D 17 C—25 C TODAY LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE PUZZLES TTies …

DOHA 17°C—25°C TODAY PUZZLES 14 & 15D LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 13L P

Jumada I 23, 1437 AHThursday, March 3, 2016

CommunityDr Karen Exell delivered a CIRS Monthly

Dialogue Series lecture titled “Museums and Modernity in the Arabian Peninsula.”

CommunityCircassians from Jordan enthralled the

Doha audience for two days with their dance forms and songs.

P6 P20

COVER

STORY

Ties that bind Ties that bind UK ambassador Ajay Sharma

hails the strong cultural

connect with Qatar and is

excited about the forthcoming

Great British Festival. P4-5 Ambassador Ajay Sharma. Photo by Anand Holla

Community EditorKamran Rehmat

e-mail: [email protected]: 44466405

Fax: 44350474

Emergency 999Worldwide Emergency Number 112Kahramaa – Electricity and Water 991Ooredoo Telephone Assistance 111Local Directory 180International Calls Enquires 150Time 141, 140Doha International Airport 40106666Labor Department 44508111, 44406537Medical Commission 44679111Mowasalat Taxi 44588888Qatar Airways 44496000Weather Forecast 44656590Hamad Medical Corporation 44392222 44393333Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation 44845555 44845464 Primary Health Care Corporation 44593333 44593363 Qatar Assistive Technology Centre 44594050Qatar News Agency 44450205 44450333Q-Post – General Postal Corporation 44464444Qatar University 44033333

USEFUL NUMBERS

Quote Unquote

PRAYER TIME

Fajr 4.45amShorooq (sunrise) 5.56amZuhr (noon) 11.46amAsr (afternoon) 3.07pmMaghreb (sunset) 5.39pmIsha (night) 7.09pm

The level of our success is limited only by

our imagination and no act of kindness, however small,

is ever wasted.

— Aesop

Thursday, March 3, 20162 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITY ROUND & ABOUT

Mall Cinema (1): Deadpool (2D) 2.30pm; Action Hero Biju (Malayalam) 4.15pm; Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 6.45pm; Jai Gangaajal (Hindi) 8.45pm; London Has Fallen (2D) 11.30pm.Mall Cinema (2): Jai Gangaajal (Hindi) 2.15pm; Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 5pm; Kings Of Egypt (2D) 7pm; Race (2D) 9pm; 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi (2D) 11.15pm.Mall Cinema (3): Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 2.30pm; 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi (2D) 4.30pm; Always Be My Maybe (2D) 7pm; London Has Fallen (2D) 9pm; Race (2D) 11.30pm.Cinema Land Mark (1): Kings Of Egypt (2D) 2.30pm; London Has Fallen (2D) 5pm; Action Hero Biju (Malayalam) 6.45pm; Kings Of Egypt (2D) 9.15pm;

Race (2D) 11.15pm.Cinema Land Mark (2): Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 2.30pm; Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 4.30pm; Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 6.30pm; 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi (2D) 8.30pm; 8.30pm; London Has Fallen (2D) 11pm.Cinema Land Mark (3): Deadpool (2D) 3pm; Race (2D) 5pm; Always Be My Maybe (2D) 7.30pm; London Has Fallen (2D) 9.30pm; 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi (2D) 11.15pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (1): Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 2pm;

Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 4pm; Zootropolis:Zootopia (2D) 6pm; Jai Gangaajal (2D) 8pm; Jai Gangaajal (2D) 11pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (2): Race (2D) 2.30pm; London Has Fallen (2D) 5pm; Bachaana (Urdu) 7pm; Always Be My Maybe (2D) 9pm; London Has Fallen (2D) 11pm.Royal Plaza Cinema Palace (3): 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi (2D) 2pm; Bachaana (Urdu) 4.30pm; The Revenant (2D) 6.30pm; 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi (2D) 9pm; Race (2D) 11.30pm.Asian Town Cinema: Action Hero Biju (Malayalam) 1.30, 2.45, 4.15, 5.30, 7, 8.15, 9.45, 11pm & 12.30am; Jai Gangaajal (2D) 6, 8.45 & 11.30pm.

EVENTS

Baby & Kids World Qatar 2016DATE: March 21-23VENUE: Doha Convention CenterElan Events and Fira Barcelona announce the very fi rst

Baby & Kids World exhibition taking place in Doha from

the March 21-23 at Doha Exhibition & Convention Center (DECC). Baby & Kids World Qatar will be held as a business-to-business platform with a full range of children’s needs: child care, maternity, children’s fashion, toys, education and food, in addition to a festival dedicated to families giving companies an opportunity to interact with end consumers directly.

Pakistan Cultural Festival DATE: March 31-April 3VENUE: Katara Cultural Village

Biggest made in Pakistan expo, ethnic food street, huge kids zone, live musical concert by Pakistani singers, folk dancers, performances and more.

Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: [email protected], Events and timings subject to change

MotoGP TestDATE: Until tomorrowTIME: 5pmVENUE: Losail International CircuitFrom March 2-4, the MotoGP World

Championship will descend on the Losail International Circuit in Qatar for their fi nal three days of testing before the 2016 season gets underway at the same venue on the 20th of March.

LectureAs part of the ongoing campaign on

the topic of ‘Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Greatest of The Mankind’ being organised by Sheikh Abdulla bin Zayed al-Mahmoud Islamic Cultural Centre, advocate Mayan Kutty Mather, senior lawyer in high court of Kerala, will deliver his speech.

Date: TomorrowTime: 6:30pm to 9:30pmVenue: Fanar Auditorium Programme will be in English. Separate

arrangement has been made for ladies. All faiths are welcome.

For more details: Contact 44369719, 70027745, 55478103, 55213167.

E-mail: [email protected]

DebateFCC Charchavedi, a discussion forum, is

organising a debate based on contemporary Indian social context. Eminent personalities from diff erent walks of life including the media, politics and socio-cultural areas are to participate in the discussions on Nation, Nationalism, Democracy and Contemporary reading. The programme is scheduled to start by 7.30pm at FCC auditorium today. Members

from the public can also participate in the discussions. More details can be obtained from 44661213, 66572518

Reduced Shakespeare CompanyDATE: March 11 TIME: 1-8pmVENUE: Katara Drama TheatreJoin and enjoy the fun and laughter and see 37

Plays in 97 Minutes! An irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s plays, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) was London’s longest-running comedy having clocked a very palpable nine years in London’s West End at the Criterion Theatre! Join these madcap men as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies in one wild ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter.

Blood Donation Campaign KMCA (Karnataka Muslim Cultural

Association), a socio-cultural organisation in Doha, is all set to hold its annual blood donation campaign tomorrow from 8.30am to 11.30am at blood donors unit, Hamad Medical Corporation. President of the forum Niyaz Ahmed and Head of Special Needs Committee M Iqbal Manna has appealed to all the Indian expatriate community members to join this noble cause by donating blood. Members/well-wishers can reach Manna Mobile 55253904 or Muneer Sheikh 55293017

The Great British Festival QatarDATE: March 6-19The Great British Festival Qatar 2016 will

celebrate UK culture, education, tourism and business. The festival will feature a number of events organised by the British Council, the British Embassy and others, including an inter-school football competition, an education fair and a pop-up science event. Also, as the UK is marking 400 years since Shakespeare’s death, the best of Shakespeare will be celebrated through a number of fi lm, music and theatre events. For more details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/britfestqa/

01 Mall Novo Cinemas 3×3 Basketball Tour

DATE: March 10-12VENUE: Ain KhalidQSports and Qatar Basketball Federation

invite you to participate in the eagerly awaited

01 Mall Novo Cinemas 3×3 Basketball Tour 2016 to be held inside the 01 Mall in Ain Khalid. As part of QSports Mall Jam programme, exciting cash prizes of over QR22,000 will be awarded to top three teams in each division. The venue is a specially constructed FIBA approved court inside the 01 Mall!

Spring FestDATE: March 11TIME: 1pm-6pmVENUE: Gems American AcademyDelicious food, weekend bazar, art display

and much more. Come one, come all and be a part of this exciting spring festival at Gems American Academy. To top it up you can also enjoy outdoor cinema under the twinkling stars, at 6in the evening. Please get Qatari Id for adults and children over 12 years.

Symbols of Latin America and Caribbean

DATE: Until March 15TIME: 7pm-10pmVENUE: Katara Art Studio Bldg 19Documentary photographs that represent

11 Latin American countries in fi ve categories which are the capital of the country, the national animal, the national plant or fl ower, the national dish; and the historical monument.

Aspire Tennis Cup – MenDATE: March 11-19VENUE: Aspire zone Aspire Zone will organise the fi rst edition

of Aspire Tennis Cup - Men for four days (two weekends) on March 11, 12, 18, 19, 2016 from 4pm to 8pm. Registration fees: QR100 per participant (paid during technical meeting). The tournament is open for men aged 18 years and above and will include two categories: First category: doubles match for 12 teams of participants aged 18 to 39.

Discover BulgariaDATE: Today, tomorrowTIME: 6pmVENUE: InterContinental DohaJoin us at InterContinental Doha Beach

Front lawn for a one night full of traditional live Bulgarian music by guest band Pendara Ethno Project and with lots of dancing and vibrant Balkan vibes played by guest DJ “Adin”. Savour the delicious and authentic Bulgarian dishes, especially prepared by our guest Bulgarian chefs.

Al-Shaqab International CompetitionDATE: Until March 5VENUE: Al-Shaqab Main ArenaAl-Shaqab, member of Qatar Foundation,

will organise the fourth edition of its International Equestrian Competition, with the participation of the best national and international horses and riders to battle for one of the most coveted titles in the equestrian calendar. The four-day event will feature three equestrian disciplines: jumping, dressage and para-dressage.

Qatar International Food FestivalDATE: March 22-28VENUE: MIA ParkQatar Tourism Authority will organise the

seventh edition of Qatar International Food Festival under the theme “a diff erent side of food”. This year’s festival will be extended to seven days and expanded to other landmarks and eateries, including: the Pearl-Qatar and Katara Cultural Village. Chinese food lovers will also have plenty to look forward to, with Chinese cuisine featuring as part of “Qatar-China 2016 Year of Culture” celebrations.

Shrek the Musical!DATE: March 9-19TIME: 7:30pmVENUE: QNCC TheatreShrek the Musical! tells the touching story

of a hulking green ogre who, after being mocked, feared his entire life by anything that crosses his path, retreats to an ugly green swamp to exist in happy isolation.

Cultural Diversity festivalDATE: Until May 31TIME: 7:30-9:00pmVENUE: Katara Beach Over 20 countries from all over the world

are showcasing their traditions and heritage.

3Thursday, March 3, 2016 GULF TIMES

COMMUNITYROUND & ABOUT

BOOKS1. Girl Online: On Tour by Zoe Sugg2. Tropical Wonderland by Millie Marotta3. Selp-Helf by Miranda Sings4. Qatar Entertainer 2016 by The Entertainer5. Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee6. Lost Ocean by Johanna Basford7. Querkles Masterpieces by Thomas Pavitte8. Magical City by Lizzie Mary Cullen9. The World of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin10. Diary of Wimpy Kid – Old School by Jeff Kinney

TV-SERIES

1. Gotham S12. Star Wars Rebels S13. Breaking Bad S14. Newsroom S15. Friends S1-106. Criminal Minds S107. Nikita S1-48. Lewis S99. Arrow S1-310. Brooklyn Nine S2

MOVIES 1. Martian2. Steve Jobs 20163. Intern4. Everest5. Mission Impossible Rogue Nation6. Descendants7. Walk8. Jurassic World9. Visit10. Avengers Age Of Ultron

MUSIC.

1. Adele: 252.Various Artists: Now 92 Db3.Various Artists: Now That’s What I Call Party 4. Coldplay: Head Full Of Dreams 5. One Direction: Made In The A M Hardcoverbook Del Ed6. Panic At The Disco: Death Of A Bachelor 7.Various Artist: Play Something Country Bx3 8.Various Artists: Buddha Bar Xvii9. Bon Jovi: Greatest Hits10. John Newman: Revolve

top 10

Courtesy: Virgin Megastores, Landmark and Villaggio Mall

Mayan Kutty Mather

FOODIE CHOICE

RESTAURANT: Ch opsticks LOCATION: Wyndham Grand RegencyThis restaurant blends elegant decor,

gracious hospitality and exotic Far Eastern dishes, served with style, in an atmosphere of unsurpassed elegance in this contemporary Oriental Restaurant.


COMMUNITY COVER STORY

“I see myself as a facilitator”

By Anand Holla

With great power comes great expectations — and neither appears to be in

short supply for a celebration of such great magnitude and variety as the upcoming third annual Great British Festival.

At the British embassy — which is organising the fortnight of festivity in partnership with the British Council and the UK Government’s GREAT campaign — dissolves into a fl urry of activity in preparations, Ajay Sharma, UK ambassador to Qatar, is understandably a most busy man.

In the run-up to the Festival

that traverses the fi nest of British culture, education, tourism and business while highlighting the strength of the country’s relationship with Qatar, Sharma is visibly excited about the range that’s on off er. At his residence that hums with sophisticated futuristic coolth, Sharma settles for a conversation and lets us in on his well-rounded perspective.

Admittedly, UK-Qatar

cultural ties run deep. With the Great British Festival, which will run from March 6 to March 19, how are you trying to bring something diff erent?

My starting point for all of this is that Qatar and the UK have a great deal of shared history and that a lot of Qataris know the UK extremely well. One of the things that we

are trying to do in this embassy, in the way that we promote the UK-Qatar relations, is to draw on that experience and the history of the UK and then use that as a springboard for either showing new sides to the UK, or developing further existing areas with the UK. Culture is an important tool, not just because it’s something that people enjoy but also because it captures what a country is about.

What we are trying to do in this Festival is showcase to Qataris what the UK is all about. Some of it they will know but some of it will be diff erent. That’s the balance that I am trying to get in this Festival — the things that people know and associate with the UK, and also showcase the things that they haven’t seen before about the UK. So it’s very

similar to Qatar, in the sense that when I think about Qatar, I think about the mix of the old and the new, tradition and innovation. I think that’s something which also, when I think about the UK, comes to mind — we are creative, we are also historic. And that’s why this Festival, which is about those traditional elements of the UK, but also new elements of the UK, is so important for Qatar and our relationship.

Be it for tourism or to study

there, Qataris have been increasingly frequenting the UK. What is your reading of the Qataris’ affi nity towards the UK?

I have always been struck by how many Qataris visit the UK. The latest fi gures from VisitBritain will

show that there continues to be a signifi cant increase in the number of Qataris visiting the UK. But it’s not only the Qataris who visit the UK, own property there, or study there, I think there’s a generational connection with the UK. It’s not just about what people are doing now but also what their families have done, what their parents have done. That gives us an extremely rich backdrop and context for trying to promote UK-Qatar relations.

Qataris feel comfortable with and positive about the UK. My challenge is to make sure that it continues from one generation to the next. Culture and the British Festival is one way of achieving that. It will help us consolidate the feelings that the current and previous generations have had

LOUD AND CLEAR: ‘We really want Qatar to host an amazing World Cup,’ says ambassador Ajay Sharma. Photos by Anand Holla

— UK ambassador Ajay Sharma


COMMUNITYCOVER STORY

about the UK but also developing that positive feeling about the UK. Culture encapsulates what a country is, which is what makes this Festival so important.

What, in particular, do

you feel draws the current generation of Qataris to the UK?

I think one of the things that draw Qataris to the UK is the nature of cities. I think they feel that they are welcoming, dynamic places, and in that sense, they feel they are quite like being back

in Qatar, which is a dynamic, welcoming, friendly place. I think the other reason why they go to the UK is the language. Qataris have an amazing grasp of English. The level of language is also something which drives that and the ease they feel in English. The third thing is that the UK, while its role has changed over the years, continues to be a major international space. If you are from another country, you will be able to make contact with people from other countries and feel that you are at the centre of either global trends or global

movement or innovation, and being part of that is something that anyone feels they can experience in the UK. In short, the dynamism, the friendliness and the global nature of the UK is what attracts Qataris in the same way that those qualities attract people to Qatar.

What is your impression of

Qatar from the experiences you have had here?

I have been struck by how dynamic the place is and by how active people are. As a British ambassador to Qatar, my day is fi lled with a variety of activities which, in a way, are only a small part of what is going on here. Across the board, whether it is education, culture, trade, politics, humanitarian issues, there’s always something going on in Qatar that’s important for the UK to either understand or to be part of. I found the Qataris to be friendly, welcoming, engaged and knowledgeable. In that sense, they are helpful interlocutors for me as an ambassador or for my team as an embassy to have. We can do a lot with this place. The opportunities are as big as our ambition. The challenge for me and this embassy and the UK is to convert all that goodwill and positive feeling about the UK into something which is tangible for the benefi t of both the UK and Qatar. It could be a successful World Cup in 2022 — we really want Qatar to host an amazing World Cup — and we want to be part of that, because Qatar is a partner for us, and we want to help and share in these important global events.

The Festival features

everything from traditional British spring fetes to a football tournament, activities in malls and hotels and a range of events marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare. What were the criteria to chalk out such a varied programme?

For me, what was important was to showcase diff erent aspects of Britain and British culture.

We range from the food to the theatre, from fi lm to the music, from science and archaeology to Alice in Wonderland. I’m really pleased that we have been able to work with our partners to deliver that because it’s not something we can deliver on our own as an embassy. So it’s terrifi c that we have malls participating, showing off what Britain has to off er in terms of great shopping or hotels participating in showcasing British food — and I’m pleased to say that the reputation of British food has changed for the better in recent years!

The British community

appears to feel quite at ease here in Qatar.

We have 25,000 British nationals here, which is sizeable and the community continues to grow. It’s a sign that how our historic relationship with Qatar, which perhaps goes back 200 years, has continued to develop and deepen in lots of diff erent ways. Many of the British expats have either been here for a long time or want to stay here a long time. I think that’s a great indicator of how the UK-Qatar relations are going from strength to strength.

If you were to share an

instance or an experience that sort of encapsulates your idea of what Qatar is, what would it be?

When I went to the Museum of Islamic Art, it was interesting because it was a beautiful building and modern from the outside, and a beautiful building from the inside as well and the collection was amazing. It summed up for me what I love about Qatar, which

is this modern, dynamic edge, this sense of culture, history and identity from the region and the Islamic world, and an ability to put it all together in a way that works, whether you are a resident or a visitor. Another example is when I went to Halal Festival in Katara, I was struck by the really warm and positive atmosphere and a strong sense of tradition and culture, but also a desire to share this with people who are not from Qatar and with the new generation. This is a really interesting example of Qatar — a country preserving its culture, celebrating it and passing on that culture to the next generation in a very positive and open way, which is easy for outsiders like myself to appreciate and to understand.

So what are the immediate

plans to engage with the community?

We are always engaging with the British community, which is incredibly important to the embassy. But my role goes wider than this. My role is about promoting the relationship of our two countries and hence all the events we try and do are about that. Sometimes it focuses on the British community, sometimes it focuses on our Qatari friends and contacts, and sometimes it’s about bringing them together. At the end of the day, I see myself as a facilitator. We can create the context and the connections. We can deliver in certain areas. But the real delivery has to be done by the people. And I hope that events like the Great British Festival will really help strengthen that connection and make it easier for people to deliver for a better UK-Qatar relationship.

“Qataris have an amazing grasp of English. I found the Qataris to be friendly, welcoming, engaged

and knowledgeable. In that sense, they are helpful interlocutors for

me as an ambassador or for my team as an embassy to have”

The Great British Festival will feature a range of events marking the 400th anniversary of the death of playwright William Shakespeare.

The British branded Mini Cooper will travel around Doha again this year.


COMMUNITY

Putting the region’s modern museums in the spotlight

Global news headlines have been buzzing with commentary regarding the world’s art and museum investments shifting to the energy rich states of the

Gulf. Dr Karen Exell, Honorary Senior

Research Associate at UCL Qatar, sought to explain in a lecture what that shift has meant for the region. She recently delivered a Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) Monthly Dialogue Series lecture titled “Museums and Modernity in the Arabian Peninsula”, where the consultant for Qatar Museums shared some of the key points in her soon-to-be-published book on the topic.

Speaking at Georgetown University in Qatar’s campus, where CIRS is located, she shared that she was inspired to write the book after her preconceptions were challenged over the course of her work setting up the UCL Qatar programme in museum practice. “We came with the idea that this knowledge didn’t exist here. But we found that collecting practices have existed in the region for a long time. So I began to focus on how the region engages in modernity through its collecting practices.”

The museum expert launched into a critical overview of how heritage projects and museums are conceived and managed

in the Arabian Peninsula by presenting contrasting poles of ultra modern western museums and the small scale local festivals that celebrate and document cultural heritage and historical events.

“Global art as a method of bridging east and west is repeatedly emphasized in global art projects. I visited two cultural exhibits in Abu Dhabi that acted as tasters for the future museums that are set to open on Saadiyat Island as part of the Guggenheim. At the same time, a downtown festival presenting traditional ways of life created an immersive environment. These two events are in complete contrast to each other, in both form and content.”

The heavy investment in global art projects have served to grab the attention of the world, which she explains is the exact intention. “Engagement with western-style museums is a strategic choice of leadership to guard cultural heritage and recently discovered artifacts. More recently, modern museums have helped to brand nations through accessing western arts. So museums aren’t a necessity but are a desire.”

Director of CIRS Dr Mehran Kamrava introduced the guest speaker, and noted: “Dr Excell is also involved in a CIRS research project on art and cultural production in the GCC, and it is wonderful to have someone of her level of expertise

contributing invaluable insights at our monthly lecture, as well as on the innovative research we are doing on such a pivotal stage in the region’s development.”

Despite the vast wealth poured into new museum projects, the dramatic impact of their structures in Arab city skylines, and the major media attention they garner, Kelly points out that traditional museum practices that fall below the radar of international attention are also very important.

“The value of regional and private collections lies in the owner and their connection to society. How you access these collections is very different from modern museums. They act as memorialisation of local history in a way that traditional western museums fail to do. They’re personal, so you can relate to the events documented in the collections.”

Dr Karen Exell’s book, Modernity and the Museum in the Arabian Peninsula, will be published by Routledge, and is dedicated to the recent and rapid high-profile development of museums in the Arabian Peninsula. After receiving her PhD from the University of Durham, she taught museums studies and held curatorial positions in university museums in the UK for several years. She directed the MA in Museum and Gallery Practice at UCL Qatar from 2011-2015. Dr Karen Exell during the lecture.

Dr Exell explains one of her points through the help of a picture as the attendees look on.


COMMUNITY

Pearl School organises workshop on cricket, volleyball Pearl School Doha organised a refresher workshop on cricket and volleyball for Physical Education (PE) Teachers recently. A total of 26 PE teachers from multiple Indian schools in Doha attended the workshop, which was inaugurated by Pearl School President Sam Mathew. The rules and regulations of both games were reinforced with the help of audio and video presentation. The participants were given participation certificates at the end.

UCQ welcomes members of the Canadian Parliament to its campus The University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) welcomed members from the Canadian Parliament at its campus yesterday. The visiting delegation took a tour of the campus, met with students and faculty and learned more about the programmes off ered at the University. Seen here, from left, are Senator Percy Downe; Dr Kim Critchley, Dean and CEO, UCQ ; MP Ginette Petitpas Taylor; Ziad Aboultaif; and Senator Dennis Dawson.


COMMUNITY

Indian expat dies of heart attack at bus stop A 57-year-old Indian expatriate died apparently of heart attack while he was waiting at a bus stop in the Doha Industrial Area on Tuesday.The victim identified as P C James, who was a native of Palayur in Kerala’s Thrissur district, was waiting near his accommodation for his company vehicle to pick him up for duty in the morning when he collapsed, sources said.James leaves behind his wife and children in his native place, they said. He was employed at the service centre of the Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles in the Industrial Area.James’ body was moved to a hospital mortuary.

Father of senior physician in Doha passes away Mohamed Haneefa, the father of Dr Salim Mohamed, a Doha resident and senior physician, died on February 26 in Thiruvananthapuram. Haneefa was a former Indian Administrative Service off icer and an erstwhile collector of Palakkad District in Kerala. He started his career by teaching at Farooq College, Kozhikode and joined the Revenue Service of Kerala state in 1956. He held many senior positions in Kerala government service. He is also survived by his daughter, Niza.

Student nominated for award Mohammed Ali Faisal, a class XII student at Birla Public School, who produced a documentary film on child labour in India titled The Human Capital, was recently nominated for an award at the THIMUN Qatar Northwestern Film Festival held annually in Doha, Qatar.The THIMUN Qatar Northwestern University Film Festival attracts young filmmakers from around the world. The films serve as a platform for young people to create advocacy films on local or global issues. Mohammed Ali’s film covers the issue of child labour and subsequent illiteracy thereby aff ecting the human capital.“The major challenge I faced was depicting the vastness and intenseness of the issue I was trying to portray within the 7 minutes duration. Balancing my studies of my final high school year and the yearlong making of this movie was another diff iculty,” said Mohammed Ali Faisal.This year’s festival will be held from March 24 to 26.

UCQ welcomes high schoolers to experience nursing firsthand T

he University of Calgary in Qatar (UCQ) welcomed a group of students enrolled in the science section at the Qatar

Independent Secondary School for Girls recently.

During their visit, students received a tour of the university’s state-of-the-art Simulation Laboratory (SIM Lab), which trains students for real-life scenarios in nursing using high-tech medical mannequins, and engaged with students and staff to learn more about the nursing programmes off ered by UCQ.

“We were excited to welcome this talented and driven group of students from Qatar Independent Secondary School for Girls to UCQ, giving them the chance to experience fi rst-hand what being a nurse means, and the knowledge and training required to become one,” said Dr Kim Critchley, Dean and CEO of UCQ. “As we work towards supporting Qatar National Vision 2030, we hope to see more young women like these students contributing to the development of Qatar’s healthcare sector and nursing profession.”

Visiting students met with UCQ students and faculty, and learned about the invaluable family and community benefi ts gained via nursing education. Graduates of UCQ’s Bachelor of Nursing programme are prepared for more than their careers as healthcare professionals at one of Qatar’s highly equipped hospitals such as Sidra Medical and Research Center or Hamad Medical Corporation. Trained nurses also possess the ability to provide health and wellness advice to their family, friends, and community, in addition

to advanced emergency response and family health and management skills developed throughout their undergraduate education.

The students’ visit was led by nursing student, Aisha Almadeed, at UCQ.

Aisha Almadeed noted: “When I was asked to guide a group of bright students from Qatar Independent Secondary School for Girls on their tour, I immediately agreed, as I can still remember my own journey which lead me to enrolling at UCQ. I am proud to be able to share my experience so far with these students who are about to embark on the next step in their educational future and career path. I hope this experience was fulfi lling to them as it was for me, and hope to work and study alongside them one day.”

“Today really changed my perception about what it means to be a nurse,” said one young student

who attended. “I always thought that I wanted to be a doctor, but now I can see the high level of expertise in

nursing and I think it could be a good career.” The students’ visit followed a presentation given by Rasha

Shams, Recruitment and Student Life Offi cer at the Offi ce of Student Services, to students at the school.

HANDS ON: During their visit, students received a tour of the university’s state-of-the-art Simulation Laboratory.


COMMUNITY

‘Reflections 2016’ at Loyola International School The Loyola International School organised its annual exhibition titled “Reflections 2016” recently. A total of 190 students displayed more than 200 designs at the exhibition, ranging from simple art to full-sized models on subjects such as physics, mathematics and music.

Film lovers in the Middle East and North Africa region cannot have it any better than on OSN, as they will now have

exclusive access to the expansive roster of movies and future television series from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM).

The renewed long-term deal between OSN and MGM, builds on the longstanding successful partnership that has kept OSN’s loyal subscribers entertained with incredible access to new and classic movies from the MGM stable.

MGM not only owns one of the world’s deepest libraries of premium fi lm and television content, but also every Bond fi lm ever made. This continued partnership, allows subscribers to continue to enjoy the entire James Bond fi lm library from Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions and MGM, from 1962’s Dr No to the 24th adventure, Spectre, making OSN the number one choice for Bond fans in the region. The alliance also gives viewers the opportunity to enjoy over 175 Academy Award winning fi lms including 14 Best Pictures from the prestigious studio. All these and more, will be available for OSN

subscribers across all platforms, including OSN’s the award-winning catch-up service OSN Play, and Go online TV service.

David Butorac, Chief Executive Offi cer of OSN, said: “For over 90 years, MGM has been representing the best in world-class cinema and entertainment. OSN is proud to deliver MGM’s compelling content – both through record breaking movies and smash-hit TV series – exclusively to our subscribers in the region.”

Butorac added, “Clearly, in movie and series content, OSN has surged way ahead in the industry through such long-term partnerships, and we continue to fi rmly make our mark as the entertainment destination that delivers the widest choice of channels, the deepest archive of international fi lm and TV and with a continued dedication to new and exclusive content. By continually forging new deals and maintaining our relationships with all the top studios in Hollywood, our subscribers experience an unrivalled level of high-quality entertainment straight to their homes or on the go.”

“We are thrilled to extend and expand our longstanding partnership with OSN,” said Chris

Ottinger, President of Worldwide Television Distribution and Acquisitions, MGM. “We look forward to continue providing OSN customers access to not only a selection of our theatrical fi rst-run titles, but our classic library and future fi rst-run TV series and mini-series.”

The new long-term deal marks the next level in the partnership between the two industry leaders. OSN will now have fi rst and second pay window rights for MGM movies

including its vast library of classic movies.

Award-winning titles in MGM’s extensive portfolio include: the “Rocky” franchise, Annie Hall (1977), Platoon (1986), Rain Man (1988), The Princess Bride (1988), Dances With Wolves (1990), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and the Stargate franchise among others. Hit fi lms from the MGM catalogue include Creed, Poltergeist, Max, and Hercules.

The roster of new movies from

MGM is equally impressive. OSN subscribers will be able to watch upcoming movies such as How To Be Single, Barbershop The Next Cut, Me Before You, Ben-Hur, and The Magnifi cent Seven.

OSN also has fi rst-access for over-the-top rights to MGM movies on OSN Play, the catch-up platform for anytime, anywhere entertainment, and GO Online TV by OSN. All future fi rst-run TV series and mini-series from MGM will reach MENA fi rst and exclusively for OSN subscribers.

The long-term agreement with MGM further reinforces OSN as the fi rst stop for all global movie and TV series in the region exclusively. OSN has the most comprehensive portfolio of exclusive rights from all the major studios including Warner Brothers, Paramount, Fox, Disney, Sony, MGM, NBC Universal, HBO and DreamWorks, among others.

OSN recently announced the launch of seven new channels – BBC First HD, OSN First HD Home of HBO, OSN Ya Hala Cinema HD, OSN Movies Family HD, H2, Discovery Family and IDX — with more premium and exclusive high defi nition channels to come on board over the next few months.

OSN renews partnership with MGM

NOW AVAILABLE: A scene from MGM’s Creed.


COMMUNITY

KSQ organises its annual Vanitha Prathibha Sambrama A large number of lady members took part in various competitions at an event to mark KSQ’s annual Vanitha Prathibha Sambrama (ladies talent search). The competitions included categories such as “best out of waste”, “cooking without fire”, “rangoli”, “fashion show”, and “anthyakshari”. Towards the end of the day-long programme, famous Kannada cine actor Sudharani joined the function as a chief guest. KSQ’s local artistes presented a few hit melodies from Sudharani’s movies along with a very famous dance for a song for which Sudharani has acted as a daughter with matinee idol late Dr Rajkumar.KSQ also honoured Sudharani with the title of “Kala Sindhoori” as a recognition of her contribution to film industry.

McDonald’s Qatar introduces McCafe concept in Qatar

McDonald’s Qatar recently organised an event for the local media to introduce the McCafé Concept. The event was held at McCafé

City Center ground fl oor and attended by McDonald’s Qatar senior management.

McCafé provides an avenue for McDonald’s to off er high quality coff ee served by specially trained café staff in a café style environment.

McCafé is perfect for all times during the day, off ering a wide selection of freshly brewed coff ee made with 100 percent Arabica beans sourced from the rich soils of Central and South America – cappuccinos, espressos and latte – along with appetising pastries and cakes, and opens seven days per week around the clock.

The ambiance at McCafe is designed for comfort to include chairs and bistro-style tables.

Kamal Saleh al-Mana, Managing Director of Al Mana Restaurants & Food., said, “We are confi dent that customers will now be able to enjoy their favourite meals even more, with the addition of our new range of products from McCafé. The new addition to our family highlights our focused growth plans in Qatar, and our promise to connect with all of our customers in the convenience of their communities and neighbourhood.”

McCafe is available, in addition to City Center ground fl oor branch, in McDonald’s in AlMeera Mureikh and Barwa City branches. The McCafe team at the City Center Mall.

The Ford Mustang GT was recently crowned as ‘2016 Best Coupe’ at UAE’s wheels magazine’s Car of the Year Awards, beating out stiff competition in a notoriously tough

segment.“The Mustang is an iconic car, and the GT

has gained tremendous popularity here in the Middle East, among both hard-core motorists and motoring experts,” said Thierry Sabbagh, managing director of Ford Middle East. “It has become a favourite to many thanks to its fantastic driving dynamics and performance combined with its great looks to deliver a truly exhilarating driving experience.”

Mustang GT continues with the latest edition of the throaty 5.0-litre V8, now featuring an upgraded valvetrain and cylinder heads that help boost output to GSO-rated 421 PS and 530 Nm of torque. A new intake manifold features charge motion control valves to partially close off port fl ow at lower engine speeds. This increases the air charge tumble and swirl for improved air-fuel mixing resulting in improved effi ciency and idle stability.

The clean-sheet design of both Mustang fastback and convertible evokes the essential character of the brand, retaining key design

elements – including the long sculpted hood and short rear deck – with contemporary execution.

The information and controls an active driver needs are all readily accessible in the aviation-inspired cockpit, which is executed with the highest degree of craftsmanship ever found in a Mustang. Large, clear instrumentation puts vehicle information right in front of the driver in the roomier cabin, while improved ergonomics and tactile switches and knobs provide better control. The added width and a new rear suspension contribute to improved shoulder and hip room for rear-seat passengers, and a more usefully shaped trunk can accommodate two golf bags.

The Mustang features a signifi cant amount of innovative technologies providing drivers with enhanced information, control and connectivity when they want it. From Intelligent Access with push-button start to SYNC and MyKey in every Mustang built, plus standard Track Apps, MyColour gauges and a new Shaker Pro Audio System, drivers will be able to customise their time behind the wheel.

The feeling of freedom and confi dence Mustang instils in its drivers is amplifi ed when they can take control of how the car behaves. On a twisty back road or a weekend track

day, the driver can tap the toggle switches on the console to quickly adjust steering eff ort, engine response, and transmission and electronic stability control settings using the available Selectable Drive Modes to create the perfect Mustang at any time.

The advanced Ford-developed stability control system is tuned to maximise Mustang’s dynamic capabilities. When the time comes to turn up the wick at the track, Mustang GT includes standard launch control on manual-

transmission models that enables drivers to achieve smooth, consistent starts every time.

When it’s time to back off and relax for the drive home, available advanced driver-assist features including Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with cross-traffi c alert and adaptive cruise control can help ease the load, while SYNC with MyFord Touch lets drivers control their phone, climate and audio system while keeping their hands on the steering wheel.


COMMUNITYMOTORING

Ferrari GTC4Lusso debuts T

he Ferrari GTC4Lusso, which premieres at the Geneva Motor Show, is a new four-seater model that integrates

rear-wheel steering with four-wheel drive for the fi rst time, hailing another major advance for the versatile sporty Grand Tourer concept.

As Ferrari’s latest interpretation of the four-seater, a confi guration that holds a very special place in Maranello tradition, the GTC4Lusso makes exhilarating Prancing Horse sports car performance and elegance available to four rather than just two occupants.

Thanks to a 6262cc V12 that punches out a maximum of 690 cv at a 8,000 rpm and peak torque of 697 Nm at 5,750 rpm, with 80% available at just 1,750 rpm, the GTC4Lusso delivers an astonishing top speed of 335 km/h and sprints from 0 to 100km in 3.4 seconds. Both its 13.5:1 compression ratio and its 2.6 kg/cv weight-to-power-ratio set new records for the category.

Seamless integration of its complex vehicle dynamics control systems means the powerful GTC4Lusso performs brilliantly in all driving situations, but really comes into its own on challenging low-grip surfaces, delivering a consistent sense of stability and comfort.

Based on the latest, fourth generation of the Side Slip Control, the new Ferrari-patented 4RM-S system integrates and controls the 4RM Evo four-wheel drive’s PTU (Power Transfer Unit), the rear-

wheel steering, E-Diff and SCM-E active damping.

Penned by Ferrari Design, the GTC4Lusso is a further refi nement of the shooting brake coupé, reinterpreting the concept with an extremely streamlined, tapered shape that underscores its perfect balance of elegance and sportiness whilst still incorporating large comfortable rear seats and a roomy boot behind them. At the front, the new Dual Cockpit architecture enhances the shared driving experience for both driver and passenger. In fact, four plush wraparound seats and the cabin’s meticulously crafted quality materials create the same ambience as a luxurious living space for all occupants. One of the selection criteria for the materials adopted was weight reduction to heighten

the sense of sporty luxury typical of a thoroughbred Ferrari. The navigation and infotainment platform, featuring a 10.25 inch HD screen with capacitive touch technology, is new, too.

The Ferrari stand at Geneva showcases two examples of the GTC4Lusso: the fi rst is fi nished in a Bianco Italia livery with a Blu Sterling interior, a Low-e panoramic roof to keep the cabin temperature constant even on the sunniest of days, and diamond-fi nish forged wheels, while the second has classic Grigio Ferro Met bodywork with a Cognac semi-aniline leather cabin. Both cars feature the new 8.8 inch touchscreen passenger display as well as Apple CarPlay and an upgraded audio system.

Ferrari is also using the Geneva

event to present the new Handling Speciale (HS) package for the California T. This V8 model with retractable hard top and 2+ seating confi guration delivers such a perfect combination of performance and versatility that it has become the benchmark for its segment. The optional technical content on the Handling Speciale is designed for owners that appreciate the California T’s versatility and GT prowess but will also relish the extra sporty edge delivered by a series of a new set-up and specifi c calibrations.

Aside from stiff er springs to increase body control with lower roll, dive and pitch, the gear-shift logic for the Manettino’s Sport setting has been modifi ed which translates into faster, sportier gear selection. A new strategy for the

SCM3 magnetorheological dampers improves dynamic behaviour by boosting both the system’s response speed and control. Revised F1-Trac logics helps ensure even better acceleration, too.

The HS package also includes a new exhaust which delivers a fuller, richer sound very much in tune with the car’s character. It introduces several aesthetic features such as the new front grille in matte Grigio Ferro Met and the rear diff user in the same colour with matte black fences and matte black tailpipes. The car showcasing the package has a two-tone livery comprising Rosso Corsa Met bodywork and Nero Stellato roof. Its black interior features a slew of carbon-fi bre details.

Also present is a California T Tailor Made inspired by the 250 GT Berlinetta SWB. This is a particularly sporty but refi ned 8-cylinder featuring a Grigio Scuro livery and a dark red racing stripe with a Heritage Bordeaux leather interior. It also boasts detailing such as a black grille and black diff user with red fences and chrome tailpipes.

The 488 GTB on show has Argento Nürburgring bodywork and a Nero Stellato roof while the F12berlinetta is clothed in a Rosso Berlinetta livery with a Cuoio leather interior and carbon-fi bre interior and exterior accents.

The GT cars are fl anked by the Formula 1 single-seater, the SF15-T, in homage to Ferrari’s inextricable links to the track on the eve of the start of the new F1 season.

SLEEK: The Ferrari GTC4Lusso.

Ford Mustang GT ‘2016 Best Coupe’

ACCOMPLISHED: Ford Mustang GT with its award in the foreground.


COMMUNITY INFOGRAPHIC


COMMUNITYLIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE

ARIESMarch 21 — April 19

CANCERJune 21 — July 22

LIBRASeptember 23 — October 22

CAPRICORNDecember 22 — January 19

TAURUSApril 20 — May 20

LEOJuly 23 — August 22

SCORPIOOctober 23 — November 21

AQUARIUSJanuary 20 — February 18

GEMINIMay 21 — June 20

VIRGOAugust 23 — September 22

SAGITTARIUSNovember 22 — December 21

PISCESFebruary 19 — March 20

Unless you have plans to do something after work, this is a great

time for you to spend time relaxing and catching up with those

things that you need to catch up with.

Despite all of the things that aren’t going well in your life right

now, you have to find your way through the muddle and find your

happiness and your happy place.

Be open to changing your plans today Librans. You might think

you’re doing one thing and find out with 5 minutes to spare that you

are doing something totally diff erent.

Without trying too hard today, you can actually get a lot done.

Sometimes you overload your schedule and your brain with too

many things on your to do list.

There is nothing like being right, is there? You like being on top of

things and winning the argument every time, don’t you?

If you aren’t sure about something today, don’t push forward with

it today. The next few weeks are going to be better for you to get

things done anyway.

You may have an idea brewing in your mind and be totally unsure

if it’s going to work out or not. The only way to find out is to try it

Scorpios.

Being available for those you love isn’t always easy. You are

incredibly busy and right now, with Mercury and Venus in your sign,

even more so. Prioritise.

Avoid getting caught up in a silly argument today Gemini’s. It’s easy

for things to start off as a friendly discussion and quickly turn rather

angry and go from 1–60 way too quickly.

Unless you feel obligated to do something today, don’t go out of

your way today Virgos. You need to DO YOU right now.

Your sign is often referred to as being the most humorous and

optimistic in the zodiac. And that’s always a good thing because

some days aren’t that funny at all, are they?

Your annual New Moon is right around the cosmic corner — March

8 to be exact. Start thinking about all the things you want to see

happen in your life and write them down as a mission statement

type deal.

4 ways to improve your home’s curb appeal

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. This steadfast advice isn’t just for interviews and first dates; it’s also applicable to your home.

Whether it’s a potential buyer or simply a visitor, within seconds of seeing your home’s exterior, that first impression will be made. That’s why experts from home builders to real estate agents sing the praises of stellar curb appeal.

If you’re thinking of selling your home or just want to give it a facelift, here are ways you can increase your home’s curb appeal:

Revamp the roofYour roof is an important element of the exterior

design aesthetic. If a dingy old roof is killing your curb appeal, a style and colour upgrade can breathe new life into your home’s facade.

The first step is to evaluate roofing options for style cohesion with your home’s existing siding.

Shake up shuttersDon’t be tempted to ignore your shutters. Much

like how jewellry adds the perfect finishing touch to an outfit, stylish shutters in attractive hues can pull your home’s entire front exterior look together.

Shutters provide a great opportunity to add a splash of colour for a touch of personality to your home’s exterior without going overboard. Pull

shutters down and clean them up with soap and water before adding a fresh coat of paint. Make sure to get enough paint so you can freshen your front door in the matching colour as well for a co-ordinating look that can enhance curb appeal.

Pretty the patioFront patios should convey an inviting appearance

that complements the entryway. For dated and dirty concrete slabs, special paint can instantly provide an eye-catching focal point that looks like new. Finish beautifying patio spaces with a few extra touches that warm the area. Depending on the space parameters, the addition of a wicker chair, a few potted plants and a new welcome mat can make a world of difference in boosting curb appeal.

Love the landscapingOvergrown plants, messy mulch and low-hanging

tree branches can kill curb appeal fast. Take a look at your home from the street and notice whether plants and landscape beds could use a tidy touch.

Keeping bushes and trees neatly trimmed can increase curb appeal, but don’t stop there. Deadhead flowers and pull plants that are past season. Finally, add a fresh layer of mulch to cut down on weeds and provide a freshly landscaped look.

© Brandpoint


COMMUNITY PUZZLES/CARTOONS

Adam

Pooch Cafe

Garfield

Bound And Gagged

Codeword

Wordsearch

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.

Puzz

les

cour

tesy

: Puz

zlec

hoic

e.co

m

BATH BLANKET BLUE BOOTIES BOTTLE BOY BURP CHUBBY

COLIC CRADLE CRAWL CRIB CRY CUDDLE CUTE DIAPERS

DIMPLE FEED GIRL GUMS HIGH CHAIR LOVE LULLABY

MIDWIFE MILK NURSE PINK SLEEP SMILE TWINS WEIGHT

Babies

Sudoku

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.


COMMUNITYPUZZLES

Colouring

Answers

Wordsearch Codeword

DOWN1. Fissure (5)2. Fast (6)3. Cunning (3)4. Flowery (6)5. Propriety (7)8. Hide (7)11. Moral (7)13. Weird (7)15. Source (6)16. Sheen (6)17. Drink (5)20. Marry (3)

ACROSS6. Fragile (7)7. Spate (5)9. Tally (5)10. Trip (7)12. Gesture (11)14. Unconquerable (11)18. Chief city (7)19. Emit (5)21. Release (5)22. Frighten (7)

ACROSS6. Let everyone spend the weekend in being overdrawn (7)7. Of a stone in weight? (5)9. Accessory for Jumbo or Ivy, perhaps (5)10. Observe the unusual state of being long-winded (7)12. Formal demand is quiet, or in a different setting (11)14. Brief appearance at a railway station? (7,4)18. Lucidity at lyric composing (7)19. Disastrous consequence of boy being overweight (5)21. Archery shot the winners got in the middle (5)22. Owl on a journey round Gateshead, that’s a mistake! (3,4)

DOWN1. There’s nothing wicked about this fruit! (5)2. Origin of the sound of impudence (6)3. Desire to make money (3)4. Talk inconsequentially about a novice (6)5. A craving for fruit? (7)8. Continue in the manufacture of stripes (7)11. High standard illuminated in the wharf (7)13. Local man gets cross with mass gathering (7)15. Shrill sound of the shrike, perhaps (6)16. Fruit eaten by an ogre, possibly (6)17. Craft that goes up and down (5)20. Company figure? (3)

Quick Clues

Cryptic Clues

Yesterday’s Solutions

QUICKAcross: 1 Dainty; 4 Scorch; 9 Recalcitrance; 10 Dungeon; 11 Exude; 12 Pinch; 14 Stoop; 18 Often; 19 Refusal; 21 Confectionery; 22 Drying; 23 Seemed.Down: 1 Deride; 2 Inconsistency; 3 Tulle; 5 Current; 6 Run out of steam; 7 Heeded; 8 Giant; 13 Concern; 15 Forced; 16 Grate; 17 Flayed; 20 Froze.

CRYPTICAcross: 1 Behind; 4 Hatpin; 9 Work with a will; 10 Arousal; 11 Again; 12 Treat; 14 Steep; 18 Fears; 19 Logical; 21 In the same boat; 22 Murder; 23 Mealie.Down: 1 Bow-saw; 2 Harbour-master; 3 Newts; 5 Adamant; 6 Private school; 7 Nylons; 8 Stall; 13 Austere; 15 Affirm; 16 Iliad; 17 Clothe; 20 Grebe.

By Jeff Simon

FILM: GrandmaDIRECTOR: Paul WeitzCAST: Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Sam

Elliott, Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer

There is a heart-breaking scene between Lily Tomlin and Sam Elliott toward the end of Grandma that is one of the fi nest things either has ever done on fi lm — or,

for that matter, ever will do. In Elliott’s case, it’s his fi nest fi lm moment.

In Tomlin’s, it will always have to contend with her masterpiece — John Bailey’s 1991 fi lm of her one-woman show The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, which was written by her life partner Jane Wagner.

Lily Tomlin is, legendarily, a piece of work. So is her eponymous character in Grandma (whose fi ctional name, revealingly, is “Elle”). But then Paul Weitz’s movie is itself a piece of work, in which it couldn’t be more obvious at every turn why Tomlin clearly embraced it so wholeheartedly that the fi lm makes comic use of an actual 1955 Dodge owned by its star.

She has never been easy to work with. She’s admitted that from the beginning — most famously early on after shooting Robert Benton’s The Late Show. Go online,

type in “Lily Tomlin and David O. Russell” and watch a candid video in horror as her harsh complaints to her director Russell during the filming of I Heart Huckabees light the match that causes a Russell explosion of volcanic profanity and magnitude.

Her periodic diffi culties have, no doubt, accounted for her having approximately one-third the career many of us wanted her to have. In every second of Weitz’s Grandma you can see the kind of very funny and moving fi lm that would allow Tomlin to breathe deeply, mutter “at last” to herself and bless her luck for starring in the kind of movie she should be making.

She’s wonderful — not always artfully directed by Weitz, but so intrinsically perfect for this script that I think the two of them spent the shoot blessing their good fortune in such a collaboration.

She plays a once highly thought of feminist poet whose life has stalled while she deals with grief over the death of her life partner. “I’m an academic” she says now with no small rue. “An unemployed one.”

She’s also a lifelong rebel — constantly marinating in disgust at an increasingly dispiriting world. She cut up all her credit cards and made wind-chimes out them. (Don’t examine that claim too closely; just swing with Weitz’s script in good faith.)

She has broken up with a new, much-

younger partner (Judy Greer) and now freely admits to anyone interested: “I’m a horrible person.”

At that exact moment, as if to test that proposition, her granddaughter shows up at her front door with the news that she’s in immediate need of $630 for an abortion.

“I’ve turned my life into art,” says Grandma, explaining why she doesn’t have that amount of cash at the ready.

So many bracing things are treated matter-of-factly in Grandma that you can understand why a performer as sensitive and feisty and feminist as Tomlin would give this movie everything she’s got.

And so she does most of the time, often to brilliant eff ect. The fi lm is often terribly funny but, because its basic subject matter is serious, you’re engrossed, too, in the tale of a granddaughter and grandmother having to rely on a huge reservoir of love that neither one, in their less needy moments, wants anything to do with.

If you’re at all suddenly startled by Tomlin so visible after so many damnable years of apparently self-imposed obscurity (she has also made a TV sitcom with Jane Fonda called Grace and Frankie for Netfl ix), she’s entered a time of life when she can deliver a joyously sour line like “I like being old. Young people are stupid.”

I dare say there are, at most, half a dozen living American actresses who can make that

line both sing and make it work in perfect dramatic context at the same time in a movie.

Tomlin is one of them. Hallelujah for having her back.

And if you care about either one of them after all these years, don’t miss her scene with Elliott. It’s one of 2015’s great movie moments. — The Buff alo News/TNS


COMMUNITY REVIEWS

By M Scott Morris

FILM: Bridge of SpiesDIRECTOR: Steven SpielbergCAST: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks have joined forces to make a beautiful movie about what it means to be an American.

Bridge of Spies is based on true events and is set during the Cold War, when there

was no mistaking the enemy. The USSR wants to learn all it can about the USA, and vice versa.

Early in the fi lm, federal forces capture Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), a painter by profession, but

that’s only a cover. Abel is charged as a spy, and James B Donovan (Hanks) is assigned to be his defence attorney.

It’s not an easy job for Donovan because he’s determined to fi ght for every right Abel deserves under the law. That doesn’t sit well with his boss, the judge or people in the community.

Donovan’s wife (Amy Ryan) isn’t too happy either, especially after the family receives credible threats of violence.

The government wants to execute Abel, but Donovan is an insurance lawyer. He knows the value of an ace in the hole, and so do the viewers, because there’s a parallel story with Gary Powers (Austin Stowell), an American spy plane pilot who’s shot down over Soviet skies.

Bridge of Spies becomes a behind-the-scenes look at how Donovan negotiates with Soviets and East Germans when his government can’t.

The movie has its comedic moments, as Donovan deals with petty, bureaucratic cruelties in the East and West, and Abel’s dry wit in dire circumstances lightens the mood.

That’s balanced with almost casual tragedy. We see the Berlin Wall bisect Berlin, when tensions are high and trigger fi ngers fast.

I don’t know what kind of man Donovan actually was, but Hanks portrays him as a good-natured everyman, who’s dedicated to his ideals, even when people around him would rather cut corners.

His frustrations pile up, but he never loses his sense of grace. Donovan is the defi nition of a stand-up guy, and Hanks’ portrayal propels this movie forward.

This is a Cold War story, but it’s clear Spielberg sees Donovan’s example as universal. In times of turmoil, it’s up to ordinary people to do the right thing. It’s not an easy ideal to live up to, and that’s what makes Donovan a true American hero.

I give Bridge of Spies an A. —Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal/TNS

Grandma is some piece of work but then so is her movie

Courage under fireA hero’s taleFILM: He Named Me Malala DIRECTION: Davis Guggenheim

An intimate portrait of the fearless young advocate for women’s education, He Named Me Malala is one of the signifi cant fi lms of the

year. Using extensive interviews with his subject and her family as well as newsreel footage, award-winning documentarian Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) sheds new light on the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Malala was named by her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, after the teenage Afghani woman who rallied Pashtun fi ghters against British troops in the 19th century. Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012 for speaking out in support of girls’ education in Pakistan. Transferred to a hospital in Birmingham in the UK, she miraculously survived. We follow Malala as she builds a new life for herself, all the while continuing her campaign on behalf of girls who have been denied basic education.

Even as she speaks at international events and meets with global dignitaries, Malala leads a fairly conventional life at home — squabbling with her two younger brothers or gushing over her sports idols, cricketer Shahid Afridi and tennis player Roger Federer.

Unfortunately, director Guggenheim devotes a disproportionate amount of

time to the animation interludes that illustrate crucial moments in the life of the courageous young woman. Also, there are several clumsily recreated sequences that seek to highlight the plight of underprivileged children in her hometown. But these are quibbles. Visiting children at a school in Africa, Malala is heard declaring that “school is my home”. It’s a sentiment that governments worldwide should heed. —Hindustan Times/TNS

DVDs courtesy: Saqr Entertainment Stores, Doha

Come April and Kapil Sharma will be back with his brand of comedy on the small screen with his squad, including Sunil Grover and Ali Asgar. The star comedian says his

aim has always been to spread happiness, and he hopes to do the same with The Kapil Sharma Show.

The fi rst episode of the show will be shot with a live audience as an event in Delhi. “Me and my team are overwhelmed with the kind of love India has showered on us. Our aim has always been to bring a smile to everyone and with The Kapil Sharma Show, we wish to do just that,” Kapil said in a statement.t

The show will now be aired on Sony Entertainment Television starting April 23. Other cast members on the show are Kiku Sharda, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Sumona Chakravarti and Chandan Prabhakar. Produced by K9 and Frames Production, the show promises to provide unlimited, unadulterated and spur-of-the-moment entertainment.

Before the premiere of the show, fans will get a chance to interact with their favourite stars as they embark on an entertaining journey with a multi-city tour. Starting at Amritsar on March 5, Kapil and his gang will move to Bhopal (March 11), Lucknow (March 16) and Delhi (fi rst week of April). Danish Khan, executive vice president and business head of the channel, said: “It is a family show, which we hope will become a habitual dinner-time ritual for families across Indian homes.”

It comes as a reason for Kapil’s fans to rejoice, especially after his show Comedy Nights With Kapil had come to an end on Colors following a clash between Kapil and the channel. — IANS


COMMUNITYBOLLYWOOD

ON THE ROAD: Krushna Abhishek in OMG! Yeh Mera India.

COUNTDOWN BEGINS: Kapil Sharma

BACK AFTER A BREAK: Taapsee Pannu

Krushna Abhishek to host OMG!... TV show

Actor Krushna Abhishek will soon take the small screen audience on a voyage through India, showcasing the OMG facts about its people and places through a new TV show OMG! Yeh Mera India. To be aired on History TV18, the show will go on air from March 10. The treatment of the show is expected to be entertaining and refreshing, read a statement.

From showcasing the world’s biggest family in Mizoram to a ‘visa’ temple in Andhra Pradesh to a soldier who can perform diffi cult yoga postures riding a moving motorcycle, Krushna will present some interesting facts about the country.

Sangeetha Aiyer, vice president and head marketing, A+E Networks, TV18, said: “Our main objective has been to present India — with all its vibrancy and idiosyncrasies — in a fun, relatable manner that is totally immersive for the entire family.”

As part of the initiative, the channel also plans to create an engaging digital initiative to drive user-generated content on its social media ecosystem. The show will invite participation from viewers to share their OMG stories from their neighbourhood, with the shortlisted stories being featured in the fi nal episode. — IANS

I’m possessive about Malaika: Arbaaz Khan

Actor-fi lmmaker Arbaaz Khan, who has been married to actress Malaika Arora Khan for the past 17 years and has been in the midst of rumours of a split, says he is “possessive” about his wife and is “afraid” of losing her.

Arbaaz said he was not very possessive about Maliaka earlier, but that has changed over time. “It happens. When you achieve something or someone, you don’t want to lose the person. I love Malaika but I’m possessive about her,” Arbaaz said on TV show Yaar Mera Superstar, where he was accompanied by Malaika.

“It wasn’t like this when she was younger or I was more new into the relationship, but it has happened now. She is very precious and dear to me. I love her more than anything else in the world. I’m afraid of losing her now,” he added.

Arbaaz, best known for his roles in fi lms like Daraar, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Dabangg, said he has also started listening to his wife more than ever before now. “I think with time you don’t have an option but to listen to your wife. The power has shifted now and has gone to Malaika.” — IANS

Kapil Sharma to be back on TV in April

Irrfan ‘extremely thrilled’ over Asif Kapadia’s Oscar

Actor Irrfan Khan says he is thrilled that British fi lmmaker of Indian origin Asif Kapadia’s Amy was named the Best Documentary Feature at the 88th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Amy is based on the life of late singer Amy Winehouse.

Irrfan, who worked with Kapadia a decade ago for The Warrior, said in a statement: “I am extremely thrilled for Asif. He is an amazing fi lmmaker and I am happy that we had the opportunity to work together in the past.

“His fi lm The Warrior was a turning point of my life. It’s overwhelming to know that fi nally he got the much deserving Oscar.”

Irrfan is himself an internationally popular actor, who has acted in Hollywood fi lms like Jurrasic World and A Mighty Heart. He has also shot for Inferno with Hollywood actor Tom Hanks. — IANS

Taapsee Pannu goes on much-needed getaway

Actress Taapsee Pannu went on a getaway to the US as she wrapped up her fi rst schedule of Ghazi and had a week’s time before she starts shooting for Shoojit Sircar’s next outing with Amitabh Bachchan.

Taapsee, who was shooting long hours for Ghazi, decided to take a quick week’s trip with her sister to freshen up before she enters a month and half long shoot schedule. “New York has defi nitely been in the list of must visit for me. I am happy I could make it here. I did all typical touristy things — from watching the Broadway musical to comedy shows and going for the World Trade Centre tour, Statue of Liberty or a stroll at Central Park,” Taapsee said.— IANS


COMMUNITY HOLLYWOOD

You can’t believe your eyes. We’ve all seen the optical illusions that trick us into thinking that the chair is larger

than the table, that the famous dress is really gold and white (or is it blue and black?), that the triangle of blocks seems to move and twist.

Those faulty perceptions that entertained us as kids, bear an important message to adults, so says Brain Games, the National Geographic series that proves we’re not as smart as we think we are.

Helming that indictment is Jason Silva, the perfect guy to host a show like that because Silva has been contemplating these puzzles since he was a child growing up in Venezuela.

“I would call myself a wonder junkie,” he says in a sun dappled lounge of a hotel here in Pasadena, California. “I’ve been affl icted with a philosophical sensibility since I was a kid. My mother is an artist and a teacher and musician and sculptor. And I grew up in an environment in which art was everywhere. I was a cinephile, loved movies, loved ideas, loved heady fi lms with profound philosophical questions. ... I was a heady guy and loved fi nding other heady friends and getting into heady discussions because it was a high, it just fi red me up,” he says.

He was so into it that he formed his own little “salons” in high school where he invited friends to discuss theoretical questions about the universe. “I became interested in designing experiences and designing spaces that evoked certain moods and certain states of consciousness. I became obsessed with that because I felt like I had some kind of control over my life and the fl uctuations of my moods,” he says.

He hadn’t always felt in control. When he was 12 his parents split. “That was very traumatic; a lot of anxiety, a lot of fear. I went to a psychologist for a couple months. I think the divorce was a crack in certainty,” he says.

“I think that the one thing you need to provide for a kid is a sense of safety until they reach a certain age, and I think that was a crack in the sense of safety. There was compensation in the family on my mother’s side. We never lacked for anything. It wasn’t like we suff ered other than just the fact that mom and dad were not together anymore which was pretty traumatic.”

Part of his life plan was to attend university in the US and maintain dual citizenship. While at the University of Miami (with a fi lm and philosophy major) he made a short fi lm. Someone at Al Gore’s TV

station, Current, saw it. And right out of college, Silva found himself serving as a presenter for the now-defunct network. He was there for fi ve years.

“When I left Current I started making my own content on Youtube, my own short videos about philosophy, technology, and creativity. Brain Games was looking for a host. They’d done a three-part special, were going to do a full

season and needed a front-facing host. And the show-runner at the time asked me what I was doing these days, and I showed him these videos, and he said, ‘Oh, my God, you’re the guy.’ And that was that.”

Still single at 34, Silva says, “I like falling in love. It doesn’t happen as often as I would like it to happen. I just went on a bunch of dates with a girl in Miami. I went there for the holidays and I feel like I started to

fall for her. Now we’re separated for a while. She’s there, I’m here now. We’ll see. But I think she got a little scared because it got really intense really fast, then I left. And I miss her but I don’t know how she feels,” he shrugs, adding, “I’m interested in the nature of suff ering and how some people avoid it by not having any attachments.”

He thinks his explorations changed him the most. “It made me

realise I could re-connect with my inner child and re-connect with my unbridled curiosity and awe — that adolescence didn’t mean becoming the ‘cool’ guy that somehow is not in touch with intellectual curiosity ... So I was able to recapture the awe and wonderment of childhood. It was a life changing experience. It was just a realization that that kid was still there, and I wanted to nourish that kid.” — TNS

Host with the most‘Wonder junkie’ Jason Silva will helm Brain Games, the National Geographic series

that showcases the extraordinary ways we see, process and think. By Luaine Lee

MIND GAMES: Jason Silva stands next to a balloon wall during a game to test reflexes.


COMMUNITYHOLLYWOOD

Karolína Kurková hates it when people refer to her as a supermodel because she would rather be recognised for her personality than profession. The 31-year-old, who has been in the

modelling industry for 16 years, cringes when people refer to her with the prestigious title rather than comment on her talent and personality, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

She explained: “(Being a supermodel) doesn’t really mean anything. It’s a strange word. I prefer it

when people say I’m cool, or that I’m a hard worker, or I’m nice.”

However, Kurkova is thrilled she still has an active career because she understands there are newbies — like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid — attempting to crack the field.

“I’ve been modelling for 16 years. I’m amazed I’m still around; we live in such a fast-paced world and get over everything so quickly. I don’t allow myself to compete with the new girls — what good is thinking like that,” she said. — IANS

Karolina Kurkova doesn’t like the title ‘supermodel’

MODEL BEHAVIOUR: Karolína Kurková

Gods of Egypt director slams critics

Gods of Egypt director Alex Proyas has slammed critics in a lengthy Facebook rant, saying they write their reviews based on what people want to hear. The fi lmmaker launched a Facebook tirade in response to the movie’s less-than-impressive reviews from critics and audience as well as its underwhelming performance at the box offi ce, reports aceshowbiz.com.

In his post, Proyas shared his thought on today’s fi lm critics whom he said were putting up their opinion of what they think people want to hear, rather than their own honest assessment.

He called them everything from “deranged idiots” to “a pack of diseased vultures pecking at the bones of a dying carcass.”

“I have never gotten great reviews ... on any movie I’ve made really, apart from those by reviewers who think for themselves and make up their own opinions. Sadly those type of reviewers are nearly all dead,” Proyas wrote.

“I guess I have the knack of rubbing reviewers the wrong way — always have. This time, of course, they have bigger axes to grind... They can rip into my movie while trying to make their mainly pale &&** look so politically correct by screaming ‘white-

wash!’ like the deranged idiots they all are,” he added.

Gods of Egypt, which boasts appearances from actors Gerard Butler and Brenton Thwaites among others, only scored 13 percent “rotten” rating on fi lm reviews and news portal Rotten Tomatoes and debuted at number two at this week’s US box offi ce with around $14mn.

The number pales in comparison to the $31.5mn earned by Deadpool to spend its third consecutive week at the top position. — IANS

Dexter star Michael C Hall gets married

Dexter star Michael C Hall and his longtime girlfriend Morgan Macgregor are now offi cially husband and wife. The couple exchanged vows at the New York City Hall in a civil ceremony this week, after four years of dating, reports aceshowbiz.com.

No other details about their wedding ceremony have been revealed, but it was said that it was simple. Macgregor is a Los Angeles-based book reviewer and novelist who works as an associate editor at the Los Angeles Review of Books.

The couple began dating back in 2012, just months after Hall split from then wife Jennifer Carpenter.

He was married to Carpenter from 2008-2011. His fi rst marriage was to actress Amy Spanger in 2002. They split up in 2007. — IANS

James Gunn unhappy with Spotlight win

Guardians of The Galaxy 2 director James Gunn seemingly expressed his displeasure with Spotlight winning Best Picture award at the 2016 Oscars ceremony. Shortly after the winner of the coveted prize was announced at the ceremony held on Sunday night, Gunn took to Twitter to express his feeling about the results of the awards show, reports aceshowbiz.com.

“I hate when Best Picture goes to a diff erent fi lm than Best Director,” Gunn wrote, while adding, “Does our own industry not understand what a director does?”

His post prompted a mixed responses from users on Twitter.

One user commented: “The Revenant was an incredible achievement in directing. After it got through editing, though, not the greatest movie....”

Gunn wrote back: “The director also directs the editor. That is what a director does. And that is the misunderstanding.”

Another user wrote, “while Inárritu did a good job, I don’t think he deserves the award over Miller or McCarthy.”

Responding to another follower who asked, “so, you’re saying the rest of the crew/producers/screenwriters/etc have nothing to do

with best picture?”, Gunn responded: “No. But the director directs all of those people; you can judge a director’s performance in one way: by the fi lm itself.”

He later explained in another tweet, “Directing is a collaborative thing by its very nature. And that’s really all it is. So you can’t detach the two.”

While The Revenant lost to Spotlight in Best Picture category, the former title grabbed Best Director for Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s work. The movie also helped actor Leonardo DiCaprio win his fi rst-ever Oscar for Best Actor. — IANS

LIVID: Alex Proyas

Sofi a Vergara won’t have kids naturally

Actress Sofi a Vergara says she is unlikely to have children ‘naturally’, adding that if she and her husband and actor Joe Manganiello decide to expand their family, they will have to opt for a fertility treatment. The 43-year-old actress, who already has a son with her ex-husband Joe Gonzalez, opened up about her personal life while talking to Harper’s Bazaar Arabia magazine, reports femalefi rst.co.uk.

“I cannot just expect anything natural anymore. We’ll see what happens. It’s not something that doesn’t let us sleep. But it’s not something I am completely opposed to,” Vergara said.

The Modern Family star is grateful that her son Manolo was always such a good child as he made life as a working single parent easier for her.

She said: “I was a single mom for a long time and he always supported and helped me, made it easy to be able to work. I never had to worry about him. When you have a problem all the time, you are unable to be creative and think. As a single mother, I was able to do everything I wanted to do.”

Vergara previously admitted that having children with Manganiello, whom she got married to last year, wasn’t a priority in their relationship. — IANS

DISCLOSURE: Sofia Vergara MAKING A POINT: James Gunn


COMMUNITY

Jordan-based Circassians presented their captivating dance forms and

songs in a unique cultural showcase at Katara. By Umer Nangiana

Staging the delights of Circassia

Through a display of their elegant and unique culture dating back hundreds of years, the Circassians from Jordan

enthralled the Doha audience for two days with their dance forms and songs.

Young girls and boys in colourful and traditional costumes from Al Ahli Club Jordan captivated and inspired the audience at Katara Cultural Village during its Cultural Diversity Festival recently. By combining music and dance into one, the dancers performed breathtaking moves with energetic music each with its own meaning and story. A large number of people gathered to cheer the unique Circassian performances.

They would go up in cheers as the female dancers would gracefully fl ow across the stage and synchronise the moves with the male dancers in creating beautiful formations. “We are part of the Jordanian cultural diversity. We are Circassian, originally from North-West Caucasus. We had to leave our homeland 150 years ago and we are now part of the Jordanian culture,” Hameed Abzakh, Troupe Manager, Al Ahli Club Jordan told Community in a chat after the performance.

All the participants were volunteers performing for Al Ahli Ensemble of Circassian Jordan. “The reason these boys and girls come forward and volunteer is that they believe in what they are doing. They are trying to preserve the culture and traditions through the performances such as the one you saw today,” said Abzakh.

He added that the Circassian are living all around the world in 42 countries but Jordanians have their signature style which is very diff erent. Any Circassian will listen and see, and would identify easily

that this comes from Jordan, he added.

“For hundreds of years, these dances have been an integral part of our celebrations. The costumes are only for stages or festivals. But in our weddings and gatherings, we perform the same dances with the same traditions but in routine regular dresses of course,” said the troupe manager.

“We try to develop the dance forms. We have red lines and borders up to where we can explore. Every move in the dance means something. For instance, some moves depict a hunter going to hunt and he cannot traditionally touch the gear,” he explained.

“Some dances are for the harvest

season, some for war and some for celebrations. We have dances for migration. The last dance that you saw belongs to the people who have vanished now. As you listen and see, all their songs and moves are inspired by the heartbeat,” said Abzakh.

The Al Ahli Club Jordan, he said, has performed worldwide in many countries and at many festivals. “We went with Unesco to France and Turkey, we were the fi rst troupe from the Middle East to perform at the Opera House in Egypt, we went to USA and Palestine twice, we went to Italy for the opening of the handball World Cup of women,” said the manager.

All performers are volunteers

who carry their traditions. “They have to deliver, they have

to show the people the story of Circassia. Our children, when they are 3-4 years old, they see these dances in the weddings and they try to imitate their elders. So by the time they grow up, they are semi-professionals,” said the dance troupe manager.

He said they had a special trainer who came from Caucuses, their homeland to do the choreography while the musicians were also volunteers from Jordan. It was their fi rst time in Doha.

“The audience was just fantastic. People have been very interested in knowing about the dance forms and the costumes and asked

questions. I would say people here are very rich in culture to be honest. We were thrilled,” said Abzakh.

There are many forms of Circassian dances such as Apsni Apsua, the famous Abkhaz dance.

Abkhazians are considered part of the Circassians. They are very close in blood, language, culture, traditions with the Adyghe. In time Adyghe adopted their brothers’ and neighbours’ dance.

Qamachas, another form, is the dagger dance. The dancer shows his skill with the ‘Qama’, the Circassian dagger. It is a fast dance and it is a competition dance between men, and sometimes it is danced as solo.

SPECTACLE: Circassian dances are popular all across the world for their style and moves.

Performers displaying a form of Circassian dance.

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