penn gets tested for coronavirus                       He himself works at the testing site in Malibu
                                                          where he lives.
      Actor Sean Penn was spotted getting tested            “We have an infrastructure in place to
   for coronavirus with a nasal swab recently             respond, and so we decided that we would if
      The 59-year-old star was at the free Malibu         we could be value added. It’s something that
   testing site set up by his organisation CORE           we can adapt to very quickly with the training
   (Community Organised Relief Effort), reports           of the Los Angeles Fire Department initially.
   www.dailymail.co.uk                                    And then we’re able to take all those firemen
      He kept his backpack on as he leaned back in        and put them back in to serve the people in the
   an outdoor chair to be tested by a staff member        way that we need them to,” he said last week.
   in a mask, gloves, face shield and hazmat suit.        Between March 30 and April 10 the movie star’s
      CORE, which Penn founded in 2010 to                 nonprofit gave 6,500 tests free of charge.
   help with earthquake relief in Haiti, is now             The Fast Times At Ridgemont High icon
   collaborating with LA Mayor Eric Garcetti to           shared more about his relief efforts while
   combat the ongoing health crisis. The non-             appearing on MSNBC this week.
   profit’s goal is to establish free drive-in testing      ‘One of the things we always have to
   sites in Los Angeles, working with both the            remember is that all of this is very liquid
   mayor and fire department, according to USA            because the tests do change, we do look
   Today.                                                 towards the next most rapid test that has
      Penn’s goal is to “save lives and alleviate         integrity,’ shared the Milk Oscar-winner.            VOLUNTEER: Sean Penn’s goal is to save lives and alleviate depletion of
   depletion of resources” with the programme.                                                       – IANS    resources with his organisation CORE.

Struggling AMC to raise $500
million amid coronavirus crisis
                                                                                                                                                                the first phase of the economy’s
By Ryan Faughnder                                                                                                                                               reopening.
                                                                                                                                                                   Mooky Greidinger, chief

P
                                                                                                                                                                executive of Regal Cinemas’ British
            resident Trump last                                                                                                                                 parent company Cineworld Group,
            Thursday offered                                                                                                                                    said there’s still no firm timeline,
            beleaguered movie                                                                                                                                   but the company is “optimistic.”
            theatres a glimmer of                                                                                                                                  “There is no way today that we
            hope that they could                                                                                                                                can make any decision about an
gradually return to business in the                                                                                                                             opening date,” Greidinger said in
coming months, as the nation’s                                                                                                                                  a statement. “However, we are
largest cinema chain said it plans                                                                                                                              optimistic that we will be able
to raise $500 million in order to                                                                                                                               to open toward the second half
survive the coronavirus crisis.                                                                                                                                 of June, subject of course to an
   AMC Theatres said it will raise                                                                                                                              understanding with the studios
the money in a private debt offering                                                                                                                            about new releases. The studios are
in order to stay afloat during the                                                                                                                              our main partners, and both parties
public health emergency that                                                                                                                                    should be convinced what is the
forced the closure of all 1,000 of its                                                                                                                          right date to reopen our theatres.”
global locations, including about                                                                                                                                  Cinemark Holdings executives
630 in the US. Domestic cinemas                                                                                                                                 on Wednesday gave Wall Street
have been closed since mid-March                                                                                                                                analysts a rough plan of how its
because of government restrictions                                                                                                                              circuit may pursue a reopening in
meant to curb the spread of the                                                                                                                                 the coming months.
virus.                                                                                                                                                             Sean Gamble, Cinemark’s
   Theatre owners have increasingly                                                                                                                             chief operating officer, said on a
begun to float the possibility of                                                                                                                               conference call that the company
reopening sometime in July, in the                                                                                                                              anticipated a July 1 opening,
middle of what would normally                                                                                                                                   which would be in time for major
be Hollywood’s key summer                                                                                                                                       rescheduled studio releases,
blockbuster movie season. But                                                                                                                                   including Walt Disney Co.’s Mulan
AMC’s offering of first lien notes,                                                                                                                             and Warner Bros.’s Christopher
due in 2025, comes amid lingering        CLOSED: The closed AMC theatres on East Illinois Street in Chicago.                                                    Nolan film Tenet.
uncertainty.                                                                                                                                                       Under that scenario, the Plano,
   Some analysts have predicted                                                                                                                                 Texas, company, which has laid
that the prolonged coronavirus           the company “until a partial            capacity in order to conform to        coronavirus cases or a reduced          off 17,500 workers and pursued a
cash crunch could force heavily          reopening in July.” The new debt        social distancing rules.               trajectory of positive tests. Under     $250-million debt raise, would start
indebted AMC to file for Chapter         offering should give the exhibitor a       The Trump administration            the second phase, venues would          rehiring employees in June and kick
11 bankruptcy protection from            significantly longer runway.            released guidelines on reopening       be able to moderately ease physical     off marketing initiatives to attract
creditors. AMC, burdened with               “We believe the company              the nation’s economy, including        distancing regulations as long as       consumers.
long-term debt of $4.85 billion and      will have sufficient liquidity to       multiplexes, while saying that         the virus doesn’t rebound.                 That would begin a “three-
no revenue coming in, has laid off or    withstand a global suspension           governors will have authority             National Assn. of Theatre            month slow build of operations,”
furloughed thousands of workers,         of operations until a partial re-       over the return of their states’       Owners, the Washington lobbying         Gamble said. For the first couple
including 600 corporate staffers         opening ahead of Thanksgiving,”         businesses.                            group for cinema owners, declined       of weeks, theatres would probably
all the way up to Chief Executive        AMC said.                                  The federal guidelines offered      to comment on the White House           stick to showing older studio
Adam Aron.                                  Though it remains unclear when       states a phased approach. Under        guidance.                               movies as moviegoers slowly grow
   As of March 31, Leawood, Kan.,        theatres will be allowed to resume      the first phase, movie theatres,          However, the guidelines              more comfortable with going to
company had a cash balance               operations, exhibitors and studios      restaurants, gyms and large            represented a modicum of hope           theatres. “We’re having great
of $299.8 million, including             have begun to prepare for business      sporting venues can reopen if they     for the exhibition industry, in part    discussions already with the studios
borrowings of $215.0 million in          resuming in early July, though the      adhere to strict social distancing     because they put movie houses in        about a range of different tactics to
March, the company said last             Covid-19 situation remains fluid.       rules. However, states should begin    the same category as restaurants        get the theatrical exhibition engine
Thursday in a statement. AMC said        Theatres that reopen would have         the phase only if they meet criteria   and other venues that would be          restarted,” Gamble said. – Los
its balance sheet should sustain         strict guidelines to limit seating      including a 14-day decrease in         allowed to resume business in           Angeles Times/TNS
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